Necessities offers the following recovery resources. This
list is not intended to represent the only good books and
organizations that deal with breast cancer surgery and recovery.
Books
Just Get Me Through This!
A Practical Guide to Coping with Breast Cancer
By Deborah A. Cohen and Robert M. Gelfand, M.D. (copyright 2000) Intended for women with early-stage breast cancer, this
book is full of useful information written in straight language
with just the right amount of humor and inspiration. Included
are "rules of the road" for anyone involved with
a breast cancer patient.
After Breast Cancer
A Common Sense Guide to Life After Treatment
Hester Hill Schnipper, Oncology Social Worker (copyright 2003) The author is both an experienced oncology social worker
and a breast cancer survivor. Her book addresses a wide range
of practical issues women face as they navigate the journey
back to health.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer:
A Survivor's Guide for When Treatment Ends and the Rest of
Your Life Begins
by Maria Weiss, M.D. and Eileen Weiss (newly revised edition) This is a big book (500 pages), filled with comprehensive
medical information, practical advice, and the voices of other
women who have lived through breast cancer surgery and treatment.
It has an excellent index and extensive resource section.
Spinning Straw Into Gold
Your Emotional Recovery from Breast Cancer
Ronnie Kaye, Psychotherapist (copyright 1991) Even though this book was written a while ago, it is still
relevant when it comes to dealing with a big issue for breast
cancer patients – fear of the unknown. Ronnie Kaye,
a breast cancer survivor, uses real life scenarios, as well
as encouraging stories from other women, to offer coping skills
that help women regain some control in their lives.
Thriving After Breast Cancer
Essential Healing Exercises for Body and Mind
By Sherry Lebed Davis with Stephanie Gunning (copyright 2002) The months following breast cancer treatment can pose
a host of physical challenges. Sherry Lebed Davis, a breast
cancer survivor, developed a fun, rejuvenating regimen of
stretches and dance moves that work to rehabilitate the body.
Websites
Visiting Nurse Association of America www.vnaa.org For patients needing care after they leave the hospital,
locate a Visiting Nurse Association in your particular community
by logging onto the site or calling the Boston office 617-737-3200.
National Lymphedema Network www.lymphnet.org Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid that
can cause swelling the arm when lymph nodes have been removed.
National Lymphedema Network has developed a comprehensive
list of eighteen steps to prevent and control lymphedema.
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation www.komen.org This website offers some of the best information and resources
for patients, as well as family and friends. Understanding
lymphedema section is particularly helpful. Log on and in
the upper right hand search box type: lymphedema.
Cancer Care www.cancercare.org Cancer Care is a national non-profit organization that
provides free professional support services to anyone affected
by cancer, including family members. They maintain an extensive
list of community-based resources and offer telephone workshops,
online support groups through a toll free-hotline 1-800-813-HOPE
(4673).
Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization (Y-ME) www.y-me.org The mission of this Chicago-based national non-profit
organization is to ensure through information, empowerment
and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. Y-ME
does not raise money for research; they support those who
cannot wait for tomorrow’s cure.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month www.nbcam.com National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to
increasing awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the
importance of early detection. Log onto their website to learn
how October became known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
CANCER101 www.CANCER10l.org This non-profit organization strives to meet the cancer
patient on the front line with the tools to manage and take
control of breast cancer treatment and recovery process.
