“Thank You . . . for granting my wish. This really will help me out financially and allow me to focus on getting better and less on how am I going to pay the bills. This really means the world to me! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!”
“Breast cancer survivors need a nonprofit organization that has their best interests at heart and can prepare them for life after cancer. I believe Pink Door makes it possible for women to succeed by giving them invaluable tools to make their dreams come true.”
~Beatrice Schreiber, Emmy Award Winner
Written by The American Cancer Society 07 September 2011
Each woman has her own way of coping with breast cancer and its treatment. Some find comfort talking with friends or joining support or self-help groups. Some draw strength from solitude. Some take long walks, meditate, listen to music, or soak in a warm tub. The most important method is the method that works for you.
You will find resources and support – including your own inner strengths – that you did not know existed and perhaps didn’t need until you received a diagnosis of breast cancer (cancer).
Your strongest allies will be other women who have been through the same difficulties you’re going through now. Talking with them can be very helpful and reassuring. In a support group, you can reach out – or simply listen- to others who will understand your feelings and concerns in a way people without cancer cannot.
In talking with other women facing breast cancer or recovered from breast cancer, you will realize that what you’re feeling is normal. Heating many viewpoints and sharing experiences also teaches you how to develop your own coping skills. You can contact your local American Cancer Society for a list of support groups near you.
If you are married or in a committed relationship, what you are going through will have an impact on that relationship. A Cancer diagnosis is a family challenge, as well as a personal challenge. However, research has shown that a relationship that was strong and healthy before cancer, will not be torn apart by the cancer experience. In fact, it can bring people closer together. If help is needed, ask about support groups that include families and loved ones.
Another place to find emotional support is through the American cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program. This program helps women meet physical, emotional, and cosmetic needs related to breast cancer and/or its treatment. For more information on Reach to Recovery and other programs, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.
