Complete Idiot's Guide to Living with Breast Cancer

by Sorenson, Sharon; Metger, Suzanne

• ISBN13: 9780028639383
• ISBN10: 0028639383
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-11
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

This guide is for breast cancer patients, their spouses and children, and their families, co-workers, and friends. The author hopes to answer the practical, everyday life questions that every breast cancer patient or loved one has. The book provides information, recommendations, tips, and inspiration for everything from that first biopsy to the five-year check-up.

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Big Shock: First Events	1	(73)
It Ain't Gold in Them Hills	3	(10)
We Need to Talk	13	(14)
Learning a New Vocabulary	27	(12)
Taking Their Word for It	39	(12)
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions	51	(14)
Call for a Working Plan	65	(8)
Part 2: Shock Waves: Dealing with Treatment	73	(78)
Taking Your Lumps: Lumpectomy	75	(12)
When They Take It All: Mastectomy	87	(12)
Between Surgery and the Rest	99	(12)
Chemotherapy: Cruel to Be Kind	111	(16)
Radiation Therapy: Getting Nuked	127	(10)
Hormone Therapy: The Pill	137	(14)
Part 3: After Shock: Dealing with the Tremors	151	(46)
The Big Arm: Lymphedema	153	(12)
Again and Again: The Follow-Up	165	(10)
Caution Flag: Risk Factors	175	(12)
Emotional Turmoil: Diamond in the Rough	187	(10)
Part 4: Shock Absorbers: Finding Support	197	(44)
Groupies: Yea or Nay?	199	(12)
Mind and Body: Spiritual Support	211	(8)
Support Tools	219	(12)
Easing Others' Pain: Walking the Mile	231	(10)
Part 5: The Aftermath: Its Many Parts	241	(114)
Back to the Bikini: Reconstruction	243	(14)
Boob in a Box: Prostheses	257	(12)
Life Goes On: Physical and Emotional Changes	269	(10)
Fashion Fling: New Clothing Priorities	279	(12)
Recurrence: Safe to Go Back in the Water?	291	(10)
Facing Death: Day to Day	301	(12)
Volunteers and Advocates: Working for the Cause	313	(42)
Appendixes
A Glossary	327	(8)
B Further Readings	335	(4)
C Support Groups	339	(4)
D Sources of Prostheses and Post-Surgical Clothing	343	(8)
E Informational Web Sites	351	(4)
Index	355