Just Diagnosed?
Here's what comes next
It's normal to feel overwhelmed.
Cancer coach Polly Kelly is here to walk you through the next steps after receiving a diagnosis.
Hear about Amanda Butler's breast cancer journey
In this video, Amanda breaks down her treatment journey, explaining some of the complications that occurred and how she went from the diagnosis phase to the survivorship phase.
“I was diagnosed in 2022 at 32 years old with stage 2 breast cancer. I was the healthiest person I knew. I was working in fitness and the wellness space, and breast cancer didn’t run in my family, so it was a huge shock when I was diagnosed. I immediately went through freezing my eggs, which took about a month, and then I started 6 rounds of TCHP chemo. In May of 2023, I had my double mastectomy. When they sent the tissue from my double mastectomy to the lab, they found some residual cancer in my lymph nodes. So that meant I had to do 25 cycles of radiation and then 14 more rounds of a low-dose chemo. This January, I finished my 4th surgery—so I’m in remission. I’m on tamoxifen now for another four years. So yeah... I’m now on my survivorship journey.”— Amanda Butler
Hear about treatment plans from survivor Amanda Butler
Learn how a treatment plan works. Oftentimes, doctors will tell you what combination of treatment types is necessary for your particular case. It is easy to feel like you've lost control, but remember that you are entitled to information. Ask as many questions as possible.
Treatment Options
Lumpectomy
Process: Removes the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue. Also called breast-conserving surgery. Often followed by radiation therapy.
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Best for: Early-stage cancers where the tumor is small and localized.
Radiation Therapy
Purpose: To destroy any remaining cancer cells in the breast, chest wall, or lymph nodes after surgery.
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Common side effects: Skin irritation, fatigue, swelling in the breast or chest.
Masectomy
Process: Removes the entire breast. May be recommended if the cancer is large, there are multiple tumors, or the patient chooses it for peace of mind.
Types: Simple, skin-sparing, or nipple-sparing mastectomy.
Reconstructive Surgery
Purpose: Rebuilds the shape of the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Time: Can be done at the same time as the cancer surgery (immediate) or later (delayed).
Types: Implant-based reconstruction or tissue flap surgery using the body’s own tissue.
Lymph Node Removal
Purpose: Often done during surgery to check whether the cancer has spread.
Types: Sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection.
Chemotherapy
Purpose: Uses drugs to destroy cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast. Given as pills or IV infusions, in cycles over several months.
When: Often used before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors, or after surgery (adjuvant) to lower the risk of recurrence.
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Common side effects: Nausea, hair loss, fatigue, increased risk of infection
What to ask your doctor after a diagnosis
We know you might be feeling overwhelmed and might not know what to ask your doctor right now. Hear from breast cancer survivor Amanda Butler as she shares the questions she asked her doctor, and the ones she wishes she had.​
Understanding Your Diagnosis
What type of breast cancer do I have?
What stage is it?
Has it spread beyond the breast or lymph nodes?
What do the hormone receptor and HER2 test results mean?
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Exploring Treatment Options
What are my treatment options?
What are the benefits and risks of each option?
What treatment do you recommend and why?
How soon should I start treatment?​​​​
Preparing for Side Effects and Daily Impact
What side effects should I expect from treatment?
How will treatment affect my energy, appetite, and daily routine?
Will treatment affect my ability to work or care for my family?
How might it impact fertility or menopause?
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Planning for Support and Follow-Up
What support services are available for mental health, nutrition, or physical recovery?
Who can I contact if I have questions between appointments?
What follow-up care will I need after treatment ends?​​
Strategies to maintain hope after a diagnosis
In this video, cancer coach Polly Kelly shares strategies to help reframe your thinking. Polly emphasizes the power of small, consistent mindset shifts to support resilience. She introduces the concept of gratitude-based therapy and visualization as ways to anchor yourself during uncertainty.
1. Focus on What You Can Control
While you may not be able to control the diagnosis itself, you can make choices about how you respond. Ask questions, learn about your options, and take an active role in your care. Making decisions—even small ones—can help you feel more grounded and empowered.
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2. Practice Gratitude
Even on the hardest days, finding one thing to be grateful for—a kind nurse, a warm meal, a phone call from a friend—can shift your perspective. Keeping a short gratitude journal or simply pausing to notice these moments can reduce stress and build resilience.
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3. Connect with Others
You are not alone. Reach out to people who understand what you’re going through—friends, family, support groups, or cancer coaches. Having a support system helps you process your feelings and reminds you that you’re cared for.
