"Cancer with Joy"

NEW Cancer Diagnosis - Video from ASCO!

2012-02-03T17:52:00.000-08:00

I know first-hand what it feels like to have the word "cancer" associated with you. I'll Always remember the day when the word was FIRST mentioned to me - Friday, March 12, 2010.

I had to wait nearly two weeks to have my diagnosis confirmed; that happened Wednesday, March 24, 2010. In the meantime I was online; I couldn't help it. I had so many questions, and in between appointments, I was searching . . . for answers, information, comfort, hope, and happiness in spite of this devastating news. I wrote in my book about how I was googling and freaking myself out reading information without considering the source. I now say that's a "Don't!"

How I wish someone had told me about www.cancer.net! Now I let others know about this Phenomenal resource. If you can't stay off the internet, at least go to sources like this instead of googling your symptoms and questions. Anyone can be a content provider these days!

I recently found this video on cancer.net that is only about 5 minutes and has some really great information. Check out "When the Doctor Says Cancer," and please pass it onto those you know impacted by cancer (newly diagnosed, patients in treatment, caregivers, etc.).

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

HELP! What to Say When Someone Has Cancer - Dos &&& DON'TS!

2012-01-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

I just got off the phone with a health reporter from a metropolitan area newspaper. He called me as a source for a story he's working on because he has me listed as an expert in his file. While I'm not a medical Dr., from the real cancer patient perspective I told him about two (whatever you want to call them), drugs, medicines, etc., what I understood them to be for (& when I checked the manufacturers' websites I had it right on!!), and the staggering cost. I followed up by e-mailing him briefly so he had some things in writing since I talk fast. I gave him 5 websites I knew of RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD that will hopefully save him a lot of time searching. Most of these websites came from my book "Cancer with Joy: How to Transform Fear into Happiness and Find the Bright Side Effects."

I hung up the phone, and will admit I sat there for a minute, the magnitude of this sinking in. A reporter I respect for a major paper just called ME as a source, and I thought about what all I know and could connect him with quickly because I have experience as a real patient AND expertise researching this so I can save many others time. I am so honored when people call me!

I'm seeing more people purchase "Cancer with Joy" for that very reason. In minutes you can download 153 numbered pages to your ereader (Kindle Here or Nook Here) for under $10 and begin reading! Books are such a Tremendous value and resource!!!

I just added to the top of this site another resource I know of (I have so much information to share with people!) that helps a LOT of people when someone they know gets diagnosed with cancer and is going through treatment. I certainly heard as a patient from plenty of family and friends, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT to SAY OR DO!" Well, don't know no more! :)

www.cancer.org is SUCH a phenomenal resource, and I wrote about it at the beginning of my resources chapter. When I land there, and I've heard this from others too, it can be overwhelming though because there is so much GREAT info. where do you go to find it. I certainly click and then use the Back Button a lot on it!! That's where "Cancer with Joy" comes in. In the book I list specific drilled-down links . . . save YOUR time & energy searching because I already have done it for you.

Excellent Information I would echo here (do's & dont's!) as someone "who's been there" being diagnosed with stage FOUR cancer as a young adult as age 33!

What to Say When Someone Has Cancer

& if you need it again, you can bookmark it or just come back to the top of www.cancerwithjoy.com, your 1-stop connection to valuable resources that save you time, $$$$$, AND energy!! I am constantly adding so come back and see what's NEW! It's an honor to see people's copies of my book, with pages bookmarked, and highlight, starred, etc. so they can pick it up & quickly find exactly what resource they need. As much as I'd LOVE to as one woman, I can't answer the phone calls and e-mails of millions, and that's why I created this essential resource to give everything to the millions (even at 3:00 a.m. when I'm hopefully sleeping you can find exactly what you need THAT minute!).

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Is there a "101" for Cancer??? Helpful RESOURCE from "Cancer with Joy"

2012-01-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

I remember back to when I was in college, even though that's been "a few years" ago! :) If I wanted to learn the basics about any new subject, it was commonly known to take the "101" class.

When I was trying to rapidly learn about cancer after my diagnosis, I was thrilled to discover though time-consuming research I did so you don't have to saving yourself all kinds of time and energy (& Money!) there's a "101" for cancer too.

This is 1 of 13 resources I share in my "Cancer Information" section of the Resources chapter of my book, "Cancer with Joy: How to Transform Fear Into Happiness and Find the Bright Side Effects." Remember you can get the book IMMEDIATELY downloaded to your ereader whether you have a Kindle OR Nook it's available both ways! Click on the corresponding device or see the right side of this page as you scroll down you'll see all kinds of Great things including links to media I've done surrounding "Cancer with Joy (Print, Radio, & TV!)," as well as links to short videos you can check out!

www.cancer101.org—“CANCER101’s mission is to help patientsand caregivers get organized and informed to fight their cancer. Theyprovide CANCER101 Planners to cancer centers in all 50 states togive to their patients and caregivers in need. The planners are free totheir patients and include essential organizational tools and importantresources designed to empower patients and caregivers to take controlover their diagnosis from the moment they learn they have cancerthrough the next ten years of follow-up care. The planners encouragepatients to partner with their medical team: questions are asked andanswered, notes and appointments are written down in one place, andpatients and caregivers feel in control. And just as importantly, theplanner gives patients and their loved ones hope. CANCER101 NowSupports People with Any Cancer.”

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Facing "Cancer with Joy" . . . ALL the Time??? A VIDEO from Joy . . .

2012-01-07T16:21:00.000-08:00

Because the idea that you can face "Cancer with Joy" is just becoming known in the mainstream, I am asked a lot of questions about it! These come from media interviewing me so they can discover what the idea of "Cancer with Joy" is all about, and they come from people who hear me speak, whether it's at a hospital, cancer treatment center, to a company, college, association, church, or otherwise as part of a panel at a conference, etc.

One of the most frequent questions I get has to do with if I, the Founder of "Cancer with Joy," ALWAYS face "Cancer with Joy???" So can YOU realistically expect to face "Cancer with Joy" ALL the time as I asked in the title of this post? I'd say "No!"

After all, in Chapter 4 of my book "Cancer with Joy" "Twelve (Recommended) Dos & Don'ts at Diagnosis," the Number Two "Do" is "DO get mad, sad, bitter, depressed, etc.!" The idea of "Cancer with Joy" is just that you don't stay STUCK there, and that you have more good days than bad going from diagnosis through treatment because you've been introduced to this idea of facing "Cancer with Joy," and because you have the essential resource to discover how at your fingertips.

By the way, all of You Nook Customers can now download "Cancer with Joy" IMMEDIATELY to your Nook at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cancer-with-joy-joy-huber/1105025903?ean=9781614481010&itm=1&usri=cancer+with+joy

Since I've gotten such Wonderful feedback on my videos, I made another video for you addressing the question . . .

Was it hard at times for You to face "Cancer with Joy?" En"JOY!"

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Where can YOU get FREE 1-on-1 Cancer Support??

2011-12-18T14:36:00.000-08:00

On page 70 of my "Cancer with Joy" book, I say

Number Nine--DO talk to someone who has "been there."

when sharing

"Twelve (Recommended) Dos & Dont's at Diagnosis"

in Chapter Four. I've received many nice compliments on this helpful list for the newly diagnosed and how it helps them focus on an easy, short list when frankly their world has been turned upside-down and they have no idea what to do NEXT!

Here I talk some about Imerman Angels, which is just 1 of multiple places I list in my comprehensive resources chapter under the "Cancer Support" section. In this section, I also talk about www.hopefortwo.org, which I've written about before. I've written about Imerman Angels before but I made a brief video also that only runs about 1 and 1/2 minutes. Please share this resource with others you know that could benefit from this . . . it's FREE!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

An Amazing Story of Handling (Multiple) Cancer Diagnosis' with Joy!

2011-12-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

Book Contributor Anna Renault has faced multiple kinds of cancer throughout her life . . . read an excerpt from her contribution to the book "Cancer with Joy" below.

I especially Love & TOTALLY agree with her first paragraph in the story!!

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

Handling “Cancer with Joy”

By Anna Renault

Hearing the diagnosis, “You have cancer!” is never joyous. However,how one handles their disease greatly impacts the journey. Learning tohandle the rollercoaster with JOY certainly makes the journey easier.

My journey with cancer began in 1977. At twenty-seven-years-old,I had uterine cancer. Devastated? Yes. I’d been raised thinking cancermeant death; if not death, certainly a long drawn out battle that washorrendously painful. Yet, upon that declaration, I felt relief. This wasa diagnosis explaining the craziness—the pain, the bleeding—of whatI was experiencing. Then I was told an operation could and would fixthings! JOY!

Skin cancer is often considered a minor problem, especially thesedays; but twenty-five-years ago that dreaded pronunciation “You havecancer!” still sent chills down my spine. Those chills turned to dreadwhen I found out the cancer on my chin were melanoma—a deadly form of skin cancer. My dad lost the tip of his nose to melanoma; I feared losing part of my chin. I didn't! I got a chin lift. The surgeon even kept the scar in the natural crease of my face.

Colon cancer is a silent killer!

Read the rest of Anna's story including her facing colon & breast cancer (in addition to uterine & skin cancer!), 10 AMAZING stories from others sharing funny, inspiring examples of how they too faced "Cancer with Joy," and the rest of the book "Cancer with Joy" by downloading it to your Kindle here now. If you do not have a Kindle, you can also order an Autographed paperback copy of "Cancer with Joy" on the right side of this page.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

How Giving to OTHERS Helps You Face "Cancer with Joy"

2011-12-15T17:40:00.000-08:00

Here's a review of "Cancer with Joy" on Amazon from Melissa . . .

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of this year. My sister had heard of this book and got a copy to me within a week of diagnosis. I can't imagine what it would have been like for me to navigate this "cancer road" without the help of this book. It was almost like I was given permission to be positive and up beat, even when we weren't sure if the cancer had spread. I also was grateful to know that we could have a sense of humor about it! It also has a bunch of info without being overwhelming or scary. Like Joy talks about, the internet can scare a person if you google enough info. I have read and re read the book a couple of times. I am passing a copy on to my mom and my sis who gave me the book to begin with. I think it would be a huge help to anyone that cancer has touched. It gives good info both with stories of others who are facing cancer and resources that are available. This is all presented in a positive and warm manner. An EXCELLENT resource!"

It makes me tremendously happy to read that from someone the book has been able to help! Now, part of a story from the book, and . . .

