“NO WAY, IT CAN’T
BE” a guidebook for young adults facing cancer
| Doug Ulman and his mother
Diana wrote this guidebook as a resource for individuals
dealing with cancer from the initial diagnosis through
long-term survivorship. The guidebook, originally written
in a short, pamphlet form, has been posted on The Fund’s
website since 1997. Over the past 5 years the guidebook
has been expanded to its current length of 58 pages. It
provides its readers with a plethora of information pertaining
to how young adults, their family and friends, affected
by cancer can face the challenges that lie ahead. |
 |
Chapter One,
“Start With an Education,” provides
some useful suggestions to help with deciphering the diagnosis
and searching for information related to the diagnosis and
disease. It also discusses how to use technology to access
the latest information, and provides specific internet sites
and other useful resources.
Chapter Two,
entitled “The Folks in White Coats,” provides
both practical advice for dealing with health care practitioners,
for managing a major illness and for making treatment decisions,
as well as suggesting various ways that individuals can deal
with the emotional and psychological stress associated with
the process.
Chapter Three,
entitled “Record Keeping Help,” contains
sample charts and records to help the reader organize the
massive amounts of information and documents associated with
the medical, financial, and insurance aspects associated with
a major illness.
Chapter Four,
“Reactions and Actions,” describes the
emotional roller coaster that Doug experienced on his journey
from the initial diagnosis through treatment and on to long-term
survivorship. He begins by discussing the enormous range of
feelings he experienced, and stressed the importance of finding
others to talk to, including friends and family, as well as
professionals and others who have been affected by cancer.
Doug also writes about the benefits of writing for health
and being open to different approaches to dealing with emotional
stress. Finally, Chapter Four discusses the importance of
focusing on survivorship and the ability to hope, as well
as the realities associated with facing the end of life.
Chapter Five,
entitled “The People in My Life,” stresses
the need for young adults affected by cancer to communicate
effectively with the people in their life, so that they are
able to understand what the individual is going through and
can provide much needed love and support.
Chapter Six,
“A Parent’s Perspective,” written by Doug’s
mother Diana, reflects the experience of a parent whose young
adult child has been diagnosed with cancer. It discusses initial
reactions, as well as ways to take action and deal with practical
issues, such as living arrangements,
dependence/independence, finances, fertility, nutrition, and
insurance.
A generous grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation has given
the UCF the ability to provide the guidebook free of charge.