Many people with cancer say that only someone else with the disease truly knows what having cancer feels like and understands the struggle. Being with people who do understand forms an esprit—a camaraderie—that is a most pleasant emotion. It also relieves tension because you can't frighten them as you do your friends and family. You don't have to be constantly on your guard.
If there is no cancer support group in your area, you can find other cancer patients by asking your physician, your local cancer society or other organizations that provide services to people with cancer.
10. Do what you can to keep up hope.
Hopelessness is one of the most unpleasant emotions known to humankind. But when the diagnosis is cancer, many of us believe that there is no hope. That's just not true. There are millions of people in the world today for whom cancer is just a memory. There is no type of cancer that does not have some recovery rate. Forty to 50 percent of all people who develop cancer in Canada will eventually conquer the illness. Others will live long lives controlling the cancer as they would some other chronic disease. Hope is not only desirable but emotionally reasonable.
