Cancer shrine strategies for cancer survival

Cancer survivors together on ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.  Photo/M.Veselovsky

 

 

 

1. Educate yourself on the disease, its treatment and new technology. There have been recent advances in cancer treatment that are important for patients to keep abreast of new developments and discuss them with their doctors. If the Internet is used, patients should be wary of anecdotal stories, cancer “cures”, and unsubstantiated claims. Patients are advised to gather their information from websites of established reputable cancer organizations such as the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov), the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org) and others.

 

2. Involve family and friends. Family and friends have genuine concern for loved ones with cancer but often do not know the best way to help without overwhelming the patient. Patients may benefit from giving caregivers specific tasks such as mowing the lawn, helping with laundry, making a meal, or sending cards or letters. Ask for the “How to Be a Friend to Someone with Cancer” booklet from the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

 

3. Support your spiritual side. According to the National Cancer Institute study, “Spirituality and Cancer Care”, spiritual well-being may help improve health and quality of life of persons affected by cancer. Spiritual well-being is thought to decrease anxiety & feelings of isolation, lower blood pressure, increase positive thoughts and feelings of personal growth, and improve the patient’s ability to cope with side effects. No matter what a patient’s spiritual beliefs may be, it is important to address spiritual issues as spiritual distress can make it harder for a patient to cope with cancer and its treatment. The St. Peregrine Chapel (www.cancershrine.org) helps individuals and faith communities support people affected by cancer and their loved ones on an emotional and spiritual level.

 

4. Join others like you. The National Institute of Health advises “Experienced cancer patients are a unique source of information and support. They can help you understand what to expect, sympathize with your feelings, give you ideas on ways to cope and increase our sense of hope.” There are numerous national cancer support programs such as the American Cancer Society’s LINC, Reach to Recovery, Cancer Survivor Network and Man-to-Man that offer individualized support not only for the cancer patients but also for loved ones so that all members of the family receive support.

 

5. Take time out to laugh and love. Studies have shown that laughter can decrease stress, relax muscles, lower blood pressure and increase oxygen to the body. Taking time out to laugh and enjoy the company of others can help a cancer patient cope with a cancer diagnosis and improve quality of life.

 

6. Visualize improvement. Research has shown that the effects of positive visualization -decreased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and increased feelings of hope increase a person’s ability to cope with illness. Studies at Yale University and the University of Colorado revealed that feelings of helplessness were related to depression and decreased ability to deal with stress.

 

7. Erase the word “victim” from your vocabulary. According to Dr. Isabella Rice, Director of Disability and Pastoral Care at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, and also a cancer survivor, “People with cancer often feel powerless. The word ‘victim’ implies that a person has no control. A person diagnosed with cancer does have choices. Acceptance of the diagnosis is the first basic choice. While this may not be easy, it goes as long way in helping to decide if you are willing to take treatment or not. Coping comes with looking at the reality of living each day. Before diagnosis, a person made choices about various aspects of life but now those decisions might include making time for treatment, time for rest, or just continuing to be who they are.” She suggests that using “affected by” or “diagnosed with” may improve the perception of the disease to the patient and their loved ones and decrease feelings of helplessness.

 

The St. Peregrine Shrine, located at 1551 E. Dana Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85204 will be dedicated on November 14, 2009 at 9:30 AM and is Arizona’s first 24-hour adoration chapel devoted to serving persons of all faiths affected by cancer. The St. Peregrine chapel offers free cancer-related resources such as information, wigs, treatment supplies, spiritual support, community outreach and education, as well as American Cancer Society-trained volunteers to people affected by cancer.

The St. Peregrine Chapel is named after St. Peregrine Laziosi, a thirteenth-century monk that was miraculously healed from cancer.

For more information, contact the Chapel Director at 480-844-4493 or www.cancershrine.org or www.cancershrine.blogspot.com on the internet.