Cancer Lifestyle and Emotional Concerns Questions

1. What are some tips for a long distance caregiver to a dad with pancreatic cancer?

   Any late stage cancer demands attention. The median, or average, survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients at this stage is 8-12 months. Those months will bring continual debilitation and loss of independence for him. Immediately you should:
   1 Expert Answer

2. A friend tells me I am emotional over having ovarian cancer. How can you not be emotional facing recurrances or dying?

   You're not alone; it's natural to become extremely emotional while battling any type of cancer. Some people refer to it as a "roller-coaster ride" because there is so much bad news/good news/bad news.
   1 Expert Answer

3. What can I do to help my mother stop crying all the time?

   This is a very common problem. Some cancer patients tear up at every little thing, or they'll start crying and be unable to stop. They can't control it, which just makes them feel more frightened and frustrated by everything that's happening to them.
   1 Expert Answer, 10 Community Answers

4. How do I persuade my father to join a clinical trial that could help him fight bone cancer?

   When the prognosis for treatment isn't optimistic, a clinical trial can offer the possibility of increasing your father's odds of beating the disease or increasing the quality of his life. I'd encourage you to continue talking with your father about this clinical trial, and try to find out why he's refusing to join...
   1 Expert Answer

5. How can I get my parent's doctor to explain his cancer treatment in a way I can understand?

   It's almost impossible to process or retain the complicated information your parent's doctor is sharing with you without writing it down to review later. Bring paper and pen, or -- better yet -- bring someone with you who can listen, take notes, and ask the questions you don't think of at the time...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

6. My mother has been depressed since her cancer diagnosis; how can I persuade her to see a therapist?

   Here's something else to think about: perhaps someone in her circle of friends has a success story of seeking professional advice -- from clergy, doctor in the family, even support hotlines.
   2 Expert Answers, 7 Community Answers

7. How can I get my mother, who has breast cancer, to be more active so she won't lose muscle strength?

   You can't make your mother exercise and shouldn't feel responsible if she doesn't listen to you -- or her doctor. But you can refuse to let the subject drop, even if it makes her uncomfortable, and that's the easiest path to take.
   1 Expert Answer, 8 Community Answers

8. How can I get the doctor to be more responsive when my mother has side effects from chemotherapy?

   I hear this question all the time from family members, because so often we don't have a personal relationship with our doctors anymore. As a caregiver, you are your parent's representative, and you may have to be very assertive about asking the doctor to help you provide good care.
   1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

9. My mother, who has breast cancer, asks me to visit her every time she thinks there's a crisis. What should I do?

   Your first task is to find out what's really going on and how serious it is. Your mother may just be trying to tell you that she's lonely.When your mother was first diagnosed and started treatment, she probably got lots of attention amidst a flurry of activity...
   1 Expert Answer, 5 Community Answers

10. When is it a good time to talk to a spouse who has cancer about a will?

    the best time is now. do put it off. you never know when this will be an issue. it is always best to have everything out in the open. is there a step family ***** if there is the relation between the father and son/daughter could cause strain later on.
    1 Community Answer

11. As a cancer patient, how can I answer people who ask how I'm feeling with out complaining or showing annoyance?

    I have had ovarian cancer for 7 years along with sciatica plus other problems. As you can guess, I have had good days and bad days. How can I answer well meaning people how I feel (without complaining or showing annoyance)