Cancer: Health Isn't The Only Price You Pay

Hearing a doctor tell you the hard truth, that you have cancer, takes your breath away. After a little while it becomes abundantly clear that the initial shock is compounded by the overwhelming costs involved. It's an added stress to you and your loved ones.

While you will definitely be concentrating on beating cancer, there may be some very boring times, such as days of chemotherapy, that you can use toward a plan for cutting associated costs. My own experience has helped me come up with ideas that are easy to incorporate into my treatments, tests, and procedures. I hope they will help you, too!

• Gas Expenses: It may not seem like much, but if you are making a lot of doctor, pharmacy, and hospital visits, it can be a big drain on the budget. This is where you need to make a list of trips and errands you can make in one day. The post office, groceries, pharmacy, etc., can usually be a one-day trip.

  Tip two, fill up your tank instead of a quarter of a tank over and over. Check out to find where you can find the cheapest gas in your area!
  

• Bulk Cooking: While your appetite might fluctuate a lot, the worst thing is having to cook when fatigue hits. A slow cooker can be your best friend when cooking in bulk. Freeze as much as possible for later. There are tons of websites and Pinterest ideas for easy bulk recipe.

Feeling like you're in control of some aspects of your life can be a gift you give yourself when something like cancer seems to be invading so much of it. Keep the faith!