CREATING AN ACTION PLAN

Having a plan can help restore your sense of control and leave you with more energy to cope with the rest of the process. But keep it flexible, because things will change. Start by make a list of everything you need to do -- breaking it up into small parts can make things less daunting -- and then prioritizing. And don't forget the cardinal rule of management: Delegate whenever possible.

Use our sample diagnosis Action Plan as a guideline to create your own.

Sample Diagnosis Action Plan

1. Understand initial diagnosis.

• Read Understanding Your Diagnosis and Reading Your Pathology Report
• Make list of questions to ask primary doctor.
• Gather information from websites and books.
• Contact organizations for counseling and appropriate literature.
• Call family, friends, and other contacts who have cancer-related experience.
• Identify at least one "emotional support" person.

2. Confirm diagnosis.

• Select surgeon and schedule biopsy.
• Arrange for time off from work, as well as childcare, other home issues, and a family member or friend to accompany you for surgery.
• Investigate health insurance coverage.
• Set up appointment to discuss biopsy results.
• Arrange for a second opinion of pathology report, if necessary.

• Select oncologist and/or other specialists.
• Schedule additional tests and arrange for time off from work, childcare, etc.
• Set up appointments with all doctors on your team to discuss test results and their implications for treatment.