I LOVE this story!! Marie Rowe contributed a story to "Cancer with Joy" titled

"Volunteering at a Children's Home Helped Me Face Cancer Treatment with Joy"

The first part of her story, not in this excerpt below, is about her initial diagnosis, going the alternative therapy route, and healing . . .

only to discover more lumps a year later. Marie shares a great story of coming to embrace the chemo. she eventually had after not wanting it initially. It's great for anyone facing chemo. to read!

The part I wanted to share here is about giving to others, since that is what this Holiday season is truly all about! En"JOY!" :)

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

"I was not employed during my treatments, but it was important forme to continue volunteering at a children’s home several days a week.Whether it was playing in the sand, reading books, or doing crafts, justbeing in the moment with these abused and abandoned children gave mea lot of joy, and I feel it was a big part of my healing. Simply turning upfor these kids made a difference in their lives, and as it turns out, in minetoo. I actually received the “Volunteer of the Year” award during thisperiod for my consistency and for organizing drama and craft activitiesas well as creative writing exercises for the children.

Because I lived alone, a friend suggested I get a kitten for companywhile I was undergoing treatment. Her cat had just had kittens and a fewweeks later, on Thanksgiving, I decided to take home an orange tabby Inamed Pumpkin. I had no idea that this little furry creature would bringsuch joy into my life. He was a bundle of love from the very beginning, made me laugh, and was responsible for making me rest. Lying on the couch exhausted from chemo, I would only have to think about getting up to do something, and Pumpkin would race across the room and jump on my chest with his paws around my neck, his face in mine, forcing me to stay where I was. After I lost my hair, I was sitting in bed crying, feeling ugly. Suddenly, Pumpkin jumped up on the bed and draped himself over my head. Not to worry ... he would be my hair!"

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

How to face "Cancer with Joy" . . . even at "the Holidays!"

2011-12-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

With "the Holidays" just around the corner, I'm often asked

"How do you face a new cancer diagnosis or being in treatment at 'the Holidays??'"

Remember at its simplest, "Cancer with Joy" is a CHOICE YOU choose to make. I know that's very basic, but remind yourself it's within your control how you respond to whatever obstacle life throws your way, whether it's a new cancer diagnosis or something else. I write more about this on page 11 of "Cancer with Joy (look for the formula I give)." I believe I give you inspiration and resources to help you choose that different response to cancer!

This is also why I put in the book the whole chapter on "Emotional & Physical Fitness." That chapter begins on page 99. Here's THREE additional things, two quotes and one simple but amazing activity you can easily do to help you in facing "Cancer with Joy" even during holidays.

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

At www.hopegarden.com/cancer.html I discovered this delightfulquote attributed to John Diamond: “Cancer is a word, not a sentence.”

This quote, by Author Unknown, says, “Some see a hopeless end,while others see an endless hope.”

As a songwriter, I find energy in music, and a song can literally turnmy day around. I encourage you to visit www.CancerwithJoyBook.com to listen to my two co-written songs “Live Before I Die” (ironicallyfinished before I ever heard the word “cancer” associated with me!) and“Bright Side Effects.” If I found “bright side effects” including thinkingthe paper cuts I got from get well cards were a neat thing, what “brightside effects” can you find on a daily basis while in cancer treatment? Takea blank piece of paper, write “Blessings” at the top, and just start writing.Things as simple as “I have clean water readily available to me to drink,”filled me with an immense feeling of gratitude. I did not have hair on myhead like most of my friends my age, but an activity like this focuses youon what you have versus what you do not have. It is an amazing activity!

Also, I remind you that I was diagnosed late March 2010, and my first "full week" as a cancer patient I had back-to-back days with surgery. I was having my second surgery the second day in a row on "Good Friday." So, with the Easter holiday coming up that weekend, how did we face "Cancer with Joy" even while in the hospital for another Surgery???

Here I am telling this story speaking to a group . . . ENJOY!!!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

NEW Video from "Cancer with Joy"

2011-12-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

When I was diagnosed with cancer I didn't continue to ask "Why ME? WHY is this happening to me?" I've heard from many others who say they get stuck there wondering, ok obsessing, over WHY they got cancer! This can be especially challenging if you feel you've "done everything right," i.e., never smoking or using tanning beds, eating right, exercising, basically "leading a healthy lifestyle."

I instead found myself saying, "Why NOT Me?" I wrote about this on page 13 of my book "Cancer with Joy," and have written about it on this website also, but haven't talked about it in a video . . . until now.

I decided to make a brief video where I talk about this, and wanted to share it with you here.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Save Time && $$$ with Helpful Resources from "Cancer with Joy!"

2011-12-11T10:11:00.001-08:00

Jay Conrad Levinson has sold 21,000,000+ books. He's Author of the "Guerrilla Marketing" series of books, the best known marketing brand in history. "Guerrilla Marketing" has been named, GULP, 1 of the 100 Best Business Books EVER written, and it's in 62 languages. Here is what JAY said about "Cancer with Joy."

"Joy Huber easily lives up to her name with her 'Cancer with Joy.' That's exactly what I happen to have, and Joy's my role model."

I am so touched and deeply honored to hear that after Jay got my book. I think "Cancer with Joy" is such a unique combination that gives so much to readers. For starters, no one's ever said it that way before. "I'm facing 'Cancer with Joy,'" literally, with me in your corner transmitting my positive energy you need during your right, to figuratively helping others from diagnosis through treatment transform their fear into happiness! As I often say, you could face cancer without joy, but WHY would you want to?? :)

"Cancer with Joy" offers inspiring stories, not just from me, but me and amazing others who inspired me when I read their stories and that's how I knew they were the ones I had to include. I believe these stories can inspire all of of us to say, "Well, if that's how THEY faced Cancer (with Joy, using humor & positivity), then I'm going to STOP moping around and do THIS."

But it's more than that. If I just wanted to give people stories, I'd recommend the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" Cancer Books. & I do recommend them; you can get them on the right side of this page! They're great books, but with Chicken Soup already in the world I knew I had to put more than stories in "Cancer with Joy."

Another of my personal favorite sections is the comprehensive resources chapter, 25+ pages of resources! People are always asking me do I know of any resources for THIS person (Then they tell me about the person they love whose fighting cancer's situation)??? Of COURSE I know of tons of things; I just can't re-type my whole book in a message to them. So when I tell them how many resources are IN the book, they always respond they're getting the book since they now know how many helpful websites are in there. You can download it to your Kindle in a couple minutes from now for $8! I'm Proud to GIVE so much for such a low price; what a VALUE!!

In my last post I was writing about the financial fears cancer causes so I wanted to share a couple more things that can really help financially.

In the book I share drilled-down links off of www.cancer.org, because, as I explain, it's such a GREAT site but overwhelming I thought with so much there. It can be very time-consuming and it's really helpful when someone saves you all the time and gives you more than just www.cancer.org, but HERE'S a VERY specific link that'll really take you where you need if you're seeking financial info. from the well-respected Cancer Society.

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/FindingandPayingforTreatment/index

This is a GREAT section with tons of helpful info., but I think you need someone (like ME!) to Help you so you can find it without spending too much of your precious time!!

That's "Cancer with Joy," more than stories that inspire you; we save you time, money, and energy too!!

Here's yet one more resource (since it's the season of giving) that I think you'll find very helpful!

www.insureustoday.org—“insureUStoday.org is a collaborative effortof healthcare stakeholders to add clarity and take the confusion out ofhealthcare reform. Our goal is to help improve your understanding ofthe benefits you will experience as a result of the Patient Protection andAffordable Care Act.” This website features a timeline of implementation,interactive blog, helpful resources and informative media articles.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

The Financial Fears (& Freak-Outs!) Cancer Causes!

2011-12-10T13:11:00.001-08:00

I admit it. I'm one of those people who doesn't go to the Dr. right away when I feel bad but rather tries to heal myself back to feeling Great with over the counter medicines, and even some natural remedies. I just don't call the Dr. FIRST thing or rush off to a medical center. I will wait and see if things get better and I have to deteriorate to a certain level of feeling "really bad" before I've made an appt.

I should learn from this, because this is quite possibly a factor in how I got to stage FOUR cancer before I was diagnosed. Although I was largely asymptomatic and remember telling Dr's. "but I FEEL FINE," I also dismissed the symptoms I felt as other things (i.e., night sweats, which are a symptom, It was Winter of 09' and I thought I had too heavy a comforter on my bed causing me to sweat), a huge part of my fear of going to the Dr. not lies in what they tell me my diagnosis is, but what happens after . . . when I get the bill!

No one asks to get sick of course, and unfortunately, no one is immune to cancer. I'm reminded of this watching Gorgeous Celebrity Giuliana Rancic on national TV talk about her breast cancer and upcoming double mastectomy. I'm also reminded when I listen to the lyrics of Martina McBride's song "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," that state, "Cancer don't discriminate, or care if you're just 38, with 3 kids who need you in their life."

In my "Cancer with Joy" book Chapter Five is titled, "Your Cancer Diagnosis & Healthcare Reform." Here's an excerpt from that chapter . . .

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

Ironically, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection andAffordable Care Act, better known as healthcare reform, into law Tuesday,March 23, 2010. I received confirmation of my cancer diagnosis the verynext day! At the time of my diagnosis, I was uninsured. I want to sharewith you what the healthcare reform bill signed into law in March of2010 means if you are: also uninsured at the moment of your

diagnosis,or if you are currently insured.

At www.empowher.com, an article titled, “What Healthcare ReformMeans to Cancer Survivors” by Pat Elliott begins, “Cancer survivorsin the United States have typically faced two key stressors at the same

time: dealing with their illness while also trying to survive the crushingfinancial burdens that come with it, regardless of their personal insurancestatus.” I agree with “crushing financial burdens.” Crushing is definitelynot too strong of a word.

Since Healthcare Reform can still be a controversial thing, I also share in the Resources chapter of my book this link from the American Cancer Society. As far as I've ever known the ACS is for one thing ONLY: MORE Birthdays! So they are for cancer patients, and I definitely noted the language of this

http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/documents/document/acspc-026864.pdf

It says here "The Affordable Care Act: HOW it Helps People with Cancer and their Families"

Not IF?! The American CANCER Society is not debating IF healthcare reform helps cancer patients, but rather sharing a document that helps us understand HOW it helps.

In my next post I'll share more resources because I understand those crushing financial burdens associated with having cancer, especially since I was single and uninsured when I was diagnosed being self-employed with my own business. That self-employment turned into basically unemployment while I suspended my business and fought for my life receiving intense doses of 5 chemo. medicines (plus ONE shot alone that they told me cost $5,000, and I received this shot 6x. $30,000 for 1 shot alone 6x!) once every 3 weeks for six consecutive rounds. Now I'm for personal accountability as well, but I'm not sure at age 33 how I could have had the seven figures put away needed for all my treatment of stage four cancer. And I did get a job in high school (beyond initial babysitting) earning I believe $3.10 an HOUR starting wage and I never took a Spring Break vacation in college because I was WORKING.

