Newly Diagnosed With Cancer

"Overwhelming" is a word commonly used to describe a new diagnosis. There are so many things to consider. So much to learn. So many questions. So much uncertainty.

Experience has shown that the best way to proceed is:

• Take some time to breathe and to let your emotions settle.
• Keep in mind that at least one person survives every disease. You could be that person.
• Commit yourself to doing everything you can to beat your disease.
• Break things into doable steps. Then deal with each step one at a time.
• Don't make any major decisions that you don't have to make right now.
• Aim to be an informed medical consumer instead of just a "patient."
• Decide who to tell, and what to tell them.
• Start working on your mental attitude. People do best who expect the best (even though the first few months will likely be difficult). Don't beat yourself up if you have days when you can't do anything. If fear threatens to take over, use it as a trigger to take a moment and center yourself to the here and now.

Following is a list of suggested steps. There is more information about each step in this document. You can personalize the steps to your medical, insurance, economic, work, and social situation by getting a Personal Survival Guide. If you're not up to doing these steps yourself, ask a trusted friend or family member to help.

As you review the steps, keep in mind that each step supports the other. They all belong together, like the weave of a fabric keeps the fabric together. Take a few moments to set your own order of priority so you are not overwhelmed trying to think of everything at once. To help set the order that works best for you, consider using Survivorship A to Z's Prioritizer which you can find in "To Learn More."

The steps are:

• Contact the doctor who diagnosed you or the doctor's nurse or office manager. Ask the following:
  • To repeat the diagnosis.
  • What the next step should be. If the next step is to see a different doctor, what specialty? (For example, a person diagnosed with cancer is generally referred to an oncologist - a specialist in cancer.) If the doctor recommended a particular doctor, why that particular doctor or doctors?
  • How much time you have before it is advisable to start treatment.
  • What would speed up the time table so you know if something happens that you have to move more quickly.
  • How to decrease or eliminate pain and any other symptoms you are experiencing.
• Focus on getting the medical care you need. Things don't just happen in our medical system. You or a caregiver/patient advocate need to take an active role in making things happen.
• If you work, be cautious telling about your diagnosis right away. There is no obligation to tell. Consider taking some time off to focus on your condition.
• Start looking at your insurance and financial situation to determine how you will pay for medical care. Medical care can be costly even if you have health insurance. Free or low cost care is available.
• Don't go on a spending spree.
• Keep up your finance basics. Pay your rent or mortgage and minimums on your credit card. Pay your health insurance premium. Start keeping track of all medical services you receive and expenses you pay. Don't pay a medical bill just because you receive one.
• Start thinking about family and friends as part of your health care team. Keep in mind that a diagnosis also affects them. If you have underage children, tell them about your diagnosis in an age appropriate manner.
• Learn to purchase, use, store and dispose of drugs wisely. Free drugs may be available if needed.
• Keep in mind that drugs and treatments do not work in a vacuum. Start to think of the food you eat, the exercise you get, your rest/sleep, and even proper care of your mouth as steps you can take to make treatments and drugs most effective.
• Share your emotions. Watch for depression. Consider seeking counseling.
• Speak with other people who are going through what you are.

NOTE:

• Pain does not have to be part of a health condition. If you have pain, speak with your doctor about alternatives for getting rid of it, or at least decreasing how much it hurts. There are even doctors who specialize in treating pain and reducing symptoms. They are known as Palliative Care Specialists. You can receive palliative care at the same time as you work to cure your condition.
• Side effects from your health condition, drugs and/or treatments can be controlled or possibly even eliminated. Speak with your doctor.
• If you are want to have children in the future, ask if a treatment could affect your ability to have them. If so, consider freezing eggs or banking sperm.
• Information can help you feel in control. On the other hand, getting ahead of yourself can be overwhelming. When you start treatment, read In Treatment.
• If you could become unable to work, learn about your rights at work and disability income to which you may be entitled (as well as how to apply for it). Home care is available for many situations that used to require hospitalization.
• If your diagnosis is of a condition which is so advanced that you may be facing end of life, read End of Life.

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