Supporting Cancer Patients and Their Families in the Communities Where They Live,
Work and Receive Treatment.
The No. 1 Rule
There are rules for everything. They keep us safe, maintain order and fairness, give structure and provide guidance. We tend to look for the first rule on any topic. Did you know that there is a No. 1 rule for emotional health? You can find out what it is and how to use it in this newsletter.
We continue our Summer series on emotional health in this edition. Part four is below. In case you missed it, check out parts one, two, and three. The series continues in the next several Foundation Biweekly newsletter editions.
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By Ashley Griffin, MSW, LCSW, Social Worker, Clinical Services Texas Oncology–Houston Medical Center, Sugar Land, Deke-Slayton, Baytown, Pasadena
What is the No. 1 thing people should do to maintain
good emotional and mental health? Acknowledge it.
During and after treatment, there will be some bad days and some good days. On those not-so-good days, accept what you are feeling that day. When you are flooded with emotion, it doesn’t mean you are taking steps back. It’s ok to let yourself go through the emotions.
Life has changed. It is not easy to go through what a cancer patient has to traverse, and it is unchartered territory for you. Have acceptance that you experienced something that wasn’t easy. You lost some things along the way. You also gained some things along the way. Give yourself the space and grace to know you are human.
Acknowledge that there are others who might have gone through similar situations, but your experience is unique. Don’t judge or compare yourself to others, but rather, practice self-compassion—however that may look to you. It might be finding a place of solitude to “just be.” Or, finding others who can listen and hear what you are saying. That might be a support group, licensed professional, family member or friend. During treatment and beyond, you might need to reevaluate what is important in your relationships. You might need to carve new boundaries even with friends or family you have been close to for a long time. Explain your feelings and be concise in explaining what you need from them, even if that is just to listen for the moment, or talk about anything other than your cancer experience.
Once you acknowledge your emotional health, you are on your way to improving it.
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HYBRID CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Open to anyone who is impacted by cancer, including cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and health professionals in a safe space to explore the cancer realm.
First Working Mondays
6:00 pm-7:00 pm CT
Online or in person at Texas Oncology–Paris, 3550 NE Loop 286, Paris, TX
