If you don’t remember anything else – remember this...
- You will feel overwhelmed, and that’s ok. Everyone who is faced with a cancer diagnosis feels like they have fallen into a black hole. That’s a normal reaction. The important thing is to know that you are not alone – there are resources and people available to help you take action and make the right decisions. Use the resources and information on this web site and on our Frosted Pink Partners’ web sites to learn more.
- You are still in control. Of course, you can’t control the cancer that has invaded your body. But you can control what you are going to do about it. Remember, the decisions that you will be facing are yours and yours alone. Work with your doctors and nurses as a team, but remember, they are on YOUR team.
- Question everything. Don’t hesitate to get a second or third opinion from another doctor(s) about your diagnosis and treatment options. Also ask as many questions about the research behind the treatment options as you need to feel comfortable. If the answers aren’t clear to you or you don’t understand something, ask for clarification. This is not the time to be shy. Remember you are in control (see tip #2), and you need to have your questions answered to make the right decisions for yourself. See tip #5 to learn how to keep track of all of your questions.
- Try to never go to another doctor’s visit alone. You can’t possibly absorb and remember all of the information that you will be given. Try to take someone (spouse, companion, friend, etc.) to every doctor’s visit with you, and have them write down what your doctor or nurse says. Keep these notes in your journal (See tip #5) and write down questions for your caregrivers in advance of your appointments.
- Keep a journal. It is important to keep all of the information relevant to your diagnosis and treatment in one place, a journal. Your journal should include the information that your medical team gives you, the notes taken during your doctor’s visits, and any questions that come up in between doctor’s visits. Remember to always keep your journal and a pen close by, for you never know when your doctor might call or another question comes to mind.
- There is more than one way to “win”. Your cancer journey is going to be different from anyone else’s. Just make decisions that you feel are right for you. Allow yourself to be inspired by others on this web site, but know that their journey is unique, just like yours. Fight, cry, meditate, yell, pray, scream…just don’t give up and don’t be afraid to reach out for help (see resources below).
Be Educated. Be Empowered. Learn It.
Fighting cancer is hard. That may seem like an obvious statement, but it’s true. The Frosted Pink campaign aims to empower women faced with cancer. Simply put, to be empowered means to feel strong, physically and mentally. How can you feel strong when you or a loved one is living with cancer? It’s not easy, but you can do something. You can start reclaiming your strength and control by learning about the information and support available to you. It’s still going to be hard, but you can do something. You can help yourself or someone you know fight back.
Education Tools
These are some great tools that are available free-of-charge to help you or someone you know navigate a cancer diagnosis, treatments, and living with, through and beyond the disease.
The Cancer Survival Toolbox® is an award-winning audio program provided at no cost and produced by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS); the Toolbox® teaches skills that can help people with cancer meet the challenges of their illness. The Toolbox includes a Basic Skills set that covers six important topics: communicating, finding information, making decisions, solving problems, negotiating and standing up for your rights. In addition, the Toolbox includes four additional programs that cover topics for older persons, finding ways to pay for care, caring for the caregiver, and living beyond cancer. Visit www.canceradvocacy.org
The Guide To Quality Breast Cancer Care was created by The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund (NBCCF) to help breast cancer patients. It is NBCCF’s best advice about getting quality breast cancer care. The guide provides information that consumers should know before making choices about their breast cancer care.
www.stopbreastcancer.org
The Ovarian Cancer Community is a new online social networking site created by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. It provides people living with ovarian cancer and their caregivers with moderated discussion groups, access to up-to-date information and space to post personal blogs, enabling them to support one another through their individual journeys and experiences. To join, go to www.ovariancancer.org and click on the “Join our online community” button.
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, in partnership with EmergingMed, provides the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Clinical Trials Matching Service, which helps women locate clinical trials being conducted throughout the United States. Visit the Alliance's web site at www.ovariancancer.org for more information.
The Women's Cancer Network created by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation is an interactive web site dedicated to informing women around the world about gynecologic cancer. The site also offers women a confidential online risk assessment for gynecologic cancers. For more information visit www.wcn.org.
Resources
The Frosted Pink web site is not intended to provide links to every available source of cancer information. The Frosted Pink Partners, listed below, have comprehensive resources sections of their web sites. We encourage you to explore the web sites listed below for links to additional resources and web pages.
To find support services or help with financial assistance for people living with cancer
CancerCare
To find free education and support in your community for people living with cancer
The Wellness Community www.thewellnesscommunity.org
Gilda’s Club Worldwide
To find information on Breast Cancer
National Breast Cancer Coalition
To find information on gynecologic cancers and/or locate a gynecologic cancer specialist
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) www.thegcf.org
1-800-444-4441
Women’s Cancer Network (WCN), sponsored by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
To find information on Cancer Survivorship and Managing Symptoms Related to Chemotherapy National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) www.canceradvocacy.org
To find information on Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) www.ovariancancer.org
