Questions & Answers about All Cancers

Challenges that may affect older adults and their ability to make health care decisions include how they process information, how they cope with the stress of the diagnosis, and how their medical team communicates with them. With this in mind, family support can play an important part in your mother’s care. I’d start by asking your mother if she would like your help, and if so, what areas she would like help with. This might include meeting with her medical team to discuss her treatment plan or helping her prepare for her appointments.

Questions to ask about her treatment include:

• What is the recommended treatment and possible side effects?
• How could treatment affect other co-existing health issues?
• Is the goal longer survival, which may mean a more intensive treatment, or is it quality of life?

Ways to involve and organize your mother include:

• Take notes at her appointments or ask if you can record the discussion
• During the appointment, ask her if she has questions
• Repeat and review the information after the appointment, allowing her time to process information
• Keep a calendar to record her appointments
• Use a notebook to keep track of symptoms and side effects
• Create a file for all paperwork related to her diagnosis, including copies of important records
• Compile a current list of all her medications and phone numbers/addresses of all of her health care providers.

Your mother’s medical team is one of the most important aspects of her care, and as a health consumer she has every right to receive quality care. It is essential that older adults and their loved ones be able to openly and honestly discuss their care with their doctors and any potential difficulties that may arise. For more guidance please read, “Doctor, Can We Talk? Tips for Communicating With Your Health Care Team”. If she is not comfortable with quality of care she is receiving, she may need to explore other options. Though this may seem daunting, your mother’s primary care doctor or even a local hospital can provide her with referrals.

The American Society of Chest Physicians indicates that the five-year survival rate for Stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ranges from less than 10% to 40% and is dependent on the extent of mediastinal lymph node involvement. NSCLC type (squamous cell, adenocarcinoma or large cell carcinoma) may also influence survival rates.

It is important to keep in mind that the primary purpose of staging a cancer is to make sure that the correct treatment protocols are utilized, rather than to predict survival. Survival rates do not represent the experience of any individual lung cancer patient. They are statistical figures which are comprised of data collected on thousands of cancer patients and then calculated to develop the average or median computation for that very large group.

Many factors influence lung cancer survival including a patient’s age, overall state of health prior to diagnosis, healthy lifestyle, compliance to treatment regimens and response to treatment. Very often, newly diagnosed patients who join CancerCare’s lung cancer patient support groups have poor survival prognoses, yet survive for significantly longer periods than anticipated.

One valuable coping strategy we have learned from these group members over the years is “staying in moment.” Using our physical and emotional strengths on today’s issues, rather than trying to solve the unknowns of the future, appears to be one of the most effective ways of living each day with lung cancer.

You can also find comprehensive information about lung cancer on CancerCare’s website, www.lungcancer.org.

The decision to pursue counseling is always very personal. As a post-treatment cancer survivor, you may be dealing with concerns that are different than those you had at the time of your initial diagnosis. The post-treatment phase may be a time to reevaluate purpose, direction, and priorities. We know that many cancer survivors have fears of recurrence and other anxieties that friends and loved ones may not fully understand. Speaking with a counselor can help.

CancerCare offers a number of ways to get support including counseling and support groups. A support group provides a safe place for people coping with similar issues to share and learn from each other. Many people find the opportunity to relate to others in this way enormously helpful and powerful.

You may also want to listen to our Connect Education Workshop, Managing the Stress of Survivorship.

Going forward, keep in mind that taking care of yourself emotionally is equally as important as looking after your physical needs.

Just like support groups that meet face-to-face, there are several different kinds of support groups that “meet” on the internet. Some of these groups are offered through social media platforms like Facebook, or make use of emerging technologies like virtual reality. But traditionally and most commonly, online support groups are split into the following categories:

Chat Group – In online chat, the conversation takes place in real-time, which means that when you type in a message, the other members of the group see it instantly and can respond. A chat group is usually held at a specific time and day.

Listserv – This kind of group allows its members to email each other with questions and comments. Because emails are automatically sent to everyone on the list, the number of messages you receive each day can vary and be high at times.

Message Board – CancerCare offers this type of support group, which features a bulletin board-style forum that is accessible to members, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Participants can write comments and questions, and read and respond to one another. A message board is usually more flexible, as members can post whenever it’s most convenient for them.

Because participating in an online group is anonymous, some people find it a bit impersonal and prefer meeting face-to-face. Other people may prefer the anonymity and feel more at ease sharing with others. That being said, one unique and positive feature of online groups is that they allow people to connect with others in similar circumstances – regardless of where they live. For instance, CancerCare’s online groups are offered by specific cancer diagnoses and populations to ensure that participants are getting support from a community of peers.

Body changes may make your teen feel uncomfortable about how they look. These feelings may be strong enough to make them want to avoid their friends, school, public places or having their picture taken. Adolescence is a time where teens engage in social comparisons, often comparing themselves to their peers and friends. It is important to validate your son’s concerns regarding his body image. Self-esteem is very fragile and is often impacted by not only how we view ourselves, but how others view us as well.

Keep an open line of communication with your son about this topic. Explain to him why his treatment is so important even though it has caused him to gain weight. Try to help him understand why his body is changing so that he can understand these changes are not permanent. You may also want to encourage him to engage in some types of physical activity when he is feeling up to it (activities approved by his oncologist or physical therapist). Also, you may want to consult with a nutritionist to create helpful and healthy eating plans while on treatment.

It is important for your son to understand the reason behind his surgeries and scarring. Many times, a conversation before surgery can help teens prepare for body changes so that they are not such a shock. However, after the surgery site has healed, you can experiment with different types of make-up and concealers (there are special ones for scars). Also, different clothing styles may be able to cover the areas that your son is not comfortable exposing.

You can support your son during this time by doing some of the following:

• Providing an outlet to express his feelings (art, music, writing, etc.)
• Listening if and when he wants to talk about body image changes
• Letting him know that you understand what he is feeling and that it is okay to feel the way that he does

Creating a safe space for him to share what he is going through is important. If necessary, reach out to your son’s social worker through the hospital or a child life specialist. It is possible that outside support is necessary in order to make your son feel heard.

If you need additional support, feel free to reach out to CancerCare’s Hopeline (800-813-4673). We can provide psychosocial support as well as local referrals as needed.

A child with cancer can change family dynamics and these changes are often difficult for siblings. It can be challenging for parents to focus on the needs and concerns of their other children, which can lead to siblings feeling “invisible” or alone. Siblings often experience many emotions in this situation such as: fear and anxiety, anger, jealousy and resentment, loneliness, guilt, sadness and grief.

It is important to talk with your other children about cancer while also giving them a safe space to share their feelings and worries. Getting help is important as well; you do not have to learn to cope alone.

In linking your son to support systems it will be important to:

• Reach out to a social worker where your daughter is receiving treatment; they might be able to refer you to a local support group for siblings
• Check out SuperSibs, an organization designed specifically to give support to siblings of cancer patients. Their website has resources and tips as well as camps and events that help connect other siblings going through a similar experience
• Look into an online support group. CancerCare offers an online support group for teens who have a loved one with cancer. This support group is run by a licensed oncology social worker and is designed to create an environment where teens can share and connect with one another

If additional support is needed, you can reach out to an oncology social worker through CancerCare’s Hopeline (800-813-HOPE) for additional information.

It’s normal and expected for children to fear they have somehow caused a parent’s cancer. When children don’t understand something they sometimes use “magical thinking” –the belief that one can bring about an event by thinking about it or wishing for it. By continuing to think she caused your cancer, your daughter is likely telling you she loves you, is afraid, and has no other explanation other than she must have done something to cause it.

You have already taken the first step to help your daughter, which is to take her concerns seriously. The next step is to plan a talk with her addressing her feelings and providing accurate information. Simply telling your daughter that she didn’t cause your cancer is not enough—you need to give her an explanation that she can understand.

Pick a quiet time when you and your daughter will not be rushed or interrupted, and sit next to her or hold her hand so she feels safe. It is important to praise your daughter for talking to you about her thoughts and feelings and encourage her to continue. You can also let her know that many children worry that they caused their parent’s cancer, but it’s not actually possible. Our booklet, Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer, offers suggestions on what you might say to your child including:

“Mommy (or daddy) is sick with an illness called cancer. The cancer happened on its own—nobody did anything to make it happen. I have very good doctors, and I am going to do everything possible to get better.”

Your daughter may accept this explanation, or may want more concrete information. Depending on her level of maturity and interest, you may use books or the internet to help her learn more about your cancer. Make sure to preview any materials or websites before sharing them with her and allow her to continue to share her feelings.

It’s normal to feel scared about making such an important decision, and it is a decision you need to make in partnership with your healthcare team. Women today are offered many more choices than in the past, and are often asked to make the final decision about their care. You need to gather information about your different treatment options so that you feel confident discussing your concerns with your doctors.

After talking with your doctors, keep in mind that you have obtained an expert medical opinion, and you need to understand your doctor’s perspective by asking why he or she has made that recommendation. It is important that you not compare yourself to other women in a similar situation. Even women who have the same diagnosis can have a different treatment plan—neither is right or wrong. Rather, it is individualized to you and your body. However, you can review with your doctor the information you learn from other women who have your type of cancer to better understand your own treatment plan.

In making a decision about what treatment to choose, make sure you identify what is most important to you. For example, if you are concerned about chemotherapy, what are the reasons for your concern? What questions do you need answered? Often, people fear that if they choose one type of treatment over another, they will always worry that they did not choose correctly. Instead, ask yourself questions such as: “What am I being told, and why? What do I think is the best choice for me at this time?” The most important thing is that you make the decision that you are most comfortable with.

For more guidance read our publications, Communicating With Your Health Care Team and Doctor, Can We Talk?

To learn more about your treatment options, contact The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (800-4-CANCER), which provides the latest cancer treatment information as well as a list of comprehensive cancer centers.

CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers assist women with cancer by providing emotional and practical support, free of charge. Call 800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

There are ways to continue to be sexually active while in treatment. Often cancer-related fatigue, changes in your blood chemistry, and/or changes in your hormones can be obstacles. Please be patient with yourself if these treatment side effects prevent you from having sex while receiving treatment. Here are some recommendations for both men and women in treatment who want to retain physical intimacy in their relationships:

• Ask your doctor or nurse when it is safe for you to be sexually active. This requires that your blood chemistry be at values that ensure you have enough red, white, and platelet blood cells.
• Always use a barrier when having sex. This most often is a condom but can also be a dental dam that covers the vaginal wall. Barriers also protect both genders from any source of infection and women from pregnancy.
• Talk with your partner about your desire to continue having sex, and ask for his or her help to find ways to remain physically intimate.
• Consider couple’s counseling to help you both learn to cope together.
• Consider different types of sexual expression other than those that requires penetration. Sensual massage that focuses on the whole body as well as the genitals is a safe alternative.
• If you are a woman having trouble lubricating, ask your oncologist or gynecologist to suggest different lubricants and moisturizers that do not contain any of the forms of estrogen.
• If you are a man having trouble with erections, ask your oncologist or urologist to prescribe an appropriate erectile dysfunction medication.
• Remain appropriately physically active – being physically intimate requires energy. In addition, activity can help you manage fatigue. Ask you doctor what kinds of exercise is best for you.
• Speak with a CancerCare social worker to find information and availability of support groups or couples and/or individual counseling.

Prayer can be a wonderful way to be helpful to others. It is not even necessary to believe in God or a Higher Power to pray. Buddhists, for instance, do not believe in God according to the Western understanding of a divine being, but they pray nevertheless. You can think of prayer in its simplest form as sending out positive energy into the universe. Where this energy goes or what it does is more a matter of mystery than of science and is a topic of much debate. However, prayer considered as a form of complementary therapy certainly does not hurt and may be beneficial.

Praying for someone can be a way to help at times when it may appear that there is little you can do. You can pray for the person with cancer, for those who are caregivers (such as your cousins), and even for the doctors who are providing the treatment. Prayer can be very powerful on many levels – emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual – both for the person who is praying and the person for whom the prayers are offered.

Prayer can be done individually or in groups. Via the telephone or internet, requests for prayer can be sent to many people. Receiving prayers, whether on a local, national or even global scale, can be a great source of comfort and support.

Here are a few suggestions regarding the use of prayer:

• Be easy on yourself; there is no “right” way to pray. Prayer is a very personal experience, so be honest and let it be your own.
• You might not feel like praying and that’s okay. There might be other times you will feel like doing so.
• Prayer can also be symbolic – examples may include going to a sacred place, touching a memorable object, or looking at a photograph.

The Chinese word for “crisis,” wēijī is composed of two characters: wēi, which means “danger,” and jī, which means “turning point.”

A spiritual crisis can certainly be a “turning point” in your life – one in which you reevaluate what is important in life, reexamine your faith, and maybe even find a new faith or spiritual tradition that makes more sense to you based on your experience. It can present “danger” in the sense that sometimes, if you reject your faith during a critical time, you may lose the opportunity to be comforted by your beliefs.

There can be times when it seems that God, or the higher power you believe in, is not present in the midst of our suffering. One option is to believe that. Another option is to look deeper and try to find evidence of this higher power’s presence, for instance in the caring words of those around us. You might see such signs of compassion and empathy – one person showing interest or concern for another. But perhaps these are the means by which divine or universal love is made manifest.

Many faith traditions have written materials to address the issue of a spiritual crisis. You may also find it more helpful to speak in person with a clergy person of your faith, or contact a local interfaith center if you prefer to speak with someone outside of your own tradition, about your feelings.

Being connected with a faith-based community not only can provide a source of spiritual comfort and support, it can also be of help with practical assistance. Many faiths put a high priority on service to others, especially people who are dealing with illness. Depending on its size and how many staff members it has, a congregation is a rich resource that can be mobilized with just a phone call to the person or committee in charge of outreach to people in need.

The type of help a congregation offers could include home visits by clergy or another member, meal deliveries to patients and their families who may be too exhausted to cook, or someone to accompany you to your appointments. Sometimes a congregation member will volunteer to “stand in” for your own caregiver for a few hours at a time so that your caregiver can go out to do the shopping or run other errands. A congregation might also provide transportation for getting to and from medical appointments or religious services. Some congregations may also have discretionary funds that can help out their members who are facing financial emergencies.

Most important is to be clear and explicit about what your most pressing needs are and what kind of help you are seeking. Asking for help is never easy, but faith communities are designed to respond in a supportive way to those who are in difficult situations.

Spirituality can be defined in multiple ways, but primarily it has to do with the idea of connectedness. The word “spirit” comes from the Latin root spiritus, which literally means “breath.” Connecting with the spiritual part of ourselves means getting in touch with that which gives us life, not only in the biological sense, but also in terms of what gives our life meaning and purpose.

One approach to spirituality is found in the Buddhist concept of mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness means being present in the moment and fully aware of what is going on, both inside and outside of yourself. Walking through a beautiful garden, listening to music, or even taking a shower or eating a meal can be considered spiritual if the element of mindfulness is present. Being in a state of mindfulness can provide a sense of calm and enhance the quality of daily life.

You might also consider reading some of the sacred texts, such as the Bible, the Koran, or Bhagavata. The spiritual traditions of both East and West have explored the question of why people suffer – often the “why” question of cancer. Faith-based texts, which were written and refined over centuries, can provide insights and new perspectives on suffering. They can also be a source of comfort and guidance.

Another benefit of spirituality comes from having a community of people who share similar beliefs. In difficult times, this community can serve as a resource to fall back on. Members of a spiritual community can reach out to the individual or family through phone calls, visits, prayer lists, and other ways.

For more information read CancerCare’s fact sheet, Strengthening the Spirit.

Anxiety is very common among cancer patients. For some it occurs when they wake up, and for others, as they try to go to sleep. You mention three concerns which trigger anxiety as you’re trying to fall asleep. The first is turning off the lights, the second is the fear of dying, and the third is wanting to have your affairs in order.

The dark can be an especially scary place for people facing a life threatening illness. Absence of light is a metaphor of the darkness of unknowing. Try changing your bedtime routine - relax into your pillow with the light on. Like a child who sees monsters in the dark, turning on the light, even dimly, can provide comfort and a sense of control, allowing you to relax and fall asleep.

Your second concern, fear of dying, triggers a “fight or flight” reflex, hardwired into all of us for survival. Using mindful meditation, focus on your breath while non-judgmentally looking at your thoughts when your mind wanders, especially thoughts of worry. When you feel anxious, gently bring your focus back to your breath. Breath, specifically oxygen, is life, which fuels us, and aims to keep us in balance. Anxiety makes us take short breaths depriving our body and mind of oxygen and making us more anxious. When anxiety is high, take a deep breath, hold it for a comfortable amount of time, then release it, and repeat. You can do this for a few minutes or until you fall gently to sleep. You might also try listening to a pre-recorded guided imagery exercise, if you have difficulty meditating on your own.

Finally, thinking about unfinished business, especially if there is a perceived timeline, often makes people anxious. Putting one’s affairs in order does not mean giving up on life, it simply means taking care of, and continuing to invest in our lives. With the worry of cancer it can be hard to focus on individual tasks, thereby increasing one’s anxiety. Try writing down the things you need to take care of, and then prioritize them. Use creative visualization, by imagining yourself doing and finishing each task, and enjoying a sense of accomplishment as each task is completed. These visualizations can serve as a first step and increasing the likelihood of completion, which in turn can free you of the worry that is keeping you awake at bedtime.

To learn more about reducing anxiety, please read our fact sheet, Relaxation Techniques and Mind/Body Practices.

There are numerous ongoing studies in the field of mind/body practices indicating that reducing stress can positively affect one’s immune system. One theory is that the mind and body communicate through vibration. Simply put, we are all vibrating – from external sources such as the sun, television, satellite and cell phone signals, and from internal sources such as breathing, talking, hearing, digesting, and thinking. Dr. Candace B. Pert, a pharmacologist and neuroscientist and author of Molecules of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine (Simon & Schuster) examines how the immune, central nervous and endocrine systems are communicating (or vibrating) back and forth all the time. Her book also addresses such questions as: Where do our thoughts come from? How do we store and retain them? How do we transmit these thoughts throughout our bodies to maintain the conscious and unconscious actions necessary to regulate our bodies?

Another excellent guide is The Healing Power of Sound: Recovery from Life-Threatening Illness Using Sound, Voice, and Music (Shambhala Publications) by Dr. Mitchell L. Gaynor, an oncologist who explores the science of vibration and offers practical exercises for harnessing sound as a relaxation technique.

Vibration exercises can sometimes be more effective for some people than meditation or imagery in offering moments of peace and calm during the stress of illness. One example of a vibration exercise is drumming. The repetitive beating of a drum with a mallet becomes an active mantra and an expression of emotion. Over the course of 10 or 20 minutes, the vibration emitted by the beating begins to break down the tensions of the body that can cause stress. There are many sounds and instruments that people can use, but percussion instruments tend to have a more vibrational resonance that can be felt physically. Drumming, alone or in a group, can be especially helpful for creating a sense of relaxation.

In pursuing mind/body practices, it’s important for each individual to choose a technique that will be helpful to them.

We’ve all heard the saying, “We are what we eat.” No one disputes that since it’s apparent the food we put into our mouths replenishes cells and becomes our physical bodies. Less commonly heard is, “We are what we think.” This is because it is much less apparent what direct impact our thoughts play in our well being. Unlike food, which can be quantified and controlled, our thoughts are affected by external sources often outside our control including people, places and things. Now, the growing field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) shows that the mind and body are constantly communicating, back and forth.

If negative thoughts come up for you in managing your cancer, guided imagery exercises can help you counter them with positive thoughts, so the body can be more relaxed. One imagery exercise is called Creative Visualization, which is used in sports psychology, business and other areas where people confront challenges. It’s a simple technique that uses your imagination to envision an event as you would like it to happen.

Before receiving a chemotherapy treatment, you might take time to quietly sit and visualize how you would ideally like treatment to go. It helps to think about details such as what clothing you’re wearing, how the weather feels, or where you’ll be sitting or lying when you get your treatment.

During your treatment, you can continue to visualize the chemotherapy (or radiation or surgery) as it travels through your body and “confronts” the cancer cells. Use your imagination: employ superheroes (yourself or others), magic wands, or loved ones providing comfort, hope and strength to defeat the cancer. This technique can ease the mind’s tendency to worry and help you focus on “rallying” healthy cells and the immune system to defeat disease.

If you have difficulty coming up with your own Creative Visualization exercise, it might be easier to listen to a pre-recorded Creative Visualization exercise. You can find a large number of CDs and audiobooks on this subject by doing a search (using keywords “guided imagery” or “creative visualization”) at Amazon.com. Also, a good book on the topic is Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life, by Shakti Gawain (New World Library Publishers).

Anxiety is a natural emotional experience for eveyone. When someone has to cope with a cancer diagnosis, anxiety (or worry) can increase, intruding on an individual’s ability to regain a sense of calm, clear his or her thoughts and feel more control over the issue at hand. Chronic anxiety can lead to fatigue and depression over time, so it is important to find techniques that can offer relief from the stress of cancer, even if just for short periods of time.

When confronted with crisis, our bodies trigger a “fight or flight” response. Part of this physical response is rapid, shallow breathing, which increases blood flow through the heart and puts extra oxygen into our bodies. A person under chronic stress will continue to take shorter, more shallow breaths, which will in increase stress and create a continual state of anxiety.

Here’s a simple breathing exercise that can help calm you:

• Sitting down, place one hand on your chest and the other over your navel.
• Take three breaths and observe your breathing. For most people, the chest area tends to rise more than the abdomen.
• Now, take in a deep breath and extend your abdomen. Picture your lungs as long, narrow balloons, filling up from the end to the front; and from the bottom to the top.
• Hold the breath and silently count to five; then, exhale loudly.
• Do this for three breaths and then sit quietly for a moment. If you feel lightheaded, hold the next breath for a shorter time. Most people find there is a calming feeling that follows.

The beauty of this exercise is you can do it anywhere, anytime. The goal is to reduce stress by returning yourself to a natural state of breathing.

You can find more relaxation techniques in CancerCare’s fact sheet, Relaxation Techniques and Mind/Body Practices: How They Can Help You Cope With Cancer.

It is natural that anyone who hears the words “you have cancer” will experience negative feelings. Allowing those feelings to come out is part of the healing process; to deny them can cause even more stress.

A member of a young patient group once said, “I’m a realistic optimist. I’ll do everything I can to beat cancer, but I also want to learn to live with the knowledge that I don’t have full control.” To try and be only positive during a difficult time can be a form of denial, and can hold back valid feelings that need to be expressed.

A simple mind/body technique called Mindfulness is meditation practice which uses the breath as a point of focus for the mind, and can help you acknowledge (in a non-judgmental way) the full range of feelings, both physical and emotional, that can arise. When we have a negative feeling, physical or emotional, there is the tendency to attach blame to it, thereby increasing the suffering. Mindfulness simply recognizes and observes the feeling, letting it happen without being pulled into it. Through Mindfulness, you can embrace that staying positive in the face of cancer includes recognizing and validating all the feelings you are experiencing, negative ones included.

The benefit of mindfulness meditation is that it can be done sitting quietly at home, at work or during daily activities.

Two books on Mindfulness Meditation you may find helpful are Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn (Hyperion), and Get Out Of Your Mind And Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, by Steven C. Hayes (New Harbinger Publications).

I am very sorry to hear that you are facing these challenges this holiday season. While you feel that your children are not wanting to have you with them, you don’t say whether you have spoken with them about your concerns. It may be that they are unsure of how you are feeling or what your expectations might be concerning Christmas. If you are in need of any special assistance or equipment to facilitate spending time with them, they may not feel prepared to manage those needs. The key may be to open up a discussion with them to talk about your preferences for being with family that day and to address the practical considerations that would make it possible.

As difficult as it is to cope with cancer during the holidays, it is also possible to be joyful. For many, the idea that you can feel both sad and joyful is an unusual concept. While your family may experience feelings of sadness associated with the many issues related to your cancer, there can also be joyfulness when spending time together with those who mean so much and creating memories of a special day. The challenge can be in maintaining an awareness of the pleasures that are available in the midst of a very difficult time.

Many people face challenges like yours during the holiday season. It might be helpful for you to speak with a CancerCare social worker about your unique circumstances, so please call us at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673). We’ve also compiled suggestions that might be helpful in our fact sheet, Coping With Cancer During the Holidays.

Depending on your particular family and faith traditions, there can be a lot of expectations at this time of year, many of them focused around finding joy in the season. When illness or grief interrupts those expectations, it can be difficult to manage.

Be kind to yourself during this time, and consider what is truly important to you now. That can require you to adjust your expectations about everything from shopping to housecleaning. Make a list of those things that you truly enjoy and decide which of those traditions you would like to retain. Give yourself permission to “pass“ on those traditions that generate stress or involve a good amount of effort

This may also be a time that you can ask others to provide additional support. This can include a conversation with the hospice social worker concerning what other services may be available. You might use the services of a hospice volunteer or have the ability to engage additional home care supports on your own.

While it would be ideal for family and friends to volunteer their help, it may be necessary to ask them. Consider whether there are specific tasks that you can ask others to perform which can provide you a break from the day-to-day demands of care giving. Is there someone who can stay for a few hours, offer to go to the market, or bring your father to a scheduled appointment? Many times family and friends would like to help but are at a loss as to how to be helpful without being disruptive to routines.

The holidays are a time for giving, so please give yourself the gift of acceptance – your grief is part of your healing process. It’s natural that remembering your brother at this time brings sadness and pain. Express your feelings and try not to isolate yourself from those who care about you.

Remembering your brother on special days is way to honor him. He can be there in spirit through a symbolic ritual such as lighting a candle at a family dinner or planting a tree on New Year’s Day. Do things that have a personal meaning to you and will foster positive memories of him.

Your feelings are a normal response to loss and you need to give yourself time to adjust to living in this world without him. Do what you feel up to doing during the holidays, but take care of yourself and let others know that you have limited energy, both emotionally and physically.

To learn more about grief, what to expect, and how to cope, please read:

• CancerCare’s fact sheet, Living With Grief: How Can You Help Yourself

• The National Cancer Institute’s Grief, Bereavement, and Coping With Loss

Finally, How To Go On Living When Some One you Love Dies, is an excellent book that is written by one of the foremost experts on grief, Therese A. Rando (Bantam Publishers).

During chemotherapy treatments, you may notice memory or thinking changes, sometimes referred to as chemobrain. Chemobrain affects your cognitive or thinking abilities including: memory, attention, concentration, word finding or retrieval, multi-tasking, learning, and sense of direction. Researchers are not certain of the exact causes of these difficulties, but they are currently studying this problem in order to find ways to both treat and prevent it.

There are a number of treatable conditions that can affect memory, such as low blood counts, hormonal changes, stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety. Some of your medications could also be affecting your ability to think clearly.

It is important for you to talk with your doctor if you are having trouble with your memory. Your health care team can be very helpful to you in figuring out ways to manage your memory and thinking changes related to chemotherapy. Bring a list of your questions to your doctor, take notes, and ask permission to record your visit. If possible, bring someone with you. Get a second opinion if your doctor doesn’t take your concerns seriously.

Memory tools can help to boost your memory. Write things down in a planner, pick one spot to keep your keys and wallet, place reminders around your home and work space of tasks you need to do, and recognize the importance of nutrition, exercise and sleep.

CancerCare offers the following fact sheets addressing chemobrain:

• Cognitive Problems After Chemotherapy
• Coping With Chemobrain: Keeping Your Memory Sharp
• Improving Your Concentration: Three Key Steps

Remember that you are not alone. Work with your health care team to address your memory changes, join a support group, learn more about chemobrain through our educational workshop, Chemobrain: The Impact of Cancer Treatments on Memory, Thinking and Attention, and most importantly be kind to yourself.

The single greatest risk factor for cancer is aging. Our population is living longer and cancer is a disease that occurs in older adults. There is no clear data, however, showing that certain cancer treatments, when appropriate, should not be offered on the basis of age. The only exception is when there are pre-existing health problems.

Chronic health problems unrelated to cancer – such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease or arthritis – do need to be considered with regard to cancer treatment and its side effects. For an older adult, it is important that the choice of treatment plan takes into account his or her overall health status, including:

• any medications being taken and their possible interaction with cancer treatments
• the person’s mobility, balance, and memory
• any nutritional needs or restrictions
• social supports, including who will be there to help with daily concerns like grocery shopping, cooking, and providing transportation to medical appointments.

It is appropriate for you and your dad to expect to control treatment side effects. Before your father starts treatment, make sure his doctor knows about any medications he is currently taking for other health problems, and ask about what treatment side effects he should expect. In many cancer centers, there are health care specialists that will work with your doctor to help manage treatment side effects. Talk with your dad’s doctor about symptoms you and he are worried about. Don’t be afraid, embarrassed, or hesitate to ask questions, voice your opinion, and seek the care your dad needs and deserves.

For more information, read these CancerCare publications:

• Caregiving for Your Loved One with Cancer
• Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
• Controlling Cancer Pain: What You Need to Know to Get Relief
• Your Health Care Team: Your Doctor is Only The Beginning

Our professional oncology social workers can also help people with cancer and their loved ones with the practical and emotional concerns arising from a cancer diagnosis. Contact us 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).

Many people are able to continue working during their treatments and being proactive can make all the difference. The keys are good communication with your health care team, knowing up front what the expected side effects will be, and developing a plan with your doctor.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor to talk about your job and its activities. Make sure that your doctor understands the importance of your job as a source of health insurance, income and purpose, and that your employment be considered in any medical decisions. Get details about your treatment side effects and develop a plan that addresses each one. Explore with your doctor options that will make it easier to continue working, such as scheduling treatments on Friday afternoons to minimize their impact on work.

Once you have spoken with your doctor and know better what to expect, you may want to talk to your supervisor or human resource department about your need for flex time or time off. If you work full time, learn about workplace legal protections and accommodations. Know the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act. You may also contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. All are helpful resources for understanding your legal rights in the workplace when you have cancer.

CancerCare offers these additional resources:

• Workplace-related podcasts
• Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects

People view the holidays as a time to celebrate and connect with family and friends. However, the season can be stressful if you are living with cancer and trying to manage treatment side effects such as fatigue, weight loss or gain, nausea or pain.

Fortunately, doctors have many ways to reduce and even prevent side effects. At CancerCare, we often use the word “coping” to describe how people deal with cancer. People sometimes mistakenly think that coping means just living with a problem, whether you like it or not. But coping actually means managing a problem and finding a new way to take control of it.

You can maximize your enjoyment of the holidays by letting your health care team know now about your holiday plans and ask for their help in taking control of treatment side effects. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns and ask for guidance regarding holiday meals, travel, and conserving your energy, as well as rescheduling your treatments, if possible, so that any resulting side effects will not occur on during the holidays.

CancerCare offers publications offering additional information so that you can better manage your treatment side effects and enjoy the holiday season:

• Coping with Cancer During the Holidays
• Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
• Coping with Cancer: Tools to Help You Live

You can find additional information through the National Cancer Institute.

