In the Community
Submitted by Maria D'Antonio
Discovering you have is devastating and only those who have cancer or who survived cancer can truly sympathize. Luckily, today I have Barbara Tako, City Social's Clearing Clutter writer and two-time cancer, with me to help talk about cancer and her new book released just this year: Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools - We'll Get You Through This.
MD: Can you share a little bit of your own cancer experiences?
BT: I was diagnosed at age 46 with invasive ductal carcinoma caught on a routine mammogram in 2010. I had a lumpectomy, two lymph nodes removed, radiation, chemotherapy, lymphedema treatment, and a prophylactic oophorectomy. A little over a year ago, a melanoma was found on my opposite shoulder and a very large area was removed. Now I have full body skin checks every 3 months that have included numerous biopsies and have had several larger surgeries where suspicious things were located. I am monitored carefully for both cancers as I learn to create a “new normal” for myself.
MD: What inspired you to write the book?
BT: I felt like the doctors were there to save my life, but they didn’t have the time for the emotional support that is helpful with a cancer diagnosis. While I researched and explored many options, I kept a journal. I wrote the book I wish someone could have handed to me for my first cancer diagnosis.
MD: What were the hardest and easiest parts about the process of writing the book?
BT: I used my own experiences and journaling as well as solid research on the techniques out there to help cope emotionally. The hardest part was deciding what parts and how much of my personal journaling to share. Cancer survivors want empathy from fellow survivors who truly understand the experience, but I didn’t want to share too much either. I wanted the book to offer tangible tools to help in addition to providing empathy.
MD: What resources would you recommend for those who have just received their diagnosis?
BT: I would suggest they research and find a team of doctors they trust. I would then suggest connecting with fellow survivors—those further along a similar path can be very helpful to newly diagnosed cancer patients.
MD: What is message/heart of the book?
BT: Don’t go cancer alone—even if you consider yourself to be a loner or an introvert. Cancer is just too big to do alone. Reach out and use the available resources (including my book); decide what is helpful to you and don’t worry about the rest. You will figure out what is helpful to you.
"If you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, please share my book with them," Barbara Tako added. "If someone is unable to purchase the book, please have them email me directly at [email protected] and we will work something out. I don’t want anyone who could benefit from my book to be deprived of it because of one's financial situation."
Her book, Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools - We'll Get You Through This, is available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, and don't forget to check her out in City Social Magazine!
Barbara Tako is a clutter clearing motivational speaker and author of Clutter Clearing Choices: Clear Clutter, Organize Your Home & Reclaim Your Life (O Books, 2010), a seasonally organized book of clutter clearing tips readers may pick and choose from to fit their personal style and needs. She is also a breast cancer and melanoma survivor who wrote Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools—We’ll get you through this. Check out her free monthly clutter clearing tips newsletter at http://www.clutterclearingchoices.com.
Submitted by Maria D'Antonio
Discovering you have is devastating and only those who have cancer or who survived cancer can truly sympathize. Luckily, today I have Barbara Tako, City Social's Clearing Clutter writer and two-time cancer, with me to help talk about cancer and her new book released just this year: Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools - We'll Get You Through This.
MD: Can you share a little bit of your own cancer experiences?
BT: I was diagnosed at age 46 with invasive ductal carcinoma caught on a routine mammogram in 2010. I had a lumpectomy, two lymph nodes removed, radiation, chemotherapy, lymphedema treatment, and a prophylactic oophorectomy. A little over a year ago, a melanoma was found on my opposite shoulder and a very large area was removed. Now I have full body skin checks every 3 months that have included numerous biopsies and have had several larger surgeries where suspicious things were located. I am monitored carefully for both cancers as I learn to create a “new normal” for myself.
MD: What inspired you to write the book?
BT: I felt like the doctors were there to save my life, but they didn’t have the time for the emotional support that is helpful with a cancer diagnosis. While I researched and explored many options, I kept a journal. I wrote the book I wish someone could have handed to me for my first cancer diagnosis.
MD: What were the hardest and easiest parts about the process of writing the book?
BT: I used my own experiences and journaling as well as solid research on the techniques out there to help cope emotionally. The hardest part was deciding what parts and how much of my personal journaling to share. Cancer survivors want empathy from fellow survivors who truly understand the experience, but I didn’t want to share too much either. I wanted the book to offer tangible tools to help in addition to providing empathy.
MD: What resources would you recommend for those who have just received their diagnosis?
BT: I would suggest they research and find a team of doctors they trust. I would then suggest connecting with fellow survivors—those further along a similar path can be very helpful to newly diagnosed cancer patients.
MD: What is message/heart of the book?
BT: Don’t go cancer alone—even if you consider yourself to be a loner or an introvert. Cancer is just too big to do alone. Reach out and use the available resources (including my book); decide what is helpful to you and don’t worry about the rest. You will figure out what is helpful to you.
"If you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, please share my book with them," Barbara Tako added. "If someone is unable to purchase the book, please have them email me directly at [email protected] and we will work something out. I don’t want anyone who could benefit from my book to be deprived of it because of one's financial situation."
Her book, Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools - We'll Get You Through This, is available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, and don't forget to check her out in City Social Magazine!
Barbara Tako is a clutter clearing motivational speaker and author of Clutter Clearing Choices: Clear Clutter, Organize Your Home & Reclaim Your Life (O Books, 2010), a seasonally organized book of clutter clearing tips readers may pick and choose from to fit their personal style and needs. She is also a breast cancer and melanoma survivor who wrote Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools—We’ll get you through this. Check out her free monthly clutter clearing tips newsletter at http://www.clutterclearingchoices.com.