Diagnosis Rulebook 101

By Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo

2 min read

There are no instructions or directions on how to adjust and feel about being diagnosed with blood cancer. The route will allow you to move forward in drips as you adjust to the valid question of how did you get to this unforeseeable place. It indeed is a process that is very individual and no one-size cap fits all. Here are some things to consider on this long and at times emotional journey.

Take a breath

Our body is so unique it can pick up any mechanism of fear, grief, or distress. You may even think at this particular time, your body is not even your best ally, as it has left you in this time of confusion, though this is what it is...life.

Remember to breathe it through this journey called life. We knew that it would be a ride at some stage, and so here we are. When the fear and anxiety of needles, a room full of doctors and nurses, and multiple medications come knocking at your door, close your eyes and breathe through the chaos.

Adjust the normal

There’s no turning back, unfortunately, for many, and though you may reach positive milestones, the way you moved prior to being afflicted with cancer will change - period.

It can be a "Come to Jesus" moment in truly grasping the seriousness of how you got here, and the changes that are needed for you to stay in this place or improve within this space.

The time at your job may change once fatigue, pain, and side effects kick in. The opportunity to travel and be amongst crowds may change, as now you have to consider how healthy your immune system is to be out there in the world.

Adjust your new normal, because the adjustment is a necessary process as you learn how strong you are or not.

Connect with others in the Forum: Advice for the Newly Diagnosed

Decision forward

Making the decision to proceed with treatment is not an easy one. If you’re plugged into Google or Bing your research may find the worst-case scenarios. It’s quite easy to go down the rabbit hole of concerns, but once you make that full commitment of fighting for your life- literally...proceed forward at high speed.

Sometimes a diagnosis is a number and time game, how quickly you move to the next peg can make a difference, depending on where you are in your individual situation. If you made the decision to follow your doctor's lead, then do so by showing your active voice.

Somedays you are not okay

Yes, every day will not be a positive affirmation and experience. You may have days where you’re in pain and unsure if you are prepared for this.

Guess what? You’re not alone...many are not prepared for what the future holds in what comes next. Perhaps that’s something to think more of on another day.

It’s okay to have a day of not wanting to be bothered and just be in the moment...it is allowed in this playbook.

So now what? Well once you’ve considered the latter, you do what you’ve been doing so far and that is live life...to the wheels fall off!

The time to fight is now, with integrity, grace, hope, and a smile….when you feel like it

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Blood-Cancer.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
Yeah, it seems like in this rulebook there are few rules except to just breathe and live and take it as it comes as gracefully as possible. We are definitely not alone, and that brings comfort. I'm so glad communities like this are around for support!
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ramae Hamrin" user-id="3651272"/> Kudos and well said. Best!
Dennis Golden Moderator
yes it was well said and yes there is no way you can be prepared for it - even after reading this - you have to experience it to really understand what the real meaning is behind this article
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> True, those in the mix of what this is about are the ones who unfortunately know the walk better than most.
Shane.Lee Moderator
Ha ha...I remember the time I relapsed and had to go to UAMS for my second round of chemo. Only this time it was becoming much more complicated , as there would eventually be some radiation and then Stem Cell Transplant. As a Paramedic, I'd heard a little bit about using stem cell for certain procedures. But now, I was one of those going through it. Being someone with a medical background, most of all this fascinated me more than scare me, as I was learning a lot. But that first week, not knowing just what exactly how this was going about,was just a crazy week to say the least. Especially when like 3 doctors, 2 asst drs, 4 other specialists, and God now who all those other people were piling into my room each day long with a couple nurses asking a bunch of questions while I'm sitting on the side of my bed in just a hospital gown and a yellow pair of sock with little rubber nubs all over them so I don't slip on the floor. Finally one person came out after a few minutes and asked how I felt, and what I was thinking at the moment. I sat there for about a minute before answering, " I feel like a guinea pig under a microscope." One of the doctors looked at me, looked down and said "yep, he'll be just fine y'all." and at that, hey all left the room. Lol...little did they know! Best wishes. Shane (Blood-cancer.com team member)
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Shane.Lee" user-id="3652668"/> Interesting. I never understood that whole team of doctors but now I've learned if you're at a teaching hospital the likelihood of other eyeballs in the room is high. Best!
Shane.Lee Moderator
Yes, UAMS at Little Rock, AR is a nursing and research University Hospital. People come from all over to UAMS become RN and APRN nurses. Doctors and "Friends of Doctors" come to UAMS from all over the world go there for extensive training and refresher schooling. https://www.uams.edu/ 
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Shane.Lee" user-id="3652668"/> Yep, then that would do it. I usually ignore these people or depending on the mood; I may challenge a point. I think you can ask them not to be there as well. I usually allow them but as long as they don't say anything... it all depends : )
Shane.Lee Moderator
I don't mind it. For me, if you ask a question, you are asking because you don't know the answer. In my schooling to become a paramedic, it was nice to be able to ask patients questions. In you training, especially in the medical field, there's no room for shyness. That's how mistakes are made. Plus they encourage you to ask questions. It helps you to step ut of your comfort zone and open up. It really does help the patient when they see your positive attitude and positive outlook. 
1. Dennis Golden Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Shane.Lee" user-id="3652668"/> I just recently had an opportunity to see EMT's respond to a critical situation It was not easy to watch as a husband and they really tried hard to have a positive outcome - while she never recovered I know they did they best and that is all anyone can do. Yes it helps when they ask questions of family and when possible the patient - it does build a bond. Thank you for what you do as an EMT
Shane.Lee Moderator
Sometimes is not easy, but fortunately we have a lot more successes and good moments in most scenes. I love the job overall. No one likes "failures", but the good successes is what keeps me going. The awesome part, something that just got started a few years ago with police, fire depts, EMS, etc., Is that we now have Chaplin's we can fall back on in disasters where there is life lost. They help to keep life....and death in perspective. 
1. Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Shane.Lee" user-id="3652668"/> I think it’s great that you have such a positive attitude. I’m sure sometimes that must be hard. Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
The biggest rule in the rule book of life is to just live and you said it perfectly! Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ann Harper" user-id="3637920"/> Exactly Ann, that's the goal...literally!
Susan Gonsalves Moderator & Contributor
I think some days we just have to make the rules up as we go along. Every day is different and this experience definitely forces you to live a new normal, terminology I don't like but it's true. Thanks for your wise words of advice, like always. Susan (blood-cancer.com Team member)
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Susan Gonsalves" user-id="3653135"/> Thank you for reading Susan : )