Gifts for the Cancer Patient

The countdown is on! December holidays are only weeks away, and the shopping frenzy has begun for most of us. Given that 1 in 2 American men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes it is not a stretch to assume that most of you have a friend or loved-one who is currently in treatment for cancer.

Before you start making your gift list, ask a few questions. Cancer patients can suffer from a number of strange and complex side-effects, depending on their diagnosis and treatment choices. Rather than try to cover all the possibilities for all the different types of cancer and treatments, we'll just suggest that you talk to your friend or loved-one's caregivers or family and in addition to asking about their favorite colors, you should ask the following questions:

Is the patient able to eat and swallow normally? A gift of fruit or baked goods would be a wonderful idea for many cancer patients, but those who are having trouble eating and swallowing because of radiation or surgery would probably not enjoy it as much as others. A good alternative would be gift certificates for a favorite frozen yogurt or ice cream shop. Not only are they easier to ingest, they also provide calories which many with eating challenges need in order to maintain their weight.

Is the patient experiencing any aversions to certain scents and smells? Some patients develop aversions to particular odors during treatment, making it hard to wear cologne and scented lotions or to have scented candles burning. Along the same lines, if you are thinking of making a meal or baking for the patient, it might be better to do so somewhere other than their own home.

How is the patient's cognitive ability? An assortment of books and puzzles are welcomed by many people who spend a lot of time in bed during an illness, but some cancer patients suffer from cognitive challenges due to radiation and even from chemotherapy treatments. These issues can turn things that were enjoyed before their treatment into new sources of frustration. CDs, iTunes gift cards or favorite movies on DVD may be a better choice.

For many cancer patients, what they really need is time and energy. The following ideas will provide one or the other - or both! - and certainly be meaningful for both of you. (Some even involve not making a purchase!)

Help them prepare for the holidays. Offer to help your friend address holiday cards, wrap gifts, run errands, or clean and prepare their home for holiday guests. Remember the hint we gave about odor-tolerance, and ask if there are certain cleaners that are better to use than others. Don't think you have to do it all yourself. You might be able to enlist your church's youth group or a local scout troop to help with some yard clean up, or to stop by and sing carols one evening.

Of course, some of us may have more money than time, so if you don't have the time to spend cleaning or running errands yourself, look for a local business that provides the services instead. Schedule a local company to come in and clean for your friend (maybe while you take them to a movie?) or order a holiday meal or some yummy desserts from a local caterer. Don't forget, little things can mean a lot: A drive through local neighborhoods to find holiday light displays could be a real treat for the patient who isn't able to get out in public often due to their treatments.

Provide a relaxing respite from their treatments. Studies have found that regular focus on relaxation techniques can be beneficial for cancer patients and survivors (and probably all of the rest of us!). Providing a gift certificate for a therapeutic massage, or some free Yoga classes might be exactly what your loved-one needs. Be sure to ask before you buy to see if the facility provides any classes specifically for people dealing with illness. If you live in Northwest Arkansas, there are massage therapists available to patients at Highlands Oncology Clinics in Fayetteville and Rogers.

Finally, if you are looking for a way to benefit many cancer patients this holiday season, consider making a memorial or honorarium gift. Memorials are a wonderful way to remember someone special while giving to others who need assistance during their time of need. Honorariums can be noted so that your loved-one receives a note stating that you gave a gift in their honor. More information on giving to Hope Cancer Resources is located on our website or by calling us at 479-361-5847.

Sometimes it's hard...

The stress of undergoing cancer treatment can often be magnified during the holidays, simply due to the additional stress that comes along with travel, hosting family/friends, and making all those lists. Even seemingly simple traditions such as putting up holiday decorations or baking cookies can cause a cancer patients to find themselves wrapped in sadness rather than joy.

Sometimes the difficulty in coping is born out of sheer exhaustion - cancer treatment saps even the most physically fit person of their strength on normal days, let alone days with added tasks on the to-do list. Other times, there is an emotional component to the stress. A brave face may be hiding some fear in many patients (and caregivers), so remembering holidays past and thinking about those to come can be overwhelming.

Whether you are dealing with cancer yourself, know someone who is, or recently lost someone special, these tips (edited from Mayo Clinic) may be helpful as you prepare for the coming weeks. If you are a friend of a family dealing with cancer this year, consider what you can do to help lighten their burden.

