steps to success

You are the expert in your cancer experience in relation to how you feel, what is important to you, and what you want. “Getting in the driver’s seat” is about knowing what’s important to you, and only you, and owning the decisions that feel right to you. Remember, everyone is different, so it’s important to focus on what you want and you need. Once you figure this out, you will begin to feel better and more in control of your cancer experience.

actions you can take to regain control of your cancer

1. Take one step at a time. Finding out you have cancer can be overwhelming and stressful. Take a moment to slow down when you feel stressed or overwhelmed. Remember to take things one step at a time. Sometimes the smallest steps can make the biggest difference!

2. Express your feelings. Cancer and the cancer treatment process are stressful and they can bring up many strong emotions such as feeling scared or nervous. Find ways to express your feelings through writing down your thoughts in a journal or creating a song. Making art can also help express sometimes difficult feelings. Also, talking friends, family, or other teens living with cancer can also help.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for support. As tough as it is, be honest with your friends and family about what you need and don’t need from them. Maybe it’s telling your friends you’d like to hang out and go to the movies.  Remember, friends usually want to help but don’t know how.  If people are being annoying about asking you questions about your cancer that you don’t want to answer, tell them nicely that you don’t feel like talking about it. 

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4. Treat yourself. You’re going through a tough time, and it’s important to try to do things that make you feel good, such as watching movies, listening to music or talking on the phone. Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress.

5. Plan for the future. You may have cancer, but cancer does not have you! No matter how tough it is, you need to continue living one-day-at a time, and be hopeful about all that lies ahead of you. It’s important to continue to plan for the future whether that means signing up for summer camp or applying to college.