Book Giveaway Contest: Writing About Feelings Through Story

Editor’s note: Breastcancer.org is hosting a writing contest! Author and four-time breast cancer survivor Pamela Post-Ferrante is generously giving away three copies of her book Writing & Healing: A Mindful Guide for Cancer Survivors to three contest participants. No writing experience is necessary to enter. Pamela will review all submissions; winners will be announced in November.

Simply complete the writing exercise below, and send your …

Our Friends Answer: What Helped You Get Calm?

Finding calm when waiting for diagnosis details and making treatment decisions can be a challenge – no surprise there. But even a few minutes of peace can help your well-being. We recently asked our Facebook friends:

When you were in the throes of diagnosis and figuring out your treatment plan, was there anything that helped you get calm, even for a few minutes?

Answers ranged …

Thriving Emotionally During the Holidays

The holidays bring a mix of happiness and stress, hopefulness and memories, and mixed emotions for many. All of these feelings can combine in an especially bittersweet blend for women experiencing breast cancer. Coping with the real challenges as well as the joys of shopping, cooking, family gatherings, and other celebrations can be an emotional roller coaster when you are dealing with your own illness.…

Prompting the Healing Power of Writing

Writing & Healing: A Mindful Guide for Cancer Survivors uses a “prompt” to literally prompt the writing. It could be an object from a basket, as seen in the picture above, with the suggestion to then write as if you were that object. “I am Helen, a heart, who has…..”  or “ I am a bottle top and I live in…” etc. Providing a prompt …

Writing & Healing: Using Mindfulness and Creativity to Become Whole Again

My first diagnosis of breast cancer was a surprise. I was too young. There was no breast cancer in the family, but this rational defense didn’t stop what was to be: four diagnoses and eight surgeries and treatments from 1993-1998, dominating and changing my life.

I am two decades away from that first biopsy surgery. Looking back, and especially looking back through my writing, helps …