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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

My Survivorship A to Z Guide

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Note: This is a sample Survivorship A to Z Guide for a fictitious person we call Ellen. She is just diagnosed with Breast Cancer. To view a summary of her answers which led to this Guide, click here.

To get your own free, computer-generated A to Z Guide, click here.

If you decide to move, as a general matter, you can't be discriminated against by brokers, owners or mortgage lenders.

You cannot be discriminated against because of your health history if you attempt to purchase or rent an apartment or house.

Lenders are not permitted to ask about your health condition, or to take it into account when considering a loan application.

If you rent your residence, you may even be entitled to ask the landlord to make reasonable modifications to the apartment, or even the entrance, to accommodate your condition. 

To Learn More

More Information

Housing: Legal Rights

Related Articles

Americans With Disabilities Act

Your health condition as such doesn't prevent travel, unless your doctor advises you not to. The key is to plan a little more carefully than you did before your diagnosis. [Tell me more]

Before you travel, some of the most important things to consider are:

  • Get a health check-up.
  • Make sure the destination is safe for you given your current state of health.
  • Check your health insurance well before you go to find out what treatment and emergency travel is and is not covered. If there are gaps, purchase a travel insurance policy. See Travel Insurance Post Diagnosis
  • Take enough of the drugs you take for the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case you get delayed.
  • Keep your drugs and a copy of the prescriptions with you instead of in your luggage.
  • Takea copy of whatever Advance Directives you have, such as a Living Will, Health Care Proxy and/or DNR.
  • Pack a photocopy of your passport in your suitcase.

It's possible to hire skilled nurses to travel with you to administer medications, monitor care and generally help you get around. There are even organized tours for frail or disabled travelers with nursing care available. Another option is to hire skilled nurses in each place you visit instead of traveling with them.

If you didn't read about your "new normal" see The Basics.

To Learn More

More Information

Travel 101

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Medical Tourism (travel for health care)

  • If you plan to rent a car, you may not need rental insurance because it may be covered under your automobile policy, or on your credit card. Check before you travel.

Take proper precautions at your destination. For example, always be aware of whether the drinking water is safe -- even if you only travel in the United States. If water in a locale is to be avoided, then follow safety guidelines.  

To Learn More

More Information

Travel Advance Directives

If you are unable to use public transportation, there may be special transportation services available for free or for a low cost. It doesn't matter that you have your own car. [Tell me more]

With respect to public transportation services:

  • Hours and days of service, service area, response time and fares differ by location.
  • For information about transportation in your area, contact the Department of Transportation:  tel: 866.377.8642 (In Washington, D.C.: 202.366.4000) or www.dot.gov/contact.html offsite link or your state or local department of transportation. 
  •  Volunteer drivers may also be available. Contact the American Cancer Society at 800. ACS.2345 and/or your local Breast Cancer organization.

You can't be discriminated against due to your health condition by health care providers, including hospitals, or public places. [Tell me more]

According to federal law (the Americans With Disabilities Act), you cannot be discriminated against due to your health condition by any of the following:

  • Health care providers
  • Hospitals
  • Places of lodging/housing (such as hotels and motels)
  • Restaurants
  • Stores
  • Other places where the public gathers

Reasonable accommodations must even be made for your needs. 

To Learn More

Lying on forms or applications about your health condition may be tempting, but is likely to come back to haunt people who do -- and at the worst times. [Tell me more]

Some people with Breast Cancer think of their diagnosis as a death sentence. The thought occurs: "Why not lie on forms or to agencies to get what I want? I won't be here for the consequences."

Lying is not a good idea.

  • Any prognosis other than a short term one is uncertain. People even survive the worst odds.
  • In the information age in which we live, it's all too easy for a lie to come back and haunt you -- particularly at a time when you can least afford it. For instance, if you lie on an application for a disability income policy, you may get the policy. You can pay premiums year after year, and begin to plan as if there will be an income if you become disabled. The surprise hurts when the insurance company does some research when a claim is filed, and refuses to pay.

NOTE: Keep in mind that stating facts in a positive manner is not lying.

Sex can be an issue for anyone with breast cancer, particularly with a mastectomy. Don't let your health condition prevent you from having sex. Physical intimacy is too important to ignore. [Tell me more]

  • Sexual issues can arise because of your health condition, treatment, or your feelings about changes in your body.
  • Women with breast cancer may feel unattractive and undesirable sexually -- particularly if there has been a mastectomy.
  • If your medical condition is interfering with your sexual relations with your partner: tell your partner about your feelings and what you would like to change. Ask for your partner's point of view. Listen to it rather than prepare your response. If the two of you can't work it out, speak with your health care provider or seek counseling from a mental health professional. 