Anyways, if you're questioning healthcare reform (I think a few out there still are, but most realize it's a good thing, especially when cancer enters your life or the life of someone you love deeply like a family member, friend, fellow church member, neighbor, co-worker, etc.) and/or need financial resources to help you navigate the already challenging cancer road I will share some more of the great things I have in the book because . . . I REALLY believe no cancer patient should be on the phone arguing with a company they've PAID money to who now doesn't want to pay claims when they should be focused on their health.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

A TERRIFIC Resource for those Facing Cancer!

2011-12-08T12:51:00.001-08:00

When I was diagnosed with stage four cancer at the young age of 33, I initially felt like I was thrown in a pool without knowing how to swim and was drowning with panic and fear, mainly fear of the unknown. I often say people are of course "involuntarily immersed in the cancer world," and you don't know about the many great things out there for you as you go from diagnosis through treatment. You also don't have time to find these resources because all of a sudden, in addition to your previously full life, you now have to add being a cancer patient which feels like another full-time job!

In "Cancer with Joy" I have 25+ pages of resources that help those facing cancer save significant time searching for all these things, money, and energy.

Just one of the sections in this helpful chapter is titled "Cancer Services." Below is one of the Amazing FREE services I found that really helps save time & energy!!

www.lotsahelpinghands.com—“We created Lotsa Helping Handsto answer the question ‘what can I do to help?’ If you are caring forsomeone in crisis, or going through one yourself, chances are you have heard this question a lot. And, if you have watched a friend or loved one in need, you have probably asked the same question. Everyone wants to help, but no one knows exactly what to do.

“What is Lotsa Helping Hands? Free, private, web-basedcommunities for organizing friends, family, and colleagues—your ‘circlesof community’—during times of need. Easily coordinate activities andmanage volunteers with our intuitive group calendar.

“Everyone knows what to do and when to do it. Energy is spenthelping, not scheduling. Families in crisis are often overwhelmed withmany offers of help and phone calls to return. If you are looking for waysto help a friend or loved one, you can create a private community to:organize well-meaning offers of help for meals delivery, rides, and visits,easily communicate and share updates using announcements, messageboards, and photos, and safely store vital information.”

Who else can you share this resource with? Please pass it on for when more people know about it, more people benefit from it!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Music Therapy When Facing Cancer

2011-12-07T18:08:00.001-08:00

Being a songwriter and a consumer of all kinds of music in general, I was asked recently about how music & songwriting impacted my cancer battle.

I believe in the importance of using music therapy when facing cancer, and have written before about the organization Musicians On Call who I also feature as one of many resources in my book. They bring LIVE & recorded music to the bedsides of cancer patients in the hospital!!

I decided to make another brief video message to you discussing this. In here I talk about the power of music; when you hear a favorite song doesn't it change your mood? Music is powerful! This video's just over a minute; I hope you en"JOY!" :)

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

FREE Fly-Fishing Retreats for Men Recovering from All Forms of Cancer

2011-12-05T14:44:00.001-08:00

Being a woman who falls in the Young Adult category (under age 40) I guess, I wanted to make sure I still put something useful in "Cancer with Joy" the book for everyone. Meaning there is a whole chapter for caregivers, a section just for them ("Caregivers, Family and Friends") in the resources chapter, yes, there's a section is the resources chapter labeled "Young Adults," but there's also useful information & inspiration in the book for "the guys" too! :)

One example is in Chapter 3 where I share stories from a couple of "the guys" too on how they faced "Cancer with Joy." Another example is in the "Cancer Retreats" section of the "Resources" chapter. Here I share about phenomenal retreats including

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

www.reelrecovery.org—“The mission of Reel Recovery is to help menin the cancer recovery process by introducing them to the healing powersof the sport of fly-fishing, while providing a safe, supportive environmentto explore their personal experiences of cancer with others who sharetheir stories.”

Check it out & don't forget to pass it on! What better feeling is there than to know of something that'll help someone Else you know facing cancer, to tell them about it, and KNOW you've helped them!!!

That is what DRIVES me; I KNOW I HELP others with my work helping people discover they too can face "Cancer with Joy," and it's a tremendous feeling and an honor!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

VIDEOS: Joy Speaking LIVE sharing "Cancer with Joy" & Testimonials for Joy!

2011-12-04T16:29:00.001-08:00

Hello!

I know in addition to sharing funny inspiring stories to help you, valuable resources that save you time & $$$$$, cancer news, and more here I've told you that I'm a professional speaker (in addition to Author of "Cancer with Joy," songwriter of "Bright Side Effects," blogger, and more!! I'm passionate about helping others & a busy lady!!). In October I had the Honor of Keynoting a Luncheon in Lincoln, NE for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have a couple videos from that talk that are real brief, approximately three minutes.

I wanted to share one of those with you as I've heard from many of you interested in having me speak at your cancer treatment center/hospital or event like this Luncheon I was at.

If the opening music to this video sounds familiar, it IS the opening from my co-written song "Bright Side Effects."

EnJOY!

Here's also a brief video with a lady who has attended one of my past trainings & then a woman who hired me to speak offering their testimonials (if the hundreds of women giving a standing ovation above didn't convince you "Cancer with Joy" is an AMAZING helpful & FUN Event!). :)

I look forward to hearing from you and learning more about your needs for a speaker; please contact me as soon as you know you need a professional so I can consult my calendar. I need to lock down the date for your group so don't delay!!

You can contact me by filling out the form completely at http://www.JoyHuber.com/contact or

e-mail me at

joy@cancerwithjoy.com with all the details of your event including your date, TIME of program, budget for a Professional Speaker (Remember I have travel expenses/time!), approximate audience size, and Location! Many forget to tell me where their event is & where the closest Airport is I can come into!

I look forward to working with you!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

A VIDEO from JOY sharing What Motivated Her to write "Cancer with Joy??"

2011-12-02T17:05:00.001-08:00

Looking ahead on my calendar, I have approximately 30 media interviews coming up between this month & next currently. Many are on the radio, some are on TV, and some are print articles in newspapers & online. That's about 1 interview every other day on average! I'm incredibly Excited about introducing the idea of facing "Cancer with Joy" to the masses as over 1.5 MILLION people are diagnosed with cancer EVERY SINGLE YEAR just in the United States Alone!

More importantly, I look forward to helping you & others face "Cancer with Joy" inspiring you with funny stories from others that make you think, "WELL, if THEY did it, SO CAN I!" I'm also Excited to share the many many helpful resources I became aware of because I took a tremendous amount of time I realize most cancer patients DON'T have researching & writing about phenomenal resources out there that help you face "Cancer with Joy." HOW??? By saving you time, energy, and MONEY, it is significantly easier for you to quickly transform your fear you felt at diagnosis and may still feel going through treatment into HAPPINESS!

I am often asked, by media in interviews and by others, what motivated me to write this book, start this brand, and do all this hard work!! Simply, it was YOU! Seeing YOU in all the hospitals and cancer treatment centers, surgery centers, etc. I have been to at this point. It was seeing how most people are facing cancer from the moment of diagnosis through treatment. But what are you just reading about this for??

Take LESS THAN TWO MINUTES & WATCH this Exciting New Video from ME below where I talk further about this! En"JOY" & I look Forward to visiting with you in person when I visit YOUR hospital, cancer treatment center, support group, rally, luncheon, or any other function or event to bring my LIVE "Cancer with Joy" presentation to YOU!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

A Video from Joy Explaining . . . "What's 'Cancer with Joy' About???"

2011-12-01T15:45:00.001-08:00

I'm often asked what "Cancer with Joy" is all about. "Cancer with Joy" is many wonderful helpful things:
a powerful unique new idea,
a website with free content,
a book that's the essential resource for newly diagnosed cancer patients & their support teams, including caregivers, friends, and family,
a LIVE program where you can hear me speak sharing funny inspiring stories, interact with me, and so much more!!

I decided to make a quick less than 2 minute video explaining some of the basic ideas behind "Cancer with Joy," including the powerful idea that

No one's HAPPY they have cancer,
BUT
You can have cancer & still be HAPPY!

Also, here I discuss how at it's simplest facing "Cancer with Joy" is merely a choice you CHOOSE to make, and the aforementioned things (this website, my LIVE talk, my book) inform & inspire you to make that choice to face "Cancer with Joy!"

I also talk about how you could choose to face cancer
WITHOUT
Joy,
BUT

WHY would anyone want to do that? Everyone wants to be happy and discover how to transform their fear they feel at diagnosis INTO Happiness, and that's what we help people discover at "Cancer with Joy."

So if you like what you've gotten so far or are interested in discovering how to face "Cancer with Joy" take the next step today!

If you've been reading on this website,
download the ebook of "Cancer with Joy" to your Kindle
OR
order your AUTOGRAPHED copy on the right side of this page

If you've already got the book, start asking at your hospital/cancer treatment center or a group that you're part of to bring me in to speak LIVE to your group. I share some BONUS New stories NOT found in the book so you're getting more than what you've already read!! But it's Really Fun to hear me tell the stories you read LIVE too!!!

En"JOY" the video!!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

An Excerpt from the NEW Book "Cancer with Joy" - Blessings & Humor!

2011-11-30T17:04:00.001-08:00

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

Surprised Joy Amidst a Mother’s Struggles
By Jan Hasak

During my second bout with cancer, after each chemo infusion Iwould sit in my comfy chair at home, nauseated and weak, jotting downmy blessings in a journal. Josh, now nine-years-old, peeked in from timeto time. After my third round of treatment, he came into my masterbathroom bearing a small book.

“Guess what, Mom?” he announced. “I’m writing blessings in myjournal, too.” And he showed me his little pocket notebook, a birthdayfavor from a friend. What an extra surprise blessing for me—and all dueto chemo!

As a celebratory trip to commemorate the end of chemo treatment,Jim treated me to a trip to Italy. In Turin, we took a leisurely walk to anearby train station. I had left my breast prostheses at the hotel room. Aswe looked at the various destination signs we spied a train headed for thetown of “Bra.” I looked at him quickly and quipped, “Let’s not go there.”We laughed all the way back to our lodgings, hand-in-hand. Nothingcould have brought more merriment to our spirits.

How would I ever have uncovered these treasures without cancerentering my personal space?

Josh is now nineteen and a sophomore in college. After my recurrence,his youth minister had encouraged him to take up the keyboard as anoutlet for his emotions. Now he is an accomplished musician in a worshipband, a position for which he had to audition. He may never have pickedup an instrument if it weren’t for his frustration over my cancer plight.

