Tips for managing over Christmas

Christmas as joyful and a happy time of the year can equally be a very challenging  and stressful time for some.  Dealing with cancer adds another layer of stress and complexity, here are some tips that may help you over the Christmas period.

• Make sure you have contact details for the service you are attending or who to contact over the Christmas period, this could be the hospital service or maybe out of hours GP services.  Do not put off making contact if any issues or concerns arise, it is important to have your concerns assessed by the medical team.

• Make sure you have enough of your medication to cover over the Christmas period as there may be limited access to pharmacies over the Christmas period.  Check your pharmacy opening hours especially if you are expecting to be discharged over the Christmas period.

• Talk to your medical team about your plans for over the festive period, an important consideration may be your immunity. 

• Accept help, people may have offered to help with the cooking, organizing gifts or even help with the decorations.

• Cancer can have a big financial impact.  Try not to put pressure on yourself this year, writing a thoughtful card or a small gift or token may be just as appreciated.

• Talk to your loved ones about the plans, it is ok to say no or to have a more simple Christmas this year.  Try not to put pressure on yourself, if you need to take a break its ok to go have a lie down.

• Try enjoy yourself 😊

If you need support or have any questions, please contact our support line on 1800 200 700 or by emailing supportline@irishcancer.ie. The support line is open 9am -5pm on the 27th, 28th and 29th of December. We are closed on Christmas day, St Stephens day and New years Day. 

The Nurses on the support line would like to express our warm wishes to you this Christmas.