We are very sorry to hear that you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an incurable disease. Our thoughts are with you. Here at Vitals Aware Services, we offer tools to help patients and caregivers advocate for their health needs, so in addition to positive vibes, we want to help you out by providing crucial and helpful steps that you can take now that you have news about your disease. Consider the tips below and make your days easier as you enjoy the time you have left.
Talk to Someone
After you have first learned about your incurable disease, the last thing you need is to be alone. Instead, seek out your family and spend time with them as you talk about your feelings and remember what is important in your life. Remember that you don’t have to just sit around, and you can instead go do something you really enjoy with your family, like going to the beach or taking a relaxing nature hike.
It is understandable if you are really feeling down about your disease, so if family isn’t enough, remember that you can seek the assistance of a support group where you can speak to other like-minded individuals and get the help you need.
Consider Relocating
Once you have come to terms with your illness, you will want to think about how you can live your remaining time as comfortably and safely as possible. In some cases, if you have a disease that makes it harder to get around over time, then you may have to consider moving to a new home. When you look for a property, you may want to find one that offers accessibility options like a wheelchair ramp or grab bars in the bathrooms.
When it comes time to look for a new house, you need to do your research, including ensuring that your credit report is in good standing and looking at your finances to consider what you can realistically afford, including your down payment. If necessary, consider bringing on a real estate agent who can talk you through the process and find properties that will suit your needs.
Find Someone to Help You Out
As time goes on, you may also need assistance with your chores and medical needs, so talk to your family and ask for assistance. They may be helpful in assisting with your grocery shopping, getting your medication from the drug store, and other general errands.
You may also need help getting to your doctor appointments, though if your family isn’t available, you can always find services online. Telehealth options are a great alternative for people who are comfortable seeing a virtual doctor. Fortunately, you can easily find a doctor online through a platform that offers access to board-certified physicians, usually with same-day appointments. Look for a platform that accepts your insurance to ensure you only have a copay; however, if they don’t accept your insurance, your out-of-pocket costs shouldn’t be prohibitively expensive.
Continue to Exercise
In order to feel your best even while you go through this difficult time, you should make it a point to continue to exercise when you are feeling up to it. If you can fit in at least 30 minutes of exercise every morning, then you will feel strong and naturally energized so you don’t feel sluggish throughout the day. You don’t need to go overboard, as even a brisk walk around the block or time on the bike can burn plenty of calories in addition to improving your mental health due to the natural endorphins you produce.
Speaking of your mind, you can also feel better overall by trying yoga or practicing meditation which can give you time to clear your head so you aren’t as focused on your disease. You can also try breathing exercises when you are feeling especially stressed.
As you can see, there are things you can do to feel better even as you battle your disease. Try the tips discussed here and enjoy your days as best as you can.
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