Beatable
Treatable &
SURVIVABLE
WELCOME
I was seven years old when the doctors cut me open for the rst time. Little did
I know I would have surgery every year of my life. After 48 operations, 3 years
in and out of hospitals, and 2 years of chemotherapy and radiation, I learned a
thing or 100 about coping with my disease.
PICTURE
Table of Contents
1. My Medical History
Patient information
Medical Team Information
2. Medical Calendar
Appointment Times
Labs
X-Rays
Other Tests
3. Questions & Answers
Questions for your Doctor
Questions/Answers for your family
What is Cancer: Facts/Figures
What is Chemotherapy
What is Radiation
What is Surgery
4. Resource Center
Best Hospitals
Best Websites
Other cool stu
5. Journal/Quotes
Be Inspired
Time for you / Journal
Lets get started
1. Buy a 3 ring 1 binder
2. Print each page and hole punch
3. Buy 5 tab divider set
4. Create space for yourself to read, ll out, and journal.
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
God heals.
Miracles happen.
Dreams Really Do Come True.
-Manny Diotte
MY MEDICAL HISTORY
&
PERSONAL DOCUMENTS
PATIENT INFORMATION
Name: _____________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ____________________ Social Security Number: ________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: __________________
Home Phone: __________________ Business: _________________ Cell: __________________
In case of Emergency contact: ___________________________________________________
Relationship to you: ___________________________________________________________
Phone number: _______________________________________________________________
Primary Health Care Provider: ___________________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________
Height: _______________Weight: _________________Blood Type: ____________________
Allergies/Reaction: ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
CANCER HISTORY
Diagnosis: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Treatment Plan: ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
MY CANCER STORY
Snapshot: ___________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________
PREVIOUS SURGERY
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Procedure: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Hosptial: ____________________________________ Surgeon: ________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
MEDICATIONS
Name: __________________________________________ Strength (mg): ________________
Schedule (How often taken/Dosage amount): ______________________________________
Purpose of Medication: ______________________________________________________
Prescribing Doctor: __________________________________________________________
Side Eects if any: _____________________________________________________________
MEDICATIONS
Name: __________________________________________ Strength (mg): ________________
Schedule (How often taken/Dosage amount): ______________________________________
Purpose of Medication: ______________________________________________________
Prescribing Doctor: __________________________________________________________
Side Eects if any: _____________________________________________________________
MEDICATIONS
Name: __________________________________________ Strength (mg): ________________
Schedule (How often taken/Dosage amount): ______________________________________
Purpose of Medication: ______________________________________________________
Prescribing Doctor: __________________________________________________________
Side Eects if any: _____________________________________________________________
10
NoN-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
Name: __________________________________________ Strength (mg): ________________
Schedule (How often taken/Dosage amount): ______________________________________
Purpose of Medication: ______________________________________________________
Prescribing Doctor: __________________________________________________________
Side Eects if any: _____________________________________________________________
11
MY INSURANCE INFORMATION
Primary Health Insurance Company: ________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: __________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________
Group Number: _______________________________________________________________
Policy Number: _______________________________________________________________
Name of Primary Holder: ________________________________________________________
Relationship to you: ____________________________________________________________
Supplemental Health Insurance Company: __________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: __________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________
Group Number: _______________________________________________________________
Policy Number: _______________________________________________________________
Name of Primary Holder: ________________________________________________________
Relationship to you: ____________________________________________________________
Long Term Health Care Insurance Company: _________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: __________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________
Group Number: _______________________________________________________________
Policy Number: _______________________________________________________________
Name of Primary Holder: ________________________________________________________
Relationship to you: ____________________________________________________________
Medicaid/Medicare/Other: _______________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: __________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________
Group Number: _______________________________________________________________
Policy Number: _______________________________________________________________
Name of Primary Holder: ________________________________________________________
Relationship to you: ____________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
12
LEGAL ITEMS
Cancer already plays a major role in your stress level and when you add the dynamics of family,
it can get dicult. Despite the fact that everyone may mean well, or think they are doing
things in your best interest, its best to have a few items well documented in advance. These
items include a list of your wishes, a will, medical directives, power of attorney, estate planning
documents, and any other pertinent documents.
Remember that advanced planning can help you lessen the burden on your family and avoid
further pain and confusion should something unexpected happen.
Special Note: Cancer does not equal death. I, and millions of others, including you reading
this support guide are ghters. This is just a smart step to take because we never know when
God will call us home.
