5 Tips You Need To Know After Being Diagnosed With Cancer!

Cancer. A word that even feels uncomfortable to say. Hearing the words “you have cancer” for the first time (or anytime for that matter) can be world shaking and world changing, all in the matter of seconds. When you are first diagnosed with cancer, you will probably have a lot of questions and you could even feel alone, no matter how many people are around you. I want you to know that if you are going through cancer, especially the first time, you are not alone and you have an entire community behind you.

Below are 5 tips that I wish I knew when I was first diagnosed with cancer. My hope is that at least one of my tips is able to help you when you need it most.

5 Tips You NEED To Know:

1. Always Get A Second Opinion: Doctors are humans and just like any human, doctors can make mistakes or misdiagnose, that is why having another doctor take a look is always a good idea. It is always reassuring to hear and know that two separate oncologist agree with the diagnoses and the treatment plan, especially during a time where there are so many questions and fears. For me personally, a second opinion saved my life.
   
2. Be Prepared For Unsolicited Advice: Fair warning, no matter where you go or where you turn, you will always have someone trying to give you advice on what to do with your treatment and what you should/should not be eating. Even though family and friends mean well, it can be annoying and overwhelming at times. If you have to walk away for a bit to breathe, walk away. Social media is a big part of most of our lives and that means you will have people from all over, that you might not even know, trying to give you advice. I’ve even been scolded (like I was a child) by strangers for enjoying a donut. Unsolicited advice is just apart of the cancer game (unfortunately) so my biggest advice, is to smile, nod and speak up if it is becoming too much.
   
3. You WILL Lose + GAIN Friends: Cancer is tough. Cancer is tough when you are going through it yourself but it is also tough for your family and friends see you go through cancer. Be prepared to lose some friends and for “friends” to come out of the woodworks. I lost one of my high school best friends when I was diagnosed with cancer. They never once came to see me when I was in the hospital nor did I get a text just to see how I was doing. It was tough but looking back, losing that one friend was a blessing because I gained that many more friends who truly understood what cancer was like. The cancer community has proven to be one of the best places to find some of your greatest friends, it is also a place that you need to prepare to possibly lose some friends (due to cancer and it is not easy). No matter what, cancer or no cancer, we will all gain and lose friends, you just really see who your true friends are when being diagnosed with cancer.
   
4. Change Your Diet: Many people don’t realize that what we eat and the habits we have, can make treatment and the cancer itself, worse. There is a ton of information out there on what you should and should not eat when it comes to cancer. I’ve spent many hours watching different documentaries, researching, and trying different variations of diets; truthfully, I don’t think there is a one size fits all cancer fighting diet, but there are certain foods and habits we can change, that can help our bodies heal, fight, and even defeat cancer. You want to fuel your body with the best foods possible. Think plant over processed. Try limiting the amount of refined sugar, sugar, and processed/junky food you eat (fast food, soda, candy, chips, ext.). Incorporating more wholesome foods, such as plants, veggies, and fruits into your diet will help with inflammation that is caused by cancer, treatment and even meats. Speaking of meats, when reaching for meat go for the best. Grass feed, hormone free, cage free, and wild caught are the way to go. Food is fuel. Your body will need plenty of fuel while going through treatment, so why not make sure you are fueling your body with the best food possible!
   
5. Keep An Open Mind To Holistic Approaches: This ties into number 4 but keep an open mind to holistic approaches. Some people (myself included) have gone plant-based after being diagnosed with cancer. Others have used cannabis (also myself included) to help with side effects of cancer and treatments. Other holistic approaches are meditating, essential oils, sound healing, yoga, and many others. Cancer is much more than a physical battle, it is also a mental and even spiritual battle. Holistic medicine looks to heal your body, mind, and spirit, while chemo is looking to attack and destroy all cells, good or bad.

I personally did a holistic medicine approach as well as chemotherapy (I spoke with my oncologist + holistic doctor and they were on board with each other) and I truly believe that is one of the reasons why my body was able to handle chemo the way it did (I never got sick from chemo, no throwing up or laying in bed for days. I only had weight loss, hair loss, tongue blisters, and tired the day of/after chemo).

I hope that these 5 tips are able to help you navigate through the first few weeks/months of being diagnosed with cancer and please know, that you are never alone and always have someone who is standing in your corner.