CancerCare’s social workers are here to help you with emotional support and practical help. Call 800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

If you feel that your aunt’s pain is not being adequately managed by medication she is currently taking, it is important that you consult with her medical team.

Excellent pain management services and a wide array of pain medications are available. It may be that all that’s needed is for her doctor to change the dosage or frequency of her medication.

However, your aunt’s medical team must continually be informed of her pain level. Don’t assume that they are aware of the level of pain she is experiencing. Doctors often have to rely on their patients and caregivers to tell them whether or not the medications are working for them.

If your aunt’s medical team is not asking about her pain or pain management, you should speak up and raise your concerns with them. If they feel that there is nothing they can do to ease her pain further, consider ask them for a referral to a pain clinic or pain specialist.

For more pain management information, please read our publications:

• Controlling Cancer Pain: What You Need to Know to Get Relief
• Opening the Door to Effective Pain Management

Additionally, you will find detailed information about pain management in The Caregiver Resource Directory.

Many people undergoing chemotherapy treatments experience changes in their body weight—either weight loss or weight gain. If you notice that you are gaining weight, it is important to tell your health care team. Your doctor will need to evaluate the cause of this change, since there are many factors that may be contributing to it. Once your doctor diagnoses the causes, then you, your doctor, and health care team can develop a plan to treat your weight gain.

Eating is such an important part of our social activities, including getting together with friends and family, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other special occasions. Your doctor may recommend that you consult with a dietitian who can suggest eating tips to help you find a balance between enjoying your favorite foods at special occasions, while watching what you eat. In addition, your doctor may recommend that you speak with a doctor of rehabilitation medicine or a physical therapist so that you can start an exercise program to help with weight management.

The most important thing to remember is that a change in weight is often due to cancer treatments and is not your fault. Because weight gain affects how we look and how our clothes fit, many people decide to join a support group or seek individual counseling to find new ways to cope with their changed body image.

We offer additional information about coping with cancer:

• Your Health Care Team: Your Doctor is Only the Beginning
• Relaxation Techniques and Mind/Body Practices: How They Can Help You Cope with Cancer
• Coping with Cancer During the Holidays
• Strengthening the Spirit
• Coping with Cancer: Tools to Help You Live

To speak with a social worker who can provide support and also find local counseling or support groups, call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

Fear of becoming addicted is common among people who are prescribed medications for cancer pain. This fear can keep some patients from talking with their doctor about the pain they are in. It can also keep them from following their doctor’s orders about when and how often to take their medicines. Some people may even skip some of their doses because they are afraid of “getting hooked.”

It is true that you may experience physical symptoms of withdrawal when your pain medication is stopped. Some common symptoms might include feelings of irritability and agitation. This is called physical dependence, and it is a normal response to taking a pain medication, not a sign of an addiction. Addiction is a psychological, or emotional, dependence on a drug.

Sometimes our bodies can become used to the medicines that we are taking. This is described as building up a “tolerance” to your medication. It means that the pain medications that used to work may no longer help relieve your pain.

Building a tolerance to your pain medications is usually not considered a problem. Your physician can simply change the dosage of your medication or prescribe a new medication for you. Again, it is important that you keep your doctor informed as to what works and what doesn’t in easing your pain. Your physician will work very closely with you when prescribing your schedule of pain medication.

It’s important to talk with your doctor about any concerns or fears you may have. This will help ensure that pain medications are used safely and effectively.

It is wonderful that you are helping care for your mother and your important role is known as a “caregiver.” Going with your mother to her appointment can be very helpful since good communication with her doctor will improve the quality of care she receives. Your mother may feel overwhelmed and needs your help to sort through the doctor’s instructions on managing her poor appetite.

Before this visit with the doctor, write down any questions the two of you would like to ask. Make your questions as specific as possible and ask your most important questions first. Bring a notebook or tape recorder so you can keep track of the doctor’s answers and refer to them later.

Questions to ask her doctor:

• What could be causing my mother’s poor appetite?
• Are there any ways to improve my mother’s appetite?
• Can you arrange for her to meet with a dietitian to help us plan her meals and snacks?
• Is there any medication that would help to improve her appetite?

You may also want to learn about organizations that help with care at home. Ask your mother’s doctor or hospital social worker about local home health agencies.

CancerCare publications that can help include:

• Tips for Managing Nausea and Increasing Appetite During Cancer Treatment
• Communicating With Your Health Care Team
• Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer

The National Cancer Institute offers:

• Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
• Nutrition in Cancer Care

Your frustration is understandable. Many doctors struggle with managing time due to the increased demands on their time from patients and other responsibilities. However, you should be able to feel that you are receiving the best medical care possible, including answers to your questions. Remember, the doctor is only one member of your health care team. If you are not able to communicate directly to him or her, try talking to the nurse, nurse practitioner, or social worker associated with your oncologist’s practice. At the very least, a member of the team can approach the doctor with your questions and relay answers to you directly. Prioritize and state your questions concisely. Ask how they prefer you to communicate your questions and concerns—for instance, some doctors may prefer email over a phone call.

Questions will come up outside of your scheduled appointments and it’s a good idea to prioritize them. If the problem is urgent, call your doctor immediately. If it isn’t, keep an ongoing list of questions for your next appointment. Make your questions clear, and make every word count.

Communication is a two-way street. It’s important to be direct about the issues you have with your doctor. If you are still not satisfied with your doctor (or medical team), you have the right to change. You can ask family members or friends for recommendations and explore the doctor’s communication style specifically. Remember to be consumer wise—your good health may depend on it.

If you are still feeling frustrated, CancerCare has experienced social workers who can help you more effectively communicate with your doctor. Call us at 1-800-8130 HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

Yes, you should talk to your doctor about your feelings and concerns. Don’t be afraid to be honest with your doctor. Many doctors have difficulty dealing with the emotional side of cancer and they may not know how to deal with their own feelings as well as those of their patients. Decisions around treatment should be discussed with the patient and ending treatment is a decision you should make with your doctor. What are her reasons? Is the decision to end treatment due to concerns about the benefits of treatment verses the risks and discomfort of continued treatment? You have the right to explore every possible medical treatment available. Are there clinical trials that may be available to you at this time? You may also consider seeking a second opinion. These are all questions that can be part of the discussion you have with your doctor.

The Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER), through the National Cancer Institute may be a helpful resource for you. They can provide the latest cancer treatment information as well as a list of comprehensive cancer centers and clinical trials.

It can also be helpful for you to speak to someone about what you are feeling. You’ve developed a relationship with this doctor over the last two years and this is an understandably difficult and painful loss. It is important to maintain hope and our social workers can help you to redefine hope even when cancer treatment may no longer be an option.

Pain is a message your body sends saying that it needs help. Pain medications can offer you relief. But first, you’ll need to tell your doctor how you feel. The more accurately you can describe your pain to your doctor, the better your doctor will be able to help you. Rating your pain on a scale from zero (no pain) to 10 (worst pain) can be an effective way of measuring and describing your pain to your doctor.

To make sure you receive effective pain management:

• Tell your doctor immediately about any pain you are experiencing. NEVER allow your pain to build up over time. Pain needs to be monitored and assessed at each doctor visit.
• Write down any questions you may have about your pain and how to manage it BEFORE your visit to your doctor. And, be sure to write down the answers your doctor gives you.
• Bring someone with you to your appointment. Having another person there who can give you emotional support, ask questions, and remember information can help you better address and manage your pain.
• Be specific and describe your pain in detail to your doctor. Don’t assume your doctor knows how you feel. Tell your doctor what your pain feels like, when it is at its worst, and when it appears to ease up, if it does.
• Keep a pain diary or journal. Record such things as when and where the pain occurs, what makes the pain worse, what provides relief, and how the pain affects your quality of life.

Remember, you are the expert on your pain, and your doctor is there to help you. Effective pain management is about teamwork. Get involved and be an active participant in your care.

Nausea and fatigue are common side effects in cancer treatment but can be well managed with the help of your health care team and medications. Daily chores and tasks can be especially difficult when you are tired. This is the time to ask others to help you prepare your food so that you can maintain good eating habits during your treatments. Perhaps you don’t want to “bother” your family or friends or ask them to do simple tasks. Most of the time, family and friends are looking for a way to contribute to your care, even if they can’t be there all the time. Try having one family member or friend to be your primary caregiver, and have that person organize help from the others. Together, they can work as a team to do your food shopping, bring you meals and help you around the house. Giving each one a specific task allows each one to feel that he or she is helping you.

You can also get help with meals and house chores from your hospital, non-profit agencies and private organizations. Sometimes this help is covered by insurance, and sometimes you may need financial assistance to get the help you need.

CancerCare resources that will provide you with useful information include:

• Tips for Managing Nausea and Increasing Appetite During Cancer Treatment
• Coping with Nausea and Vomiting from Chemotherapy
• Coping with Cancer: Tools to Help You Live

Eating Hints for Cancer Patients: Before, During, and After Treatment from The National Cancer Institute is another great resource.

CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers assist people living with cancer, family members and caregivers with the practical and emotional concerns arising from a cancer diagnosis. Call us at 800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

Caregivers struggle with how they can help their family member while at the same time not take over making medical and life decisions. One way you can feel more helpful is to find out information about the diagnosis, treatment and possible clinical trials. You may also suggest getting a second opinion from a specialist. It is important, however, to listen to your mother and not make the decisions for her. Ultimately, she has to feel comfortable and trust her doctor. Being able to communicate with the doctor and the medical team will help improve the quality of the care your mother receives.

Talk to your mother about your concerns. If she is finding it difficult to talk to her doctor, help her formulate questions and offer to go to her treatments and doctor visits. Often times, patients have a difficult time taking in all that is said during an appointment, so you can be helpful by taking notes. This will not only provide support to your mother but may also allow you to feel more in control.

For more tips read our booklet, Communicating With Your Health Care Team.

You might also want to join a support group to address some of your concerns and hear how others manage communication issues. CancerCare offers telephone, online and face-to-face support groups for caregivers. Caring for yourself is extremely important when coping with a loved one’s cancer. To learn more about how to help your loved one with medical as well as emotional concerns, read our publications, Caregiving for Your Loved One with Cancer and Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?

There is a great deal of information about cancer and cancer treatments, especially online. The challenges are how to find and evaluate information to make sure it is reliable, up-to-date, trustworthy and appropriate to your diagnosis and situation. For cancer information, I recommend contacting The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) to speak with an information specialist by calling 800-4-CANCER.

To help you evaluate online information, keep these questions in mind:

• What is the purpose of the website? Is it educational or commercial—that is, is the site trying to sell you a product or service?
• What is the source of the information?
• Is the information evidence-based—that is, based on scientific research?
• Does the website provide contact information for individuals who are responsible for its content?
• Are the links relevant and appropriate for the site?

Once you have information, the next challenge is how to make sense of it. Ultimately, your doctor and health care team are best able to help you interpret information. Identify someone on the health care team you are comfortable talking to. Then:

• Write down your questions before your doctor visit
• Ask questions if you don’t understand what the doctor says
• Take notes and if possible, bring someone with you who can assist you

Interpreting medical tests requires that you consult with your health care team. Make sure you ask for copies of lab tests, biopsy results, X-Rays, ultrasounds, CAT and PET scans, or MRIs. Schedule time with your doctor and health care team to review all test results, and their implications for your treatment and care.

CancerCare has a number of publications that offer practical tips:

• If You Have Just Been Diagnosed
• Communicating With Your Health Care Team
• Doctor Can We Talk? Tips for Communicating with Your Health Care Team
• Don’t Be Afraid of Clinical Trials: They Could Improve the Quality of Your Care
• Coping with Cancer: Tools to Help You Live

After being diagnosed with cancer, you enter a world that is unfamiliar to you—with its own language, including medical terms and jargon. You often see not only one doctor, but a team of health care professionals, who speak to you using different medical terms and phrases.

This online resources will help you find simple explanations for complex medical terms and procedures: National Cancer Institute’s online glossary

Knowledge is a powerful tool to cope with cancer. In addition to using the glossaries, make sure to ask your medical oncologist and health care team questions. Whenever your doctor uses a term that you don’t understand, be sure to ask what the word means. It’s okay to say to your doctor, “I don’t know what that word means. Could you please explain to me?” Asking questions regularly will help you better understand medical terms and their implications for your cancer and its treatments.

Contact your health care team when you have a question. They are the best source of consistent information for you. Most importantly, do not wait until your next scheduled appointment to ask a question. Call your health care team when you have a question so that you get the answers you need.

CancerCare’s fact sheet, Your Health Care Team: Your Doctor is Only The Beginning, describes the health care professionals on your team and how they can help you.

Being part of a clinical trial is the most common way that patients receive investigational drugs (i.e. drugs that have not yet been “FDA-approved”). The term “compassionate use” or “compassionate exemption” means that a patient is allowed to receive a drug even though he/she does not meet the eligibility criteria of a clinical trial in which a drug is being studied.

The decision to provide a drug in this manner is made on a case-by-case basis and there must be a reasonable expectation the drug will prolong life or improve a person’s quality of life. In addition, the sponsor of the clinical trial must agree to make the drug available and, as noted in a National Cancer Institute fact sheet, Access to Investigational Drugs, the drug being studied must also meet the following criteria:

• There must be substantial clinical evidence that the drug may benefit persons with particular type of cancer.
• The drug must be able to be given safely outside a clinical trial.
• The drug must be in sufficient supply for ongoing and planned clinical trials.

Should you have any further questions, there are three ways you can contact the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (CIS):

• By telephone: U.S. residents may call the CIS toll-free at 800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
• Over the Internet: You may use instant messaging through LiveHelp.
• By email: You can send e-mail using an online contact form.

A distinction needs to be made between a referral to palliative care and a referral to a pain specialist. Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from the pain, symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers and other specialists who work together with a patient’s own doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.

Palliative care physicians are specially trained in complex pain management resulting from serious illnesses such as cancer, so they are experts in administering managing opioids and other potent pain medications. Pain management specialists usually treat pain that does not result from complex, serious illness. They are often anesthesiologists if they are physicians, or nurse anesthetists if they are nurses.

Palliative care specialists bill insurance just like oncologists, cardiologists or any other specialist. Your father might have received a referral to either a pain specialist or a palliative care team. Either way, it is important that he follows up with the referral for his own physical and emotional well-being. Pain associated with cancer is complicated because the causes of pain can be variable and change from day to day.

For more information, please read our publications:

• Opening the Doors to Effective Pain Management
• Managing Cancer Pain

Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness, including cancer. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and loved ones.

Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers and other specialists (e.g., massage therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, chaplains) who work together with your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and you can have it along with curative treatment.

Palliative care controls symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and depression. It also helps you gain the strength to carry on with daily life. It improves your ability to tolerate medical treatments. And it helps you have more control over your care by improving communication so that you can better understand your choices for treatment.

The palliative care team spends as much time as necessary with you and your loved ones and provides practical, emotional and spiritual support. They help you and your family every step of the way, not only by controlling your symptoms, but also by helping you to understand your treatment options and goals.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover palliative care. If costs concern you, a social worker or financial consultant from the palliative care team can help you.

Learn more about palliative care through getpalliativecare.org.

The cost of nutritional supplements as well as other supplies can be an added and unforeseen expense for many cancer patients.

For help with nutritional supplements, first check your insurance policy to learn whether these supplies are covered and under what circumstances. For example, Medicaid, Medicare and some private insurance will pay for nutritional support for patients that need feeding tubes for more than three months.

Other possible sources of support are patient assistance programs offered by the product manufacturers. You can search medicineassistancetool.org to find out about any other nutritional assistance programs.

You can also contact a social worker through your hospital to find out what local agencies might provide discounts or other cost savings on medical supplies.

The consequences of medical debt are staggering and unfortunately all too common. Medical debt is a major burden and a source of continuing stress for many cancer patients, especially those who are younger, have lower incomes, and lack insurance, according to a recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

If he hasn’t already, your son should approach the medical centers where he has been treated to find out whether they will either lower his bill or work with him to address this sizeable debt. Some facilities provide funding to offset any care that isn’t covered by his insurance, though he will be expected to provide proof of his financial situation. Your son should also explore supplemental coverage plans such as Medicaid that could help with the amounts not covered by Medicare.

The Patient Advocate Foundation’s case managers provide guidance and support and can intervene on your son’s behalf regarding his medical debt. They also maintain a network of volunteer attorneys.

Lawhelp.org provides referrals for affordable and/or free legal assistance programs in one’s area and advice about bankruptcy protection and other financial issues.

There are many reliable sources of information for finding medical professionals or cancer treatment facilities. Professional organizations or associations are a good place to start.

The following resources can help you find information about specific oncologists, specialists, and surgeons:

• The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s website, Cancer.Net, offers a Find an Oncologist database that allows you to search by many different criteria, including area of specialty, board certification, and location.
• The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) offers information about physicians who have additional specialty training and have met certain educational requirements.
• The American College of Surgeons provides information about how to find a qualified surgeon and the different types of surgical specialists.

For information about hospitals, cancer treatment facilities, and surgical centers contact:

• The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) produces quality and safety reports on institutions that can be accessed through a database via their website.
• The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care provides certification to organizations that have met their high standards.
• The National Cancer Institute (NCI) can direct you to NCI-approved cancer treatment facilities.
• MedlinePlus has links to directories to help you find health professionals, services, and facilities.

You can also ask people you trust or other patients about their own experiences with particular physicians or treatment centers. It is important that you find a doctor with whom you feel comfortable since you and your health care team will be working very closely together.

Many human resource departments are proactive in helping their employees cope with cancer in the workplace. They demonstrate compassion by developing educational programs to help employees with their concerns.

Companies address cancer in the workplace with education and information. Some employers offer annual company-wide health fairs. Smaller companies may not be able to offer a large health fair for their employees, but they might be able to work with their benefits provider to host smaller events and workshops during the year.

Another way to provide low-cost employee education is to partner with community outreach programs, cancer centers, and nonprofit organizations that can provide educational materials and seminars.

Examples of workshop topics include:

• Cancer treatment updates
• Early detection of cancer
• Communicating with your doctor
• Coping with a co-worker’s cancer
• Review of employer sponsored health plans

CancerCare offers many resources that can assist human resource departments to develop educational programs and services for their employees, including:

• A comprehensive overview of all the services that we offer.
• Fact sheets on prevention and early detection to distribute at workplace seminars and health fairs.
• A staff of professional oncology social workers who are available to assist you and your employees with cancer-related concerns.

Contact us at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) to learn more about how we can help.

Many people are not sure what to say when someone they know is diagnosed with cancer. Our work relationships are an integral part of the fabric of our lives. Many of us spend more waking hours at work than at home. Many families are scattered geographically and so for some people, the workplace is “family.” The extent of your involvement depends upon the nature of your relationship prior to the cancer diagnosis. Here are some suggestions that may help you:

• Ask your co-worker if she wants to talk about her cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Be willing to listen
• Ask how you can help and be specific with ideas
• Tell her that you care about how she is feeling
• Keep your conversations confidential
• Try to maintain a normal office relationship with her
• Send a card or pay a visit if she is in the hospital
• Offer to help her find resources

We also have a number of publications that offer additional tips:

• Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer
• What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One
• Caring Advice for Caregivers

You may also want to speak with a CancerCare oncology social worker to discuss your concerns.

The most important things you can do are to listen to the employee who discloses his or her cancer diagnosis and to offer workplace support. It is critical to let the employee who is living with cancer know about the ability of your workplace to make accommodations for his or her needs. The key message you as an employer can offer an employee is your willingness to work with them, if at all possible, to help them continue working as long as their doctor supports their decision to work and they are able to do the job.

The following are some tips that many employers find useful:

• Know the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act and make that information available to supervisors and employees.
• Create a workplace culture that allows flextime or other accommodations for cancer patients who can and wants to continue working.
• Educate managers to deal sensitively with employees who have cancer so that they do not make assumptions about their ability to perform job duties.
• Teach managers to maintain a dialogue with employees being treated for cancer so that adjustments in workload or work schedules can be anticipated.
• Allow employees to decide if or how they would like coworkers to be informed of their illness and honor requests for confidentiality.
• Work closely with your human resource department regarding employee benefits and resources.

You may also find CancerCare publications, covering a broad range of cancer-related topics, helpful. Our professional oncology social workers can also assist employees with cancer, their coworkers, and managers.

Many people continue to work productively while being treated for cancer. Continuing to work can be vital to your sense of well being and is a source of income and, often, health insurance. Each workplace has its own unique culture. Whether or not to tell your employer about your cancer is both a personal and practical decision.

Many myths about cancer exist in our society, including in the workplace. For instance, employers and coworkers may assume that a person with cancer or their caregivers are not able to perform job responsibilities as well as before cancer. Sometimes, these misconceptions can lead to subtle or blatant discrimination.

It is important for you to become familiar with the laws protecting you before you decide whether or not to disclose your cancer diagnosis.

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requires that organizations with 15 or more employees comply with ADA guidelines. These are the criteria to take advantage of ADA protection: meet the ADA definition of “disabled person,” qualify for the job and be able to perform its essential functions, and not pose a risk to your own or others' health and safety. The ADA recommends that any accommodation that you need does not cause “undue hardship” to your employer.

Flexible work hours to meet treatment schedules and doctors appointments is the most frequent workplace accommodation required by people living with cancer. If you require flextime, it is important to disclose your cancer diagnosis to your supervisor or human resources department to be protected under the ADA. If no reason is given for frequent requests of flextime, you could risk jeopardizing your job security. For more information, contact the ADA at 1-800-514-0301.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) enables the person with cancer and family members to take unpaid leave of up to 12 weeks within one calendar year. The FMLA applies to organizations with 50 or more employees. The employee must have worked with his or her employer for at least one year, and employers must continue health benefits during the leave. Leave does not have to be taken all at once, but can be taken in blocks of time.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that enforces the provisions of the ADA and FMLA and assists citizens who feel they have been discriminated against in the workplace. If you feel you are being treated unfairly, contact the EEOC at 1-800-669-4000.

CancerCare’s oncology social workers provide practical resources and help with your workplace concerns. Call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

When you become eligible for Medicare you receive Part A, which covers certain hospitalization costs. If you want coverage for outpatient services, you should choose Part B as well. Even with Medicare A and B there are still “gaps” in coverage: for example, there is a 20% co-insurance fee for Part B services, and neither A nor B offer drug coverage. Most people choose to supplement their coverage with a retiree plan if their former employer offers it, or a “Medigap” plan, which plugs most of the holes in coverage (except medications). The rest, roughly 18%, choose a Medicare private health plan, called a Medicare Advantage Plan. These plans must offer at least the same benefits as original Medicare but have different rules, costs and coverage restrictions.

Medicare Advantage plans can be useful for those looking for all-in-one medical and drug coverage. However, Medicare Advantage HMOs restrict which doctors and hospitals you can use. An article in Kiplingers magazine sums up the differences well: “Medicare Advantage plans may charge lower premiums than you’d pay for Medicare plus a Medigap policy and Part D prescription-drug coverage. But you could end up paying higher out-of-pocket costs throughout the year. Some Medicare Advantage plans charge higher co-payments for big-ticket items such as hospitalization, or for critical services such as chemotherapy. Or they might not pay for the first 20 days in a skilled-nursing facility (which traditional Medicare covers). In addition, a plan may provide limited coverage if you travel out of state.”

Please note: A study of cancer patients by an affiliate of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute suggests that members of Medicare Advantage HMO plans are opting out of clinical trials because these policies generally require that the patient pay 20% of the costs associated with a trial. In contrast, Medigap plans generally cover those costs.

You can learn more about Medicare coverage options and find plans in your area by visiting the Medicare website. The Medicare Rights Center is also an excellent resource for Medicare questions.

When a person with cancer has completed treatment and shifts from life as a patient to life as a survivor, the transition period can bring up mixed feelings and often takes time to process. Each person is unique, and it is common to have an adjustment period. Life after cancer is often referred to as the “new normal,” which can be challenging for caregivers.

As you know, cancer affects not only the person with cancer, but also caregivers who must adapt after their loved ones complete treatment. CancerCare offers helpful tools that address survivorship issues, including our publication, After Treatment Ends: Tools for the Adult Cancer Survivor.

CancerCare’s Connect Education Workshops, which are accessible both by phone and online, offer a wealth of information about coping with survivorship issues. Past workshops are available through our website and you and your husband may find the following workshops helpful:

• Survivors Too: Family, Friends and Loved Ones - Managing the Fatigue of Caregiving
• Living With, Through and Beyond Cancer, Part I: Managing the Stress of Survivorship
• Support for the Caregiver: Balancing Your Needs and Your Role as a Caregiver
• My Treatment is Over: Why Do I Feel So Alone and Sad?

Stress Management for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself Physically and Emotionally is an workshop that might also find helpful.

When talking to children about a cancer diagnosis, it’s important to provide honest, age-appropriate answers. For instance, when the child asks if they were born with cancer, you can tell them that the cancer happened on its own–nobody did anything to make it happen. There may also be questions that you may not know the answers to and it’s okay to simply say “I don’t know,” which is an honest answer.

The reason why we stress being honest when talking with a child about cancer is that by doing so, you’re letting the child know that you can be trusted. For more information about talking to children and helping them cope with cancer please read our booklet, Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer.

Children may not have a clear understanding of what cancer is, which is why we recommend using arts, crafts, toys, and games to assist in talking about cancer. For example, you can take a small piece of clay and place it on a doll to show where the cancer is located. One might also draw a picture of a person to show the child where the cancer is located on the drawing.

It can be helpful to read books which are specifically written to help children understand cancer and its treatment. Kemo Shark is a downloadable comic book that is designed to help kids understand cancer and chemotherapy.

At times, counseling may be useful to assist children in working through the feelings behind their questions. If you think this might be helpful for your nephew, CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers can help you find local children’s counseling services. Please call us at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).

Fear of becoming addicted or becoming a “seeker” is common among people who are prescribed medications for cancer pain. Unfortunately, this fear can keep some patients from talking with their doctor about the pain they are experiencing. It can also prevent them from following their doctor’s orders about when and how often to take their medications. Some people may even skip some of their doses because they are afraid of “getting hooked.” However, if you feel that your pain is increasing, it is important that you consult with your medical team. Keep in mind that pain is what the person says it is. You are the expert when it comes to your own pain. A simple change in the dosage or frequency of your medication may be all that is necessary to ease your pain.

Although a possibility exists that you may become physically dependent on your medication, which is a normal response to taking a pain medication over a period of time, this nonetheless is not a sign of an addiction. Sometimes our bodies can become used to the medicines that we are taking. This is described as building up a “tolerance” to medications. It means that the pain medications that used to work may no longer be working to help relieve your pain. It’s important to talk with your doctor about any concerns or fears you may have surrounding this. Don’t assume that your doctor is aware of the level of pain you are experiencing. Doctors have to rely on their patients to inform them whether or not the medications are working. Keeping your doctor informed will also help ensure that your pain medications are being used safely and effectively. If you feel that your doctor is not addressing your pain to your satisfaction, you might consider asking him/her for a referral to a pain clinic or pain specialist.

Your question identifies one of the most important aspects of cancer survivorship – continued self-care. Exercise improves post-treatment fitness and strengthens your ability, in both mind and body, to cope with the after-effects of cancer.

The first step in starting any exercise program is to consult a doctor, either your oncologist or general practitioner. Ask him/her for a referral to an occupational or physical therapist, who can help you customize an exercise routine based on your age, present fitness level, and any limitations caused by cancer or its treatment. This can help increase your flexibility and bone and muscle strength, which are crucial to improving balance and preventing falls. Some techniques can even be performed sitting or standing. For more information, see our booklet, Caring for Your Bones When You Have Cancer.

Health professionals can also help you find exercise programs in your community, such as yoga, Tai Chi, qigong, and other gentle movement classes that are tailored to cancer survivors. Such classes may also be found at your local YMCA, senior center, or Cancer Support Community. Mind-body techniques (including deep breathing and relaxation exercises) will improve your focus and energy level. Learn more by reading our fact sheet, “Relaxation Techniques and Mind/Body Practices.”

You may also want to see a neurologist to treat the nerve damage, or neuropathy, that is limiting your movement. A neurologist may prescribe medications, acupuncture, or relaxation exercises to relieve your pain and discomfort.

Another way to improve your ability to exercise is to consult a nutritionist or registered dietitian: finding a diet tailored to your specific needs can help increase your energy and rebuild your muscles and bones. The American Cancer Society has comprehensive nutrition information for before, during, and after cancer treatment.

Even if you are fatigued and tire easily, start slow. Any exercise is better than none. Consult the American Society of Clinical Oncology for information on how to practice this. Instead of walking for an hour, walk for 5-10 minutes several times a day. Give yourself credit for any exercise you do, and reward yourself when you are able to do more. Remember to celebrate each small success.

Unfortunately, one potential effect of cancer and cancer treatment is the loss of fertility in both men and women. Depending on cancer type and treatment methods, your age, and other factors, your fertility may be compromised on a temporary or permanent basis. To determine this likelihood and possible solutions, it is important that you talk to your oncologist and a fertility specialist. The American Cancer Society has comprehensive information on the main causes and options for cancer-related infertility for women and for men. For women, causes include:

• damage to your eggs caused by certain kinds of chemotherapy
• damage to your ovaries caused by radiation
• removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) or ovaries (oophorectomy)
• hormonal treatments

If you have a uterus and ovaries, you may still be able to get pregnant. Some medical professionals recommend waiting 6 months before trying, to avoid fertilization of damaged eggs. A doctor specializing in high-risk obstetrics can check that your ovaries are still functioning and that your heart and lungs are strong enough to withstand pregnancy. If you were not able to freeze embryos (cryopreservation) before beginning cancer treatment but you still have your uterus, you may consider:

• getting implanted with donor eggs through IVF (in-vitro fertilization)
• getting implanted with a donor embryo through IVF
• adoption

For men, infertility may be caused by:

• damage to your sperm cells caused by chemotherapy
• damage to sperm cells caused by radiation
• surgery to remove your testicles or prostate
• hormonal therapies

Some men recover their ability to produce sperm after cancer treatment (maybe a year or later). If you did not freeze your sperm before treatment but you can still produce sperm, you may consider:

• getting your semen analyzed to determine the level of DNA damage to your sperm
• adoption

LIVESTRONG provides information on fertility options at all stages of cancer treatment to help you make an informed decision based on your individual needs. You can also find information to help deal with the financial, practical and legal aspects of infertility.

Dealing with fertitlity issues can be stressful, and CancerCare offers counseling and support groups to help better manage these concerns.

Cold weather poses special challenges for people affected by neuropathy. Prolonged exposure to the cold causes the body to slow blood circulation to the hands and feet in an effort to preserve the body’s core temperature. The reduced blood flow can intensify neuropathy symptoms and potentially cause further damage to already affected peripheral nerves. This is of special concern to those who experience their neuropathy pain as a numbness or tingling sensation. Their ability to measure the effects of the cold is compromised since they already experience those physical warning signals that would otherwise indicate a need to get to warmer conditions.

