A terminal diagnosis is never a comfortable situation to find yourself in. Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless at the same time. Even once you make peace with the disease and any life expectancy timelines, managing the illness as it progresses is a complicated process.
So many things can jump out at the same time after your diagnosis. You have to think about whether it’s time to get your end-of-life documents in order and how to tell your family about your illness. You also have to learn how to manage the symptoms that are a result of your terminal illness. You may experience physical symptoms like nausea, constipation, and muscle weakness, but don’t forget about things like depression and anxiety.
People deal with their illnesses in different ways. From disappearing to a far-flung destination to entering palliative care or going on self-care cleanses, what you do next is up to you. As your symptoms worsen and it gets more challenging for you to perform daily activities, some of these hints and tips may help you figure out what your next steps should be.
1. Think about a viatical settlement.
Do you know anything about the viatical settlement or life settlement industry? If you have a life insurance policy, you should find out everything you can about how life settlements and viatical settlements can help you plan for your future. In simple terms, viatical settlements give you the chance to exchange your life insurance policy for a lump sum. Life settlements are similar, but you can use the viatical settlement money for your retirement or end-of-life expenses.
If your terminal illness is severe, you may want to consider viaticals. Viatical settlement providers also offer a death benefit that would go to your chosen beneficiaries. It’s a good idea to review your life insurance with your insurance company and compare different viatical settlement companies before deciding to give up your life insurance policy.
2. Invest in natural supplements.
Sometimes, terminally ill patients suffer side effects from their illnesses that affect other organs in their body. Certain prescription medications may also affect everything from your weight to your liver. In instances like this, increasing your vitamin supplement intake can be a great natural way to improve liver function.
For example, if the problem is your liver, consider an organic liver cleanse detox. It’s a detox supplement with natural ingredients like organic milk thistle and dandelion root. Organic ingredients like milk thistle may help remove the toxins in your liver, strengthening and allowing it to function better.
Always consult a health professional or your doctor before before purchasing or consuming any of these products, to be aware of the possible side effects.
3. Consider CBD for pain relief.
Whether you have kidney disease, late-stage cancer, liver disease, or another type of chronic illness, you may need more than prescription medications to help you manage the aches and pains. As your symptoms worsen, consider using CBD products to alleviate some of the discomforts. Available as oils, tinctures, gummies, capsules, and edibles, the cannabidiol products are an excellent option for terminally ill patients.
The natural, organic wellness products may help manage the physical symptoms and alleviate the anxieties surrounding your diagnosis. It’s a good idea to get the THC-free options from a reputable brand like Sera Labs so that you can be sure of the quality of CBD products.
Always consult a health professional or your doctor first before purchasing or consuming any of these products to be aware of the possible side effects.
4. Focus more on your nutrition.
It’s essential to keep your energy up when you’re dealing with a challenging illness. You can do this by ensuring you’re keeping your digestive system healthy. Good nutrition promotes wellness and helps strengthen your immune system enough to fight against an illness’s side effects and symptoms.
Improving your diet is an easy way to ensure that you’re keeping your system healthy. You don’t need to convert to a vegan diet to increase your meals’ antioxidant and nutrient-rich ingredients. Add spices like turmeric, ginger, and cumin to your food and increase your intake of vegetables like kale, spinach, carrots, beets, and broccoli. You should also add antioxidants and citrus fruits to your diet. Plus, don’t forget that things like apple cider vinegar, fennel seeds, and certain herbs are also a boost for your digestive system.
5. Find a good therapist.
A kind word, some emotional support, and a focus on mental wellness are all beneficial things for anyone, and especially for those with a terminal illness. Doctors can diagnose a disease, give you an idea of how long a person lives, what medication an ill person can take, and perhaps how to manage their symptoms. A therapist can do much more, including helping you come to terms with your illness and manage the severity of your symptoms.
Some forms of psychotherapy may help ease the emotional suffering that terminally ill patients face through their illness. Even if you don’t think you need emotional help, you should find a good therapist to talk you through this time. A few sessions can help give you a more balanced view of the future, whatever your diagnosis.
6. Prioritize how you’re feeling.
It’s not unusual for an ill person to want to push through and keep going. If you have a terminal illness and feel your symptoms worsen, it can be easy to feel like you have to make the most of each moment. It’s crucial to take a step back to rest your mind and body through this challenging time.
Chronic illnesses and terminal diagnoses take a significant toll on your physical and mental health. While most of the severity of your symptoms may have to do with your condition, some of it may flare up with stress as well. So, spend time relaxing, prioritize how you feel over what you think you should do, and remember to put your health and comfort above all else.
7. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
When your symptoms begin to get severe, it’s not easy to stay active. Instead of pushing yourself too hard, ask friends and family to help you out. Whether it’s taking a short walk around the neighborhood or getting some fresh air in the park, doing so with some company can make it easier for you.
If your symptoms are so severe that activities of daily living become too hard to carry out yourself, you may need a caretaker. It’s a good idea to get someone who has experience with palliative care to avoid any issues. It may feel like you’re giving up, but having help with daily activities will help you reserve some energy for other, more meaningful tasks.
8. Spend time with loved ones.
Did you know that being around loved ones can reduce some physical pain and help with pain tolerance? The more your body begins to fail you, the more time you should consider spending with friends and family. Also, consider joining a support group or looking for people with similar chronic pain or terminal illness diagnoses. The more company you have, the easier it will become to focus on pain management techniques as your symptoms worsen.