- Kathi V.
Treated for Breast & Lung Cancers
"As someone who never liked journaling and wanted a record of my thoughts and journey through breast and lung cancer, this became a friend to help me reflect on emotions, care, needs, and moving forward. The prompt questions are very appropriate and can be used to give one the tools for the difficult, or wonderful, or powerful or just to feel good conversations with family and friends. Should be given to all patients with the diagnosis at the time we hear those dreaded words-- 'you've got cancer.'"
Contemplating Courage
A guided, interactive journal written by a medical professional practicing in inpatient oncology. This book aims to help those living with cancer work through the ups and downs of a cancer diagnosis while also providing a space to tell their story. Thoughtfully designed and written for people with any type of cancer, stage, or length of time since initial diagnosis.
Inspired by conversations with her patients, this journal is written by a medical provider hoping to better help and support people living with a cancer diagnosis. To help empower people by identifying their goals and priorities for both their healthcare and for their life. To pinpoint what is going well and what needs improvement. To encourage slowing down and self-reflection. To allow a space for vulnerability that may not easily be shared with others. To help people foster deeper, more meaningful conversations with their loved ones. To help patients better discuss their needs with their healthcare team. While this book was not originally written with legacy building in mind, this journal can also serve as a book of you to be passed on to loved ones for generations to come.
Four Primary Hopes
Journaling
Inside you will find over 100 thought-provoking prompts with space to write and reflect. They range a variety of topics and are thoughtfully written to apply to anyone regardless of type/stage of cancer or time since diagnosis. This is a resource designed for both people newly diagnosed or living with cancer for some time.​
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Planning
While a few pages will not apply to everyone now, sadly end-stage cancer is a reality for some. Inevitably, we will all reach our last chapter, cancer or not. Many people do not think about their end of life priorities, or options, until it's too late. Inside you will find thoughtful information & common misconceptions related to hospice care and code status conversations. The goal being to better empower people to know what options they have and live their final days on their terms.​
Discussing
Having conversed with thousands of patients and their families, author Melissa Gorman recognizes the importance of discussing people's goals for their care. Many struggle to talk about their truest hopes, concerns, fears, and priorities. This book is designed to help bring those to light. When people have a place to explore and name what they truly want for themselves, they can better communicate those things to their loved ones and care team.
Remembering
Many nearing end of life think about what they will leave behind for their loved ones and how they will be remembered. This book can help with legacy building, serving as a physical collection of handwriting and memories for family & friends to cherish after a loved one passes away and for generations to come. Many of the prompts in this journal are written to capture the pivotal moments of someone's life. What they love and who they are irrespective of their cancer.
Where to Purchase
Contemplating Courage: A Reflective Journaling Companion When Living with Cancer
A portion of all sales will be donated to the American Cancer Society to support cancer research.
Feedback is so important! If you order a copy of this book, please leave a review on the the site you order from for myself and others to see. I appreciate your support and feedback very much.