Blog

Developed with the Self-Management Resource Center 

About The Thriving and Surviving with Cancer Self-Management Program

Congratulations! You have taken a big step toward managing your life with cancer. We are here to help.

Managing life with cancer is not easy. Cancer survivors want to have the best quality of life possible before, during, and after treatment. Dealing with physical and emotional problems can be challenging, especially when you are living with the uncertainties brought on by cancer, but you can do it! You can thrive!

This Tool Kit does not provide cures or miracles. Instead, it offers you information and skills that are helping cancer survivors lead fuller lives.

We hope that this Tool Kit contains most of what you need. We will not tell you what to do. Rather, we will give you tips and encourage you to try new things and to make the best choices for you. As with anything that is new, it may feel a bit awkward at first, but take it slow and easy. Try the different tools, then make corrections if necessary, to find what works best for you. Then over time, you will have your own set of tools to become better at managing your life.

So, let’s get started! The Tool Kit includes:

1. - A booklet, which begins with a Self-Test that will help you decide where you want to focus. You might start by taking the Self-Test and then scoring it. Your scores will suggest places to start. It also contains Tip Sheets about specific topics that others have found key in managing their conditions, and illustrations to accompany the exercise audio program.
   
   
2. - The latest edition of Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions written by experts in the field. Even more important—all the authors have chronic conditions.
   
   
3. - A relaxation audio program with four different relaxation exercises. The first is only five minutes, for a quick start, and the others are about 15 minutes each.
   
   
4. - An exercise audio program with three different levels of exercises, all of which can be done at home.
   
   We suggest that you spend a couple of hours a week learning and practicing the new skills. There is no right or wrong, so explore to find what works for you to manage better.

You can order Thriving and Surviving with Cancer Self-Management Program directly from us. We offer discounts of up to 40% on bulk orders. 

Frequently asked questions about Self-Management Tool Kits for the Chronic Disease, Diabetes, Pain, and Cancer

Q: What is a Tool Kit?

A: Tool kits can be used by individuals or in conjunction with Self-Management Resource Center programs that are supplemented with small group (3-5 people) in six weekly phone calls. 

The mailed Chronic Diesease Self-Management Tool Kit has been approved by the Administration of Community Living as an Evidence-Based Program. The other tools kits were created as a response to the pandemic and are currently under study.

If you are an organization wishing to use the Toolkits as part of a Self-Management Resource Center Program and have questions write SMRC@selfmanagementresource.com.

Q: What is in a Tool Kit? 

A: Learn more about the parts of the Self Management Tool Kits. 


Q: Are the Tool Kits available in different languages? 

A: The Chronic Disease Self-Management Tool Kit is available in Spanish.

The Diabetes Self-Management Tool Kit is also available in Spanish.


Q: Can you ship a kit to an individual participant? 

A: We can ship everything directly to you or your organization via FedEx Ground. 
 
Or, we can ship complete kits to individual participants. If this is what you require, email us a spreadsheet with names and address. We will send them via US media mail to be delivered in 7-10 business days. Please download our spreadsheet to ensure the names are in a format we can use. 

Unfortunately costs prohibit us shipping to individual participants in Canada.

Q: I already ordered books, can I order materials separately to create tool kits? 

A: If your organization has a supply of some materials, such as books or relaxation CDs, you can purchase the remaining products using this form - https://www.bullpub.com/cdsmp-tool-kit-order-form.html


Q: Are these Tool Kits appropriate for the Diabetes or Pain Self-Management course? 

A: The Tool Kit specifically designed for the Diabetes Self-Management course is now available.

The Tool Kit for the Pain Self-Management course is available.

The new Thriving and Surviving with Cancer Self-Management Program is available on February 14, 2023.

Q: Some participants don't have CD players? 

A: If you are interested in digital (MP3) options for books and CDs, please email emily@bullpub.com with your questions.

Proven Tools for Remote Learners

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Tool Kit includes the following materials and is priced at $47.96 each. It is also available in Spanish.

The Diabetes Self-Management Tool Kit includes the following matierals and is priced at $41.56 each. A Spanish Diabetes Tool Kit is also available.

The Chronic Pain Self-Management Tool Kit includes the following materials and is priced at $38.36 each:

Shipping 

Our book, The Last Things We Talk About: Your Guide to End of Life Transitions by Elizabeth Boatwright, is reviewed in the recent issue of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors Journal.

The review isn't available online, but we are thrilled to read that reviewer John "Skip" Frenzel, of Agape Long Term Care, uses the book in his work as a consultant. 

Among other things, Frenzel says the book is, "thorough and covers many details that are often overlooked . . . I strongly recommend it." 

More about The Last Things We Talk About: Your Guide to End of Life Transitions by Elizabeth Boatwright.

These resources are designed to accompany Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, 5th Edition and Living a Healthy with Chronic Pain, 2nd Edition. 

This list includes suggested further readings, useful websites, and other helpful resources. It's compiled by the authors of the book and maintained by the publisher.

Getting Started - Index

To get started, select a topic below. Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Index on the left-hand menu. 

Other things you might need

Visit the Self-Management Resource Centre | Millions of adults live with one or more chronic health conditions. Our programs help people and their caregivers manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs.

Looking for copies of My Action Plan, charts, worksheets, or Self Tests that appear in the books? You can download copies from our website. 

• - Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, 5th Edition
• - Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain, 2nd Edition

Find a self-management program or workshop near you | This searchable map allows you to find programs or workshops by zip code, country, or you can filter by program.

Report a broken link  | If you would like to report a broken link or make a suggestion, please contact us. 

We are thrilled to receive a starred review for The Last Things We Talk About: Your Guide to End of Life Transitions by Elizabeth Boatwright from Library Journal. 

An excerpt: "VERDICT Excellent in every way; recommended for all libraries, and readers facing end-of-life challenges."

The full review is now available on the Library Journal website. 

Thank you to the School Library Journal for including WORKING WITH WORRY in their recent feature.

12 Books to Get Parents Through COVID-19 and Beyond

They describe WORKING WITH WORRY as a, "hands-on workbook on coping with anxiety, chock-full of ideas that are easy to understand and implement."

The new edition of Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain, 2nd Edition will be ready to ship on June 11, 2021. 

In this new second edition, the authors have carefully developed and improved every chapter.

Packed with useful advice, tips, strategies, and positive reinforcement, the book empowers readers to become their own informed pain self-managers. 

Highlights of the changes to this edition: 

If you have questions about the new edition, sign up for a newsletter for updates or email Emily (emily@bullpub.com) for more information.

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Index on the left hand menu. 

Websites

Pursed Lip Breathing (from 0:24-1:33) | https://youtu.be/7kpJ0QlRss4

Belly Breathing (from 0:34-1:22) | https://youtu.be/wai-GIYGMeo