Think About Your Life:

Discovery

Some of us will find something wrong, others will be in pain or tired, and the doctor will see something is wrong, and others will go to the emergency room with urgent needs and will find out there.

The moment you start to suspect that something is wrong and the moment you start the tests, the scans, the appointments, and the waiting, you're taking your first step on this journey even if you go no further.

Discovering that something might be wrong and waiting for the results can be one of the most excruciating experiences of cancer. The issues and emotions that come up during this period can be confusing, painful, and nerve wracking. The best way to deal with confusion is to first sort out all of the pieces and all of the emotions so that you can then make educated decisions as calmly as possible.

Try if you want help figuring out how to cope while waiting for test results or to get into see the doctor.

Try if you are concerned about issues - like the approach your doctor is using, the tests you are undergoing now, frustration you have with the situation.

Try to get in touch with your feelings about this experience if you are concerned you have cancer and to help you take action and seek support.

The phone call phone call or email comes from your friend or relative - they are worried they have cancer. You want to help, say and do the right things.

Waiting to receive test results, see doctors, or even get an appointment can be really stressful - this can take days or even weeks.

Read about the introduction to this stage of the cancer journey for insight into this experience. Figure out how you can help the person you care about cope on a daily basis. Just getting through the day is a major accomplishment!

The tool or the tool can be suggested as ways for your loved one to think about their experience and figure out what help they need. Let them take the lead - how are they coping? What can you do to help?