On the Other Side of Sick: The Journey of a Cancer Survivor/Thriver

April 6, 2011

This week (April 3-9) is Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week and we’ve invited guest blogger Michelle Malavet to share her thoughts  on Copelink. Michelle, who is a writer and visual artist in New York City, came to CancerCare for support after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.

Michelle has just published her first book, Cancerland and The Other Side of Sick, a quick and inspiring read about the journey from “diagnosis to empowerment.” Michelle has donated copies of the book for free distribution to CancerCare clients as a way of giving back for the help she received from our specialized services for young adults.

Read Michelle’s post below, and check out her book at www.othersideofsick.org. 

Want to be a guest blogger on Copelink? Please email jbarnett@cancercare.org.

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My Little Red Dictionary

by Michelle Malavet

Living on The Other Side of Sick, my life is full of wonderment. I carry a little red dictionary most everywhere I go. I love words, especially words that rhyme, like “ignite” and “light,”  or “cancer” and “answer.”

Whenever I have a question in my life, my pocket-sized companion offers clarity and distinction. It has provided answers to many questions along my cancer survivor/thriver journey, including, “Why me? Why did I get cancer?”

My little red dictionary defines these words as:

why, adv. for what cause.

me, pron. objective case of I.

get, v., acquire; capture; achieve power over.

cancer, n. potentially unlimited growth that expands.

So whenever you ask, “Why me? Why did I get cancer?” consider that you are actually asking:

“For what cause am I? For what cause did I acquire potentially unlimited growth that expands?” 

These are very powerful questions.

Continually answering them has helped me express who I am as a cancer survivor/thriver. One can say that these questions are my journey.

Everyday, I am on a mission to inspire anyone living with cancer to fully express themselves. That is my “why.” That is my cause.

Today I woke up wondering, “What is a miracle?” What to know the definition in my little red dictionary? Please write to me, and share what you discover: mm@othersideofsick.org.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Survivorship Education Series Begins April 12

March 24, 2011

Chemobrain: The Impact of Cancer Treatments on Memory, Thinking and Attention is the topic of the first of a free, four-part Connect Education Workshop series on post-treatment survivorship beginning Tuesday, April 12, from  1:30 – 2:30 pm Eastern time.

The series, now in its ninth year, features cancer experts from around the country in a live one-hour conference that can be listened to over the telephone or via live stream from CancerCare‘s website.

The workshops are collaboration of CancerCare and the National Cancer Institute: Office of Cancer Survivorship and Office of Communications and Education, LIVESTRONG, American Cancer Society, Intercultural Cancer Council, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

The Apr. 12 workshop features:

  • Lillian M. Nail, PhD, RN, FAAN, Survivor Perspective, Rawlinson Distinguished Professor of Nursing, Senior Scientist, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University
  • Tim A. Ahles, PhD, Member, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Director, Neurocognitive Research Laboratory, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Patricia A. Ganz, MD, Professor, UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center 

The following three workshops will address topics such as weight changes after treatment, stress management for caregivers, and living with uncertainty about recurrence.

Pre-registration for these free workshops is required.  To register, and to learn more, visit www.cancercare.org/connect.

CancerCare offers specialized services for post-treatment survivors and their loved ones, including support groups, counseling, and free publications. Learn more.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Number of Cancer Survivors Has Increased by 20%, According to Study

March 11, 2011

An article in today’s edition of The New York Times addresses a new study showing a 20% rise in the number of cancer survivors.  The study’s results show that approximately 65 percent of cancer survivors have lived at least five years since receiving their diagnosis, 40 percent have lived 10 years or more, and nearly 10 percent have lived 25 years or longer.

Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control, noted that these results contradict notions of cancer as an immediate, terminal disease. “For many people with cancer there’s a need for them and their families to realize that this is a stage,” he says. “They can live a long and healthy life.”

One aspect of cancer survivorship that the article does not address, however, is the emotional and financial impact a diagnosis has on survivors. CancerCare has responded to the need for this support by providing free counseling, support groups, and financial help for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Read the article.

CancerCare’s booklet, “After Treatment Ends: Tools for the Adult Cancer Survivor” provides tips on living with and beyond cancer.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Did CancerCare Help you? Post Your Thoughts on CharityNavigator.org

March 8, 2011

Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, recently teamed with GreatNonProfits to launch the “Reviews” tab on their website, which allows anyone to post reviews of their experience with a nonprofit organization.

Here are some examples of what people are writing about CancerCare’s free professional services:

My counselor Kathy helped me to learn what I thought was impossible, how to live again.

To say that I am grateful for all that CancerCare has done for me does not begin to convey my feelings. It is a place of warmth, with a caring, dedicated staff that put their hearts into everything they do. The work that they do so well makes a difference in so many lives.

Cancer can destroy your spirit but a place like CancerCare gives you the hope and faith you need to survive.

Please visit our page on CharityNavigator’s website to post a review of your own.

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2 Comments | Advocacy, Coping with Cancer, Support CancerCare, Survivorship | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Returning to Work after Cancer: Helpful Tips

February 18, 2011

A recent article in Coping with Cancer magazine by CancerCare’s Director of Education and Training, Carolyn Messner, DSW, explores ways people affected by cancer can cope with returning to work after treatment.

