Happiness Through Hardship: A Guide and Journal for Cancer Patients, Their Caregivers and Friends During an Initial Diagnosis

By Caryn Sullivan

Does your diagnosis have you desperate as to what to do next? Shocked, scared and practically paralyzed with your next steps? Help is here in this brilliant, quick and simplified book backed with the best advice from a two-time cancer survivor who walked in similar shoes.

Like a good friend holding your hand, Caryn Sullivan’s Happiness through Hardship is written in support of cancer patients, their caregivers and/or friends who need direction during the first few weeks after diagnosis. This cancer-surviving guide book empowers readers to take immediate steps for being prepared, less-stressed and able to find a little joy within the journey.

Happiness through Hardship directs those facing an initial cancer diagnosis with positivity and hope. Structured with thoughtful tips and anecdotes, this short book provides gentle guidance from the first few days to the thickness of treatments, and includes a journal and note-taking pages to be used as a reference during doctor appointments and meetings.

After her own cancer diagnosis, Caryn understands the importance of a book that’s easily digestible and not overwhelmingly long. Her insight provides a little light during the darker days. The first few weeks after diagnosis are often most challenging. Caryn was blessed to have three angels, Ellen Cavaiuolo, Mary Ann Wasil and Meghan Zucker guide her throughout the early days. This book is dedicated to them and half the proceeds will be donated to metastatic breast cancer research through The Cancer Couch Foundation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jun 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781982227579

Caryn Sullivan

Caryn Sullivan is a healthy lifestyle expert and two-time cancer survivor who always finds a reason to smile. First diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31, she was clueless and didn’t know where to begin. Should she go with the physician she felt most comfortable? Should she get a zillion opinions? What questions should she ask doctors? Should she ask for help? As a result of these questions and two-cancer diagnoses, she founded Pretty Wellness, a company focused on inspiring people to take small steps toward better health. After 20 years working in sports and entertainment, she stepped back to chronicle her journey with cancer and to provide insight and inspiration into finding happiness through the hardship of illness. Caryn loves to motivate people to thrive in their lives. She has been seen on The Dr. Oz Show, Home & Family and is a regular wellness contributor to WTNH-TV. Throughout the country Caryn has inspired thousands to embrace wellness through her motivational speeches. A resident of Connecticut with her husband and son, she loves green juices, beach walks and watching Major League Baseball (MLB) games with family and friends. Connect with Caryn at CarynSullivan.com or @PrettyWellness on Instagram.

Book preview

HAPPINESS

Through

HARDSHIP

A Guide and Journal for Cancer

Patients, Their Caregivers and Friends

During an Initial Diagnosis

CARYN SULLIVAN

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Copyright © 2019 Caryn Sullivan.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-9822-2756-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-2755-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-2757-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019906247

Balboa Press rev. date: 06/27/2019

Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1     The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 2     The First Few Days

Chapter 3     Your Coping and Care

Chapter 4     Google is Not My Doctor

Chapter 5     How to Call the Shots

Chapter 6     What About the Money?

Chapter 7     In the Thick of Treatment

Chapter 8     Finding Joy in the Little Things

Chapter 9     Take Small Steps to Take Care of Yourself

Acknowledgements

Dedication

To my angels, Ellen, Mary Ann and Meghan, you showed me the light and how to live with and through cancer when I was first diagnosed. This book is dedicated to you three. You made this book possible because you guided me through those first few weeks and I lived through cancer gracefully and with joy.

To The Cancer Couch Foundation and Dr. Rebecca Timlin-Scalera, I’m in awe of your commitment to finding a cure or better treatments for stage IV disease. The Cancer Couch Foundation will help us and many more live and experience a better quality of life. Half of the profits of this book will be donated to The Cancer Couch Foundation.

Introduction

We have all experienced horribly gut-wrenching days, the kind that turn our worlds upside down and permanently alter our lives. For some, the initial reaction to being slapped across the face with such heartache is to collapse into a puddle of tears, while others go quiet, or fall into a state of shock, or even denial.

Any one of these reactions is expected and