Being a caregiver is an admirable labor of love but can be physically and emotionally tiring. Many WhatNexters talk about the importance of "caring for the caregiver" and ways to be the best caregiver to their loved one with cancer. In order for the patient and caregiver to have a successful relationship, the caregiver must take care of themselves as well. Here are some real suggestions from real WhatNext caregivers on what they have done to take care of themselves and what they have done to...

Your first chemo treatment is coming up and you’re not sure what to expect. As a follow-up to our first post on 22 Things to Bring to Chemo, we have added 15 more things thanks to Facebook Contributors. Getting some of these things together might ease your anxiety about going to your first chemotherapy treatment; these are simply suggestions, but we hope that some will help you!

Top Response: According to feedback from our first post, one of the most popular answers on "What to...

There is no specific way to ease the pain of the loss of a loved one to cancer. Everyone experiences and copes with grief in different ways. Through the process of grief, time, and support, WhatNexters are able to move on and adjust to their new life. Even through the difficult times, WhatNexters reflect and say they have moved on from their loss with heads held high. Below are some perspectives from WhatNexters on how they have coped with the loss of a loved one.

For more helpful...

Cancer can turn your world upside down. Despite the chaos of a battle with cancer, many WhatNexters long for inner peace to reckon with their cancer diagnosis. Inner peace can mean that you are mentally, emotionally, or spiritually strong in the face of instability or stress. Many consider being "at peace" to be a healthy state of mind, the opposite of being stressed or anxious. Here are some ways that WhatNexters have found inner peace.

1. Focus and Plan on Peace

via warrendew.com

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Here are a few more cancer resources for patients and caregivers that you may not know about. In this article there are a lot of resources related specifically to caregiving and children with cancer. There are also a few that are location specific.

1. The Angiogenesis Foundation

Website: www.angio.org
Phone: 617-576-5708
E-mail: info@angio.org

Provides patients with information on angiogenesis, antiangiogenic treatments and clinical trials. Their mission is to help bring about new treatment...

As treatment comes to an end, WhatNexters often feel very grateful for the help they had during their journey. Many want to say thank you in a special way to their oncologist, doctors, nurses, friends, family, caregivers, and other members of their support team. Whether you want to plan something big or small, here are some ideas from WhatNexters who have put together a special thanks for those that have helped them.

1. Baked Goods

via patriciaobrieninc.com

"I love to bake and to be...

Whether it is 2 months or 2 years no one wants to be given an expiration date. The good news is that no one can predict the future. Below are a handful of perspectives from WhatNexters who are beating the odds. 

"Every diagnosis should be accompanied by a written note saying: 'Take everything you just heard with a grain of salt. No one can predict the future. Don't panic. And remember you still need to look both ways before crossing the street.'" - Clyde

Focus on those that have beat...

People with cancer often talk about how they need alone time. Some WhatNexters need time to cry, regroup, or process their journey. As a loved one of someone with cancer it may be confusing to figure out why they want to be left alone or why they seem to be pulling away. Here WhatNexters explain reasons why they may want to be left alone; everyone has their own reasons, but WhatNexters want loved ones to know that just because they need quiet time does not mean they don't need love and...

Background: WhatNext.com is an online support network developed in partnership with the American Cancer Society that helps help cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers gain firsthand insight into living with cancer and connect with others facing a similar diagnosis. Members of WhatNext.com are sometimes referred to as "WhatNexters."

Cancer can turn your life upside down, it can take your hair, your health, your time, your energy, and parts of your physical body, but here are some things...

WhatNexter of the week, Zubsha, shares her incredible journey of going from a primary care physician to a cancer patient. She explains that no one can really be prepared for a cancer diagnosis but within herself she found strength and is now moving onward and upward with her life. Read her unique perspective below.

On January 3, 2012 I became something I have never been before. I became a vulnerable, sick person with a diagnosis that required others to care for me. This kind of event is...