As a newly diagnosed patient…
…you are in the right place and I’m happy to meet you.
I’m Kathy Giusti, a 30 year, two-time cancer survivor. I have worked in oncology for decades and know our healthcare system inside and out. You can find my story here.
I understand how being diagnosed feels. It’s overwhelming. Everything feels urgent and nothing feels clear. Take a breath, give yourself a little time, and THEN, start gathering the information you need to make the best decisions for YOU.
Start by reading this article I wrote for newly diagnosed patients. I wrote this for Katie Couric’s newsletter, Wake-Up Call.
The article you read came from the steps I wrote specifically for newly diagnosed patients. Here they are.
Write them down, print them out, and share them with your loved ones.
Know exactly what you have. Copy the language from your portal and use it in your research so you can ask better, more precise questions at your doctor’s appointment.
Your first doctor is just the start. Seek out advocacy groups, experts, academic centers, and always get a second opinion.
Pause and write down what you need and what matters most to you now. This will guide your decisions moving forward.
Get organized and assign support. Identify caregivers based on your needs and wants. Look for resources through the advocacy groups, hospital, and your insurance company.
If you want more information, my book “Fatal to Fearless: 12 Steps to Beating Cancer in a Broken Medical System” is super helpful-for you and for your loved ones. I wrote it with both the patient and caregiver in mind.
