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Cancer Diagnosis . . .
Read this book first—as soon as you can after your diagnosis. The moment your world changes is also a powerful moment to alter your…
Cancer Diagnosis . . .
Read this book first—as soon as you can after your diagnosis.
The moment your world changes is also a powerful moment to alter your journey. It’s a critical window when plain talk can be invaluable for your future well-being or that of any friend or loved one diagnosed with cancer, regardless of their gender or age. While many valuable books about cancer have been published, few provide a basic primer for the newly diagnosed patient. More comprehensive resources may be useful after reading From This Moment On—once you’re more emotionally, physically and psychologically ready to concentrate and absorb detailed content about your specific cancer diagnosis.
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A Book About You . . .
This book is not about someone else’s story, it’s about consciously creating your own story from this moment on. As you embark…
A Book About You . . .
This book is not about someone else’s story, it’s about consciously creating your own story from this moment on. As you embark upon your cancer journey, the book’s three chapters provide a simple framework to explore some of the immediate issues surrounding a diagnosis of cancer.
S T O P
prepares you for the journey…
Stop acknowledges your feelings
and provides encouragement for you to pause
and take conscious control of the situation.
Y I E L D
explores issues of life and death…
Yield considers the verities of living and of dying,
invites you to consider all options
and then follow the wisdom of your heart.
G O
invites you to live your life well…
Go encourages you to live each day by consciously
creating your personal healing journey.By showing you how to participate in your own healing, From This Moment On offers you a valuable reminder to live well … quite literally … from this moment on.
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
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Immediate Help . . .
This patient-to-patient introduction to cancer diagnosis helps patients, families and friends prepare for the days ahead. Readers are given an initiation by…
Immediate Help . . .
This patient-to-patient introduction to cancer diagnosis helps patients, families and friends prepare for the days ahead. Readers are given an initiation by walking in the shoes of someone who’s been diagnosed with cancer and has experienced treatment, remission, recurrence and ultimately, long term survivorship. It’s a primer for anyone who wants to understand more about what it means to live with cancer. Friends, family and caregivers can be anxious to learn more about what their loved one is going through. Unsure about how to help, they are often the first to explore patient resources beyond the traditional gifts of flowers and sweets. This sharing of resources forms a community of support as health professionals and others step forward to become partners in the healing journey.
From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer
Photograph: Lennart Nilson / Albert Bonniers Förlag AB
© Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
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Straight Talk . . .
Don’t be fooled by the design. This is a serious little book about fear, loss, uncertainty and pain. And an…
Straight Talk . . .
Don’t be fooled by the playful design. This is a serious little book about fear, loss, uncertainty and pain. And an uncommon look at life and death. Though direct, the advice is always compassionate. From This Moment On has been written to help each person better understand their role in the creation of health and to encourage the best outcome for their cancer journey. Plain talk and design shape a stimulating introduction to a complex topic. You’ll find contributions from patients, healthcare professionals, artists, photographers and writers. The combined wisdom of these diverse perspectives will help you to negotiate the challenges ahead.
From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer
Hippolyte Flandrin (1809 -1864), Jeune Homme Nu, 1855
Museé du Louvre, Paris
© Photograph: Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
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Unique Format . . .
Designed for people who may be overwhelmed and unwell, the book’s large type and simple format ensure that critical information can be easily understood. From…
Unique Format . . .
Designed for people who may be overwhelmed and unwell, the book’s large type and simple format ensure that critical information can be easily understood. From This Moment On was deliberately written and designed with the reader—the patient—in mind. Immediately following my diagnosis, I was overwhelmed with medical information and unable to concentrate. As a newly diagnosed patient or family member, you might be similarly overwhelmed by symptoms, treatment or fear. The book’s friendly format is immediately accessible because the text to page ratio is low. Sometimes there’s a single idea on the page so that the content has a better chance to sink in. Even then, you may want to take your time, rest between sessions and re-read certain pages. This simple looking book is packed with powerful content.
