The mesothelioma sufferers generally enjoy walks and treatment, words of encouragement and cooked meals at home with friends and family.
But most have also received something they do not realize. unsolicited advice on what to eat or drink
I'm sure that cancer patients are familiar with these words of advice:
- "I read that sugar feeds the cancer. You should avoid all sugar. "
- " Eating an alkaline diet will cure your cancer. "
- " My neighbor juiced three times a day during her chemo, and her cancer disappeared. "
- " there is a supplement herbal Mexico who cures cancer, but your doctors do not want you to know about it. "
as a therapist with experience in the middle of cancer, many patients and their caregivers have told me stories about how the dam spontaneous nutrition tips and suggestions left them overwhelmed, bored, or both.
well-meaning friends and family members always recommend the latest supplement to cancer treatment they heard about or offer dietary advice after their own online "research."
The diagnosis and the stress of dealing with treatment already mesothelioma patients feel anxious. The tips of their relatives adds pressure, and ultimately, it causes the opposite effect to that intended their relatives.
For example, some patients may misinterpret this advice to mean that they should question the physician of their treatment plan. Others may begin to doubt their own doctors.
Why Loved Ones offer unsolicited advice?
Because many people feel helpless when a loved one is struggling with mesothelioma, they can look for opportunities to show their concern and help the patient.
While doctors and nurses are health professionals who provide clinical care of patients, their relatives may believe they can complement the treatment of your doctor with their own advice on basic necessities such as eating and drinking.
Sometimes relatives have had a negative experience with conventional medicine and may have benefited from dietary changes, herbs, supplements and other complementary and alternative medicines.
the bottom line is most people offering unsolicited advice nutritional means well. The exception is if that person has kind of information.
How mesothelioma patients should answer?
You can not have an immediate response to a comment that well-meaning not intended effect. Sometimes you may not want to answer all.
Give Thanks
If a friend or family member sends you a story about how cancer patients should avoid sugar, you may have the urge to start a debate. This can lead to further discussion or perhaps an argument. By simply saying "thank you" you acknowledge their good intentions without questioning the validity of their advice.
Ignore the advice
This is easiest choice for advice on social media or email. Ignore someone can be difficult for you, but it may be the best response when the suggestion is extreme or energetic. One patient told me the colleague harassed for not adhering to a vegan diet. She chose to ignore e-mails describing the risks of nonvegan diet.
Be honest about how you feel
This strategy works best with people you feel you can actually listen to you and respect your feelings when you express them. A good idea is to say:
"Thank you for taking care of me and wanting to support me in my fight with mesothelioma But when I receive advice that goes against the recommendations. I received my oncologist and the treatment team, it actually causes me more stress. This makes me think that you want me to doubt my treatment decisions and that I trust to provide my care. "
people who really care to respect your feelings and concerns. Some may even feel relieved that they should not think of ways to heal and you may be able to just relax in your presence.
accept the inevitable
Despite these suggestions, some people keep sending you articles about miracle cures extreme juicing, secret remedies or other non-scientific treatments. If the stress they cause outweighs their significance in your life, try to limit the amount of time that you deal with them
Opinion Loved Ones :. Be aware
Eating and drinking is something we must do every day. Historically and culturally, we show people that we care about them by making them food when they are sick or giving suggestions on what types of food or drink will help them feel better.
But it is important to respect the wishes of the mesothelioma patient and not become too aggressive with our suggestions on nutrition because even though we may have the best intentions, we can end up making our family feel worst.
