Cancer Support Groups Celebrate Life Together

Thank you to guest blogger David Haas for this informative and helpful post.

Cancer support groups inspire survivors to find healthy ways to cope with their disease. The resources, advice, and personal stories survivors share with each other are both practical and encouraging. One study of breast cancer patients who attended weekly support groups showed significant improvement in survival time. This is just as likely for those with thyroid cancer, mesothelioma, skin malignancies, and other forms of cancer. Even if life expectancy does not improve, quality of life surely does.

Many cancer patients find it hard to talk about what is happening to them. It may be awkward, uncomfortable, or painful to talk about the disease, even to family and friends. Talking to doctors and nurses can be just as hard. It may seem easier to ignore the issue, but talking can help. While some cancers are curable and most are treatable, almost all survivors face an emotional crisis. Cancer can be the scariest challenge of someone’s life. Talking with others who are going through the same thing reminds survivors that they are not alone.

There is not a “right” or “wrong” to deal with cancer. Each person copes in his or her own way. But talking about it with other survivors, or writing about it in journals or blogs, is therapeutic. Knowing that other people are listening helps survivor’s better cope with the challenges they face.

Some people find it hard to reach out to others, especially if they think they have nothing to give in return. Many cancer survivors are surprised to discover how many people want to support them. Partners, families, and friends can be disappointing sources of support because they are dealing with their own emotions. Most healthcare communities and some churches have support groups, provided by people who simply enjoy helping others. Hospice teams offer support during the last months of life.

An online group like the American Cancer Society “Cancer Survivors Network” is a valuable resource for cancer survivors. They celebrate life together by supporting each other and telling their stories. Discussion boards are a good place to meet other survivors and build friendships. Internet chat and instant messaging allow for real-time conversations. And cancer support blogs offer useful information and insight.

Cancer patients face similar fears and uncertainties. Support groups are important whether someone has treatable breast cancer, an unfavorable pancreatic cancer prognosis, or a short mesothelioma life expectancy and prognosis. Talking about cancer with people who understand is priceless. Support networks give survivors a sense of belonging and a safe place to vent. Group involvement is known to reduce stress and improve health, for a better quality of life. And that is something every cancer survivor wants and needs. Other online resources can be located at:

Inspire.com

Caring Bridge

By: David Haas

A New Book from Cecil Murphey for Caregivers

Because You Care

Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers

Cecil Murphey & Twila Belk & Betty Fletcher

Beloved authors Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk know that caring for an ill or elderly loved one can be very difficult—and yet inspires a deep sense of love and peace of mind. Beautifully written and laced with stunning photos by nature photographer Betty Fletcher, this book is full of gentle wisdom and personal stories that help the caregiver with such matters as

• feeling guilty for doing too much, too little, or nothing at all
• answering other people’s well-meaning but insensitive questions
• watching a dearly loved one suffer through difficult days

Because You Care is a breath of fresh air for those who are in a long-term care arrangement. Here they find practical help, sweet encouragement, and holy inspiration.

(The above quote is from the publisher. Below are a few of my own thoughts about this helpful and encouraging book.)

As caregiver for both of my parents as they were in hospice I do not think I could have made it if not for spiritual encouragement, from God's word, friends and family and also from books written especially for caregivers. Cec & Twila have written a wonderful book with chapters short enough to get through in the limited time the caregivers have in their busy days. Betty Fletcher's amazing photos touch my soul each time I look at them and I can literally feel the muscles in my neck letting go of their tight grip and allowing me to lose some of the burdens of the day.

I encourage you to take a look at Because You Care today, for yourself or maybe for a loved one. It may be just the empathic, encouraging words they need.

To purchase from Amazon.com: Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers, click link http://bitsy.me/4us

You can also find Because You Care on Facebook.

Fun in the Sun Fashion Show

Because July is National UV Safety Awareness Month, we wanted to present a little PSA video of celebrating summer and sun with fashion, flair and fun. We hope you enjoy it and remember to use your sunscreen!

Racing for the Cure & Dancing in the Rain

This Saturday, JUNE 11, 2011 is the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The following information is from their website:

"Join us for the 2011 Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure, Saturday, June 11 at the i wireless Center, Moline, Illinois! Help us reach our goal of 11,000 participants in 2011!

Since 1993, Quad Cities Race for the Cure has raised more than $4.58 million. Up to 75 percent of those funds have been used for local programs, with 25 percent used to fund breast cancer research."

In the link below, you will find the inspiring story of the new Isabel Bloom figure created for Race for the Cure. I hope you will take time to read this story about "Dancing in the Rain."

http://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/bill-wundram/article_5522c35a-880f-11e0-b534-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

Hear the Authors of "90 Minutes in Heaven" LIVE tonight

Who hasn't wondered what happens after you die? Is heaven real? Is there life after death?

Don Piper is one man who had the chance to find out.

