Picture
You've been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Are you overwhelmed? Are you scared? Are you confused? I know I was!   Breast Cancer can be beat!  Thousands of women beat it every year and you can too!

The key is education and support.  The more you know, the more you can tackle this disease with vengeance.  




Here's a checklist to help navigate you through this disease:
  • ​ Ask your doctor for a copy of your pathology report. 
  •  http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/path_checklist 
  • Understand which sub-type of Breast Cancer that you have: Estrogen +, Progesterone +, HER2+, or Triple Negative. 
  • Understand which stage your cancer is: Stage 0, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3 or Stage 4.
  • Contact The American Cancer Society and request a Personal Health Kit.  This kit helps educate you, keep track of appointments, and organize medical bills. They can also send you educational material to guide you through this disease. 
  • Always take a person to your doctor appointments to help you hear and rehear what was said. 
  • Keep a journal and ask your doctor every question that comes to mind. 
  • Look up your insurance policy to ensure you know how the expenses will occur.  
  • Be OK with NOT sharing your diagnosis with people until YOU are ready.  You may not want to be bombarded with calls, texts, pitiful looks and stories of people who died.  
  • When people want to help, allow them in the way that works for YOU not them.  Gift cards for groceries can be better than people cooking.  Designate a friend or family member as the point of contact to take that pressure off you.  
  • Tell your family & friends to include you in regular activities and let you choose to decline, if necessary.  
  • Use the honesty policy... Let your truth be yours. You have enough to deal with.  Tell them "I may not call you back. I don't want to go. I don't want company. I don't want to hear horror stories of those who died from cancer." 
  • Contact The Pink Lady for more help or support!