The Benefits of Ongoing Support

When it comes to support there are three types of people: those who don't want it, those who will give it a try, and those who are all in.

When you don't know how to do something it is an easy fix to do a quick internet search to find answers. This is great if you are trying to figure out how to upload a new program on your laptop or make a vegetarian lasagna. But what about when it comes to your health? Do you really want a quick web search on how you navigate your diagnosis? There is so much information and misinformation out there, and at times it can be difficult to discern between the two.

This is where going to good sources for support matters. You want to ensure when you are looking for support that your information is accurate and that you have a way to ask questions about what you are learning. Support can come from a social worker, a therapist, group programs, friends and family, or a cancer coach. And, the support you receive can come in different forms including in person, online, group, one time sessions, short term programs, or long term programs.

What matters is that the person you choose to talk with knows how to support you and that there is a relationship of trust built between you. 

Why you need support

No one should have to navigate a diagnosis alone. There are so many pieces of this life puzzle that you may not even know you need to be aware of. Support from a trusted professional gives you a space to learn and grow, to ask questions, to be heard, and feel like you are not alone. Having time to unpack your thoughts and experiences allows you to process what is happening in your life. When you can talk through the logistics of the processes, you can start to move deeper into the emotional pieces.

Healing is not just physical work. Healing is also emotional work. It is important to address the thoughts and feelings you are having. Then you can allow the emotions to move through you. Feeling and moving the emotions helps you to stay connected to yourself as you develop self-awareness and tools to support yourself outside of your calls or office visits.

Why you need ongoing support 

Healing is a process. It takes time to move through what comes up in your body, mind, and spirit. It takes time to understand what is happening. And, it takes time to learn how to manage what you are experiencing. We live in a society where many things are quick fixes and we want to get things done fast. This is fine when it comes to the day to day stuff, but your health and your healing is not day to day. It is part of you and it needs support and nourishing. So many times over my years as a Cancer Coach my clients say how much better they feel having been able to share, to talk their concerns through, and to be heard. Ongoing support also allows conversations and concerns to be addressed over a long period of time rather than trying to find a solution quickly.

Ongoing support can help with:

• Problem Prevention: Regular check-ins and support can identify and address potential issues before they escalate.
• Personalized Assistance: Ongoing support allows for personalized attention, ensuring that specific needs and preferences are met effectively.
• Trust Building: Consistent support fosters trust and reliability, which are crucial for long-term relationships in any context.

Try this 

As you move through your life with cancer you may start to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. This may start with just knowing that something is happening inside you but not being able to name it. This is the beginning of listening to yourself. Next, you may notice that you start to name what you are experiencing, such as fear, or overwhelm, or grief. This is identifying what you are feeling. Naming it, or identifying it, allows you to move to the next step, which is learning how to mange it. That is where support from a professional can come in.

To help you get started, try this.

When you feel something shifting or activating inside of you, go through the following process. Say to yourself:

"I feel..." and name the feeling (ex. sad, anxious, angry). This is the identification step.

"Because..." and name why you think you are feeling that way (ex. I got disappointing news, I can't do things like I used to, I am tired of living this way). This is the step of understanding why you are having that feeling.

Then, move to the solution step of, "Instead I choose..." (ex. to feel grateful that I have good medical care, to stop and breathe to calm down).

There is a lot to navigate when you are living with cancer. Learning how to feel supported and the benefits of ongoing support is an important part of the healing process. When you build a trusting relationship with a professional that knows how to support you, you start to reclaim your life and choose to learn how to live with cancer. Cancer does not get to control your life, you do. 

Kathryn White is a Certified Holistic Cancer Coach who supports women to turn their cancer diagnosis into a thriving story one woman at a time.