You may think that all you want to do is forget about your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment experience, but trust me, you won't. And you shouldn't.

One of the most therapeutic things you can do for yourself is journaling. And if you have never expressed yourself in writing before, this is a great time to start. In retrospect, it was one of the best things I did for myself during my treatment.

Journaling allows you to express your innermost thoughts, often setting free things that are worrying you. During a time of stress it can be cathartic to record these thoughts.

Journaling can focus on a variety of things, too, like what was wonderful about today: You saw the sun rise, I mean really saw it, watching it creep up onto the horizon for 20 minutes. A friend did something really special that may not have been a big deal to her but was to you, and you don't want to forget it. You're having worries that you need to discuss with your doctor and are afraid you?ll get tongue-tied when you get into the examination room (write them down as you think of them and take your journal with you). Some remarkable people have entered your life solely because you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

One of the most amazing things about journaling is revisiting what you wrote after your treatment is all done. You will be surprised at the things that you literally do not remember until you read the cryptic words you jotted down at that moment they happened.

So go out and get yourself a blank journal and start writing. Consider buying a really special pen that feels good in your hand. If you know someone about to embark on treatment, consider getting her a journal and pen as a special gift.