PEN Blog Archives

Tips for Patients on Staying Connected Despite Physical Distancing

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We are in a crazy time right now, and no one has experienced anything like it…except for cancer patients. As high-risk patients, we know what it’s like to distance ourselves from others and practice good hygiene. I know I do.

As a thyroid cancer patient, I underwent radioactive iodine treatment, where I became radioactive. I was living with my family at the time, and I had to have my own room and bathroom. No family member could come within a certain distance from me. Not even my dog. I remember them leaving meals outside my door, and texting a parent or sibling when I needed something. It was strange, yes, but I knew it was what I had to do to keep myself and my family safe.

The same thing is happening right now. We’re told to stay at least 6 feet apart from people at all times. Performing normal tasks such as going to the grocery store, a friend’s house, and even work are no longer possible. It creates a sense of grief in all of us, as we feel lost without our normalcy. Instead, we are living a “new normal,” something that cancer patients have already been long accustomed to. It’s as if the rest of the world gets to see how we live, how we feel.

We may have to physically distance ourselves, but staying connected is still possible. And it is in these moments that we can learn how to cultivate strong relationships. We live in a world with an abundance of technology. We have the ability to call, text, email, video chat, Tweet, etc. Had this pandemic happened a long time ago, none of this would’ve been possible. Social distancing would be real.

To take advantage of the opportunities that are currently presented to us, I’d like to highlight the ways in which we can stay connected:

(NEW!) Virtual Empowered #PatientChat | Friday, May 15 @ 1PM EDT

The Virtual Empowered #PatientChat is a moderated conversation conducted online via Zoom and Facebook Live. This support group will feature an expert moderator, a panel of passionate patient advocates and care partners, and other people seeking a consistent friendly community. Learn more and register!

 Support groups via Zoom

  • Our Odyssey
  • Smith Center – for AYA patients (located in the Washington, D.C. area but is open to patients all over)
  • Look for ones from specific cancer orgs (ex. Thyca, Inc.)

Facebook support groups

These can be found for cancers from the general (ex. breast cancer) to the specific (ex. breast cancer with BRCA1 mutation)

Tweet chats

Search for these using the hashtag as seen below. A few of my favorites include:

  • #patientchat
  • #ThyCaTalk
  • #bcsm
  • #HealtheVoicesChat
  • #medtwitter
  • #HCLDR

Community Check-In #patientchat Highlights

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Last week, we hosted a “Community Check-In” #patientchat with Amanda Greene (@LALupusLady). The #patientchat community came together for an engaging discussion and shared what was their mind.

Top Tweets

Telehealth to save the day?

Online communities won’t be canceled

Use social media to find patients like you

Full Chat

 

Telemedicine: What You Need to Get Started

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This post was originally published by Health Content Collective here.

Given the global pandemic, many healthcare providers are shifting gears to give patients the option to receive care virtually, without an in-person visit. The idea of telemedicine may seem a bit daunting so here’s what you need to know to help you have a smooth, effective experience.

What to Expect:

  • The Patient Portal: If you haven’t set this up in the past, now is a great time to get familiar with this technology. You can set up or manage your appointments, communicate with your doctor, view test results and access additional resources. It’s also where you’ll find the technology for virtual visits, if available from your provider. If you do not have login information, contact your provider’s office.

  • Apps: In some cases, the patient portal will have an app that serves the same purpose. For telemedicine visits, if available, this may be an easier-to-use option as it removes the nuances of compatibility with various browsers.

  • Instructions: Depending on your doctor’s office or institution, you will receive instructions for joining the virtual appointment. This may be in the form of an email message from the patient portal, a text message (if you’ve opted in), a phone call from the clinic, or all of the above.

  • Patience: As with any video chat technology, there is inevitably an issue early on either with sound, video or all of the above. Be patient with your provider and yourself as you try to connect. Conversation may not flow as easily as it does with your provider in person, but you will find a comfortable groove after the initial few minutes.

  • Consent: You will be asked to electronically sign and consent for the virtual appointment. You may receive a message from your doctor via the patient portal or you will be guided through the process as you log in for your visit.

Key Steps for Success:

  • Make sure you have access to the patient portal.

  • Login in advance to “test your system” – most technology offers this option when you are on the virtual appointment screen.

  • Download and login to the app if available.

  • When scheduling, ask for a phone number to call if you have any issues when connecting.

Will This Change the Practice of Medicine?

As we begin to look beyond the pandemic, it seems that virtual medicine may become a mainstay. Certainly, if your visit doesn’t require a physical exam, this option is enormously more convenient for seeing a doctor and being able to communicate how you’re feeling.  But if you need a test or bloodwork, this becomes a less reasonable option

What are we missing by visiting a doctor in-person? And, conversely, what are we gaining by going virtual? Like every new technology, there are pros and cons. Only time will tell.

Click for Infographic

Service as Medicine: Cheer Someone Else Up and Cheer Yourself Up

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Service as Medicine: Cheer Someone Else Up and Cheer Yourself Up from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

MPN Network Managers, Summer and Jeff sheltering in place from San Diego, California, challenge listeners to be less consumed with worry by looking at service as medicine. They share how their theater programs, mentoring others and church activities have empowered them to give more of themselves and focus on the positive.

What activities do you enjoy that help you serve others? Share it with Jeff and Summer! question@powerfulpatients.org

How A Dog Can Help With Depression

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Dogs perform many different services for people, including helping us when we’re down. It isn’t uncommon to see a therapy dog wandering down the halls of a nursing home, cheering up the patients inside.

New research has shown that dogs can help alleviate everything from depression to anxiety to aggression and other mental health problems. But how exactly does this work? And do all dogs relieve depression or is it the gift of a select few?

Will My Dog Know I’m Sad?

Dogs can sniff out cancer and even detect blood sugar levels, but do they recognize our emotions?

Many studies have found that dogs are susceptible to our emotions. For example, one study found that dogs are sensitive to changes in facial expression. While this study only used angry faces and happy faces, scientists assume that dogs will be able to recognize all if not most changes in the facial expressions of their owners. In other words, they can look at our faces and tell whether we’re happy or sad – at least most of the time.

Another study looked specifically at whether or not dogs can recognize emotions based on vocal tones. This study used a phenomenon called head-orienting to tell which side of a dog’s brain the stimuli were activating. To put things simply, dogs naturally tilt their head when processing audio stimuli based on the part of their brain they’re using to interpret the audio.

The researchers were able to tell what sort of emotion dogs were interpreting each vocalization as using this method. They found that dogs were very good at understanding human voices, even when faces or other cues weren’t visible.