How you look can influence how you feel. Do what you can to make yourself look better. [Tell me more]

Simple tips don't have to take a lot of time or involve a lot of expense. Some of the expense may be covered by insurance.

If you lose your hair or your eyebrows, keep in mind that hair is like a perennial plant -- it usually comes back. 

Whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, there are bras that will keep people from knowing.

To Learn More

More Information

Wigs Look Good Bras

Giving on a daily basis either one-on-one or as a member of a group is good for your emotional and possibly even your physical health. [Tell me more]

Volunteering, both one-on-one and as a member of a group, has a lot of benefits. For instance:

  • It helps you feel good about yourself and in general. The amount or form of the giving isn't as important as the act. Deeds can be as simple as helping someone across the street, or complementing the work of an aide in the hospital.
  • As mentioned in our Employment category, volunteering for an organization can help you learn new skills or hone existing skills to better your position in the job market.
  • If you volunteer with a local or national group involved with your condition, you'll learn tips about the practical aspects of living with your health condition. You'll also be in a preferred place if you ever need the services of the organization with which you volunteer -- or need access to other organizations that they can call for you.
  • You can't go wrong if you volunteer for an organization that fits your passion.

Many people refer to their diagnosis as a "gift." It's as if they were sleep-walking until a diagnosis woke them up to the joy and wonder of each moment of being on the planet.

Looking at the glass as half full, or looking for the silver lining doesn't change the reality of your life -- but it does make it easier.

  • Focus on the new view that you've gotten since your diagnosis. Perhaps there's a new meaning that wasn't there before. Or a new path.
  • Let go of the things that don't matter any more.
  • Focus your strength on what you need to do to win your battle.

To Learn More

More Information

Volunteering

Expect the best. Prepare for the "what if's." [Tell me more]

Looking at the glass as half full, or looking for the silver lining, doesn't change the reality of your life -- but it does make it easier. For instance, consider the following which have been helpful to other people and may be helpful to you:

  • Focus on the new view that you've gotten since your diagnosis. Perhaps there's a new meaning that wasn't there before. Or a new path.
  • The chinese symbol for "crisis" is "opportunity".
  • Focus on the people you care about, and that care about you. Let them know you care about them -- not just once a year on their birthday, but often. It may not be your style, but maybe it's time for a new style. It frees them to respond in kind -- and doesn't that feel good?
  • If there are old friends that you've had a falling out with and are waiting for the right time to patch things up -- now's the time.
  • Let go of the things that don't matter any more.
  • Some people refer to their diagnosis as a "gift." They say that it is as if they were sleep-walking until a diagnosis woke them up to the joy and wonder of each moment of being on the planet.
  • Focus your strength on what you need to do to win. For example, learn what are the best foods for you.

Now that you know how to prepare for the "what ifs..." -- hope for the best.

To learn more about hoping for the best, as well as preparing for the "what ifs," see The Basics.

Spirituality can provide a major source of support. If you haven't found spirituality stay open. If you have found it -- encourage it. [Tell me more]

Spirituality, a belief in a higher power, can provide a major source of support and comfort.

If you haven't found spirituality, stay open. Things tend to take on a different perspective after a diagnosis. Listen to your inner voice.

If you have found spirituality -- encourage it. In a spiritual world, you are not alone.

There are countless paths to spirituality. The right path is the one that works for you -- whether it's through religion, new age thinking or your individual belief.

Don't be surprised if your spirituality changes or deepens. Diagnosed eyes see differently. 

For information about spirituality, including tips for finding it, and tips for keeping it, click here

If you have difficulty walking long distances, or could have difficulty in the foreseeable future, apply for a "Handicapped" parking permit. Permits are not just for people who use wheelchairs. [Tell me more]

In most states, it is easy to apply for and receive a Handicapped permit. In most areas, you do not need to be a driver or the registered owner of a vehicle to get a permit.

Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to determine:

  • Eligibility requirements
  • What you need to verify eligibility (such as a letter from your doctor)
  • How often you have to prove eligibility or otherwise renew the permit
  • The cost of the permit.

You can find contact information for your state's Department of Motor Vehicles at www.dmv.org offsite link

NOTE: Based on the experience of other people, if you do not appear to be physically handicapped, consider preparing an answer in case you are asked why you park in a handicapped parking space.