Finding Clarity During a Cancer Journey

Jul 30

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming in ways that are difficult to anticipate.

There are the emotional questions: What does this mean for my future? Am I going to be okay? How will this affect the people I love?

There are the physical realities: How will treatment affect my energy? Will I be able to continue working? What will day-to-day life look like?

And for many individuals and families, there are financial concerns: How will we afford treatment? What happens if I need time away from work? Who can help with caregiving, transportation, or other unexpected expenses?

While no checklist can answer every question, having a plan can help bring a sense of clarity and control during a difficult season. As a Certified Financial Planner®, I've walked alongside many individuals and families facing serious health challenges. The following checklist highlights practical financial and planning considerations that may be helpful as you begin or continue your cancer journey.

Please note: I am not an attorney or CPA. This information is educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.

Legal & Estate Planning

Review your will and ensure it reflects your current wishes.
Confirm that your Healthcare Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney documents are current and that the individuals named are willing and able to serve.
Review beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts. Beneficiary forms generally override instructions in a will.
Consider documenting important information for loved ones, including account locations, passwords, insurance information, and key contacts.

Employment & Income

Review your employer's leave policies, including FMLA eligibility and any paid leave benefits.
Understand whether you have Short-Term Disability or Long-Term Disability coverage through your employer or privately.
Discuss work accommodations with your employer if treatment may affect your schedule or responsibilities.
Evaluate how a reduction in income could affect your monthly cash flow and expenses.

Insurance & Healthcare Costs

Understand your health insurance coverage, including deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, coinsurance, and prescription drug coverage.
Determine whether you have accessible savings available to cover deductibles and other medical expenses without needing to tap retirement accounts.
Keep organized records of medical bills, Explanation of Benefits (EOBs), and insurance correspondence.
Track medical expenses throughout the year. Depending on your circumstances, some expenses may be tax-deductible.

Household Finances

Review your monthly budget and identify areas where expenses may increase or decrease during treatment.
Build a list of recurring bills and ensure someone you trust knows how to access and manage them
if needed.
Consider establishing automatic payments for essential expenses to reduce stress during treatment.
Review emergency savings and determine how long they could support your household if income is interrupted.

Support & Community

You do not have to walk this path alone. Consider building a support team that may include:

Emotional Support

A therapist, counselor, support group, pastor, or trusted mentor who can help you process the emotional aspects of your diagnosis.

Caregiving Support

Family members, friends, neighbors, or community members who can assist with transportation, meals, childcare, household tasks, or companionship during treatment.

Financial Support

Ask your treatment center about local and national organizations that provide financial assistance for transportation, lodging, medications, treatment costs, or daily living expenses.
Don't hesitate to accept help when it is offered. Many people want to support you but may not know how.

For Loved Ones

Share your wishes and plans with the people closest to you.
Make sure key family members know where important documents are located.
Identify at least one trusted person who can help coordinate communication, appointments, or practical needs if necessary.

No one chooses this journey, and there is no "right" way to navigate it.

Give yourself permission to focus on what matters most: your health, your loved ones, and your well-being.

If you would find it helpful to talk through the financial aspects of your situation, I offer a complimentary one-hour consultation for individuals and families facing a cancer diagnosis.

There is no cost and no obligation. My goal is simply to provide clarity, answer questions, and help you understand the options available to you

Jenna Vitosh, CFP®/AAMS®
Chloey Wealth Founder and Advisor
5550 S. 59th St., Ste. 26, Lincoln, NE
(531) 249-0170
ChloeyWealth.com

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.

Christine Weeks