November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the impact of this disease and how we can best support those living with it. Supporting a loved one with lung cancer can be challenging, but there are many ways you can help them through this difficult time:
Practical Ways to Help
Simple acts of service and offering practical help alleviates the burden on your loved one so they can focus on their health and well-being.
- Provide transportation: Offer to drive your loved one to appointments, treatments, or the grocery store. The American Lung Association stresses the importance of reliable transportation for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
- Assist with meals: Prepare or deliver meals so they don’t have to worry about cooking. Consider setting up a meal train with friends or family members to make sure they have consistent, healthy meals.
- Help with household tasks: Offer to help with everyday tasks like cleaning, laundry, or yard work. Maintaining a clean-living environment is especially crucial for lung cancer patients, as exposure to dust mites and other irritants can exacerbate respiratory issues.
- Attend appointments: Offer to accompany them to appointments and treatment to take notes and offer moral support. Having someone to listen and help them process medical information is extremely helpful, especially when discussing lung function tests and treatment options.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family. Here are some key aspects of palliative care:
- Symptom Management: Palliative care teams work to alleviate symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping.
- Emotional and Spiritual Support: This type of care also addresses emotional, social, and spiritual needs. It can include counseling, support groups, and spiritual care services.
- Coordination of Care: Palliative care teams often coordinate with other healthcare providers to ensure that the patient’s care is well-organized and aligned with their goals and values.
- Support for Families: Families receive support as well, including help with decision-making, caregiver support, and respite care.
- Early Integration: Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment and can begin at any stage of a serious illness.
Remember Self-Care
While supporting your loved one with lung cancer is crucial, so is taking care of your well-being too. Providing support to a loved one with lung cancer can be emotionally challenging.
Remember to prioritize your own mental and physical health. Don't hesitate to set boundaries, communicate your needs, and practice self-care so that you can remain a strong source of support for your loved one.
Remember, no one is alone on this journey; reach out to support networks, healthcare professionals, and community resources like the American Lung Association for guidance. We want to be pillars of strength for our loved ones during this challenging journey.
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of lung disease, schedule a respiratory diagnostic appointment with us or a trusted doctor.