Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer Pain: How To Cope With The Pain

Generally, when one is told of cancer there is an immediate pain of fear.  Plus if its cancer of the colon, the pre surgical colon cancer pain is even more painful. The internal pain remains. After treatment, physical pain is added to the trauma of the disease. But to treat, it must be measured, at frequent intervals of time. Family support is one such palliative. The other is with the physician, who will, after understanding the type of pain, where it is, how frequent it is, etc., prescribe medication.

Only the patient can tell what is being felt and where, its intensity, relieving factors and so on. So you have to be as precise as you can. Don’t hesitate even if it is your tendency to do so. Just remember to not mask the pain, or overstate it. If you mask, the painkiller may not be given, and if you overstate, you may overdose.

Avoid negative thinking. Talk to your co-patients. Listening to music also alleviates painful thoughts.

If your pain doesn’t go away, you should consult with the physician. He may prescribe alternative medication or increase your dosage. Generally, the drugs that are prescribed are not addictive.

Several methods are used for taking the medication. If the patient has a working stomach, the most preferred is by mouth. Otherwise, they will be given rectally, or by an IV line. Sometimes, patient controlled pumps containing analgesics (pain relievers) are used. Once the patient settles into this routine, the opiods therapy begins. Use of local anesthetic is also prescribed for some. Subdural medication may be given when the patient is not responding or has uncontrollable pain.

Every medication has its own side effects. So the physician has to match the need of the patient and its consequent effects elsewhere. Morphine is administered in rare cases. Most hospitals have volunteers who have experienced, either themselves, or in their families, cancer.  They can come and sit with the patient, and chat on various things.

Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, counting from one to as much as you can. Focus on good things that have happened in the past. Think of anything that will help you forget your present problems. Try to count how many times your nurse visits, or how many steps they take from their work desk to you. Stay away from thinking about yourself.

Watch TV, if even you’re not in the mood. Smile at other patients because they are in as much in pain as you are. Take the advice of the volunteers about how to control your anxiety and pain.  Remind yourself time and again, that you have a life to live again, and that the growth which could have caused even more problems, is no longer there. If you are a religious person, read whatever religious book you want. Ask your volunteer, friend or family to get you some. If you like reading novels, ask them to bring you lots of them to read.

You will be back on your feet much faster than you think, if you have a positive approach to life. You are inside only for a while until you regain your strength and go back to normal life. God Bless You!

Colon Cancer