by Carla Chesser, RN
Excerpted from her book Laughing Through the Tears of Breast Cancer

It is hard to fathom that every 30 seconds a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 240,000 women and 2100 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. (American Cancer Society). All of these people will be faced with making decisions about a diagnosis that they didn’t ask for, didn’t want and—in most cases—certainly didn’t expect.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important to take each step of this journey one at a time—dealing with what is happening in the present, rather than looking at what may or
may not be in the future. This will keep you focused and less anxious.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a shock, to say the least. When you add the fact that important decisions need to be made shortly after the diagnosis, a state of confusion follows. This confusion results from the lack of knowledge and control, and can lead to panic and/or depression if you don’t ‘get a grip” on what is happening to you. You tend to want others to make the decisions for you…but just know that you must make them for yourself. Given enough time and research, you will come to your decisions wisely and responsibly. To get there, though, it is helpful to talk with others who have been through the experience; and to become educated about the options for your treatment. The more you learn about your specific breast cancer and its treatment, the more you will feel in control.

Once you regain this sense of control, you will find the strength to make decisions, accept the diagnosis and begin to move forward with a treatment plan. From that day on …it is one day at a time.

A support group may also be an option for you to pursue at this time. The Cancer Center in your community will have information about local support groups. Most likely, the Center will also have a Breast Cancer Coordinator, a nurse who specializes in helping women find appropriate resources to deal with breast cancer treatment. (Read more about Where To Find Support on page 171.)

The internet is also an invaluable resource for educating yourself about breast cancer and its treatments. (See Suggested Internet Resources on page 174 for informational websites to assist you.)

There are many things that you can do to be sure that you have the physical and emotional strength to cope with your disease and its treatment. One recommendation is to get on a regular schedule. Having a regular routine is critical to relieving stress in everyone’s daily life. Rest is also very important. You need to make sure that you get a full night’s sleep every night. If possible, a 30-45 minute daytime nap can also give you an energy boost. You should let your doctor know if you are having any difficulties sleeping.

If you have a stressful job, you may need to make some changes to lessen your workload. The same holds true for a hectic home life. Other family members may need to take over some of the responsibilities. Temper your physical activities to those that you can tolerate without placing undo stress on your body or increasing your symptoms.

Those who experience few symptoms with treatment may want to incorporate mild “exercise’ into their daily or weekly routine. This can help to increase your stamina and reduce associated feelings of fatigue or tiredness. The long-term benefits of exercise can include reversal of muscle weakness and wasting, and prevention of calcium and protein loss from your bones. However, it is important to check with your doctor before starting any kind of fitness program.

Stress, Depression & Anger

Having breast cancer can be very stressful and sometimes downright depressing. Some of your coworkers or friends may not understand your treatment regime and therefore may change their attitudes toward you. You may feel somewhat isolated because your friends and family don't realize what you are going through or how you feel. As for anger, of course you’re mad!!! It’s not fair that you got this disease and NO…you do not deserve it.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to cope with breast cancer treatment is to have a positive attitude. Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones is easier said than done, but it will make a difference in how you cope with your treatment. Increasing your activity level and making yourself smile more often are ways to start feeling better about yourself.

Many people also have looked beyond traditional medical care to find relief for their treatment side effects. For the symptoms of stress and depression in particular, many cancer patients have used stress management and relaxation techniques, including the following:

Carla Chesser is a registered nurse with a degree in Psychology and has been a healthcare provider for over 30 years. Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 52, she found herself on the receiving side of the healthcare process. Believing that “everything happens for a reason”, Carla has dedicated herself to helping women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer to overcome their fears about this disease. Although this book is a personal journey, this story offers enough similarities to help those who are part of the breast cancer “sisterhood” recognize that even as they are experiencing their own pain related to this diagnosis, many blessings will result. By sharing her story through journal writings, emails and inspirational messages, Carla creates enjoyable reading, in a girl-talk format, with an abundant amount of practical information about breast cancer. You will laugh while the tears flow from your eyes as your read her story and share her experiences. You can order the book at amazon.com. Carla lives in Orlando, Florida and is a single mother of one beautiful daughter, Kelly.