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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

Emotional Well Being Helpful

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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.

"Why me?" is not a question worth spending time thinking about any more than it is worth asking "Why not me?" Facts are facts. You can't change them. Accept what is. Do your best to make it better.

Bad things happen to good people, no matter how good, how religious or how giving.

"Why?"  Not even the philosophers have an answer for the question .

Instead of spending time and energy on the unanswerable "why?" consider using it to see all the things in your life and in the world around you to be grateful for.

To Learn More

Related Articles

A Positive Attitude Support Groups

There is no reason to feel shame about having breast cancer. Breast cancer happens to millions of people. It doesn't make you any less of a woman. [Tell me more]

Thanks to several high profile women, starting with Betty Ford, women have been open about having breast cancer.

If people you know are reluctant to talk about breasts or anything related to them, keep in mind that you didn't ask for this disease. There is no reason to feel ashamed or as if you have to apologize for having breast cancer.

If thoughts of shame or blame come into your consciousness, do what you can to change the subject. Do your best to think positively. Consider joining a support group or talking informally with other people in a similar situation to learn how other people are dealing with this concern. It may help if the other people are women and of about your age.

Spend time with people who are supportive and nonjudgmental.

Waiting for appointments and test results can be a bummer. Time tested techniques can help. For instance, get a specific date when you will get results. Keep yourself busy. [Tell me more]

EDITOR'S NOTE: This information is similar to the information in Managing Your Medical Care. It is repeated here because it is about emotions.

There are time tested ideas that have worked for people to make the wait easier. A few examples of the practical ideas discussed in the article noted in "To Learn More" are:

  • Let your doctor know you are anxious about the results. Ask that you get the results as soon as possible.
  • Ask that you be informed of the test results before a weekend or that you be given the results on a certain date.
  • Keep yourself busy, especially on weekends.
  • Keep a balance in your life.

After things calm down, consider getting a pet. Studies show that pets can be good for health. [Tell me more]

There are at least ten advantages to owning a pet.

While dogs and cats may be the first pets to come to mind, there are all kinds of pets with different characteristics to suit your needs and lifestyle. 

Before buying a pet, think carefully about the responsibility and how it will be carried out on a daily basis. Also consider how the responsibility will be carried on if you can't. 

  • There are veterinarians who will make house calls.
  • Someone should be appointed to take care of your pet in case you become incapacitated.
  • You can provide for a pet in your WIll, though not by leaving money directly to the pet.It is easier than ever to travel with a pet. 

Also think through how to save money as you live with a pet -- including whether to get pet insurance to protect against potentially catastrophic costs.

For information about pets, including how to avoid becoming infected from one, traveling with a pet, and similar subjects, see Pets 101. For information about pet insurance, including factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase it, click here.

NOTE: If you rent your residence and pets are prohibited, you may be entitled to have one as an accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act and similar laws. For information, click here.