Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend and make each day outstanding!
S
SUE - a breast cancer survivor |
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According to an article written by Marcia Frellick, there is a moderate amount of people that have experienced breast cancer relate that fatigue and pain may be part of the long -term physical effects. This is where Yoga steps in because we already know that lack of physical activity can lead to more serious problems down the road. Yoga has been proven to help impact that fatigue and mood. It may even affect inflammation after breast cancer treatment. It has been proven that the more you practice yoga, the better the results. What I have found with yoga is that it can be tailored to fit individual needs. The fluidity of the movements and meditation aspect is truly beneficial. So having said that, I don't feel quilty when I don't want to run a marathon, put some type of exercise clothes on and jump around. I am happy to relax, let go, and enjoy what Yoga has to offer. If you have not tried it, I highly recommend you take a class or two and give it the old college try. What have you got to lose? As with any exercise program I also suggest you talk to your doctor to determine what is best for you but also know that your yoga instructor can help to modify the different poses to match your abilities.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend and make each day outstanding! S
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As I was reviewing the ONCOLOGY TIMES, August 25,2014 issue, I came across an interesting article by Wendy S. Harpham, MD. This article talks about grief and how it is a emotional process to any loss. Overtime one can process these feelings but sometimes the grief does not get processed through and that can cause issues later on. It is important to grieve and give it the just time that is needed to get there. Sometimes we can cover it over but it is like rust and still is causing damage underneath the surface.
Crying is often considered a sign of weakness by many but also the fear of letting go and never getting back in control of your emotions can happen as well. There may also be more gratitude just for having survived and that you may have no right to feel sad. Remember grief can be healing, it is temporary and even if the loss is permanent, sooner or later, you do quit crying. Any loss is to be grieved. Positivity is great but not if it blocks out feeling what you are going through. How do you know if you have grief right now? If you think you are adjusting, you may very well be but if everything brings up sadness or unpleasant feelings, you may be grieving. I went to a conference and thought I was doing well until I heard them talk about reconstruction and I broke down and cried and every time thereafter when reconstruction was mentioned. I determined, I was grieving. I may have put my big girl panties on too soon and needed to process a little more of what I was going through. Grief hurts and most of us just don't want to experience hurt if we can help it. Especially if you are co-dependent and a caregiver. Sometimes you put grief on the back shelf so you can just deal with the moment. Unfortunately that turns into a bitter pill to swallow and you still have to get that pill down. Know that your grief is justified and that you have to acknowledge it and it may mean you need help to do so. Seeking a professional may be the best thing you do for yourself. Sometimes just watching a movie that you can cry at, allows you to let down and let go. Know that when you do process it, your life changes and during survivorship, loss, and grief.. you are taking good care of you. Make it a great day! S By now, you all know I have 5 grown children and grandchildren too as well as grand-dogs and recently all were together for a week of fun at what we call Grandma camp. Everyone but one spouse was there and it was probably the first they had all been together for 5 or 6 years. It was exciting, fun, challenging, and exhausting but I would do it all again tomorrow. As a mother and a nurse I know that I am just a caregiver inside and out. I extended my mothering over the weekend to a lovely extended family of Amish that I have gotten to know and we had a marvelous time. I was just a bit more nervous and keeping and eye on all the kids was like checking a bus to see everyone is on board, counting : 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 and repeat. It was such a joy to have kids and family around albeit a substitute for my own. I wanted to make sure everyone was comfortable and everyone had a good time.