This is part of the story Jan Hasak shares in Chapter Three of "Cancer with Joy." I LOVE where this picks up; after chemo. she is sitting writing her blessings! Do you do this? I'd love to hear your story.

What are the many things you can find to be grateful for, even with a cancer diagnosis/treatment in your life??? Focusing on what you have vs. what you don't is a simple tip for facing "Cancer with Joy!"

You also read here an example of how Jan uses humor throughout her journey. Read more of her story, the stories of 10 others facing "Cancer with Joy," & much MUCH more in "Cancer with Joy."

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Funny Stories of Facing Hair Loss from "Cancer with Joy"

2011-11-27T09:36:00.001-08:00

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

How Did I Handle “Cancer with Joy?”
By Hayley Townley
In 2002, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was thirty-six. Thosethree little words, “You have cancer,” changed my life forever. I quicklydrove to see my doctor to discuss my options. Circling the block to find aplace to park, a car directly in front of her office pulled out of its parkingspace. They even left me time on the meter! I knew it was a sign of thingsto come.

I was determined to remain the person my friends knew and lovedand laughed with/at. I decided to share ALL my experiences with myfriends, as well as all who would listen (I’m a blogger). The day my hairfell out as a result of the chemo, I piled my golden locks in the sink, took a photo, then sent it out with the caption, "You think YOU'RE having a bad hair day?!"

Around town, I’m known by my Mustang convertible. The first timeI drove down my driveway with the wind blowing through my wig, itended up in the back seat! My dog thought small furry animals weredropping from the sky and was ecstatic! I had to wrestle it out of hermouth. I found the best way to handle wigs and convertibles was to weara hat while driving, and a quick wig flip-on when I got to my location.I can’t imagine what people thought when I dipped my bald head downout of sight, and then came up with hair.
I had at least eight different colors and styles of wigs, and chose towear them as an accessory. I was long blonde one day, and short purplethe next. Another picture I posted for my friends was me—front andcenter, completely bald—then a collage of me in my different wigs. Thecaption was, “I haven’t got a thing to wear.” I always kept them guessing.

See photos from Hayley's story (There's more of her story in the "Cancer with Joy" book you can get immediately as an ebook or order a paperback autographed copy of right now. See the right side of this site for details!) paragraphs two and four, in the music video for my co-written song "Bright Side Effects" below!! Hayley's an amazing woman who handled hair loss from "Cancer with Joy" and I'm so proud to have her story in Chapter 3 of "Cancer with Joy."

I would love to have a picture or video from paragraph three of Hayley wrestling her wig out of the dog's mouth! THAT makes me laugh EVERY SINGLE TIME I read her story!! I could definitely relate to the idea of flipping a wig on in your vehicle and coming up with hair. I always looked around to see who saw that too! :)

Here's the link to the music video you just watched so you can tweet it, put it on your Facebook, or otherwise share this song with others you know impacted by cancer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5t0DdNXOPE

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

A Music Video from Joy & Get the Story BEHIND the SONG! - "Bright Side Effects"

2011-11-25T13:29:00.001-08:00

If You simply "Like" the "Cancer with Joy" Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/cancerwithjoy

then you got a Sneak Peek of this almost a week ago!!!

Most of you know in addition to being the Author of "Cancer with Joy" & a professional speaker (www.JoyHuber.com/programs) that I'm also a songwriter.

I co-wrote this song which I'm proudest of (to date). It's called "Bright Side Effects," and in my last post/video I talked about WHAT "Bright Side Effects" are since this is a fresh new idea not commonly said.

In that video (Watch here!) I said I merged the negative "side effects" I was warned would be a part of my cancer treatment (hair loss, stomach problems including nausea, dry mouth, hot/cold sensitivity, numbness at the ends of my fingers, fatigue, etc., etc.) with my philosophy of perpetually looking on the

"Bright Side"

For example, when we shaved my head and my hair wasn't growing back during the first six chemo. treatments, I quickly figured out it wasn't growing back on the top of my head . . . or anywhere else!! I no longer had to shave my legs; I had continually smooth silky legs! YEAH! "Bright Side Effect!"

My incredible co-writer Bob Paterno & I decided to share a lot of my personal story of being a cancer patient including in the 2nd verse where we wrote about the day we had my head shaved. THIS was the MOST emotionally painful moment!

"Bright Side Effects" is written/sung from the perspective of a person who's a friend to a cancer patient, starting off
"She's too young to be wearin' that wig
at stage FOUR her smile's still big
I took her to lunch," and then the cancer patient shares doing much of the "talking" in this conversation/song.

We thought it would be fun to talk about what are normally "side effects" or something unfavorable happening (paper cuts, yeoww!) but have them come from a blessing. In the chorus we wrote,

"I've got paper cuts from get well cards (Paper cuts are unfavorable but they're happening because of the tremendous outpouring of love & support from family & friends!)"

Then we got the idea to make a MUSIC VIDEO to this song, and share pictures from my personal journey & from some of my contributor's journeys. Special Thanks to Hayley Townley, Jan Hasak, Cristy Norwood, and Ms. Senior America 2009-2010 Gail King who shared photos I added to the music video! You can read their stories && the stories of seven OTHERS who share amazing, funny, and inspiring ways they faced "Cancer with Joy" in Chapter Three of "Cancer with Joy."

I really hope you enjoy this video!! Please share this (Facebook, Twitter, e-mail to your list of family, friends, and supporters, CaringBridge, etc.) with others you know impacted by cancer so they can be touched by this song and idea of finding the "Bright Side Effects," as well as the video. I've been asked how people can get the song "Bright Side Effects," and you can download it from iTunes.

This picture below is me, Good Friday April 2010, preparing for my 2nd surgery 2 days in a row!!! The day before I'd had a slit in my right neck (You can see the bandage over it in this image.) to remove a lymph node to type the Lymphoma. The nurse is re-positioning my IV here as this surgery is to place a stent in my right kidney to help it drain. With this surgery I had a breathing tube. In spite of all of this, we still faced "Cancer with Joy" at the Holidays as we headed into Easter. I share this specific story on pages 16-18 of "Cancer with Joy!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5t0DdNXOPE

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

BRIGHT Side Effects?? A VIDEO from Joy of "Cancer with Joy"

2011-11-23T14:48:00.001-08:00

The subtitle of my new book "Cancer with Joy" is

"How to Transform Fear into Happiness and Find the Bright Side Effects."

I am regularly asked about "Bright Side Effects" since this is a new term. I decided to make a short video (approximately 2 minutes) you can watch below discussing this idea that became so much more than just part of the book's subtitle! It's also a song I've co-written and a music video sharing pictures from my journey as well as pictures from some of my contributors who share their stories of facing "Cancer with Joy" in Chapter Three of the book.

After you watch this video check out the music video of "Bright Side Effects " here! Share this on your Facebook & Tweet it, etc. Get it out to those you know also facing cancer right now! You can download the song "Bright Side Effects' on iTunes.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Traveling with Cancer? Oncologist-Approved Cancer Information!

2011-11-22T16:33:00.001-08:00

I'm currently working on an article that is my first assignment from a magazine. I "hope" it makes it in, and I'll tell you more about it if it does! The premise behind it is about going on the internet for health information.

On pages 65-66 of my "Cancer with Joy" book, I write about the internet being one of the DON'TS I suggest in Chapter Four, "Twelve (Recommended) Dos & Don'ts at Diagnosis."

"Don't go to the Internet as your primary, initial source of information." I recommend!

You can read this part of the book completely by signing up on the upper right side of this website to receive my newsletter (which only comes out once a month, so not too often clogging up your e-mail inbox!) because you get a FREE report delivered immediately with Five Dos & Don'ts at Diagnosis!

After the word "CANCER" was just mentioned to me for the first time, before anything was confirmed, I called on "Dr. Google" and freaked myself out unnecessarily!!!

If you cannot stop from going online while waiting for your next medical appointment, at least consider the source of the information. Where do you go for credible health information online was a big struggle I had?

Then I came across this phenomenal resource, and I listed it as one of 25+ pages of resources you'll get in Chapter Nine of "Cancer with Joy," "Resources You Need to Know About (at Diagnosis)."

It is www.cancer.net, and it says it is "Oncologist-approved cancer information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology." I list this one and a dozen others just in the "Cancer Information" section. In this chapter I have sections with many resources listed under each on

Cancer Information
Cancer Support
Communicating with Others
Cancer Services
Financial Resources
Government Websites
Nutrition
Shops with Cancer Items
Cancer Retreats
Young Adults
Caregivers, Family & Friends
&&&
Contributor Websites

At www.cancer.net I just ran across an article with wonderful information, especially timely right now with the holiday season upon us. Perhaps you or someone you love facing cancer is traveling to be with family. Make sure you check this article out here! Pass this website onto them!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Spread Joy to Others Facing Cancer!

2011-11-21T12:23:00.001-08:00

I have a google alert set on "Cancer with Joy." I have spent considerable money & time registering "Cancer with Joy" with the United States Patent & Trademark office so the google alert is just one of several things I do to see if there is infringement which would cause brand confusion.

If you are not familiar with google alerts they feed directly to your e-mail things that hit the web with whatever your search term is in it. They are something I've learned to do as a small business owner to see what's hitting the web.

This story came to me through a Google Alert because "cancer with joy" is part of the story's title!! I'm so happy to see this and wanted to share it with you; this young woman is AMAZING! Take just 3 minutes & watch how Jessie Rees is giving to others while fighting her own battle with brain cancer. She's only 12 too! Lisa Sigell did an Outstanding job on this story & I'm so proud to bring it to you here.

To learn more about Jessie's "Joy Jars" you see her giving to kids in the news piece, visit here.

I love how it says "Spread Joy!" at the very top of the page, and under the about section there are tips with what You could put in a JoyJar!

Great Stuff & a GREAT Story!

I hope Jessie continues to heal so she can continue on her mission; we both want to

Spread Joy to Others Facing Cancer!! :)

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Side Note: "Cancer with Joy" the book JUST became available as an ebook so you can download it to your Kindle & be reading in a couple short minutes from now!! Scroll down on the right side for the link to Amazon!

What's IN the Book "Cancer with Joy?" A Video from Joy Explains . . .

2011-11-19T15:10:00.001-08:00

Hello!

I am frequently asked what is in my book "Cancer with Joy." While I've put the Table of Contents up on the right side of this blog for you to see what each chapter is about, I thought it would be Fun to also make a brief (less than 2 minutes!) Video message from me for you to hear me talk about it.

Watch the video here; I hope you enJOY it!!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

"Cancer with Joy" LIVE Events, Book Signings & on TV!