There are many other studies that have looked at whether or not dogs can interpret emotions. However, they all come to the same conclusion – dogs are extremely good at reading a human’s mental state based on things like facial expression, body language, and tone of voice.

The Science Behind How Dogs Can Help Depression

Now that we know dogs can recognize our emotions and do often respond to us appropriately, in which ways is this good for treating depression?

Higher Oxytocin Production

One breakthrough study found that most if not all pet owners experienced increased oxytocin levels in their brains. This biochemical is also known as the “love” chemical, and I think anyone with a dog can recognize the unconditional love they often provide. (Unconditional oxytocin, anyone?)

They found that those with pets had less self-reported cases of anxiety and had lower stress-related markers like epinephrine and blood pressure.

Pet owners also had plenty of other benefits in the study, not all of which are directly related to mood. Dog owners had improved pain-management and less sickness, increased trust and higher relationship ratings with other family members in their life, reduced aggression behaviors, and even enhanced learning abilities.

Scientists theorize that higher oxytocin levels are the reason for many of these benefits.

As you might know, raising oxytocin levels is very beneficial for those with depression. Oxytocin plays a crucial role in regulating anxiety and stress. When it is low, these emotions can run rampant.

The simple presence of a dog can help fight depression simply because of the increased levels of oxytocin pet owners often experience.

Lower Stress

Similarly, dog owners have lower stress markers than those who don’t own dogs. A stress marker is a biological function that kicks in when we feel stressed, like our blood pressure or levels of certain hormones. Measuring these levels is an excellent way to get an objective idea of someone’s stress levels.

Many studies have shown that pet owners often have lower stress markers across the board, which means they are likely less stressed. For example, one study showed that owning a dog lowered blood pressure levels.

Companionship

Depression often feels lonely. It makes its victims withdrawal from the world, though face-to-face contact often relieves many symptoms of depression.

Dogs offer unconditional companionship to their owners and help remind them that they aren’t alone. Dogs don’t require the depressed person to leave the house or pick up the phone, which many depressed people cannot do on their worst days.

Furthermore, because dogs can recognize when their owners are depressed, many will automatically provide comfort in a time of need.

How Dogs Help With Anxiety

Dogs help with anxiety and other mental illness, similarly to how they help with depression.

They increase oxytocin production, which decreases stress and fear, and provides unconditional companionship to their owners. These things help with mental illnesses of all kinds, including anxiety and depression.

In our modern world, children might be particularly vulnerable to anxiety, even in the elementary school years. Luckily, these benefits are apparent across all ages, including children. One study did find that children who owned dogs were less likely to have anxiety or a similar disorder than those without dogs.

Dogs might be particularly useful at treating anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Dogs Contribute To A Healthy Lifestyle

Having a dog also requires you to partake in activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle and help diminish the effects of depression.

For example, every dog is going to need exercise. Even if you have a breed that doesn’t require long walks, they are going to need to be taken outside multiple times a day to use the potty.

Simply getting outside and walking around in a green area has been shown to improve physical and mental health outcomes. Going out can also increase vitamin D intake, which can also improve mental health. Vitamin D deficiency can mirror depression in many ways and mental health professions think it plays a critical role in many depression symptoms.

There is also some degree of responsibility that comes with owning a dog. You have to get up to feed them, take them outside, and get them some exercise. Even if you did the bare minimum on any given day and only took care of your dog, you would get more done that if you owned no pets. Exercise and dogs are often correlated with being more productive for these reasons.

Plus, responsibility and productivity are linked with higher self-esteem. Those who get stuff done tend to think higher of themselves. This can help undercut many of the negative thoughts that are common with depression and other mental health problems.

What Is The Best Dog For Depression?

There have been very few studies on which types of dogs are best for depression. Overall, there seems to be very little difference between highly trained service dogs and your average companion dog when it comes to treating depression symptoms. This is likely because there are very few specific actions a dog can perform to help with depression. It is mostly their presence and day-to-day maintenance that is crucial for treating depression symptoms.

However, trained service dogs can be helpful to those with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. In these cases, dogs can perform specific commands that can help substantially. Service dogs for anxiety can often detect anxiety attacks before they start and prompt their owners to get to a safe place.

In terms of breed, no one dog breed is better for depression than others. In general, it is better to pick low-maintenance dogs, as someone with depression might not have the energy to care for an energetic Jack Russel or the highly-intelligent border collie.

As usual, you should take into account your living situation and lifestyle when choosing a dog as well. A giant dog might not be suitable if you live in a smaller home. Some people might find it very calming to brush a dog daily, but you might not.

Labrador Retrievers are a standard go-to for all service dogs and emotional support dogs. These canines are reliable and dependable without requiring vast amounts of maintenance. They do require quite a bit of exercise each day, but not as much as most big dogs.

Other dog breeds that are good for those with depression include Greyhounds, Havanese, Whippets, and Spaniels.

What Now?

Dogs can help with depression through a variety of health benefits. Their closeness increases oxytocin production and levels of serotonin, which in turn decreases levels of stress and lower blood pressure. It also increases positive emotions and can make us more trusting of others around us. Our furry best friends can also provide the emotional support we need. Just being around a dog can even lower our heart rate.

Dogs also force us to perform actions like going outside and exercise, which can help improve depression symptoms. The simple fact that you’re owning and caring for a dog can improve your self-esteem and well-being.

There isn’t much of a difference between particular dog breeds when it comes to their health benefits. In general, you should select a dog to help with your depression that same way you would choose any dog.

Author:
I’m Robert Evans  from Doggypedia! I’m super passionate about helping you care for your dog better by providing the best information and recommendations. Every day, I help more dog parents make smart decisions so their pet has a long and healthy life!

Patient Advocacy: 10 Ways To Create Share Worthy Content For Social Media

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 When you want to raise awareness of your cause, amplify your advocacy activities and create change where it is needed most, social media is an important channel to share your message with the world.

But it’s not enough just to create content and push it out online. How you create, publish, and promote your content will directly impact the chances that people will see it and want to share it with others.  In this article, you’ll learn 10 tried and tested ways to help you maximize your social shares and increase your social reach.

1. Create Something Worth Sharing

Let’s get straight to the point here. If you want people to share your content, you need to give them something worth sharing. The New York Times Customer Insight Group did a fascinating study a few years ago on the psychology of social sharing. It named five primary motivations for sharing:

  • People want to better the lives of others 
  • People want the content to reflect their online identity 
  • People want to grow and nourish relationships 
  • People share because they like the feeling of having others comment on it and engage
  • People want to spread the word about something that they believe in 

Actionable Tip:  Create content that your audience will want to share because they believe it will be of value or interest to others. Before you post something, stop and ask yourself would this pass the re-share test above?

