Coping With Thyroid Cancer During The Holidays

It is that time of year and whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or any other, this time of the year can be very stressful.  We can tend to put expectations on ourselves that can be difficult to accomplish.  With the diagnosis of thyroid cancer may come, having surgery followed by a possible radioactive iodine treatment.  All this can just be overwhelming and somewhat depressing.

If your holiday season looks like it may be a less-than-merry one, it can be of great value to you to embrace support from your friends and family.  Surround yourself with positive,and upbeat people.  They will help lift your spirits.

What can you do to lighten your load?  If you have recently had surgery or are preparing, by going into a state of hypothyroidism, for a treatment or scan ask your family or friends’ to assist you or to do the following:

• go grocery shopping for you
• do some cooking of meals and some baking
• decorate and write cards
• shop for gifts

Things you can do to relieve the holiday stress:

• the most important thing to do to relieve strss is to ask for assistance unfortunately for some this is the hardest thing to do
• keep things simple-everything from meals and decorations can be kept very basic
• always take the time to rest, if you cannot get it done now attempt it later or ask for help
• if you must be social choose the very important parties, and do not overstay to run yourself down
• instead of actual gifts, buy gift cards
• if you must entertain, have a potluck assigning guest food items to bring
• instead of having one large gathering, have smaller more intimate ones with time between to rest
• when preparing a meal for you and your family make extra and freeze it for another day

As a friend or family member of someone that recently had surgery or is preparing for treatment be encouraging and positive.  Ensure that they do not become a recluse and wallow in their situation.  Stop by for a short visit with a special treat ensuring that it is allowed on the low iodine diet that they would be on preparing for a treatment or scan.  Recipes can be found on the thyroid cancer association sites.

Being thyroid cancer patient, one has to remember to think of yourself and focus of togetherness.  Do not over do it keeping the celebrations simple.  If you are uncomfortable and in pain or discomfort communicate this to those near you and they will understand and be more than happy to look after you.  There will be a holiday season again next year and you can plan now to make it twice as special to celebrate at that time all that you have gone through.  Coping With Thyroid Cancer will provide you with much more helpful tips.