Breast cancer and melanoma survivor shares coping strategies for the holidays.
BY Barbara Tako
PUBLISHED December 21, 2017
Barbara Tako is a breast cancer survivor (2010), melanoma survivor (2014) and author of Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools–We'll Get You Through This. She is a cancer coping advocate, speaker and published writer for television, radio and other venues across the country. She lives, survives, and thrives in Minnesota with her husband, children and dog. See more at
When I first heard the "C" word—cancer, not Christmas – I thought it would be an instant death sentence. For me, it was not. Still, seven years out, I find myself coping with cancer stress mixed with holiday stress mixed with the stress of my first Christmas without Mom. It is not an ideal situation, but it is reality. Whether newly diagnosed, in active treatment or sorting out cancer survivorship weeks, months or years later, holidays can be tough, seriously tough. Maybe we miss someone. Maybe we wonder how long we will be around to celebrate the holidays with loved ones. Maybe we just plain feel we lack the energy and stamina for the holidays. Are you overwhelmed and stressed out?
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