69 HEALTHY COPING AND STAYING WELL /// CHAPTER 43 Coping Strategies " Coping strategy " is a fancy term for those thoughts and actions that help you deal with the tough stuff that living with cancer can throw at you. Coping is not just putting up with a problem but bringing it under control and finding a way to feel better. You are likely to be facing a lot of stress and anxiety and it is important to manage these feelings so that they don't further impact on your health. Only you know what is the best strategy to help you cope. Everyone deals with stuff in their own way and what works for others (even those in your family) may not work for you. " Do I need a coping strategy? Yep. in fact you'll probably need a few. Coping Strategies you can try: » Learn about your illness. Some people feel more in control when they can understand what is happening and what to realistically expect. Let your doctor know how much or little you want to know. » Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask anyone anything concerning your cancer. Ask doctors, nurses, parents. Write the answers down. Ask again if you still don't get it. It's better than presuming the worst. » Get involved. Become an active member of your treatment team. Find out about procedures, results, choices. Regain control and independence. Decide when you want to be woken up, decide what you want to eat, watch or listen to. For more information on local resources please contact your nurse navigator or check out the local resources section at the end of the notebookhttps://fwaya.org/