From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer
Edvard Munch (1863 -1944), The Scream, c. 1895
Munch Museum, Oslo
© Photograph: Foto Marburg / Art Resource, NY
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
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A Patient Toolkit . . .
This does not look like your average cancer book and it’s not. You’ll find guidance but also music, photographs, poetry and art. From This…
A Patient Toolkit . . .
This does not look like your average cancer book and it’s not. You’ll find guidance but also music, photographs, poetry and art. From This Moment On is a patient tool deliberately designed to simplify and humanize information that is critical to the well-being of any person confronting a potentially life-threatening illness. Recognizing our diverse ways of being in the world, the book treats the reader with dignity, compassion and respect. Just as important, it offers unfiltered honesty. While literary elements and typography regulate the pacing between denser blocks of text, it is the 83 illustrations that provide a refreshing visual journey for the reader. This book is intentionally designed to make the often direct subject matter more accessible, more comprehensible and more bearable.
From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer
© Laura Wallace, Boy on Bike, 1991
© Mike Lee, Man and Child, 1993
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
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Reviews . . .
The right book for someone with a diagnosis of cancer, written by someone who has been there and knows what…
Reviews . . .
The right book for someone with a diagnosis of cancer, written by someone who has been there and knows what you need. Clear, comprehensive and sensitive.
— Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
This book is a spiritual and psychological safety net. You will never regret reading it.
— Caroline Myss, Ph.D., author of Anatomy of the Spirit
From This Moment On is one of those rare books as sharp and clear as a diamond necklace: every word shines, every thought sparkles. Buy this book for a friend with cancer, but read it first yourself. Profoundly nourishing.
— Susun S. Weed, author of Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way
From This Moment On contains valuable insights mingled with age-old truths; it can help educate and prepare people for the difficulties we all encounter.
— Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of Prescriptions for Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
I love this book! I wish it had been around while I was going through cancer. Open to any random page and you’ll get something to inspire you, to challenge you to think a bit differently. I want to give this book to anyone diagnosed with cancer and anyone who loves someone who has it.
— Julia Sweeney, author of God Said, “Ha!”
You have been diagnosed with cancer this small book may save your life and will certainly save your sanity!
— Dr. Susan Love, author of Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book
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From the Publisher . . .
From This Moment On offers its hand to anyone dealing with cancer...
From the Publisher . . .
From the Publisher at Penguin Random House
From This Moment On offers its hand to anyone dealing with cancer. Following a positive cancer diagnosis, you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. From This Moment On walks you through the stages of illness, treatment, and recovery. It shows you how to accept and move through your anxiety or pain; to gain a sense of control; to find people who can help; and, most important, to decide how you want to live the rest of your life. Open the book to any page and find something of value. Soak up its wisdom in an hour. Or return to it again and again for encouragement and solace. From This Moment On will prove a calm and forthright companion on one of life’s most challenging journeys. Cancer is an ordeal, but it is also an opportunity. Exactly what kind of opportunity will be up to you.
From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed With Cancer
© Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
© James LaBounty / Kip Johl, Untitled, 1997
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
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10 Book Features . . .
Whatever your situation, you will be transformed. From This Moment On has been designed to help you heal—one page at a time….…
10 Book Features . . .
Whatever your situation, you will be transformed.
From This Moment On has been designed to help you heal—one page at a time….
1
This book is written specifically for those
recently diagnosed with cancer.
2
It is also suitable for family, friends, caregivers
and health professionals.
3
It is a generic primer for adults
with any type of cancer.
4
It begins right at the moment of diagnosis.
5
It prepares people for the challenging days
that might lie ahead.
6
It uses plain talk to simplify and communicate
complex information.
7
It uses design, typography and 83 figures
to visually and intellectually
stimulate the reader.
8
It speaks directly about life and death.
9
It is always compassionate, honest and respectful.