I am sure I do the same mothering to my patients as well. I listen and comfort and often we laugh and I cry as well. It is most difficult when someone gets disappointing news and has new challenges to tackle. There is no magic wand and no words that can soothe at a time like this. Hugs, yes, listening too! I hurt when my patients hurt and reaching out to comfort is all I can do, it is up the treatment, surgery and whatever other interventions that leaves my role to being a supportive person. I can't fix things like I used to do with my kids, by painting a smiley face on their bandage or making them a special sandwich. I hate to see my kids struggle with things in their life and sometimes I wish I could take their burden but know that is something I can only listen and help them go through. Those times make the mother in me and the nurse in me feel less than adequate because I don't have all the answers. What I can offer is my support and faith,to hold on to hope that tomorrow will be better and that I will stand by you through those tough times. Know that whatever happens, try to make it a better day for yourself and someone else is all that truly matters. S There are many things that we screen for when a patient comes in the door including but not limited to, vital signs, weight, symptoms, side effects, physical concerns, financial issues and included is now a Psychosocial Distress Screening. So why in heavens name do we look at that? Bottom line, cancer is more than the disease and treatment, it is how it effects you socially, financially, psychologically and even behavioral. Your way of handling stress and distress does not change just because you have cancer and many of us are still looking for better ways to cope with stress. We need to recognize the stress that is affecting the patient as it impacts everything else and each problem can lead to moderate to severe issues if not identified and addressed. You already feel hopeless when you get the diagnosis and the whole process of cancer is out of your control once that diagnosis comes in. It is imperative that as healthcare workers, that these issues need addressed and help initiated. We may be looking at treatment decisions or coping with body image changes and there may be sex and grief counseling help needed just as much as needing financial assistance for food, housing, even caregiver support and career issues related to the diagnosis and treatment. This screening tool is important in monitoring the patient and recognizing the need to have the patient's stress and distress monitored and documented as well as treated promptly. Years of teaching, I would always mention that no two patients are alike even though they may be experiencing the same illness. Home life, and work, as well as families and their dynamics and financial and social and so many other things influence how you are going to get through this period of illness. So, next time you are in, be honest and open as help is waiting and your input helps us identify your needs and get you the help that is necessary.
Make it a better day! S I am so excited to let you in on a workshop that we will be having here at the Institute on November 15th with registration starting at 8:30. The workshop is STRATEGIES FOR COUPLES COPING WITH CANCER. The cost of this workshop is $18 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Speakers include: Dana Kirkpatrick, MS, NCC, LPC, Kathy Berkey, PH.D. Licensed Psychologist, and Zulfiqar Hussain, MD, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist. Facilitator: Sue Kilburn,BSE,BSN, RN.Highlights include:
It's Cancer....now what? Treatment effects on the individual Treatment effects on the partnership Post Treatment/ Recovery Survivorship This workshop is for those facing the challenges of cancer and their loved ones. Pre-registration: (you can also register at the door, but would appreciate pre-registration for planning purposes) (814) 373-3381 and please leave names of participants, phone number and a return call will be made to confirm your registration. This event will be held at : Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute 16792 Conneaut Lake Road Meadville, PA 16335 (814)373-2335 H Post traumatic stress disorder is something we have touched on before but it came to the forefront the other day and I felt it important enough to bring it back. We often think of PTSD with military personnel that have been faced with grave danger and there remains lingering after effects. It is normal to feel afraid and also normal to try to avoid something that feels at risk or gives you fear. That is when our FIGHT or FLIGHT response kicks in. Somehow, PTSD does not elicit that change. Those people that have PTSD still feel in danger even when the incident has long past. PTSD can not only affect the person that experienced the harm but it also can be felt by those that were around their love one that has experienced this trauma be it child abuse, accidents, floods,war, and what about the ravages of cancer.
. NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health is exploring genes, the brain and medications as well as looking at the factors that determine whether someone with PTSD will respond well to one type of intervention or another. Understanding these variables will help to improve each person's needs. or even prevent the disorder before it causes harm. So just what are the symptoms that you may see? Well, we have heard of Flashbacks, bad dreams and frightening thoughts, and also guilt, depression, loss of interest in activities, feeling numb, staying away from places or events that bring reminders of the event and also being tense, having difficulty sleeping, and being easily startled. It is natural to have some of these symptoms if you have experienced a dangerous event but if this last more than a few weeks or it may show up weeks or months after the event then maybe it is PTSD. A qualified heathcare professional is the route you need to go if you are questioning PTSD for yourself or loved one. Interestingly, there are millions in America that are affected by PTSD. Not everyone develops PTSD and the course of the illness varies. It may be appropriate to seek out help from a psychologist or psychiatrist. The most common treatment is Talk Therapy otherwise known as Psychotherapy. Many types of intervention target what symptoms the patient is exhibiting and it is important to explore what is best for your own treatment. As always I would also suggest exercise and relaxation techniques as well as diet and tips on how to get better sleep. PTSD is not a sign of weakness nor something to be ashamed of. Please do not suffer in silence but seek help, to make it a better day for you and your loved ones! S Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of any medical institution. Marathons have never been in my vocabulary considering the only time I really run is when I need to go to the bathroom or if someone is chasing me. I watched briefly, one of those shows on tv about weight loss and it was a women that was all of 54 inches tall and she was determined despite the fact that she would be doing twice the amount of work as an average height person but wanted to complete a marathon. My total knee replacements at an early age has left me very guarded and protective of my knees as I know that they will have to be replaced some day and I want to get the most wear out of them that I can. I liken it to a car, if I only drive 25, 000 miles a year on my tires, they will surely last a lot longer than if I put 100,000 a year on with the exception of running over curbs and driving through glass or the like.
