ostomy you may feel humiliated by having to collect your body wastes in a bag. If you have surgery to your genitals, you may feel that you are no longer a "real man" or a "real woman."
But your body is not your self. Your true self is your spirit and your soul. It may be hard for you to accept this truth, but you can come to accept it with help and encouragement. Become involved with a support group and get to know other people who have had similar body changes. Just as you will be able to relate to them, other people will be able to relate to you just as you are. The volunteers who work with groups or other social agencies can help you adjust emotionally. You, in turn, may eventually be of value to others going through the same changes.
Loss of Independence and Control To some extent, these are inevitable for anyone with cancer. In the beginning, you will have to depend on the medical system for your very life. When you are in the hospital, other people may well determine when you eat, sleep, bathe, walk or even go to the bathroom. You may feel uncomfortable or humiliated by having to use a bedpan or having your body exposed to doctors, nurses and medical staff.
When you get home, you may have to depend on family, friends or social service agencies for help around the house, personal body care or meeting your financial obligations. You may start to feel "useless" or feel guilty about being a burden to people you care about.
You may have to simply accept your loss of independence for a while, but your sense of self-esteem can be improved if you take as much responsibility as you possibly can in the areas you can handle.
