The holiday season can be a time marked by family and seasonal traditions. Traditions can be comforting and centering in a way that helps us hold onto a sense of normalcy. But this time can also feel hard when the changes in your health seem more obvious compared to other times. Join us as we talk together about embracing the holiday season with awareness for all the ways you might experience the weeks ahead.

1. The Power ofTraditions
A consistent anchor in the midst of change

2. Comfort & Belonging
Reminder that we are a part of a long
line of history.
Connection and togetherness
Reinforce our most sacred values
Help us to create memories
Create moments for pause and
reflection

3. Finding Identity
Traditions help us connect with who we
are
The practice of focusing on our values
The glue that connects before cancer
identity to post-cancer identity
Amidst change traditions remain
constant and unchanged

4. Holiday
Stress
 `Uncomfortable family
gatherings
 Unhappy memories
 What has changed in
your life since last year
 What has NOT changed
in your life since last
year
 Relentless pace +
cold/flu season + less
self care
Power of
Traditions
 Special focus for time
spent together
 Sharing and recreating
important memories
 Stability & Security
 Creating space for joy,
levity and connection
 An opportunity to bring
balance to the pace or
hardship of the season.

5. Traditionsareapieceof
ourcultureandarepart
ofthefoundationofour
families,communities,
andbroadersociety.
Traditionsremindusof
ourvaluesandprovide
consistencyinour
constantlyevolving
lives.

6. Theyarethingswedo
repeatedly,butthey
aren’troutineor
automatic–theyare
deliberateactionsthat
connectustoourloved
onesandprovideasense
ofidentityandcomfort.
Intimeslikethese,we
needthesethemost.

7. Cancelled orOptingOut
Normal to feel a mix of emotions: Relief, sadness,
frustration, left out, worry
Be honest. Work to name what feelings come up for
you.What needs are left unmet
Others are reacting to these changes as well.
Acknowledging their honest reactions is important
too.
Ignoring emotions does not equal controlling them.
Admitting hard feelings leads to accepting the
differences and the possibility of finding meaningful
ways of celebrating this year.

8. Where do you
findYOUR
Holiday magic?
 Prioritize the holiday traditions you await each year.
 Food. Share favorite recipes or exchange dishes in a safe way.
 Religion. Find faith gatherings online or talk about the
significance of each holiday with others.
 Tradition. Gather pictures of past years or start something new.
 Connection is important.What options do you have?
 Support groups
 Walks in the neighborhood
 Virtual meet ups with family
 Know your limits.Time of day? Length of visit? Frequency?
 Dependable and consistent connection points
 Allow trusted others to sit alongside you in emotional
moments (vulnerability  connection)
 Be honest. Don’t stop the holiday. Stop “the show”.
 Is this part of “us” or part of “the show”?

9. Do you have to set a place for
Cancer at the table?
Yes.
Prepare in advance for how cancer may interrupt your holiday.
 Stock up on any necessary supplies or medicine.
 Pack diagnosis, treatment plan and medical team contacts
when you leave home in case you need it while out of town
 Clarify any changes to the way you contact your medical team
during the holidays.
 Talk with your medical team about your travel plans
 Maintain consistent sleep/eating schedule
 Stress resilient vs. stress vulnerable

10. Do you have to set a place for
Cancer at the table?
No.
Prepare in advance for how cancer may interrupt your holiday.
This includes reminding yourself you will face unexpected
situations when they arise one step at a time.
 Create a scripted response for when family & friends ask
about cancer at a time when you do not want to talk.
 Keep a trusted family member or friend near when you are
in challenging groups to help navigate the interaction.
 Use humor to diffuse intense emotional moments.
 You are more than your cancer dx.Take the “You
Inventory”.

11. Your Holiday. Your Family. You!
Consider you.
Use the answers you discover about what defines a
meaningful holiday for you to make choices.
Those answers and choices will be different for each
person and each moment. Perhaps different for this
year compared to years in the past or yet to come.
Say “no” to the perfectly wonderful ideas that do not
really mean much to you, so you can say “yes” to the
imperfectly wonderful moments that do. Amanda
Morgan