Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis
- Former NASCAR Cup Series owner Tommy Baldwin Jr., 56, is pushing through his new cancer journey with optimism as he steps away from racing to get treated for cancer
- The motorsports icon, son to late NASCAR Modified race driver Tommy Baldwin, hopes sharing his cancer story will encourage others to get routine checkups and advocate for themselves.
- Baldwin Jr. is not the first public figure who hasn’t offered all the details into his cancer battle. Health is a deeply personal matter, and it’s up to you, and you alone, to determine who has the right and privilege to know about your diagnoses.
- Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet that there’s a number of common things cancer patients can experience, such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation. Knowing you have loved ones by your side at every step and help you process those emotions and cope with your new reality during your journey.
The New York-native is a son to late NASCAR Modified race driver Tommy Baldwin, who was killed in a crash at Thompson International Speedway in 2004.
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His statement continued, “Never be scared to go see the doctor – it could save your life. Take the message & share it with those you love before it’s too late.
“I will beat this challenge like every other. The grind begins now! Thanks to everyone for the support. See you all at the track as soon as possible.”
— Tommy Baldwin Racing (@TBR7NY) August 20, 2023
NASCAR issued the following statement once Baldwin Jr.’s cancer news went public, “Tommy Baldwin Jr. is a fighter, and NASCAR joins him in this fight, and fully supports his decision to concentrate on his treatment.
“We wish him well, and our thoughts and prayers are with Tommy and his loved ones at this time.”
It’s unknown how long Baldwin Jr., who has more than 30 years of experience with NASCAR, will step away from his beloved racing.
Despite his break from racing, it appears Baldwin Jr. as an immense amount of support to help him through this his cancer journey.
Shortly after Baldwin’s cancer announcement, his racing partner Doug Coby wrote on Facebook, “A few minutes ago my car owner, crew chief, and friend publicly shared news about his recent cancer diagnosis.
“This is a reminder to all of us that racing is much bigger than competition on the track – it’s about family and the friendships we create and our community.
“My thoughts are with TB and his family as he begins treatment and I know the racing community will rally around him with nothing but love and encouragement. You got this TB and we got you!”
Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis
Baldwin Jr. is not the first public figure who hasn’t offered all the details into his cancer battle. Health is a deeply personal matter, and it’s up to you, and you alone, to determine who has the right and privilege to know about your diagnoses.
Dealing With Grief After a Cancer Diagnosis
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is never an easy process, but SurvivorNet doctors recommend not blaming yourself for the disease.
One helpful suggestion for cancer warriors at the start of their cancer journeys is to learn more about the disease to calm the fear of the unknown.
Expert Resources On Coping With Cancer
Additionally, asking your doctor additional questions and even seeking a second opinion can help ease the initial shock and anxiety associated with a new diagnosis.
“I think it’s really important for them to be able to hear it multiple times, take notes,” Dr. Heather Yeo, colorectal surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine, previously told SurvivorNet.
“I support second opinions. I actually think it’s really important. I mean, if you think about it in life, how do you choose someone to cut your hair? You get an opinion, right? You usually don’t just go in and sit down with the first person you see on the street and say, cut my hair. You ask around,” Dr. Yeo added.
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Turning towards family and loved ones is another suggestion SurvivorNet experts recommend for cancer warriors embarking on their cancer journeys.
It’s important for cancer warriors to know they have a strong support group behind them. It helps them alleviate anxiety and depression as cancer treatments become more intense over time.
Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet that there’s a number of common things cancer patients can experience, such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation.
Knowing you have loved ones by your side at every step and help you process those emotions and cope with your new reality during your journey.
Deciding Whether To Work Through Cancer Treatment
Some people can still work and go through cancer treatment, but in Baldwin Jr’s case, he will be taking a break from racing to focus on getting better. What you can do will depend on your stage of cancer, your treatment, and how you feel. What you shouldn’t have to worry about is getting fired for having cancer.
“We always encourage people to continue to work if they are able to,” says Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center. “I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients.” If you’re able to work, you’ll be busy and you won’t be worrying all the time about how your treatment is going, she says.
Some people may need to make adjustments, like being closer to the bathroom, or having a lighter workload. However, there may be times when you realistically won’t be able to work, whether that’s because you have to take time off to go get treatment, or you’re too weak after treatment to come in to the office. In those cases, most people use some of their vacation days or apply for unpaid family medical leave, Stapleton says.
Luckily, if you do find yourself needing to take off work amid a cancer battle, Stapleton says you can’t be fired for having cancer. However, if treatment interferes with your ability to do your job, or come into work at all, you may run into some issues.
Under both federal and state laws, employers are expected to make reasonable accommodations to assist employees with cancer. This many include things like extra paid time-off, shorter work hours during treatment, or offering remote work when possible.
However, employees are not expected to provide accommodations that cause “undue hardships” or “significant difficulty or expense,” according to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission.
In many cases, people who need to take significant time off from work for cancer treatment (or to care for someone in their family with cancer), are protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid time off with job protection, meaning you’d have the same job (or a similar job with similar pay) when you return. The FMLA also requires employers to offer the same health insurance coverage during leave.
Depending on where you live in the U.S., state laws might provide even more benefits to people who need to take time off from work for cancer treatment.
“Sometimes patients can work through their treatment for the beginning until their side effects become too overwhelming or other things come up,” Stapleton explains. “And at that point, [patients] generally exhaust all their vacation and sick days and the next option is family medical leave.”
“It depends on the employer on how many months or days you would get. You do not get paid during that time, but it makes sure you have job security.”
Building Support, Staying Connected
If you were recently diagnosed with cancer, you likely know about the wide range of emotions that news can bring. This is one of the most difficult phases of the cancer journey to overcome.
However, it’s during these early stages that a team of supporters can be most useful. Your supporters can be made up of close family members and friends. Your support group can also be filled with people from outside your inner circle.
“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet. “But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional,”
One of the benefits of having supporters includes helping alleviate stress and anxiety following your diagnosis. Supporters can also help advocate for you during treatment.
Sometimes it is not always easy to share news you have cancer even among loved ones. In instances like these, you can seek out a trained professional to center your support group around. Mental health professionals can help fill this space because many are trained to help you navigate your cancer treatment.
“Make sure that the mental health professional that you work it is reaching out – with your consent – to the rest of your team, to the oncologist, to the surgeon. It can also be helpful to reach out to family, friends, and any other caretakers that may be involved in the person’s treatment,”Dr. Plutchik said.
WATCH: Seeking Support After a Diagnosis
Dr. Plutchki recommends cancer patients consider the following three steps to get the help you need after a diagnosis:
- Step #1: Seek additional support if you need it (this could mean speaking to a mental health professional or seeking out a support group)
- Step #2: Look for a mental health professional who has experience helping people in your situation.
- Step #3: Keep your care team connected this may include your friends and loved ones, your therapist, and the doctors who are treating your cancer.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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