2011-11-13T07:14:00.001-08:00

It has been a Super Busy Week! My most recent maint. chemo. was 11 days ago and this last week I was out living in full force!

I presented "Cancer with Joy" at a conference in Central NE & the inspiring message of how to face any obstacle life throws your way with humor and positivity was VERY well-received! Lots of Terrific Feedback!!

I also visited two libraries in South Central/SouthEast Nebraska to present "Cancer with Joy" programs to members of the community and then hold my "Official" first & second book signings immediately following the talks! It was Tremendously Exciting & such an honor!

Here's a few pictures from the Seward, NE Event!

While I was in Central Nebraska speaking I made an appearance on an ABC network NTV. They have a morning show on called "Good Life" that is on after "Good Morning America" but before "The View." GREAT Time of Day to be on a TV Show as the Viewing Audience is Strong!

The clip (Watch here.) is a little over 5 minutes; I hope You enjoy it! I'm not one of those extremely shy people appearing on TV so my career as a professional public speaker is an exceptional fit for me! :)

As a reminder, if you want to learn more about my "Cancer with Joy" LIVE Event you can visit here. And to book me (now booking for 2012!) visit here & fill out the form completely.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Robin Roberts in October 2011 Ladies Home Journal Magazine

2011-11-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

I hope you saw this article in the October 2011 Ladies Home Journal magazine.

On the cover is a gorgeous photo of Robin Roberts with this great caption . . .

Robin Roberts
I don't want to say I survived cancer-I want to say I kicked its butt

The article, titled "Rockin' Robin: How Robin Roberts took on cancer, kicked its butt and started living a richer life (We'll have what she's having)." starts on page 94-97. It's by Lee Woodruff, and is an interview between Lee & Robin.

Here, some of my favorite quotes directly from Robin in this article.

"I don't sweat the small stuff. I've always been a happy person, but in the aftermath of something big, like cancer, you realize how much needless worry we all go through as human beings. When I start getting worked up over something, I often ask myself, Would I want my final moments to be spent feeling this way?"

"But I have also found I have no time for people who don't add joy to my life. I am not going to spend my time with negative energy and I tell people who are going through treatment to let the negativity go. If someone crosses my path now and they are dark, they're gone."

"Yeah, but I've got to tell you, I'm not crazy about the word survivor. I like thriver. Survivor just means, 'Oh, I'm hanging on.' I've talked to others who say, 'I don't want to say I just survived cancer. I want to say I kicked its butt and watch me now!' A lot of us feel that way."

"When people who are recently diagnosed ask me for advice, the first thing out of my mouth is 'let others do for you, please.' And it's so hard for women, mothers, it just goes against our nature. I know it was hard for me. I'm still learning how to do it."

This interview was Great! I'd suggest you get a copy and read the entire thing. And ENJOY!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Book "Cancer with Joy" at www.JoyHuber.com/contact or by e-mailing Joy@cancerwithjoy.com

Happy? You may live 35% longer . . .

2011-11-03T18:21:00.001-07:00

I am coming from a maint. chemo. treatment today, so I'm sure you all will comment and let me know if this makes sense for and resonates with you! Or if you think I have chemo. brain and shouldn't be writing. I wanted to share this.

This headline was one of a couple articles that grabbed my attention in USA Today newspaper earlier this week. In case you missed them, I want to highlight them.

The article starts, "Be happy. Live longer."

Hmm, interesting!

I've certainly been challenged on if "Cancer" & "Joy" can go together, should go together, and do go together. I always enjoy the conversation; it makes for interesting controversy & dialogue for sure. As a reminder, "Cancer with Joy" the brand is not just the book of the same title. While the book is the essential resource for the 1.5 million newly diagnosed with cancer each year, and their support teams (caregivers, family, and friends looking for a comprehensive resource that's a great value), "Cancer with Joy" is also: music (Video for "Bright Side Effects" coming later this month!!), a Live EVENT I bring into hospitals, cancer treatment centers, etc. speaking to groups sharing funny inspiring stories & resources to support & en'courage' them offering hope.

I wrote about it before, but in the song I co-wrote called "Bright Side Effects," we wrote in the bridge
"where would that get me?"

thinking about all the negative emotions you could feel or choices you could make on how to behave after being diagnosed with cancer & going through treatment (withdrawing, not living life, being sad or mad constantly).

At its most basic I've been telling people, facing "Cancer with Joy" is simply a choice you make, that this is how you're going to handle this. Now you could choose to face cancer without joy of course, but WHY would you want to? I think people want to hear that I discovered how to do this, and learn how they can face "Cancer with Joy" as well. After all, where does being happy get us?

The article goes on to say, "'We do know that happiness is associated with an extended life span,' she says."

It also says towards the end, "Laura Kubzansky, an associate professor in the Department of Society, Human Development and Health, at Harvard's School of Public Health in Boston, say there's a 'burgeoning body of work that suggests positive psychological functioning benefits health' and this study is significant because it 'adds to the arsenal.'"

"'It could say to people, you should take your mood seriously,' Kubzansky says. 'I think people sort of undervalue emotional life anyway. This highlights the idea that if you are going through a period where you're consistently distressed, it's probably worth paying attention to how you feel--it matters for both psychological and physical health.'"

To that I say, WOW! Discovering how to transform fear into happiness IS important!

You can read the full article here, and let me know what you think. Could it help cancer patients to discover how to face "Cancer with Joy?" I will always say "Yes!" :)

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Calling for YOUR Pictures & Video . . . How do YOU Face "Cancer with Joy?"

2011-11-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I hope you are "following" me on Twitter which you can do on the right side of this page, and also by clicking here.

If so, you received advanced notice of the contest we are having this month, which I announced at the first of the month (yesterday).

Watch this approx. 1-minute video for all the details!

E-mail me (to Joy@cancerwithjoy.com) a picture or a video clip showing how YOU face "Cancer with Joy" and you could win a Fabulous Prize Package from Us (plus have your pic. or video shared, and have all the bragging rights that come with saying you're our monthly winner (Huge, right? Right? :))!

Look forward to seeing how you're facing "Cancer with Joy!" You may be inspired by reading the first 1/3 of the "Cancer with Joy" book, reading my story (Chapter 1), specific ways I faced "Cancer with Joy (Chapter 2)," and/or reading the AMAZING stories from my contributors in Chapter 3 of how they faced "Cancer with Joy."

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Mini's Mission - Helping Others!

2011-10-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

What an AMAZING story to see on Halloween when little ones are getting into costume and trick-or-treating hopefully receiving many treats and not delivering too many tricks!

If you missed Tonight's NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and the "Making a Difference" segment, I wanted to make sure "Cancer with Joy" highlighted this & brought it to you.

You can watch the segment here.

This is a follow-up where we meet "Mini" who is a young child (hopefully out trick-or-teating tonight having Fun after his Inspiring hard work to help another!) racing (LITERALLY) to raise money to fight kids' cancer. "Mini" meets Jeff Gordon who is teaming up with him to help!

"Mini" was inspired to do something to help after a childhood friend named Ella had a tumor in 2010. Please check out & "LIKE" the Facebook page for "Mini's Mission: Burn Rubber to Help Another." FANTASTIC Stuff!!

I'm always impressed when I see someone giving so generously to help others. Too often it's a "What's in it for me?" society surrounding us. When that "someone" is a little boy who saw a need and dove in it really warms my heart! Please share this, let me know what you think of it, and do what you can to help! I am in Awe of this Very Special Kid "Mini!" You are helping others face "Cancer with Joy!"

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

WHO Decides How to Treat Your Cancer?

2011-10-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

A thought-provoking day for Sure . . .

I just tweeted & posted to my Facebook (You can "Like" "Cancer with Joy" here if you don't already-Thanks!!) the story of a pregnant mom who was diagnosed with cancer . . .

and seemingly had to make a choice between the life of her unborn child and moving forward with her own treatment.

At my Facebook/Twitter you can see the video from The Today Show.

Then, there's this story in the news with the biographer of the forthcoming book on Steve Jobs saying Jobs regretted delaying surgery for his cancer.

The article by Ned Potter, along with the video, leads off by saying, "Steve Jobs, the visionary Apple co-founder who died earlier this month at 56, admitted to biographer Walter Isaacson that for nine months he refused to undergo surgery for his pancreatic cancer -- a decision he later regretted as his health declined."

That brings up an interesting question . . .

WHO decides how to treat your cancer? In Chapter Four of my book "Cancer with Joy" on page 61 I say for "Number One" of my "Twelve (Recommended) Dos & Don'ts at Diagnosis,"

"DO get a second opinion/go to someone who makes you comfortable!"

& I've shared previously & share in the resources chapter this resource if you want to find out the TOP Ranked Hospitals for Cancer according to U.S. News.

But ultimately, whether you get the treatment your Doctor/Hospital recommends, go the "Alternative" Medicine route, or forego treatment all together is YOUR decision, right?

Feel free to comment or share a story about your diagnosis/treatment decisions. Have you refused any recommended treatment, and if so, why? Have you gone a different route of treatment than what loved ones in your life wanted you to do?

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture" on Oprah

2011-10-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

While this is not brand-new news, it's definitely worth re-visiting. I haven't shared it on this site yet.

Take 10 minutes to watch this.

Are YOU a Tigger or Eyeore? I am DEFINITELY a Tigger! :)

I love when he says around 7:20 in the clip "I am dying soon and I'm choosing to have fun."

I often tell people who are learning of "Cancer with Joy" the brand, book, talk, and more that it's a choice. You can CHOOSE to face "Cancer with Joy . . . " or not.

As a songwriter I've co-written a song called "Bright Side Effects." It's part of the "Cancer with Joy" book's experience as book buyers get access to a special website I'm building where the song will be streaming for their listening pleasure. In the bridge of "Bright Side Effects" my talented co-writer Bob Paterno & I wrote,

"I could've kept crying
I could've stayed home
I could've felt all alone
But where would that get me

I'd rather be . . ."

Then we go into the chorus for the final time.

Where DOES it get you when you choose to be angry, sad, bitter, depressed, etc.? Is it productive to spend a lot of time feeling these negative emotions?

I think it just leaves you feeling
angry
sad
bitter
depressed

& that's not a way I want to spend a prolonged amount of my limited time here on Earth.

What do you think? I welcome your comments!

There are many clips of the Last Lecture on YouTube if you want to watch more. I know my readers are very busy & so taking 10 minutes to watch something can be a lot. If you want to watch the entire "Last Lecture," check this out! It is over an hour so plan accordingly but certainly well worth the time.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

How safe is your hospital?

2011-10-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

Of Course this headline caught my eye Today!

An interesting article if you want to check it out in whole here.