10
It encourages readers to begin a healing journey
from this moment on
From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer
Image shown on book spread:
© Nick Knight, Catherine Long for Dazed and Confused, 1998
© 1999 Photograph: Nick Knight / Art Direction: Alexander McQueen
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
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Excerpt . . .
So, it’s official. You’ve been diagnosed with cancer. This time it’s not some family member, acquaintance, or celebrity—it’s you. Like…
Excerpt . . .
So, it’s official. You’ve been diagnosed with cancer. This time it’s not some family member, acquaintance, or celebrity—it’s you.
Like it or not, you’ve joined the cancer movement. You’re one of “them.” More accurately, you’re one of us. And from this moment on…your life will never be the same.
Some things will be worse and some things will be better…There will be many surprises but also discoveries. In the days ahead, you will find your own way to deal with your cancer diagnosis.
Fortunately, with some perspective, you can claim a measure of stability. That’s where this primer can help you. It’s a tool to guide you through your initial cancer diagnosis because—if you’re like most people—you probably don’t know what to expect, and that can be terrifying.
So take a good, deep breath and create an opportunity to read quietly. If you are unable to focus, ask someone you trust to read to you. Then, get ready for a reality check because we’re going to take stock of the “situation” together. And the situation is this:
You have a life-threatening disease that requires your immediate attention. At this moment, there is nothing more important than stopping everything else that you were doing in order to consider this. Why? Because understanding your role in managing your own health is the only thing that will can allow you to (continue to) have a life that has quality. Think about it. No matter how much others may wish to help, you alone must initiate the healing journey.
This is the first step.
From This Moment On: A Guide for Those Recently Diagnosed with Cancer
© Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Staircase drawing by Henricus Hondius, c. 1751
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
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Author and Patient . . .
Diagnosed with stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I experienced treatment, remission, recurrence and a terminal diagnosis. I declined a bone marrow transplant, continued…
Author and Patient . . .
Diagnosed with stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I experienced treatment, remission, recurrence and a terminal diagnosis. I declined a bone marrow transplant, continued with palliative treatment and unexpectedly lived. But I digress. It is more helpful to begin my story right at the moment when I received my cancer diagnosis because like most people—I was stunned.
I was completely unprepared to hear my own cancer diagnosis and found nothing immediately available to help me deal with my shock. That hard transition inspired me to help others who may be facing those first challenging weeks. From This Moment On literally begins at the moment of diagnosis, the window when everything about cancer is new and the moment when experienced guidance can prepare patients and loved ones for what happens next. This book encourages readers to consciously create their own healing journey.
The collective wisdom of the many individuals has informed the book. Their contributions have shaped a unique resource that is variously entertaining, poignant and informative. Whether you read the book yourself or have it read to you, you’ll likely get through it in about an hour. It won’t take long to read but the benefit to your health will be ongoing.
Photograph of broccoli by Alison Edwards © 2018
© 1999 – 2018 Arlene Cotter | selfArchive
Read more about my cancer journey
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Buy the Book . . .
If you want a copy of the book for yourself or someone you feel would benefit from its direct message,…
Buy the Book . . .
If you want a copy of the book for yourself or someone you feel would benefit from its direct message, there are several options. The larger, paperback edition is readily available online at Amazon, Chapters, Barnes & Noble and Penguin Random House. The smaller, original hardcopy edition (my favourite format) is harder to locate. If you would prefer to share a copy of the book, From This Moment On can also be found in several clinic and public libraries in both Canada and the United States.
Amazon Online Store
Chapters Indigo Online Store
Penguin Random House Online Store
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The Gift of Hair
Hair loss is a side-effect of some cancer therapies. It symbolizes fear and loss of control in the face of…
The Gift of Hair
Hair loss is a side-effect of some cancer therapies. It symbolizes fear and loss of control in the face of cancer diagnosis. And it’s a big concern for many cancer patients.
As silly or vain as it may sound, our appearance is a core aspect of our identity. It has a powerful impact on how we understand and locate ourselves in the world. Sure, fashion and gender styles are fluid . . . in 2018, lots of people shave their heads. However, sudden, undesired hair loss from chemotherapy (or for any other reason) is a different thing.
