A cancer diagnosis changes your life. And it brings many different emotions.
As you go through treatment ... and even after that time ...
you won't always know how you're going to react.
And your feelings can change quickly ... day to day ... even moment to moment.
You may feel lonely at times, even when others are with you.
Feelings of anger, sadness, and fear are common too.
And these aren't easy feelings to deal with.
[Marilyn] "I didn't remember one word my doctor said--except 'cancer.' And my heart would just pound ... I woke up the next day, thinking 'This can't be real'."
[Hank] "I remember a conversation about test results, treatment options.
But I was in a fog.
I drove right past our street on the way home ... pulled the car over.
It didn't seem possible."
[Amanda] "I was most afraid of looking weak, especially to my kids.
I'd been there for them--every concert, ball games, graduation.
I'd always been the strong one, in charge ... Now I was the one who needed help."
[Marilyn] "A lot of days I'd act like I was okay.
Put on a smile and tough it out for my family ...
'Don't worry about me. Grandma's going to be all right' ...
when really I was terrified ... I just hid it all inside."
[Tammy] "One minute I'd be fine, then something in me would boil up.
I just wanted to scream: 'This isn't fair!' I was angry at my body ... I'm a runner, I'm healthy, I'm young.
I had my whole career planned out ... This wasn't supposed to happen to me."
[Amanda] "There were plenty of tears, through treatment ... even after it was all done.
But there were joyful times too ... seeing how many people cared ...
old friends and people you meet.
You start to focus on the good--those little acts of kindness."
Along with the lows, you're going to have high points too.
As people go through treatment, they often find a new sense of purpose and meaning ...
an appreciation for what they cherish most, like family or good friends.
People often feel more inspired to live life to the fullest--right now.
Think of the joys in your life ... the things you value most.
And remember ... many people have gone on a similar journey and come back stronger.