A few things I found particularly interesting . . . reading it all for you in case you don't have time!

The article says, "Medicare has begun publishing patient safety ratings for thousands of hospitals as the first step toward paying less to institutions with high rates of surgical complications, infections, mishaps and potentially avoidable deaths."

Medicare has a hospital compare website. If you didn't know about this you can check it all out here.

The article I found also says, "The new data on patient safety moves Medicare further along toward its ultimate goal, which is to base payments on the actual medical outcomes for patients."

At face value, doesn't that sound good? I know it's not quite that simple, but I often wonder if we incentivize the wrong things in our healthcare system and even country. What do you think?

Do hospitals make money when everyone is well and there's no sick people who need treatment, or cancer patients who need surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy in them?

"Hospital Compare was originally designed to be a helpful consumer tool, but to date it has not been widely used by patients choosing hospitals."

I hope by sharing this information & these resources with you it is helpful for you in becoming informed and adding this piece to your overall decision-making process!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer SurvivorFounder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Cancer with Joy?? But . . .

2011-10-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

At the bottom of page 11 of Cancer with Joy I begin, "I certainly have my critics of the idea of 'Cancer with Joy.'"

Then I go onto explain why I would STILL advocate facing "Cancer with Joy," Even if you found out you had a limited amount of time to live.

The fact is, "Don't we all have a limited amount of time to live?" I think the difference is when someone tells you what to expect. But, someone who doesn't have cancer could certainly pass before those who do of something completely unexpected.

At the bottom of page 64 of "Cancer with Joy," I wrote, "Of course, we are all going to die one day. Not a pleasant thought, but if you live, you will someday pass on. A cancer diagnosis merely forces us to face our eventual mortality often unexpectedly. It is not comfortable. But I was comforted greatly as I educated myself about all that can be done with a cancer diagnosis and for treatment these days."

All of this reminds me of the FABULOUS story of Randy Pausch, and "The Last Lecture." I will share more about this tomorrow if somehow you are not familiar with it yet, but first, please watch this brief few minute video of a news piece when Randy Pausch did pass after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Here's just a couple wonderful quotes from this video . . .

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

"We beat the reaper by living well."

ENJOY!!~

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

What Friends Did for a Youth Fighting Cancer

2011-10-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

You'll want to watch this touching video for sure.

This story begins, "Never underestimate the power of friendship."

This story is about a 10-year-old 5th grader facing non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (same kind of cancer I had!) who was nervous about what it would be like going to school with no hair.

Enter THIRTEEN of his AWESOME Friends; see what they did!

In the story, his mom says,

"I don't know how to describe it. It's just one of those things that your life changes from that moment on," said Melissa.

Even as an adult since I was diagnosed at age 33 a couple of my friends shaved their heads when I had no hair the Summer of 2010. I also had family offer to shave their heads if I wanted them to. Hair loss is difficult I know first-hand; I describe it as the most emotionally painful part of my cancer journey.

I help others with how to face hair loss from "Cancer with Joy" by providing inspiring examples, stories, and helpful resources in my book. Pictures from my journey can be seen at a companion website to the book too. Thoughtful things friends do are a big help as well!!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer SurvivorFounder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

American Cancer Society - 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer

2011-10-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

PSA test for prostate cancer not recommended: panel

This headline sure caught my attention this evening in the latest cancer news. This article goes on to say, "The same panel caused a media storm in 2009 after it recommended doctors scale back on routine mammograms for women in their 40s and 50s."

"The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which advises the government on health prevention measures, on Friday downgraded its recommendation on prostate cancer screening to a "D," which means it recommends against the service because 'there is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits.'"

"The proposed guidelines are meant to discourage PSA testing in healthy men; they do not apply to men suspected of having prostate cancer."

Yet at the conclusion of this article it states, "According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime."

The non-medical Dr./patient/cancer survivor opinion of "Cancer with Joy" is this should be one piece of information you have with you for a DIALOGUE with your physician, who has additional information on your health history and symptoms to contribute to the ultimate decision on whether to test or not to test.

Do you agree with my opinion or not??

This is why it's also REALLY important you know my #1 suggested "Do" at Diagnosis, which I give in my FREE Report on this site (right side of site to sign-up & receive your copy immediately).

What do you think of this news? Have you ever been inaccurately diagnosed with cancer? Will this article/recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force cause you to do anything differently?

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

The AMAZING Story of a 6-yr.-old who battled Brain Cancer . . .

2011-10-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

Tissues Please!!~

You will be touched and inspired by this amazing site (& book!) sharing a true story of a six-year-old girl named Elena and her battle against brain cancer.

Watch the video from this page; how amazing! Creating & hiding notes of love for her family to find after her passing. What a little girl!

You can learn more about her at this site; I also found the journal very interesting. Learn more about the cause Elena's story inspired, The Cure Starts Now, here.

Have you already read this book? If so, what did you think of it?

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Five - Monday, 10.10.11

2011-10-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Do YOU "Like" "Cancer with Joy" on Facebook?

I silly question I know. Of COURSE you do.

WHAT??? You haven't clicked the "Like" button on our page & plugged in for FREE to even more GREAT things not on this free content-filled site?

Take a moment & "Like" us please . . .

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cancer-with-Joy/103382816401554

ah, there, we feel better! :)

What do you see there that's NOT here you might ask?

Oh, well, in the past few days ALONE . . .

I just shared a link that explains why the NFL players have all that PINK on.
I shared a flyer about my 1st book signing (right outside of Lincoln, NE) November 9th
I shared about Harry Reid's wife being diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer

& I haven't done any of that here. So Don't Miss Out! :)

Now, what are you doing next Monday night October 10th at 8:00 p.m. Central??

Normally I am getting ready to watch "Castle," 1 of just 2 of my "MUST-SEE TV" shows. The other? "Desperate Housewives!"

I already know what I'm doing. Check this out!!

Have your tissues handy! What is this all about anyways?

Learn more at these 2 phenomenal sites.

http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/five/about

http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/five/article/breast-cancer-united-states

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Something Special for Kids with Cancer Ages 3-17 . . .

2011-10-03T08:32:00.000-07:00

I think one of the best things I can do for you at "Cancer with Joy" is find valuable resources (even better if they're FREE too like today's!) to help you from diagnosis through treatment face "Cancer with Joy!"

Today, something for kids (particularly aged 3-17) . . .

Check this out!

http://laptopsoflove.com/

If you want to know what it's all about first here are some excerpts from their website. Amazing!

"We're here to make a difference!!

Our purpose as a (Not Profit Organization), is to bring widespread awareness to improve the quality of life during cancer treatment of pre-teen and teenage patients alike (ages 3 to 17), and offer them a way to get back to being kids again, which turns out to be better for everyone. They say that laughter is its own best medicine. We function on that belief and bring a little happiness into each child's world.

Laptops of love (LOL) is a charitable organization that works hard to serve children with cancer or any disease that keeps them separated from their family and friends. We clean, recycle and reuse lap and desktop computers that come through your donations as well as various other methods.

When this takes place, a family with a child in a hospital, nursing home, or a physical rehabilitation center due to his/her disease, can request one of these laptops for free for as long as the child wants it. If It’s sent back to us, we will put it back into rotation to be setup again to give another child the chance for a laptop. The Direct Recycling of these laptops is on going and paramount for your child.

Once in your child’s hands, he or she can keep in contact with family and friends at any given moment via the Internet. We work to tailor the laptop or desktop to each child by placing a custom interface with that child in mind. (music, games, surfing, educational software, etc.)

We want to give children a chance to forget where they are for a bit and enjoy life with a smile. So we need those second hand laptops, desktop computers, keyboards and mice you're currently not using."

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

“A how-to site to help you step right up when your friend has breast cancer.”

2011-10-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

I Love Fall; it's probably my Favorite Season. Cool, crisp weather when caramel apple cider is sooo good &&& Football! A dee-lightful combination for this Fan of all the season has to offer! What do you appreciate about the Fall Season??

October is also a HUGE time of Cancer Awareness. It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Everywhere I look in stores there's the Pink Ribbon.

"Cancer with Joy" is donating 10% of the GROSS Sales of the PINK "Cancer with Joy" t-shirt to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

As you'll see on their site, "BCRF is the only cancer organization to hold an A+ from the American Institute of Philanthropy." This is in part why we selected them. Many companies donate a percentage of net profits which is a lesser amount of course because they take out all their costs; "Cancer with Joy" actually donates more by offering gross sales.

To order your PINK "Cancer with Joy" t-shirt, look on the right side of this page. You can also e-mail your order details (size, payment info. including credit card expiration date, and shipping address for the order) to tshirts@cancerwithjoy.com. Thanks for your support!

A movie called 50/50 about two friends who are young adults with one facing a cancer diagnosis/treatment launched Friday, September 30. I gave my review of it a couple posts back. Many cancer stories are in the news.

I am Keynoting a Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon in Nebraska in less than ten days. I can't wait to share some FUNNY stories & specific moments of how I faced Stage FOUR "Cancer with Joy!"

I want to share with you Today a Wonderful resource I was very proud to list as one of MANY in the comprehensive resources chapter in my book "Cancer with Joy," HOT off the press & also avail. for ordering now on the right side of this page. So many Great tools to help the newly diagnosed through treatment, and to help their support teams too!

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

www.circusofcancer.org—“A how-to site to help you step right up when your friend has breast cancer.” I enjoyed the How to Help Your Friend link which gives tips in the following areas: “upon first hearing the news, boosting her spirits, helping her family, supporting chemo, talking to your friend, for her husband or partner, and great sites for small gifts.”

Check it out!!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

"Cancer with Joy" is AVAILABLE NOW!! + Helpful Resource for SPOUSES of Cancer Patients

2011-10-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

The title of this post shares the breaking news!

Just in time for October 1st & Breast Cancer Awareness Month, "Cancer with Joy" is NOW AVAILABLE for ordering!! For a LIMITED TIME to Celebrate the release of this book EXCLUSIVELY at this site & my LIVE speaking engagements (Go here to learn more about "Cancer with Joy" the LIVE program, and book here!) I'm offering this book, which Retails for $17.95 for

ONLY $10!!!!!~

Order your copy at the top right side of this page!

Yesterday I mentioned how I would be sharing some helpful resources (from "Cancer with Joy" in fact) for those on the support team for the newly diagnosed or cancer patient in treatment. I have been thinking about this a lot since watching the NEW movie 50/50 yesterday. When the main character is diagnosed, he has a girlfriend. Without giving too much of the movie away, that changes as he goes through treatment (The scene of Seth Rogen's character with his cell phone gathering "evidence" cracked me up!).

