Sources of Support
Learning you have a brain tumor can change your
life and the lives of those close to you. These changes
can be hard to handle. It's normal for you, your family,
and your friends to need help coping with the feelings
that such a diagnosis can bring.
Concerns about treatments and managing side
effects, hospital stays, and medical bills are common.
You may also worry about caring for your family,
keeping your job, or continuing daily activities.
Here's where you can go for support:
- Doctors, nurses, and other members of your health
care team can answer questions about treatment,
working, or other activities.
- Social workers, counselors, or members of the
clergy can be helpful if you want to talk about your
feelings or concerns. Often, social workers can
suggest resources for financial aid, transportation,
home care, or emotional support.
- Support groups also can help. In these groups,
people with brain tumors or their family members
meet with other patients or their families to share
what they have learned about coping with the
disease and the effects of treatment. Groups may
offer support in person, over the telephone, or on the
Internet. You may want to talk with a member of
your health care team about finding a support group.
- Information specialists at 1-800-4-CANCER
(1-800-422-6237) and at LiveHelp
(http://www.cancer.gov/help) can help you locate
programs, services, and publications. They can send
you a list of organizations that offer services to
people with cancer.
For tips on coping, you may want to read the NCI
booklet Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer.
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