How to Cope With a Terminal Stomach Cancer Diagnosis

Stomach cancer, the growth of cancerous cells in the stomach, often proves to be fatal. A diagnosis of terminal stomach cancer has severe emotional implications for you, the patient, as well as your family and loved ones. Learning to cope with this diagnosis is the first step towards making the most of the rest of your life. Regardless of the stage of your cancer, you have options.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mental health professional
• Computer with Internet connection
• Oncologist

Cope With a Terminal Stomach Cancer Diagnosis

1. Know the facts. Of the approximately 21,260 Americans diagnosed with stomach cancer each year, about 11,210 will die of this disease (according to the American Cancer Society). The majority of those diagnosed with stomach cancer are over the age of 65.

2. Get involved. Taking on a participatory role and making decisions will help you cope with your terminal stomach cancer diagnosis. It's also good for your self-esteem.

3. Explore your treatment options. Depending upon the location and stage of the stomach cancer, your age, general health and your personal preferences, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for you. This may include treating the cancer with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy or may involve treating the symptoms of cancer to allow you more comfort.

4. Express your emotions. It's important to talk to a support group, a professional therapist or family and friends about your terminal cancer diagnosis. Keeping your feelings bottled up inside can cause further emotional and physical duress.

5. Determine if hospice care is the right choice. The goal of hospice care is to provide patients with quality of life and comfort in the final stages of their lives. This type of care may involve pain management as well as grief counseling and other mental health services.

Cope With a Loved One's Terminal Diagnosis

6. Ask questions. Encourage the friend or family member in question to express his or her feelings. Let the cancer patient be honest about the fears and concerns that accompany a terminal diagnosis.

7. Offer your support. Let the stomach cancer patient know that you can assist him or her with everything from menial tasks, like grocery shopping, to more complex projects, like researching potential hospice centers or interviewing home care workers. Helping with logistical aspects of the cancer can help you cope.

8. Locate your own emotional support. There are many support groups for the friends and family members of cancer patients. A licensed therapist or psychiatrist can also help you cope with the situation. Ask the patient's doctor for a referral.

Tips & Warnings

• As a patient, you have the right to participate in decisions regarding the treatment of your disease. Your physician should answer any questions you have fully and provide detailed information about your prognosis based on any and all treatment options available. You may designate a representative should you feel you are incapable of making a decision regarding your treatment.
• Ask your doctor to write down your diagnosis, including the stage of your stomach cancer. This information can help you educate yourself and your family regarding treatment options.
• Clinical depression is a separate issue from any feelings of sadness a terminal cancer patient may feel. If you recognize symptoms of clinical depression, seek guidance from your doctor or a trained mental health professional. Treatment may be available in the form of anti-depressant drugs.

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