Your Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life With Resilience

by Kim Thiboldeaux, Jill Biden (Foreword by)

Overview

No one should have to face cancer alone.

Each year, 1.8 million people are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Upon learning this difficult news, individuals also have a minefield of complex information to navigate regarding treatment plans, insurance coverage, clinical trials, and more. 

Your Cancer Road Map: Navigating Life with Resilience is a compassionate, comprehensive guide for cancer patients, their families, and caregivers, designed to take the guesswork out of these crucial decisions every step of the way. 

For more than 35 years, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) has been a trusted resource, demystifying the emotional, physical, financial, and logistical challenges related to cancer. From CSC CEO Kim Thiboldeaux, Your Cancer Road Map is a comprehensive guidebook, providing advice and comfort at every point on the cancer journey, from the moment of diagnosis to survivorship and beyond.

Your Cancer Road Map covers hard-to-talk-about topics such as treatment options, finances, how cancer can affect your fertility or sexuality, survivor care, hospice care, and end-of-life planning. In the CSC tradition, the book ensures that people impacted by cancer can live their lives to the fullest and enables them to gain a sense of control during what can be an overwhelming and chaotic time.

Now more than ever, patients need the tools to participate fully in their healthcare, and communicate their preferences and priorities to their healthcare team so that they can make the best decisions for themselves and their loved ones while living with the highest possible quality of life. 

Filled with incredible personal stories from people who could be your friends or neighbors, as well as celebrities and influencers, plus workbook pages, checklists, recommended resources, and more, Your Cancer Road Map will be a powerful companion for anyone with questions about cancer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781953295347
Publisher:	BenBella Books, Inc.
Publication date:	06/22/2021
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Kim Thiboldeaux is an innovative, internationally recognized leader who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. As the CEO of the Cancer Support Community (CSC), Thiboldeaux oversees a global non-profit network of 175 locations, including 47 CSC and Gilda's Club centers, 10 hospital and clinic-based affiliates, and a multitude of satellite locations that deliver more than $50 million in free support services to patients and families. In addition, CSC administers a toll-free helpline and produces award-winning educational resources that reach more than one million people each year. The Cancer Support Community, formed in 2009 by the merger of The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club, also conducts cutting-edge research on the emotional, psychological, and financial journey of cancer patients. In addition, CSC advocates in Washington, DC and at all levels of government for policies to help individuals whose lives have been disrupted by cancer. Thiboldeaux coauthored Reclaiming Your Life After Diagnosis and The Total Cancer Wellness Guide, and hosts the award-winning Frankly Speaking About Cancer radio show. She also serves on multiple advisory boards, speaks at leading conferences, and frequently appears in national media outlets. In June 2017, Vice President Joe Biden appointed Thiboldeaux to serve on the Biden Cancer Initiative's Board of Directors.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Foreword by Jill Biden
Introduction

Section 1: Just Diagnosed

Chapter 1 Take a Deep Breath
Chapter 2 Know Your Diagnosis and Stage of Disease
Chapter 3 Build Your Team
Chapter 4 Understand Your Treatment Options
Chapter 5 Learn About Genetic and Genomic Testing
Chapter 6 Make an Informed Treatment Decision
Chapter 7 Get a Second Opinion
Chapter 8 Ask About Clinical Trials
Chapter 9 Get to Know Your Insurance Coverage
Chapter 10 Ask to Be Screened for Distress
Chapter 11 Ask About Fertility
Chapter 12 Young Adults and Cancer
Chapter 13 Set Up Advance Directives
Chapter 14 Care for the Caregiver

Section 2: Active Treatment

Chapter 15 Time to Gear Up for Treatment
Chapter 16 Learn How to Manage Side Effects
Chapter 17 Talking to Your Kids About Cancer
Chapter 18 Find Emotional Support
Chapter 19 Build Your Digital Support Network
Chapter 20 Focus on Nutrition
Chapter 21 Exercise and Mind-Body Techniques
Chapter 22 Focus on Finances
Chapter 23 Sex and Intimacy
Chapter 24 Managing Work and Cancer
Chapter 25 What If Treatment Doesn’t End