2. Ask Your Followers What They Want To Learn About

One way to ensure you are creating content your followers want to read about and share is to simply ask them what kind of content they’d like more of.  You can create quick polls on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and post a question such as “What content do you want to see more of?”

Actionable Tip:  To take your audience research a step further you could survey your followers to get a deeper understanding of their preferences. Survey Monkey, Polldaddy and Google’s own survey forms are all simple tools to use.

3. Curate Relevant Content

Information is power and patients are becoming more empowered through increasing access to medical information online. However, one of the biggest challenges we face is trying to filter the vast repository of online content to find trustworthy content.  Instead of more information what we really need is more accessible, understandable and credible information on which to base our healthcare decision-making.

One solution is to curate reliable, up-to-date medical information in a format that is easy for patients to access, digest, and understand. Content curation is the process of finding and aggregating information about a specific topic, synthesizing it to be most relevant to your audience, and sharing it in an easily digestible manner.  Curation can deliver many benefits including, establishing thought leadership and credibility, increasing visibility and driving social shares.

Actionable Tip: Read this previous PEN article to learn how to become a more effective content curator for your healthcare community.

4. Use Relevant Hashtags

If you are using social media to find and share health information, chances are high you are already using hashtags. Hashtags, a way for users to easily find similar themed content, are used regularly by millions of social media users on Instagram and Twitter.

Actionable Tip: For more information on using hashtags strategically, read Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Hashtags in Healthcare…But Were Afraid To Ask!

5. Grow Your Online Followers

The more people who follow you on social media, the more you can amplify your content and increase your social shares. A great way to find like-minded followers is to search using disease-specific hashtags or join a Twitter chat related to your disease or condition, such as #gyncsm, #lcsm, #bcsm, etc

Actionable Tip: Read 12 Keys to Finding, Growing, and Nurturing Your Online Community for more tips on how to grow your online followers.

6. Add Images To All Your Posts

When it comes to creating content to support your message, the type of content you create matters. Humans are visual creatures — 90% of information transmitted to your brain is visual — and because of this people are drawn to visual elements that attract their attention. Images are shared more often than text only posts. Visual content is more than 40X more likely to get shared on social media than other types of content.

Actionable Tip: Add an image to all your online posts — even those that aren’t obviously visual. Read this guide to creating your own eye-catching visuals.

7. Create Infographics

Information graphics or infographics are stand-alone graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge. They are a form of visual content that is highly shareable; consistently “liked” and shared on social media three times more than any other type of content. In fact, the words “infographic” and “infographics” are searched an average of 547,000 times per month in Google.

Actionable Tip:  People are irresistibly drawn to facts, figures, and statistics. When you combine these with compelling graphics you have a persuasive tool to help your content cut through the online noise. A tool like canva.com will make it easy for even the novice designer to create interesting infographics.

8. Write Better Headlines

One of the ways to make your content more shareable is to write better headlines. Think about how many headlines you read every day while searching online or browsing social media. What makes you actually click on an article or post to read it? Quite often it’s the headline. Your headline is the first (perhaps only) impression you make on a prospective reader so it’s worth taking time to create a good one.

Actionable Tip:  Use numbers in your headlines. Several research studies have shown that headlines with numbers tend to generate significantly more social shares and engagement (interestingly, research shows that headlines that contain odd numbers have a higher click-through rate than headlines with even numbers).  When adding numbers to your title, use the numeral, not the word, as we tend to scan headlines online and a numeral makes your title more scannable.

9. Repurpose Your Best Content

Identify your top performing content in terms of shares, comments, likes, etc.  Now brainstorm some ways in which you can take this content and turn into something else.  For example, create an infographic to highlight key statistics, turn a quote into a graphic, or develop a downloadable eGuide.

Actionable Tip:  There are so many possibilities to get more out of high-performing content and increase your shares. Read How To Create Six Unique Social Shares From Just One Piece of Content for ideas on how to repurpose your content.

10. Analyze What’s Working For Your Peers

Look at the type of content your peers are creating. Identify which content is performing well for them in terms of social shares, comments, likes, etc. Think about how you can take a piece of content they have created and add your own insight and expertise to make it more even more valuable to your followers. I don’t mean you should copy their content verbatim, but use it as inspiration for your own content.

Actionable Tip: I use Buzzsumo.com to see which popular content is most shared right now on social media. These are the topics people want to read about so it’s worth brainstorming ideas around this content.

As you can see, with a little imagination and creativity there are many ways to increase engagement and reach with your existing content.  Try some or all of these tips and do let me know how it goes for you.

Open Mic #patientchat Highlights

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Last week we hosted an “Open Mic” Empowered #patientchat, the community came together on Twitter for a lively discussion. Take a look at the top tweets and full transcript from the chat.

Top Tweets

Appreciate the Little Things

Help Others

“Normal is a dryer setting”

Full Transcript

5 Inspiring Books That Every Cancer Patient Needs to Read

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In the pursuit of accomplishing a bunch of things from your bucket list do not ignore some reading practice. The words on paper of famous authors always light up our soul and make us believe in the best.

 1) Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White

Plot

This is a wonderful novel written by American author E.B White about a childish courage Fern and her friend spider Charlotte saving the life of one farm inhabitant named Wilbur. The main character Fern is staying up late at the barn to look after her uncle’s animals. Soon, the farm life becomes the part of hers, that she makes friends with everybody there, including a little piglet Wilbur. It does not know yet what awaits him when spring finally comes, when the period of feast and holiday come to all families. Its destiny is to be slaughtered before Easter. So, in order to prevent this from happening Charlotte decides to write a message on her web, which then is recognized by the uncle Mr. Zuckerman as a miracle. Being proud of the extraordinary web the farmer decides not to kill the piglet and instead sends Wilbur and Charlotte to the country fair as an exhibit. At this time, Charlotte is pregnant and after laying eggs she dies. However, her new born kids stay behind with Wilbur.

Summary

This story brings up the question of justice and loyalty towards animals. We often proclaim and judge things just by its cover. Whether it is a human or an animal, we always follow that deceitful idea of one type being much better than the other. Pigs are seen as unfortunate creatures that are destined to be slaughtered. However, the humankind revealed by Fern, Charlotte and Wilbur proves to disregard any unfairness of today’s world and demonstrates how we should cherish the precious moments with our besties and friends.