4. Visualize a Future
Visualization can be a helpful tool. This doesn’t mean ignoring reality, but allowing yourself to picture moments of peace, recovery, or joy in the future. Whether it’s imagining walking on a beach or celebrating with loved ones, these mental images can calm the nervous system and reinforce a sense of purpose.
5. Seek Meaning
Many people find that their diagnosis shifts their perspective on life. Reflecting on what matters most—relationships, creativity, service—can bring comfort and clarity. Some find meaning in faith, others in helping others or deepening personal relationships.
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6. Take One Day at a Time
Hope doesn’t have to be big or loud. It can be as simple as getting through today. Celebrate small victories. Allow space for your emotions. And remember: healing is not linear.
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Holding onto hope doesn’t mean denying pain, it means choosing to believe that life can still offer moments of light, strength, and connection.
Finding support groups that support YOU
In this video, cancer coach Polly Kelly shares how to build a support network that truly supports you. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or are deep in treatment, the right people can make all the difference.​ Polly suggests defining key roles within your network.​ The most important part? Letting people know what you actually need.
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1. Think in Roles
Instead of expecting one person to do everything, try defining clear roles in your support circle. For example:
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Emotional Supporter: Someone who listens without judgment and helps you stay grounded.
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Practical Helper: Someone who can assist with meals, appointments, or errands.
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Joy Bringer: Someone who helps you laugh or brings a sense of normalcy—maybe by watching a show together or just being silly.
Assigning these roles can take pressure off your loved ones and help you feel more supported in the ways you need most.
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2. Be Honest About What You Need
People often want to help but don’t know how. Tell them. Whether it's “I need someone to go to this appointment with me” or “Can you check in with a text every few days?”, clarity makes it easier for others to show up.​
3. Let Go of Guilt
Asking for help doesn’t make you a burden. It makes you human. Most people want to be there for you—and giving them something meaningful to do often helps them feel less helpless too.
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4. Include a Mix of People
Your network doesn’t have to be big. But it can include different people for different things: a friend who’s been through something similar, a neighbor who can walk your dog, a cousin who sends you funny videos. Every connection counts.
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5. Stay Open to Adjusting
Your needs may change over time—and so will the people around you. That’s okay. Keep checking in with yourself about what’s working and what’s missing. Adjust as you go.
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6. Consider a Professional or Peer Mentor
Support can also come from outside your circle. A therapist, cancer coach, or peer who’s been through it before can offer insight and guidance without the emotional weight that loved ones might carry.
You don’t have to go through this alone. By thoughtfully building a support network around your unique needs, you create space for healing—not just physically, but emotionally too.
How to combat fatigue during treament
In this video, cancer coach Polly Kelly shares simple, supportive strategies to help manage fatigue—one of the most common and overwhelming challenges during cancer treatment.
​Polly offers techniques to calm the central nervous system and restore energy naturally.
What is Cold Capping?
This video walks you through the process of managing hair loss during chemotherapy with the help of cold capping. It explains how cold caps work, what the treatment involves, and what you can realistically expect. Whether you're considering cold capping or already using it, this video offers clear, straightforward information to support you.
What Is Cold Capping?
Cold capping, also known as scalp cooling, is a technique used during chemotherapy to reduce hair loss. The process involves wearing a tightly fitted cap filled with a cold gel or connected to a cooling machine. By lowering the temperature of the scalp before, during, and after chemo infusions, the cold cap constricts blood vessels and slows the delivery of chemotherapy drugs to hair follicles—helping to minimize damage and hair shedding.
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Benefits
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Hair Retention: The primary benefit is reducing or preventing hair loss, which can help patients maintain a sense of normalcy during treatment.
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Emotional Impact: For many, preserving hair can ease the psychological toll of cancer treatment, allowing for greater privacy and control over how and when to share their diagnosis.
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Noninvasive: Cold capping doesn’t involve drugs or surgical procedures.
Limitations
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Not Always Effective: Success varies depending on the chemotherapy drugs used. Some patients may still experience thinning or partial hair loss.
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Time-Consuming: The process requires wearing the cap for a period before and after each infusion, sometimes extending total treatment time by several hours.
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Physical Discomfort: The cold can be intense, especially during the first 20 minutes, and some patients report headaches or chills.
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Cost and Access: Cold capping can be expensive, and not all clinics offer it. Insurance coverage also varies.