Farrah Fawcett, the television actress bravely dealing with anal cancer, now has a new cancer-related challenge: While previous reports had indicated that she was 'stable' and gearing up for a reality TV show to document her life and medical treatment experience, she now reportedly has been re-hospitalized from a complication from a routine treatment. There are also indications that her cancer has spread to the liver. No matter the news, I am sure that Ms. Fawcett will continue her courageous and determined fight.
 
Also, I don't know how many of you saw the recent reports about Jade Goody, the British reality TV star who tragically died after a very public battle with cervical cancer. In her final month she managed to get married and say very meaningful and poignant goodbyes to her young sons while under a constant media glare.
 
The public nature of Ms. Fawcett's and Ms. Goody's medical struggles serve as a reminder that cancer does not care about celebrity status and that the 'cancer experience' has commonalities we can all relate to. When cancer strikes an individual, it fans out to families, friends, and even social media communities. There is nothing entertaining or easy about being a patient or a caregiver for a loved one battling with cancer. That being said, perhaps there can still be a silver lining of hope -- even after devastating news -- and the will to live life to the fullest.
 
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, the first step is to deal with the uncertainty around the diagnosis, its staging, and/or treatment. Denial can be a powerful defense against distressing events, but you need relevant information to help guide important decisions. Stay engaged and be prepared to ask the hard questions to your healthcare provider and family members. Secondly, gather friends and family just for the heck of it. Celebrate your life to the fullest every day -- and in a way that makes you feel wonderful and allows you to share your stories and your values. Next, assemble your S-Team ('S' for support). A positive support system can be a tremendous mental boost. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Let your faith or beliefs in a higher power (if that applies to you) order your steps in your quest for healthy attitudes. Lastly, think positively. Recognize negative or fearful thoughts, but don't allow yourself to dwell on them. Reframe your thinking by asking yourself, 'Okay, what's another way to look at this.' 
 
Examples of hope and strength can come from surprising sources. I see them in the remarkable ways Ms. Fawcett is continuing to live and savor her life.