Tips to lessen the pain and lower your risk of further nerve damage:

• Wear warm, dry clothing in cold weather.
• Protect your hands and feet by wearing thick socks, thick mittens or gloves.
• Take intermittent breaks from the cold to reduce your exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Limit or avoid caffeine before an outing as it can temporarily cause blood vessels to narrow.
• Do not smoke as cigarette smoke can slow circulation.
• Limit alcohol use since excessive consumption can lead to vitamin deficiency which can, in turn, damage peripheral nerves.
• Incorporate exercise into your routine to improve overall circulation.
• Explore comfort measures like massage or use of flexible splints for support.

The information I’ve shared above is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice. Please be sure to consult with your health care team for personalized advice and guidance.

For more information about neuropathy, please view all CancerCare’s neuropathy resources.

If you have not already done so, please check with the Veterans Administration (VA). Veterans who meet specific VA criteria have access to vision and hearing exams in addition to free eyeglasses and hearing aids. Veterans with any compensable service-connected disability, former POWs, Purple Heart recipients, and certain housebound veterans are among those who qualify.

You might also check with your local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion to ask if they sponsor any eye care programs to help fellow veterans.

Finally, there are community service organizations whose mission is to give back to the community in particular ways.

• Lions Clubs International provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. There are Lions Clubs in most localities, and services vary from club to club. Check your telephone book for the telephone number and address of your local organization.

• New Eyes for the Needy provides vouchers for the purchase of new prescription eyeglasses. Eligibility guidelines apply.

For other possible resources, please read CancerCare’s fact sheet, Finding Resources in Your Community.

The cost of your cancer medication may be a barrier to adherence or taking your pills on schedule. Because of these costs, some patients try to stretch out their supply of pills. Instead of taking them as the doctor prescribed, they take them every other day so that they do not run out of their pills so quickly. If you find yourself thinking of doing this or you are doing this, please speak with your doctor to get financial help. It is very important that you take your pills the way your doctor prescribed them. This way you will get the best results from your treatment.

There are organizations that help cancer patients with the costs of their pills. Co-payment organizations and patient assistance programs help individuals who cannot afford their medications. The following resources may be able to help you:

The website of the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) has a searchable database of national and regional organizations that provide financial assistance and other services for people with cancer.

NeedyMeds helps patients without prescription coverage by providing information about patient assistance programs that provide prescription medications at no cost.

CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (866-552-6729) provides co-payment assistance to patients who meet their guidelines as well as guidance and referrals for additional help.

Patient Access Network (866-316-7263) assists patients who cannot access the treatments they need because of out-of-pocket health care costs like deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance.

Patient Advocate Foundation (800-532-5274) offers a co-payment relief program and seeks to ensure patients’ access to care.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (888-477-2669) matches patients to programs offering free or low-cost prescription medicines.

And finally, CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers can also refer patients for financial assistance and to organizations that offer free counseling services.

Having cancer in your 20s or 30s can be an overwhelming experience, particularly once treatment is over. Adjusting to the “new normal” can be especially difficult. Connecting with others your age who have also faced cancer and can relate to those days of just feeling “blah,” can be very helpful in normalizing your experience.

There are several organizations that offer support services to help meet the needs of people coping with cancer in their 20s and 30s. These organizations can help you feel connected and secure in the idea that you are NOT alone!

• Stupid Cancer
• Planet Cancer
• The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
• The Young Survival Coalition (for breast cancer survivors)

The following organizations offer retreats and other camp experiences for young adults with cancer and post treatment survivors:

• Camp Mak-A-Dream
• First Descents
• Next Step

As a post-treatment survivor, you’ll find helpful information in our booklet, After Treatment Ends: Tools for the Adult Cancer Survivor. All of our post-treatment information and support services can be found on our website. You may also call CancerCare and speak with an oncology social worker who can provide you with support and search for additional resources.

When coping with a cancer diagnosis, families often experience a variety of changes and adjustments during the holidays and other significant events. Discussing and preparing for these changes with your children can open up dialogue, elicit questions and help you to understand what your child is feeling. Although certain rituals or customs may change, it can also be helpful to honor old traditions as a way of maintaining a sense of normalcy for your children. Remember that cancer doesn’t have to be the focus of the holidays, and you have discretion over how much room cancer gets during your celebration.

Books can be helpful tools or supplements to reinforce language and ideas to help children cope with a parent’s cancer diagnosis, but should not replace a conversation. The holidays may be an opportunity to have such discussions, as you are likely joining together as a family to reflect on the past year and to make plans for the year ahead.

When selecting literature to help you talk to your children, consider your child’s age, developmental stage and maturity level. Being honest allows children of any age an important opportunity to ask questions and express how they feel. You may not have all the answers, but you can remind your child that you will always be available for them to ask.

For more information about coping with the holidays and communicating with children about cancer, read CancerCare’s Coping with Cancer During the Holidays and Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer, or review the following books to help you navigate these conversations:

• How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness by Kathleen McCue and Ron Bonn (St. Martin’s Press: 1994)
• Helping your Children Cope with your Cancer by Peter Vandernoot (Hatherleigh Press: 2006)
• When a Parent Has Cancer : A Guide to Caring for Your Children by Wendy Schlessel Harpham, MD (Harper Collins: 2004)

Many studies have shown that writing or journaling helps to reduce stress. Writing about your thoughts and feelings, especially after being diagnosed with cancer, is a good way to help process what is happening and often helps to make the experience more manageable.

As you get started, remember not to focus on spelling and grammar – it is the content that is important. Find a place to write where you feel comfortable, a space where you will not be interrupted. Choose the method of writing you prefer whether it is using pen and paper or the computer. Try and write daily, for at least 20 minutes, stopping if you feel tired or overwhelmed. Many people find that setting aside a specific time of day, such as the morning, helps them to collect their thoughts and put them on paper.

There are websites that provide a daily writing prompt or photo – many people find this to be very helpful as they begin journaling. My advice is to sit and write, see what flows out onto your paper. If you are feeling stuck, I find Bernadette Mayer’s list of journal ideas to be a wonderful source of inspiration.

If you feel you that you would like to share your writing with others in a small group, I moderate an online therapeutic writing group at CancerCare called Healing with Words. In this group, the participants are provided with writing prompts as well as longer ongoing writing assignments focused on eight unique topics. Group members post their pieces and connect with one another by sharing their work and commenting on other’s writing works. The goal of the group is for members to learn about writing as a method of coping with a cancer diagnosis and to have a forum to share their creative pieces with others.

I think it is wonderful that you have utilized journaling and that you started writing upon learning of your diagnosis, continuing to the present time. Few experiences in life are as difficult as learning that you have a diagnosis of cancer. Powerful emotions are stirred up which can be overwhelming and frightening, with many people feeling as if their world has been turned upside down. Writing is a way to give a voice to these feelings such as fear, anger, sadness and loss which may be difficult to express aloud. Putting thoughts to paper can help people feel less overwhelmed and allow them to process these complicated emotions so they can move forward. Many studies show that in addition to helping people cope emotionally by helping them to clear their mind and achieve a sense of calmness, journaling can often provide a much needed distraction and can assist in the alleviation of some symptoms.

Writing a book, or a blog, is a great way to help others who are in a similar situation. Having written your feelings from the earliest stages of your diagnosis to the present will enable you to retrace your steps and read the emotions which were connected to that time. You are able to look back on your journey and read how you were able to cope and keep moving forward. Seeing the progress you have made through difficult and frightening times can be inspiring and sharing your story is a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of others.

I think it is a personal decision as to how you choose to journal. Separate journals for each month are an option but I find most people use one journal, making sure to date each entry and perhaps mark each month separately in the journal. All the entries are part of your personal story so many choose to keep their writing together as parts of the whole.

If you are interested in reading stories that others have shared about their cancer experiences, an online search of the words “cancer blog” will yield many results.

You may also find this article from The New York Times helpful as you pursue publishing your own book.

“Words are a lens to focus one’s mind.” - Ayn Rand

Writing can help us to decrease our stress level by helping us to process our feelings and clarify our thoughts. Journaling about your anxieties and fears without incorporating thoughts, hopes and goals can sometimes cause increased stress. It is important to take time to write about the things which bring happiness to you, too.

It may be that you need to start slowly with your journaling. Perhaps simply write for five minutes a day, not necessarily about your cancer but whatever thoughts are in your mind. You can journal about a childhood memory, reflect about a family member, or write down the last time something made you smile or laugh out loud. Select an object in your home and describe it using all of your senses. Many people find that they begin journaling by simply taking pen to paper and writing one thing each day that they are grateful for. As you become more comfortable with writing, you can slowly expand your efforts to explore how you are feeling about your diagnosis and the many emotions that come hand in hand with a cancer diagnosis.

There is no “right” or “wrong” way to journal. Writing is whatever you decide it will be – a story, a poem, random thoughts or words, memories, hopes and fears. Hopefully it will provide an outlet for your feelings and, in time, will decrease your stress level. Only you can know if journaling is a positive outlet for you. If writing causes you more upset than happiness or is causing you to feel overwhelmed, perhaps take a break and find another activity which brings you comfort during this challenging time. It is important to remember that if you are experiencing feelings of depression to seek help from a professional. Writing may be an important and helpful tool in your healing but is not the only method of support.

Journaling is a wonderful means of self expression, allowing us to manage our feelings and express emotions, some of which may be negative and perhaps not meant to be voiced aloud. Writing enables us to vent these feelings in a safe place: your own collection of personal thoughts.

For most people, writing is private. You would feel upset if a family member came to your home and read your journal without your consent. If you keep your journals, chances are they will be read. As you are voicing concern regarding what is contained in your writing, I would listen to those feelings and consider how these journal entries might impact those you love.

If what you wrote are feelings that you want to share, I’d encourage you to do this in person so that the emotions can be put in context and there can be a give and take discussion about these personal thoughts and feelings. If you are not comfortable doing this, I would consider the consequences that what is contained in the journals could cause hurt to your family and possibly complicate their grief. If you do not want this to occur, I would make sure to secure your journal in a safe place to ensure they remain private.

Many patients experience eye issues during cancer treatment. Symptoms may include irritated or dry eyes, tearing, redness, pain, and blurred vision.

First, we urge you to contact your oncologist, who should always be notified about any physical changes you may experience during your cancer treatment. If you can, try to track the timing, severity and duration of your blurriness to see if there are any patterns to report to your doctor.

You may also want to have an ophthalmologist check your eyes to rule out any concerns unrelated to cancer. Some people have other health conditions and take medications that may affect vision, and it’s important to rule out any other factors that might be contributing to your vision blurriness.

The National Cancer Institute offers chemotherapy side effect information that specifically covers possible eye changes during treatment, including that certain types of chemotherapy may clog the tear ducts, leading to blurry vision.

People who are diagnosed with cancer often experience a wide range of emotions–anxiety, sadness, anger, fear, confusion, as well as a sense of urgency to get into treatment as soon as possible. Usually with a new diagnosis there is a period of time, depending on the cancer type and stage, before treatment begins. During this time, getting a second opinion is considered a routine, essential and necessary component of one’s health care plan.

Many patients feel reluctant and resistant to seek a second opinion. Studies have shown that most patients and caregivers are concerned that asking their doctor about a second opinion will create an uncomfortable relationship with that doctor, which may negatively affect their medical care. Other patients may be confused by the complexity of the healthcare system, are too overwhelmed by their diagnosis or too intimidated, or are not aware that they have that right to a second opinion.

However, most medical professionals expect a patient to get a second opinion. In fact, some insurance companies recommend, and even require, a second opinion.

Discuss getting a second opinion with the doctor who diagnosed you. Most doctors welcome a second opinion. It provides them with either confirmation of their diagnosis and treatment, more details about their diagnosis, additional treatment options or recommendations for alternative diagnoses and treatments. Your doctor may have suggestions or referrals. If not, contact a medical society associated with your cancer, academic medical institution or a National Cancer Institute designated facility. It is strongly advised that one go for a second opinion at a different medical institution, since this will involve different clinics and pathologists. If your doctor is not open to, or responds negatively to the idea of a second opinion, you may want to consider whether this is the doctor with whom you want to work.

Here is a list of situations where a second opinion may be important:

• You have a rare, unusual, terminal or incurable cancer;
• You feel uncomfortable with your doctor, the diagnosis or you need confirmation;
• Your health insurance requires it;
• You want the medical opinion of a specialist for your type of cancer;
• The treatments offered has side affects or risks that you find unacceptable;
• The treatment options will result in unacceptable or unreasonable demands on your life and your family;
• Your doctor’s treatment goals are different from your own;
• You are interested in clinical trials or alternative therapies;
• Your cancer is not responding to your current treatment.

The American Medical Association’s Patients’ Bill of Rights states that “The patient has the right to and is encouraged to obtain from physicians and other direct caregivers relevant, current, and understandable information concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.” Obtaining a second opinion is regarded as a right.

CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers can answer your questions about getting a second opinion. To speak with a professional oncology social worker, call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

The issue of exploring “other” treatments, which differ from recommended treatments your doctor has prescribed, is a topic that many patients would like to discuss with their doctors. However, some patients report feeling concerned that this discussion could affect the relationship and quality of their care. Patients may feel that their doctors are so busy that the appointments are rushed and information is given in unfamiliar medical terms, or that they do not know what to ask or feel intimidated.

A patient’s relationship with his/her doctor is both a professional and personal one. We believe that our doctors and the health care team will be medically effective and, at the same time, compassionate in caring for us. Good doctor/patient communication is key, and communicating effectively with the doctor is a skill that may need attention and practice.

CancerCare’s publication “Doctor, Can We Talk?”: Tips for Communicating with Your Health Care Team suggests a number of recommendations:

Before the Appointment

Remember you are the consumer, and the best consumer is an informed consumer. Learn about your cancer and possible treatments. Know who is on your health care team, including the nurses, social workers and patient navigators.

Create a journal or binder of your cancer experiences. Note the dates of your appointments, the names and contact information of your health care team, as well as a list of medications with dosages. You can also keep a diary of side effects as well as questions that you have for your next appointment. Writing down questions before your appointment will help you feel more organized. If your doctor is open to this suggestion, send your questions to the doctor before the appointment.

During the Appointment

Write down your doctor’s comments, advice and answers to your questions. If you feel that this will not work for you, bring someone to the appointment who can do this for you or ask if you can record the appointment.

Try to be focused and to the point. Explain your cancer experience clearly and briefly, including symptoms and medication side effects.

Ask the doctor to repeat a comment, to use language that is easy to understand, or even to slow down. If something is unclear, repeat it to the doctor as you have heard it. Be assertive but also be understanding. If the doctor is in a rush, ask if there is another member of the team, such as a nurse or social worker, who can answer your questions.

Through the use of the Internet, there is an abundance of medical information as well as opportunities to connect with people in a similar situation. Doctors report that they are very aware that patients have greater access to medical information and are often more educated about their cancer and treatment than in years past. Many doctors are prepared and are available for more in-depth discussions with their patients. Keep in mind that doctors may not know all there is to know about every cancer and its treatment. Many doctors welcome information, questions and discussions of other treatments. In fact, some physicians have stated that they have learned about other treatments because of information that a patient presented.

It is suggested to ask your doctor how he/she feels about your bringing in research and information about your cancer and asking questions about “other” treatments. This will give you some insight as to what your doctor may or may not feel comfortable discussing.

Professional oncology social workers can help you learn to better communicate with your doctor and health care team. Call CancerCare at 800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak with a social worker.

Hospice focuses on caring, not curing, those who are terminally ill. It is considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people at the end of life.

Hospice involves a team approach to expert medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient’s loved ones as well.

In most cases, care is provided in the patient’s home, but hospice can also be provided in freestanding hospice centers, hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race or illness. Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs and other managed care organizations.

Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the terminally ill individual. Members of the hospice team make regular visits to assess the patient and provide additional care or other services. Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hospice team develops a care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs for pain management and symptom control. The team usually includes:

• The patient' s personal physician
• Hospice physician (or medical director)
• Nurses
• Home health aides
• Social workers
• Clergy or other counselors
• Trained volunteers
• Speech, physical, and occupational therapists (if needed)

Among its responsibilities, the hospice team:

• Manages the patient’s pain and symptoms
• Assists the patient with the emotional and psychosocial and spiritual aspects of dying
• Provides needed drugs, medical supplies, and equipment
• Coaches the family on how to care for the patient
• Delivers special services like speech and physical therapy when needed
• Makes short-term inpatient care available when pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home, or the caregiver needs respite time
• Provides bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends.

When you and your loved one are facing a new diagnosis it can be overwhelming and difficult to know what steps to take. Meeting with an oncologist to discuss your mother’s treatment plan is incredibly important, especially given her multiple health issues.

Some questions to consider asking:

• What is the recommended treatment and side effects?
• How will the treatments affect other co-existing health issues?
• What is the goal of the treatment?
• What other treatment options are available?

During the meeting with the doctor take notes or ask the doctor if you can record the meeting using a tape recorder or other recording device. If there is something you don’t understand don’t be afraid to speak up!

Your mother may also consider getting a second opinion. While some may feel uncomfortable bringing this up with their oncologist, medical staff understand and respect the difficulty of making treatment decisions and can often provide referrals for another opinion. They can also provide copies of your mother’s records so that tests don’t have to be repeated. No matter what you and your mother decide, communication with the medical team is key.

Please know CancerCare is here for you. Our oncology social workers are available to assist you and address the many issues that come up as you and your family go through this. We can help you with questions to ask your medical team and also provide support. You can contact us through our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673).

You will find more tips in our fact sheet, “Doctor, Can We Talk?”: Tips for Communicating With Your Health Care Team.

While we are not medically trained at CancerCare, as oncology social workers we are trained in assisting you address concerns that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Nutrition is an essential part of your father’s health and integral part of his cancer treatment. It is important to bring these questions regarding his nutrition and also the difficult side effects he is experiencing to the medical team. Your father’s oncologist, physician assistant or nurse may have some beneficial medical advice to assist your father reduce side effects and maintain his nutrition. A registered dietitian can also be an important member of your father’s medical team and his oncologist can provide a referral if needed. Before you meet with the medical team make sure to write down your questions and concerns to assist you and also take notes during your meeting. This can be incredibly helpful so that you don’t forget what questions you want to ask and also have written notes of what the medical team said. Good communication with the medical team will increase your father’s quality of care. For more info read our fact sheet, “Doctor, Can We Talk?: Tips for Communicating With Your Health Care Team.

You can also find more information about about nutrition and managing nausea and vomiting through CancerCare’s website.

Your question is one that we often hear. Without a doubt, cancer can impact your home life, and this disruption may cause a change in your children’s behaviors. Children want consistency and actually like guidelines, but it may be harder to set boundaries when you are not feeling well due to your diagnosis or its treatment.

There are some things that you can do to reduce stress, and perhaps make things a little easier in your home:

• Give hugs and say “I love you”: The primary need of children is safety and security. Let them know that they are loved and heard, and that in no way did your cancer impact your love for them.
• Allow yourself “me time”: As a parent – with cancer or not - it is vital that you remember to take care of yourself. Self-care is rejuvenating; it fuels the system both physically and emotionally. It is also a good lesson to impart to your children.
• Be on the same page: Explain to your children, in age-appropriate terminology, your cancer and what the treatment will be. Use the word “cancer.”
• Be available: Let your kids ask questions, and give honest responses.
• Explain your treatment and what the side effects might be ahead of time: Prepare your children for the “what ifs.” Hair loss, fatigue or nausea may be side effects of your treatment. Maybe they want to meet your oncologist, or see where your treatment will be. Seeing, touching and feeling can make things less scary.
• How you act and react is most likely what your children model their behavior on: A parent who reacts to their cancer by shutting down, having life revolve around the diagnosis, and creating a home life ensconced in cancer may have young ones mimicking that behavior. A parent who acknowledges the cancer, addresses the possible limitations, yet continues to live, is building resilience in their children.
• Let the school know: The more people on your children’s team, the better. Inform the principal, guidance counselors and teachers of your diagnosis.
• It is okay to ask for help: Others want to help, and letting them do so is a gift you give them. Take friends up on their offers. Think about what might help you, and ask.
• Draw a “circle of love”: Younger kids are visual. Sit down with them and help them draw a picture of all the people who love them. Let them know that if you aren’t here for them, all these other people will make sure that they are “okay.”
• Journaling: Older kids may have questions for you that they are uncomfortable asking. Give them a book they can jot their questions in and leave by the side of your bed. This will allow you to open up a meaningful discussion.
• Schedule in some fun: Cancer is part of your life, but don’t allow it to be your family’s whole life. Watch a funny movie, dance and sing in the kitchen, work on crafts. Continue to grow, learn and explore as a family.

The most important thing to remember is that while you may have cancer, your children are so happy to have you there. As a parent, you are a symbol of safety and security, and just having you nearby can bolster your children’s sense of comfort.

Two good books that might be helpful to read for more information include:

• Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child When a Parent Is Sick by Paula Rauch, M.D. and Anna Muriel, M.D.
• When a Parent Has Cancer: A Guide to Caring for Your Children by Wendy S. Harpham.

Thank you for asking this important question. First, I want to say that it is quite an admirable act to seek out therapy dog training with your dog - this type of work is very powerful and can enrich the lives of others in need while connecting you with your community. Witnessing the healing power of the human-animal bond can be a fulfilling and meaningful endeavor and both you and your dog will learn and grow from this experience. It has been well documented that interacting with a dog (or other domesticated animal) can reduce blood pressure, ease stress and anxiety, and contribute to an overall sense of well being. Specifically, for those with compromised immune systems because of cancer or other illnesses, as well as those with a history of trauma, abuse or mental illness, this type of therapy is truly a gift. The presence of a loving, warm and accepting creature can provide relief to those coping with all types of illnesses and can create a deep sense of connection, healing and hope.

There are different ways to approach the process of volunteering with your dog. Some organizations require you to go through a registration process, whereas others require you to obtain certification. Registration requires you to have your dog evaluated by a therapy dog evaluator, then your dog can go on to become registered within your state. Certification requires a bit more involvement with the dog and handler upfront (called a “therapy animal team”), but this route also provides more comprehensive training and support from a team of professionals. The steps to become a certified therapy animal team include a required evaluation of your dog’s basic abilities and temperament, as well as an assessment of your own comfort with your dog and the public. Next, there are several classes that you and your dog will attend to become certified and registered in your state. If you would prefer to pursue the certification route, there is an organization called Pet Partners that conducts a training called “How to Become a Registered Therapy Animal Team.” If you would prefer to simply have your dog registered, you can contact Therapy Dogs International to get you started

Whichever route you choose, this is a wonderful and worthwhile endeavor. Good luck to you and your dog as you learn to help others together.

I’m so sorry about your mom’s most recent difficulties with her chemotherapy treatments; this must be causing such a disruption in her life, from both a medical and emotional perspective. With that said, your idea is a wonderful one! You are identifying a key component in improving her health and well being. It sounds like her dog is not only a valued family member, but a lifeline, and I can understand why it would be so important for her (and you too) to have him by her side as she copes with the challenges of these complications. While recent research supports the idea that a pet can benefit those who are ill in many ways, most health care settings lag behind in terms of implementing these ideas. In good news however, there are more and more hospitals employing programs that allow patients’ pets to be brought in for visitation. This article featured by the New York Times can help to guide you in the process of talking with the hospital staff about this. You can even present this article to your mother’s medical team to help them to better understand the idea and its benefits.

Also, this organization’s mission is to connect humans with their pets, especially in a health care setting. Perhaps they can be of help: Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS)

I sincerely hope that you are able to help your mom to connect with her dear dog. Good luck to you!

Many caregivers find it difficult to accept help. Caregivers often feel a sense of responsibility to take care of things on their own in order for them to feel that they’re doing “enough.” However, this can become quite burdensome, and often leaves the caregiver feeling run down, just as you mentioned your mom is. This fatigue may also be a sign of distress and can indicate a need for more support.

Letting your mom know that you are concerned about her may initiate a conversation about the importance of self-care. It is very true that in order to be a good caregiver, it’s important to take care of oneself – this often starts with the most basic of needs – healthy eating, sleeping and exercise habits. The American Cancer Society’s Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire may identify specific areas where your mom can use more support. This might give you a better idea of how to help her, and how she can help herself.

Framing the conversation about self-care in a way that allows your mom to see how taking these measures for herself will also benefit her mother may make it easier for her to accept. CancerCare has a fact sheet entitled “Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?” that may also give some helpful tips to make all of this more manageable.

Similarly, you may be able to assist by offering to help with specific tasks, like taking your grandmother to treatment or grocery shopping. This approach is generally more helpful than asking how you can help, as it gives your mom one less thing to think about or to delegate. This way, you are giving your mom a moment of respite without sacrificing your grandmother’s needs.

And talking with other caregivers may give you and your mom an additional layer of emotional support. Connecting with others in a similar situation may offer other ideas and suggestions on how to better manage these responsibilities. We also offer telephone and online support groups for caregivers and can help you find support groups in your area.

It is common for family and friends to be unsure of how to best help support a loved one with cancer. There are so many different ways to be supportive, and everyone has a different set of needs as they cope with a cancer diagnosis – this means that there’s no one right way to provide support. However, you can’t know what your cousin needs or how you can help if you aren’t acknowledging her experience with cancer.

Your cousin probably has many mixed feelings given the news of her cancer diagnosis; keep in mind that the diagnosis itself is upsetting in its own right. That said: it’s okay to ask her how she is doing and to let her know that you are available to talk or listen when she needs it. Opening the doors for communication will give her an opportunity to let you know whether she is comfortable talking about her feelings or not, which may also help you to better gauge how to be helpful. Regardless of where she is with this, she will likely appreciate your willingness to listen. And if even if she’s not “there” yet, knowing that you’re open to this type of conversation may leave her more willing to take you up on your offer when she is ready. If you are still unsure of what to say, it may be helpful to read our fact sheet, What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One?

People with cancer also often express a need for “normalcy,” so don’t forget to have conversations with her about regular things like television, movies, books and other current events, just as you would prior to her diagnosis. Talking about more simple things may give her a break from thinking about cancer all the time – for many people with cancer, this is helpful.

One of the most powerful ways to help support a friend with cancer is to be emotionally available. Providing a listening ear and an openness to talk about even the most difficult of topics can provide your friend with a real sense of comfort and give them a safe place to share whatever is on his or her mind. Know that you don’t always have to know exactly what to say; simply being present and supportive goes a long way.

Offering specific tasks may help your friend to know exactly what you can provide and when. Caregivers can be helpful in day-to-day chores like laundry and transportation, and can also help coordinate medical appointments, get to know the medical team and advocate for their loved one’s needs both health-related and otherwise. CancerCare’s publication Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer offers more information about how to be helpful.

Many caregivers find that support groups are helpful as they give you a space to process your own feelings and get support and insight from others who can relate. Support groups often provide practical tips on managing the tasks of caregiving, help in finding balance between caring for yourself and a loved one, and can provide a powerful level of camaraderie. Seeking support by connecting with a support group or counseling can be a healthy outlet that many caregivers appreciate and learn from. CancerCare offers free counseling and support groups for caregivers.

For more information and resources about caregiving, the National Alliance for Caregiving and Caregiver Resource Directory are both informative and helpful.

Being a “long distance” caregiver is a unique experience that can be especially challenging. Working to find balance between your own needs and the needs of a loved one with cancer can feel overwhelming for anyone in the caregiver role. But remember, there are many ways you can be supportive and involved in your loved one’s care regardless of the distance between you.

Offering emotional support is one of the most helpful things that you can do for your loved one. Simply checking in and letting your dad know that you are thinking him can go a long way; call, email, Skype, send a card or visit when you can. Those reminders not only show that you care, but may also leave you feeling more connected.

You can also help your parents with day-to-day tasks like managing bills, paperwork and getting organized. Similarly, you can help them navigate the medical system. Dealing with insurance companies, remembering doctors’ appointments and accessing resources can be overwhelming. You can help your family with this by taking on some of the responsibility, communicating with their doctors and nurses, and staying informed. This can alleviate some of the practical challenges for them, while keeping you in the loop.

There are also programs such as My Cancer Circle which exist to help caregivers easily enlist additional support. This online forum creates a sense of community that helps the caregiver, but also ensures that their loved ones needs are met. Family, friends and community members are often looking for ways to help: My Cancer Circle allows them to sign up for specific tasks, like cooking meals or providing transportation, which can help them feel useful and give you some respite and comfort in knowing that these needs are covered.

And lastly, it’s important that you take good care of yourself and your family. Know that there is support available to you, too. CancerCare offers free counseling and support groups that specifically address the needs of caregivers. We offer those supportive services in person, over the phone and online. These services can help you to take care of yourself and your needs, and put you in touch with other caregivers who can relate. This support can be a comforting and powerful experience, so please call us at 800-813-4673 for more information.

Disclosing a cancer diagnosis to children is never easy. It is common for parents to wonder whether their children will be better off not knowing about their diagnosis. However, children sense when something is wrong and being honest with your children will help them feel secure and confident that they can trust you. It will also prevent them from coming up with even scarier possibilities.

When disclosing your diagnosis, choose a quiet time when your children are well rested. Prepare what you would like to say beforehand so that you feel comfortable with the language you choose to use. Many parents find it helpful to have this conversation with their spouse or another adult present.

When explaining cancer, use simple and age-appropriate language. Explain your treatment and prepare your children for the changes they can expect. Reassure them that they will continue to be cared for throughout your treatment. Encourage your children to ask questions. If you don’t know an answer to their question, be honest and let them know that you will try to find out.

For more information, please read CancerCare’s publication Helping Children Understand Cancer: Talking to Your Kids about Your Diagnosis.

You may also want to read a story together about cancer and its side effects. The American Cancer Society has several books that can be helpful when explaining cancer to children:

• Our Mom Has Cancer helps children understand and cope with a parent’s cancer (ages 5-12)
• Our Mom Is Getting Better and Our Dad Is Getting Better helps children understand a parent’s special needs when recovering from active treatment (ages 5-12)
• Because Someone I Love Has Cancer offers activities to help children navigate a loved one’s cancer experience (ages 6-12)

KidsCope has a free downloadable comic book called KemoShark that helps explain cancer and chemotherapy to children.

To speak with an oncology social worker for more information and guidance regarding supporting children affected by cancer, call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

This is a common concern of family and friends. There are several factors that can lead to this sudden change in relationships and personality. For patients, it often starts when they hear the words, “you have cancer.” Most of us know someone who has had cancer so hearing the words “you have cancer” brings up fear and uncertainty. A newly diagnosed patient begins to recall watching others go through it and before they have a lot of information they start to worry that the same experience is going to happen to them; especially if those they knew had difficulties.

Because a cancer diagnosis requires undergoing a lot of tests, managing an often complicated health care system, and coping with increasing financial concerns, many patients become overwhelmed and shut down emotionally to focus on the practical issues they need to address immediately. During the very time that family and friends want to help most, the patient might seem distant and pull away.

Once he or she starts treatment additional changes can happen. Some might be permanent, raising concerns about the patient’s ability to be the same partner and provider they once were. At some point though, the emotions finally come to the surface and people begin to look at what they have been going through. That is often the time they reach out to a counselor, clergy or open up with loved ones.

