Cancer care near me | Secure Healthcare Solutions

Being diagnosed with cancer can be a very scary and difficult time both for you and for your family. This is why it is important to prepare yourself for what to expect and deal with any feelings that you can to help you cope with the days ahead. If you are looking for cancer care, or any advice, we are here to help. Here are some top tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis…

Get all the facts that you can

One of the first things you will want to do following your diagnosis is to get all the facts. Some things you might want to ask your doctor could include:
What type of cancer do I have?
Has my cancer spread?
Can my cancer be treated?
What treatment options are available to me?
What can I expect during the treatment?
What are the next steps?
What cancer care assistance can I get?

Once you have the answers to these questions you might feel a bit more in control and prepared for what is coming. It is important to find out what you are up against. This way you can avoid too many unpleasant or unexpected surprises along the way. Your health care team will be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Tell your family and loved ones

It can be hard to tell your family or loved ones that you have cancer, but it can also help to do so. They will want to be there and support you and it might feel like a weight has been lifted. If you are in denial you might put off telling your loved ones as it makes it feel more real, but it is the best thing to do. When you speak to them, introduce the subject gradually and that is easiest for you. If you find it easier to do so over the phone or by email instead of in person, then do this. It is about what makes you feel the most comfortable.

Be prepared that some of your family might get upset, some might be silent and some might have lots of questions. All of these are normal reactions and just because they love and care about you and want to help you. Be as truthful as you can and don’t be afraid to ask them for help if you need it. You might want them to pass the news on to others. It can be exhausting having to have the same discussion over and over again with different people.

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Consider your finances

When you get a cancer diagnosis you need to consider your finances and be prepared. You will likely need to take time off of work. So be sure to speak to your employers about how they will support you with this. You might have to travel to hospitals or treatment centres that are further away and require you to hire a car, pay for petrol or get a hotel room. Consider the costs of these and speak to your local clinic or hospital. They can advise on financial aid during and after your cancer treatment.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Don’t forget that your friends and family will want to be there for you, so make sure you let them. If you don’t have any friends or family that live near you, or who are available during the day, you can also look into cancer care services. Here at Secure Healthcare Solutions, we have a range of cancer care services to help you. We can assist with everything from picking up your shopping or medication to your household chores, preparing your meals and emotional support too.

These are just a few tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis. Make sure that you get the help you need. If you require any cancer care or at-home care, we are here to help. Please get in touch with us today.

If you are looking for a role in home care, cancer care and for any cancer care jobs near you, you can find our vacancies here.

Unfortunately, going through chemotherapy is not the nicest of experiences. The harsh reality is that Chemotherapy does bring with is a variety of side effects that can’t be avoided. When going through the treatment you may feel fatigued which has the knock-on effect of a reduced appetite. It is important that you still eat and that you look after your diet, eating healthily to keep your body as strong as possible. Try to eat slowly, eating smaller portions but more often and opt for foods that are easier on your stomach, reducing fatty or spicy food. Your cancer care assistant can also advise you on this.

In order to help you during your chemotherapy treatment, below we have put together some food ideas for someone on chemotherapy.

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and good fat. They are full of positive nutrients and help combat fatigue as well as fill you up. During Chemotherapy, it is especially important to look after your body. Eggs will help with maintaining muscle mass and are a good source of omega-3.

Whether you like scrambled eggs, poached eggs or hard-boiled eggs, there are many ways to include egg within your diet. Just make sure they are cooked properly to help reduce the chances of them disagreeing with your stomach.

Smoothies

For a blast of nutrients, look no further than a smoothie. Smoothies are great as you can add whatever you would like into them, switching up the flavour profile dependant on your symptoms or taste. If you experiencing any inability to chew or swallow, smoothies are soft on the throat and are great for enhancing your immunity and aiding digestion.

You can easily make your own smoothies, so make sure you buy all your favourite fruits and whizz up a smoothie that you can look forward to. Plus, if you need to get more vegetables into your diet, then a smoothie is a great way to achieve this. Your cancer care assistant can help to prepare these smoothies for you.

Fish

It is always recommended to eat fish within your diet due to the many health benefits it brings. If you are going through chemotherapy, try and aim for at least two fish dishes a week.

