CATHERINE COLLINS GRAVATT
From: New York, NY, USA
Member since: June 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a: Caregiver for my Father
Coping with...Prostate Cancer
Date of Birth: 04/14/1974 Date diagnosed: 10/3/2005 Sex: Female

Prepare to Live Buddy: Yes
Contactable by Prepare to Live members: Yes
Email: catcollins77@hotmail.com
Alternate Email: cat_gravatt@yahoo.com

01: How has cancer positively affected you: It has given me a job. Literally and figuratively. My work focuses on helping cancer patients.

02: What does "cancer" mean to you as a Young Adult: It means fear. It means determination. Ultimately, it means life.

03: What’s the one thing you’d say to someone who has just been diagnosed: Change your mindset if your negative. If your positive, keep your mind right.

04: What things won’t a Doctor tell you: Statistics. Where to go for support.

05: What advice do you have for a caregiver, doctor, or nurse who is treating a Young Adult with cancer: Keep your communications age-appropriate. No one wants to be treated like a baby but on the other end of the spectrum, most young people don't know a lot about cancer.

06: To me, cancer is: everywhere in everyone.

07: What is the best kind of support to give/receive: Listening. Resources. Connectivity.

08: Who or what were your best resources for information: Prostate Cancer Foundation. NIH. Web.

09: What has helped you the most: Talking to friends. Understanding that I'm not alone.

10: What’s your favorite tip or trick for dealing: Running. It makes me breathe. Snowboarding b/c it makes me fly.

11: The thing that keeps you going is: Friends & family.

12: What are you doing to Prepare to Live: Living.

What additional comments, experiences or ideas would you like to share: Blog!

Director's Note: Prepare to Live blogs coming soon! Thanks for the suggestion.