During all of this, family and friends are anxious themselves and try harder to help the patient, which might just push him or her further away. This adds to the confusion during a very stressful time and can escalate the distance. Since cancer also affects those who care about the patient, this is instead a good time to step back; let them know you are there but also get support for yourself. Literature and support groups for caregivers go a long way toward normalizing your experience, providing education on cancer and its side effects, and can offer new insights.

Time and time again I am reminded that cancer is a process of learning, changing, confronting and reintegrating. It’s a process for both patients and caregivers. Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster and other times like an endless journey. Relaxation exercises can help with the stress. And sometimes stepping back a bit can eventually bring caregivers and patients closer together.

Here are resources I think can be helpful to you:

• Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?
• Managing Emotions
• Caregiver Support

Caregiving is a difficult and an often unappreciated part of living with a person with cancer. It is physically and emotionally draining, if not exhausting, and others may not be aware of the difficulties you are facing. While the holiday season may mean time off from work for some, you may feel that there is little or no time off from your caregiving duties.

Tell your children and grandchildren that you love them as much as ever, and that you would like to do everything that you have done in the past, but that you may not be able to right now. Everyone will feel more comfortable knowing what you are thinking, and will feel reassured that while the way you need to spend your time has changed, your feelings for your family haven’t.

Explain to them what you are not up to doing, and ask them if they could help you with some of the things that you would normally do alone. Giving your adult children (and your grandchildren, to the extent that it is appropriate) new tasks and responsibilities would likely make them feel good about being able to help, and create even stronger bonds among you. You can reassure your grandchildren that although you don’t feel up to doing the things that you have normally done with them in the past, that this doesn’t mean that you won’t do those things again in the future.

If possible, see if there are people close to you who can look after your loved one while you find some rest or diversion, so that you may enjoy holiday activities with others, or just spend some quiet time alone or with a close friend.

For more general tips on how to support yourself as a caregiver, read our fact sheet “Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?”

Caregiving is a difficult and an often unappreciated part of living with a person with cancer. It is physically and emotionally draining, if not exhausting, and others may not be aware of the difficulties you are facing. While the holiday season may mean time off from work for some, you may feel that there is little or no time off from your caregiving duties. It stands to reason that you may forget to buy gifts or not feel like going to parties. You aren’t being selfish, you are sensing that you need to take some time for yourself, which is necessary. You are spending both mental and physical energy caring for another person, and that is no small thing.

Communication is so important—without having a direct exchange with your friends it will be difficult to know exactly what their expectations are, or to what extent they understand your situation. One thing to do before you reach out to your friends, is to clarify how you are feeling and what you want to say. Perhaps you can set aside a few minutes to write down your thoughts and feelings about holiday pressures and expectations, and what it is that you would really like the holiday season to be for you. Having done this, you might call your friends—or send what you have written as a letter or email. It is likely that they will be able to empathize. You might begin the conversation by saying how much you appreciate their friendship, that the parties and events sound enjoyable, but that right now you would like their understanding–your responsibilities are too great to let you participate in all their activities. By stating these things simply and directly you are being sincere and won’t come across as selfish or thoughtless.

Thank you for the thoughtful question. As I am answering after Christmas, I hope it will be this will be of use—perhaps at New Year’s or a birthday, but I think the same principles hold true.

The answer depends on how what your father wants—or possibly, how much you are able to figure out what he wants. If your father is aware that this may be his last Christmas (or birthday, etc.) and you feel he is able to talk with you about this, simply ask him what he wants and would make him most comfortable or happy. Would he like to have just a few people around him and a quiet dinner? Would he like to watch you and other relatives have the same Christmas routine as always? Or does he have something else in mind entirely?

Too many options can overwhelm anyone, so you may want to present only two or three choices. For instance: “Dad, what would make you feel best? Just immediate family at home? Family and close friends?” And so forth. If he can’t or won’t choose, go ahead and choose yourself. You love him. So your decision won’t be “wrong.” The most important thing is to let him know how happy you are to share this holiday with him. Tell him what you love about him. What you appreciate. Encourage other people to do so to.

If your father is unable to understand, or not willing to accept that he is near the end of his life, you will need to rely on your judgment and draw on your experiences with him. Has he ever given you his opinion about another person in a similar situation to his, or spoken about the final days of his own father? This may give you insight into what he would like now. Think back: historically, what has a holiday meant to him? Has the focus been on a family dinner, or seeing relatives from out of town or gift giving or an activity? Keeping things simple often helps. You may want to choose just one easy thing.

It sounds as if you have had many joyful holidays together, and while there is comfort in the repetition of activities from year to year, remember that not every year is the same, and that your father may not have a lot of time, but he has your love and devotion and that is the biggest, most lasting and important gift of all.

It makes sense that you don’t feel celebratory–you may be coping with fatigue or pain, and feel uncertain about the future. While your self-expectation may be that you should be smiling and happy at this time of year, the truth is no one can ever be sure how he or she might feel on any given day, and cancer, especially, doesn’t go on holiday. But try not to let your fears of being a “downer” keep you from staying close to the important people in your life. Although people close to you may not know how to approach the subject of cancer, that doesn’t mean they won’t be understanding, or don’t want to help. If you are open to talking with them, you may find that friends and family are more compassionate than you anticipate. While not everyone may be equally helpful, raising the subject of cancer may bring many of your family members closer. Here are some practical tips that could be helpful to you:

Listen to your body. Gauge your physical limits to give yourself time to rest and to manage your energy.

Manage expectations. Remember that you can only do the best you can–if you are not feeling well during a holiday, remind yourself that it is just one day of the year, and that the people you want to be with will care about you just as much even if you don’t feel like celebrating. Give yourself permission to be less than “joyful” all the time.

Communicate. Talk with friends and family members a few days before you see them. Let them know how you are feeling and that you would like their understanding. Since it is likely that not everyone you know will respond the same way, spend a moment to consider how much you want to share and how much a given person will be able to hear.

Plan ahead. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need. Most often family and friends want to help, but they may not know how, or what to say. They may be relieved if you reach out to them to let them know what will make you feel comfortable. Create a list of tasks or that you can ask others to do for you that you need help with.

Keep in mind what is most important to you. Holiday traditions are important, but that doesn’t mean altering them is bad–if you aren’t able to do exactly what you have done in the past, there is nothing wrong with starting new traditions. And while gifts are nice, it is the sentiment behind them that is most memorable. Simply being with people who care about you is a gift, both to them and to yourself.

For additional tips, please read CancerCare’s fact sheet, Coping with Cancer During the Holidays.

Undergoing treatment for any type of cancer is an intense experience, not only on an emotional level, but spiritually and physically as well. Often, those that have completed cancer treatment face a new type of difficulty; they must now acknowledge that their life is forever changed. They must deal with a new reality as they shift focus from coping with treatment to adjusting to their “new normal”. I use the term “new normal” because whatever was ‘normal’ for your mother before her diagnosis no longer rings true to her.

It is possible that your mother seems “like a completely different person” since her treatment because she must deal with the uncertainty and ambiguity that can persist following the completion of treatment. Although she may be “cancer free”, she may feel that her life is limited by the five year prognosis which has made her feel vulnerable and afraid. Many emotional challenges arise after treatment because people have focused all of their time and energy on physically fighting their diagnosis; they have neglected the emotional aspects in the process.

Encouraging her to maintain healthy, supportive relationships with those most significant to her is a crucial part of the healing process. You have to ask yourself, “How has my mother changed and is there is different way I can try talking to her?” She might feel alone in her experience and need your support more now than ever before. Does she have emotional support or is she speaking to a therapist or counselor? Anxiety and depression are common in those who are going through or have completed treatment for cancer. It is important to recognize any red flags for these disorders in order to gain the necessary support.

It is also good to be aware of the different types of support available:

• Professional support provides you with information, resources and counseling
• Peer-to-peer support reduces your sense of isolation and helps you connect with others who share similar concerns (e.g., Cancer Hope Network)

To access these types of support, speak with an oncology social worker or join a post-treatment support group at CancerCare. A social worker can also help you identify local support services; contact our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE to speak to an oncology social worker for more information.

It can sometimes be difficult to know what to say and/or what to do for someone who has experienced a loss. Feeling uncertain in terms of what to do and/or say is however common and normal. Death is not an event or human experience that can be “fixed” or “made better”. And, the struggle of loss and grief can certainly bring up feelings and experiences that we may have encountered as well.

Although we may find ourselves not knowing what to say to someone who has experienced a loss, there are ways in which we can offer support. An important way in which we can provide support to someone who is grieving is to offer what I suggest is the “gift of presence”. Simply letting your friend know that you are there to listen to her story and embrace her can be extremely supportive and healing. Remember that the grief experience is a process and everyone will grieve and heal in their own way and in their own time. This means that the support you offer your friend may change with the flow and movement of her grief and healing process. Grief and healing are interconnected and can often be experienced simultaneously. You may have to let your friend know therefore that the vicissitudes and range of emotions that may be experienced at times, although disconcerting, are normal. Allowing the process to be what it is, listening to your friend’s story, giving her a safe space, and offering validation of her grief will convey the message to your friend that you are “present” to her and care. Helping your friend find a support group can also be very helpful in connecting her to other people who are experiencing similar feelings and struggles.

You may want to read CancerCare’s fact sheet, How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving which may offer further suggestions and tips on how you may be of support to your friend.

Often, when we are grieving the loss of a loved one, we may find ourselves questioning whether or not our feelings are normal. We may discover ourselves asking, “are there other people out there who are like me and experiencing similar feelings as I am”? Bereavement support groups can be exceedingly helpful in lessening feelings of isolation and aloneness. Not only do these support groups help us cope with the loss we are experiencing, but they offer fertile ground for camaraderie and support. Support groups provide us a safe space where we can share our story with others, grieve, and begin the road to healing.

Grief is a journey. Although everyone in a bereavement support group is brought together by the commonality of a loss, it simultaneously is important to remember that everyone copes with loss differently. In a support group not only will you be able to listen to the ways in which other people cope with a loss but you may also learn and develop new strategies for coping with your loss as well.

Many times people who engage in bereavement support groups frequently feel like “family”. This is a common experience as group members in sharing stories and feelings create lasting and powerful bonds with each other. Participants in support groups validate our experience and emotions. They reinforce our strengths when we may experience intense feelings such as sadness, anger or confusion. Group members support us as we remember our loved one and go through holidays, anniversaries, birthdays and other significant milestones.

In closing let me mention that although bereavement support groups can certainly strengthen and foster our capacity to cope with loss, it is important to keep in mind that support groups may not be for everyone. If this should be your experience, there is nothing wrong with you. Perhaps individual bereavement counseling would be more helpful to you during this period.

View CancerCare’s support groups.

Let me first begin by mentioning that there is nothing is “wrong” with you and what you are experiencing at the moment. This experience is normal and actually quite common. Many people with whom I have worked have indicated discovering themselves on an emotional roller coaster at times. People often believe that grief and the healing process manifests itself in a linear fashion. We assume that we simply move from one “stage” to another. The grief experience however is quite contrary to this perception. Remember that grief and healing is instead an evolving and dynamic process. Changes in how we feel physically, emotionally and spiritually are to be expected. There will be days in which you may feel good about yourself and life and conversely there will be days when you may feel everything around you has fallen apart. Our feelings and experiences are similar to the tides of the ocean; the tide flows in and the tide flows out. Keep in mind that everyone is different. People cope with loss and heal in their own way and in their own time.

Healing is not simply about picking up from where we left off as if nothing ever happened. Rather, it consists of an attempt to create legacy and keep the memory of our loved one alive. It is important to allow the process to be what it is and to allow yourself to be where you need to be. Try not to judge yourself nor be critical of your feelings and experience. Nurture your soul during this period and always reach out to those around you who are supportive and caring.

Engaging in individual bereavement counseling, participating in bereavement support groups and reading literature pertaining to loss, grief and healing can be exceedingly helpful in normalizing your experience and validating your feelings. It can also afford you a safe space to share your story so you may not feel so alone.

I would recommend reading these CancerCare fact sheets as they may be of benefit to you; Living with Grief: How Can You Help Yourself and Coping with the Loss of Your Partner or Spouse.

I appreciate your honesty in raising this important issue. The concern you are experiencing over whether or not your grief might come all at once is commonly voiced by people who are expecting the death of a loved one and/or are bereaved.

Although we may discover ourselves anticipating a loved ones death and therefore beginning to grieve, the actual death of our loved nonetheless is traumatic and can lend itself to our feeling overwhelmed. Feeling “prepared” that is, cognitively for a loved ones death, does not necessarily mean that at the same time we are fully “prepared”, emotionally. This is normal; though I have to admit it can be disconcerting at the same time and feel quite unpleasant. Many people who have shared their stories with me have often described themselves as being on an emotional roller coaster. You may experience many feelings such as disbelief, anger, sadness, and confusion either individually, or perhaps all at once. It is important to remember however that everyone grieves a loss in their own way and in their own time. There is no set way in which to grieve. Although the literature and others around us may paint a landscape for us of what grief may look like, there can be no blueprint or roadmap for the grief experience. Remind yourself that the emotions you may be experiencing in the moment, no matter how palpable they may feel, will not last forever. As with the changes and movement of the tide, there will be days when you may feel good about yourself and life and days when you may not feel this way. Once again this is normal. As time progresses the moments when you feel good about yourself and life will begin to take precedence over those moments of grief and uncertainty. And, last, it can be helpful to view the grief experience as an important part of the healing process as well. Although the grief may be intense at times and the range of emotions you may be experiencing may feel consuming, simply allow the experience to be what it is. Try not to judge the process nor be critical of yourself. This is the body’s way of re-grouping and attempting to heal itself after a traumatic event. Learn to trust and honor the body’s wisdom.

In addition to validating your emotions and grief, I would encourage you to reach out to people who are supportive of you. Surrounding yourself by people who are nurturing and life affirming can help strengthen your capacity to cope with your loss and ensure the healing process.

Fear of recurrence is very common and understandable in the context of your recent cancer experience. There are several ways in which you can manage this anxiety in order to live a full and meaningful life:

Practical

• Ask your oncologist about chances of recurrence, regular tests to schedule to check for signs that the cancer may have returned and steps you can take to increase the chances that it will not.
• Assess your life and look at your daily routine. Are there things you could improve about your diet? Ways to increase your physical activity? Things you can do to help you relax? To sleep better?
• Read our publication After Treatment Ends: Tools for the Adult Cancer Survivor.
• Listen to our podcast, Communicating with Your Health Care Team After Treatment: Making the Most of Your Visit.

Emotional

• Consider talking to a professional counselor, such as an oncology social worker at CancerCare who can suggest ways to manage your anxiety and help you process your feelings.
• Many cancer survivors also find support groups very helpful, as they can talk to other survivors with similar worries and fears and learn new coping skills. View support groups at CancerCare.
• Listen to our podcast Fear of Recurrence and Late Effects: Living with Uncertainty.

Social

• Talk to your trusted friends or family members about your concerns. Even if there are just one or two people with whom you feel comfortable sharing your fears, this can be a powerful way to get some relief from your anxiety.
• Make sure you continue to engage in hobbies and socialize with your friends is an essential and healthy form of distraction.
• Listen to our podcast Survivors Too: Communicating With and Among Family, Friends and Loved Ones.

Spiritual

• Reflect on what makes your life meaningful, both before and after cancer. What values and activities are important to you? How can you continue to honor those things you hold dear? Focusing on the bigger picture can help minimize the anxiety and remind you what you can do in the here-and-now to live a full life.
• Read our publication Strengthening the Spirit.
• Listen to our podcast Finding Hope and Meaning After Treatment.

Anxiety about recurrence is a natural and common part of cancer survivorship, but it does not have to take over your life. There are strategies you can use to manage and minimize your worries so that you can live your daily life and still do the things you enjoy.

For example, before each test, scan or follow-up visit with your doctor, write down all of your questions and concerns. The simple act of writing it all out in one place can be helpful in containing your anxiety, and you’re less likely to forget something that you wanted to ask your doctor. Take notes when you’re with the doctor: becoming more informed about your diagnosis can help you control your fears about things that might not be realistic or likely. Make sure to ask about ongoing steps you can take to improve your overall health or to reduce the likelihood that the cancer might return: are there certain foods you can add to your diet? Ways to increase your physical activity? Other activities to help lower your overall stress? Physical signs or symptoms you can look for to stay on top of possible recurrence?

Another way to minimize your anxiety is to schedule time for it each day (until you no longer need to do so as frequently). If you intentionally set aside a half-hour of your time to think and worry about a recurrence, you may find yourself thinking less about it during the rest of the day. Just make sure you stop thinking about it when your time is up (set an alarm if you need to)! If your worries and negative thoughts do spill over into the rest of your schedule, try not to judge them. Instead, ask yourself how they are helping you in that moment: Is it helpful to jump ahead to the future and imagine the worst? It might be more helpful to observe that you are feeling anxious but cannot know for certain what will happen, and then gently turn your thoughts toward the things you can control in your life. What can you still do and enjoy now?

Try visualization or imagery exercises to increase your mindfulness and awareness of the present moment. You can also increase the number of pleasant activities in your daily life. Make more time for play, rest, exercise, humor, music, art, nature, etc. Doing more of what you love will leave less time to worry. Even if your concerns about cancer recurrence remain in the background, they do not have to consume your life.

Hearing that you have been diagnosed with cancer as a young adult can be overwhelming and isolating, however you are not alone in this. The answer to your question is yes, there are other people out there like you. There are several organizations that can help you connect with other people your age who have been diagnosed with cancer. At CancerCare, we offer services for young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer through individual counseling, either face-to-face or by phone. We also offer a Young Adult Patient Support Group for anyone between the ages of 20 to 39 who is located in the New York City area.

These organizations specialize in providing support and services to young adults with cancer and might be helpful as well:

• Stupid Cancer
• The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
• The Young Survival Coalition (for breast cancer)
• LIVESTRONG

As a caregiver, you may feel that your son should join a support group to help him navigate the challenges he may face in regards to his diagnosis and treatment. The difficult part of all of this is that your son must be able to make that decision on his own. As a young adult facing cancer, he may need to understand what his cancer diagnosis and treatment will look like before he is able to give and get support from a group. Managing doctor’s appointments and scheduling treatments can be taxing, however addressing the benefits he may find in a support group is the first step in educating him about how a support group can help.

Support groups can offer a network of comfort and encouragement, a place of unbiased support and an environment that a young adult does not have to explain what he or she is going through because the other group members will understand. CancerCare offers a face-to-face Young Adult Patient Support Group for anyone located in the New York City area. In addition, we offer several patient online support groups. Your son may also want to reach out to Stupid Cancer, an organization that addresses several young adult cancer issues through advocacy, support and more.

As a caregiver, you may want to look into services for yourself. You can contact CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673) to learn more about our services for caregivers. In addition, you may find some of our publications helpful in navigating your new role as a caregiver.

Navigating a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and difficult, especially as a young adult caring for a young child. It seems that your student’s mother may be in need of support for herself so that she can better understand the impact of her diagnosis and how it affects her son. We provide a publication to help parents talk to their children about cancer. You may want to provide your student’s mother with this publication, in addition to CancerCare’s information. CancerCare provides free counseling services and financial assistance for cancer patients; you can reach us at 800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak directly with an oncology social worker about our services and how to get involved. We can help young adult patients to better understand what they are going through and assist in cope with the emotional and physical changes someone may experience during treatment. Receiving a cancer diagnosis as a young adult presents several challenges and can feel isolating. Let your student’s mother know that there are support options available for her and that she is not alone.

We also offer in-office counseling services for children as young as 5 years old. You may want to speak to your student’s mother to see if she wants to reach out for support for her son. Our children’s program, CancerCare for Kids, may be able to help your student understand his mother’s diagnosis and talk about how her cancer diagnosis has impacted him.

Additional resources include:

• Camp Good Days, located in upstate New York, provides free summer camp options for any child who has been affected by cancer.
• KidsKonnected is another great resource for children that have a parent with cancer to help educate, support and inform children about their parent’s cancer.

A cancer diagnosis can be very isolating. Regardless of whether you are a patient or a caregiver, you can be immersed in reacting and adjusting to various aspects of the disease. The responsibility to find, manage and pay for care can be hugely overwhelming. It’s hard to feel hopeful, or have any sense of confidence in your ability to cope or make appropriate decisions, if you are feeling small and powerless and very much alone in the experience.

That’s where a support group can be helpful. It provides a chance to meet and interact with other people who can understand your experience. While friends and family members might be uncomfortable, maybe feeling useless or scared, not knowing what to say or do, the members of the support group, with the guidance of a trained moderator, can be there with you in your process.

In addition to lessoning one’s sense of isolation, support groups can be a source of valuable information. Not surprisingly, members find that sharing resources and coping skills can be highly rewarding, whether on the giving or the receiving end of the transaction. Topics often include where to find reliable medical information, how to communicate with doctors, challenges of treatment and coping techniques. Much of one’s experience in a support group depends on the chemistry of who is in the group and how it is moderated. One thing common to most groups is the potential for strong emotional expression, which can be uncomfortable for some people. Other factors to consider are how you feel sharing things about yourself in a group of people, and whether or not you can meet any attendance guidelines the group might have.

Bottom line? If you are feeling alone and needing information and emotional support, a group might be a valuable way of connecting with people to help you cope with your situation. If you have questions, reach out to the moderator so you can get the information to make an informed decision.

Learn more about CancerCare’s support groups.

As a caring parent you want to help your son understand what you are going through. Children want to know the facts and how they will be affected.

Children, and especially teens, are mostly focused on themselves and their own day-to-day life. You may notice your child is still focused on school, friends, and other activities. That doesn’t mean your child is ignoring your diagnosis. It takes time for a child to mentally process this kind of information and he may not completely understand the implications of your diagnosis until he notices physical changes or if there are disruptions in day-to-day life. Here are some age-specific strategies for communicating with children about cancer:

If your son is under 5, he is likely to ask you a question or bring up your cancer when he is most closely engaged with you one on one. His questions will most likely be brief and concrete, such as: What does your cancer look like? Does the medicine taste bad? He may be scared that cancer is contagious or that he might get cancer too. Your answers should be brief, factual and in words he understands.

Children ages 6-11 typically are more interested in the mechanics of treatment. The “killing” of cancer cells and seeing your treatment as a “battle” or “fight” – whether or not you yourself use these images – is very likely how your son will think of your experience. Some parents are comfortable using this language; others may choose to describe their experience using non-violent imagery. Either way is okay.

If your son is a teenager, he will be wrestling with a variety of conflicting thoughts and feelings. He will want to ask questions but may not want to add to your stress by asking questions or showing concern. He may feel sad about the situation but think it is “unmanly” to have that feeling. He will be certain that none of this “shows” at all but you will see it clearly in his face and demeanor. If you ask him questions he will most likely tell you that he is “fine.” Try not to force the conversation and give him space to process his emotions on his own.

No matter what age your son is, he will let you know when he is ready to talk. There may be times when you need to start the conversation because you are going to lose your hair, or need to rest more, or will be hospitalized. In these cases, be factual, brief, and use words you know your son will understand. Children and teens like to be kept in the loop and the more they are informed, the less anxious they will be when these changes happen. Also, periodically check in with your son, ask if he has questions or wants to talk in order to show him that you are comfortable talking about it and that you are available to talk whenever he is ready.

Here are some additional tips:

• Let your child know that you are always available to answer their questions
• Try to keep family time consistent. When possible, eat meals together, have a movie night, etc.
• Ask your child if there are aunts, uncles, school counselors or other professionals (social workers, psychologists) that they would like to talk to about how they are coping. Sometimes children are more comfortable talking to someone other than the person who is diagnosed
• Find age-appropriate support groups for your children that will help them feel connected to other children who have a similar experience

Here are some publication and book recommendations for further information:

• Helping Your Children Cope with Your Cancer by Peter Vandernoot (Hatherleigh Press, New York)
• Kemo Shark by Kidscope, Inc. (www.kidscope.org). A cartoon illustrated book featuring “Kemo” the shark who explains how chemotherapy works to fight cancer. Also available in Spanish. Ages 3-12.
• What About Me? A Booklet for Teenage Children of Cancer Patients by Linda Leopid Strauss. A book addressing the specific needs of teens when their parent has cancer.

Teens are at a stage in life when they are trying to develop their own identity, sense of self, and independence. Your son’s not wanting to talk about your cancer is a common reaction many teens have. Teens may feel that their questions or concerns might be hurtful or even scare the parent. It’s important for you to keep communicating with him and show him that it is okay to talk about feelings and ask questions. Ask him what he already knows or thinks about cancer and try to provide concise information that will clear up any misinformation he may have gotten from peers or the internet. Keep him up to date about your cancer and treatments, and let him know that if he has any questions or concerns he can always talk with you about them.

It’s important to respect his privacy and to offer him additional support that may be helpful to him. Identifying a relative like an aunt or uncle, or a teacher, coach, or school counselor with whom he can talk more openly can give him a sense of feeling more in control of his situation, and allow him to voice questions or concerns he may not want to with you.

If you haven’t done so already, I would also encourage you to inform his school. Teachers and school counselors can be supports for both your son and yourself. They can watch for and inform you of any concerns or behavioral changes your son may be displaying, and can advise you should they feel your son might need additional professional help.

The following publications may help as you navigate the sometimes tricky territory of having cancer while parenting a teen:

• CancerCare’s Helping Teens When a Parent Has Cancer
• CancerCare’s Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer
• How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness by Kathleen McCue and Ron Bonn (St. Martin’s Press: 1994)
• When a Parent Has Cancer : A Guide to Caring for Your Children by Wendy Schlessel Harpham, MD (Harper Collins: 2004)

Experiencing lingering side effects after cancer treatment is over is common and taste buds can be part of that reaction. These side effects can be especially frustrating when you expect to feel better as soon as treatment is over and especially when you are expected, by others, to return to your pre-treatment self. It is such an important quality of life issue.

Some clients have said that, over time, their taste buds returned to normal. Other people said that, over time, their taste buds had returned but were different. Share your concerns and questions about continuing taste bud side effects with your oncologist, your medical team and what can be done to address them. Also, consider speaking with the oncology nursing staff. They often have recommendations that are practical and manageable.

I’d recommend keeping a detailed daily log of the side effects you are experiencing—this makes it easier to report details to your doctor and nurse. In the log, note what the foods are and how they taste differently. Also note the times of day in your log. This may help the oncology team guide you in figuring out solutions for you.

You may also want to check out Cook For Your Life, an online food and recipe site that assists people who are in, or who have finished treatment, with foods and recipes that might be more palatable, considering the changes in tastes. Imerman Angels is a peer support program that team up people who have gone through similar circumstances. You may want to contact them to ask for a “buddy” to discuss these issues with.

Our Connect Education Workshop Communicating with Your Health Care Team After Treatment: Making the Most of Your Visit can help you prepare for your appointments.

Connecting with others in a support group for people who are post-treatment can be helpful. A support group is a place to share tips and ways of coping with other survivors who might be experiencing similar lingering side effects. We offer support groups over the telephone, online and in person (New York City area). You can also speak with a social worker who will locate groups in your area (800-813-4673).

Finally, read our publications to learn ways to cope with side effects.

Families with children undergoing cancer treatment often face overwhelming financial costs. In addition to the medical costs, many parents find that their child’s intense treatment schedule can lead to loss of income and other unexpected expenses such as transportation and lodging.

There are a number of national organizations that can provide limited financial assistance for treatment-related expenses, including CancerCare and the National Children’s Cancer Society. You may want to recommend that your friend contact these organizations directly to find out if their family is eligible for assistance. You may also refer them to our fact sheet, Financial Assistance for Children and Teenagers.

It can be challenging to find help with daily expenses, such as rent, utilities and food. There may be local organizations that provide assistance for families facing serious childhood illnesses. The best way to learn about these local organizations is often the social worker at the child’s cancer treatment center. You may want to recommend that your friend find out more about local resources by dialing 211. This number will connect to the local United Way, which can link families to community programs.

Your friend is fortunate to have your support, as cancer treatment can place significant stress on a family. One of the easiest ways that you can help your friend and reduce the stress on this family is to provide practical support. You may want to ask this person directly if there are other ways you can help their family, such as offering to provide child care if there are siblings or running an errand. This type of practical assistance from a friend can provide a measure of relief to caregivers.

A cancer diagnosis has a profound effect on families, and a childhood diagnosis comes with its own unique challenges. It can be difficult to talk to young children about cancer, and to know how to help them communicate their feelings and fears. Your friend may want to check out CancerCare’s fact sheet Supporting a Child With Cancer.

CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers can also help in locating additional financial assistance and provide support and resources around caregiving for a child with cancer (800-813-4673).

Anniversaries are tough, and it’s not unusual for the looming date on the calendar to start to dominate a bereaved person’s thoughts and feelings. With seasonal events like holidays and family traditions, even just the weather and in this case the long days of summer, it can really feel like it is going to happen again – “it” being the diagnosis, the treatment, the loss, and the feelings that followed. Terrifying!

There’s also a tendency to feel like twelve months is the cutoff point in grieving. It’s been a whole year and you should be “getting over it” by now… In this context, still being sad can feel like failure or defective coping. But the real deal is that everyone has to grieve at their own speed. In working with people who have lost someone to cancer, I’ve begun to understand that the first 12 months are often just about facing the loss and the repercussions of the loss. The second 12 months are often focused on adjusting to the loss and trying to reintegrate oneself back into life without the loved one. There’s no way to rush your process, and no arbitrary point where you should be “back to normal.”

Given that you are still grieving, the upcoming reunion sounds scary and isolating. You mentioned that your husband is going through his own grief. Can you share your fears about the reunion with him? He may be experiencing something similar, in which case there’s the possibility of mutual support. I also suggest seeking out a trusted relative who will be at the event and sharing some of your fears about the reunion. Knowing that a couple of people understand that you are having a tough time, and are willing to support you in that can increase your sense of emotional safety. Regardless, I suggest taking the event at your own pace and building some flexibility into your schedule so that you can take a break if and when you need to.

You may read more in our fact sheet Grieving the Loss of an Adult Child.

Your student’s life probably feels very alien and unsafe right now, so the best thing you can do is let her know that whatever she is feeling is ok (including having feelings that are confusing or volatile or contradictory) and that you understand that.

I would also check in with the school’s psychologist, if there is one, and see what support, if any, he or she has offered the student. After that, I think the biggest thing that you can do is to help all the students face not only what happened (that their classmate’s mother died of cancer) but also what is currently happening in the classroom (that they probably feel like they don’t know what to say or how to say it). Normalize and support that discomfort or sense of danger or failure, both for the student in question and for the rest of the class. That’s going to take a lot of pressure off of everyone, and reduce the sense of failure and isolation as well.

And because her world is probably pretty upside-down, the familiar and predictable setting and structure of the classroom (and keeping it as normal as possible) may be a significant support to the student in and of itself. Maintain normalcy, with an extra dose of availability, and some flexibility as the student’s experience unfolds.