Since the main character was not married to his girlfriend, and had not stood before God, family, and friends saying, "In sickness & in health . . ." he does "give her an out" early on in the movie . . . which she does not take!

Is there a good resource for if you ARE a spouse to someone battling cancer to get you through the "in sickness" part???

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

www.youngcancerspouses.com—“Our mission is to bring together young spouses of adults with cancer to share information, support, and experiences.

“The needs of young spouses of cancer patients often go unrecognized and unappreciated. The emotional and logistical issues a young spouse of a cancer patient faces are vastly different from spouses of older cancer patients that dominated oncology units and support groups. General family support groups are likewise inadequate at addressing the needs of a young cancer spouse. At YoungCancerSpouses, we seek to provide a source of practical information gained from our experience as young cancer spouses. We also strive to bring together other young cancer spouses to share ideas, lend support, and validate their wide range of feelings and emotions so they can find comfort in an understanding community.”

I also have a chapter in the book "For Caregivers (that's the title!)."

Joy HuberStage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"

Movie Review from Cancer with Joy: 50/50 co-starring Seth Rogen

2011-09-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

50/50 The Movie opened Today, and I couldn't wait to see it. I knew I would relate, laugh, and cry.

I was right on all three accounts!~ While the movie had more profanity (F-words) than I personally would have liked as the characters dealt with the situation/diagnosis, I had to remind myself it is inspired by a true story and mainly starring two guys. Two young adults. They are really good friends, and one is diagnosed with cancer. Seth Rogen plays the friend.

I would recommend you see this movie if you are impacted by cancer, and, if you're on a web site called "Cancer with Joy" I'm sure it does impact you somehow. It impacts all of us somehow knowing someone currently battling.

Without giving too much of what happens in the movie itself (since I just recommended you see it!) away, there were multiple moments I nodded vehemently having been through what was going on or totally relating to what was happening. So the movie does a good job of "being real."

It raises many things to be pondered, including how do we tell those around us of our diagnosis & when. I address this in a special relationships chapter in "Cancer with Joy." The main character's Mom gets upset because he actually waits a few days to share his diagnosis with her, but he does share face-to-face which is to be considered (not only when you tell, but HOW, over the phone, in an e-mail, Facebook status update, etc.).

A large part of the movie centers around the relationship the main character has with his girlfriend at the time of his diagnosis. Again, without giving too much away, the relationships we have with our spouses/partners/friends, etc. got me to thinking. In my next few posts I'll be sharing some terrific resources for those closest to the cancer patient/survivor from the resources chapter of my book.

Overall, I'm happy I got to this movie immediately on opening day. I hope you enjoy it; comment and let me know what you think. Are you planning to go see 50/50 in the theatre? Will you wait for it on DVD? What did you think when you do see it?

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer SurvivorFounder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Joy-Transform-Happiness-Effects/dp/1614481016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315359077&sr=8-1

"Malignant’s the Bad One, Right?" &&& Check out THIS page from the Cancer Society!!

2011-09-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Today, TWO really wonderful items I want to share with you.

This is a GREAT page for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN). What I love most about it is after the Federal Actions there's an area with State Actions. You simply click on your state & see what needs to be done today. Then you do it! :) & mobilize others in your support network (caregiver, family, friends, including those on social media, Facebook & Twitter!) to act as well!

2. I received wonderful feedback from site visitors (& these days site regulars!) to the story I shared an excerpt of from my "Cancer with Joy" book by Edward Leigh who talked about wearing a clown nose as he was wheeled into the surgical suite! I've been asked if I have any other short stories in the book by men, and, YES, I do! Enjoy the below story from Chapter 3 of "Cancer with Joy" from an Amazing Young Adult named Steve Hilgenfeld. Even though I've read this many times, the belly button part just CRACKS me up still! :) What a sense of humor!

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

"Malignant’s the Bad One, Right?"

By Steve Hilgenfeld, Ordinary Working Dude

So I’m lying around at home feeling like crud, and I decided, “What the heck! Why not go to my doctor so he can send me immediately to the hospital to have my ruptured appendix removed? That sounds like fun!”

Okay, so that’s not really how it went, but to reduce the wordiness let’s just go with that. So I’m lying there in the hospital two days after being sliced open to have my appendix removed, and the doctor walks in to tell me he got the biopsy back from my appendix and there was a malignant tumor in it. The first thing I said was, “malignant’s the bad one, right?”

At twenty-nine, the last thing I thought I would hear is that I had a tumor, let alone in my appendix, which had just been removed. Because it ruptured, it spread the tumor cells all through my abdomen, which they tell me is not a good thing. Luckily there was a doctor only an hour away that specialized in appendix cancer, and he was able to do a right hemicolectomy with HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy) two months after my diagnosis. Basically, they slice you from stem to stern, take out some colon, some lymph nodes, part of your abdominal wall if it has tumors (like mine), and last but certainly not least, your BELLY BUTTON! All told they took out about 13.5 pounds of flesh. Not the best way to lose weight.

At this point, we found out that I was a stage four cancer patient. Let me tell you, the recovery from that surgery was NOT fun, and neither was starting chemo two weeks later. All told I had thirteen rounds of chemo every two weeks, except for a brief period in March when the doctors gave me a break because of a bad reaction to the chemo drugs.

No one ever said chemo was easy, but you’re never quite prepared for it. The constant nausea while the drugs work their way through you. The awful taste in the mouth. (I couldn’t even drink water, only sport drinks.) The cold sensitivity to the hands, feet, and tongue. Everything I ate was either hot or room temperature. That was pure torture for this ice cream fiend. The weekly blood tests and finger pricks. Oh the finger pricks, how I hated thee!

However, throughout the whole ordeal, one thing remained constant. That was the love of my family, especially my wife who had to put up with my sometimes-crabby butt. She made sure that I wasn’t sitting around doing nothing, even though that was (and still is) my favorite thing to do even before I had cancer. She even threw me a surprise thirtieth birthday party and invited all my friends, family, and coworkers. And let me tell you, it was a surprise.

With all the support my wife and family gave me, I knew all I had to do was fight this thing and stay strong for them. At twenty-nine, I was determined that this stupid thing called cancer was not going to bring me down. And if it did, I was going to go down swinging. The first thing I said to my doctor (after the stupid question) was “Okay, what do we do now? How soon can I start treatment?” I have cancer. Big whoop. There are a lot of people out there who have it worse than me. I’ll take as many drugs as they’ll give me, beat this thing, and take on the next challenge in life. Confidence and the willingness to go the distance helped me conquer my fears and anxiety about everything.

My sense of humor helped me the rest of the way. My favorite thing to do right after the big surgery was to lift up my shirt and gross people out. I would tell them that my belly button was gone, but that was okay because I could use it to scare my future kids into behaving. “If you’re not good, the belly button fairy will come and take your belly button. Look what happened to me!”

All of this started in September of 2008. I was done with chemo in June of 2009 and have been in remission ever since. I now have a six-month-old son, a wife that still loves my sometimes-cranky butt, and most importantly, the rest of my life to live.

* * * *

Steve Hilgenfeld is a stage four cancer survivor of pseudomyxoma peritonei originating from appendiceal carcinoma. He currently resides in Lincoln, Nebraska, with his wife and son, and works as a Client Service Manager. Connect with him on Facebook.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer SurvivorFounder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"
http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Joy-Transform-Happiness-Effects/dp/1614481016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315359077&sr=8-1

FREE Cancer Retreat - First Descents Outdoor ADVENTURE Experience!

2011-09-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

The last chapter of "Cancer with Joy" is a wonderful chapter full of helpful resources that will save you time, energy, money & strength! This resources chapter is broken down into these special sections
More Great Websites from "Cancer with Joy"
Cancer Information
Cancer Support
Communicating with Others
Cancer Services
Financial Resources
Government Websites
Nutrition
Shops with Cancer Items
Cancer Retreats
Young Adults
Caregivers, Family, Friends
Contributor Websites

The Cancer Retreats section lets you know about wonderful retreats and events you can go to to meet others who have been through similar things and make new friends!

I personally attended a First Descents rock climbing camp in the Boulder, CO area a year ago. I've been reflecting recently on what an Amazing growth experience this was for me. I have never been rock climbing so I got to try and experience it for the first time in a supportive environment.

I also got to meet a phenomenal group of fellow young adults, most of whom I am connected to to this day on Facebook, etc. I also had the honor of meeting the Founder of First Descents. Brad Ludden is truly an Exceptional young adult who has a tremendous vision he has brought to life helping so many impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

Here's a photo of me from our FIRST day out climbing September 2010 saying "Yes, I actually made it to where they wanted us to go!" Thanks to a patient guide who coaxed, heard my fears, and encouraged!!

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

www.firstdescents.org—“First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors (ages 18 to 39) a free week-long outdoor adventure experience designed to enable them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same” I personally attended a First Descents rock-climbing camp in late September 2010 in Boulder, Colorado. It was a wonderful experience to meet and get to know other young adults who live different places, had been through a diverse variety of cancer treatments, and all came together in a very supportive environment.

I encourage you to check this resource out!!

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer SurvivorFounder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"
http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Joy-Transform-Happiness-Effects/dp/1614481016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315359077&sr=8-1

You're the Strongest Person I Know; You Aren’t Going Anywhere

2011-09-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm thrilled and honored to share part of the story Cristy Norwood contributed to "Cancer with Joy." As you'll read below, Cristy was pregnant with her fifth child when her doctor called with the news of her biopsy.

Her courage is truly inspiring and her faith & appreciation are wonderful! Enjoy!

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

You’re the Strongest Person I Know; You Aren’t Going Anywhere

By Cristy Norwood, “Warrior Chick”

I remember the night my doctor called me and gave me the news... “I don’t know how to tell you this, Cristy, but your biopsy came back showing malignancy. I’m so sorry.”

Stunned, shocked, and scared to death (no pun intended!), I remember hanging up the phone and feeling all these emotions raging over me. Breast cancer, me?! I was thirty-six-years-old, newly married, and pregnant with my fifth child—this was not happening to me. My kids needed me, who would make sure they said their prayers at night? Who would love them “to the moon and back”? Who would help them with homework, and cheer them on at their ballgames? I’m the mother, they needed me, the baby I was carrying needed me to bring her into this world, it’s my job. I had lost my mother when I was twenty-one-years-old to bone and lung cancer and I still needed her everyday. God would not take me from my babies. Would He?

Six days after the dreaded phone call, I had a PET scan done. I remember lying in the room after they injected me with the dye for my scan, praying to God for His strength and guidance. Asking Him, pleading that the cancer would not have spread anywhere. That He gives me the faith to handle this journey He was about to put me on, with dignity and grace. That He would use me to help others and show them, through me, how cancer can be a blessing. I lay on the scan table and the most calming feeling came over my body, and I just knew it hadn’t spread.