 

2) Tonight I’m Someone Else by Chelsea Hodson

Plot

It is a very good creation demonstrating alienation and loneliness. The story covers the events of misfits who are some awkward newbies in a relationship. It is an amazing and breathtaking romance book that makes you fully immerse into the relationship experience, as well as forge your understanding about love, sex, truth, secrets, commitment and permanence. This book is both painful and insightful, because it reveals the truth about romance in the way that other writers do not dare to talk. Chelsea Hodson tries to examine her physical and emotional self and comes to the understanding of her own self worth.

Summary

It is an amazing example of how to love yourself and be loved by others. It also makes us think of what self-sabotage is and how we can stand it. The very popular citation of her book asks: “How much can a body endure?”, and the answer is really short: “Almost everything”. Which is a very deep and bizarre statement at the same time, so everyone understands it quite differently.

3) All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr

Plot

This is an eerie and, at the same time, very exciting story of the wartime telling us about two peers. Their life is a terribly harsh survival not only because of the Second World War but also their bad luck. One of the main characters, Marie-Laure LeBlanc whose father is entrusted with a precious diamond called the Sea of Flames, joins the French resistance and along with her uncle broadcasts the information to their Allies. Another character, Werner Pfennig is doomed to spend all his life in a coal mine because he is an orphan child. However, Werner is invited to destroy the anti-German radio broadcasts. When he begins his attack, he gets trapped by the Allied forces. Surprisingly for the boy Maria-Laure saves him with his broadcasts by nearly sacrificing her life. But Werner does not give up and rescues the girl that is haunted for the Sea of Flames like a real hero.

Summary

All in all, the book discovers the real tragedy of war causing some innocent people to experience violence and injustice. Also, it describes the human miracle. Even though Werner and Marie-Laure are on the opposite sides of the front lines, they still remain kind and merciful to each other. With their example we begin to understand how important it is to forge goodness inside of you.

 4) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Plot

That is a well-known masterpiece by Ray Brudbury about a fireman who is given a mission to burn all the books in the world that he comes across. Books become forbidden everywhere and for everyone but it seems to be not a big bother for people. Humankind is used to engaging with televisions, radios and other technologies and no one is concerned about nature, development, hobbies like reading books and so on. Books simply become useless and they just need to be destroyed. The main hero, Montag gets an enormously big satisfaction when burning things, but once he meets Clarisse McClellan he starts realizing that he is dramatically unhappy about things he is entrusted to do. His occupation requires him to burn the books along with a house of its owner. Montag’s neighbor Clarisse chooses to be burnt with her books at her own house, and this heroic gesture, actually, makes him think. The thoughts about human’s intrinsic values arise in his head.

Summary

This fireman life-story demonstrates the Western societies’ addiction and dependence on the media and conformity in the 1950s. It makes us visualize a real image of people’s intelligence and curiosity that drives their desire to not give up on reading or of people’s ignorance that makes them burn this intellectual garbage.

5) Your art will save your life by Beth Pickens

Plot

This book is rather aimed to be a letter to artists. Beth Pickens so passionately tells us about art and navigates us as a reader through the path of motivation, self-reflection and discovery. It underlines to follow your artistic dreams regardless of anything. The real fallacy is to live your life without a purpose and bring nothing meaningful to this world. The author gives us amazing advice to all the people who have talents to maintain their artistic practice by always looking at the better side of it. Like any other thing, art requires much patience and effort, so, of course, there might be some ups and downs on your artistic path. These failures should be taken as lessons and these achievements should be understood as rewards. The saying “your art will save your life” embodies so much sense, because every creation is eternal in its way. Develop your creativity and it will save yours too.

Summary

Art is an only emotional outlet that has some divinely creative roots. If we are granted a certain talent in our life, we should show it to the whole world. We need to seek ways to make our art speak voices, provoke thoughts and generate ideas in other people’s hearts and heads.

Resources: 

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/30-books-that-everyone-should-read-least-once-their-lives.html

https://www.mydomaine.com/best-books-about-love-4770377

Author’s Bio

Lilian O’Brien is a passionate journalist who enjoys writing about psychology and human relationships. Over the course of her career, she was a regular contributor to major media publications, and currently, she serves as an editor for onlinechatdatingsites.com.

Survivors Living Strong

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About a decade ago, as a member of her local YMCA, Jennifer Buckwalter happened to notice a group of people wearing matching t-shirts. She’d watch them use the equipment and go to group classes together. She was intrigued. Sometime later Buckwalter became a spin instructor at the Y and she learned the group she’d been observing was called Livestrong at the YMCA, a unique fitness program for cancer survivors. Now Buckwalter leads those groups of survivors-in-matching-t-shirts on a health and fitness journey.

“It’s about being healthier in spirit, mind, and body. That’s what we push all the way through,” says Buckwalter of the 12-week Livestrong at the YMCA program, which was developed in 2007 by the Livestrong Foundation when feedback from cancer survivors identified a need for help returning to physical activity after treatment. Two Rivers YMCA in Moline, Illinois, where Buckwalter is an instructor, was part of the Livestrong at the YMCA pilot program. The program is offered, at no cost, to cancer survivors who are 18 or older, and it comes with a t-shirt. While the program is open to participants with all types of cancer, Buckwalter says she is most likely to have survivors of breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma in her groups. Survivors are eligible for the program if they were diagnosed that morning or 20 years ago, she says. Past participant Marvis Hafner was a five-year survivor of breast cancer when she did the program. She had a friend who told her about the program and encouraged her to sign up, and now she says, “It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me and my husband.” Her husband also participated in the program as Hafner’s support person. The program is limited to 12 survivors per class, plus each survivor can bring a support person, also at no cost. The program, largely funded through donations, is offered in 791 YMCAs across the country.

Of course, programs will differ from location to location, but they all follow the basic formula developed by the Livestrong Foundation. Participants are required to provide medical releases, a complete health history, and list of medications. In addition, on the first day of the program, each participant undergoes an extensive assessment for mental health, ability to perform daily activities, and tests in flexibility, walking, strength, and balance. “The assessment helps to structure class around our participants,” says Buckwalter, a National Exercise Trainers Association certified personal trainer and YMCA exercise specialist for chronic disease programing who underwent additional training to be a Livestrong instructor. In the training she learned how to do patient intake screenings and medical histories, and she learned about cancer. She had the opportunity to interview survivors and shadow another Livestrong instructor. She found that her certifications, her Livestrong training, her background in social work, which she studied in college, along with her experience of working for Palmer College of Chiropractic, where she says she learned a lot about optimum health, all came together to help her better serve the course participants. “If you’re going to do the program, we require a commitment and that commitment is to yourself,” says Buckwalter who believes in and has high expectations for the participants in her classes. “I’m not going to baby them,” she says. That’s my way of empowering them.”