The following are resources to help the school staff as well as the child’s father:

• Helping Teenagers Who Have Lost a Love One

• Scholastic’s Children and Grief: Guidance and Support Resources

I am sorry that you have been told that there are no other options to treat your cancer. It seems that you have been on quite a journey over the last 5 years which likely took an incredible amount of courage and energy. It’s possible that your brave outlook allowed your family to think that the cancer would remain under control for a long time to come.

It is not uncommon for people to deny the seriousness of cancer, including people with cancer as well as their loved ones. While denial is often thought of in a negative way, it can be a useful mechanism that protects us from the sometimes intense emotional pain involved with being diagnosed with cancer. Perhaps the indifference that you see in your family members has a component of denial that has protected them in some way.

I’d recommend developing a strategy to communicate your feelings and concerns to your family. A a social worker, nurse, doctor, clergy member, or friend may help to facilitate a discussion with your family. Family members might benefit from meeting with you and one or more of these professionals to talk about your cancer as it presents currently and what the expectations are going forward. You can then begin to discuss with them what support you need.

You may also find it helpful to share your feelings by seeking individual counseling or by joining a support group.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization offers practical information for those living with serious illness.

I hope that you have found this to be helpful, and I welcome you to talk further about your concerns with a CancerCare social worker.

It must be a very difficult time for your family and you are to be commended in seeking out resources and support services that are available to assist your family.

Hospice is paid for through the Medicare or Medicaid Hospice Benefit and by most private insurers. If a person does not have coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, or a private insurance company, hospice will work with the family to make sure needed services are provided. In order to receive hospice services, your father’s doctor will need to make a referral to a local hospice provider. You may also contact a local hospice to find out what steps you should take.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) offers information and resources about end-of-life and hospice through its Caring Connections website. We’ve created a fact sheet, Caregiving at the End of Life, that provides guidance as you care for your father.

It’s important that you continue to follow-up with his Medicaid application, as benefits will be retroactive to the date when he applied and can be used to pay any medical bills that may be incurred during the application period. CancerCare’s fact sheet Sources of Financial Assistance, may also be helpful in finding resources.

If you continue to have difficulties finding hospice services for your father, please call us at 1-800-813-4673 (HOPE) to speak with an oncology social worker.

Both you and your mother should speak to her medical care team about the pain she is experiencing and ways to manage it. Her doctor needs to know about her level of pain and must continue to reassess it with each visit. If you have already spoken to the medical team, but feel that the pain has not been adequately managed, ask your doctor for a referral to a pain clinic, where you can consult with a pain specialist whose sole concern is controlling and managing the pain associated with cancer. Remember, pain management is an important part of cancer treatment, so speak up!

CancerCare publications that address pain include:

• Controlling Cancer Pain: What You Need to Know to Get Relief
• Opening the Door to Effective Pain Management

The focus of hospice is on the care and comfort of the individual and his or her family, not cure. Usually hospice care is provided in the patient’s home, but hospice services are also provided in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice centers. The hospice team can include: the patient’s attending physician or a hospice doctor, social workers, nurses, home health aides, medical specialists, counselors, clergy, and volunteers. The goals of hospice care include managing any pain or symptoms that arise and providing emotional, spiritual and practical support to the patient and family.

When hospice is needed, you should be able to get up to 20 hours of home health aide services through hospice care (depending on the state where you live, assistance can also be called CNA hours). A common dilemma is figuring out how to supplement the services hospice offers if additional hours are needed. While there is not an easy answer, I have a few suggestions:

• Ask if the hospice has volunteers who can visit a few times a week as they often have volunteer programs.
• If you are connected with a faith community, ask if they have staff or volunteers from the congregation who could help.
• Check with the home care agency that your hospice uses to see what additional hours might cost.
• Inquire through the hospice agency for recommendations of private-hire caregivers who have cared for other hospice patients and are experienced with providing this type of supplemental care.
• Remember that if your needs increase, hospice can arrange short-term in-patient stays until your needs decrease and you can return home.
• I know you mentioned not having family close by, but for others who might, family members could explore Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) options.

For additional information about hospice care, visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website, Caring Connections.

Direct financial assistance for co-pays is limited, but it does exist. The following non-profit organizations provide help for expenses such as drug co-payments, deductibles, and other medical costs. Each program has its own eligibility requirements, so please contact them to learn more.

• CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
• Patient Access Network Foundation
• Healthwell Foundation
• Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program
• Patient Services Incorporated
• National Organization for Rare Disorders
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

In addition, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance has a comprehensive database of pharmaceutical companies that offer their medications at little or no cost to those who qualify.

Finally, find more information and resources through Cancer.Net’s patient guide, Managing the Cost of Cancer, and CancerCare’s Sources of Financial Assistance.

Finding joy in life amidst turmoil is not easy. The biggest question you have to ask yourself is how helpful and supportive are you going to be to your partner if you are not taking care of yourself as well. I think the best analogy I can offer to illustrate this concept is the oxygen mask… flight attendants instruct the passengers as follows: “In the event of an emergency, please put on your oxygen mask before assisting others.” Take time out of your day even if it is five minutes to do something relaxing and enjoyable solely for you. Also, being mindful of the loving and joyous moments you share with your partner, as well as moments for yourself, such as recognizing the beautiful weather, if you have children enjoy the moments with your child(ren), if you have pets be mindful of the solace and satisfaction they bring you.

Anxiety (worry) is a natural feeling when facing a loved one’s cancer diagnosis; it often makes one feel a lack of control, and overwhelmed. Our bodies have what is called a flight or fight response, and when we perceive a threat to our personal well-being, our life, or even a loved one’s life, this mechanism is triggered, in which we choose to engage the threat or flee from it. To engage the threat means to understand the root cause for the perceived threat, and take steps to minimize its effects. There are some steps you can take to minimize anxiety, such as physical activity, deep breathing, or five to ten minutes of progressive muscle relaxation. Moreover, it is also important to understand the nature of the anxiety: are you experiencing physical symptoms related to your anxiety, or are you having negative thoughts or both? When experiencing negative thoughts, ask yourself the following questions: “What is the evidence for this negative thought? Am I looking at both sides of the issue?” Then counter those negative thoughts with three alternative positive, self-supportive statements.

View all of our caregiver-related resources.

Children who have a parent with cancer often experience separation anxiety. They may be reluctant to go to school or to a friend’s house, or they may be afraid when a parent has to leave them to go to the doctor or even on an errand. Because fear is often driven by the unknown, it is important to make sure your children know about your cancer and how you will be cared for to give them as much peace of mind as possible. In addition, when you leave the house to go somewhere, tell your children where you are going and when you expect to return. Leave a contact number where they can reach you in case of emergency. By including your children in your cancer experience and daily routine, they have some control and participation, and may feel less helpless.

It’s common for children’s fears to come out at bedtime. They may feel more emotional because they are tired, or the natural separation of going into their own bedroom may trigger anxiety. If you haven’t already, set up a bedtime routine for your daughter that is comforting, such as listening to music, reading a story, or talking. Spending peaceful time with her before she falls asleep will help her relax and feel safe. It is also important for children developmentally to learn to self-soothe. Teach her techniques she can try should she wake up during the night, such as reading to herself or listening to a recorded story in your voice. Reinforce that you are safe in bed nearby. Establishing routines and communicating with her about your cancer should help alleviate some of her fears.

For more information about communicating with children about a cancer diagnosis, read CancerCare’s Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer and Helping Children Understand Cancer: Talking to Your Kids About Your Diagnosis. The American Cancer Society also has a helpful guide, Helping Children When A Family Member Has Cancer. There are also books that use imagery and simple language depending on the child’s age and developmental stage. See a full list of our recommended books.

You might also want to seek counseling for your daughter so that she can express and work through her fears. Our staff of professional oncology social workers are knowledgeable in children’s issues related to a parent’s diagnosis, sibling or other loved one. To speak with a social worker, call us at 800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

The death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences in life. Bereavement can be even harder if you are a young adult (21 to 39 years old). It can make you feel very alone because you might find that none of your peers have gone through anything similar and won’t understand or know what to say. Being with others who have similar experiences and who do understand what you are going through can be vital at this time.

Bereavement support groups can decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness and provide a safe space to process feelings of grief and loss. Group members not only support each other by validating and normalizing their experiences and emotions but they can learn coping skills from each other. The opportunity to share your narrative and be able to grieve openly helps to start the journey to recover.

However, everyone grieves differently and therefore there is not one way to cope with the death of a loved one. Support groups can be very helpful, but might not speak to everyone. If this does not work for you, individual bereavement counseling could be more appropriate during this time.

There are no rules in the recovery of bereavement and only you will know what works for you.

Support groups are available at CancerCare and are led by oncology social workers. View CancerCare’s support groups, which include a Young Adults Who Have Lost a Loved One Online Support Group.

CancerCare also offers publications on bereavement.

And finally, here is additional information about coping with loss.

A variety of physical and emotional responses can come up after treatment ends. Many people expect for things to go back to “normal” right away, but the reality is that it takes time for your mind, body and spirit to recover from cancer treatment. It can be a scary time for patients when you suddenly have much less interaction with your doctors. Reaching out for support is a very healthy way of taking care of yourself as you continue to heal from treatment. Engaging in certain activities can help you to regain some sense of control and be an active participant in your recovery.

Take a moment to think about the people who have been helpful to you. Your “team” includes the doctors, nurses, social workers, alternative health practitioners, other survivors and the family and friends who surround you. Defining and understanding the distinct role that each person plays is beneficial so you know where to turn when you need help. Who can answer medical questions? What programs exist to help financially? Who do you approach when you need a good listener? Keep in mind that some friends and family may think that everything is fine now that you’re treatment is complete. You might have to be up front about still needing support during this time in your recovery.

The following services may be helpful to consider:

• Ask your doctor about a survivorship care plan. This can give you a detailed timeline of follow-up tests, follow-up recommendations, after-care planning, how to address ongoing side-effects or medical issues, etc.
• Seek out peer support through support groups or survivor matching programs. This allows you the opportunity to learn from others and find emotional support from people who’ve also been through treatment and are adjusting to the post-treatment phase.
• Individual counseling provides a space to process the many complex feelings that come with cancer survivorship, such as sadness, fear/anxiety, and anger.
• Financial assistance programs are often available to help with some medically related expenses such as co-pays for medication, as well as out of pocket costs associated with transportation.
• Mind-body or alternative therapies such as meditation, yoga, Reiki, acupuncture or massage can help you alleviate side effects such as fatigue and pain. Relaxation techniques may also help you manage feelings of anxiety.

Taking inventory of available supportive services is an important first step to take. Think about what services would be a good fit for you given your current needs. If it’s not clear or you are having trouble finding local services, speak with an oncology social worker who can help guide you.

CancerCare offers a variety of services for cancer survivors such as individual counseling, educational material and online support groups. Learn more about our services on our website or call our Hopeline: 800-813-HOPE (4673).

Being a primary caregiver can absolutely be an emotional and stressful experience – and in your case, made more difficult by the fact that you are also far from your husband and friends. Joining a support group is a wonderful first step in finding a community of others who “get it.” Being connected with people who understand and who are possibly facing some of the same struggles and questions can be hugely meaningful. I am so glad you’re reaching out for this kind of support and please know that we do offer an online group for you.

Our Online Young Adult Caregiver Support Group would be a great option; the majority of participants are caring for a parent just as you are. While this group and our other young adult groups are usually aimed at people between the ages of 20 and 39, we are flexible. For someone like yourself who is still so close in age and prefers this type of group, we can certainly make it available to you. To join, we do ask that you complete a short online screening to confirm that the group will meet your needs and expectations.

I also want to mention that CancerCare offers short-term telephone counseling provided by licensed oncology social workers. Many of our online group members choose to supplement their group experience with individual counseling. If you are interested in learning more or possibly enrolling, I encourage you to call CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-4673. All the calls are answered by oncology social workers who can get you connect you with support. Our hours are Mondays to Thursdays 9 a.m. -7 p.m. EST and Fridays 9 a.m. -5 p.m.

Helping a loved one with cancer to manage symptoms and side effects can help caregivers to feel useful while also providing the patient with much-needed support. That said; I can hear how difficult it must be to witness your uncle facing such challenges, and to feel he is unsupported by his medical providers.

First, I would definitely encourage you to address your concerns with your uncle’s oncologist. While it may feel uncomfortable to broach the conversation about your feelings about the lack of support, you have the right to ask questions and get information. It’s important that your uncle’s weight is a priority as this will likely impact his ability to maintain his strength, both physically and emotionally.

Talking with a nutritionist or dietician on staff at his treatment center may also help you explore alternatives and to consider any foods he still may be able to tolerate and swallow on his own. However, tube feeding or intravenous nutrition can be a more practical way of helping him to get the nutrition he needs if he is unable to swallow on his own enough to get adequate nutrients. Feeding tubes and intravenous nutrition work with prescribed medications, so his oncologist and nurses may be able to educate him about the different options for tube feeding, as well as help him to get accustomed to this new way of feeding.

You may also benefit from exploring these CancerCare fact sheets and podcasts which provide additional information on the importance of nutrition and dealing with weight changes:

• Healthy Eating and Managing Weight Changes During Cancer Treatment
• Weight Changes After Cancer Treatment: Why is it Happening and What Can I Do About It
• Coping With Appetite and Weight Changes
• Coping with Cancer-Related Weight Changes and Muscle Loss
• The Importance of Nutrition During Treatment

In addition, The Oley Foundation works to provide information, education and advocacy surrounding intravenous nutrition tube feeding and may also be a useful resource if this is recommended for your uncle.

Keep in mind that getting support from other patients in a similar situation might also help give your uncle practical tips to manage these side effects, and may help foster a sense of hope and strength. Given his challenges with weakness and swallowing, perhaps an online support group would be a more feasible option. You can learn more about about our online support groups which are completely free, available 24/7, and facilitated by licensed, master’s level oncology social workers. We also provide free individual counseling by phone, and you can reach a social worker by calling 800-813-4673. Know that these services are available to you, too, as you cope with being a caregiver and what this role means to you.

Thank you for your interest in our online support groups. At this time, CancerCare’s online support groups are only available to people residing within the United States (including Puerto Rico and U.S. territories).

For more information about support groups, read our publication “Why Join a Support Group?”.

As a parent who recently lost a child, it can be very difficult to deal with your own grief while also trying to support other family members, including children. How you support your grandchildren may vary depending on their age and how they are grieving.

Your grandchildren are most likely grieving differently than the adults in your family. You may find that they can be crying or sad one moment and then asking to play a few moments later. This is a normal reaction for children and can be helpful in their grieving. Especially with younger children, play is a way for them to express difficult thoughts or feelings that might not otherwise be shared.

You may also find the children continue to ask questions about their mother’s death or if she will be coming back. For children under the age of 7 it is difficult to understand that death is permanent, so they may continue to ask about it. While these questions can feel uncomfortable to answer, it is important to continue to address these questions in a concrete way. Saying that she is “asleep” or “passed away” may sound comforting to adults, but can easily confuse children.

Continue to love and support your grandchildren as you have been doing and take the time to listen to their questions and concerns. It is important for them to know that there are adults they can turn to.

Some families find it helpful to attend bereavement groups for children that have lost a loved one. These groups usually use play and creating art as a way to help children cope with their grief, while meeting other children who have also experienced the death of a loved one.

Here is an additional resources that may be helpful:

• Helping Children Who Have Lost A Love One

If you would like some additional support, please do not hesitate to call our Hopeline at 800-813-4673 and speak with an oncology social worker who can provide support, resources, and guidance.

It’s common for children who have been diagnosed with cancer at a young age to need specialized educational support during and/or after their treatment. This can be due to many factors including frequent absences from school due to treatment or hospitalizations or the lingering effects that treatment may have on learning.

First, I recommend speaking with your daughter’s teachers to express your concerns and to find out whether her teacher has concerns about her academic progress as well. Her teacher may recommend that your daughter undergoes an evaluation however either way, you may request that your child is evaluated based on your own concerns. Usually a request for an evaluation must be submitted in writing to either your daughter’s school or school district.

Your daughter will then be evaluated by a several professionals. A typical comprehensive evaluation includes testing of academics, attention, memory, language, psychosocial and other areas of development. As part of the evaluation, the school district may request supplemental information from your daughter’s doctor or oncologist. After the testing, members of the school or school district will meet with you to discuss the results. Depending on the state you live in, there are specific qualifications for eligibility for educational support services. If your daughter qualifies for services, an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) will be developed and services will then be initiated. Parents are included in the IEP development meeting. For more information about how this process works in your state, please visit your local school district’s website. You can also call your state’s department of education for additional information. If your daughter does not qualify for services after being evaluated and you disagree with the findings, you have the option of participating in a hearing process. Your school district’s office or your state’s department of education can provide more information on this process as well.

In addition to speaking with your daughter’s teachers, it is a good idea to speak with your daughter’s pediatrician regarding your concerns. If your daughter does not qualify for in-school services, your pediatrician may be able to provide information and referrals regarding arranging outside services that may be covered by insurance. He or she can also provide referrals to a child psychologist or neuropsychologist, if that’s needed.

CureSearch for Children’s Cancer has additional information on this topic in their Guidance for Parents section on their website. If you need additional support or information, feel free to reach out to CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak with an oncology social worker.

Neuropathy, also called peripheral neuropathy, is a term that describes the special kind of pain and discomfort caused by nerve damage. It is typically characterized by a feeling of weakness, numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet. It can result from a number of different medical issues including infection, diabetes, kidney disease, and traumatic injury. Peripheral neuropathy can also be a common side effect of certain chemotherapy treatments, and can develop after surgery (especially for breast or lung cancer).

If you have concerns that you or a loved may be experiencing symptoms of neuropathy, be sure to discuss the issue with your health care team as there are treatments available to help control the symptoms. A typical treatment regimen may include over-the-counter or prescription medications. Your doctors can work with you to find the best treatment or combination of treatments to manage your discomfort.

For additional information, CancerCare offers many resources about neuropathy.

You can also find information through The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.

Health care professionals refer to taking your pills on schedule as adherence. Having more than one illness makes taking pills harder. Having multiple conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or arthritis increases the number of prescription medications. Older adults may forget to take their many medications and may have difficulty opening pill bottles.

Your mother’s health care team, her pharmacist, and you can come up with a practical pill-taking plan. You and your mother might want to schedule time with your mother’s oncologist or the oncology nurse in the doctor’s office to determine:

• when the pills should be taken
• whether any of the pills interact with each other and should not taken at the same time
• which pills should be taken on an empty stomach or with food
• how often each pill needs to be taken
• what to do if she misses a dose

The health care team can make a schedule for her pill taking, noting the hour of the day each pill should be taken and how best to take each pill. Once you have had this conversation, there are a number of tips to support your mother:

• The pharmacist can help you organize your mother’s pills in a pill-sorting box. Some even come with built in alarms.
• Encourage your mother to make pill taking part of her daily routine.
• Enlist help if your mother needs someone to refill her pill-sorting box and remind her to take her pills.

For more information, CancerCare offers a fact sheet “The Importance of Taking Your Pills on Schedule”.

CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers are available to provide counseling and practical help—call us at 800-813-HOPE (4673).

Everyone reacts differently to chemotherapy treatments; it is not unusual to feel the way you did after your first treatment. As to what other side effects you may experience going forward, it is hard to say, as I mentioned everyone reacts differently. Based on the experience you had when you had a heart transplant, you may be using the same coping skills that you learned then to cope with your chemotherapy treatment now. Fear and anxiety are natural responses to scary and threatening situations, and everyone responds differently. Our bodies have what is called a flight or fight response, and when we perceive a threat to our personal wellbeing, our life, this mechanism is triggered, in which we choose to engage the threat or flee from it. To engage the threat means to understand the root cause for the perceived threat, and take steps to minimize its effects. Based on all that you have stated, i.e. feeling invigorated, sounds as though you are in fight mode. It does not sound like you are sitting around, as you said “waiting for the other shoe to drop.” If you begin to feel anxious about any side effects to your treatment, you can think of the coping skills you are already using that are working for you. In addition, you can also use breathing exercises and meditation to help alleviate your anxiety. Going forward, you may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, chemobrain, fatigue, and some of these side effects can be well managed by your health care team with medication.

Here are some articles that you may be interested in:

• Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
• Coping With Nausea and Vomiting From Chemotherapy
• Coping With Appetite and Weight Changes
• Coping With Chemobrain: Keeping Your Memory Sharp
• Managing Fatigue

It can be so difficult to support your child emotionally while dealing with a cancer diagnosis yourself. Please know that the distance is normal for someone her age, however; it can be a sign that she is experiencing fear and/or doubt about your current situation. Even though she is young, she is at an age where she may be questioning the world around her, forming her own identity and searching for independence. How transparent have you been with her about your diagnosis? At this point, information can be used as a tool to help her cope with what she is experiencing. From her perspective, she may be scared that your cancer is going to return or she may be confused about the current situation. When talking to her about your cancer diagnosis it is important to keep a few things in mind:

Set the tone: Use a calm and reassuring voice when speaking with her; this will let her know that you are doing your best to cope that that you want her to feel confident with the information that you are giving her.

Share information about your cancer: She is 11, meaning that she most likely has access to the internet which can be a dangerous thing. If she is confused or scared, she may use the internet to get her questions answered and we know that each cancer diagnosis/treatment plan is unique. Do not be afraid to use the word “cancer” with her and explain how your treatment or surgery has affected your body.

Answer her questions accurately: It is common to want to protect your child from any information that may cause her stress or worry; however, she may feel more open with you if you can talk freely about your experience and answer any questions she may have.

Let her know that she is supported: Regardless of the current situation, let her know that she can talk to you whenever she needs, or turn to a family member and/or friend for additional support. Do not be afraid to let her school know about your situation (if you have not done so already) as this can strengthen her support system and allow her another outlet to talk if she needs to.

Make communication a priority and remain consistent: Let her know that although things are different now, your love for her has not changed. Sometimes, you may not know what to say. This is normal and okay. Remember that you are the expert on your child. Cancer can be overwhelming and disruptive, but it doesn’t change the fact that you know your daughter best. Trust your sense of how to best support her during this difficult time.

An oncology social worker from CancerCare can provide information, resources and counseling; contact our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE to explore services that could be helpful.

You should check with the mother’s treatment center to see if they provide a children’s support group. You can also contact your local affiliate of Cancer Support Community in order to get more information about what type of children’s program they offer.

CancerCare provides a number of publications, including Helping Children Understand Cancer: Talking to Your Kids About Your Diagnosis that address helping children who have a family member with cancer. Communication is the number one priority, since even young children can often sense when something is wrong, and if no one explains what is happening, will often imagine something worse than it really is, or even blame themselves. How and how much is communicated depends on the child’s unique personality, but providing an ongoing chance for them to express themselves, asking questions and sharing their feelings, is helpful for children of all ages.

Finally, it’s important to let children know that even though some other things around the house are probably going to be different for a while, that the child’s parents/grandparents/family members love for them hasn’t changed a bit.

I’m sorry that you are under so much stress and dealing with so much. It is perfectly understandable that you would have a lot of anxiety around these important issues. Because the mind and body are so connected, side effects from treatment often impact one’s state of mind as well. Getting emotional support as you face this experience is wise.

Here at CancerCare, we are oncology social workers and offer in-person counseling for people in New York City, New Jersey and Long Island. If you live outside of those areas, we offer short-term telephone counseling to help you cope with your cancer experience.

To find a longer-term therapist in your area who is skilled in working with people affected by cancer, try:

• Help Starts Here, through the National Association of Social Workers offers an online directory of clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other licensed professionals. You can search each database for clinicians who have experience in cancer issues.

Most therapists are social workers and psychologists, but some psychiatrists also provide therapy in private practice. Because of their medical training, psychiatrists are the only mental health professionals who can prescribe psychotropic medications. Many people see social workers, psychologists or other types of counselors for talk therapy while also seeing a psychiatrist for medication evaluation and monitoring, on a less frequent basis.

When choosing a therapist, one of the most important criteria to keep in mind is the rapport you have with him or her. You may have to shop around and it might take several tries. After each initial visit, ask yourself: How did I connect with that person? Does it seem like he/she “got” me? Can I talk freely with that person? Only you can decide which therapist is right for you. Pick someone with whom you can be open and honest, and who can support you through this challenging journey.

Children who are diagnosed with cancer face unique challenges and adjustments. Parents, teachers and other caretakers often struggle with how to explain cancer and its effects. When speaking with this child’s teacher, you may want to consider the following points.

Children understand simple and clear explanations best. Provide concrete, age-appropriate information when speaking to this student. Explain that there are special medications that they will need to take that will help stop the cancer from growing. These medications may also cause his/her hair to fall out. Some children will want to hear a more detailed scientific explanation while others will be satisfied with more general information. Reassure the child that hair loss is temporary and explore whether he/she would feel most comfortable wearing a hat, scarf or wig in the meantime.

It is common for children to feel an array of feelings when they begin losing their hair including anger, sadness, embarrassment and fear. Let this child know that it is safe to express those feelings to you and his/her teacher. Validate the way they feel and remind him/her that although it is upsetting to deal with these side effects, it means that the treatment is working hard to stop the cancer and make his/her body healthy again. You may also want to preemptively prepare this child for questions his/her classmates may ask and come up with ways the child will feel most comfortable responding. While some children would rather not discuss their diagnosis with classmates, others may be more open with regards to what they are going through. There is more than one right way for the child to interact with their classmates and understanding your student’s specific wishes can inform the way you and the child’s teacher help the child’s classmates support the child with cancer.

You may find the following books helpful when explaining cancer and its side effects:

• Chemo, Craziness & Comfort by Nancy Keene is a book for children between the ages of 6-12 that provides clear explanations about cancer and treatment.
• KidsCope has a free comic book called KemoShark that helps explain cancer and chemotherapy

The American Childhood Cancer Association provides books to families with a child with cancer free of charge.

For more information, support or guidance, call us at 800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak with an oncology social worker.

While there may not be a local support group geared specifically toward grandparents of children with cancer, it is probably worth inquiring about caregiver support groups at your grandchild’s treatment center. At CancerCare, a grandparent whose grandchild has been diagnosed with cancer is eligible for any of our caregiving groups, whether in-person, over the telephone or online.

Like other caregivers, grandparents are likely to have a hard time adjusting to their grandchild’s diagnosis. You may need a place to express intense emotions, including fear, anger, sadness or grief in the presence of people who have had a similar experience. A support group can also be a place to exchange helpful information on coping and various other means of supporting oneself and one’s family.

Whether or not you find an accessible support group that specifically matches your demographic, it can be very helpful to connect with other people who care for a person with cancer. If there are no support groups in your area, perhaps you can organize an informal group that meets at a church or community senior center.

The British organization The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group provides helpful information for grandparents of young children with cancer, and includes information on various ways support yourself, your children and your grandchildren in reacting and adjusting to your grandchild’s diagnosis.

A good place to begin your search for counseling for your son would be the hospital where your husband receives treatment. The social work staff may be able to provide individual counseling and/or support groups. If these services aren’t available at the hospital where your husband is being treated, they might be able to provide you with the name of a local therapist who moderates groups or who works with adolescents individually. Your general practitioner might also be a good source for referrals to these types of services. If your husband is receiving hospice care, the hospice team often provides counseling for the family.

It would likely be helpful to discuss with your son what he thinks would be the best way for him to process his feelings. Does he want to participate in a group, or would he be more comfortable talking one-on-one with a counselor? Opening up a dialogue and eliciting questions will help you understand what your son is feeling and can deepen the connection between you. Despite the difficulty of the situation, he will also see your concern and dedication to helping him bear the reality of the situation.

Additional resources that may be helpful include:

• Our podcast Helping Children and Teens Understand When a Parent or Loved One Has Cancer
• Our publication “Helping Teenagers When a Parent Has Cancer”

Although CancerCare does not provide telephone counseling to teens, you may call us to speak with one of our oncology social workers who can help support you as you help your son cope with his father’s illness. Our social workers can also help you find local resources. We can be reached by calling 800-813-4673.

Your father is fortunate to have a caring family caregiver who wants to help him get relief from his pain. Unrelieved pain may cause sadness, decreased mobility, and irritability. Treating cancer pain is essential to your father’s well being and I offer these suggestions:

• Ask your father if he is willing to discuss his discomfort and pain with his health care team and if he wishes you to accompany him on his next appointment.
• With your father’s approval, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
• Patients are often asked to describe their pain using a Pain Scale of 1-10 with 10 being the greatest amount of pain. His health care team will ask a number of questions to help identify the type of pain, examine the area where the pain is most bothersome, and order imaging tests to further determine the source of the pain.
• Pain is effectively treated by over the counter as well as prescription medications. Most cancer hospitals have multi-disciplinary Pain Teams to recommend the best approaches to manage pain.
• There are a number of prescription medications; some are delivered intravenously, to treat bone metastases. These treatments can also reduce pain.

CancerCare Connect booklets and fact sheets are also very informative:

• Caring for Your Bones When You Have Cancer
• Managing Cancer Pain

The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service is a resource for additional information. Call 1-800-4-CANCER or visit www.cancer.gov.

You can listen to free CancerCare Connect Education Workshop Podcasts addressing such topics as bone health and pain management or register for upcoming workshops.

Pain is a message your body sends saying that it needs help. Let me say that although your husband may be experiencing increased pain, this does not necessarily indicate that his cancer is becoming worse. It is very important to communicate with his medical team so they can explore this further and take appropriate action to address his pain. There are various pain medications that can offer relief. Pain management works best and is most effective when there is a team effort. The more accurately you both can describe the pain to his doctor, the better his doctor will be able to help him. Rating pain on a scale from zero (no pain) to 10 (worst pain) can be an effective way of measuring and communicating levels of pain.

To make sure he receives effective pain management:

• Tell his doctor immediately about any pain he is experiencing. NEVER allow pain to build up over time. Pain needs to be monitored and assessed at each doctor visit.
• Write down any questions you may have about his pain and how to manage it BEFORE you visit his doctor. And, be sure to write down the answers his doctor gives.
• Accompany him to his appointment. Having another person there who can give him emotional support, ask questions, and remember information can help him better address and manage his pain.
• Be specific and describe his pain in detail. Don’t assume his doctor knows how he feels. Make sure to describe in detail what his pain feels like, when it is at its worst, and when it appears to ease up, if it does.
• Keep a pain diary or journal. Record such things as when and where the pain occurs, what makes the pain worse, what provides relief, and how the pain affects his quality of life.

Remember, pain is what the person says it is. Your husband is the expert of his own pain and his medical team is there to work with you both.

You’ll find additional information in our publications:

• Managing Cancer Pain
• Opening the Door to Effective Pain Management: Getting the Facts and Getting Help
• Communicating With Your Health Care Team

Many cancer survivors experience post-treatment neuropathy. For some, the symptoms may lessen gradually over a period of weeks or months. For others, the symptoms may persist or even become chronic. It is difficult to provide a typical timeline of symptoms, because there is so much variation from case to case. Many factors impact the degree to which someone experiences neuropathy including:

• the type of chemotherapy drug or combination of drugs used
• the chemotherapy dosage
• the overall length of the treatment regimen.