1. Acknowledge your feelings. For people affected by cancer, the holidays can be bittersweet. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. Don't try to force a false happiness just because it's the holiday season. This advice is valid for caregivers as well... both you and the patient should be able to express whatever you may be feeling, regardless of "appearances".
2. Reach out. If you are unable to spend time with loved-ones this season and are feeling lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Don't be afraid to reach out to friends. Many of them may want to help, but don't know what you need.
3. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As circumstances change, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. You may find that new experiences can take your mind off of those things you may be missing this year.
4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't seem to be respecting your needs or understanding your limitations. If you're a caregiver, practice compassion if your loved-one gets upset or distressed when something goes awry. Remind them that you've never expected perfection, and this year is no different. 
5. Plan ahead. Set aside specific blocks of time for shopping, baking, visiting or welcoming friends and other activities. Advance planning will help prevent overdoing things and help you spread out the activity, which will reduce stress and help keep you from becoming overly tired. Make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup (see #2).
6. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed, and for cancer patients, it can have detrimental effects on your health. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. Your well-being is more important than that annual holiday cookie-exchange. 
7. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. When you're planning your activities, be sure to include some down-time. Remember, this is one of the only times since nursery school that no-one will question the idea of naps in the middle of the day! Take a walk or sit out on the patio in the evening to enjoy the night sky. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
8. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for more than a few weeks, don't hesitate to share them with your physician or a mental health professional.

Hope Cancer Resources' social workers and counselors are here when you need them. Make a confidential appointment to talk about your challenges and concerns this holiday season by calling 479-361-5847.

Cancer of the Pancreas

We already shared information this month about the deadliest form of cancer that you may hear a lot about, Lung Cancer. But we're guessing you don't know much about the 4th leading cancer killer in the U.S., Pancreatic Cancer. An estimated 44,030 new cases of pancreatic cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, resulting in 37,660 deaths. That's a mortality rate of 86%. That number, coupled with the fact that incidence rate has been increasing every year since 1998, certainly make it a cancer worthy of some attention.

As with lung cancer, research has shown a strong connection between pancreatic cancer and tobacco use. In fact, it is the most important risk factor for this kind of cancer, with smokers being twice as likely to be diagnosed than individuals who have no history of smoking. A family history of pancreatic cancer and a personal history of pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity and alcohol consumption also contribute to an increased risk.

Other possible risk factors are currently being studied, including high-fat diets (especially animal fats) and heavy alcohol consumption. As with many forms of cancer, there are also studies being performed looking for a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Unfortunately, cancer of the pancreas does not exhibit many, if any, symptoms. In more advanced stages, the following symptoms are common for this disease:

• Dark urine, pale stools, and yellow skin and eyes (known as jaundice);
• Pain in the upper part of your belly;
• Pain in the middle part of your back that doesn't go away when you shift your position;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Stools that float in the toilet.

Also, very advanced pancreatic cancer may cause these general symptoms:

• Weakness or exhaustion;
• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly;
• Unexpected weight loss when not trying.

Get Involved!

On November 20th, the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan.org) will be hosting a Purple Light Vigil for Hope to shed some light on the need for increased awareness, prevention practices, and funding for research for this disease. Dana Quinn, the NW Arkansas Community Representative for PanCan joins organizers all over the world who are bringing people together on November 20th to tell their stories and join the fight. Dana recently shared her own story with Celebrate Arkansas Magazine. You can see it here. For more information, and to register for the event, visit the website.

From the PanCan website: "Purple Light Vigil for Hope is a time to honor loved ones fighting pancreatic cancer and for those who have lost the fight. This is a wonderful opportunity for family and friends of those touched by pancreatic cancer to come together to gain both comfort and encouragement."

National Family Caregiver Month

 We all know a caregiver. Parents, grandparents, spouses, children, neighbors and friends are all caregivers for someone. At some point in our lives you may have been called into service to assist someone who needed additional help to get through a difficult time. The following definition makes it pretty clear that any of us, at any time, can be given the title.

care·giv·er  (kârgvr)

n.

1. An individual, such as a physician, nurse, or social worker, who assists in the identification, prevention, or treatment of an illness or disability.

2. An individual, such as a parent, foster parent, or head of a household, who attends to the needs of a child or dependent adult.

For the approximately 1,600,000 individuals expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2011, there are immediately that many caregivers - in some cases, more, as families and friends divvy up the needs of the patient. Caregiving for a loved-one who is suffering from illness is often a job that is taken on out of necessity. The caregiver not only takes on many of the same stresses that the patient is enduring, but they also have separate responsibilities of their own that must be managed simultaneously. For many, the stress of caregiving can be overwhelming.

Although the cancer patient is the main focus of most oncologists and their staff, it is becoming more and more common to see materials and listings for support groups specifically designed with caregivers in mind available in clinics. With the needs of caregivers in mind, the National Family Caregivers Association began promoting the celebration of family caregivers during the week of Thanksgiving in 1994. As interest grew in family caregiving issues, the annual week of awareness turned into a month-long celebration. That first week of recognition in 1994 was declared by then-President Bill Clinton, and every President since has reinforced the importance of this kind of support and recognition for family caregivers.

This month, to coincide with National Family Caregiver Month, Hope Cancer Resources is hosting a mini-symposium especially for cancer caregivers. Emphasis will be placed on the special challenges associated with the upcoming holiday season. If you are currently acting as a caregiver for a cancer patient, we hope you will consider joining us for this informative program. Please find us on Facebook and RSVP to the event, and feel free to share it with others who may be needing this kind of support.