My wonderful husband and I went upstairs to the chemo room so I could get fluids to flush out my system, and hopefully keep all the radiation fluid away from my baby girl that I was carrying, and my oncologist called us and said the cancer was no where other than my breast and lymph node area! Praise God! I called my daddy and could hear the relief and tears of happiness in his voice. Two days later I had a double mastectomy and twenty-eight lymph nodes removed (six out of the twenty-eight were malignant), spent four days in the hospital, and came home pregnant and boobless. Something about that sounds odd, huh? Ha!

I told myself from day one that I was going to be open and honest with my children throughout this journey. I wanted to share all my emotions, all my procedures, show them my scars, and even let them all (including my then one-year-old) shave my head when that time came. My oldest son Clay and I were talking one day when I had gotten home from the hospital, and he asked me if I was scared (he was twelve-years-old at the time).

“Yes babe, I’m scared. Very scared. Are you?”

To which he replied, “No, I’m not. You are going to be okay, Mom. You’re the strongest person I know; you aren’t going anywhere.”

Wow! Okay, if my twelve-year-old son had that much faith in me and in God, then I needed to as well. So that’s what I did, just as I had asked God to do that day I had my PET scan…dignity and grace.

* * * *

Cristy Norwood lives in the Fayetteville, Arkansas, area and is a stage two survivor of Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer SurvivorFounder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Joy-Transform-Happiness-Effects/dp/1614481016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315359077&sr=8-1

Pregnant with Cancer? Check out Hope for Two!

2011-09-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

The other night I was out in Nashville at the World-Famous Bluebird Cafe to hear some LIVE Music. I got to visiting with a Friend, and, sadly but as usual, when I was telling her about my passion for helping others with cancer from diagnosis through treatment she told me about someone she knows facing cancer. A girlfriend of hers was joyously celebrating a pregnancy . . . when she was diagnosed.

I truly can't imagine, and I have heard similar stories before of women who are pregnant and then diagnosed. An Amazing woman named Cristy Norwood who's become a good girlfriend of mine has a very inspiring story from when she faced this situation; I will share an excerpt of her story that's in my "Cancer with Joy" book Tomorrow!!~

Today I want to give you the exact same resource I shared with my friend the other night. When someone tells me they know someone with cancer I immediately can give them several useful things I know of that's helpful as the expert for the newly diagnosed. This is in a HUGE Resources chapter in "Cancer with Joy." This resources chapter is broken down into these special sections
More Great Websites from "Cancer with Joy"
Cancer Information
Cancer Support
Communicating with Others
Cancer Services
Financial Resources
Government Websites
Nutrition
Shops with Cancer Items
Cancer Retreats
Young Adults
Caregivers, Family, Friends
Contributor Websites

This is just 1 of 7 listed in my Cancer Support section. Check it out!

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

www.hopefortwo.org—“Hope for Two…The Pregnant with Cancer Network is a national non-profit organization for women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy. Our mission is to connect women who are pregnant with cancer with other women who have been pregnant with the same type of cancer. These women are here to lend support, offer hope and share their experiences with one another through phone and e-mail conversation.”

& check back Tomorrow for part of Cristy's Story . . .

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Joy-Transform-Happiness-Effects/dp/1614481016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315359077&sr=8-1

NEWS from "Cancer with Joy" - "Scientists discover virus that kills all types of breast cancer ‘within seven days’"

2011-09-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

Today I was out at Wal-Mart picking up a few things. In one week it's the 1st of October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was already spotting products with the Pink Ribbon on them saying "Buy THIS and we'll donate part of the proceeds to something to do with Breast Cancer." I saw it on Yogurt, and, a little surprisingly, SHARPIES!?

"Cancer with Joy" will also be donating 10% of the GROSS sales (many just donate NET profits, and there's a BIG difference there. They are donating MUCH less!) of our Pink "Cancer with Joy" t-shirt from now til the end of October.

I just received word that I can order "Cancer with Joy" books in print from my publisher. Thank Heavens, because I'm not exaggerating when I say EVERYONE I know seems to want to get one and I've had to say they're not avail. yet! Even if you are reading this blog and not facing a cancer diagnosis someone you love is. If it's not a family member it could be someone you go to church with, work with, or live down the street from. What a great gift for them to truly help them from diagnosis through treatment, or, if they are not ready just yet to receive this idea of "Cancer with Joy," you can start reading it & feed to them in tidbits, the wonderful stories, examples, dos and don'ts, and helpful resources, etc.

"Cancer with Joy" orders will be avail. here very soon so keep watching this site! You can pre-order the book at the big retailers including Amazon & Barnes & Noble for around $12. They are currently saying it's avail. and they'll ship April 2012. I have a package with a book & t-shirt for only $25 (see right side of page)! That makes this tremendous book only $10!!!

Make sure you "Like" "Cancer with Joy" on Facebook too as I've mentioned videos will be coming to that page (EXCLUSIVELY!) very soon!

Today, some Exciting News! I saw this headline "

Scientists discover virus that kills all types of breast cancer ‘within seven days’"

Considering statistics that tell us one woman in the U.S. Dies about every 12 minutes from Breast Cancer I had to check this out! You can read the full story here. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think or share a story.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"
http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Joy-Transform-Happiness-Effects/dp/1614481016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315359077&sr=8-1

Giving Joy to Others Helped Me Forget about Cancer

2011-09-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Today, something extra special. I've been sharing excerpts of the 11 Fantastic stories I chose to feature in Chapter Three of the "Cancer with Joy" book asking others how did they too face "Cancer with Joy?" Today I'm sharing a full story, and this is a very inspiring one of a special woman who volunteered giving joy to others!

How could you give to others and gain a new sense of appreciation for everything you do have? I have given a tremendous amount volunteering and donating since my diagnosis (I spoke for the American Cancer Society at a fundraiser for FREE in March 2011 helping them make money while I got to help people. ALL the content on this web site is FREE for you because I truly want to help those newly diagnosed & their support teams through treatment!); it feels GREAT!

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

Giving Joy to Others Helped Me Forget about Cancer

By Elaine Jesmer

My diagnosis was made just a month before Katrina hit the gulf coast, so by the time the rest of the country was mobilizing to help with the recovery, I was deep into treatment. Stuck in the city where I live, I was only able to put in one day as a volunteer for the Red Cross answering questions for Katrina victims. What I wanted to do was “hands on” work, and at the time, that wasn’t possible. A year-and-a-half later, when I finished treatment, I asked my oncologist if I was free to roam, and she said “yes.” With her okay, and with the financial help of a dear friend, I joined up with a local New Orleans charity and spent two amazing weeks living in a dorm, eating donated food, and working in City Park replanting, cleaning, and riding a bike around the city. Giving joy to others helped me forget about cancer.

I was building something in New Orleans. I didn’t see it at the time, but throwing myself into a project that had everything to do with other people, mirrored the beginning of my rebuilding my own life. Thinking solely about others, I surprised myself at what I was able to do, after having spent the past two-and-a-half years juggling operations and dosing my body with some pretty strong drugs and rays. Yet I fit right in with the rest of the volunteers. Nobody had to slow down for me. I could take it, even surviving an attack of fire ants!

Looking back, those two weeks were not only one of the best experiences of my life, but it cleared the decks and allowed me to come home and dive into my life feeling fresh and renewed. I had tossed out the baggage of being a patient, the same way I cleaned the city. Anyone who got on my nerves fell by the wayside. The people who were left were the important ones.

I found it really liberating to completely break away from the environment where I was being treated. Not everybody has the kind of opportunity I had, but “the break” doesn’t have to be that dramatic. You can take a bus to the beach for a day (with or without your cell phone), or climb a mountain. I stopped drinking because my cancer had metastasized to my liver, but I didn’t miss it. I dumped the car, so now I HAVE to walk; it’s not a choice anymore. I got some chickens. Everyone finds what works for them.

Cancer has been a great motivator for me. It’s been almost six years since I was diagnosed stage four, and I’ve never felt healthier. I know some people will think me unrealistic, but I think I lucked out. And I truly believe that if I can make changes in my life, anyone can do it.

You really do get to take back your life.

* * * *

Elaine Jesmer is the author of “I’m Hot!... and I’m Bald!”: CHEMOTHERAPY FOR WINNERS, available at www.amazon.com and on Kindle. The book and her website, www.elainejesmer.com, offer information and support for getting through the challenge of chemotherapy.

Be Positive-Like My Blood Type

2011-09-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

When I put out the call for people to submit a story & be featured in a book, I received a lot of submissions!

When I saw the title of the below excerpt from the full story featured in "Cancer with Joy" the book, I was Very interested just from the title alone! Be Positive-Like My Blood Type (B+)! I LOVE it, and know you will too! Enjoy!

(Excerpted from the book “Cancer with Joy” with permission)

Be Positive—Like My Blood Type

By Diana Kaaha

I had a clear choice. I could either see my cancer as an ordeal or an adventure. Lucky for me, I was instantly tossed into the hospital where I found myself fascinated by the whirlwind of activity swirling around me. Adventure easily won!

When I learned my blood type was B+, I knew I had to “Be positive—like my blood type.” That became my motto! I refused to listen to negative statistics. I asked my doctor if he had ever seen anyone with my extent of the disease survive, and when he said yes, I told myself, “That’s who I will be!”

As scary as chemo felt to me, I couldn’t wait to get started. I was sick and misdiagnosed for so long and now chemo was going to end my pain. Nothing could take away the joy I felt knowing that my growing collection of symptoms was finally going to go away. My first chemo day was like a big party just for me.
My body was on a deathbed, but my mind felt energized. I remember the night that put me on the path that saved my life. The nurse assigned to me told me she was one year out from Hodgkin’s herself. She was proof that I could survive.

I will never forget her magic words, “Chemo melts Hodgkin’s away.”

Those words were the catalyst for my first visualization. The melting image became so clear in my mind. It was powerful. My frame of mind changed in a snap.

* * * *
At fifty-five, Diana Kaaha is the author of The Round Diet: Don’t be Round, Eat Round, host of RoundTV (www.youtube.com/roundlady), creator of Roundorama (www.roundorama.com), fourteen-year cancer survivor, former bodybuilding champion (1982-1984), and Silicon Valley information designer who inspires the world to take care of their bodies. Hello Chemo—A Visualization Survival Guide for Anyone Going Through Chemotherapy was published in September 2011.

Joy Huber
Stage Four Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Founder & Author, "Cancer with Joy"
http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Joy-Transform-Happiness-Effects/dp/1614481016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315359077&sr=8-1