In addition, each person responds differently to chemotherapy.

It’s important to seek out a consultation with an experienced neurologist if you are experiencing neuropathy. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available to help manage the chronic pain and discomfort caused by neuropathy. For mild symptoms, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Motrin may be adequate. For more severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medication; anti-convulsant medication to help calm the nerves and central nervous system; or antidepressants to decrease the chemicals in the brain that transmit pain signals. Physical therapy may improve balance and strength while occupational therapy may improve the fine motor skills used in tasks like writing or buttoning a shirt. Alternative treatments such as biofeedback, acupuncture, or transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) are also available. Your health care team can work with you to determine the best treatment or combination of treatments to address your situation.

Since other health issues may cause or further aggravate nerve damage, it is important to consult regularly with your medical team. Other underlying medical conditions can contribute to your symptoms. Diabetes, autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, or physical trauma are just a few of the other common causes of neuropathy. Your health care team should conduct a thorough assessment of your risk to determine whether other kinds of interventions would be helpful for you.

It’s also a good idea to keep track of your neuropathy symptoms, so that you can provide detailed reports about your symptoms to your health care team.

For more information about neuropathy, please visit CancerCare’s neuropathy resources or The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped masses of tissue that are located in clusters throughout the body, including in the armpit. Lymph nodes play a crucial role in helping to fight infection; they filter and trap bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted substances in the body, so that special white blood cells (called lymphocytes) can then destroy them.

When treating cancer, doctors sometimes choose to remove and biopsy nearby lymph nodes to learn whether any of the nodes contain cancer cells. This information helps determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, a process known as “staging.” This information also helps the health care team decide on an appropriate and tailored treatment plan.

As with any surgical procedure, there might be side effects. You may sustain some degree of nerve damage during the procedure, resulting in tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arm. These neuropathy symptoms can be mild or more severe, depending on the extent of nerve involvement. You may experience swelling in the arm due to a build-up of lymph fluid that is no longer draining effectively through the remaining lymph nodes; this condition is called lymphedema. You may experience a temporary inflammation of blood vessels in your armpit as well as a higher potential for blood clotting and infection at the biopsy site.

If your health care team has recommended this procedure for you, it is likely because they feel that the benefits outweigh any of these potential risks. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to have a frank discussion with your surgeon about possible side effects and any preventive measures you can take to lower your risk of experiencing them.

We offer resources about lymphedema and neuropathy.

For more information about lymphedema, please visit The National Lymphedema Network.

To learn more about lymph node removal surgery, please visit The National Cancer Institute.

Your father may qualify for Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits if he served in active military service and was released under any condition other than dishonorable. An application can be submitted regardless of how long it has been since your father’s service and discharge. Call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits for more information and to begin the application process.

If he is a Vietnam era veteran who served in Vietnam or specific areas of Korea and Thailand, he may be eligible for compensation under the Presumptive Service-connected Agent Orange Disability Compensation.

Other options you can explore include state and federal health care programs. Eligibility for health care is based on age, income, or pre-existing disability.

If he is ineligible for public programs, high-risk health insurance pools allow patients who have been denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions to buy a policy. The cost may be high and there may be a waiting list, but it’s cheaper than being uninsured and paying out of pocket. The National Association of State Comprehensive Insurance Plans lists high-risk pools by state.

Hospitals and clinics may offer charity care and sliding scale programs (fees based on his income). Some hospitals are required to see patients who are uninsured. Contact your local department of public health, social services, or business office of your hospital of choice for more information.

The Patient Advocate Foundation provides advice and guidance on insurance related issues.

If your father registers with the VA, they have a number of services designed specifically to support the family caregivers.

Finally, CancerCare caregiver services are free of charge and available to anyone affected by the cancer diagnosis.

Studies have been conducted, but the focus has been on birth defects in children of veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. There is a registry for these children maintained by the National Birth Defect Registry. At present, there appears to be no mention of diseases that develop later in life for children of veterans who were exposed. These children are no more than 50 years old and may not have been diagnosed with other diseases yet.

If they have (as in your case), they may not be reported or the individual might not link them to a parent’s exposure. Many veterans are only now beginning to be diagnosed with various diseases that may be related to Agent Orange, so diseases in their adult children will hopefully become a new area of research.

If your father did not file a claim for service-related disability compensation, a family member can file a claim. If a Vietnam veteran dies of a medical condition considered to have resulted from exposure to Agent Orange during military service, certain surviving family members may be eligible for monthly compensation payments through the VA’s dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) program. Many Veterans Service Organizations offer free assistance to help you present your claim to the VA.

Additional resources about Agent Orange exposure and cancer include:

• The Department of Veterans Affairs website section, Research on Health Effects of Herbicide Exposure
• The American Cancer Society’s Agent Orange and Cancer
• Cancer.Net’s Veterans Information

Unfortunately the financial impact of caregiving, whether by a relative, friend, or hired help, is under recognized. The type of assistance available for caregivers may depend on where you live, the medical need for services, and your own financial situation. You could contact your state Health and Human Services Department to find out if there is a state specific program to assist with the cost associated with caregiving.

Additionally, we offer limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs, including home care and transportation for individuals who qualify. You can call us at 800-813-HOPE (4673) and speak with a CancerCare professional oncology social worker.

This family is adjusting to a major loss, and now more than ever, they need patience, love and understanding. The first rule in helping is: “Listen.” What are the parents telling you? Most often, the best way to be of service will come out in their words, although probably subtly.

Grief is an ongoing and lifelong journey, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. In terms of the parents, very often, those who are grieving will forget to take care of themselves. This can take a toll on their health and can impact the household even more. You may need to remind the parents of the importance of self-care. Let them know that you are there for them, in whatever way they need. If they are not in a place to ask for help, be proactive. Some suggestions that might be helpful include cooking meals, cleaning, organizing, helping with thank you notes or grocery shopping. Just as friends rallied around them when they were taking care of a sick child, they now need a different kind of support, as they work on adjusting to their loss. Your helping out with everyday tasks may allow them more time for self-care, as well as more time with their child who is now adjusting to life as an only child.

At a kindergarten age, generally, children think in more concrete terms and do not understand the concept of “forever,” so it would be likely for this grieving child to think that his twin will come back. The family may need to remind the child that his sibling will not be coming back. Using euphemisms for the word “death” can be confusing to children, as in, “My brother is lost, and I am going to find him!” If the family has a belief system that includes heaven, the child may need to know that they cannot visit the twin in heaven. Younger children are less able to use words, but will express themselves in games, play or drawings. Through play, the parents might be able to pick up on thoughts or concerns that the child finds too complicated to express directly.

Children also use “magical thinking.” This child may think that what happened to his twin may also happen to him. Lots of reassurances need to be given, and questions need to be answered honestly with the child. More than ever, this child will need hugs and kisses and “I love you’s.” Many studies indicate that twins have a deep level of connectedness, and this may make this new separation more difficult. The child may also experience survivor’s guilt, and an open discussion to address this is important.

When life can be so challenging, it can be hard to express that life can also have joy and beauty. In fact, it may be impossible to see it at times, especially when there is such profound loss. But it important that children learn over time that even though life may be difficult or unfair, wonder and joy can still exist. We need to keep the sense of joy, wonder and happiness alive in children.

I think it is both very helpful and important to keep the memory of the twin alive in the home. But how is that memory kept alive? Every family is different. The family may want to plant a tree, or create a memory garden. Perhaps they create a spot where photos of the twin are kept, or maybe the pictures remain throughout the house. If the family is spiritual, maybe they want to create a special prayer that will become part of an evening ritual.

Additional resources for families coping with loss include:

• Cancer.net’s Grieving the Loss of a Sibling
• SuperSibs! Grief Resources

Although everyone’s experience with cancer is unique, we do know that the LGBT cancer experience can present many challenges, just a few of which include increased cancer risk, lack of social supports, and impacted communication and comfort with health care providers. The cancer experience, in addition to the stigma around sexuality and/or gender for an LGBT person navigating the medical system, can have an negative effect on a person’s health, both physically and emotionally.

As a patient navigator, you have the opportunity to humanize a setting which often feels dehumanizing for patients, particularly those that identify as LGBT. By making yourself aware of the resources that exist and learning to ask questions that show your sensitivity, you can make a big difference. Access to resources that are LGBT-focused and/or friendly often depends upon the area you live in. While many larger, more metropolitan areas have LGBT community centers and/or services, smaller communities often lack LGBT-specific resources, which can leave LGBT people feeling isolated or marginalized. However, there are a number of national organizations that provide a multitude of services for LGBT individuals with cancer and their loved ones, as well as their health care providers. These organizations do incredible work to address existing disparities through their research, advocacy, education, outreach and direct support services.

A great place to start is by reading LGBT Patient-Centered Outcomes: Cancer Survivors Teach Us How To Improve Care For All, a report published by the National LGBT Cancer Network. The National LGBT Cancer Network works to educate, train and advocate for LGBT cancer survivors. What’s fantastic about this report is the way it uses language, including quotes and stories, from actual LGBT cancer survivors, which gives you powerful insight into what LGBT cancer survivors find meaningful and relevant in their work with you, your team and your agency.

Secondly, the public policy advocacy organization, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association), has many resources for professionals as well as patients, including Top Ten Issues to Discuss with Your Heath Care Provider for Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals, and Transgender People. They also have a wealth of information on trans health resources.

For LGBT seniors, SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Elderly is an important national resource. SAGE can direct callers to their local gay support systems closest to them.

And last, but certainly not least, here at CancerCare we have a number of support services for LGBT patients, survivors, and caregivers. CancerCare has a fact sheet “Coping with Cancer as an LGBT Person” that can be ordered by calling the our Hopeline at 800-813-4673 or ordered online. We offer free, short-term individual counseling over the phone and in person. We also have a face-to-face support group running in our New York City office:

• Gay and Bisexual Men With Cancer Support Group, in collaboration with SAGE

In addition to checking out the above resources, please feel free to call our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak with an oncology social worker about helping your LGBT patients and caregivers locate additional support.

Congratulations on finishing your treatment and please let me be part of celebrating this huge accomplishment! Life after treatment can be a time of renewed focus, greater creativity and new commitment to educational opportunities. Priorities shift and the way you decide where and with whom you devote your time is different than before you were diagnosed. This can be both exciting and scary, as the realization that you are in fact a different person than before treatment and that returning to the “way things were” is not entirely possible or realistic. The financial strain from cancer treatment can leave your bank account unable to accommodate this dedication to personal advancement and renewal. I wish you continued success and excitement as you learn more about yourself and discover how to advocate for what you need now. Thankfully, there are several resources out there and many organizations that have compiled a list of the different types of scholarships and financial assistance.

One good place to start is The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid.

The same organization that may have brought you discounted prescriptions, NeedyMeds, also offers a list of scholarship resources.

The Jackie Spellman Scholarship Foundation and the Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship offer assistance for people pursuing graduate studies who have been affected by leukemia or lymphoma. They offer scholarships ranging between $1000 and $3000.

Additional resources include:

• For those still undergoing treatment but would like to continue their higher education, the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation offers annual nonrenewable $1000 scholarships for college students whose lives have been impacted by cancer.

• The Patient Advocate Foundation has a Scholarships for Survivors Program.

• The SAMFund has a Surviving and Moving Forward scholarship program for cancer survivors between the ages of 17 and 35 living in the United States.

• The Ulman Cancer Fund has a National College Scholarship Program for young adult cancer survivors and young adults impacted by cancer.

Acting out is a common response that children have when a parent is diagnosed with cancer. Children will often act out in hopes to regain attention that they might feel is they are now lacking. Although it might seem appropriate to let their misbehavior slide due to the difficult circumstances, it is extremely important to maintain discipline.

Maintaining discipline reassures the child that the parent is still in control, despite being ill. A lack of discipline can actually lead the child to believe that something has gone wrong. It is best to enforce the same rules and consequences that were used prior to the diagnosis. In order to ensure stability, remain consistent when it comes to rewarding good behavior and following through with the consequences. Most importantly, communicate your love, acceptance and understanding of your children while simultaneously implementing the rules and letting them know that misbehavior is not tolerated. It can be helpful to manage their expectations by letting them know that there might be changes in your role and ability to participate in all of the things that you had prior to being diagnosed.

More information can be found in Cancer in the Family: Helping Children Cope with a Parent’s Illness, by Sue P. Heiny, Joan F. Hermann and Joy L. Fincannon or How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness by Kathleen McCue.

Navigating a cancer diagnosis can be extremely overwhelming, especially when paired with the responsibilities that come along with caring for a family. If you have a friend or family member who is diagnosed with cancer, there are many ways that you can help them. If you aren’t sure what you can do, it’s okay to ask! Check in with your friend or her caregiver regularly to see if they need help with any errands, household tasks or if they can just use some company. The patient and caregiver will often have to balance doctor’s appointments and treatments with their children’s hectic schedules. This can be exhausting for anyone, let alone someone going through treatment. Some ways to assist are to offer to drop off or pick up her children from school or extracurricular activities. If your friend simply needs time to rest, offer to babysit her children once or twice per week. It could also be helpful to provide them with meals if needed. Always be sure that you will be able to follow through with your offers before committing.

Creating a schedule can be a productive way to ensure that your help remains frequent and consistent. You can coordinate with other friends, neighbors or co-workers who are willing to help with the tasks. For example, one friend can bring dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while another friend picks up her children from school on Wednesdays. You might consider using an online scheduling tool such as My Cancer Circle to help keep track. Always assume help is needed, even if you are aware of other people helping out. Your support and encouragement can go a long way!

At CancerCare, young adults are categorized by those ages 20 to 39. Being diagnosed with cancer at this age can be an extremely overwhelming experience, however; there are many great books and publications out there that can make coping a bit easier.

Take a look at the list below:

• Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20’s and 30’s by Kairol Rosenthal

• Planet Cancer: The Frequently Bizarre Yet Always Informative Experiences and Thoughts of Your Fellow Natives by Heidi Di Adams

• Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr

• This Should Not Be Happening: Young Adults With Cancer by Anne Katz

• Between Me and the River: A Memoir by Carrie Host

If you are looking for publications or educational materials geared towards young adults coping with cancer, feel free to check out our list of fact sheets and connect booklets on our website.

• Coping With Cancer as a Young Adult – Fact Sheet

• Coping With Cancer as a Young Adult – Connect Education Booklet

A cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down. If you need additional emotional support or would like to speak to an oncology social worker, please call our Hopeline; 800-813-HOPE.

CancerCare offers online support groups for adult cancer survivors who are still within 2 years of completing their cancer treatments. The Post Treatment Survivorship Support Group is for participants of all ages, while the Young Adult Post Treatment Survivorship Support Group is for people ages 39 and under. While not specifically focused on radiation plexopathy, both groups address the issue of long term treatment side effects because it is such a common challenge for survivors as they transition to life after cancer. Our support groups also discuss other survivorship concerns including fears of recurrence, creating new daily routines including the transition back to work or school, acclimating to physical changes experienced during treatment, as well as other topics that the group moderator or group members themselves may raise in the course of sharing more about their experiences.

To join one of our groups, we do ask that you complete a short online screening to confirm that the groups will meet your needs and expectations.

But if you are interested in seeking out more specific support for radiation plexopathy, there is a resource list featured on Cancer Survivors Network that includes links to personal blogs as well as a private Facebook group. Please be aware that in most cases, a private FB group is not moderated by a trained professional and your confidentiality is not guaranteed.

The first step in locating appropriate trials is to contact his oncologist. The oncologist is most familiar with your loved one’s case and can inform him of clinical trials for his type and stage of cancer. They can also advise him about whether he qualifies for a study and help him contact the researchers involved.

You can also find listings of specific clinical trials to discuss with the oncologist:

• National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service sponsors most government-funded cancer clinical trials. The NCI has a list of active studies, as well as some privately funded studies. You can contact them at 1-800-4-CANCER or conduct a search on their website.
• ClinicalTrials.gov is a resource provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. They have a large list of trials, though not all are cancer-related. Like the National Cancer Institute, you can conduct an online search to find trials that best fit with your loved one’s situation.

To learn more about clinical trials please visit CancerCare’s Clinical Trials webpage.

Caregiving for a loved one with limited mobility can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Help comes in many forms, and it sounds like a combination of both practical and emotional support might be most helpful to your family now.

Asking for help when needed is an important part of the caregiver experience. It sounds like the part-time help your parents have enlisted is a good starting place to help ensure that her basic day-to-day needs are being met. Checking in with local community agencies, religious organizations or hospital social worker may provide additional information on respite care or volunteer services to help your dad manage the practical aspects of caregiving.

You can ask your mom’s doctor about possible mobility devices (e.g., walkers, seat risers or swivel seats) that can help her move around more easily. Also, you could ask for a referral to an occupational therapist who might be able to address and work on specific mobility issues. In some cases, a person’s physical needs exceed what family members or friends are able to provide, regardless of how much they want to or try to help.

It’s also important that you and your dad are taking care of yourselves. CancerCare’s workshop, Stress Management for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself Physically and Emotionally, may offer some tips on managing the emotional impact of caregiving. CancerCare’s staff of licensed oncology social workers can also provide free counseling and support groups (including online and telephone support groups for caregivers) to you and your dad to help you cope with your role as caregivers.

Dental health is important both during and after cancer treatment, but lack of dental insurance and high out-of-pocket costs can make even a routine dental visit a hardship for individuals already burdened by medical bills. There may be ways to obtain dental procedures or check-ups at a more manageable cost.

• Dental Lifeline Network offers an online database of free or reduced cost dental services in each state.
• If you have seen a dentist in the past, it may be worthwhile to contact that provider and see if he/she has any recommendations. Offices are sometimes willing to work out a payment plan for more costly services that would potentially allow you to get the procedures or treatment you need.

Lastly, the American Dental Association offers information about dental health after cancer treatment.

If you are looking for more information, resources or support I encourage you to contact our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673).

It’s common for people to continue to feel the physical and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis months after their treatment is complete. It’s possible that her immune system is still recovering causing her to pick up illnesses and viruses easily. If she hasn’t already, she may want to talk to her doctor to determine if there is anything she should do or if it’s just part of the healing process.

As far as her emotional coping, she may be experiencing anxiety due to fear of recurrence, she might feel isolated if she doesn’t have anyone to connect with that understands what she went through, she may be depressed because of her diagnosis or she’s self-conscious about body changes from surgery. One way to support her is by listening and normalizing her feelings. Let her know that it’s okay for her to feel scared or sad and that you’re there to support her. Tell her you’re worried about her and that you want to help. You can suggest support services such as a post-treatment support group where she can connect with others who might be going through similar struggles. It’s possible that body changes from treatment are causing her to be self-conscious and another person who has been through similar treatment might be able to relate to her and give her advice on how to cope. CancerCare offers an online group for people who have completed treatment that could be helpful.

You can also encourage her to talk to her doctor about how she’s coping emotionally. Her doctor may provide a referral to a therapist or psychiatrist for further evaluation and treatment if she is experiencing debilitating anxiety or depression. Both anxiety and/or depression are common among cancer patients and survivors. Going through cancer is a stressful and scary event and there’s no shame in asking for extra help.

Another suggestion would be to take her for a short walk or out shopping. Walking, getting outdoors or physical activity can be helpful in boosting someone’s mood. Or, ask her if she’s up for visitors and bring over a trusted friend or family member that can talk to her and lift her spirits.

It’s great that she has you to support her as she recovers from her treatment. Just know that it takes time for someone to recover. Be patient with her and listen when she tells you what she needs.

I hope this information is helpful. If you are looking for more information, resources or support I encourage you to contact our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673). You may also view all of our post-treatment resources.

If you are insured and struggling with outstanding medical bills, consider the following options:

• Read your insurance policy and understand the terms of your contract. If you have questions, ask your insurance company, insurance broker, or the human resources staff at your employer to explain it to you. Your insurer may have denied a claim even though you are entitled to coverage. HealthCare.gov has an excellent guide on how to dispute claims with your insurer.
• Double check all bills and EOBs (explanation of benefits). You’d be surprised how often billing mistakes are made. Look for incorrect dates of service (you shouldn’t be billed for the room on the day you were discharged) and duplicate fees for tests and procedures.
• Ask the hospital or doctor to consider the insurance payment as “payment in full.” Many people don’t think to do this, and it is often more successful than expected. Some hospitals have funds to offset medical services that aren’t fully covered by insurance.
• Negotiate the outstanding balance by asking for a discount. According to a Wall Street Journal survey, 70% of adults who talked with a hospital say they were successful in negotiating a lower price for their medical bills; 61% were successful with their doctor. You will likely get a greater discount (sometimes as high as 50%) if you pay the outstanding balance in a lump sum. You can also set up a payment plan.
• Explore the resources for co-payment and other medical cost assistance.

Remember to reach out for help—medical debt understandably causes emotional stress and it’s important to get as much support as you can. Speaking with a counselor can help you manage some of your stress and come up with a plan so that you feel more in control.

I understand your concern about the cost, but if you think you have cancer, you can’t afford not to visit the doctor. Cancer responds to treatment better when it’s caught early, and if it turns out that you don’t have it, you will have peace of mind.

There are 5 main ways to get health insurance:

1. Your, or your spouse’s, employer or union. If you or your spouse has a job that offers health insurance, ask if you’re eligible to receive it or buy into it. If you had insurance but lost your job within the last 60 days, ask if you’re eligible for COBRA. COBRA is a law that lets you keep your insurance for 18 months, sometimes longer. You pay the full cost.

2. Your school. If you are currently a full-time or part-time student, check with your college or university to see if you can get coverage through them.

3. Purchase it on your own. You can buy insurance either directly through an insurance company, or through your state’s Marketplace/Exchange. If you buy it directly through an insurance company, you will not be eligible for discounts based on your income. If you buy it through your state’s Marketplace/Exchange, your income will be taken into account, and you may receive an immediate subsidy, which will lower the cost of your premiums, and possibly your deductibles and co-pays as well. To find your state’s Marketplace, go to www.healthcare.gov. Please note: whether you buy it directly from an insurance company or through the Marketplace, you can only buy insurance during Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment occurs once a year; in most states, you must enroll between November 1 and December 15. There are a few exceptions to this rule – if you lose your job-based coverage mid year, get married, have a baby, move to another county or state, or become eligible for Medicaid, you are eligible for a “special enrollment period”. For more information on special enrollment periods, visit www.healthcare.gov.

4. Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-administered health insurance program that provides free or low-cost coverage to millions of Americans. In the 33 states (including Washington DC) that have chosen to “expand” Medicaid, it covers all children and adults below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, which for 1 person in 2020 is $17,237. In the remaining 18 states, it only covers low-income families with children, pregnant women, the blind, and the disabled.

5. Medicare. If you are 65 or over, or have been deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration for 2 years, you may be eligible for Medicare. Contact www.medicare.gov for more information.

If you are unable to afford insurance and are ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare, ask about charity care and sliding scale programs (fees based on your income) at hospitals and clinics. Some hospitals are required to see patients who are uninsured. Contact your local department of public health, social services, or business office of your hospital of choice for more information.

Finally, if you are concerned about either breast or cervical cancer, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides low-income, uninsured women access to screening and diagnostic services to detect breast and cervical cancers. Women who are subsequently diagnosed with cancer may be immediately eligible for limited Medicaid.

There is so much information available about retreats and spa-like getaways that include massage and yoga as part of their healing package. Searching for “retreat cancer patients” brought up numerous websites that have lists about retreats and weekend getaways all across the country. Many of them seemed free or offered at a greatly discounted rate. In a time when financial assistance is often few and far between, the “in-kind” assistance seems to be available and donated in abundance.

Here is a good resource for finding retreats for cancer survivors:

• Cancer.Net’s Camps and Retreats for Families and Children Affected by Cancer

Here are a few examples of possible retreats:

• Casting for Recovery offers free fly-fishing weekends in 33 states for female breast cancer survivors. Founded on the principles that the natural world is a healing force, you don’t have to know how – or even like – to fly fish; the main goal is bonding. The retreats are held from April to November and also incorporate counseling and educational services.
• Mary’s Place by the Sea is a quiet place of retreat and healing in Ocean Grove, NJ with massage, reiki, guided meditation, nutritional counseling, cooking classes, counseling and yoga.
• Stowe Weekend of Hope is a three-day gathering held each spring in the resort town of Stowe, VT, for both male and female cancer survivors and their families. Activities include educational sessions with top doctors presenting current medical research in all areas of cancer treatments, workshops by cancer type, movement and exercise classes, a three-mile run and more.
• Little Pink Houses provides free week-long beach retreats in private homes in North and South Carolina for breast cancer patients and their immediate families.

In terms of insurance covering spa or wellness treatments, rehabilitation and medical massage clinics will sometimes accept various types of insurance for medically necessary massage and physical therapy. Spa and massage treatments can offer a host of physical and mental benefits which are continuously being researched, and medical professionals are viewing them more and more as a way of supporting the whole patient. These types of treatments can improve the outlook people have about their treatments, enhance body awareness, reduce pain and swelling, improve lymph node drainage and minimize the effects of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Many spas have specialized oncology massage therapists who have experience working with cancer patients and know how to tailor treatments. As you’re researching spas, keep in mind the products they use and the level of hygiene the spa offers. As some products can irritate your skin and you may be more susceptible to infections, it’s important to only visit spas and retreats that practice proper cleaning and disinfection schedules.

Finding home health care can be daunting, but there are some resources out there to help your friend get started. The first step is to locate local home health providers:

• Obtain referrals for home health directly from his doctors and his medical team. Often the medical team can provide a list of home health providers in the area.
• Contact the local Department of Aging or local state Ombudsman’s Office and ask for referrals.
• Medicare’s Home Health Compare tool enables you to find and compare Medicare-certified home health care providers.
• Family Caregiver Alliance also has a Family Care Navigator tool where you can locate home health and various caregiver resources.

Once your friend begins to contact home health services she will need to determine who can provide the best services for her and her father:

• Shop around: It’s important that your friend feel she and her father are getting the best possible care. I recommend interviewing at least two agencies and ask for several references. You can also check with your local Department of Aging and the Better Business Bureau to learn more about the different agencies and the quality of their care.
• Determine the services you require and find out how much they will cost.
• Does the agency take her father’s insurance? What cost will he be responsible for?
• Ask about any financial grants available to assist with the cost of home health care.

Below are some links that may be helpful in finding financial assistance:

• Medicare has a page dedicated to financial resources.
• Eldercare also has resources and links for various financial resources including home health care.

Finally, caregiving for your loved one, while rewarding, also comes with many challenges. One of the most important aspects of caregiving is actually caring for yourself. Caregivers often put their own needs aside; however, this can lead to many issues including decrease in physical and emotional health. Remember that when your needs are taken care of, you are better able to care for your loved one. Read more about caregiving in our booklet, Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer.

Know that CancerCare is here to help. We provide many services for caregivers including individual counseling, support groups, Connect Education Workshops and helpful information. Learn more about our caregiver services or call our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE.

It is a natural reaction to feel scared, especially with a cancer diagnosis. It is admirable that you want to be strong for your wife and give her the support she needs, but what about the support you need? It is helpful to have someone to talk to about your fears, someone who can be objective, someone that you can trust. You may want to join a support group for caregivers or engage in individual counseling or both. CancerCare offers in-person counseling for people in New York City, Long Island, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. If you live outside of those areas, we offer short-term telephone counseling to help you cope with the cancer experience. In addition, we also offer support groups in three different modalities: in-person (if you live in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut), telephone support groups and online support groups.

Here is an additional resource that may be helpful to you if you feel you need longer term supportive counseling:

• Help Starts Here, through the National Association of Social Workers offers an online directory of clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other licensed professionals. You can search each database for clinicians who have experience in cancer issues.

There are many financial assistance programs available to help with the cost of cancer treatments. Financial assistance programs in general have specific eligibility criteria that need to be met in order to qualify. It is important to have the following information available when seeking assistance: primary cancer diagnosis, number of people in the household, annual household income, insurance type and the name of the treatments prescribed. Organizations such as CancerCare can help by providing resources locally and nationally through our online Helping Hand Resource guide available at https://www.cancercare.org/helpinghand or by speaking with one of our oncology social workers at 800-813-HOPE (4673).

Here’s a list of co-payment assistance organizations that do provide financial assistance with costs associated with co-payments and coinsurance for treatment related expenses.

• CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: www.cancercare.org/copayfoundation, 866-552-6729
• Good Days: www.mygooddays.org, 877-968-7233
• HealthWell Foundation: www.healthwellfoundation.org, 800-675-8416
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Co-Payment Assistance Program: www.lls.org, 877-557-2672
• Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation: www.panfoundation.org, 866-316-7263
• Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Payment Relief: www.copays.org, 866-512-3861
• Patient Services Incorporated: www.patientservicesinc.org, 800-366-7741
• The Assistance Fund: www.tafcares.org, 855-845-3663

First of all, I commend you for stepping up to help your aunt. The more supports in place for her, the better. That being said, it is also important that she can share her feelings and be understood. Cancer can certainly lead someone down a path of great anxiety. Your aunt’s entire world is shaken up right now, so how could she not be scared?

I will share with you some ideas that might help her to self-soothe. One of the first things I talk about with clients is the power of the word “Now” as a mantra. In life in general, we tend to jump ahead of ourselves and usually to the worst possible scenario. And with a cancer diagnosis, it is even more so. When your aunt jumps to the future, I suggest that she uses the word “Now,” as a reminder—of what is—at this moment. Of course, we are human, and she’ll keep jumping ahead, but the word now is a nice reminder of embracing this moment, and a powerful reminder that all we can control is this moment—our now.

I have done much work on coloring with my clients, and recommend it greatly. Coloring is all the rage now, and the reason why is because it works to reduce anxiety. Sitting down and coloring a pattern for 45 minutes will reduce blood pressure, boost the immune system and a myriad of other positives. Even better, add some calming music and your aunt will be surprised how time flashes by, and how relaxed she may feel after her artistic endeavor.

With doctor’s permission, your aunt should still get out there and exercise in a way that is comfortable to her. I call walking “perfect therapy.” We clear our minds and can consider different directions for our life scenarios. It’s also a wonderful low-impact exercise, and this too helps boost the immune system. While I see everyone out with their earbuds pushed in their ears, I suggest leaving the earbuds at home. Instead, listen to the song of the birds, the wind in the trees, or even the bustle of the city.

It’s also imperative that your aunt eats well and makes eating healthful meals a priority; food has a great impact on not only our health, but our mood. One of my favorite websites for healthful meal ideas is www.cookforyourlife.org.

As a caregiver to your aunt, please do not neglect your own self-care. Remember that CancerCare support services are available to those with cancer and their loved ones. Thank you for your question and remember that we are here for you.