At Two Rivers YMCA, most of the participants are 50 or older. The classes meet two days a week for an hour and a half. There are three classes offered each session, two in the daytime and one in the evening to accommodate those who work during the day. There are two sessions a year, fall and spring. “The first week is awkward”, admits Buckwalter. She says she tries to keep the mood lighthearted, and she and her co-instructor facilitate group conversation so participants have a chance to get to know each other, but, she says, by week four or five, the group takes on a life of its own, and the participants really take hold of the group. “It’s not designed to be a support group,” she says, but notes that it often becomes one. “It gave me a sense of belonging,” says Hafner. “I had retired, and I missed the camaraderie.” With the program she says there is always someone there to support you. Often, the connections that are made in the group continue after the program concludes. Buckwalter helps to facilitate the connection thanks to an idea from one of the members of the first group she led who started a phone tree among the participants of her group. Now Buckwalter offers that idea to each of her classes.

The program is tailored to each group and each individual participant based on the assessments and fitness levels, but the overall idea is to get everyone moving and comfortable working toward whatever health and fitness goals they have. Participants learn how to best use a gym to fit their needs. They are taught to set up a workout and use fitness equipment and machines. They also get to try group classes, such as gentle yoga or low-impact Zumba. Health education is a big component of the program. “We talk about the importance of hydration, the importance of moving the body, and paying attention to what they are putting in their bodies,” says Buckwalter. The program also brings in professionals from the community to cover a variety of topics from nutrition to proper footwear. Hafner says she enjoyed the speakers, and she and her husband both benefitted from the extra push to exercise. “I was exercising at home, but not enough,” says Hafner, a retired nurse.

Some participants, like Kari Wood, are already physically fit when they start the program, but they are still able to make personal gains. “I felt like Livestrong supported my health journey of wanting to become the best version of myself…” says Wood, who found that the program addressed her mental health in positive ways. “My biggest benefit from the entire Livestrong program was the emotional side of it for me,” says Wood, a thyroid cancer survivor who, now in her early 40s, was one of the younger members of her group. She says that when she was diagnosed and being treated for cancer, and all the complications that came with it, she suppressed a lot of her feelings, but it was with the Livestrong program that she was able to work through all those bottled up feelings. “In my heart I knew the Livestrong program would allow me to be able to openly recognize, express and validate the private feelings of pain I endured during my time with cancer. No more hiding those thoughts and feelings like I did for so long. For me it was personally more of an emotional part of my journey instead of a physical one.”

Wood’s mother participated in the program with her, and she says it helped them grow closer. “It was an opportunity for me to truly open up and express how I felt, even though some of my words weren’t easy for her to hear. It opened up a whole new world for us and made us grow closer…I am incredibly grateful for that because I didn’t realize how much I needed to share and was holding inside until Livestrong came along.” Wood adds that being able to hear the stories of the other participants helped her mother gain insight into what she had gone through as a cancer patient.

Whatever aspect of health a participant needs to address, Buckwalter aims to show each person how to make their goals attainable. “We try to show them that a healthy lifestyle can be variable and can be personalized,” says Buckwalter. “The goal is to show them they can do it on their own.”

Buckwalter says she has found the Livestrong program to be very successful and there is data to prove it. Researchers from Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Yale University found that the Livestrong at the YMCA program yields significant increases in physical activity, overall quality of life, and fitness performance. They also found that the program participants had a significant decrease in cancer-related fatigue. In addition, the National Cancer Institute says, exercise is generally safe for cancer survivors and every survivor should maintain some level of physical activity. There is even research that shows that exercise can lower the risk of death for people who have breast cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.

However, Buckwalter doesn’t have to rely on the research to know the program works. She sees it firsthand. Progress is measured during the last week of the program. Each participant does a post program assessment that uses the same criteria from the assessment at the beginning of the program. “For the most part we always have positive outcomes and huge leaps, huge leaps for these people,” she says. The program ends with a celebration that includes healthy snacks, and a past-participant comes in to share their experience with the class. Buckwalter, who takes pictures throughout the program, presents each participant with an album of photos.

When they have completed the program, participants are offered a nine-month, reduced-rate membership at the YMCA. Buckwalter says that four or five survivors from each group take advantage of the membership. Hafner and her husband both continue as Y members. She calls the Livestrong program a steppingstone into fitness and is thankful for the program because when it comes to exercise, she says it would have been too easy not to do it. Wood, who has been a member of the YMCA since she was three, also continued working out at the Y. “I loved that we tried so many other classes and physical activities. It made me want to attend new YMCA classes after the program was over. I became much more involved at the YMCA after Livestrong was over with. In turn, my three kids are much more active than they used to be because exercising and taking care of ourselves as best as we can is now a part of our family’s healthy lifestyle.”

You can find more information about the Livestrong at the YMCA program at livestrong.org. You can use your zip code to do a search on the website to see if there is a Livestrong program at your local YMCA. Please note that there may be a waiting list for the program, and that there may be a fee at some locations.

Newsy Nuggets featuring Dr. Gary Puckrein

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Newsy Nuggets brought to you by Diverse Health Hub

Data and Predictions in Healthcare: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Using data to predict outcomes is healthcare in the 21st century. In light of the pandemic, Dr. Gary Puckrein of the National Minority Quality Forum brings up important lessons about how projections from data on COVID-19 correctly anticipated hospitalization rates. This ability to anticipate is also relevant for other disease areas, and informs therapy to maximize positive individual outcomes.

Transcript:

Christian Strohm: You’re listening to a Newsy Nugget brought to you by Diverse Health Hub, a health equity education and awareness channel. I’m Christian Strohm, and thanks for tuning in! We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Gary Puckrein, president and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum. Dr. Puckrein highlights the power of data in predicting health outcomes, and discusses the opportunity for intervention in context of the COVID pandemic.

Dr. Puckrein, can you speak on any valuable lessons that we all should learn from this COVID pandemic?