LIVING WILL (please check):
13
14
HELPFUL NUMBERS
Fathers Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Mothers Name: ________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Sibling Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Sibling Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Sibling Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Sibling Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Sibling Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Sibling Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Spouse Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Child Name: _______________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Child Name: _______________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
15
HELPFUL NUMBERS
Child Name: _______________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Child Name: _______________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Aunts Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Uncles Name: _________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Grandmothers Name: ___________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Grandfathers Name: ___________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Financial Institution: ____________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Investment Institutions Name: ____________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Life Insurance Policy: ____________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Family Attorneys Name: _________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Estate Planning Attorneys Name: __________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
16
HELPFUL NUMBERS
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
17
Quote
18
MY MEDICAL TEAM
&
CALENDAR
Picking the right team is one of the single most important decisions you can
make. Take your time, interview several doctors. Dont rush this process if
possible. Search the internet. What are others saying about them? What is their
philosophy and approach are they aggressive or not? Do they believe in
experimental treatment or not? Do they specialize in your disease? Do their
values and beliefs match mine? Another thing to consider is distance from your
home. Will they live in the same state or will you have to travel to treatment?
Where is the treatment facility located? Does my insurance cover all the above?
Dont be overwhelmed. There are thousands of healthcare professionals who
have dedicated their lives to helping and serving humanity. Just remember
that you are in control and the better informed you are, the better decisions you
will make.
19
MY MEDICAL TEAM
Primary Health Care Physician Name: ______________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: _________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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20
MY MEDICAL TEAM
My Oncologists Name: __________________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
21
MY MEDICAL TEAM
My Radiologists Name: __________________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
22
MY MEDICAL TEAM
My Chemotherapists Name: ______________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
23
MY MEDICAL TEAM
My Surgeons Name: ____________________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
24
MY MEDICAL TEAM
My Anesthesiologists Name: _____________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
25
MY MEDICAL TEAM
Other Doctor(s) involved Name: ___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
26
MY MEDICAL TEAM
Other Doctor(s) involved Name: ___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
27
MY MEDICAL TEAM
Other Doctor(s) involved Name: ___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
28
MY MEDICAL TEAM
Other Doctor(s) involved Name: ___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hospital(s) they serve: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Address: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oce Number: ________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________
Oce Manager/Sta Person in charge of my cause: ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Best number for them: __________________________________________________________
Other Members of his oce I met: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY NUMBER: __________________________________________________________
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
29
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31
January _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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32
February _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
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33
March _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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34
April _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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35
May _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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36
June _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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37
July _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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38
August _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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39
September _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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40
October _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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41
November _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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42
December _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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43
January _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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44
February _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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45
March _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
46
April _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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47
May _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
48
June _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
49
July _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
50
August _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
51
September _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
52
October _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
53
November _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
54
December _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
55
January _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
56
February _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
57
March _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
58
April _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
59
May _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
60
June _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
61
July _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
62
August _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
63
September _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
64
October _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
65
November _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
66
December _____
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
67
Ultimately, you want to make sure everything you need is in one place, at your
ngertips, and ready to give to the healthcare professionals who request it for
your care.
I also suggest you keep a box with all your X-rays, blood tests, and any other test you
may need to take.
This way, everyone will know what is going on and it will help you avoid unnecessary
tests and further wear and tear on your body.
Its very important you have a duplicate set of everything, in the event your records are
lost for any reason.
68
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QUESTIONS
&
ANSWERS
Ask questions, lots and lots of questions. Nobody regrets getting more
information than they may need. However, you will regret not asking enough
questions. The ip side of this is your ability to make a decision. Remember
information overload can result in not making decisions at all. You will not be
perfect in this process. The goal is not to be perfect, but to make good decisions
based on the information youve gathered. Remember you can change your mind
and you will. Just seek wise counsel in the process. Have some faith in the
process and pray.
I am going to list a lot of questions in this area to get you started with your
doctor. I also suggest you get on the internet and do your homework. I will give
you some websites to get you started in the resource section of this guide and
you will nd some more on your own. Remember you are never alone in this
process. There are thousands of people who will help you. If you are sad, mad,
depressed, or angry, this is normal. There are thousands of professionals who
will be happy to help you process through these issues.
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
70
71
WHAT IS CANCER?
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
WHAT CAUSES CANCER?
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WHAT STAGE AM I IN?
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WHAT DOES EACH STAGE MEAN?
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IS THIS TREATABLE?
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WHAT ARE MY BEST TREATMENT OPTIONS?
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HOW DO YOU NORMALLY TREAT PEOPLE WITH THIS DISEASE?
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ARE YOU CONSERVATIVE IN YOUR APPROACH, AGGRESSIVE, OR IN THE MIDDLE?
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WHAT IS RADIATION?
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HOW DOES SURGERY AFFECT MY BODY?