Studies show that returning to work may contribute to cancer survivors’ emotional, social, and financial well-being, as it serves as a reminder of life outside of cancer and treatment. Planning your return will help you feel more prepared about your transition back to the workplace.

A few of the tips provided in Messner’s article (co-authored by Jessica Puma) include:

  • Talk to your healthcare team about returning to work, discussing the specific type of work you do, your workload, and your work hours.
  •  Learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, state laws, and human rights law.
  •  Rehearse what you plan to say to colleagues when asked how you are feeling. Brief, accurate information is likely to make them more comfortable and help dispel myths about cancer.

Read the full article for more tips.

Messner answered questions related to cancer in the workplace in a past “Ask CancerCare” feature. Visit “Ask CancerCare” to learn more about this topic.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Year in Review: The Most Promising Treatment Advances of 2010

January 3, 2011

CancerCare’s newest Connect® Booklet, Your Guide to the Latest Cancer Research and Treatments, highlights the year’s most exciting treatment updates on a number of different cancers. The information was presented by leading experts at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Some of the year’s most promising findings included:

Melanoma: For the first time ever, a new drug extended the lives of people whose melanoma no longer responds to other treatments and has spread beyond the skin to other parts of the body. (Learn more about CancerCare‘s free support services for people affected by melanoma).

Lung Cancer: Researchers reported that older patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer can be safely and effectively treated with more aggressive chemotherapy. Researchers also reported that supportive care not only improves the quality of life for people with metastatic lung cancer, but also extends their lives. (Visit www.lungcancer.org to learn about CancerCare‘s free resources for people diagnosed with lung cancer and their loved ones).

Blood and Lymph Cancers: For the first time, drugs such as lenalidomide (Revlimid) can be used not only to treat newly diagnosed or relapsed myeloma, but also as therapies to keep myeloma from coming back after successful first-time treatment. (CancerCare provides individual transportation grants to people with multiple myeloma through our “Door to Door” program, along with a wide range of additional free support services).

Head and Neck Cancer: Researchers discovered that testing a patient’s human papillomavirus (HPV) status helps doctors craft more effective treatments for the patient. (CancerCare helps people affected by head and neck cancer and their loved ones through free support services including counseling, support groups, education, financial assistance, and referrals to other resources).

Read the entire booklet online, or order free copies from our website.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Caregiver Keeps Running for CancerCare

November 18, 2010

November is National Family Caregivers Month, which honors dedicated caregivers like our friend, Michelle Feingold.

Michelle has served as caregiver to her parents, both cancer survivors, for the past 11 years. Along with providing physical and practical support, Michelle also supported her parents emotionally after the loss of her uncle from pancreatic cancer. Both Michelle and her mother received free counseling from CancerCare. 

Michelle, an avid runner, recently ran in the New York City Marathon in the guise of superhero CaptainCare, and is slated in run in two more upcoming races. So far, she has raised more than $2,000 in support of our free services. Visit Michelle’s blog for updates on her progress.

Make a donation on Michelle’s Team CancerCare donation page to help her reach her goal of $5,000. You can also add the name of a loved one you’d like Michelle to run for, or post a supportive message.

CancerCare offers a number of free support services for caregivers including individual counseling and support groups. We encourage you to browse our reading room and read about caregiving topics such as:

  • How to care for a person who is coping with cancer
  • Tips for coping and caregiving during holidays and special occasions
  • What you can say to a newly diagnosed loved one
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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

Breast Cancer Survivors Share Their Stories in New Online Video

November 12, 2010

The All4One Alliance, a partnership of four nonprofits including CancerCare, has launched a new video of breast cancer survivors sharing their stories. The alliance’s partner organizations and supporters provide underserved women recovering from breast cancer with access to free breast prostheses and bras, along with professional support and information.

Watch the video.

Support the All4One Alliance by purchasing the 2011 Show Us Your BRA!tm Calendar featuring original “bra-art” designed by celebrities like India.Arie and Emme. All proceeds from sales of the calendar support women recovering from breast cancer.

Visit www.all4onealliance.org to learn more and to purchase a calendar.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

New Survey Seeks Patients’ Insights About Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer

July 20, 2010

Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) and the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (MBCN) have partnered with Genentech to conduct a 10-question survey to better understand how people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer identify with and feel about living with the illness.

Genentech will donate $5 for each survey completed to programs and services designed specifically for metastatic breast cancer patients.  Survey results will be used to produce video and media materials that will be distributed on Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day (October 13).

The survey is open and available online until August 31. Please visit facesofmbc.org or text MBC to 74471 to share your story.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

SAMFund Offers Financial Grants for Young Adult Cancer Survivors; Apply by July 12

July 8, 2010

The SAMFund, a unique nonprofit organization that helps young adult cancer survivors transition into post-treatment life, is offering financial assistance to qualified applicants.  To date, more than 250 individuals across the country have received SAMFund grants and scholarships.

Recipients are awarded an average of $2,000 in grants and scholarships that help cover costs such as medical and living expenses, certain types of tuition, and family-building expenses.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 17-35 years old, and have completed active treatment. The application deadline is Monday, July 12.

To apply for a 2010 SAMFund grant, visit www.thesamfund.org. 

CancerCare offers specialized, free services for young adult patients, caregivers, loved ones, and survivors including counseling, financial assistance, support groups, and publications.

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Posted by Kyle Hornyak

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