Dr. Gary Puckrein
So, there’s a couple, you know – obviously we’re very early into the epidemic and so it’s hard to draw a lot of lessons and as we get through this, we’ll have time for that. But a couple of quick observations that I would like to make, one is that where healthcare is going these days, it’s about predictions, right? Here, we can predict in January what this virus is going to be doing in populations in April and May. You could do the same thing with diabetes, with heart failure, renal disease, all of those chronic diseases. When you look at hospitalization rates, mortality costs, those are all highly predictable and the ability to predict means you have the opportunity to intervene and that’s what big data is about. It’s about using that data to get the best possible outcome for patients and so, one of the lessons we hope – as we move away from this virus and get control over it, is that we learn a big-time lesson which is we have a lot of ability to control. And so, what we talk about less these days is about health disparities and more about controlling health outcomes. We have the capacity to control health outcomes which is a big deal. You couldn’t say that in the 20th century or the 19th century, so the partnerships that we form is really about how do we support local care networks to get predictable positive outcomes for patients.

Christian Strohm: Thank you for listening. I’m Christian Strohm and we hope you enjoyed this newsy nugget. Find more on our website, diversehealthhub.com

Does the Pandemic Reveal Cracks in our Healthcare System?

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stress on global healthcare systems. Dr. Gary Puckrein of the National Minority Quality Forum remarks on the cracks in the American healthcare system that have appeared under this stress. He reminds us about the Constitution as the social contract that all Americans have entered into, and the role of healthcare in guaranteeing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Transcript:


Christian Strohm:
You’re listening to a Newsy Nugget brought to you by Diverse Health Hub, a health equity education and awareness channel. I’m Christian Strohm, and thanks for tuning in! We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Gary Puckrein, president and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum. Dr. Puckrein remarks on the American social contract, and what this means for access to basic healthcare.

Dr. Puckrein, I’d like to ask you from a policy perspective, do you see benefits to expanded coverage in reducing healthcare inequities?

Dr. Gary Puckrein:
Well certainly, ACA (Affordable Care Act) has expanded the number and diversity of the population with health insurance in this country. One of the – one of the key things to bear in mind. And this is where politics and healthcare come together, when you go back to the founding fathers and you look at the system that they designed, what they said was the reason that we’re all coming together in this social contract is life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Life meant preservation of life, that one of the reasons why we agree to come together is to conserve life and denying someone in the 21st century healthcare is in fact, breaking that social contract. We didn’t enter this to say that some people should have healthcare, and some people should not. That wasn’t the deal. The deal was we’re all coming together, in the body politics to conserve life, preserve our liberties, and pursue happiness. And so, I think what we’re seeing now and I think this pandemic is a great example, the cracks in our system that are showing up from access to basic health insurance. Think about it, people today who have no healthcare insurance going into hospitals or physicians because of the pandemic and the burden that places on those hospitals, unfortunately with new legislation some of that care will get reimbursed, but we still don’t know what after effects come out of this virus in terms of impact on populations and exacerbation of things like asthma and diabetes and whatever chronic diseases that people might face. And so, we sort of crossed the Rubicon in terms of whether everyone should have healthcare. The answer is yes indeed, they must have it and obviously the discussion is to be around what is at healthcare and what ought to be its purpose and as I said I think its purpose has got to be reducing the risks of that and anything short of that is really not quality care.

Christian Strohm:
Thank you for listening. I’m Christian Strohm and we hope you enjoyed this newsy nugget. Find more on our website, diversehealthhub.com

Does COVID-19 Illuminate Healthcare Cost Hypocrisy in America?

The COVID-19 pandemic does not care about the ranks we decide to lay upon people. Dr. Gary Puckrein of the National Minority Quality Forum tackles the policy positions that result in the access to and cost of healthcare in America.

Transcript:


Christian Strohm:
You’re listening to a Newsy Nugget brought to you by Diverse Health Hub, a health equity education and awareness channel. I’m Christian Strohm, and thanks for tuning in! We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Gary Puckrein, president and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum. Dr. Puckrein discusses access to healthcare in America, and how the COVID pandemic is shaping the dialogue.

For us in America, we often hear it argued that the cost of quality healthcare makes it impossible to extend to everyone. Dr. Puckrein, can you remark on this policy position in light of the COVID pandemic?

Dr. Gary Puckrein:
Yeah, I see when people talk about the cost of healthcare, what they’re really talking about is the cost of healthcare for their neighbor, they’re not talking about the cost of healthcare for themselves because the cost of healthcare for themselves is “I want the best possible healthcare I can get. It’s my neighbor’s healthcare that I’m afraid that you’re asking me to pay for that I’m really concerned about.” And that’s a wrong way to look at it. We cannot build a healthcare system for the 1%. Look at this virus, look at what it’s doing to the 1% — the heir apparent to the throne of England, or actors and actresses, and senators — it doesn’t care, the virus actually is complete agnostic to all of the ranks that we decide to lay upon people and treats everyone just the same. And so, if we’re going to fight the pandemic we have to fight it collectively. It’s not that we can say everybody’s whose income level is “x” stay home and everybody whose income is “y” can get to go outside. No, everybody has got to go indoors because the virus doesn’t care. And the same way with diabetes, heart failure and renal disease, cancers in none of those can we just build a healthcare system for that 1%. And so, when we’re talking about reducing risks we have to be talking about if everyone and the idea that we can’t afford it is ridiculous, it’s where we want to put our money is really what the answer is.

Christian Strohm:
Thank you for listening. I’m Christian Strohm and we hope you enjoyed this newsy nugget. Find more on our website, diversehealthhub.com

Newsy Nuggets podcast, produced by Diverse Health Hub. Special thanks to Dr. Gary Puckrein, President and Chief Executive Officer National Minority Quality Forum.

How to Stay Healthy after Breast Cancer Treatment

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Numerous research studies have shown that avoiding sedentary life and taking regular physical exercise, along with a healthy diet and habits, is essential to prevent breast cancer.

But what about women who have already suffered from this disease and are still in the treatment and recovery phase? Although studies focus on specific sports such as Nordic walking or archery; experts are clear: physical activity can bring many benefits both physically and psychologically.

Fewer Relapses and Higher Quality of Life

According to data from the GEICAM Breast Cancer Research Group, women who remain active after diagnosis have a 67% lower risk of relapse than those with an inactive lifestyle.

In addition, regular exercise improves your quality of life. Exercising helps reduce fatigue and sleep problems. Besides, staying active improves the patient’s mood, increases her sense of well-being and reduces stress and anxiety.

Recovering from Breast Surgery

If there is no edema (swelling) or pain, the patient can return to normal life one week after the surgery. And if everything goes well, she can start playing sports in the first few weeks.

