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Life During Treatment - Self Care, Side Effects, Reconstruction

During treatment, you may have side effects, and need treatment for them. Special drugs are available to help you recover from treatment side effects. Self-care is also important, as well as asking for help and support from family and friends. If you're working while in treatment, you should know your rights under the Family Medical Leave Act. Learn what emotional stages to expect, and ways to cope.
How Do I Pay For A Wig During Chemotherapy?
Hair loss is a common chemotherapy side effect. Your health insurance may help cover the cost of a wig, but how do you submit a claim? Learn more about purchasing a wig for chemo hair loss, and getting health insurance to cover all or part of the cost.
Top 10 Snappy Comebacks To Insensitive Breast Cancer Comments
You've got breast cancer, and now you've got rude people asking embarrassing questions and making thoughtless comments. How do you respond? Here's 10 snappy comebacks for those times that you need one.
When People Make Rude Comments About Breast Cancer
During treatment for breast cancer, you may get rude comments or insensitive remarks about yourself or the disease. Many people have never dealt with cancer, and have no idea of what to say. But if they are rude, you can decide how to respond. Learn the reasons that people may blurt out hurtful remarks.
Lands End Women's Mastectomy Hi Neck Slender Mastectomy Swimsuit
Women who were active before a mastectomy or want to do water exercise after breast surgery will find this swimsuit comfortable. It accommodates one or two breast prosthesis, fits snugly and is modestly designed to flatter your figure. Read a review of the Lands End Mastectomy Swimsuit.
Breast Cancer and Work - Know Your Workplace Rights
You may be working outside the home when you're diagnosed with breast cancer, and you will need to navigate the maze of workplace policies about medical leave, sick time, vacation time, and talking about your diagnosis with your boss and coworkers. Know your rights - what is protected by law - and what preserves your income and health insurance.
Should I Join a Breast Cancer Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials for breast cancer treatments are one way to determine if new treatments or techniques will improve the fight against breast cancer, or extend life and survival. Learn more about joining a clinical trial.
Breastfeeding During Breast Cancer Treatment
Although it is unusual to be diagnosed with breast cancer right after becoming a new mom and starting to breastfeed, it does happen. So how does this affect your plans to breastfeed? Learn more about when and how you can still breastfeed.
Telling Your Kids About Breast Cancer
Being diagnosed with breast cancer is hard, and telling family members is difficult, too - but telling your children may be the hardest task of all. Know where, when, and how to tell your kids about breast cancer.
The Breast Cancer Blame Game
Do you blame yourself for lifestyle choices that may have affected your risk of breast cancer? Obsessing over the past won't help - learn how and why to move on.
How to Choose the Right Oncologist
Getting a diagnosis of breast cancer is a blow, and getting good treatment is essential. How do you choose the right oncologist to work with? What should you look for, and what should you avoid? Here's some ideas, based on my experience with different oncologists.
Choosing Breast Cancer Specialists
Breast cancer and its treatment are so complex that doctors have become specialized in treating specific aspects of the disease. Read about the different kinds pf breast cancer specialists and how to choose among them.
Can I Fire My Doctor? How Do I Change Doctors?
If you are not happy with your current doctor, what do you do? Are you stuck until you're out of treatment? How do you get a second opinion? Here's some things you can do if you are thinking of switching doctors.
Top 10 Self Care Tips During Breast Cancer Treatment
Only you know exactly how you feel during treatment for breast cancer. The treatments affect all of you - body, mind, soul, and spirit. Taking care of all aspects of yourself, or asking for help, is important while you're fighting this disease. Here are some ways to take care of yourself.
Tips to Save on Medical Travel Expenses
Gas prices are going up, and your expenses are already stretched. What can you do to save money and lower your stress levels while you're in treatment? Here are some ideas.
Tax Deductions for Medical Expenses
Cancer treatment is costly, but if you keep good records and your expenses qualify, you may be able to deduct some fo your expenses from your taxes. Learn if you qualify and how to deduct medical expenses.
The Psychological Impact of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
A diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most devastating things a woman can hear. After such shocking news, it is normal to feel a range of emotions, from despair to rage. But for some patients, even once the initial confusion and grief have dissipated, a serious mental health issue may develop. Learn how and when to seek help.
Emotional Stages of Breast Cancer During Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you and your family will be experiencing waves of emotion. Knowing what other survivors have experienced and getting help early in the process is very helpful. Read about the normal stages of emotion that come with breast cancer diagnosis.
Guided Imagery - Relief for Stress and Emotions During Breast Cancer Treatment
Guided imagery is a technique that uses your mind and senses to help you connect your mind and body, guiding your overall self into a relaxed and centered state. Breast cancer patients may use guided imagery for stress relief, pain management, and to promote better sleep.
Things For Which Breast Cancer Makes Us Thankful
Having breast cancer is an experience that changes you. It can strip away pretense and artifice, leaving only honesty and integrity in relationships. It can focus your fears. Betty Ford noted that cancer strikes not only the body, but also the spirit. When we are faced with our mortality, our true self is revealed. And we may become grateful for things which we previously took for granted. …
How Do I Choose Between a Port or an IV for Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy for breast cancer can be given as fluids (infusions), as injections (added to infusions), and in some cases, as pills or tablets. If you are having chemotherapy infusions, you will need to ask your doctor if you should have a port implanted, or if you can have intravenous infusion (IV). Read this article to help you choose between a port and an IV.
How is Heparin used as part of chemotherapy for breast cancer?
Heparin, an anticoagulant, is injected in your catheter line to prevent blood clots within the tube itself. Your chemotherapy nurse may use a heparin flush at the end of your infusion session. Learn more about Heparin Injection.
Breast Cancer: Airline Travel During Chemotherapy
Going on a trip during chemotherapy for breast cancer will be a good break from the rigors of treatment. But since airline security is high, you may have metal on or in your body that will set off the alarms on metal detectors or wands. Being prepared will help you get through security with fewer problems. Plan ahead and know what to bring with you.
Cancer and Your Workplace
Can you be fired for getting cancer? What are your rights? What is legislation that affects you on the job, while you are in treatment? Here's the scoop from the The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Family Medical Leave - What are Your Rights?
How can the Family Medical Leave Act benefit you if you want to work during cancer treatment? If you are a patient's family member and want to drive them to treatments, can you benefit from FMLA? Here's a good Q and A from Law Guru.
Breast Cancer Retreats
Do you need a break from the treatment routine? How about a place to destress and meet others who are survivors? The BreastCancerCoach.com is a nonprofit that offers retreats and education.
Sign up for Chemo Angels
Are you a patient and need a little encouragement? Or are you someone who wants to be supportive of a chemo patient? Here's a site that will match you with an Angel or a Patient, volunteers who support each other during treatment. You can be a Chemo Angel!

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