Living with a terminal illness is challenging, yet it should not be about counting the days left and waiting to die. Staying hopeful should be a part of battling the disease. But it is easier said than done when you experience pain, struggle with treatment side effects, and grapple with an unknown future. Knowing that your illness is a result of negligent toxin exposure worsens the situation because you want justice for your suffering. But countless victims experience the burden of truth that life could be different had a business owner or government been more cautious about their responsibilities toward the public.
Consider the example of Camp Lejeune contamination victims who have been suffering for decades after exposure to contaminated water due to the negligence of the local authorities. The pain lives with them in the form of terminal illnesses. However, hope is the only way to make the most of the time left. Physicians and therapists reinforce the miraculous power of hope when it comes to treatment efficacy for patients. Terminally-ill patients can fare much better by embracing it as a way of life. While there are no shortcuts to staying hopeful amid a crisis, here are some tips to keep your hope alive.
Create short-term goals
Toxic exposure elevates the risk of different types of cancers, so battling a terminal disease is a reality for such victims. The diagnosis probably makes you think about the time you may expect to live. But you must focus on living instead of counting days and weeks. The best way to do it is by creating short-term goals and living in the moment. These goals may differ for patients, from seeing a child’s graduation to learning a new language and finishing a knitting project. Living with the hope of reaching these goals gives you happiness and peace as you focus on completing them instead of waiting for the worst.
Anticipate your obstacles
Think of your journey as a road trip where you may encounter several obstacles before reaching your goals. Feeling physically unwell or defeated is the most likely for such patients. Remember that everyone has down days, no matter how hard they try to cultivate hope and strength. Give yourself time to grieve and move on because nothing lasts forever. You must anticipate your obstacles to deal with them bravely. Some of them even end up being blessings, so be open to embracing them with courage and faith.
Seek justice
A diagnosis of terminal illness may come years after toxin exposure, but seeking justice gets you on the road to building hope and faith. The good thing is that it can also set your finances on track so that you can get the best treatment. The recent Camp Lejeune Justice Act empowers victims to file a water toxicity lawsuit against the authorities. Thousands of them have found a new lease of hope now that they can get justice and financial compensation for their suffering.
Celebrate every achievement
Every small goal you achieve during your journey is a small victory and deserves a grand celebration. Celebrate the way you want, whether by going out to dinner, buying a new dress, pampering yourself with a spa session, or taking a trip. Taking pride in your achievements keeps your spirits up and boosts hope. Also, create a new goal every time you achieve one. Chasing a goal keeps you focused, and may even improve your physical health and mental well-being.
Try something new
Trying something you have not done before also keeps hope alive, regardless of the challenges of battling a deadly disease. It enables you to ease anxieties while waiting for your test results or undergoing treatment. Start with simple things like seeing a sunrise, gazing at the night sky, or listening to birdsong. You can write a poem, learn a language, or even plan a solo trip if you feel up to it. Doing new things helps you become more courageous and liberates you from the fear of your illness. Moreover, it makes you excited about every day you live.
Every day is a new day for terminally-ill patients, no matter how daunting the road ahead appears. Staying hopeful can ease the journey and keep you going even during the most difficult times. You can keep the hope alive with the right mindset and approach. Begin by embracing life and avoid blaming fate for the situation, even if your disease is the outcome of someone’s negligence. Build your strength and trust in the healing process to make the most of your treatment and enjoy life to the fullest.
