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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.

Summary

Day-to-day living and what's "normal" for you likely changed with your diagnosis. Experience also indicates that diagnosed eyes see things differently. Accepting the change can be a difficult process. When accomplished, it permits you to move forward.

An issue for everyone is who to tell about your health condition, as well as when and how much. There are factors to consider to help make the decisions.

Emotional ups and downs are normal. Watch for the continuing down known as depression. Emotions are discussed in greater detail in Emotional Well Being.

No matter what the state of your condition, if you're physically up to it, you can eat out, travel and continue your old normal activities such as dating and sex. Activities may need more planning and caution.

Exercise and nutrition change from "a good thing to do" to major weapons in your arsenal to create the healthiest body with which to fight illness and lessen the chance of additional illnesses.

Keeping track of a bunch of details, and time, are more important than ever. This is a good time to look at how things in your life are organized to see if you can make them better.

Volunteering and giving charity also take on new meaning. You'll help yourself as much as you'll help other people. Also consider getting or extending your education.

In case you need them, there are an amazing array of devices and equipment to make your life easier, as well as lots of tips for looking your best and enjoying sex.

Disclosing Your Medical Condition

Whether to tell people about your condition, when to tell them, and what to tell, depends on the situation and why you are thinking of disclosing the information. The decision is a purely personal one. There is no right and wrong.

In general, there are three situations which give rise to this question. What you decide to do may vary in each situation.  The three situations are:

  • Family, Friends and Acquaintances
  • Children
  • Work

In each situation, consider:

  • The pros and cons of telling.
  • Preparing before you tell.

We strongly encourage telling unless there is an overriding reason not to. Keeping a secret is stressful. The greater the secret, the greater the stress. Stress hurts the immune system which is needed to help your body function at its best disease fighting capacity.

Travel: Your Boots Were Made For Walking

A diagnosis is no reason to stop doing the things you enjoy as long as you're physically able.

If you're a travel buff, with proper precautions, you can have a worry free trip.

Don't neglect drinking water -- whether at home or outside the home. Find out everything you need to know about drinking water as someone who has been diagnosed.

A diagnosis opens doors to transportation resources -- whether it's to get to a doctor's appointment, or lunch with a friend.

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Transportation

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Drinking Water Safety Travel 101

Food: At Home and Dining Out

If dining out is your pleasure, you can eat out to your heart's content if you stay aware of the safety rules.

The food safety tips for buying, storing and cooking food for your home that didn't seem so important before, take on new meaning now.

Don't neglect drinking water at home. Find out everything you need to know about your drinking water. It is better to avoid unnecessary infections or health problems.

Nutrition & Exercise: Your Mother Was Right

Nutrition is as vital as ever. Find out about proper nutrition for your condition and for your treatment. Keep in mind that your nutritional needs may change as your situation changes. For example, if you have cancer, your nutritional needs may be very different while undergoing chemo or radiation treatment than they are afterward.

Exercise is not to be neglected either. Talk to your doctor before starting any kind of new program, but don't let your diagnosis keep you from doing what you can.

Don't forget your mind -- it likes exercise too!

The Law And Day-To-Day Living

It's nice to know there are laws that protect you from being discriminated against in public places and in housing because of your health condition.

As discussed in Employment, you also have protections with respect to all phases of work.

Need A Helping Hand?

Treatment regimens can be complex and difficult to keep up with. There are aids to help, or you can create your own.

There are time tested ideas, tips and advice about items known as "assisted technology" and "durable goods" to help around the home and in all daily activities.

 There are also people to help with an amazing array of home medical needs and personal care.

To make it easier for people to help now or in the future (and to help keep track of your life) make a List of Instructions. It should include such practical information as what has to be done, when, and who to call to help in various aspects of your life. The List is also helpful if you travel or if you become incapacitated.

Lend A Hand

Volunteering and giving charity can potentially provide as many benefits to you as to the people who are being served.

Giving a cash donation is only one way one of donating to a charity. You can also donate real or personal property, securities, life insurance or annuities. You can also set up a trust.

If you're interested in encouraging the government to fund research, consider joining an advocacy group. If none work for your needs, organize a grass roots e-mail campaign or start your own group.

You can provide support to other people going through what you've been through, or are going through, by joining a support group or informally starting your own.

Getting Organized

Organizing your personal and financial life, your medical life and your work life is well worth the effort. It will likely save you time and money, maximize your health care and reduce unnecessary stress levels.

You don't have to do everything at once. The key is to start, and to keep what you've organized up-to-date. You can add more as time goes on.

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Health and Beauty

Looking better can lead to feeling better -- or at least not unnecessarily feeling worse.

There are time tested tips for managing visual effects of your illness, its treatment and side effects. Wigs, wigs, and more wigs, may be just what the doctor ordered for treatment related hair loss. Buying inexpensive or gently used clothes during a period of major weight loss can soften the visual impact.

For those summer months and winter vacations don't forget to take a look at sun sensitivity which may change due to your condition and/or treatment.

Dating

Your health condition should not keep you from seeking the companionship or fun of dating, or seeking a loving relationship with a person who wants to be with you. If it does, seek help.

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Dating

Education: Getting An

Whether you want to go to school full time or just do a course or two at home, you cannot be discriminated against because of your health condition. In fact, your health history may help you qualify for financial assistance.

Education costs get a tax break.

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Education

Sex

A diagnosis may have an unavoidable effect on sex -- but it can be minimized.

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Sex And Intimacy