Defining "New Normal"

This week we're sharing a piece written by one of Hope Cancer Resources' Oncology Social Workers, Lisa Manzini-Pace, LCSW.

The term "New Normal" has a special connotation for people undergoing treatment and/or survivors of cancer.  Without their consent, they have been inducted into an intense and often baffling treatment regimen, one that changes their daily routines, expectations, interactions with others and ability to predict how they will fare during and after prescribed treatments.  This is a daunting trajectory and one best faced in small doses.

As human beings we seek to predict, quantify and control.  These instincts, while often previously successful, can be impediments to smoothly navigating the cancer treatment labyrinth.  Oncologists, who the patient seeks to trust implicitly, are often the first to admit that treatment involves commonalities but that each individual tends to respond in a somewhat unique manner.  The truth is that none of us working with cancer treatment have a crystal ball.  That said, here are a few observations noted by this writer courtesy of cancer patient wisdom and research.

Undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation will test one’s metal.  Chemo induces various side effects but the overwhelming one mentioned is fatigue.  And a close second is chemo brain.  The former is a bone weary fatigue and the latter is a passing state of impaired memory and clarity.  It is essential that one lower his/her triathlon or quiz show expectations during these phases.  There will be good days and not-so-good days.  Learning to be gentle with oneself is as crucial as any pill one may swallow.  It is an art to be cultivated along with a stalwart sense of humor. 

One’s entire arsenal of healthy coping is there to be used.  This may include but is not limited to eating well, exercise (physical, mental and spiritual), common sense, resourcefulness, courage, compassion (self first!), joyfulness, intelligence, mirth, humility, faith, hope and love.  These are the aspects of you—unlike cells—that cancer cannot touch.  Use them in large doses.

Priorities will change.  Things that once seemed important are relegated to the back seat of the caboose.  To quote Arthur Golden in Memoirs of a Geisha, “Adversity is a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.”  Most  patients say that such experiences were the awakening of new strength and understanding.

Avoid the naysayers.  Cancer, rather like pregnancy, invites unsolicited confidences from others.  Some will be little gems to be treasured while other “stories” will be about fear, pain and darkness.  You get to choose who you will listen to and who you will wish well and send on their merry way.

This disease touches everyone in contact with it:  patient, family, friends, co-workers, medical staff, clergy, etc.  For most of us this process is humbling and awe-inspiring.  We strive to take something substantive from it, many of us again and again.  There is one certainty - It will change us.  Let your new normal reflect your hope and courage as we begin this 2012.

Another year...

Anticipating the end of the calendar year tends to make people look back and count their blessings. Some are thankful to be moving forward into another year riding high on their successes. Others may be grateful to be leaving a tough year behind and getting a fresh start. For us here at Hope Cancer Resources we hope that we have given some relief to our patients, helped them get a little bit further down the road to recovery, and - as our tagline states - provided "support for the journey, education for life."

After the holidays we will give a final update of the statistics for 2010, but here's a quick sneak peek at last month's numbers:

In November 2010...

We provided transportation to medical-related appointments totaling 13,551 miles for cancer patients in Northwest Arkansas;

We distributed $16,081.38 in emergency assistance to patients in need of help paying rent/mortgage, utility bills, and transportation costs because of their medical treatment expenses;

We processed 33 new patient applications for emotional and/or financial assistance;

We provided just over a week's worth of interpretation assistance for Spanish-speaking patients.

Our staff works hard every day to fulfill our mission of providing compassionate, professional cancer support and education to Northwest Arkansas today and tomorrow. We do it because it's our passion, but we will be thrilled to see the day come when our services are no longer needed because cancer has gone the way of the plague.

Until then, notes like these from patients and their families remind us how vital our work is to our communities:

"I just wanted to say thank you to Hope Cancer Resources for all the help I've been given during my time of need. This has been the most difficult and scariest time of my life and I'm truly touched and overwhelmed by the support I've received."

"Just a card to let you know how much I appreciated your help with my prescription medicines for my chemo treatments."   

"You have been so kind and helpful. Thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do for the afflicted with such an insidious disease."

"Thank you so much for the help you gave me last month. I hope I don't have to come to you again, but it sure is good to know there is HOPE!!"

"We wanted to thank you so much for helping with our vehicle payment and the gas card you helped us with to get our daughter back to Arkansas Children's Hospital."

"I wanted to thank you for all the help over the weeks with gas cards. I live an hour away from Highlands Oncology and the gas cost quickly added up. It was a tremendous blessing and one major area not to have to worry over."

"If not for your financial assistance I, more than likely, would not have been able to receive the treatment I needed. Your help is so very much appreciated."

"Thank you again for your caring and understanding during our time of stress and confusion. Without your caring we would have had a much harder time."

"Thank you to all the staff at Hope Cancer Resources for your help and support during this time. I so appreciate the financial assistance, your ease of accessibility, and the compassionate manner in which you offer your services."

If you would like to know more about our services, volunteer opportunties, or how to support us with a donation, please visit our website or contact us at 479-361-5847.