Table of Contents of AfterShock: What To Do When the Doctor Gives You — or Someone You love — a Devastating Diagnosis

Chapter 1: In Shock

• I'm Stunned....
• What is Happening to Me?
• Common Reactions
• Commonsense Help for Getting Through the First 48 Hours

Chapter 2: Get Acquainted with Your Disease and Its Treatment

• Why Do You Need to Know Basic Facts about Your Condition and its Treatment?
• How Much Information Do You Need?
• Taking the Basic Approach
• Taking the Comprehensive Approach
• Judging the Information Behind the Answers
• A Short Note about the Internet

Chapter 3: Involve Others

• Telling Others
• Involving Families
• Getting a Little Help from Friends and Family

Chapter 4: Find the Right Doctors and Hospitals

• Find Out More about Your Doctor or Not?
• Common Questions
• Ideas from Physicians about Finding the Right Doctors
• Six Things That Doctors Want Patients to Know About Doctors
• Your Strategy for Finding the Right Doctor
• Are You Choosing among Hospitals?

Chapter 5: Gather Opinions about Your Diagnosis and Treatment

• Why Should I Consider Seeking Additional Opinions about My Condition?
• Under What Circumstances Should I Definitely Seek Additional Expert Opinions?
• How Should I Approach Gathering Expert Opinions?
• How Do I Tell My Doctor I Want to Get Another Opinion?
• How Do I Actually Go about Getting Additional Opinions?
• How Do I Make Sense of What I Learn?

Chapter 6: Get Timely Care

• A Few Facts You Should Know...
• What Scheduling Staff and Physicians Say about Urgent Consultations and Taking on New Patients
• Making Appointments: What Do You Say?
• Taking Along a Partner
• The Right Information about You at the Right Place at the Right Time
• Now Is the Time to Learn a Little About Privacy and Informed Consent

Chapter 7: What about Work?

• To Work or Not to Work?
• How Can My Employer Be Helpful?
• What Do Human Resources Experts Advise about How to Maximize the Benefit of Your Benefits?
• How will My Co-Workers Be Affected by My Condition?

Chapter 8: Pay for Care

• The Three Things You Need to Know about Your Health Plan / Health Insurance Right Now
• Rules of Thumb for Making Use of Your Health Benefit
• Taking Care of Business

Chapter 9: Find a Little Relief

• Where Can You Find Some Relief?
• Maintain a Routine
• Seek Distraction
• Relax Physically
• Read and Write
• Explore or Affirm Spirituality
• Talk to Others Facing a Similar Challenge
• Join a Support Group
• Make Use of Complementary Medicine
• Seek Counseling
• What about Family Support?

Chapter 10: Take Your Next Steps

• Want to Make God Laugh? Tell Him Your Plan.
• How Do I Make Decisions about Treatment?
• What Do You Need to be Able to Function?
• Thoughts on How to Keep Moving
• Reflections on Taking the Next Steps

AfterShock Book Appendices