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WHAT SURGEON WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
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WHAT IS MY PROGNOSIS?
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AM I HEALING NORMALLY?
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WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I CALL YOU ABOUT?
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HOW DO I EXPLAIN THIS TO MY FAMILY?
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HOW DO I EXPLAIN THIS TO MY CHILDREN?
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Quote
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Resource Guide
The following is meant to be helpful information in your cancer journey.
Here are over 100 resources.
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#2
Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
Boston, MA
#3
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
#4
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
#5
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, TN
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#6
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, WA
#7
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX
#8
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, IL
#9
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, CO
#10
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
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CURE Magazine
www.curetoday.com
Cancer Updates / Research / Education
Kids Cancer Network
www.kidscancernetwork.org
Provided Hope for families who have kids with cancer
National Cancer Institute Publications Catalogue
www.nci.nih.gove
Publications
Curesearch
www.curesearch.org
Research / Advocacy / Care
Ronald McDonald House
www.rmhc.org
Keeps Families together during Treatment
Live Strong
www.livestrong.org
Survivor Care
Chemotherapy Care
www.chemocare.com
Information about chemotherapy / Before and After care
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Cancer Books
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10.
Anything by Authors:
Max Lucado
Joel Osteen
Dr. Bernie Siegel
Zig Ziglar
Jim Rohn
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Be a straight shooter. For years, I have observed that patients and their families insist that the physician be a
straight shooter. This means to me that the physician should use the truth when it is requested and in the amount
it is requested to assure the optimal sense of well-being under the circumstances. It may not cure or bring
happiness, but being truthful indicates to the patient that the physician can be counted on to accurately describe
and negotiate the dicult times ahead. Listening to the patient or their families will, in large part, indicate when
they need plans for negotiation of dicult times. Remember, ethnicity and culture may make a dierence,
4 so ask patients if they wish to receive the information and make decisions or if they prefer the family to handle
such matters.
II. Be empathetic. The quality of understanding how another person feels and to be in tune with your
patients is extremely important and forms the basis for all contact with the patient and the family.
Temporary or partial identication with your patient will allow you to understand what he or she is feeling. Patients
feel better when you show them that you are aware of their emotional experiences.
III. Ask about consultations. Patients and their families should be asked about the use of additional
subspecialty consultations. This topic should be raised by the attending physician at any time during the terminal
stages, but it is especially important in the nal stages. At this time, the patient and the family are most vulnerable
and dependent on the attending physician and may be reluctant to ask for additional professional help because
they do not wish to oend. Introduce the idea of medical, psychiatric, surgical or other sub-specialty consultation
early. Your willingness to assemble a team of caregivers will not be perceived as an indication of inadequacy, and
you will only gain respect from the patient and the family.
IV. Do not abandon. One of the most distressing situations for the patient or the family is for the primary physician to
sign o of the case, leaving the care to an unfamiliar physician, such as a hospice or a nursing home physician.
Even if the primary care physician is not directly involved with the treatment, he or she should spend time with the
patient and the family. It is especially important to be there during the bad times and be aware of the family's
needs, because this is indeed a family aair.5
V. Maintain a regular routine of hospital calls. Just as it is important not to abandon the patient to a
consultant, it is equally important to maintain regular visits to the patient who is terminally ill. The patient and the
family are acutely aware of the frequency and the duration of visits. Physicians have a tendency to change their
schedule and shorten their visits when patients enter the nal stages of illness. One does not have to be a
psychiatrist to be aware of the impact of this behavior on the patient and the family. This distancing tactic is well
described. 6 Keeping up the frequency and duration of the visits will increase your understanding of the patient,
the family and yourself.
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VI. Obtain support from colleagues and family. There are many causes of burnout in those who care for the terminally
ill. 7 Also, it goes without saying that physicians frequently need support or possibly personal involvement with a
mental health professional. However, to avoid the peaks and valleys of emotional response, it is acceptable to seek
support from your colleagues and hospital sta by discussing patients' feeling and situations. Once a discussion is
started, many colleagues and sta may join in the exchange of information and feelings. These discussions often
take place at the nurses' station in the intensive care unit or the coronary care unit. The physicians' lounge and the
surgical dressing room are other areas where discussions can be held. Maybe the best of all situations is to discuss
your feelings about a certain patient with a spouse or a close family member. The practice of medicine is also a
family aair.
VII. Communicate with the patient's family. Family members can be a great source of information, supportive advocates
and decision makers for the patients. But, they can also oppose the wishes of the patient and the treatment team.
