Now What?

I had the privilege of interviewing Terri Wolf, RN MS OCN, for a Wellness Within podcast recently.  Our topic: You received a cancer diagnosis.  Now What?  Terri, a long-time supporter and instructor of Wellness Within, a former professional writer/ journalist turned oncology nurse, brings an extensive amount of experience to our topic, including speaking to a recent cancer diagnosis of her own, as well as a frank and refreshing realism to the difficulty of talking about words no one ever wants to hear. 

You can search on the web numerous “how to cope with a cancer diagnosis” articles.  American Cancer Society has a resource.  National Cancer Institute has their version, too.  Most major medical hospitals and systems as well publish resources.  But to have a dialogue about coping with a cancer diagnosis?  To hear, “You don’t have to listen to those people who tell you to stay positive” or “Cry, just because; even if the diagnosis isn’t scary.”  These are powerful words of wisdom, especially when heard from a person who guides people through cancer and who has faced the tumult of emotions herself.

But beyond the grounded wisdom, Terri communicates plenty of practical advice honed from her years in the medical field: you are the captain of your care team.  You can conduct your research and enter appointments informed, but know your comfort level for information, and only gather research from organizations with an “.org” in their URL; and when seeking information from others, be aware. Filter the embellishments from the informative practical experience that may serve you well.  For example, a person who was treated with your cancer listing unemotionally symptoms and reactions to a treatment as opposed to embellishing with “it was the worst thing ever” communicates two very different levels of helpful information.  And these examples are only the beginning.  In the interview, Terri proves herself a font of knowledge.

One of the mantras of Wellness Within Cancer Support Services is Pause. Breathe, Proceed.  It is so appropriate that throughout the interview, Terri states, when cancer enters your life, BREATHE. Pause – don’t do anything sweeping in your life. And proceed with as much calm as possible and with your emotional support team around you.  You may hear the dreaded, “you have cancer” words.  But, with breath, by fostering calmness, awareness, helpful information, you can navigate the diagnosis.  Terri’s interview can give you a great start.

To hear the full interview You received a cancer diagnosis.  Now What?  with Terri Wolf, RN MS OCN, please access the interview podcast HERE.