5 basics that are critical to surviving a breast cancer diagnosis

I've been spending most of this past weekend thinking about ways to change the blog to make its impact larger on the world. I learned a lot at the Blogworld conference and I am really trying to apply what I learned and just grow. Today, I focused on reviewing all the old posts from the blog...and I have been tearing up and crying for hours.

My goodness....this has been a bumpy ride.

Reading through all the old posts and comments was an amazing insight into the journey with breast cancer. I have learned a lot. And will post a lot of the information that I've learned on this blog in the coming days and weeks.

5 basic things you (or your loved one) will need to get through your breast cancer diagnosis:

Let's start with 5 basic things that you (or your loved one) will definitely need to get through a breast cancer diagnosis.

1. A support system -- I know that the world believes that women wear superhero capes under their clothes, but the truth is that a support system will be critical in the course of your treatment.  Put your pride aside and pull together a list of people that you can trust and count on. Consider this a starter list because...as time and treatment goes on, you will find that people you thought you could count on will be unable to help and people you did not expect to be in your corner might become your strongest supporters. Your list of supporters will change and grow as time goes on.
2. A notebook or journal -- Getting a diagnosis of breast cancer is almost like getting a crash course in medicine. You're going to be hit with a lot of information and depending on how you process things under stress, you may not remember it all. Take your notebook/journal with you to every appointment and jot down notes during your appointment. Use your notebook to jot down questions that come to mind between appointments. Also, your notebook will be critical in assisting you when you deal with your insurance company.
3. An appointment partner -- you can have one steady partner (like a spouse, significant other, best friend) or you can rotate between a really close group of friends. Whichever works best for you. But try not to go to your appointments alone. A second (or third) set of ears and eyes during your appointments is necessary. You're going to miss some information. The sooner you accept that, the better. Bring someone with you that you trust so that you can compare notes.
4. A calendar -- appointments are going to happening quick and fast. You need to carry a calendar with you to your appointments so that you can schedule appointments with relative ease.
5. Permission to grieve -- I think this is the most important part of preparing for your breast cancer journey. Look, I have to be honest. This thing is HARD. It changes the way you look at yourself, the way you look at life, the way that people look at you. Your whole world will be different. Not necessarily horrible but definitely different. You may want to cry. You may want to shout. You might want to scream. Do all of that. Do more than that. Give yourself permission to grieve and cry... don't try to be stoic all the time. You're going to have to learn how to give yourself permission to be weak...because that is where your strength will come from.

These things may not seem necessary but when I reflect over my journey...these are the critical things that helped me get started on my journey.