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STEP
2: Break The News & Build Your Support Team
Build Your Support Team
Your friends and family, along with your advocate
and primary caregiver, will be instrumental in helping you
find a treatment for your cancer. That's why it's essential
to break the news to family and friends and be inclusive.
But first, make a plan. Put serious thought into which people
you're going to tell you have cancer. Because time may be
of the essence, also think about what you might ask each person
to do to help you in your fight against the disease and manage
your work and home life. Most people will want to help but
won't know what or how to offer; they will appreciate your
involving them. And they will appreciate even more being given
a specific assignment, one that matches their particular skills.
The action plan we outline here, along with a strategy for
developing and nurturing a support team, will get you started.
Make A Plan
The first step is to STOP. Realize you do have time and
make a plan. As complicated as it all may seem right now,
you will need to organize yourself, what you need and the
people around you. This step will help you with a plan.
Build Your Support Team
Surrounding you, literally and figuratively, are several
different groups, each representing different roles they
now may play in your life. Alongside you is your personal
advocate, your spouse and caregiver (who may all be one
person). Also available to you is a professional advocate,
if you choose to hire one. Farther out, but still important
are your buddies, close friends, work associates and other
members of your family. This is your support system.
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