Why communication matters
by Jane Blofield, Urology Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Kent and Canterbury Hospital
“To be given a bladder cancer diagnosis has a huge impact on life. Suddenly the control you have over your ‘everyday’ is impacted by this new, unwelcome intrusion, which no-one wants and no one invited to the party!” says Jane Blofield.
We asked Jane, a Urology Oncology Clinical Nurse, to share some of the key actions that have helped her patients and their families over the years. She explains why communication matters with a bladder cancer diagnosis.
Jane (one of the group of hardy swimmers pictured above) is a Urology Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Kent and Canterbury Hospital with an oncology background of 15 years. Jane loves her job and finds her patients and their families and friends a constant source of inspiration and admiration!
For Fight 13, we asked Jane to share some of the key actions that have helped her patients and their families over the years.
* Communication can really help you. Tell people you have cancer. Your family and friends are there to support you and they will want to help. Talking about your diagnosis and how you feel can help you and your family understand what you are going through and it makes them feel they can do something to lessen its impact.
* Talking about and sharing your diagnosis with your loved ones and friends will not only give you emotional support, but studies have shown that support can also help you to accept and adjust to your diagnosis.
* Accept support from family, friends, and neighbours. Having that support can make you feel less alone and more in control. Most of us are lucky to have people desperate to support, to listen and to help, so use them!
* Try your local support group. Ask your CNS where your local group meet up and when. A support group is a great place to talk to others going through the same thing, the same treatments, and to talk to other people fighting bladder cancer at different stages, from newly diagnosed to finished treatment stage.
Jane says, “I do ask you to take just one thing away from my ramblings, please share how you feel with at least one other person who is close to you. It will help you – I can promise you that!”
Jane Blofield, for Fight 13.
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