First, unlike shaving, hair loss from chemotherapy is not intentional. It can also be messy; exposing irregular, patchy spots on our scalp and leaving clumps of hair on our pillows and clothing. Hair loss is embarrassing. To get closer to a worse-case scenario, just imagine what it might look like if a small rodent chewed your hair over a period of days or weeks.
Second, unlike shaving, which leaves a shadow of shorn hair in the follicles, hair loss leaves nothing—no definition. Our scalp looks different without hair roots because there is only skin.
Third, in addition to the hair on our head, we’ll often loose our eyebrows. This can be a terrible shock. While it’s understandable to feel self-conscious when we lose our hair, especially if we already look pale and unwell, the loss of our eyebrows alters our appearance dramatically. Hair signals youth and vitality. Without our hair and eyebrows, we can look and feel vulnerable. We don’t look like ourselves. To be frank, our face may look baby-like, especially if we’re taking steroids that give us a round or “moon face.”
Should you lose your own hair, you may or may not want a wig. Fewer people want them now than in the past. When I was diagnosed with stage IV non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, almost 20 years ago, I had a $950 wig constructed out of real hair. I never wore it with confidence because it always seemed to shift position and end up at some unflattering angle. I had foolishly ignored expert advice to get a short style, instead insisting upon recreating my previous look. It was an impressive wig but even with heavy make-up, my face no longer matched the strong look of the long, thick, brown curls. I probably wore the wig five or six times before I finally abandoned it entirely. When I look at it now I’m touched by what a lovely and generous a gift it was from my family. The natural hair is still beautiful.
A Cancer Wig
In this photo, the wig looks like a wild animal. I don’t know whether to smile or cry. Now, of course, synthetic wigs are more popular and people are more daring with colour and styles. But real hair wigs still hold a special place for many patients because they help them to recognize something of themselves when so much of who they are has gone. People all over the world donate, offer and even sell their hair so that those without hair can feel more like themselves.You can contribute, too. Do some research to find out how you can help. Here in British Columbia many people donate their hair to create wigs for adults and kids who are facing difficult journeys.
Consider Wigs For Kids BC if you’re interested in gifting your hair to a child.
selfArchive Blog 40/18 | Cancer | Awakening | Transformation | Words
© 2018 Arlene Cotter selfArchive
© Arlene Cotter The Gift of Hair
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Living Consciously
All lives are precious. This suggestion makes some people indignant. But to judge one life as more valuable than another is…
Living Consciously
All lives are precious. This suggestion makes some people indignant. But to judge one life as more valuable than another is an unsettling idea for many of us.
I thought a great deal about this when I survived my own encounter with death, and continued to live. My experience was not so uncommon. Every day, human beings die from violent trauma and ordinary things like the flu or falling down the stairs.
The Canadian Cancer Society celebrates Daffodil Month each April in an gesture to honour people with cancer and those whose lives have been impacted as survivors, family and friends, researchers and healthcare professionals. April is over but I’m celebrating May by recognizing the individuals among us who have overcome the odds and continue to live—regardless of what they’ve faced. I’ve known many such people, and have lost many others. I’ve also come to respect life more than I have in the past. I now realize that we all have an opportunity to wake up and live our lives consciously.
My new book project honours our every small intention to live an awakened life. It shares what experience has taught me: Every life is valuable and deserves to be honoured. This is our birthright.
If we’re conscious,
our lives can transcend
the privation of
our own self-interest.On 10 May 2018, please celebrate The Courage to Come Back Awards
Over the past 19 years, Coast Mental Health has celebrated 114 British Columbians who have shown courage in the face of extraordinary adversity to emerge stronger and with a deep compassion to help others. Each year, at the Courage To Come Back Awards, we share their stories of triumph with the goal of helping others facing adversity regain the belief that, with courage, reclaiming their lives is possible.
Source: The Courage to Come Back website