Several years ago Don's car was crushed by a truck on a narrow bridge in Texas. That horrific car accident left him in hopeless shape. Medical personnel at the scene pronounced him dead . A passing pastor was told it was useless to pray for Don, but he prayed anyway.

And guess what? God had a different plan for Rev. Piper. Don told his story in the best-selling book "90 Minutes in Heaven". God has used his experiences to bring hope and comfort to thousands of people all over the world. And this evening you can hear him LIVE for yourself.

Tonight on the online call-in show "Cec and Me," Don & co-author Cec Murphey will be talking about Don's experience, the book and taking calls with any comments and/or questions you may have.

If you are interested in life after death, near death experiences, heaven or just what happens after you die, please listen tonight to

http://toginet.com/shows/cecandme

Tues, Dec. 7 at 8 PM eastern, 7 PM central time.

This is an online program. You listen on your computer. Just click on the purple colored link shared above to get to the show. To listen, click on the box at the upper right that reads "LIVE ON AIR click here to listen" And be sure to call in with questions/comments.

If you miss the show on this Tuesday, you can still hear it any time by going to the show and clicking on the archives.

The Great American Smokeout

Today is the Great American Smokeout! This is the day that smokers are encouraged to quit smoking just for one day. I could be the start of a new life for you.

I come from a house of smokers. My mom, dad, sister and two brothers all smoked from the time they were teens. And except for one brother, they all quit, some more permanently than others, nevertheless they were able to stop smoking at least for a period of time.

I have to say I am very proud of the victories my family has had over cigarettes. They all quit cold-turkey, mostly because there were not as many aids or support systems in place when they quit as there are today.

After Dad died, we found a small black notebook in he used as a day-planner. In it we noticed a number printed in red at the top of each page. We could not figure out what it was until finally we came across a page that mentioned a number that corresponded with the number in red. It was the number of days he’d been without a cigarette. He never told anyone, just went about the business of quitting.

Dad made this decision after he’d recovered from having a mass removed from his throat. The doctor had been sure it was cancer, but it turned out to be benign. We were all so relieved. Dad had said before the surgery “If it’s cancer, I’m not gonna keep on smoking because it won't matter anyway. If it’s not cancer, than I’m gonna quit”. So, without making any big deal about it, Dad kept the promise he’d made to himself and quit smoking.

I wish I could end this story more cheerfully. Dad did enjoy many more smoke-free years, at least 20. But in 2003 another mass was found in his esophagus. This cancer was much larger and found much later. It was so large anything Dad ate had to fit through the size of a small soda straw, mostly soups and other liquids. It was painful and frustrating. No one would choose to die this way. Did it begin years ago when Dad was still smoking? We'll never know for sure. But I am sure that quitting gave him many years of easier breathing and better health than he would've had if he'd kept smoking. And it gave us many more years to enjoy him, too.

So if you are a smoker, how about giving it a try? You know, just take the day off from smoking. It’ll be a gift to those who love you, but most of all, it will be your gift to yourself.

If you’re not a smoker, why not pledge to help someone quit? It’s a long, hard road and your support could be the thing that gives someone the courage to go one more day with out that smoke.

For more information and help about quitting, visit http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GreatAmericanSmokeout/index

Hope you give quitting a try today. Praying you make it last forever.

10 Ways Not to Encourage Cancer Patients

Our guest blogger today is Yvonne Ortega. Yvonne shares some great reminders for friends and loved ones with a touch of humor any cancer survivor can identify with and appreciate. Thanks so much Yvonne!

10 Ways Not to Encourage Cancer Patients

Point out they shouldn’t be scared, angry or depressed, because they are Christians and that would ruin their testimony.

Suggest they have cancer because of the stress in their lives. You may not be a doctor, but you just know.

Remind them that lack of forgiveness causes cancer, and they need to forgive somebody.

Explain they probably got cancer because they didn’t eat right, and from now on they need to take responsibility for what they eat.

Make sure you tell them about your aunt, cousin, grandma, friend or neighbor who had cancer and died.

Mention the horror stories you’ve heard about chemotherapy.

Don’t forget to inform them about the friend you know whose skin burned because of radiation.

Visit them as soon as they return from the hospital and keep talking to them even when their eyes are at half-mast.

Tell them to call you if they need anything. They probably won’t call you, but you’re off the hook, like your telephone.

Insist that they must be strong because it could be worse.

Copyright © October 28, 2010 by Yvonne Ortega

Breast cancer affects everyone it touches, whether firsthand or through the life of a loved one. Counselor and teacher Yvonne Ortega discovered this when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and began her journey. In Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer, she shares with readers her personal triumphs and setbacks with humor and refreshing candor, always reminding us of God's desire to meet us exactly where we are. In this repackaged book, sixty devotions are divided into sections--diagnosis, surgery, treatment, and recovery--each incorporating Scripture into daily life. It also includes a new chapter on living with the possibility that cancer may return. Ortega's attention to even the most basic hopes and fears that a cancer patient faces each day offers encouragement that can come only from one who has been there herself.