10 Ways to Manage Fear

1. As you begin gathering information to make decisions, get to know
the people on your medical team and make every effort to meet them in
person. Turn faceless doctors into known resources. These are the people
you have hired on your team to help you. You will find out who is the best
communicator, who can answer which questions, and who is available to help you when you need it most.

2. Find a doctor who communicates with you in a way that is comfortable
for you, who invites your questions and takes your concerns seriously, who
gives you as much or as little information as you feel comfortable with at
any given moment.

3. Find out what to expect (from tests, procedures, treatments).
Minimize surprises.

4. Make plans with your doctor about how to receive test results in a
prompt way. If possible, try to schedule important tests early in the week. This way, when lab work slows down and when doctors are not communicating, you will not have to wait as long for the results.

5. Find a mammography center where the radiologist will talk with you
about the results before you go home, so you don’t have to wait for a letter
or a call from your doctor.

6. When you know you are going to have a challenging week (a mammogram coming up or a round of chemotherapy), do not plan to do things that are stressful for you (balance the checkbook? make Thanksgiving dinner for twenty? run a big meeting at work?). Use your support systems-friends, movies, prayer, biofeedback-anything that works to help you get through it.

7. If well-meaning people try to tell you stories about others
struggling with cancer, stop them RIGHT AWAY and say: "I only listen to
stories with happy endings!"


8. If you reach a point where difficult emotions are getting in the way
of your functioning or taking care of yourself, speak with your doctor about
the role of medications that might help ease your anxiety, depression, or
sleeping problems.


9. Join a breast-cancer-related group. This can be a support group-a
place to share your breast cancer experience openly with people who
understand. If you are more action-oriented, look for an organization that
holds breast cancer education programs or an advocacy group that lobbies for more research funding or free mammograms. Do whatever makes you feel connected to others in a positive way, as a woman who is moving beyond breast cancer.


10. Work on ways to feel more positive about your life: Seek out
productive, life-enhancing experiences; accept yourself for who you are;
spend time with positive people who affirm who you are and how you have chosen to deal with this disease.