New Year, New Outlook

As we come into this new year with goals, hopes and dreams let us come into it with expectancy and be open to that which may be unexpected. And at the end of 2023 we can look back and say we did our absolute best and kept an open mind.

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, as I reference in chapter seven of my book Just Diagnosed, there were many as I called them, who knews—defined as unexpected experiences I’d encounter along the journey of managing my diagnosis. For example, a big who knew…was who knew I was to write a book! But I did.

This was a completely unexpected turn in my plans that year (both my breast cancer diagnosis and writing a book). But once it became a part of me, I was driven to own it. Point is: as we go through this year, we need to be open to whatever life tosses us and know—we got this!

Serving as a Breast Cancer Advocate

Ms. Beverly Vote, publisher of the national Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine (BCW) invited me to write for her magazine. This column, titled "Just Diagnosed," presents itself as another opportunity to help me further serve as an advocate, offering tools, tips, resources, checklists, and more to those who are just diagnosed with breast cancer.

Internet Research

It may take some extra time and effort, but you need to find accurate evidence-based resources that come from science-based methods. The most reliable sources of health information tend to be government agencies, hospitals, universities, and major public health and health advocacy organizations. These groups use information that’s reviewed by noted experts and updated often. Always remember that the information found online should not take the place of medical advice. 

Source:www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/cancer-information-on-the-internet.html

Peggy Huddleston is a pioneer in mind-body medicine. Her writing and groundbreaking research focus on the ways positive emotions and the human spirit speed healing.

She developed five steps to prepare for surgery using mind-body techniques. Research shows they significantly reduce anxiety before surgery, lessen the use of pain medication by 23-50% and speed healing. She guides you in using these steps in her best-selling book, Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster.

Peggy’s book helped me to reduce anxiety before my surgery. Even to this day, I still listen to her relaxation CDs!

Learn About Patient Engagement and Advocacy 

In a recent episode of The Alliance Podcast, ACEhp’s Executive Director Kathleen Weis and I discuss these topics and provide thoughts for healthcare CPD professionals who want to be more involved in these spaces. Additionally, I dive into writing Just Diagnosed: Breast Cancer and how it differed from writing a journal or an article.

They Believed They Could, So They Did

I’m excited to announce, The National Consortium of Breast Care Centers and Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine have opened nominations for the second annual “They Believed They Could, So They Did” Award. This award is for breast cancer advocates and leaders and acknowledges their work, their mission, the community she/he serves and the impact they have made.

As a co-chair of the “They Believed They Could, So They Did” Award Committee along with Publisher, Ms. Beverly Vote, I will be presenting this award to the recipient at the upcoming The New Pink Paradigm™ Summit for Lay Breast Cancer Survivor Advocates on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at Paris in Las Vegas, NV.

Stay in touch on
social media!

You can find me on:
Instagram at @amkjustdiagnosed,

Twitter at @arlenemkarole and on Facebook at Arlene Karole.