Think About Your Life:

Diagnosis

It's here. You have heard the words, "you have cancer." The doctors are busy charting the best course forward, and you are stuck, suspended and still waiting for information on what's going to happen next. You may know what you are facing, but you still do not know the way forward.

This is a confusing and difficult place to be. The uncertainty can be almost unbearable, and on top of it all, you have to advocate for yourself and make quick decisions about your treatment and your life for the next months and years.

Often advocating for the care that you need in such a confusing place can be difficult. It can be helpful to have concrete ways of thinking about these issues.

Try to help you cope. Possible issues may include:

• Waiting to see doctors is making me really anxious, scared, annoyed
• Finding the balance between having cancer, work, home is difficult

Try to address your feelings, discover the core issue and take action. Possible issues may include:

• I'm afraid of dying from cancer
• I am worried about the costs of treatment, taking off work, unknown costs
• What is my family going to do while I'm in treatment

Try and to plan for seeking out the best medical team or help during cancer. Possible issues may include:

• I have to make difficult decisions, which doctors do I see, and which treatment path do I choose
• Where can I go for help?

Try to analyze concerns and take action. Possible issues may include:

• My doctor isn't listening to me
• I am having a hard time understanding my doctor - advanced medical terms etc...
• Managing my appointments is difficult

Most of us are experience lots of thoughts and emotions when we hear this about a close friend or family member. Doing something; saying all the right things feel very important and urgent. Simply asking, "what would be the most helpful thing I could do right now?" is always a good start.

Dealing with your own emotions and thoughts about the cancer diagnosis of a friend or loved one is important.

• Look at the tool as a way to layout your thoughts and feelings to be better prepared to support the person.
• The tool can help you figure out how to get through the bad days of your reaction to the cancer diagnosis. What support do you need? You may need support from your network of friends and family to cope as well.