Embracing Celebrations: Ensuring that Special Times Aren’t Stressful Times
by Dara Torres 
Important
events like birthdays, weddings, holidays or other family celebrations
should be happy, festive times. But if you’re part of a network of
support for someone who’s fighting colorectal cancer, they can also
present a challenge. Such events might make you and your loved ones feel
a bit anxious – and that’s perfectly normal. Being affected
by cancer, you’re already dealing with challenging and stressful
changes to your lives, and while celebrations can be wonderful, they can
also add to these stresses. The key to enjoying these events is to concentrate
on what matters, and to make the most of your celebrations. Here are a
few tips you may want to try to help you get through the more hectic occasions.
Before anything else, you should probably start by talking to your loved one who is fighting cancer about what brings them the greatest happiness during these occasions and what gives them the most comfort. Maybe it means a lot to them to cook a special birthday cake, send handwritten holiday cards or give a wedding toast. But, you might be surprised to learn that there are other traditions they would rather skip. If you can focus on what’s really meaningful, you may find that it reduces everyone’s stress levels.
Talking about illnesses can be an awkward topic for everyone, including family. It doesn’t need to be the center of conversation, but it shouldn’t be ignored either. It may not be possible for your loved one to eat certain foods, or maybe arrangements need to be made to make a home wheelchair-accessible. It’s easier to plan ahead and deal with these things early, and it will go a long way toward making the festivities more enjoyable for everyone.
If the appearance of the person with CRC has changed, it is also a good idea to take young ones aside ahead of time for a simple explanation of what to expect, to avoid any awkwardness.
And it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for any changes in your loved one – both in their physical health, and in their emotional and mental well-being. The stress of full schedules, travel and special events can be draining, and these busy times might make it possible to overlook issues you might otherwise notice. Also, don’t forget to be mindful of your own health! Make sure that you and your loved one make time for maintaining healthy habits, like:
- Getting enough rest
- Taking breaks during travel to get up and stretch
- Taking breaks during events to relax or get some fresh air
- Eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water
- Keeping scheduled doctor’s appointments, and taking medicine as prescribed
But, most of all, let others help you. Allow them to give the best gift they can: their love and support.
With every best wish,
Dara Torres
Roots of Support in CRC is made possible through the generosity of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and ImClone Systems Incorporated. Copyright © 2005. All rights reserved.