I am sorry to hear about your mother-in-law’s diagnosis, and that it has caused conflict within your home. A cancer diagnosis can bring a myriad of emotions—sadness, anger, bitterness, and fear are some of them. Your husband probably feels powerless in his mother’s diagnosis, and that too is causing him a deep unrest in his soul. He wants to do all he can for his mother, but really does not know what might help her. So, what can he do? First thing, you are correct—counseling might help him address his feelings of loss of control and his fear about what may lie ahead for his mother. Talking about fears is often the best way to assuage them. It is very important that he has at least a modicum of self-care in his daily routine. He may be rushing to work, then rushing to visit mom, maybe taking care of some things at home, going to bed late, and not sleeping well. And this means that he is really not taking time to promote his health. Is he eating well, taking walks, listening to music, relaxing?

I am unsure how old your son is, but if he is young enough, I always suggest that you sit at the dinner table (at least once a week—together) and discuss the good things that are happening and what you are grateful for. Promoting gratitude promotes happiness. Having a family movie night where you watch fun and uplifting movies can also be helpful. Promoting laughter and joy is imperative right now so that you recognize that cancer cannot remove the healthy core of your home. Sit next to each other and hold his hand—the power of touch cannot be denied.

You can call our Hopeline at 800-813-4673, and speak to an oncology social worker. We will let you know about our services that may be helpful to you, your husband and your mother-in-law. We do have an online pancreatic cancer caregiver’s support group that might be helpful. We may also be able to direct you to support services in your immediate area, if you do not live in New York or New Jersey. In the meantime, let your husband know that you are worried about everything too, but the most important thing is that you tackle this together. You are on the same team; remind him of that.

After talking to your child about a cancer diagnosis, books can be a helpful follow-up to encourage learning more about cancer, exploring feelings and asking questions. It can also be a nice opportunity to spend quiet time together or give your child some autonomy to learn independently. Books or other publications are available for different age groups and developmental stages. It is important to choose books that are appropriate for your child by not only looking at the recommended age on the book, but also by looking through the book in its entirety.

CancerCare offers publications and fact sheets:

• Mom or Dad Has Cancer… Now What?
• Helping Children Understand Cancer: Talking to Your Kids About Your Diagnosis
• Helping Teenagers When a Parent Has Cancer
• Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer (booklet)

Suggested Books for Children

• Mom and the Polka Dot Boo Boo tells a story about a young mother’s journey through breast cancer (ages 2-5)
• Our Mom Has Cancer helps children understand and cope with a parent’s cancer (ages 5-12)
• Our Mom is Getting Better and Our Dad is Getting Better helps children understand a parent’s special needs when recovering from active treatment (ages 5-12)
• Because Someone I Love Has Cancer offers activities to help children navigate a loved one’s cancer experience (ages 6-12)
• A Tiny Boat At Sea: How to help children who have a parent diagnosed with cancer By Izetta Smith (all ages)
• Our Family Has Cancer Too! By Christine Clifford. A cartoon illustrated book that describes a family’s experience with cancer and how they coped. Ages 3-16.
• Life Isn’t Always a Day at the Beach By Ganz High Five Publishing. A cartoon illustrated workbook for kids to color themselves to help kids learn and understand their feelings about their parent’s cancer. Ages 4-13.

Kids Konnected has great resources for children and teens. They offer a teen book called Love Sick, which is a collection of thoughts and feelings shared by teens whose parent had cancer.

KidsCope has a free comic book called Kemo Shark to help kids understand cancer and chemotherapy.

The National Cancer Institute has excellent free booklets to help teens cope with cancer, including:

• When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens

If you choose to share books with your child about cancer, be sure to check in with them to see if they have questions about what they read or if they want to talk about it. Our staff of professional oncology social workers are knowledgeable in children’s issues related to a parent’s diagnosis, sibling or other loved one. To speak with a social worker, call us at 800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

That’s a good question and one most people ask when they start meditating. However, it is also one of the primary reasons that undermine their practice—fear of not doing it right. There are many forms of meditation with their own specific guidelines on how to do it: sit cross legged; breath in/out through nose, mouth, left nostril, right nostril; hold hands and body in specific poses; mantra, no mantra, etc. If at some point you decide to choose a specific practice, finding one that speaks to you will deepen your dedication and increase the benefits.

All of meditation, in fact all of life, depends on breath, specifically the 20% of each breath that is oxygen. Grounding yourself in a simple diaphragmatic breath exercise will give you a solid foundation for whatever meditation practice you chose. Next find a comfortable place to do your daily practice. Find a comfortable position sitting on a chair with your back straight and your feet centered on the floor, or cross legged on the ground, arms at your sides or on the armrest, or cup your hands in front of you in your lap (referred to as the lotus position).

Once you are centered you simply start to breathe. In mindfulness meditation you use your breath as a point of focus and when your mind wonders you simply look at that, whether it was a feeling in the body or a thought in the mind, and non-judgmentally, bring yourself back to the breath. Breath is also the core foundation of mantra meditations however instead of observing the breath you focus on a mantra. While there are specific mantras for different meditation practices a one syllable affirming word like Love, Peace, Hope, Joy can also be used to quiet the mind and relax the body.

Finally, different practices set specific guidelines of how long and how often you should practice. Most meditation teachers and practices are legitimate. Holding yourself to the guidelines of a specific practice will deepen the benefits of meditation but (this is the answer to concerns about doing it right), research shows that even 10 minutes of meditation can reap benefits. Give thanks for each period of respite before letting the voice of doubt creep in. Right, first and foremost, is what works for you.

Dating can be difficult enough without having to worry about when and how to disclose a recent history of cancer. There is no right or wrong way to broach this topic on a date, and what may be right for one person might not be right for another. There’s no need to share your cancer history with someone on a first, second, or even third date if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. That being said, I would encourage you to think about your cancer history as another fact about yourself that you will eventually share with a potential partner in the process of getting to know each other. It’s ok to wait until you feel safe and comfortable with someone before disclosing this part of your past. Forming a deeper connection with a potential partner before you trust them with this information is a way to protect yourself, and there’s nothing wrong with waiting if that’s what you need. Hopefully once you do share this information with someone they will be supportive and understanding and this sharing will bring you both closer together.

If you’re looking for additional support as you transition into survivorship, check out CancerCare’s Young Adult Post-Treatment Survivorship Support Group. This can be a great place to speak with other young adults struggling with similar questions and to learn what they have found helpful. CancerCare also has a great publication on this topic Dating and New Relationships: During and After Cancer that you might find helpful as well.

Juggling cancer treatment and its side effects with school and work would be overwhelming for anyone. Adding depression into that mix makes it all seem nearly impossible. In this situation, not only do you need to treat your cancer, but your mental health as well. HelpPro is a great website that can help you find a therapist in your area that accepts your insurance, and CancerCare provides free short-term counseling as well.

There are a number of organizations you can turn to for financial assistance, such as The Samfund, which provides grants to young adults that can help with medical bills, living expenses, tuition and student loans, etc. There are many other organizations that can help as well, but they are specific to the type of cancer or your location. You may view additional scholarship resources on our website.

At CancerCare, we have a Hopeline staffed by oncology social workers who can provide information about resources and referrals, CancerCare’s financial assistance grants and emotional support. You can reach us at 800-813-4673, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

You can also see a list of organizations we commonly refer to through our publication called A Helping Hand.: The Resource Guide for People With Cancer.

I am sorry to hear about your dental and vision struggles for the past couple of years. Here are possible resources for both the vision and dental that you can explore.

Dental

• Dental Lifeline Network - Select your state and see what programs are available
• American Dental Association - Get information on volunteer dentist programs, as well as find a dentist in your area
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - Find resources and suggestions on how to get dental services

Vision

• New Eyes for the Needy (973-376-4903) - Purchases new prescription eyeglasses through a voucher program for children and adults in the United States who cannot afford glasses on their own. Client must work through a social worker, case worker or agency to submit an application. Applications must be submitted with a copy of a recent eye prescription (applicants must have had their eyes examined within the past 12 months)
• Lions Club International - Get assistance (grant) or find possible resources

Both Dental and Vision

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Centers
• Remote Area Medical - Provides mobile medical clinics for medical, dental and vision services
• National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics - Search for free and charitable clinics in your area

As your daughter prepares for her next steps in treatment, it is understandable that you would like her to gather support for herself. A cancer diagnosis can be isolating and having additional outlets of support can potentially benefit her in a number of ways. However, as difficult as it may be to accept, the decision to seek this support must be her own.

What you can do is make her aware of the many resources available to her. Your daughter may not be open to the idea of counseling for instance, but she may be more receptive to a support group of peers. Joining a group can offer comfort and community, and the sense of being understood by others facing similar challenges. Groups can also help participants learn new ways of coping and offer hope. CancerCare offers a face-to-face Young Adult Patient Support Group for anyone located in the New York City area. In addition, we offer an online Young Adult Patient Support Group for anyone living in the United States. Your daughter may also contact Stupid Cancer, an organization that addresses young adult cancer issues through advocacy, support and more.

Finally, you may want to consider connecting with your own support. CancerCare offers a number of services for caregivers like yourself, including our online Caring for an Adult Child with Cancer Support Group. We also offer a number of publications and informational podcasts about navigating the caregiver experience. For more information, you can contact CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673).

There are many people who decide to work while in treatment for cancer, whether it’s for financial reasons or to maintain stability and routine. It is important to know that you are not required to disclose your diagnosis to your employer. However, if you do decide to disclose, you should be aware of your rights. The Americans with Disability Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the workplace. In other words, as long as you are able to complete your work and fulfill your duties, you can’t legally be fired for having cancer. Some of the accommodations recommended by the ADA include flexible work hours that will not interfere with treatment schedules and doctor’s appointments, breaks, the ability to work remotely and many more. If any of these accommodations are needed, speak with your manager or human resources department to discuss your options. You might want to speak with your doctors prior to speaking with your employers to determine potential side effects and how they may impact your performance. It can be an incredible relief to have an extra layer of support from your employers and coworkers. Unfortunately, some employers are not as understanding. Be sure to document the interactions you have had with your manager or Human Resources and any issues you have experienced. You might want to obtain job performance evaluations that highlight your work. There are many resources available to help navigate how to proceed if you’ve been discriminated against, including:

• The Americans with Disability Act: www.ada.gov
• Cancer and Careers: www.cancerandcareers.org
• Cancer Legal Resource Center: 866- 843-2572 or www.cancerlegalresourcecenter.org
• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: 800-669-4000 or www.eeoc.gov

I suggest you speak to your transplant team about when you can return to work. Since your immune system is completely destroyed and then replaced, it can take anywhere from around three months from an autologous transplant, to about nine months if you have an allogeneic transplant. You may also feel a lot of fatigue and the many doctor appointments and follow ups after your transplant may make it harder to go back to work. You also may want to take into account the type of work you do. If the work is less labor intensive, you may feel well enough earlier, than if your work requires more labor intensive activities.

In terms of taking a leave of absence, you might want to speak to your Human Resources department and/or supervisor about your options. During the workup phase, you may be able to continue your work schedule, but it depends on what the workup and pre-transplant procedure is like at your transplant center. I would encourage you to get a direct answer from your health care team. During the transplant you will be hospitalized for at least a month, during that time you will not be able to go to work. You may be too fatigued to be able to work remotely. When you are ready to return (with your doctor’s permission), I would encourage you to speak to HR/your supervisor to work out a schedule to work only a few days a week before going back into a full-time schedule, as you may have to slowly reintegrate work back into your normal routine. For more guidance, I encourage you to listen to our Connect Education Workshop “Transplantation as a Treatment Option for Blood Cancers,” as it provides information about stem cell transplants that you might find useful. Cancer and Careers may also be a useful resource as well.

Children and teenagers experience a range of feelings after a loved one is diagnosed with cancer and it is common for parents to wonder how they can best support their children. While some teenagers may outwardly express their fears, questions and concerns, others may be less expressive. Let your son/daughter know that you are available to talk when he/she is ready. Encourage him/her to come to you with questions and that if you don’t know an answer you will work together to find it out.

Together with your son/daughter, identify the people he/she would feel comfortable turning to for support. For example, you, other family members, teacher, school social worker, religious advisor or family friend. It can be helpful to inform your child’s teacher and school social worker about your diagnosis so that they can provide additional support to your son/daughter at school.

In addition to individual support, teenagers can benefit from participating in a support group. Teenagers often feel isolated and alone as they cope with the cancer diagnosis of a loved one and support groups provide the opportunity for teenagers to meet others who know what it’s like to have a loved one with cancer. This gives them a safe space to express how they feel, give and get support from their peers and learn healthy coping skills.

The Cancer Support Community lists support centers in several states that provide support groups for children and teens. You may also want to speak with the social worker at your hospital or treatment center about local services available for children and teens.

The American Cancer Society may also provide a listing of support services available in your area. They can be reached at 1-800-227-2345.

To learn more about supporting a teen when a loved one has cancer, please read Helping Teenagers When a Parent Has Cancer. An additional resource you may find helpful is our Connect Education Workshop, Helping Children and Teens Understand When a Parent or Loved One Has Cancer.

CancerCare offers free telephone counseling and support to parents who have been diagnosed with cancer. To speak with an oncology social worker for more information about finding the right type of support for your child based on his/her unique needs, call our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673).

It is common for people who have undergone chemotherapy and other cancer treatments to experience long term side effects. Although most side effects are short term, the type, length and dosage of treatments as well as your own body and past medical history will influence the severity and the length of the lingering side effects. Some side effects can take months or even years to go away completely and some – damage to heart, kidneys, or reproductive organs – can last a lifetime.

Starting a health care journal will help you keep track of how you are feeling and the frequency of the side effects you are experiencing. Logging in the time, the severity, and anything you think could have triggered what you are feeling will help you identify patterns and will help your medical team better understand your post treatment experience. It is essential that you speak to your medical team about the symptoms. Your doctors may be able to provide medication to ease some of the effects or specific therapies to help you recover.

For more information, CancerCare has a number of Connect Education Workshops that address some of the most common post-treatment issues for young adults. Below are a few options and please check out our extensive library of topics.

• Chemobrain: The Impact of Cancer Treatments on Memory, Thinking and Attention

• Neuropathy and Joint Aches: New Post Treatment Challenges

• Managing Post-Treatment Neuropathy

• Young Adult Survivorship: Fertility, Sexuality and Intimacy

• Using Mind/Body Techniques to Cope with the Stress of Survivorship

You may also view a complete list of workshops available and all of our resources regarding side effects.

There are two main types of testing that can be helpful for treatment, although it is up to oncologists to determine whether or not genetic testing is necessary for specific patients. One type of genetic testing is predictive genetic testing, to see if a patient has a higher risk of certain types of cancer. Predictive genetic testing may affect the type of treatment suggested once cancer is diagnosed, due to existing knowledge about connected inherited cancers.

The other type of testing is when oncologists test cancer cells to determine the precise mutation that led to cancer, called genomic testing. This may be an inherited mutation, or may be an acquired gene change that occurred due to environmental or unknown reasons. Testing existing cancerous cells for their gene changes helps patients to have more information about recurrence rates, targeted treatment, and treatment choices.

To determine if genetic testing is necessary for a specific type of cancer, patients can ask their oncologists, or request to meet with a genetic counselor. A genetic counselor can help patients determine if genetic testing would be helpful, as many genetic mutations may not reveal concrete steps that affect treatment.

Getting genetic testing can affect patients’ levels of anxiety, and fear for the future, so it is important to take time either before or after the test to speak with medical professions who can help explain the statistics and information shown in a genetic test. Advanced testing of cancer cells may not be recommended by genetic counselors depending on the type of cancer, so it is important to speak with a patient’s medical team before determining treatment options.

Consider speaking with a professional about fear, anxiety, or stress connected to genetic testing. Some people diagnosed with cancer also join support groups, to connect with others who have had similar genetic tests. We also have many podcasts available with experts in the field discussing some of the benefits of genetics and genomic testing.

Yoga is a wonderful practice to consider while in treatment or post treatment for cancer. Yoga has been proven to reduce the psychological stress caused by one’s diagnosis while helping to manage the physical symptoms and side effects of treatment. Patients should always speak to their doctors to ensure that yoga is safe and right for them prior to practicing. It is important to be aware of any physical limitations that exist as a result of surgery or treatment.

One of the great things about yoga is it can be easily adapted or modified based on the individual’s needs. It can also serve as the perfect segue to more intense workouts. If new to yoga, it is best to start at a studio with a licensed instructor to learn the proper techniques and potential modifications. Reach out to the oncology social worker on your team to learn about any local programs. There are also many free classes available online that are tailored to the needs of cancer patients.

You may read more about yoga in an article I wrote “The Benefits of Yoga for Cancer Patients.”

Yoga is a wonderful practice to consider when beginning to exercise after recovering from surgery. One of the great things about yoga is it can be easily adapted or modified based on the individual’s needs. However, it is incredibly important to have a conversation with your doctor prior to starting yoga to ensure it is safe to practice and make yourself aware of any new physical limitations caused by surgery. Most doctors recommend waiting a certain period of time prior to engaging in any sort of physical activity, especially if you are experiencing pain and stiffness. Once you get your doctor’s approval, it is best to start at a studio with a licensed instructor to learn the proper techniques and modifications needed. There are many stretches and poses meant to ease one’s body into the movements.

Yoga has been proven to reduce the psychological stress caused by one’s diagnosis, while helping to manage the physical symptoms and side effects. If you are interested in practicing, contact the oncology social worker on your team to learn about local programs. There are also many free classes available online that are tailored to the needs of cancer patients.

I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s diagnosis. CancerCare offers financial assistance in the form of a small grant that can go towards the cost of transportation, home care, child care, food, and living expenses for anyone affected by COVID-19. Unfortunately, it will not not cover the full cost of your mother’s treatment, so I would recommend getting her health insurance in the U.S. if she doesn’t already have it and speaking with a hospital social worker to see if they can assist you in that process. You can also ask to speak with someone in the hospital’s finance department and inquire about the possibility of a sliding scale or payment plan. Finally, you may call us at 800-813-4673 to speak with an oncology social worker who can search for possible additional resources.

I’m sorry to hear about what your son had to go through last year and what you’re having to go through now. I would recommend speaking with your son’s doctor and perhaps scheduling a consult over the phone or video chat for you and your son to attend together so his doctor can explain to him what his risk is and what precautions he should take to minimize that risk during the pandemic. In addition or instead, perhaps he could attend an appointment with you and your oncologist so your doctor can explain how a COVID-19 diagnosis might affect you and the increased risk your son is putting you at by not following social distancing precautions. Your health and your son’s health are important and precautions should be taken to protect you both during this pandemic. I wish you both all the best and hope you stay safe. If you’d like to speak about this topic further we do offer individual counseling over the phone with an oncology social worker. Please give us a call at 800-813-4673 to learn more about our emotional support services.

You may also find helpful information in our Connect Education Workshops about COVID-19:

• The New Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidelines for People Coping with Cancer
• The New Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updated Guidelines for People Coping with Cancer

View all of our coronavirus and COVID-19 resources >>

I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s situation. I would recommend that she speak with her medical team to better understand the risks that COVID-19 might pose for her, and to better understand what precautions she should take if she continues to work. If she stops working, she can apply for unemployment benefits online through the government and can apply to receive financial assistance from some cancer organizations which I’ll provide contact information for below:

• CancerCare COVID-19 Grant: 800-813-4673
• PAN Foundation COVID-19 Grant: 866-316-7263

If you or she have any further questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 800-813-4673 to speak with an oncology social worker directly for additional resources and support.

View all of our coronavirus and COVID-19 resources >>

It can be difficult to be the primary caregiver for a loved one with advanced cancer and there are many steps you can take to ensure that she has adequate support.

The first thing to consider is the state in which you live and your mother’s health insurance policy. Benefits, resources and coverage can vary state to state, so it’s important to take that into consideration before you being your search for a caregiver. Secondly, do you know if your mother qualifies for palliative and/or hospice care? To explain a bit further, hospice care is a service intended to provide support for those who are nearing the end of their life. In many states, patients are usually referred to hospice care when treatment is no longer an option. Palliative care strives to improve quality of life for those with advanced illness. They may be able to help manage pain and side effects in a different way than her oncologist. In most cases, hospice care is available to those who have stopped treatment due to the severity of their diagnosis. Some of these services are covered by insurance, but it does depend. Read more in our fact sheet “Palliative Care: What You Need to Know”.

Unfortunately, many patients that are in need of caregivers usually have to pay for this service out of pocket. Many of these services that help with household chores and daily tasks (feeding, dressing, bathing, etc.) are usually private pay, meaning that you would need to hire someone to come into the home to help. CancerCare has a small financial assistance program that can help towards home care needs. If you are interested in applying on behalf of your mother, please call our Hopeline (800-813-4673) to speak with an oncology social worker. We also understand the stress that comes along with the role of a primary caregiver. If you are interested in receiving additional emotional support, you can speak to an oncology social worker to find out if our short-term counseling is the right fit for you.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19”. Depending on what state you live in and the re-opening guidelines set by your state governor, you may be eligible for additional paid leave.

However, the first step would be to contact your human resources representative to explore your current options. If you are considered to be immunocompromised due to the treatment you are receiving, you may be able to continue to telework instead of taking paid leave. Speaking with your human resource department would allow you to request reasonable accommodations, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodations may include an extended time period in which you are able to work from home to reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Although there is not one direct answer to your question, I strongly suggest you advocate for yourself to your human resource department in order to find out what option may be best for you. If you have additional questions or would like to speak to an oncology social worker, please call our Hopeline at 800-813-4673.

The short answer is yes, but the longer answer depends on where you live and what the current guidelines are that have been set by your state governor. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended to use telemedicine when possible, as in, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician through a video platform. Many doctors are now utilizing secure video platforms to see their patients and complete assessments.

If you can, reach out to your primary care physician to see if an appointment is available either in person or over video. From there, they can provide referrals for further testing if necessary. If you do not have a primary care physician, you can reach out to your insurance provider to for a referral for a physician in your area covered by your insurance plan.

Support group has become a much broader term than many of us realize. What type of support group do you intend to start? At CancerCare, we offer three modalities of support group: including in-person, which is the format that most of us think of when we think of a support group; telephone, which is more like a weekly conference call that is moderated by an oncology social worker; and on-line, which is a message board format. Each modality has different features as well as limitations.

After deciding what modality of group will be most beneficial to your potential group members, you will also want to determine the content, structure and policies. Is your group about members sharing their experiences? Do you want an educational component with guest speakers? How often are you going to meet and where? Who is eligible to participate in the group? Who is going to moderate the group? What are the rules for discussion and maintaining privacy? What mechanisms are in place to enforce your group’s guidelines?

Familiarize yourself with existing groups. Local medical centers often offer support groups that are open to the community. Contact national advocacy organizations for specific cancer diagnoses to find out if they have a chapter where you live.

Unfortunately, being uninsured, underinsured, or finding health insurance can be extremely difficult as one proceeds with cancer treatment. I can understand many mixed emotions when diagnosed as well as continuing through several hardships and obstacles that may arise. Please know you are not alone, and there may be several options to explore.

CancerCare offers limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs such as transportation and child care, and our oncology social workers can help you find resources. CancerCare also now provides free national Resource Navigation Services to patients, post-treatment survivors and caregivers affected by cancer. We offer a short-term, strengths-based approach to resource navigation where the social worker will work with the client in connecting them to resources, referrals and financial assistance.

Depending where you live, there may be state options to access medical insurance coverage. Triage Cancer is an extremely helpful resource in navigating health insurance concerns. Additionally, I would recommend taking look at the Healthcare Marketplace. I am also wondering if there are any short-term benefits or unemployment benefits that you may be eligible for.

COVID-19 has had such an immense impact on jobs, and I can understand how difficult this may be as your wife continues through cancer treatment. I would definitely encourage you to call our Hopeline (800-813-4673) to speak to one of our oncology social workers about potential financial assistance options through our organization. Some hospitals or treatment centers may have different patient payment plans to help offset some of these cancer treatment related costs, a social worker or financial counselor may be able to provide more information. There are also organizations that provide small financial assistance grants that may help to alleviate some overall costs. Our social workers also can explore additional resources for financial assistance. Some organizations may have specific funding for those impacted by COVID-19 such as:

• Colorectal Cancer Alliance - COVID-19 Crisis Financial Assistance Fund
• Team Rubicon COVID-19 Food Assistance Program
• Family Reach COVID-19 Emergency Fund

It may also be helpful to look into either short-term benefits or unemployment benefits if possible.

We know that cancer patients and survivors are more vulnerable to COVID-19. However, being in active treatment and navigating this pandemic can feel especially difficult. Be sure to discuss with her treatment team the safety precautions they are taking. If possible, prior to the radiation appointment, request a telemedicine meeting and ask questions such as:

• Can we wait in the car until the team is ready for her?
• Are visitors being allowed at this time?
• Can she wear her mask during radiation?

Here is a link to our factsheet regarding speaking with your treatment team. Perhaps, this will also help clarify some additional questions you may have.
“Questions to Ask Your Health Care Team About the Coronavirus and COVID-19”

Cancer centers are doing their best to ensure safety and continuity in treatment. Many are enacting social distancing markers, health screenings, frequent cleanings, and more. However, you are not alone in this concern. We are hearing from patients and caregivers how stressful it is to navigate not only a cancer diagnosis but also this unprecedented time. Increased feelings of anxiety and fear are normal. Feel free to reach out to our national hotline (800-813-4673) to see if any of our other services are of interest to you. Our social workers are happy to explore additional resources. We provide limited financial assistance that can help with treatment-related cost. Applying for this program could help with the cost of taking her to treatment and reducing any use of public transportation.

If your sister was previously employed and receiving health insurance coverage through her employment inquire about COBRA which will help her keep that insurance. Another option of getting coverage is through the Health Insurance Marketplace for the state that she lives in. You can do that through www.healthcare.gov. The Health Insurance Marketplace will ask questions in order to determine what coverage is available for her needs as well as what her current budget allows. These two options are available to help her get coverage, but it will also require a fee for the coverage. If the fees are a too much for her current budget then a suggestion is to look into Insurance Premium Payment programs that might help offset some of the costs.

If paying for insurance coverage at this time is not in the realm of possibilities, then you can reach out to hospitals that might offer charity care. Charity care will help get some kind of treatment but it depends on the hospital what their charity care consists of. Another option is to see if there are hospitals that have their own insurance network. Some hospitals and cancer centers offer their own in-house insurance which is only valid within the facility for services. The last option for receiving services is to inquire about patient assistance programs within the hospital or cancer center. Patient assistance programs can help by providing a grant, payment plans, sliding scale or resources about other grants to help cover the costs.

If you need any additional resources or assistance, CancerCare offers a number of publications with resources for financial assistance. Below are two of them:

• A Helping Hand Resource Guide
• Coping With Cancer When You’re Uninsured

If you would like a little more personalized experience CancerCare offers a Resource Navigation Program free of charge that will provide you with a case manager who can assist in locating local financial and emotional support resources.

Lastly, another resource is www.cancerfinances.org that offers a toolkit for navigating finances after a cancer diagnosis.

It sounds like you might not be able to afford coverage at this time so you should reach out to hospitals that might offer charity care. Charity care will help get some kind of treatment but it depends on the hospital what their charity care consists of. Another option is to see if there are hospitals that have their own insurance network. Some hospitals and cancer centers offer their own in-house insurance which is only valid within the facility for services. The last option for receiving services is to inquire about patient assistance programs within the hospital or cancer center. Patient assistance programs can help by providing a grant, payment plans, sliding scale or resources about other grants to help cover the costs.

You may take a look at our online resource guide to see what financial resources are available to you.

One last suggestion regarding the previous bill is reaching out to your network of family and friends. Sometimes family members and friends can assist with some of the funds or can assist in coming up with a fundraising plan.

If you would like more personalized experience, CancerCare offers a Resource Navigation Program free of charge that will provide you with a case manager than can assist in locating local financial and emotional support resources.

I want to start with saying that what your dad is feeling right now is completely normal. Both patients and caregivers are experiencing a lot of isolation due to COVID-19 and social distancing protocols. This pandemic has made it that much harder for people to connect with social or professional support.

That being said, CancerCare offers a handful of online support groups for caregivers that are moderated by oncology social workers. Further, we do currently offer groups specifically for spouses and partners, including our Caregiver Support Group for Spouses/Partners. If your dad is interested in registering, please share the link with him so he can get the process started. He will fill out a registration form with contact information and answer just a few questions about his current situation. Once that is submitted, our social workers will be able follow up with him directly.

It is important to note that our online support groups are in a message board format where members can introduce themselves and join in on ongoing discussions through writing posts. Members have access to the group 24/7 so there is no designated meeting time. If this modality is not what your dad is looking for, please know that you or your dad are welcome to call CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-4673 to speak with an oncology social worker to find out about possible local support groups and other services.

Please know that we also have other caregiver groups for loved ones other than a spouse or partner, if you were interested in connecting with support. We also do offer an ovarian cancer patient support group if your mom was looking for support. View all of our support groups »

It is important to be mindful of the fact that the LGBTQ+ community has historically faced a great deal of violence and discrimination. Although we have made massive strides toward greater equality, stigma and biases do still exist. A 2010 study by Lambda Legal revealed that 56% of LGBTQ+ respondents had experienced discrimination in healthcare, including being refused treatment and/or physical touch, as well as being blamed for their health status. For this reason, be mindful of the fact that an LGBTQ+ identified client may be feeling fear or anxiety during your encounters with them.

Healthcare providers may assume their acceptance of LGBTQ+ patients is a given, or that sexual orientation and gender identity is not relevant to the quality of their care. However, implementing simple changes such as visibly displaying a rainbow flag or utilizing more inclusive language at intake can go a long way in soothing underlying concerns and foster a greater sense of safety. Clearly indicating that your practice is an accepting environment signals to both LGBTQ+ patients and staff that it is okay for them to be “out” without fear of intolerance. This has been linked to improved health outcomes and overall wellness across the continuum of care. The National LGBT Cancer Network and the HRC’s annual Healthcare Equality Index both outline best practices and recognition criteria for LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare services.

Much of the potential harm or misunderstanding LGBTQ+ folks experience in medical settings is likely inadvertent and usually results from a lack of familiarity or fluency with LGBTQ+ culture. Your desire to educate yourself and your team is a vital first step in creating a more inclusive environment. The National LGBT Cancer Network offers excellent LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency trainings, which can make a huge and lasting impact in both the mental and physical health outcomes of your LGBTQ+ patients.

Thank you for reaching out. We highly recommend all patients receive second opinions, especially when you believe that your grandfather is not getting the best treatment for his cancer. If he has insurance, I would reach out to the company and see what other hospitals/physicians are in his network. You may also want to contact an academic medical institution or a National Cancer Institute-designated facility. Secondly, it is important to remember that most doctors welcome a second opinion. Receiving a second opinion is a normal part of the cancer journey. The second opinion will help confirm the diagnosis/treatment and may suggest other alternative treatment options.

We realize that starting this conversation with your grandfather’s doctor may feel uncomfortable. However, keep in mind that many times doctors appreciate this as it is another opportunity for someone else to review their care decisions. Here are a couple of statements that may help:

• “I would like the reassurance of a second opinion. This will help us feel confident in continuing with the current treatment plan. What is the next step?”