So breast cancer is a marathon I decided after looking at all these other examples that really kept hitting me in the face. As I have mentioned before, we now look at cancer as a chronic disease much like diabetes and once under control, we will continue to monitor and do the right things for long term outcomes. Now, it may mean that you have to look at it as short burst but you are in it for the long haul and what does that take to get there mentally and physically? Everywhere you look they talk about diet but the big word is exercise and maybe we should all donate our couches so we don't become couch potatoes. The moral of the story is " get off the couch!" I want to be the distance runner when it comes to breast cancer for my physical and mental well being. Exercise is better than any pill they can give me so, it is my choice to either get up and more or sit like still water and stagnate. So where are you on this continuum? Are you a marathon runner? I hope you go the distance and if putting it into a different perspective then do so, do what helps you to get thro Ok, so here is the buzz going on now that I have found in various articles and news releases and that is that yet another gene has been identified that is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in women. That gene is PALB2 and although it had been identified earlier, its association to breast cancer has just been found. We know that women with the PALB2 gene increases their risk of developing breast cancer by age 70 but we also have learned that those with the gene and a family history of breast cancer, increases the risk further.
So now what? Well, we we are aware of this gene it helps the woman to make better health decisions for themselves and also promotes better surveillance. This is not the first gene identification, as I am sure you have all been aware of BRCA1 and BRCA 2. This new gene identified further expands our knowledge decision making. Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of any medical institution. Making it a great day! S This is a major FYI for people in Pennsylvania. This is not a brand new program but something that needs to be out there for people to know.
The Department of Health's - Healthy Woman Program- Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCPT) works to reduce breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality through screening, referral and follow up. Eligibility guidelines: Age: the general age is 40-64 (unless a woman under age 40 is symptomatic or 65 or older and not covered by Medicare. Income: the woman's gross household income must be at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty annual guideline. To calculate 250%, (EXAMPLE)simply double the amount ($29,420) and then add half of $14,710 ($7350.00) which equals $36,775 or go to Federal poverty level at www.hhs.gov and enter poverty guidelines. Residency: The woman must provide proof of PA residency. Insurance Status: The woman must be uninsured or underinsured. Underinsured means that the woman has health insurance, but it does not cover breast or cervical screening offered by the Healthy Woman Program or she is financially unable to pay any required deductible or co-payment. Women enrolled in Medicare Part B, medicaid, r HMO's are not eligible for the Healthy Woman Program. This program will help women with breast or cervical cancer receive free treatment when they have no insurance or the plan they have is limited. The phone and site below can help you navigate through processing forms and helping women apply. If a woman qualifies she will receive free and full medical coverage and her eligibility can be retroactive up to three months prior to enrollment. OVER A HALF- MILLION WOMEN ARE WITHOUT ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE TO TREAT THEIR CANCER IN PA. You are not alone: 1-800-377-8828 www.PABREASTCANCER.org Breast Cancer Today: Individual Treatments, Shared Experiences When: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center 1101 Arch St Philadelphia, PA 19107 This conference is for you. At the Breast Cancer Today: Individual Treatments, Shared Experiences conference you will get the unique medical information you seek for specific types of breast cancer, while connecting with others who share the experience of coping with the disease. We understand the challenges you face as you seek information about breast cancer, which is why we’re offering tracks at this year’s conference. You can choose to follow a track or attend individual sessions based on your concerns. Three tracks to choose from:
This is an awesome experience as I have attended and I would encourage any of you to attend an |
AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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