While there are more then 100 different cancers, the five most common cancers are breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancers, and melanoma skin cancer. Cancers are diseases in which abnormal cells grow out of control. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States; heart disease is the leading cause.
How does cancer affect you emotionally?
My cancer diagnosis affected not just me. It was also an emotional rollercoaster for my family and caregivers. Feelings such as anxiety, distress, and depression are absolutely normal during such a life-changing experience. Your home, school and work life balance can be affected. It is very important to recognize these changes and get help rather sooner the later. While your treatment targets the cancer specifically, the overall experience doesn’t leave the mind, spirit or emotions untouched. Help can be anything from doctors, nurses, self help groups or counselors to friends, neighbors or fellow church members.
Travel tips for cancer patients
Planning for a vacation is fun and stressful at the same time. As a cancer patient however it takes even more planning.
I have travelled during my recovery and throught I’d share some tips to help ease your fears and make your trip a great one:
- Talk to your oncologist and ask for medical clearance (are you able to fly, travel in the car for many hours)
- Plan your trip in advance and research your destination such as hospitals, doctors, pharmacies
- Pack your medications in your carry-on, not your checked luggage (in case your bag gets lost you always want your medications with you. Also, always carry extra medications in case you can’t make it home as planned)
- Bring a copy of your medical records and a list of prescribed medications
- Speak to your insurance and if possible sign up for travel insurance
- Arrange for assistance at the airport if neccessary
- Depending on what kind of trip you plan to take, always make sure to take plenty of breaks to rest in between
- Try to enjoy your trip and take your mind of the fact you have cancer, at least for a short while
CANCER ISN’T JUST PINK!
IF I ASKED YOU WHAT THE COLOR WAS FOR LEUKIMIA OR BRAIN CANCER – WOULD YOU KNOW?
Many don’t know the answer simply because “pink” seems to be THE cancer color, especially in October where everything seems to be so pink you wonder if anyone still thinks of those battling other cancers. As a cervical cancer survivor my color is teal. Below you’ll find a list of cancer colors and which cancer they represent. If you miss a color, I’d love for you to reach out to me and let me know so I can add it.
If you are currently battling cancer please don’t quit. Keep fighting. I promise you there is light at the end of the tunnel. God bless.
Bladder cancer: Yellow, purple and navy blue
Bone cancer: yellow
Bone marrow transplant: green
Brain cancer: grey
Breast cancer: pink
Carcinoid syndrome: black and white zebra stripes
Cervical cancer: teal and white
Childhood cancer: gold
Colon cancer: dark blue
Colorectal cancer: dark blue
Endometrial cancer: peach
Esophageal cancer: light purple
Ewing’s sarcoma: yellow
Gallbladder cancer: green
Gastric cancer: periwinkle blue
Glioblastoma: gray
Gynecological cancer: purple
Head and neck cancer: burgundy and ivory, or red and white
Hodgkin lymphoma: violet
Kidney cancer: green or orange
Laryngeal cancer: burgundy and white
Leukemia: orange
Liver cancer: emerald or jade green
Lung cancer: pearl, clear or white
Lymphedema: light blue
Lymphoma (non-Hodgkin): lime green
Melanoma: black
Mesothelioma: pearl
Myeloma: burgundy
Myeloproliferative diseases: orange and red
Neuroendocrine cancers: black and white zebra-stripes
Oral cancer: burgundy and white
Osteosarcoma: yellow
Ovarian cancer: teal
Pancreatic cancer: purple
Pharyngeal cancer: burgundy and white
Prostate cancer: light blue
Rare diseases (including rare cancers): black and white zebra-stripes
Rectal cancer: blue
Retinoblastoma: white
Sarcoma: yellow
Skin cancer: black
Skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma): red and white
Small intestine cancer: periwinkle blue
Testicular cancer: purple
Throat cancer: burgundy and white
Thyroid cancer: blue, pink, and teal
Uterine cancer: peach
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia: pearl
The Five Stages of Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis
You may have heard about the 5 stages of grief when diagnosed with cancer. I found these stages to be therapeutic when coping with my diagnosis, knowing that everything I felt was normal and valid.
- State 1: Denial
- Stage 2: Anger
- Stage 3: Bargaining
- Stage 4: Sadness and depression
- Stage 5: Acceptance
Everyone’s journey with cancer is completely different. You may be battling the same type of cancer as someone you know, but emotions, questions and concerns may be completely different, and that’s ok. There is no one fits all solution when it comes to cancer. Being diagnosed with cancer changes yours and your family’s life. It’s a very personal experience. The important thing is that you should not have to fight this battle alone. Keep the line of communication open – even if it’s hard and uncomfortable. Talk talk talk. Talk to your spouse, your parents, your children, friends, doctors and nurses. Find a good counselor or self-help group to share and get feedback from others who struggle just like you. Say yes to any support you can get. Whether it’s talking to someone, a meal prepared by a neighbor, helping with the kids or groceries brought to your home by a friend. Just know, while you may feel alone you are not alone. You just have to say yes to the helping hands around you.
Stuttgart-Weilimdorf/Germany is just one stop in our life…
…which turned out to be one of those places we lived where the best and worst things of our lives happened to us almost back-to-back. We had successfully transitioned from the Army overseas, Wes had found a great civilian job working for the Air Force, and we were pretty much just living the good life. Our son Dean was born. We were ecstatic! How could things get any better? It was an amazing time in our family. Dean was the first grandson born in Wes’ family and, naturally, his mom and dad were excited. Unfortunately, the worst was yet to come. Download the ebook now to read more…
Dealing With Cancer During the Holidays
Holidays are usually a time to celebrate. Families reunite, people exchange gifts and celebrating traditions. When impacted by cancer during the holidays celebrating may not be what’s on your priority list. In fact, you may feel overwhelmed with all the holiday preparations and the fear of not knowing what the future will bring. Always talk to your loved ones and share your thoughts and concerns. You may not feel like attending big holiday parties but still try to make plans to meet with family and friends even if it’s on a much smaller scale. Don’t forget to give yourself breaks in-between. If you used to be the one cooking Christmas dinner maybe start a new tradition and make it a potluck instead. Family and friends won’t think less of you, they will love to support you by bringing a dish. Keep a diary and write down moments you enjoyed, smiles that you saw on peoples faces, conversations you had. Too often we focus on the cancer and the negative things this illness brings with it. Because of that it’s even more important to focus on positive things. Try not to put too much stress on you about having to travel far to visit family and friends. They will most likely understand that it’s their turn to visit you. Instead of loosing your mind while shopping for gifts in stores, make use of online shopping. You can even have gifts gift wrapped 😊 Enjoy the holidays, it’s a great distraction from worries about treatment, hospital stays, medicines etc. YOU DESERVE IT!
Never give up! Stay strong!
I just recently tried something totally new. I am generally not a very artistic person, however I’ve been wanting to make “kindness rocks”. I’ve made a few so far but this one is my favorite. I shared this picture on a cancer forum and some people even asked if I would make them some and sell them. I never thought someone would like my newest art project 😉
A cancer diagnosis will always be a shock and affect every aspect of your life
It will also leave you feeling overwhelmed, not knowing what your future will bring. During this time writing about your cancer journey may sound easier than you think. Keep a notebook close to you. Be sure to date each entry. Besides your worries, fears and thoughts about treatment document at least one good experience, or one thing that you are thankful for, every single day. It could be something as simple as a hug or smile by your child, a song that lifts your spirits, or a friend stopping by to bring you a small treat. After your fight with cancer you will be able to go back and read how strong you were during this time and all the things that helped you to keep going and not give up.
