Facing Cancer Together

You hear that a friend has cancer. You want to help, but you're not entirely sure how. Pamela Brown, a cancer survivor, suggests the many ways you can help by your words and actions. In addition to a wealth of practical suggestions, Facing Cancer Together includes entries from the author's journals, as well as Bible readings and prayers to share for support and comfor

This book offers engaging and digestible lessons for couples navigating the life change that a cancer diagnosis brings. Dan Shapiro draws on his more than twenty-five years of clinical work as a health psychologist who has researched and worked with couples facing cancer, and on his own experiences of being both the patient (having and beating Hodgkin’s lymphoma in his twenties) and the supporter/advocate (when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer) to weave together insights on facing cancer while maintaining a strong relationship. And in Health gives advice in short lessons on the main areas of concern or conflict that can come from life with cancer—from diagnosis to treatment and life post-treatment. Topics include: • How to forge yourselves into a powerful team and evade common conflicts • Dealing with physicians and getting the best care possible, along with tips for navigating the medical world • Strategies for coping with the emotions that can interfere with your relationship—anger, mood swings, spouse fears, and depression • Distinguishing between supportive and draining people in your lives, and learning to invite and accept help • Opening to new types of intimacy and making peace with dependence

The diagnosis of cancer is frightening enough for the patient. But the disease has a deep impact on the patients partner and the couples relationship as well. Life is not the same, and a new journey has begun. This book, drawing on the personal experience of the authors and many others, offers a compassionate guide for the journey. Those who find themselves on this most difficult road will learn how other couples have coped successfully. With the took kit offered on these pages, couples can do more than endure the ordeal; they can actually strengthen the bond between them. From my past experience I know the value of support groups and the wisdom contained in Love is a Journey. The groups and book help us to inspire us to heal ourselves and our relationships. n Bernie Siegel, M.D. Author of Love, Medicine & Miracles, and Prescriptions for Living In my work with cancer patients, I have seen couples exhibit enormous courage, team work and stamina. With this exceptionally practical guide, Drs. Latona and Stricklin are increasing the odds that couples will navigate this difficult path successfully. I cant wait to start recommending it to my patients.: n Daniel S. Dworkin, Ph.D., Co-author, Helping the Bereaved: Therapeutic Interventions for Children, Adolescents and Adults A must reading for all couples facing cancer together, as well as for caregivers and professionals assisting these couples. In addition to identifying stages to assist couples in anticipating and normalizing the range of impacts when cancer becomes part of their lives, the authors provide real-life examples to help understand these stages. n Douglas H. Lamb, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Illinois State University Grief and loss researcher and practitioner I wish my husband and I could have read Love is a Journey during the acute treatment stages of my cancer it validates and supports so much of what a couple goes through. But, it has also helped us to identify the long-range effect on our marriage now that the cancer is in remission. Its never too late for couples to benefit from this book! n Janet Lammens, cancer survivor The focus of Love is a Journey is on nourishing the relationship that connects the partners. Gary and Jan understand with their minds and with their hearts and deliver their message with respectful authenticity. n Candyce S. Russell, Ph.D., Vera Mowery McAninch Professor, Kansas State University

In recent decades a growing number of studies have described cancer as a “we-disease”. Patients with cancer as well as intimate partners experienced psychological distress. Studies displayed that various relational factors (e.g., attachment style, mutuality, etc.) such as diverse close relationship processes (e.g., dyadic coping, communication, shared-decision making, etc.) have an impact on individual (e.g., physical and psychological health, quality of life) and dyadic (e.g., marital quality and satisfaction, sexual and reproductive health, etc.) outcomes. Thus, programs reducing psychological distress and enhancing dyadic processes were developed.

In I've Been Diagnosed, Now What? Courageously Fighting Cancer in the Face of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt Ms. Nolen, a seven-year survivor of Stage 3 Inflammatory Breast Cancer, shares her journey from uninformed patient to self-advocate. After coming to grips with the diagnosis, she made a conscious decision to get the best treatment available and to bring together the best support team possible. She used a variety of methods, including internet research, word of mouth, and joining support groups to learn how to build a strong medical team and surround herself with a support structure of her family, friends, and social media communities. Now having passed the critical five-year survival mark, Ms. Nolen is sharing her strategies with other survivors who may be feeling isolated and uncertain. With inspiring stories from other survivors, resource lists for every stage of the process, and survivor secrets she learned along the way, readers will be able to build their own community of support and not just survive, but thrive!

Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science biomedical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psychosocial) problems associated with the illness. This failure can compromise the effectiveness of health care and thereby adversely affect the health of cancer patients. Psychological and social problems created or exacerbated by cancer--including depression and other emotional problems; lack of information or skills needed to manage the illness; lack of transportation or other resources; and disruptions in work, school, and family life--cause additional suffering, weaken adherence to prescribed treatments, and threaten patients' return to health. Today, it is not possible to deliver high-quality cancer care without using existing approaches, tools, and resources to address patients' psychosocial health needs. All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that ensures the provision of appropriate psychosocial health services. Cancer Care for the Whole Patient recommends actions that oncology providers, health policy makers, educators, health insurers, health planners, researchers and research sponsors, and consumer advocates should undertake to ensure that this standard is met.