Cancer Coaching Insights for Patients & Caregivers

Boundaries and Staying Safe Over the Holidays For Cancer Patients

As the holiday season approaches, many people look forward to connection and celebration. But when you’re navigating cancer, or supporting someone who is, the extra activity and social time can feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize your well-being and set boundaries that help you feel comfortable and protected. We hope these gentle reminders can help you feel

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It Is Not My Job to Make You Feel Better About My Cancer

Help me help you understand: talking about my cancer diagnosis and treatment is not about managing your fears or anxieties. Thank you. I was literally lying on an acupuncture treatment table yesterday, having this discussion with one of the wisest women I know, Lisa Berkelhammer, my acupuncturist. Lisa is known for providing adjuvant pain therapy for women undergoing breast and

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Allergies, Flu, Cold, or COVID? How To Tell The Difference In 2025

Not sure whether your symptoms mean the flu, allergies, a cold, or COVID? COVID symptoms can shift from year to year, so staying up-to-date can help you spot the signs sooner. This quick chart helps you compare the most common signs for 2025: For more in-depth information about COVID, visit our blog post on the topic. You’ll find detailed guidance

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Give Hope This Giving Tuesday: Support Cancer Patients and Research

Over the past few years, funding for cancer research and patient support has declined. Recent federal budget cuts have created significant gaps in the resources that millions of patients, researchers, and caregivers rely on. Reduced funding leads to widespread consequences, including delayed clinical trials, stalled research, and lost support for patients and families. Community involvement is now more important than

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Thoughtful Ways to Support Someone With Cancer This Season

The holidays are meant to feel joyful, but that joy can be harder to access when someone you love is navigating cancer treatment or rebuilding life after recovery. This guide offers thoughtful ways to bring a little more light into their season — from simple gestures that ease daily stress to curated gift ideas that genuinely support cancer patients, survivors,

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The Shop Is Open: Cancer Support & Comfort for the Holidays

The holidays can be a happy time of connection — but for many cancer patients and caregivers, they can also come with unique challenges. Going through cancer treatment, chemotherapy, or facing a new diagnosis can make this season feel overwhelming, even isolating at times. Between medical appointments, side effects, and emotional fatigue, the typical holiday pace may not feel realistic

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What Should I Eat During Chemotherapy?

Eating during chemotherapy can feel like one more challenge at a time when your body and energy are already working overtime. But nourishing yourself—gently and consistently—can make a real difference in how you feel, how your body copes with treatment, and how well you recover.  The good news? You don’t have to eat perfectly during chemo to eat well. Small,

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Screening, Self-Checks, and Resources

Ladies! Listen up! It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we want you to know the facts, share them with the women in your life, and get screened to lead by example. Here are five facts you can memorize and share, and some good news to throw in too! Breast cancer facts: Breast cancer accounts for 32% of new cancer cases

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My Cancer Survivorship Story: Survival of the (Un)Fittest

I have been hesitant to share my story, or the many hundreds of stories —good and bad —that comprise my thirty-year survivorship, because, in truth, surviving is hard. PLEASE don’t get me wrong, it is better than the alternative, but short- and long-term survival after cancer presents its own unique sets of challenges that, like cancer diagnosis and treatment, require

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5 Ways to Help Manage Brain Fog During Chemo

One of the most common — and often unexpected — side effects of cancer treatment is “chemo brain.” It can show up as forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, or simply feeling foggy. Sometimes it’s the treatment itself, sometimes it’s the disease, and often it’s the stress that comes along with both. Whatever the cause, it can feel frustrating when the things you

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Why I Started Cancer Sherpa

I often get asked why I started Cancer Sherpa, and I laugh because I didn’t start Cancer Sherpa; you did. You, the fearful, frustrated, and fed-up cancer patients and caretakers, who didn’t know who to call, called me – I just picked up the phone. My sophomore year at Duke, my roommate and I lived in 303 House B, where

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5 Tips for Exercising During and After Cancer Treatment

Exercise isn’t just safe for people undergoing cancer treatment—it’s powerful medicine. From reducing fatigue and anxiety to enhancing survival outcomes, these habits support overall well-being. Additionally, emerging studies suggest they may even play a role in recovery and long-term health for some survivors.  Ready to start incorporating more movement, but not sure where to start? Follow our tips for exercising

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You photo of Clare the Cancer Sherpa Blood Draw at Columbia Summer 1994

How to Ask for Help When You Are a Cancer Patient

A skill, and it is a skill that does not come naturally to most of us in our day-to-day lives, is asking for help. It requires not only a willingness to be vulnerable but a level of self-reflection and initiative that we often lose when we are struggling with something. The inner turmoil of asking for help can be exponentially

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Insurance agent standing in front of laptop and giving advise to senior woman.

Use Your HSA and FSA Accounts to Fight Your Cancer

Did you know you can pay for Cancer Sherpa’s or any cancer patient advocate’s services with the pre-tax funds in your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) accounts? According to the IRS, as long as the services are primarily for your medical cancer care, specifically helping you understand your diagnosis and treatment options, coordinate care, or communicate

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Healthy diet plan for weight loss, daily ready meal menu. Close up woman putting note on lunch box cooked in advance, ready to eat for lunch. Balanced portion with healthy dish. Pre-cooking concept

7 Tips for Creating a Meal Train for Someone with Cancer

When someone you love is navigating cancer, everyday tasks like cooking can become overwhelming. Organizing a meal train during cancer treatment is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to show support. Whether they’re going through treatment, recovering from surgery, or balancing appointments with rest, having a hot meal—or even just a stocked fridge—can make a big difference.  These

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Side view portrait of senior woman listening to music during chemotherapy treatment, copy space

10 Items to Bring to Your Chemotherapy Infusion Treatment

Preparing for your first chemotherapy infusion treatment can feel overwhelming. While many treatment centers provide basic comforts, it’s always a good idea to come prepared with a few essentials that can make the experience a little easier, warmer, and more personal. We’ve put together a checklist of recommended items—some practical, some cozy, all chosen with the chemo patient in mind.

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Man's hands holding smart phone in front of a laptop

Logins for Loved Ones: Getting Your Digital Ducks in A Row

While it’s not something we like to think about, it’s important to consider your digital footprint when working on your will or proactively getting your ducks in a row at any age. Granting access to your digital accounts can provide closure for family and friends, allowing them to manage your online presence and address any necessary tasks.

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