In some cases, however, it may be necessary to put yourself in the hands of a specialised physiotherapist before that. The consequences of the surgery vary depending on whether it has been conservative – the tumour has been removed while maintaining the breast – or a mastectomy has been necessary.

There may be a shortening of the skin between the chest and the armpit that affects the length of the arm. There may also be peripheral nerve-type sequelae, such as pain or lack of sensation. Especially in the case of mastectomy, but sometimes it also happens with conservative surgery.

“Physio” to Prevent Lymphedema

When it has also been necessary to remove the lymph nodes (lymphadenectomy), there is a 10% chance that the patient will suffer from lymphedema, a risk that increases to 20-25% if radiotherapy is also performed in the armpit, according to data from the Spanish Association Against Cancer.

Lymphedema consists of an accumulation of fluid in the arm, which causes an increase in its perimeter, heaviness, hardening, pain and difficulty in moving it.

In cases of lymphadenectomy and mastectomy 3 weeks or a month of physical therapy aimed at mobilizing the arm to prevent and treat these problems are recommended.

The specialized physiotherapist will adapt the treatment to each patient and then recommend which sports are most indicated in each case. As well as the stretching, relaxation and breathing exercises that can be done at home.

Exercising Strengthens the Immune System

What if the patient has to have radiation or chemotherapy? In this case, the treatment does not influence the possibility of starting physical exercise, although it is recommended to individualize it. In other words, adapt it to the patient’s condition and the physical activity to which she was previously accustomed.

There is evidence when regular practice can improve recovery of defenses, for example, influence of chemo is reduced.

Decrease the Side Effects

The breast cancer specialist also points out that after surgery most patients have to follow hormonal treatment for 5 years which causes a series of metabolic changes.

It can cause different disorders such as increased cholesterol, mood swings, etc. And it has been proven that exercising can help regulate these changes, reduce the side effects of hormone treatment or at least lower its intensity.

Better Aerobic Sports

As for what type of sports can be most recommended; there are none that are contraindicated, but that they should be evaluated individually.

The recent scientific evidence is in favor of aerobic and endurance exercise. Increased body mass index is associated with an increased risk of recurrence (reoccurrence of the disease) due to the mechanism of hormone production. And the weight control achieved with aerobic exercise is associated with the prevention of relapses.

Walking at a good pace, running, cycling or swimming are some of the aerobic exercises. Being lower intensity sports, but performed for longer, they are beneficial for the cardiovascular system and lung capacity, and improving endurance.

Besides, doctors highlight swimming, since in addition to mobilizing the arms, in water exercises the impact on the joints is cushioned, an aspect that must be taken into account if the patient suffers from osteoporosis or osteoarthritis as can happen after menopause. Swimming does not harm anyone.

Nordic Walking

I’m sure you’ve seen quite a few people walking around town with sticks lately. It’s called Nordic Walking and several studies have shown that this sport, which is affordable and easy to practice and can also be very beneficial in the recovery from breast cancer.

A publication by a group of Italian scientists describes that Nordic walking activates the trunk and upper limbs when walking, increasing their range of motion and the body’s total muscle strength.

By working the upper body (arms, shoulders, back), it improves blood circulation in the arms, stimulates lymphatic drainage and can improve secondary lymphedema in breast cancer.

The specialist recalls that lymphedema and alterations in local sensation, as well as the risk of deep vein thrombosis due to local circulation being affected are the main sequelae in the case of mastectomy if accompanied by lymphadenectomy.

And to prevent these problems, it may be advisable to do any exercise that is aimed at weight control and improving the venous return of the extremities”.

About the author: Nicholas H. Parker is a nutritionist and allergy expert. Besides, he has his own column on the site, hire essay writer service. So he can share his experience with others. In this case, Nicholas has an opportunity to deal with work and hobbies simultaneously.

Tips For Seniors Who Have Cancer and Dementia

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As people age, the body deteriorates and so does health. This is why getting or developing diseases is much more common to elderly individuals. While diseases are more common in the elderly, it is worth noting that this is not normal, in any way. You can grow old without having to suffer or live with a disease of any kind.

But, due to several reasons and factors, like a weakened immune system, diseases may still develop. And some of these include dementia and cancer.

If you know someone, especially within your family who is at risk for dementia and/or cancer, this post might help.

Introduction: Understanding Dementia and Cancer

Dementia

Dementia is very common for seniors and older adults. But, just like any disease and condition, it is not normal for aging people to develop dementia despite the fact that many senior citizens have the condition.

By and large, dementia is not a disease. Rather, it is a syndrome that encompasses a group of symptoms that has not been diagnosed with any condition yet. Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the many forms of dementia, and it is the most common of all.

As per data, AD accounts for almost 80 percent of people diagnosed with dementia. Although the two conditions may have similar symptoms, there are different ones as well.

Cancer

Meanwhile, cancer can happen to anyone at any age. But, the median age is above 40. Also, it can occur anywhere in the body as it is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the human body.

Individuals develop cancer when the body’s ability to control the growth of the abnormal cells stop working. Instead of the old cells dying, it grows out of control, which then forms new abnormal cells.

There are different types of cancer. For women, the most common is breast cancer while for men, it is prostate cancer.

The Risk of Cancer In Dementia Patients

According to https://www.memorycarefacilities.net/, the risk of developing cancer in dementia patients is very low. While there is no direct relationship between the two, studies and data show that there is an inverse relationship between the two conditions.

In conclusion, people who are living with dementia have a very low risk of developing cancer. However, low risk is still different from no risk. So, there are still a few individuals who are living with dementia who have developed cancer.

The Risk of Dementia In Cancer Patients

As mentioned, there is no direct relationship found between cancer and dementia. So, there is an insignificant number of cancer patients who have developed dementia. But, the same with reversed dynamic, there are still a few people who obtain and develop the two conditions at the same time.

It is also worth noting that several studies reportedly show that cancer patients tend to develop some symptoms that may be similar to dementia. Typically, people who have brain cancer are the most common ones who show some symptoms of dementia. These symptoms may include forgetfulness, confusion, and disorientation.

These studies also noted that cancer patients who have developed dementia are normally the ones who have undergone treatments and surgeries. While the studies have remained inconclusive, there are significant factors that seemingly prove so.

When Dementia and Cancer Collide

Dealing with dementia patients and cancer patients alone is already challenging enough. These two conditions are very different from each other. So, the care, treatment, and management also differ from one another. Therefore, when a patient develops both cancer and dementia, this is certainly very challenging not only for the patient but, also to the caregivers and family members involved.