• “I am worried for my grandfather as he is sharing minimal information with me. I would appreciate it if you could please provide me with more information regarding his current treatment plan.” This will be essential information to know when comparing notes between the original treatment team and second opinion. Additionally, you can request to have his current treatment plan sent to the second opinion physician.

Also, I would recommend speaking to his treatment team regarding a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. This will help analyze his cancer, comorbid medical conditions, functional, psychological, social, financial and cognitive status. These assessments are essential for older adult clients as they provide a wealth of information that can help guide treatment decisions.

For additional information on improving doctor-patient communication, view our resources.

Please know CancerCare is here for you. Our oncology social workers are available to assist you and address the many issues that come up as you and your family go through this. We can help you with questions to ask your medical team and also provide support. You can contact us through our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673).

Finishing cancer treatment often brings mixed feelings. A sense of relief and feelings of accomplishment are normal; so, too, is uncertainty about the future. Your instinct to prepare in some way for your survivorship is a good one. Here are some steps you can take to keep both your mind and your body healthy as you continue to work with your medical team.

Ask your doctor for a Treatment Summary. This should include:

• Your type(s) of cancer with the date and stage at diagnosis
• Types of treatment received (surgery, chemotherapy drugs, radiation doses and tests performed)
• Complications experienced (side effects, transfusions, hospitalizations)
• Other services used (physical therapy, acupuncture, herbal)

Discuss with your doctor what your Follow-Up Plan will be. This should include:

• Future schedule of visits (time and date)
• Who will deliver follow-up care (and where)
• Tests that will be done and why (surveillance and preventative)
• Assessment and treatment for long- or late-term effects (e.g., lymphedema, depression, pain)
• Evaluation of current health behaviors and promotion of healthy life style

There are great resources available that can help you organize all of the above information. The LiveSTRONG Foundation has developed worksheets and a Survivorship Notebook. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) provides information about Living Beyond Cancer.

You mentioned feeling “on your own” now that your treatment is complete. This is a common feeling when treatment ends, and it’s good to know about the different types of support available to you:

• Professional support provides you with information, resources and counseling
• Peer-to-Peer support reduces your sense of isolation and helps you connect with others who share similar concerns

To tap into these types of support, speak with an oncology social worker or join a post-treatment support group at CancerCare. A social worker can also help you identify local support services.

Finally, you might find it useful to listen to these Connect Education Workshops:

• The Importance of Communicating with Your Doctor About Follow-Up Care
• The Importance of Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Managing the Stress of Survivorship

I suggest seeing if your school has a counseling center. You mentioned that you are having trouble dealing with the guilt, which is understandable, with two significant losses. That can overwhelm your capacity to cope and make sense of what happened, let alone arrive at a meaning that you can live with. Struggling with that by yourself can increase your sense of powerlessness and isolation.

Guilt and regret are not unusual. And you may have a valid reason for feeling those emotions. My hope is that in working with a counselor, over time you can rediscover other aspects of your relationships with your grandparents that are being overshadowed by the immediacy of the loss, and incorporate those into a comforting narrative that integrates both the loss and the closeness of your relationship with each of them, and the ongoing meaning they, and those relationships, continue to have even in the present.

Thoughts of what you could have or should have done are evidence that you are having a hard time accepting the losses. It’s a little bit like magical thinking, in reverse. If you had only done that one thing, the outcome would have been different, and you wouldn’t be feeling this way. This is normal, and should decrease as you adjust to the new reality. Talking about it with someone who understands can facilitate that adjustment.

We offer bereavement support groups, both in-person in our New York City offices, and online. You might also contact your school’s health and wellness center to see if they have any information on local young adult bereavement support groups.

Uncertainty is one of the most challenging emotions that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Not only does the individual diagnosed have to cope with the emotional and practical challenges, but also the caregiver. People often feel so anxious that they become agitated if they do not get answers to their questions quickly. As you explained, many times, individuals will displace their anger. Unfortunately, it is much easier to be angry at someone than cope with the many mixed emotions accompanying a cancer diagnosis.

Caregiving is very challenging, especially as you are doing all you can for her. As you already did, letting her know that resources are out there is immensely helpful, even if she became angry. While she may think these services aren’t necessary now, you have let her know that support is available when she is ready.

Also, as much as possible, take care of yourself. If you have insurance, reach out to your company and see if they can provide you with a list of therapists in your network. Therefore, you can have a place to process the emotional highs and lows of caregiving. Also, find time for self-care. This can be an extra five minutes in the shower, a nice walk, or mindfully sipping your coffee in the morning.

Lastly, I would like to share with you the Caregiver Bill of Rights written by Jo Horne. It is an ongoing reminder that outlines the rights belonging to those caregiving for a loved one.

One of my favorite lines is, “I have the right to get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.” Remember, you are also learning to navigate this “new normal” of caregiving and going through the highs and lows. Often, people will print it out and tape it on their mirror or keep it in their wallets.

If you have any further questions, please contact CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-4673. An oncology social worker will be able to guide you further on resources in your area and CancerCare services. We offer free online support groups that can be helpful as you will share with other individuals also navigating caregiving challenges.

When you are diagnosed with cancer you are faced with many immediate decisions to make, it is extremely overwhelming. It is challenging to process the news of your diagnosis, especially when you have been notified that treatment needs to begin right away. Unfortunately, fertility is not always an immediate conversation or something an individual may automatically think about when beginning cancer treatment. It may not feel or seem like a priority in that moment. Fortunately, the topic of fertility is gaining increasing awareness for both men and women. More and more doctors are having these conversations prior to cancer treatment. And, there are many wonderful organizations that support fertility options—physically, emotionally, and even financially.

In general, fertility preservation is the process of saving or protecting eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue so that a person can use them to have biological children in the future. It may be time sensitive and could also be necessary to explore prior to cancer treatment. However, everyone’s situation is different and there are many factors to be considered. Therefore, it is important to speak to your medical team to further discuss what your options may be. You may also want to make an appointment with a fertility specialist to gain additional information throughout this process. As medical advancements continue, doctors and patients may become aware of more options. Today, there are many ways to have children and it is important to determine what may be the best fit for you.

The following resources may also be helpful to explore:

• The National Cancer Institute - Fertility
• Fertility Preservation
• Livestrong Fertility
• Fertility Within Reach

Fertility issues can be stressful and complex. If you would like to further discuss this topic and how to address it before, during, and after treatment you may be interested in calling CancerCare’s Hopeline to speak to an oncology social worker.

When discussing fertility, preservation costs can play a huge role in determining how to move forward. It may be essential to explore your fertility options—physically and financially—when diagnosed with cancer. It is important to speak to your doctor or specialist in regards to your concerns; they may be able to offer further guidance that best suits your needs. There may also be organizations that offer financial assistance to help pay for these fertility costs.

The following organizations may offer financial assistance to help alleviate these expenses:

• Livestrong Fertility
• Fertility Within Reach
• Reprotech
• The Samfund
• Team Maggie
• Ferring Health
• Cade Foundation
• Baby Quest
• Hope for Fertility
• Parental Hope

You may also view all of CancerCare’s fertility resources.

Being newly diagnosed is a chaotic time as you’re taking in a lot of information and figuring out the details of your diagnosis and treatment plan. Joining a support group or reaching out to a peer matching program might be a good way to learn from other patients. At this time, CancerCare does not have a group for newly diagnosed patients or for sarcoma. Our support groups are offered based on demand and we have not had enough members to create these groups to be active and helpful to participants. But, I can make some suggestions to help you get connected to support and information.

First, the following organizations focus on sarcoma education, resources and support:

• Sarcoma Alliance (view their support group resources)
• Sarcoma Foundation of America (lists this as an online group option: inspire.com/groups/sarcomaconnect)
• Sarcoma Coalition

You can also try www.smartpatients.com, which offers many different groups for patients and caregivers affected by specific illnesses including sarcoma.

Peer matching is another great option to connect with another patient with a similar diagnosis. Someone who has been through this will be able to give you suggestions, answer questions and tell you what helped them during their diagnosis. I would suggest:

• Imerman Angels
• Cancer Hope Network

I also wanted to share some helpful information from our programs. CancerCare has couple of publications and workshops that cover the questions you mentioned:

Specific to sarcoma:

• Treatment Update: Sarcoma
• Update on Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Managing Costs of Cancer:

• Managing the Cost of Cancer

Workplace resources:

• www.cancercare.org/tagged/workplace_issues

You may also want to look at www.cancerandcareers.org, which can provide you with helpful suggestions about navigating the workplace and employee rights during a cancer diagnosis.

I hope these suggestions are helpful and would encourage you to reach out to CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-4673. All the calls are answered by oncology social workers who can connect you with support and resources. Our hours are Mondays to Thursdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST and Fridays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST.

Biomarkers (short for biological markers) are indicators in the body or tumor that can influence which treatments may be most effective for an individual and allow for personalized medicine. Understanding biomarkers can be challenging and complex. Getting access to accurate information is important. I would first encourage you to speak with your health care team to better understand which biomarker test is best for you based on the specific diagnosis. Here are some questions for your doctor to identify which biomarker testing is right for you and how that would influence your care:

• Is there a biomarker test for my type of cancer?
• How is this test administered?
• How will that test help in the diagnosis or treatment of my cancer?
• Can I get a copy of the pathology report and the results of biomarker tests?
• How accurate are these results?
• Should I get a second opinion on the pathology of my tumor and/or biomarker testing?

Your health care team could also recommend trusted websites or organizations specific to the diagnosis. There are many resources that provide the latest information on biomarkers. The specific website that would best provide information for you would depend on the type of cancer. For example:

• LUNGevity has specific information on lung cancer biomarkers
• Fight Colorectal Cancer has dedicated a portion of their website to educate patients on biomarkers pertaining to that diagnosis
• FORCE: Facing Hereditary Cancer EMPOWERED provides information about biomarkers and specific cancer types
• American Cancer Society reviews biomarkers and personalized medicine

Finally, CancerCare’s website provides options to educate patients and caregivers on different types of cancer biomarkers, including:

• Understanding the Role of Biomarkers in Treating Cancer
• Lung Cancer: New Tools for Making Decisions About Treatment
• CancerCare’s Connect Education Workshops on biomarkers

Starting a family is an experience that many look forward to their whole lives. Unfortunately, a cancer diagnosis can threaten one’s chance of having this experience. The extent to which your fertility is compromised is based on many factors, including age, type of cancer and method of treatment. It is so important to talk to your healthcare team prior to and while in treatment to determine how your treatment plan may impact your fertility and the best ways of preserving it. There are many options available to preserve fertility, including freezing your eggs, embryos and ovarian tissue. If your doctors do not bring up fertility preservation, be sure to be your own advocate and address your concerns right away.

It can be incredibly stressful and difficult to think about how your treatment will affect your fertility, especially at such a young age. This might not only impact you, but your partner as well. Feelings of depression and anxiety are common while exploring your options. There are many support services available that can help navigate fertility perseveration and emotions this conversation might cause. Oncology social workers are able to offer support and guidance regarding this difficult topic. CancerCare offers free counseling services provided by their licensed oncology social workers.

Additional fertility resources include:

• The Oncofertility Consortium

• The Samfund: Support for Young Adult Cancer Survivors

• CancerCare’s publication Coping With Fertility Concerns: Finding Resources and Support

Caring for a family member or loved one with cancer can be a full-time job. There are lots of unknowns and by asking for help, you have taken the first step in helping your mother. Luckily, there are a variety of resources available to assist you with caring for your mother. I encourage you to start by taking care of yourself so that you can be as prepared as possible to assist your mother. You will find suggestions in our publications, “Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?” and Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer.

Our free Connect Education Workshops provide helpful, practical information:

• Survivors Too: Family, Friends, and Loved Ones - Managing the Fatigue of Caregiving
• For Caregivers: Coping with Holidays, Special Occasions, and Birthdays, Throughout the Year

Family Caregiver Alliance is an organization that focuses solely on the needs of caregivers.

Another helpful resource is the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s publication, Advanced Cancer Care Planning: What Patients and Families Need to Know About Their Choices When Facing a Serious Illness, which may be downloaded from their website or ordered free of charge.

Caregivers have their own unique set of needs, and although you do not have cancer, you are living with the disease every day. You may find speaking with a counselor or joining a support group for caregivers helpful. CancerCare offers counseling as well as online and telephone support groups specifically for caregivers. You may also want to listen to our Connect Education Workshop, Stress Management for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself Physically and Emotionally.

I’d like to thank you for taking the time to write in to us and offer my condolences to all that you’re going through, both with your own cancer and your mother’s loss.

I can certainly understand the conflict of emotions present in your family this holiday season: wanting to experience joy along with everyone else when dealing with something like cancer and like grief. You shared that your family is having a hard time coping, but how about you? Since you’re the person being directly affected by this, I hope you’re making time for your own coping as well.

To address more of what it sounds like you’re inquiring about, how to help lift the spirits of your family, I have a couple of ideas I usually recommend to clients in similar situations:

• Starting new family traditions. I’m sure there are some your family already have that are the source of warm, happy memories for you. Starting a new one can help your family connect in the form that is now (without your mom, but potentially new in-laws or children) and can help your family have happy memories with/of you despite you going through cancer treatment right now.
• Celebrations of life are also very helpful in coping with grief specifically. Rather than eulogizing your mother’s death, reflecting on the moments of joy during her life and the happiness she brought each of you can help make Christmas a more positive experience for you all.

I also recommend checking out some of our resources through our website about cancer and the holidays.

• We offer a fact sheet Coping With Cancer During the Holidays
• We also have a booklet specific for the caregiver experience during the holidays. This may be helpful for your family members, if you’re interested.
• We have a Connect Education Workshop episode from a few years ago about coping with cancer for the holidays. You can listen to it on our website, though you can also find our workshop on whichever podcast app you use. (I should note that even though this was part of a series about renal cell cancer, a lot of the points about coping and emotional support can apply to your situation as well).

You can also speak to one of our oncology social workers by phone, Monday through Friday, on our HOPELINE, 800-813-4673.

First, I would like to normalize your experience and how challenging navigating a loved one’s cancer diagnosis can be. Watching the physical changes that accompany cancer treatment can bring up many mixed emotions including feelings of helplessness. It can be hard to sit with the feeling of not being able to “do” anything to take his pain away. However, one thing that may be helpful is saying, “I am here for you. How can I help?” This can provide relief for him. Also, perhaps offering some practical ways to help. I am not sure if you live nearby, but perhaps saying, “I can walk your dog 1x a week” or “I will send you food on Mondays.” People frequently appreciate when we do something for them without asking what needs to be done. However, if you are not sure how you can help, it is ok, and encouraged, to say: “What could I do to help alleviate some of your stressors?”

Another helpful tip is using “I feel” statements. Sharing “I feel” statements can help in explaining what you are going through to your brother. You can share, “I feel I don’t know how to help you. Please tell me what I can do.” This can provide a good starting point for further conversations between you and your loved ones.

Trust and rapport are very important when thinking about ones relationship with the treatment team. If you are feeling it is not a good fit, I would recommend discussing with your brother receiving a second opinion. One option is to look into the insurance company and see what other hospitals/physicians are in his network. Another thing you can do is to contact an academic medical institution or a National Cancer Institute-designated facility.

Having a social worker or therapist to help you process everything can also be helpful. If you choose to look for additional support, feel free to look at the below link or call CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-4673 and an oncology social worker can assist you further.

Psychology Today is a great resource for one on one counseling and you can search by zip code, insurance etc.

I’m sorry to hear that your job is not being more supportive of your needs during post-treatment. Given your cancer diagnosis you should be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA. This law applies to any employer with 15 or more employees and protects against job discrimination for people with cancer and people who had cancer in the past that may still be impacting their ability to work. According to the ADA, as long as you are able to perform the essential functions of your job, your employer must make reasonable accommodations. If you can do your job from home, it would be a reasonable accommodation for your employer to allow you to continue working remotely. You should discuss this accommodation with your HR department, letting them know your situation and that you would like to request a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. If your HR department refuses to make this accommodation you could reach out to your local Legal Aid office or any of the resources below for additional assistance:

The Cancer Legal Resource Center

Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) is a program of the Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC), a 501C-3 non-profit, public interest advocacy organization that champions the civil rights of people with disabilities as well as those affected by cancer and other serious illness. DRLC’s Cancer Legal Resource Center provides information through its national telephone assistance line, outreach programs and community activities to educate and to support cancer patients, their families, healthcare professionals and advocates on matters like maintaining employment through treatment, accessing healthcare and government benefits, taking medical leave and estate planning.

Phone: 866-843-2572

Triage Cancer

Triage Cancer is a national, nonprofit organization that provides free education on the legal and practical issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, through events, materials, and resources.

Resource page: https://triagecancer.org/cancer-resources-and-educational-information

Legal and financial navigation program: https://triagecancer.org/gethelp

Phone: 424-258-4628

Email: info@triagecancer.org

You’re right that it’s hard to know ahead of time how treatment is going to impact you and your ability to work. Some people are able to work during treatment and others require more time off. I would recommend speaking with your direct supervisor and an HR representative as soon as possible to let them know your treatment plan and ask about your company’s benefits and time-off policy, including short-term disability and FMLA.

If you’re going to be treated with chemotherapy, some people find that they need to take about a week off immediately after treatment but then are able to return to work for 1-2 weeks before their next infusion, depending on how far apart your treatments are. If you’re going to be treated with radiation, some people choose to schedule their radiation appointments either early in the morning or late in the afternoon and go to work before or after, though that schedule can become difficult the longer you undergo radiation due to its cumulative effects.

Again, speaking with your supervisor and HR ahead of time will help you better understand your options and prepare for treatment. I would also recommend speaking with your support system of family and friends, as you will likely need additional practical and emotional support as you go through treatment. If you have additional questions or need any help finding resources along the way, please feel free to call CancerCare’s Hopeline at (800) 813-4673. I’m also including some great organizations below that focus on working while undergoing treatment:

• Cancer and Careers

Cancer and Careers provides essential tools and information for employees with cancer. They offer a comprehensive website, free publications, career coaching, insurance information, and a series of support groups and educational seminars for employees with cancer and their healthcare providers and coworkers. Also, offers a free résumé review service and a micro-grant program to help pay for professional development opportunities to build new skills.

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

Leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.

• Triage Cancer

Provides education on the practical and legal issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.

CancerCare is just one of the many organizations that offers financial aid to cancer patients (check our Financial Assistance Program page for current available funds). As a caregiver, you can significantly help both your loved one and yourself by calling CancerCare at 800-813-4673 to apply for financial assistance. If the patient does not feel comfortable calling independently, or is unable to call independently, you can assist by calling with them or on their behalf. Most likely, as the caregiver, you will have all the information necessary to complete the financial application. We also encourage you to call no matter what type of caregiver you identify as (parent, child, spouse, friend, short distance, long distance, directly supporting or indirectly supporting). Remember to let the person whom you are speaking with know that you are a caregiver, as they may be able to connect you with other helpful resources and services geared specifically towards your own needs.

CancerCare also provides caregiver resources and a searchable Helping Hand online database to locate additional resources.

Support groups are a great way for people to connect around shared experiences, provide support or encouragement and have an outlet where others understand the feelings and challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. CancerCare offers an online support group for people diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The groups are moderated by an oncology social worker who provides support, resources and guides the conversation. Our groups do not have a particular meeting time and do not include video chat or live chat functionality, such as Zoom. If she is interested in registering, you can direct her to this link: https://onlinegroups.cancercare.org/Account/Register

This same platform also offers caregiver support groups, in case you or anyone in your family would like to connect with support.

I also suggest Share Cancer Support, an organization that focuses on supporting patients with breast, ovarian and gynecological cancers.

CancerCare offers two types of support groups, one is online and the other is via live, video chat. Our online support groups take place on a message board that is open to members 24/7 and you can post in the group whenever is convenient. The groups are moderated by an oncology social worker who provides support, resources and guides the conversation. Our online groups do not have a particular meeting time and do not include video chat or live chat functionality, such as Zoom. The groups that are offered via video chat are only available to those residing in NY and NJ, in accordance with our social work licensing laws. I have noted the link to our online group for lung cancer and our live chat, video group, depending on where your loved one lives:

Lung Cancer Patient Support Group - Online: https://www.cancercare.org/support_groups/2-lung_cancer_patient_support_group

Living With Cancer: Lung Cancer Patient Support Group - NY and NJ: https://www.cancercare.org/support_groups/73-living_with_cancer_lung_cancer_patient_support_group

CancerCare also has a partnership with a lung cancer advocacy organization called LUNGevity. They offer their own series of virtual support meetups for patients and caregivers. You can see the schedule and register by following this link: https://www.lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/support-services/virtual-meetups

LUNGevity also offers peer matching that might be helpful to your loved one. This allows a patient or caregiver to connect with another lung cancer patient or caregiver to get support and encouragement during their cancer journey. Here is the link to that program: https://www.lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/support-services/peer-to-peer-mentoring/lifeline-support-partners

I hope this information is helpful. If you would like more information about CancerCare programs or ideas about other support beyond CancerCare, I encourage you to call CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-4673 for more immediate “live” guidance at any point in the future. All the calls are answered by oncology social workers who can offer information, support and resource referrals after learning a bit more about your situation and needs. Our Hopeline hours are Mondays through Thursdays 10 a.m. -5:45 p.m. ET and Fridays 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

CancerCare provides individual grief counseling with an oncology social worker in New Jersey and New York. The sessions are usually every other week and they last 45 minutes. CancerCare also offers bereavement support groups and you may check for the next session on our support group page.

All our services are free and they are open to anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer in the past 18 months and lives in New Jersey or New York. Depending on preference and availability, we hold sessions over Zoom or in person (if you are vaccinated).

If you are interested in receiving bereavement counseling, please call our Hopeline to register as a client and to request the service. The social worker who answers the line will do a short assessment, talk to you about what’s available and enroll you for our services. The number to call is 800-813-4673.

A cancer diagnosis has a large impact on the entire family unit and it can be difficult to know how much information to share. When speaking with children about a cancer diagnosis or side effects there are a number of things to keep in mind including providing accurate, age appropriate information, how the treatment may impact their lives, and allowing the space for questions and support.

To meet the demands of a cancer diagnosis, families must alter their roles and patterns in order to balance the physical and emotional impact. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities may find change difficult, therefore it is important to communicate how any changes in routine or physical changes you may experience could impact them. What you say is as important as how you say it.

Be sure to use a calm reassuring voice and have the conversation in a safe environment. Don’t be afraid to use the word “cancer” or show them where it is on your body. It can be helpful to think and prepare in advance for these conversations. Keeping in mind the age and development of your family member, do you best to use simple, clear language or artwork. Be prepared to repeat yourself and allow for them to react in their own way. Additionally, ensure your child that you are readily available whenever they have any questions or concerns. There is no one-size fits all approach as each individual and family has different needs. Some individuals may be non-verbal or cannot rely on speech to communicate, therefore communication differs based on a person’s age, challenges and abilities.

Together with your family, identify people your loved one would feel comfortable with turning to for support. This could include other family members, teachers, social workers and friends. There are also a number of support services through treatment centers available for patients and caregivers of those impacted by cancer.

• The American Cancer Society may also provide a list of support services available within your area.

• The Autism Society’s National Helpline and YAI website are both a great place to learn about resources and support within your area. Here you can speak with a trained specialist who can provide support options.

You may find the following books and publications helpful when explaining cancer and its side effects:

• Getting on with Cancer by Veronica Donaghy, this is a story about a woman with down syndrome whose doctors tell her she has cancer. It described her emotions in the moment as well as her different treatment options.

• Going to Outpatient’s by Sheila Hollins, Jane Bernal and Matthew Gregory. This book is aimed for those with learning disabilities and designed to help explain what happens in various outpatient settings. It explores feelings about going to the doctor as well as different procedures.

• What Happens When Someone I Love Has Cancer by Sara Olsher (ages 4-10) This book helps families that want to explain what cancer is and how it can impact a child’s life.

• Mom or Dad Has Cancer…Now What?

• Helping Children Understand Cancer: Talking to Your Kids About Your Diagnosis

• Talking to Children When a Loved One Has Cancer

Our staff of professional oncology social workers may be able to provide additional support for you and your child. To speak with an oncology social worker, call our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that as a grandparent, it’s natural for you to feel a connection to your grandson’s well-being, and witnessing him go through this challenging situation can be particularly painful. Seeing the physical effects of the cancer treatment, including hair loss, can evoke feelings of sadness. It’s important to remember that these emotions are completely normal and valid. Naturally, during moments like these, you may find yourself wanting to “do” something to help alleviate the situation.

Just like adults, when children experience hair loss it can be very distressing. Cancer treatment and side effects look different for every child and often cannot be prevented. Hair loss due to treatment can impact self-image, confidence and overall emotional wellbeing. During this time, it can be helpful to discuss these changes with the child and other family members so they know what to expect. In addition to this, you can ask them directly, how they would feel about this decision. Checking in with their feelings will be an important consideration when making this choice.

Once you know that hair loss is expected or occurring you can plan ahead. Discuss with your family member what they would like next steps to be. Do your best to use clear, simple language when talking with children while providing them with different options. Every person is different and has different needs so there is no right or wrong option. If they choose to shave their head it can be helpful to take a picture with how their hair is usually worn, so if they would like a wig in the future a hair stylist can get a better idea of what they are looking for. If they wish to keep their hair as long as possible, take time to experiment with different hats or scarves to find whatever helps with their confidence. Do your best to be patient, this can be a stressful process for all involved.

As caregivers there are a number of ways to provide support to someone experiencing side effects to cancer treatment. It’s important to accept and validate patients’ feelings, and provide a space for them express themselves. Hair is a meaningful part of our identity, losing that can change how we relate to others. Be sure to allow an outlet for their feelings. That can include sports, art, music etc. Hair loss is usually temporary and often grows back several months after treatment ends. It’s also important to know that following hair loss, hair can grow back a different color or texture.

You may find the following wig resources helpful to children and teenagers affected by hair loss.

• Children With Hair Loss
• Locks of Love
• Wigs for Kids

It can also be helpful to reach out to individual and peer support so children know they are not alone. This can be found at your child’s treatment center or some of the additional resources below.

• Imerman Angels
• American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO)
• Chai Lifeline

Our staff of professional oncology social workers may be able to provide additional support for you and your family. To speak with an oncology social worker, call our Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.

It is always a good idea to be proactive in your health. Although it is typical to follow up with a biopsy following these results, the time frame to schedule it may vary based on other factors. It is not uncommon to feel concerned or anxious waiting for these tests. In order to feel more confident with these decisions, we always suggest speaking with your doctor about how these choices are made. When possible, a second opinion may also make you feel comfortable with your care. Below are some questions to help guide these conversations:

• What is the purpose of this biopsy?

• What is the typical follow up for these screening results?

• How was the timing of this biopsy decided? Can it be scheduled sooner?

• How will the results be discussed with me?

The Prostate Cancer Foundation has a list of additional questions on PSA screening and biopsy.

CancerCare offers a Time To Screen line at 855-537-2733 where you can talk to one of our specialists about screening.

If you or someone you know is uninsured, there may be free or low cost options to help you access a colonoscopy. It can definitely feel overwhelming to access this care and worry about the financial cost or other barriers. Below are some options to contact for a free colonoscopy:

• The Colorectal Cancer Alliance provides resources to access free screenings and financial assistance for those that are eligible
• In some states, the Department of Health provides free screenings, including colonoscopies
• Your health care team may know about possible resources or programs in your area

Additionally, CancerCare offers a Time To Screen line at 855-537-2733 where you can talk to one of our specialists about screening information. Our free publication Colorectal Cancer: The Importance of Screening and Early Detection can also help answer questions about this test.

There are many benefits to screening for cancer. Early detection is key to improving outcomes if a cancer is diagnosed. There are several recommended cancer screenings, including: breast, cervical, colon, lung, prostate, and skin, depending on an individual’s risk factors. It is important to ask your doctor about which screening is right for you. Many times, insurance companies will cover these recommended screenings if you are eligible to receive them. If someone is uninsured or underinsured, there may be options for assistance. Free or low cost screenings can be found in several ways.

• First, ask your doctor if they have any services or programs in the community
• The Department of Health provides free cancer screenings. Check your state’s location and program
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), provides information on screening and access to care

Additionally, CancerCare offers a Time To Screen line at 855-537-2733 where you can talk to one of our specialists about screening information.

Recognizing the importance of addressing the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Here are some steps you can take to support your parents in seeking counseling or joining a support group:

1. Normalize the Need for Support: Approach the topic gently with your parents, reassuring them that experiencing a range of emotions when dealing with cancer is entirely natural. Emphasize that seeking support is a proactive step towards coping with the challenges they’re facing.

2. Educate Them About the Benefits: Help your parents understand the potential benefits of counseling and support groups. These resources offer a safe environment to express feelings, share experiences with others in similar situations, and learn effective coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety.

3. Offer Resources: Provide information about reputable counseling services and support groups specializing in cancer care. This could include local hospitals, community organizations, or online platforms like Psychology Today, where they can find licensed therapists and counselors who specialize in supporting individuals and families affected by cancer. These resources can provide valuable support and guidance during this difficult time.

4. Encourage Open Communication: Advocate for open communication between your parents and their healthcare team regarding any concerns about the impact of treatment on their mental and emotional well-being. Healthcare professionals can often provide valuable referrals to support services or make accommodations to address their needs.

Remember to approach the topic with sensitivity, respect, and patience, recognizing that each individual may have their own unique response to seeking support. Ultimately, the decision to engage in support is up to your parents. Additionally, it’s important to prioritize your own well-being as a caregiver. Seeking support for yourself can provide a valuable outlet for processing your own emotions and navigating difficult conversations, ultimately helping you better support your parents through their cancer journey.

CancerCare offers a wide range of support services, including counseling, support groups, financial assistance, educational workshops, all provided free of charge. Your parents can reach out to CancerCare’s toll-free Helpline at 800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak with an oncology social worker who can offer personalized support and guidance. This resource is available to help individuals and families affected by cancer cope with the emotional, practical and financial challenges they may face. You can also take a look at our lung cancer resources and services.

Navigating the cost of daily living expenses can be incredibly challenging while also going through cancer treatment. I can certainly suggest some resources that your daughter may find helpful. Additionally, looking for diagnosis-specific organizations could also provide additional support and resources.

1. She can reach out to our Hopeline at 800-813-4673 and express interest in financial assistance. An oncology social worker will be able to gather additional information to see if CancerCare has any grants that your daughter could apply for.
2. Call Baltimore 311. 311 connects Baltimore residents, businesses and visitors by providing a resource of city services.
3. Contact Bringing Hope Home to see if there are open grants available for travel and food assistance: 484-580-8395 or https://bringinghopehome.org/
4. Applying for a grant through the Allyson Whitney Foundation. This organization assists young adults diagnosed with cancer through various financial grants https://allysonwhitney.org/grants/

I understand how overwhelming it can be to manage treatment while also worrying about food and transportation. Please let your daughter know that she doesn’t have to face these challenges alone. We encourage her to reach out to our Hopeline, and we would be more than happy to provide additional support and guidance during this difficult time.