Hello everyone. You are receiving this journal, CONQUER, from your navigator who is supporting you during your cancer treatment process. If you would like to continue to receive CONQUER and have it delivered directly to your home or office, simply click here and complete the contact form. Here are the highlights in this issue that we are confident you will value reading.
A diagnosis of cancer never comes at a convenient time. Let’s face it, there is no time anyone wants to hear they have cancer. More and more people diagnosed with cancer today are working when they get the news. Learn about your rights as an employee to ensure that you are receiving the support you are legally required to have, which is stipulated by federal laws. Did you know it is to your benefit to continue to work as much as you can while receiving treatment? It is. Maintaining normalcy while dealing with cancer is smart. And, part of your support system can consist of your coworkers. You also need your paycheck whole, and your health insurance intact. Read about how to ask for “reasonable accommodations.”
Although friends and family may try to get you to rest more while receiving cancer treatment, what you really need to do is move more. Physical activity is your friend. Learn how and why. And we aren’t talking about getting a membership at the local gym.
Women were born to be caregivers. It must be something in our DNA, our hormone levels, or some other inborn trait. But what happens when the man becomes the caregiver? Overall, 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime (and 1 in 2 men will be too). Men who become caregivers can feel like a fish out of water, so get some good advice from experts if you are a man thrust into this role. Some men believe they can fix anything; well, cancer isn’t within your ability to fix. So read about how to be the best caregiver while also caring for yourself.
The first year of survivorship after the completion of acute treatment can feel like an out-of-body experience. For example, you may have looked forward to that last radiation treatment so you could ring the bell to announce to the world that your treatment is done! But before you even reach the parking lot to drive home, you may start to feel nervous and worried that the cancer will recur, or that you will never really be done with this disease. Know that you are not alone. Read about how common such thoughts are, and how best to cope with them.
Sometimes when we are thrust into uncharted waters, we need to become our own leader, and not rely on others to figure out the best way to get safely back to the shore. Rather than be the captain of your ship, we have an article for you about becoming your own general! After all, you are at war against cancer, so empower yourself; take charge; and move forward.
The song must go on—a catchy title for a personal story by a singer/songwriter who overcame cancer.
On a very serious note, there are changes afoot within the government’s structure to repeal the ACA (Affordable Care Act). You need to know how such changes may affect your coverage today and in the future. An article in this issue is devoted to empowering you with information about this very concerning insurance complexity.
Finally, read a patient’s story about her experience with thyroid cancer, and learn some important tips on how to prevent lung cancer.
Share this issue with others you know who are patients, survivors, and/or caregivers. If they’d also like to get a free copy of CONQUER going forward, tell them to subscribe online at www.conquer-magazine.com.