As per actual caregivers and experts from https://www.seniorlivinghelp.org, when dealing with patients who have both cancer and dementia, the most important thing to be resolved is to decide whether treatments for both conditions will be given to the patient. While it is a very difficult thing to decide on as life is on the line, sadly, this is a must.

So, if dealing with this kind of situation, it was said that two questions will help you move forward. First, how advanced is dementia; second, what is the stage, type, and severity of cancer.

After understanding and learning the answers to these questions, this will help you decide how to effectively deal with a patient who has both cancer and dementia.

How Does Cancer Affect Dementia In Elderly

Cancer has a huge impact on dementia patients. When treating cancer, keep in mind that the process will be tedious, rigorous, and meticulous. It will take time, effort, and resources for the treatment to become a lot more effective. Accordingly, dementia patients will certainly have a harder time dealing with this kind of condition.

There are times medications will be forgotten, treatments will not be followed, and necessary processes may become much more confusing. So, the challenge will become even more apparent not only to the patients but, to the caregivers as well.

Tips When Considering All Aspects Moving Forward

As repeatedly mentioned, this kind of case is very challenging. So, serious considerations and regards to matters involved in the case are largely needed.

In the past, medical experts and doctors would decide what’s best for the patients. But, times have changed and the decision-making is now being given mainly to the family and loved ones of the patients.

Here are some of the things that you may need to look at when moving forward:

  • Condition of the patient
  • Financial matters
  • Personal challenges
  • Treatment options
  • Possible impact and result of treatments

Final Thoughts

Seniors who have both cancer and dementia are faced with tremendous challenges physically, mentally, and emotionally. The same is also true for the caregivers and families involved in the situation. While some families are able to care for their loved ones at homes, others may need to look for assisted living for cancer patients. So, there is no doubt that considering all matters at hand is a must when deciding the best action to move forward for the betterment of everyone’s condition.

These tips and points might help you in doing so. Hence, you may want to check each and try to analyze further what could help. In the end, though, this remains to be a case-to-case basis as no situation is the same.

Fact or Fiction: Finding Scientific Publications Infographic

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Our AML Network Manager, Gerri Smoluk, shares her tips for finding and understanding scientific publications.

Finding-Scientific-Publications-1-1

 

How Can MPN Patients Amplify Their Voice?

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How Can MPN Patients Amplify Their Voice? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

MPN Network Managers Jeff Bushnell and Summer Golden, a husband and wife team, share how they cope with a diagnosis of myelofibrosis. Both highlight the importance of patients and care partners amplifying their voice as part of the coping process.

Family Life When Dealing With Cancer

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Ways for families to deal with cancer. How to support patients and how to get used to a new lifestyle.

How Does Cancer Affect Family Life?

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t only affect the patient but his or her family. For family members, it’s difficult to hear such a diagnosis since their worries become much more intense and can affect the life of a patient. Cancer is scary and we don’t want to believe that it can happen to any of us one day. However, the statistic shows that a huge percent of people who fight cancer die.

My mother was diagnosed with cancer almost 2 years ago and life has changed a lot. Many times I wished it should have never happened but then I realized that I just have to get used to a new lifestyle. It happened to the person who I love a lot and we just have to deal with it. 

How Does Cancer Affect Marriage?

Over the last two years since my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I thought that my parents could divorce. Why? There is a lot of pressure on a person who was diagnosed and his/her partner who is watching another suffer. My parents have experienced anger a lot. They were arguing, getting annoyed with each other and felt helpless. My father felt especially helpless at times when he couldn’t help my mother. All he could do was to suggest what my mother should do. When a partner becomes an “expert” and thinks he/she knows best, it provokes conflicts and this is what everyone should avoid. Now I know that no one knows better than a patient. We can follow other people’s examples, read many books, listen to advice but no one knows better than a person who is suffering from cancer. 

My parents had many dreams and plans. They wanted to travel especially to hot countries. However, when you are diagnosed with cancer, doctors suggest avoiding the sun as much as possible. Of course, this also affects the relationship because both people get frustrated. Instead of traveling to somewhere you wanted for the last few months, you continue going to work and the feeling of a “tense atmosphere” is always present. 

How Can Family Members Help? 

At first, you don’t want anyone to know what kind of problem you are dealing with. Not everyone likes when others feel sorry for you. Even though family members try to support you they can’t help but feel sorry for you. My mother didn’t want anyone to know about her diagnosis. However, my father insisted on telling the family members and seeking help. As a result, it made everyone worry. People started calling my mother asking how she feels and suggesting her to have surgery and chemotherapy immediately. This is when my mother regretted others knowing her diagnosis. 

When we hear too many opinions and advice, it can be difficult to hear ourselves. My mother was strong enough to stay true to herself and follow the route she thought was the best for her. 

Healing

After visiting many doctors and hearing the same verdict which didn’t sound positive, my mother decided to change her life. She changed her diet, she started to exercise more, and she made her dream come true which was to become a nutritionist. She works hard mentally every single day: she doesn’t allow the fear of death to overcome her positive emotions and she believes that everything she does heals her. What did we have to do? Me, my father and our family members had to accept that from when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, life could have never been the same. 

It’s still difficult at times because my mother didn’t fully recover but she loves herself much more than before. My parents have a better relationship than before the scary diagnosis. My mother found many like-minded people who support her. The diagnosis taught us all to be more patient, caring, supportive,  understanding and live every day gratefully.

Ways Families Should Deal With Cancer

Medical experts say that communication is important between people with cancer and those who care for them. We have to try to understand each other and try to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes sometimes. It teaches us to be compassionate and express words of love instead of criticism.

It’s important to know what a patient wants. Family members should ask how they can help. Pushing help and feeling sorry for someone who has been diagnosed is what we need to avoid. There are several ways in which family members can help a patient: come on medical appointments with a patient, helping with treatment or just being a good friend who can listen and support.

Cancer shouldn’t create distance. People shouldn’t isolate. A family should adjust to a new lifestyle and don’t look at a diagnosis as at a dark cloud hanging over their lives. We took the diagnosis as another challenge in life that has been given as a lesson. In my mother’s case, the diagnosis brought us closer. 

Resource Links:

The Crisis of Cancer: Psychological Impact on Family Caregivers

The Effects of Cancer on Family Life

How Cancer Affects Family Life

Author’s Bio: 

Louis Robidoux is a blogger who enjoys writing articles that are of great interest to society. After having lots of posts published on different platforms, Louis decided to create his own site deeptop10.com where he’s covering topics about food, interesting hacks, and lifestyle.