Good days and bad days

Let's be honest. The reality of a serious illness is that sometimes you'll have hard days.
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Expect the unexpected

Let's go back to the GPS navigation analogy for a moment. As a reminder, we compared palliative care to GPS navigation for your serious health illness. Anyone who has used GPS knows that sometimes you end up off the beaten path. As good as the technology is, it will sometimes lead you to a dirt road or even stop giving you instructions altogether!

Living with a serious illness will sometimes feel like you’re in unfamiliar territory. Palliative care will give you more tools to help you carry on with daily life.

The tips below are a starting point for helping you manage the harder days of your illness, adapted from several resources:

One of the most helpful palliative care resources may be the emotional support it can provide. Most palliative care teams, including Sentara palliative care teams, include a licensed clinical social worker who can help provide emotional support. Don't be afraid to ask for a connection to this resource at your first appointment. They may also suggest you seek a counselor you trust. Look for support from loved ones and friends who are empathetic listeners and who do not judge or tell you how to feel. You may also want to consider joining a support group. Many disease-specific organizations offer both in-person and online support groups.
Some days will include more pain or other symptoms. Give yourself grace and do not be afraid to slow down and reassess how you need to spend your time that day.
Stress is harmful to all of us, but when your body is also dealing with illness, stress makes it that much harder. Now is the time to think about how you spend your time. Are there commitments you don't enjoy and can let go of? Are there ways to simplify required tasks? Consider switching the way you do things. For example, order groceries for pickup or delivery to save that energy for something you enjoy. Or consider calling your support team and asking for help. People will often say, "How can I help," with genuine intentions but without an understanding of what to do. Make a list of things you need help with and take them up on their offer!

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The Carrillo Kern Center for Integrative Therapies ensures patients and their families have all of the mind, body and spiritual support and services they need throughout their cancer journey.

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Other ideas for managing stress:

  • Find a relaxation technique that works for you, such as meditation.
  • Get enough sleep. Talk to your care team and palliative care team if your symptoms interfere with sleep.
  • Give yourself permission to be active when you feel up to it and to rest and slow down when you're not feeling your best. This sounds easy, but this may be a "new normal" you are getting used to.
  • Get outside on the days you feel better. You don't need to run a marathon or walk 10 miles to benefit from spending time outside.

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A growing body of research suggests getting outside can improve mental health and sharpen cognition. Set a realistic goal of going for a short walk or even just sitting outside and reading a book or listening to music.

 
Tips adapted from:

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