Cancer Diagnosis? What Do You Do?

As most of you know I am a cancer survivor.  I have been fighting it since April 2018.  I have been very open about what I am dealing with.  I share the good, the bad and the ugly, because it is my reality.

I have had many people reach out in support, to ask questions, to share their story and to thank me for sharing.   But recently I have been approached by some newly diagnosed cancer patients, wanting information.  I share what I have learned, what I experienced, what I googled and what has worked for me in terms of chemotherapy side effects.  I do not have any medical training, but  I got experience living with it.

Unfortunately more and more people are hearing...."It's cancer". Shock, disbelief, anger, frustration, sadness, confusion and many more emotions hit.  And it seems like the hits keep on coming.  But there is help for you, locally and on the world wide web.

Locally you can reach out to the Bismarck Cancer Center.  If you need radiation treatment, that is where you go.  But if you have questions, they have a team of professionals to guide you.

Sanford Health has nurse navigators that will give you information.  They have resources to help you deal with your new life as a cancer survivor.

The American Cancer Society is another great resource.  On their website you will find links for all the various cancers.  You will also find information on treatment and support, how to stay healthy, what kind of research is being done, also information for caregivers and family.

Other websites that I found to be helpful to me include:  thisislivingwithcancer.com, cancer.net and cancercare.org.

If you get a lifetime membership to a club no one wants to join, remember, you are not alone.  Stay positive and fight!

(btw...this tattoo is on my arm...reminding me that I am a WARRIOR!)