Breast Cancer Collective Wisdom

Breast Cancer Deserves Collective Wisdom

Collective Wisdom is knowledge and insight gained through group and community interaction. That shared co-intelligence from women, from the long time breast cancer survivor to the recently diagnosed, can lead to the best tips, tricks, and collaborative “girl talk” we all need. This month we asked you – the Firefly Sisterhood – for your sage advice and you delivered. Listed below is a collection of that shared wisdom. Thank you for your contributions!

• When someone sincerely offers help, think about saying, “Yes.” Re-think Ms. Independence. Perhaps letting the helper help is just what that person needs, and you just might enjoy their uplifting stories during the chemo drip.

• Start a gratitude journal. For those sleepless nights or when the blues might come on, write down 3 things, big or small, for which you are grateful and keep it up. You may even begin to search out the positives throughout your day to add to your journal!

• Speaking of sleeping, how about a colorful sleep mask for those hospital stays or long days of infusions where there are lights, lights and more lights?

• Remember spreading Elmer’s glue on your hands as a kid and the fun of peeling it off? Not so enjoyable these days. Some women find that the skin on their hands and feet peels as a result of treatment. Try using a lanolin-based moisturizer under socks and thin cotton gloves (easily found online) and wearing overnight.

• Did you know that black beans can get rid of that metallic taste some experience? It worked for one of our wise women. Or how about having plastic utensils available to ward off that pesky metallic flavor?

• What about those “glamorous hospital gowns” that are designed for breast cancer patients? Check out hugwraps.org and wear something LOUDER than cancer.

• Don’t forget the button down shirt. Range of motion can be compromised and the over-the-head J.Crew hoodie just might not be your go-to fashion statement these days.

• Will you have surgery drains after a mastectomy? Try a fanny pack. It’s. Making. A. Comeback. If you are looking for an updated version, try the Urban Tool caseBelt – it just sounds hip.

• Does music inspire you? How about making a playlist of all your favorite songs on an MP3 player. There are even iPod speakers that come in a spill and drop resistant travel case for the unpredictable. Music is very personal, but Ingrid Michaelson’s songs are touching and upbeat. “Keep Breathing”, “Be OK”, and “Soldier” a few of her more meaningful ones.

• Now let’s talk food. Do you prefer not to answer the infamous doorbell? Leave a note with a cooler outside your front door for friends, family, and neighbors who want to be helpful. Your rest is undisturbed and the food stays fresh.

• Ask a friend or loved one to set up an online meal service where dates, times, meal preferences, and more can be set up in an interactive calendaring system. Sites like mealtrain.com, carecalendar.org or mealbaby.com are just a few choices.

All of us at The Firefly Sisterhood hope you find a few of these insights and tips useful. By no means is it an exhaustive list. May no one face breast cancer alone and may no insight, tip or collective wisdom go unshared.