"I Have Cancer"

At least once in your life someone will say to you, "I have cancer," and when these three words are spoken, you may struggle with a response. If a loved one or friend hasn’t already informed you of a cancer diagnosis, it’s just a matter of time until someone will. This ebook will provide you with 48 things to do when you hear the words.

At least once in your life someone will say to you, "I have cancer," and when these three words are spoken, you may struggle with a response. If a loved one or friend hasn’t already informed you of a cancer diagnosis, it’s just a matter of time until someone will. This ebook will provide you with 48 things to do when you hear the words, since every year fourteen million people worldwide learn they are living with or may die from this illness. Twenty years ago a good friend informed me she had breast cancer. I didn’t know if I should be upbeat (telling her she would defeat it) or just hug her and say how sorry I was. I did what most people do. I said, “I’m so sorry,” a safe answer but not necessarily a helpful one. Twelve years ago it was my turn.

I am a cancer survivor, husband, father, Professor Emeritus at San Francisco State University, and devotee of the shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) and Native American Flute. For eight years I was a bedside hospice volunteer at Pathways, Hospice By The Bay, George Mark Children’s Hospice, and Zen Hospice Project. In 2009 I was named by the Hospice Volunteer Association “Volunteer of the Year.” For more than 25 years I taught, provided therapy, researched, and published in the areas of learning, change, loss, and end of life issues. I have published seven books, written numerous articles and delivered more than 100 lectures and workshops throughout the United States, Latin America, Canada, and Asia on topics including stuttering, change, learning differences, flyfishing, and end of life issues.