Table of Contents
Chapter 1 First, You Cry
Nancy and Me Bari Benjamin 1
Intimate Anthem Roseanne I. Hurvitz 5
Penciling in Cancer on My Calendar Beth Sanders Moore 9
Introduction 15
Survivorship: a Breast Surgeon's Viewpoint Diane Radford 15
The Tale of Two Bettys 18
Reflections from a Long-Term Survivor Lillie D. Shockney 20
An Infusion of Hope 22
What to Do After a New Breast Cancer Diagnosis 23
Chapter 2 Building Your Healthcare Team
Eliminate the Negative, Accentuate the Positive Georgia Shaffer 29
The Three-Year Warranty Bobbi Emel 33
Introduction 36
Breast Cancer Survivor as Player Scout 37
Surviving Survivorship 40
Healing Your Body and Soul 42
Chapter 3 Managing Your Support Team
The Healing Pen Cara Holman 47
Hats Off to Betty with Love Alice Muschany 52
I Miss My Breasts Linda A. Fiorenzano 55
Better than the Best Medicine Debra Fischer Belous 60
Sandy's Account Sandy Wade 64
Introduction 67
Should You Join a Support Group? 69
Putting Your Most Important Relationship to the Test 69
The Healing Power of Furry Friends 70
Angles on Earth 73
Organizing Your Angels 74
Chapter 4 Think Positive During and After Treatment
My Reconstructed Self Kimberly H. Allison 79
The Sound of Music Bonnie Compton Hanson 86
Kiss and Tell! Connie K. Pombo 90
Introduction 94
Your Brain is Craying Positive Messages 96
Practical Things You Can Do to Reduce Stress and Improve Your Mood 97
Avoid Worrying About Worrying 99
Begin a Gratitude Journal 99
Choosing Exercise with Relaxation in Mind 100
Try a Mini-Relaxation 102
What to Talk to Your Doctor About 105
Chapter 5 Living in Cancer World and the Real World
The Show Must Go On Emily Silver 111
A Perfectly Shaped Head Dana Bullington Lafever 115
A Family Affair Briony Jenkins 118
Introduction 121
Two Worlds, Two Time Zones 122
Sowing the Beads of Hope 123
Chapter 6 Healing Your Body and Soul
The Pink Squishy Ball Connie K. Pombo 129
My Journey Journal Kathryn Coit 132
Viewing Cancer through a Kaleidoscope Mary Lou Galantino 136
Introduction 141
Find Your Tempo Giusto 142
Cancer Rehabilitation Will Help You Heal 144
Focus on Function 145
Tapping into the Power of Mind-Body Healing 147
Chapter 7 A Beautiful Woman Emerges
Lessons from a Hot Tub Anne Marie Bennett 155
Back to Normal Lynn Cahoon 157
Introduction 161
Intimate Healing 163
You Are a Phenomenal Woman 164
Tell Yourself that You Are Beautiful 165
Chapter 8 Your Amazing Journey
A Family Journey, The Brady Family 171
Start Writing! Connie K. Pombo 181
Overcoming Fear Marcy Scott 184
Introduction 187
Help from Unexpected Sources 187
Party in a Box 189
Traveling Companions 190
Art Therapy and Healing 191
Chapter 9 Reflections on Living
Paths of Life Alex Silver 197
Forever and Ever Alice Muschany 201
Fighting for Two Roxanne Martinez 206
Getting It Alison Shelton 211
Introduction 215
Perspectives on Living 215
Choose Your Own Path 216
Make a Worry Box 217
Meet Our Contributors 223
About the Author 230
Acknowledgments 232
References 234