Coming Soon!
Now Available!

The Big Ordeal:

Understanding and Managing the Psychological Turmoil of Cancer

Coming Soon!
Robin S
Robin S

Robin found that her breast cancer diagnosis unleashed complex emotions and lasting changes she continues to face.

Robin S
Michelle
Michelle

After a day of falling apart, Michelle switched into autopilot to to get through cancer with her sense of self intact.

Michelle
Closet Treasures
Closet Treasures

Where do you find the strength you need to cope with cancer? Often, we have treasures hidden in the back of the closet we forget we own that just might help.

Closet Treasures
Rebecca
Rebecca

Rebecca found recovery to offer as many surprising challenges as the cancer itself, but eventually learned to accept that she would be okay.

Rebecca
The Victim and the Guilty Survivor
The Victim and the Guilty Survivor

Finding the balance between control and acceptance helps us deal with somewhat predictable cancer emotions.

The Victim and the Guilty Survivor
Patricia
Patricia

Don't panic until you have to panic is a good approach when you and your husband get cancer diagnoses on the same day.

Patricia
The Chemistry Experiment in Your Brain
The Chemistry Experiment in Your Brain

Changes in brain chemistry contribute to the emotional turmoil of cancer. But you can quiet the storm.

The Chemistry Experiment in Your Brain
Jim
Jim

When advanced cancer turned up in his lungs, Jim turned to his faith to help him address his disappointment and anger.

Jim
Coping with cancer
Coping with Cancer is Hard

We're often left to deal with the emotional effects of cancer on our own.
That's The Big Ordeal.

Coping with cancer
Randi
Randi

How do you take care of everyone else when your own needs are so great?

Randi
Heartache and Sorrow
Heartache and Sorrow

Loss is an intrinsic part of the cancer experience, bringing with it, heartache and sorrow.

Heartache and Sorrow

 

When cancer happens, doctors rush to start treatment. But we’re often left to deal with the emotional effects of the diagnosis on our own.

That’s The Big Ordeal.

For most of us, cancer is an unexpected ordeal that takes over life. If we’re lucky, it consumes us for a short time before fading into the background. If we’re unlucky, it remains in focus, or worse, becomes the centerpiece of our remaining days. But none of us gets through it without some lasting impact.

The emotional toll may be subtle or dramatic. It may influence our personal or professional lives, be on display for all to see, or buried deep within our souls. But there’s no denying it. Everything is different when we hear we have cancer.

Nothing can truly prepare you for the roller coaster of emotions unleashed by diagnosis. But, The Big Ordeal will help you anticipate, understand and manage the turmoil ahead. It will help you understand why you feel the way you do, making coping with cancer a little easier. In Coping Insights you will find information on neuroscience, psychology and oncology to help demystify the experience. And, you will find suggestions from professionals and fellow patients who have been there.

The Big Ordeal is also about patients and survivors and caregivers, sharing stories to help reduce the sense of isolation, inspire hope, combat fear and encourage healing. You can read Patient Stories  and Caregiver Stories to see what others have shared.  And you can share your own story. Read on. Share. There’s a good chance someone you know is coping with cancer.

Subscribe to The Big Ordeal via Email and never miss a post!