Like the patient, they reveal a wide range of responses to the terminal illness of a family member that requires
understanding at critical junctures. 8 Appointing family members with whom to communicate regularly can be
helpful. When talking with the family, remember to use as little medical jargon as possible and expect that, as with
the patient, there will be anger, distrust, fear of the medical surroundings, depression, frustration, guilt and a great
deal of anxiety.9
VIII.Preserve the humanness of the patient. It is essential to maintain the idea that quality of life is an important
issue even for patients in whom a cure is no longer expected. This is true even for patients who are close to death.
10 Human values remain important. 11 Again, the physician's response can be one of distancing to preserve the
powerful healer image. Also, physicians can hide behind the machines, charts, bottles, tubes and mechanical
apparatus that overwhelm the family and dehumanize the patient. While all of these machines are necessary, we
should remind ourselves that a cure is not the objective, and our goal is to help the patient remain a human being
during the process of dying.
IX. Be concerned about where the patient dies. We assume that if the patient is in the hospital or in a hospice that
necessary care will be available. However, some patients and their families will want to spend this time in other
places, such as the home. Then, the availability of urgent care, nancial help for the patient from local charities,
pain control and administration of adequate amounts of medication become real issues. Physicians must be aware
of what support is available in their communities.
X. Preserve hope. I leave this point to last because the preservation of hope should be the last to leave. When
physicians think, No matter what I do, she (the patient) is going to die, they may be unable to help their patients
preserve hope. Most patients, even the most realistic, leave some room for the possibility of a cure. It is this glimpse
of hope that sustains them. Here, as so often, humanity depends on honesty. Do not use false evaluations in the
response to the inevitable question of How long do I have? Usually what the patient wants is someone to listen
to them in an objective manner. Share the hope and do not paint the picture as completely hopeless or emotionally
abandon the patient with words such as always or never. 9 We should be aware of our own feelings such as
guilt, helplessness and inadequacy. We do not need to validate our competency as physicians by the survival of
every patient. When hope is preserved, the patient will show much condence and appreciation.12
Copyright 2013 The Ferrari Kid / Manuel Diotte
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Thou shalt give thyself time to think. When youre diagnosed, you may feel like you have to do something
right now. You dont. Take a deep breath. Give the spinning in your head time to slow down before you make
any decisions.
2.
Thou shalt not judge thy neighbors treatment or reconstruction choices or attitude toward their diagnosis. I
honestly have not seen people in the breast cancer community judge each others treatment or reconstruction
choices, either online or oine. The real armchair quarterbacks are the people who have never been through it.
They need to be mindful of whos actually on the playing eld. Attitude gets a little trickier. No one has the right
to tell you how you should feel. Some people would have you think you should be able to overcome your uy
pink cancer by being all shiny and happy, or that you should be grateful for some life lesson. Thats a BIG fail. But
you may be the naturally optimistic type. You may actually be grateful. And we all need to remember thats okay
too. Were all wired dierently. I always say that telling you how you should feel about your diagnosis is kind of
like saying you should be six feet tall or have brown eyes.
3.
Thou shalt honor thy own feelings, whether shiny and happy or tired or angry or scared. And dont be surprised
to feel all these things within the space of 15 minutes, several times a day.
4.
Thou shalt love thyself as thy neighbor. Women are so darn hard on ourselves. Give yourself the same break you
would to a loved one going through a big diagnosis.
5.
Thou shalt not beat thyself up. You dont have breast cancer because you ate the wrong things or didnt
breast-feed your kids or exercise enough or the right way. You have breast cancer, because.
6.
Thou shalt allow others to help you. This is a tough one for many of us. But your family and friends want to be
able to do something for you; let them.
7.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against science. You may or may not decide on a certain course of treatment.
(See Commandment 2.) You may or may not have a good experience. We can learn so much from each others
honest recounting of our experiences, but that doesnt make us medical experts. Celebrities and politicians have
a special responsibility here.
8.
Thou shalt ask thy doctors questions. Do not be afraid to ask, What is the risk if I do A or B? or What does that
word mean? or Could you repeat that? Good doctors welcome your questions and concerns. Not-so-good
ones need to be reminded theres a person attached to the breast.
9.
Thou shalt seize the day. Theres no doubt cancer is the elephant in the room. But sometimes you just have to
pat its big ugly ank and say, Excuse me, elephant, but Im going to the beach, or the movies, or the back yard
with my kids. Ill catch you when I get back. Right now, Im o to have some fun.
10.
Thou shalt remember you are more than your cancer. Cancer is all about cells run amok in your body. It will do
its best to claim your identity as well. You may be a woman with cancer, but you are also a wife, mom, sister,
daughter, employed person and friend. Let the extent to which cancer becomes part of your identity be your
choice, not its choice. -Jackie Fox / Jackie Fox 2011
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