Section 3: After Treatment Is Done

Chapter 26 Tools for Survivorship and Beyond
Chapter 27 Survivor Care Plan and Medical Follow-Up
Chapter 28 Managing Fear of Recurrence
Chapter 29 Hospice and End of Life

Acknowledgments
About Kim Thiboldeaux
Cancer Support Community Board of Directors
Cancer Support Community Professional Advisory Board
Cancer Support Community Affiliates
Cancer Patient Advocacy Groups and Resources
Federal and State Programs: Insurance and Employment
Resources for Financial Support
Glossary
Index
Notes

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Thiboldeaux does a masterful job of explaining complicated, intimidating topics.”
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
 
“A disease as complex as cancer deserves a guidebook as comprehensive as Your Cancer Road Map.  This candid, accessible approach to navigating cancer is the tonic every cancer patient needs.”
—Barak Goodman, acclaimed nonfiction filmmaker and director of Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies
 
“Cancer has affected so many close friends and family members, and they are the inspiration behind my philanthropic commitment to the Cancer Support Community. Your Cancer Road Map puts in one place the gold standard of innovative, patient-focused services and guidance that I am proud to have helped expand across the US and to underserved communities.”
—Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, cofounder of Vera Bradley
 
“Your Cancer Road Map is the guide that every cancer patient needs to relieve the stress of diagnosis and provide guidance and companionship throughout the cancer journey.”
—Lidia Schapira, MD, FASCO, director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at the Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center
 
“This comprehensive book reflects the intensely personal nature of the cancer experience and is a necessary resource for anyone confronting a cancer diagnosis. There is no one better prepared to give guidance and insight than Kim Thiboldeaux and the Cancer Support Community.”
—Christ Draft, former NFL player and cofounder of Team Draft, an initiative of the Chris Draft Family Foundation
 
“The Cancer Support Community, led by Kim for the past 20 years, has been a great friend and partner to American Indians here in Arizona . . . Your Cancer Road Map is yet another example of the high quality of their work and their commitment to ensuring ALL people impacted by cancer have access to the highest quality, culturally-adapted cancer care and support.” 
—Lynette Bonar, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE, CEO of Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation

Editorial Reviews

A disease as complex as cancer deserves a guidebook as comprehensive as Your Cancer Road Map. This candid, accessible approach to navigating cancer is the tonic every cancer patient needs.”

—Barak Goodman, acclaimed nonfiction filmmaker and director of Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies

“Cancer has affected so many close friends and family members, and they are the inspiration behind my philanthropic commitment to the Cancer Support Community. Your Cancer Road Map puts in one place the gold standard of innovative, patient-focused services and guidance that I am proud to have helped expand across the US and to underserved communities.”

—Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, cofounder of Vera Bradley

“Kim Thiboldeaux is a fierce advocate for people living with cancer . . . Your Cancer Road Map is the guide that every cancer patient needs to relieve the stress of diagnosis and provide guidance and companionship throughout the cancer journey.”

—Lidia Schapira, MD, FASCO, director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at the Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center

“This comprehensive book reflects the intensely personal nature of the cancer experience and is a necessary resource for anyone confronting a cancer diagnosis. There is no one better prepared to give guidance and insight than Kim Thiboldeaux and the Cancer Support Community.”

—Christ Draft, former NFL player and cofounder of Team Draft, an initiative of the Chris Draft Family Foundation 

“The Cancer Support Community, led by Kim for the past 20 years, has been a great friend and partner to American Indians here in Arizona . . . Your Cancer Road Map is yet another example of the high quality of their work and their commitment to ensuring ALL people impacted by cancer have access to the highest-quality, culturally adapted cancer care and support.” 

—Lynette Bonar, CEO, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation

From the Publisher