A cancer diagnosis does not mean it’s time for you to postpone life to undergo treatment. I am constantly telling patients and their loved ones to stop postponing joy. Patients with cancer commonly want to wait or put life on hold, like that one special Alaskan cruise vacation they’ve been meaning to plan, because they associate that trip with finishing their bucket list. They believe if they complete their bucket list, then they are acknowledging that they are going to die from cancer.
As more time passes through their treatment, patients are not going to feel well enough to go on a big trip. It’s important to encourage them to do the things they love while they can and while they’re feeling well enough to do them.