Fish is full of essential nutrients that will help your body. It provides you with omega-3 fatty acids and is full of protein to help your muscles. Fish also help with other areas of your body including brain health, your liver and your sleep (which is especially important when going through chemotherapy)

With a little research, you’ll find there are a whole plethora of fish recipes that you can follow which are easy to cook and digest when going through chemotherapy.

Protein-Rich Snacks

When going through chemotherapy you may feel particularly tired, low on energy at some points and a loss of appetite. It is important that you still try to eat something when you are feeling this way, which is why it’s important to have some snacks nearby when you feel like eating something small.

There are so many different snack ideas that you can consider when going through chemotherapy, below are just a few:

Fruit – this can be frozen, canned or dried
Cheese and crackers
Healthy soup
Yoghurts or ice-cream
Almonds and other nuts
Pumpkin seeds
Hard-boiled eggs
Celery with peanut butter or cream cheese

If you or your loved one is going through chemotherapy and needs some additional cancer care services, we are here to help. We have a range of cancer care nurses and assistants that can help you. Find out more here.

If you are looking for cancer care jobs near you, we also have a number on offer. Find out more.

Dysphagia is a condition that means it is hard to swallow food or liquid. Not only is this distressing in itself, but if the person it is impacting is not eating it can lead to serious problems such as malnutrition, pneumonia or dehydration. This is why it is so important to try and assist with this as soon as possible. Some of the main conditions which could lead to dysphagia include Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, a stroke, head injury and cancer, particularly cancer of the oesophagus. Often, medical conditions such as the above, can cause the nerves or muscles in the throat to become weak or not work properly, making it difficult to swallow food and drink.

What are the symptoms of dysphagia?

If you have dysphagia you could have difficulty swallowing certain liquids or foods, cough or choke when drinking or eating, bring food back up and be unable to chew food properly.

What does a nutritious diet include?

A nutritious diet will keep the body and mind healthy, strong and in the best state possible. A nutritious diet should consist of the following:
Carbohydrates – Found in foods like pasta, bread, cereals and rice

Healthy fats – Healthy fats are present in dairy, butter and oil
Protein – Protein can be found in pulses, nuts, meat, eggs and fish
Vitamins and minerals – Different vitamins and minerals are found in different foods. For example, Vitamin C is present in citrus fruits, Iron in meat, poultry and beans and Vitamin A in vegetables such as carrots and kale.
Fluids – Water is best for the body to keep you hydrated

How to help someone with dysphagia swallow their food and drink

There are a number of different tips and methods for people with dysphagia and it is a good idea to try different techniques and see what works best for the individual. These are just a few things you can try to help your loved one.

Encourage them to sit upright, relax and take their time with chewing small, manageable pieces of food
Have more frequent, smaller meals and snacks rather than three large meals in a day
Eat soft foods that are easy on the throat, such as soup or yoghurt
Mash up food that is not naturally soft, or finely chop it so it is easy to manage. This can include meat, vegetables and fruit
Cook food until it becomes tender. This includes cooking rice or vegetables for longer to ensure they are soft and easier to swallow
Make smoothies or shakes. Instead of trying to help them to eat an apple or banana, why not put them together in a blender and make them into a smoothie? You can add milk to make it easier to swallow. You could also add in some protein powder to ensure they are getting enough protein for their body
Use plenty of gravy and sauce to help food go down easier
Avoid foods that are too salty, dry, sticky or have pips in as these can all be difficult to swallow
Take small sips of water or another drink between mouthfuls. Make sure these are small sips. If not, you might get full of water

How to decide what to make
There are also a host of recipe books out there which are specifically designed for dysphagia and if you need help with swallowing. No matter if you are suffering from swallowing and need help with Parkinson’s care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, Stroke Care, head injury care and cancer care, there are some great resources to help. You could also try looking on Pinterest. Speak to the individual who is impacted and ask what foods they fancy. You can then put together a plan and some recipes based on this.

Remember that each individual is different and that some techniques might work better than others. Communicate with the individual and see what they feel comfortable with trying.

If you have someone coming in to help with the care of your loved one with Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, a stroke, head injury, cancer or anything else that can cause dysphagia, be sure to voice any questions you might have. We have a range of home care health professionals who can help. Find out more about how we can help with Parkinson’s care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, Stroke Care, head injury care and cancer care as well as our other services here.