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“Sometimes ‘a new normal’ seems to have a bad connotation,” said Nicole Lise Feingold, director of Patient Services at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).
Yes, life changes after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. But experts agree that living each day as normally as you can, whether you’re a patient or a loved one, is key. Also critical is being open to new meaning in life, altering routines and hobbies if needed, and embracing a “new normal.”
“Sometimes ‘a new normal’ seems to have a bad connotation,” said Nicole Lise Feingold, director of Patient Services at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). “This is probably because change is required to develop this new normal. Change in and of itself can be both scary and challenging. However, change allows us to grow in exciting ways, which is a positive.”
Here are tips from Patient Central about how to find and embrace your “new normal.”
The National Cancer Institute’s tips on coping sum up the “new normal:”
“You are not your cancer. Even though you have the disease, you get to decide how you want to live the rest of your life. You can choose to live with hope.”
For free resources and information to support you throughout your cancer journey, contact Patient Central.
Kristin Reynolds is the Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). This article was originally published on April 30, 2018. It is republished with permission.