A diagnosis of cancer can create a great deal of disruption in your life. You may experience multiple stressors, such as interruption of life tasks and goals, treatment side effects, financial difficulties, work- and family-related disruptions, changes in social networks, and uncertainty about the future. It is estimated that approximately one-third to one-half of all people diagnosed with cancer experience high levels of distress during their illness, and some may develop depression and anxiety disorders. Early identification of depression and anxiety is important so that you may receive timely treatment and minimize the potential long-term complications.
If you experience significant emotional or physical distress that does not improve over time, you may benefit from psychosocial intervention. Counseling provides a safe environment for you and your family to express your feelings without being judged or feeling as though you’re burdening others with your problems. You can attend therapy sessions on a regular basis or as needed. Many cancer survivors benefit from just a few visits, during which they can express their fears, concerns, and negative emotions and review adaptive coping techniques.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Re-Learning Life After Trauma
It's the approach we take when handling trauma in our life that can make all the difference.
BY Dana Stewart
PUBLISHED December 29, 2018
Dana Stewart was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 at the age of 32. She is the co-founder of a cancer survivorship organization called The Dragonfly Angel Society. She volunteers as an advocate and mentor, focusing on young adults surviving cancer. She enjoys writing about life as a cancer survivor, as well as connecting survivors to the resources, inspirations and stories that have helped her continue to live her best life, available at www.dragonflyangelsociety.com.
Life after trauma is one of the toughest things to work through. There is no instruction book to help you get back on track. Everyone wants you to be who you were before the trauma struck, but that person you were took a lunch and never came back. It can be upsetting, frustrating, sad and maybe, just maybe, even a little bit joyous because you get the chance to get your life on a track that works best for you.
I'll start with how I handled my life trauma. I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 32 years old. There are no bigger shocks in my life than when the doctor called to tell me the news. I was all smiles when I answered the phone because this was me after all, so I know I didn't have cancer. Surprise! This is trauma calling to tell you that your life is thrown completely up-side-down. Good luck getting any resemblance of it back – like ever. I felt like I was standing on a teeny island in the middle of the ocean with nothing to grab hold of.
Friday, December 28, 2018
Try Suffed Cabbage Soup on New Year's Day
ANNUAL Repeat: What We Eat in New Orleans on New Year's Day
Stuffed Cabbage Soup
Ingredients
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1/2 lb. ground round
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1 tsp. olive oil
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1-1/2 cups sliced onion
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3 garlic cloves, crushed
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2 cups shredded cabbage
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28-oz. can petite diced tomatoes, low sodium
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14-oz. can low-sodium beef broth
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3 cups water
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2 tbsp. parsley
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3 cups cooked brown rice or other grain, such as barley or millet
Directions
Brown meat in soup pot. Drain fat if necessary. Add olive oil, then onions and garlic and sauté briefly. Add shredded cabbage and continue stirring. Add tomatoes, beef broth, and water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and let cook for about 10 minutes on simmer. Sprinkle in parsley.
To serve, put half a cup of cooked brown rice or other grain of your choice (barley, millet, quinoa) into a large bowl. Ladle stuffed cabbage soup over grain. Serve.
Makes 6 servings
Each serving contains about 232 calories, 6 g fat (2 g saturated fat, no trans fat, 22 mg cholesterol), 369 mg sodium, 34 g carbohydrate, 4 g dietary fiber, 7 g sugars, and 12 g protein.
Check http://touro.staywellsolutionsonline.com/Search/30,23979?fbclid=IwAR2ScZ3bzlLuubyfRNI0ZhTxSW4UNmehRwsbqWxhAYvsupuDR5nC4LSvfws for more healthy recipes for the New Year
Living This Year to the Fullest
A male breast cancer survivor discovers a challenge even bigger than his disease.
PUBLISHED December 28, 2018
Khevin Barnes is a Male Breast Cancer survivor, magician and speaker. He is currently writing, composing and producing a comedy stage musical about Male Breast Cancer Awareness. He travels wherever he is invited to speak to (and do a little magic for) men and women about breast cancer. www.BreastCancerSpeaker.com www.MaleBreastCancerSurvivor.com
I can imagine that it's Jan. 1, 2019 and I'm standing in front of my bathroom mirror. "Hey Survivor (I say out loud). Yes you, the one-breasted guy looking back at me in the mirror. Guess what? You, my friend, have 12 months to live"
I've talked to myself in this manner on numerous occasions since finding out I had breast cancer in 2014. But it's always been a sort paternal chat: a "pep talk" that I imagine many of us have had with ourselves from time to time. But this time, I see the conversation as a serious directive – a dour announcement that my time really is running out.
Maybe, like me, you have cancer or another life-threatening disease. Perhaps you've lost a loved one or your health. Maybe you've lost your hope, or your dream…or your way. Cancer often finds the means to attack us beyond just the cellular level. It unabashedly cuts a deep wound in our spirit, our drive and our vitality.
I've talked to myself in this manner on numerous occasions since finding out I had breast cancer in 2014. But it's always been a sort paternal chat: a "pep talk" that I imagine many of us have had with ourselves from time to time. But this time, I see the conversation as a serious directive – a dour announcement that my time really is running out.
Maybe, like me, you have cancer or another life-threatening disease. Perhaps you've lost a loved one or your health. Maybe you've lost your hope, or your dream…or your way. Cancer often finds the means to attack us beyond just the cellular level. It unabashedly cuts a deep wound in our spirit, our drive and our vitality.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Flexible Healing and Work-Life Balance
Could having a conversation with your employer about a flexible work schedule help with your work-life balance after a cancer diagnosis?
PUBLISHED December 27, 2018
Tamera Anderson-Hanna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addiction Professional, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and became a Registered Yoga Teacher while coping with breast cancer in 2015. She owns Wellness, Therapy, & Yoga in Florida where she provides personal wellness services and coaching and she is a public speaker on wellness-related topics. You can connect with her at www.wellnesstherapyyoga.com.
Could having a conversation with your employer about a flexible work schedule help with your work-life balance? An adjusted work schedule could include changing the time or day you begin working and might have multiple benefits for not only you, but also for your employer.
Prior to having cancer, I benefitted from having a flexible work schedule when my children were young, and I needed extra time to travel for summer or holiday childcare arrangements. For several years and as needed, I arranged to come to work 30 minutes late and stayed 30 minutes late as not to miss work, meet the demands of my essential core work hours and to avoid taking leave which might have delayed projects or deadlines I needed to complete. The arrangement was a win/win for myself and for my employer, as my work was done, and I was able to meet my work-life demands in a positive way.
Prior to having cancer, I benefitted from having a flexible work schedule when my children were young, and I needed extra time to travel for summer or holiday childcare arrangements. For several years and as needed, I arranged to come to work 30 minutes late and stayed 30 minutes late as not to miss work, meet the demands of my essential core work hours and to avoid taking leave which might have delayed projects or deadlines I needed to complete. The arrangement was a win/win for myself and for my employer, as my work was done, and I was able to meet my work-life demands in a positive way.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
The Dregonfly Angel Society December Newsletter
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Need someting to do today in NOLA? It's FREE admission Wednesday!
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