Once you have dealt with the shock of a cancer diagnosis, you will need to be as organized as possible in order to make your cancer journey as livable as possible.

Your treatment: Choose caregivers whom you like and trust. Choose one oncologist to be your most trusted adviser and ally to help you make the best decisions at every juncture of your cancer journey.

Your loved ones: Although there is only one person going under the surgical knife or receiving chemotherapy, cancer still affects an entire family and more. Seek the help of professional counselors who will help you cope with cancer as well as provide guidance on how to communicate effectively with your loved ones about your situation.

Your support system: Family and friends will want to help you cope with cancer but they will need guidance on how best to do so. Let them help you with chores, children and transportation to and from treatment.

Your mind: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer, no matter how successful the result, frequently causes depression and anxiety and nearly always, uncertainty. Learning how best to cope with these is vitally important to getting through the treatment phase and especially, during long-term survivorship.

Your work: You and your employer will want to know how much time you will need to deal with cancer. Do not try to maintain a full work schedule during arduous treatments. Consider short or long-term disability depending on the rigors and after-effects of treatment.

Your finances: Even if you are highly likely to survive your cancer, the diagnosis is a good reason to get your financial situation in order, for the sake of you and your loved ones.

Your time: The ultimate goal is for you to have your life so organized that you can deal with cancer treatment almost on autopilot. This will also enable you to have time for yourself, which is an essential component of the recovery process.

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