Do I need to use these prompts to submit my story?
Not at all. Everyone’s story has a different beginning, middle and end; everyone’s story is meaningful for different reasons. That being said, we know some people work best when they’re given a starting point or some ideas.
Diagnosis
For patients:
- What is your diagnosis?
- When were you diagnosed?
- What symptoms did you have before your diagnosis?
- What steps did you take to get a diagnosis?
For Carers:
- What is the diagnosis of the person who you are caring for?
- When were they diagnosed?
- How involved were you in their diagnosis?
- What was the experience of receiving the diagnosis for the person you are caring for? Or for you?
Treatment
For patients:
- What treatment have you had?
- Did you participate in any clinical trials?
- Are you planning to have any treatment in the future?
- Have you experienced any side effects or symptoms from your treatment?
- What was the most surprising thing you learned with your treatment?
- What did you wish you knew before you started your treatment?
- What do you wish you could share with people going through a similar experience?
For carers:
- What has the treatment process been like for you?
- How involved have you been in the treatment decisions?
- What was the most surprising thing you learned during the treatment?
- What did you wish you and other carers knew before the start of treatment?
- What do you wish you could share with people going through a similar experience?
Experience
For patients:
- What do you think every person should know about having brain cancer?
- What do you wish you knew beforehand?
- What information/services have you found helpful?
- What have you found challenging?
- Is there any knowledge you wish you could share with others who might be about to go through a similar experience?
- What activities do you find helpful for your emotional and physical well-being?
- What has been your emotional journey?
- What do you do when times get really tough? What keeps you going?
For carers:
- What do you think every person should know about caring for someone with brain cancer?
- What do you wish you knew before becoming a carer?
- What have you found helpful?
- What have you found challenging?
- Is there knowledge you wish you could share with others who might be about to go through a similar experience?
- What activities do you find helpful for your emotional and physical well-being?
- What has been your emotional journey?
- What do you do when times get really tough? What keeps you going?
Relationships
For patients:
- How has this experience affected your relationships with friends, family, colleagues or partners?
- Would you like to share any other thoughts about your relationships?
For carers:
- How has this experience affected your relationship with the person you are caring for?
- How has the experience affected your relationships with family and important others?
- Would you like to share any other thoughts about your relationships?
Career/Work
- How has this experience affected your career or your ability to work/study?
- How has this experience affected your financial situation?
- Would you like to share any other thoughts around career or finance and how your experience with brain tumours impacts these parts of your life?
Submit your story
