Posted on Monday, October 3, 2016

Helping a Friend Cope with Their Breast Cancer Diagnosis

When a friend is diagnosed with cancer, it can be difficult to know what to say or how to act. You may feel like you need to treat your relationship differently, but that might not always be the case. The most important thing is that you provide support during this difficult time. Studies have shown that peer support helps improve quality of life and increase likelihood of remission. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re discussing how to help a friend cope with their breast cancer diagnosis. Lending a helping hand can be just what someone needs to bounce back from a scary diagnosis.

Offer them some help
Radiation and chemotherapy can be extremely taxing on the body, leaving patients burned out and exhausted. The last thing one wants to do after a long day of treatment is cook. Drop off a hot meal so dinner can be on the table when they arrive home. Or bring some meals that can be put in the freezer. This will be helpful on days that they’re too sick to cook but need nourishment. Offer to give them a ride to treatment or other appointments. Chemo will often leave people too sick to drive. If they don’t have help getting to appointments, they may not be able to receive the proper treatment. Keep in mind, she probably won’t ask for help so you need to offer it.

Do your research
Unless you have a true medical background, or have been there yourself, don’t pretend like you know what they’re going through. Take the time to learn about their specific diagnosis. Not only will this show that you care, but it will help you relate to what they’re going through. Help them to understand that certain symptoms or side effects are normal.

Don’t only focus on their cancer
Do normal things too. Get your nails done or get massages. Schedule a girls night with movies and snacks. Sure, breast cancer is a big part of their life, but it’s not their whole life. Restore a sense of normalcy to their routine.

Help them find support through others
You may have other friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Reach out to them. Ask if they would be willing to provide support to your friend. Sharing doctors, or simple tips for how they managed will be extremely helpful.

Be there as a shoulder to lean on, or cry on
Cancer is a very scary thing. Sometimes your friend may just need to cry. It’s OK for her to be scared, and it’s OK for you to be scared too. But having someone who they feel comfortable sharing their emotions with will help with their recovery.

Start a GoFundMe page or have a fundraiser
Chemotherapy is very time consuming and taxing on the body. Due to this some women are unable to work, or they have to cut their hours. Some are forced to work through treatment in order to survive financially. With mounting medical bills this may be almost just as scary as their diagnosis. Help ease their mind a bit, provide them with some extra income for medical bills or for when they need to have time off work.

Give them something to look forward to
Plan a girls’ trip for when they’re feeling better or for when chemo is over. Ask her to be your bridesmaid or maid of honor in your wedding. Having something to look forward to will ignite her fire to fight.

It’s important to remember that cancer affects all races, sexes, and ages. At any moment someone you love may be diagnosed with breast cancer. Knowing these tips will help them to cope with their diagnosis and defeat the cancer for good.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my latest offering in dealing with unexpected healthcare: When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This is a bit different than my other books. When Life Happens is a workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here for only $10!

Posted on Monday, September 12, 2016

Breakfast Done Right

Eating a healthy, nutritious breakfast is an essential part of your day. But if your schedule is anything like mine, you may find it difficult to fit in a healthy breakfast before you head out the door. This can make it tempting to breeze through the drive-thru and pick up a pastry on your way to work. But there are other quick, fulfilling options that simply require a bit of creativity.

I’m fortunate enough to have an amazing juice and coffee shop, J House Juice, literally down the street from me. On mornings that I’m in a pinch and need to grab something quick, I stop in to J House. They have everything from no bake energy bites and protein bars, to smoothies and fresh fruit. The staff is always very friendly, inviting and knowledgeable. My girl Katherine is an expert at mixing up just the right concoction to delight your taste buds and invigorate your body. Just tell her what’s going on with you and she’ll whip up a healthy juice just for you.

Here are links to popular recipes similar to some of my favorite treats:

Carrot, orange and ginger juice – no juicer required!

I hope you find this helpful to avoid drive-thru temptations. After all, it is better breakfast month!

Posted on Thursday, September 8, 2016

5 Ways to Sneak In Self-care

Self-care is an important aspect of daily life. But sometimes the demands of work, kids and school can leave little time to take care of yourself. However, it’s important to remember that you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first. Also, neglecting self-care for too long can have vast repercussions on your overall health and wellbeing. September is Self-improvement Month and I want to help you be the best version of yourself. Today, we are going to discuss five ways to sneak self-care in to your busy schedule.

First, wake up an hour early to live an hour more. Get up and go for a sunrise walk, or go to the gym and life some weights. I understand it’s difficult to get up an hour earlier when you’re exhausted and over worked. But starting your day off with some fresh air and a little bit of exercise will get you started on the right foot.

Second, schedule in me-time. Set aside a half an hour in between meetings to do some meditation. Meditating can help put your mind at ease, rid you of anxiety and increase your body awareness. Or just do some breathing exercises at your desk.

Third, sign up for a class of some sort such as yoga or Pilates. It will get your blood flowing and relax you. If exercise isn’t your thing sign up for an art class. Or, pick up some colored pencils and an adult coloring book. Art is very therapeutic.

Fourth, treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure or a massage. While you’re there turn off your phone, don’t let it distract you or let yourself get caught up in the stresses of the day.

Fifth, unwind with a bubble bath. You need to bathe anyways, so why not relax a bit. Grab some candles and put some Epsom salts in the tub. This will help your muscles relax and allow you to get a good night’s sleep.

It’s important to understand that self-care isn’t selfish. You need to take time for yourself each and every day in order to be a good mother, wife and caregiver.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children, as well as your aging parents: Life in the Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!