Dealing with a Life-Threatening Disease

A cancer diagnosis is often times devastating and shocking, not only for the person being diagnosed, but also for their families. I experienced this type of shock and devastation the day my sixteen year-old brother was diagnosed with leukemia. As my family and I pulled together to help Charlie and each other while he was receiving treatment, I learned a lot about a lifestyle that before my younger brother was diagnosed, I never imagined would befall my family.

When you or someone you love is diagnosed with a chronic, life-threatening illness, you are swiftly drawn into a situation that will affect you emotionally, physically, spiritually, and even financially. A diagnosis doesn't come with instructions. Often times, you will not know what to expect next and there are constant twist and turns along the way.

The best thing you can do for yourself and for your family is to learn as much as you can about the disease you are dealing with. In my case, it was leukemia. Some websites I found very useful as I did my research include:

www.canceranswers.com

www.oncolink.com

www.cancer.gov

www.webmd.com

I used Wikipedia as another resource to define what my little brother was suffering from. It would also be beneficial to research the best hospitals for the specific disease you're dealing with. The website: http://health.usnews.com/health/best-hospitals/cancer-hospital-rankings/ is a great tool in finding the best hospital for your loved one.

Another important factor when you're living with a life-threatening disease is the emotional toll it will take on everyone involved, specifically the person with the disease. When an adolescent or young adult is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, they should be fully informed (if they want to be) on what is happening with their body and they should be able to make as many decisions as is possible. One of the most devastating emotional affects especially in the adolescent and young adult age group is the complete loss of control. Listen to what they say and take their opinions into account, after all, it's their body, it's their life, they have the right to voice how they feel.

If you are a caregiver, remember that in order to take care of your loved one, you must first take care of yourself. Although it is difficult to focus on yourself when someone you love is sick, it is necessary. For caregiver resources: www.caregiver.com.