KERRY PATTERSON
From: Boulder, CO, USA
Member since: March 2003
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I am a: Caregiver
Coping with...N/A
Date of Birth: 12/14/71 Date diagnosed: N/A Sex: Female

Prepare to Live Buddy: No
Contactable by Prepare to Live members: Yes
Email: Kerryp@mcihispeed.net

01: How has cancer positively affected you: Working as a nurse with cancer patients helps me keep perspective in my life on what is really important.

02: What does "cancer" mean to you as a Young Adult: Cancer is about LIVING and being present each day.

03: What’s the one thing you’d say to someone who has just been diagnosed: What a unique perspective on life you have now.

04: What things won’t a Doctor tell you: How deeply this will affect your entire family or circle of support people.

05: What advice do you have for a caregiver, doctor, or nurse who is treating a Young Adult with cancer: In order to be the best caregiver, it is very important to take care of yourself too.

06: To me, cancer is: about living!

07: What is the best kind of support to give/receive: Space and time to heal.

08: Who or what were your best resources for information: The nurses, although I am biased since I am a nurse.

09: What has helped you the most: The patients.

10: What’s your favorite tip or trick for dealing: Taking one day at a time

11: The thing that keeps you going is: Knowing that life is precious.

12: What are you doing to Prepare to Live: I'm back in grad school to become a nurse practitioner.

What additional comments, experiences or ideas would you like to share: While I have never had cancer myself, I have seen and helped many people and their loved ones through these times. I worked with cancer patients over eight years and admired these people dealing with the diagnosis. Their appreciation for life was contagious. I hope to work with patients and their families once I finish school to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.