Some of the Most Important Things to Remember
When You Hear "You Have Breast Cancer"
"I’ve learned many things in the 15 years since my first diagnosis. Many people helped to plant these ideas, which have helped me a great deal. They are included here with my best wishes to all the new members of the community."— Article and quotation from Vicki Tosher, 15-year and 4-year survivor.1. There are 2 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. now and about 40,000 in Colorado alone. Regardless of your diagnosis, there is much life to be lived each day after you hear “You have breast cancer.” Live it one day at a time as big as you can. 2. You have time to make decisions, including building your medical team. Your diagnosis may feel like an emotional emergency, but it is probably not a medical emergency. You have to have some information about your diagnosis to make decisions. 3. It is a good thing to ask questions — of your doctors, family, friends, spiritual guide, and yourself — until you have all the questions answered and understand them. 4. Learn as much as you want to and as much as you can handle about your diagnosis, your type of breast cancer and your treatment options. 5. Think about the treatment options being offered. Try to get a second opinion, not because you don't trust the first one, but because it is good to get confirmation. 6. There should be good science behind treatment. Your treatment should not just be based on "what a friend had" or what the doctor's being doing for years. Breast cancer research is making great strides. What was standard 15 years ago or 5 years ago may not be standard today. Every case is different-from the location of a tumor to its size to the type of cells in it. 7. The day will come when breast cancer will NOT be the last thing you think about before falling asleep at night, nor the first thing you think about when you awaken in the morning 8. Get support in the way you feel is best for you and from the people you feel are right for you. 9. Reduce the stress in your life as much as possible. This includes remembering everything above, and everything that follows, plus: Accept help from people who want to give it, tell people what you need, spend time in pleasant places, find many reasons to laugh, exercise and eat right, pamper yourself, love yourself. 10. Never lose track of the fact that YOU are the centerpiece of this process. Life somehow needs to revolve around you, not you around it. 11. The old normal isn’t normal anymore. Look forward to a new normal — it will come. 12. You are on a journey, and as you proceed down your path you will meet a great number of amazing people along the way. Remember that you are not alone, no matter how much you might feel as though you are. There is always someone close by to help. Reach out and grasp a hand reaching out to you. 13. You are a member of an extraordinary new community. You did not ask to be a member. No one who is did. You can do what you want with your new membership, but know that you are welcome. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -“My breast surgeon told me, 'In a year, your life will be different and better' because of cancer. She was right!" --- Kimberly Field, Survivor |
