How to Celebrate the Holidays While Coping with Breast Cancer
For breast cancer patients, the holidays can bring about a confusing mix of emotions. On one hand, you’ll get to reunite with loved ones you haven’t seen in ages. On the other hand, it’s hard to celebrate when you know you’ve got a serious condition to cope with. But having breast cancer doesn’t mean that you don’t have the right to be joyous during the Christmas season. In fact, the holidays are the perfect opportunity to take stock of what you’re grateful for. By knowing what matters the most to you, you can live your life to the fullest. If you’re still not sure where to start, though, then read on for some encouraging tips on how to spend your holidays.
Stay on Track with Holiday Appointments
It may be tempting to skip some of your check-ups during the holiday season, especially if you’re trying to hide from any potentially bad news. However, it’s best to keep to your schedule as much as possible. Instead of thinking of your check-ups as something to dread, think of them as a precautionary measure that help you work towards a speedier recovery. Make sure to ask your doctor if you can make appointments during the holidays, though, because he or she might also be out on vacation.
Try to Avoid Stressing Yourself Out
You might be tempted to try and be productive by sneaking in some work in between parties. However, the last thing you need is even more stress as you cope with your condition. Learn to say no to any unreasonable requests your boss may have for you during your long holiday vacation. On that same note, though, don’t get so excited to celebrate that you tire yourself out partying all night. Try to listen to your body. If it’s asking for you to take a breather, there’s no harm in sitting down and watching the festivities while you rest up a little.
Schedule Time for Your Loved Ones
Your time is precious, so make sure you spend it doing what you love with the people you care about the most. These people will best understand what you’re going through and will be there for you throughout the entire journey. If you’ve been having a tough time, there’s nothing wrong with reaching out and asking them for help. More often than not, they’ll ask you how they can show their love and support for you through concrete actions. This could include directly contributing to your medical expenses, donating funds to research institutions, or wearing pink silicone wristbands to raise breast cancer awareness. Sometimes, though, all you need is someone who’s willing to listen to what you’ve been going through. Don’t be afraid to communicate exactly what would help you out the most. By doing so your friends and family can give you the exact assistance that you need.
The Takeaway: Make This a Holiday a Memorable One
There’s absolutely nothing wrong about enjoying the holidays even if you’re coping with something difficult. It’s one of those few times of the year that you get to wind down and relax, after all. Though it may be tough at first, a little change of perspective can go a long way to creating wonderful memories you’ll cherish. Happy holidays!
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