Managing the Emotional

Impact of GIST

Making Sense of Our Lives

A History Lesson 1950s and 1960s cancer carried a stigma to

patients & the family, partially due to the poor

survival rate.

This culture of silence and stigma limited

opportunities for people to talk about their illness

Up until the 1970s the word cancer was rarely

spoken to the patient

The 1970s was a decade of emerging rights.. For

women, patients and consumers.

The Human Side of Cancer

Jimmie C. Holland, M.D.,

Psycho–social Oncology

a subspecialty within oncology dealing with the

psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of cancer.

Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO)

Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Counsellors, Social Workers,

Psych Nurses

Relating to the mind

Relationships people have

with family and with society

Your Free Ticket for the

Emotional Roller Coaster

Welcome to GIST:

The Ride Actually

Starts Before

Diagnosis...

No diagnosis, difficulty finding one

Wrong diagnosis

Take months, years to get a definitive diagnosis

Feeling unwell, missed work, not fully participating in

life.

“All in my head”

Tests, scans and more test

……and Keeps Going

Information may not be available

Oncologist may not be familiar

Options for treatment and disease management

Recovery from surgery

Regular blood test, scans,

Medication, side effects

Physical pain and discomfort

Access to medication

Possible reoccurrence

Medication side effects….

Roller Coaster of Emotions

How do we try to make sense out of

what is happening to us?

• It involves more than relieving

physical symptoms

• It involves managing the emotional

fall out that may have begun

before the diagnosis and may

continue long after diagnosis

The Emotional Impact of a Cancer

Diagnosis

Denial

Anger

Fear

Stress

Loneliness

Depression

Hope

Phases of Grief

Denial and Isolation

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

Identify the feelings/emotions (past and

present) associated your experience

with GIST

Using conscious effort to manage

personal and interpersonal problems,

and seeking to overcome, minimize or

tolerate stress or conflict.

Coping:

Coping Skills:

A set of learned skills that

consciously use thoughts and

behavours to adjust to life

situations

The effectiveness of the coping efforts

depend on the type of stress and/or

conflict, the particular individual, and the

circumstances.

COPING WITH THE

EMOTIONAL IMPACT

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach

for coping with the emotional impact of

GIST

Identify coping skills you

have used to manage these

feelings/emotions.

Identifying and understanding what is in your control

Accept the things you cannot change

Change the things you can

Knowledge can give you a sense of empowerment.

Ask questions. Keep asking till you understand

Acceptance and Commitment

Therapy

Maximize your potential for a rich, full and meaningful life

Accept what is out of your personal

control

Commit to action that improves and

enriches your life

Therapy (healing)

Isolation

Depression

Anxiety

Change eating habits, alcohol consumption

Can’t manage Activities of Daily Living

Medication non-compliance……

What Do You Need?

What do you need to help

manage your experience with

GIST?

Eat well, sleep well, move

Do things you enjoy – make the time!

Don’t ignore or repress your feelings

Understand that what you are feeling is “normal”

Get information to help clarify confusion

Socialize

Complimentary therapies and stress relievers (exercise, yoga, meditation, mindfulness etc.)