Get Your Healthcare Team and Family/Crew Into Your Corner: communicate with them what is important to you

Summary

Understanding what is important to you in the short term and long term is crucial for effective self-advocacy during the cancer journey. 

Priorities change as life circumstances change; free yourself to adjust your priorities. 

Writing down your priorities and goals can help you have more effective discussions with your healthcare providers, family members, your crew.

Journal and discuss what is keeping you from doing what is important to you.

 

Keywords

cancer journey, self-advocacy, priorities, goals, discussions, healthcare providers, family members, caregivers, loved ones

 

Takeaways

• Writing down your priorities and goals can help you have more effective discussions with healthcare providers, family members, caregivers, and loved ones.
• Communication with your crew and providers gets them in your corner. 
• Social interactions, such as attending work, book clubs, other interactions can provide a sense of normalcy and  social support through the cancer journey.
• Priorities can change as life circumstances change. Be okay with being dynamic in your priorities.
• Journaling can be a helpful tool for organizing and documenting your priorities, goals, and talking points for discussions.

Slower