Don’t Be a Discouraged Caregiver to a Loved One With Cancer
June 2, 2010
It isn’t whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up. ~ Vince Lombardi
~ Susan Says: When you have a rough day caring for your loved one with cancer, or think you maybe could have handled something differently, don’t be discouraged. You are going through a new experience. It isn’t always clear what to do. Don’t be hard on yourself.
No one is perfect. Take a cleansing breath and move on and try again. Your loved one will probably understand. If he or she doesn’t seem to understand, simply explain how you feel and that this is new for you. More than likely, your loved one will understand.
The important thing, as Vince Lombardi said, is to get back up and move on. You have bigger things to be concerned about, right? If you are feeling bad, remember, you are learning from this experience. And learning is a good thing!
Remembering a Cancer Victim’s Birthday and Memorial Day
May 30, 2010
Birthdays come and birthdays go, but when it’s your Mom’s birthday, you just have to pay tribute. Today is my Mom’s birthday.
The date of Mom’s Birthday is easy because it originally was on Memorial Day. In 1971 the official designated date to celebrate Memorial Day was changed to the last Monday in May. For the US, Memorial Day is a time to remember or “Memorialize” those who gave the ultimate sacrifice–their life–while protecting and preserving our country and the freedom we enjoy. It is a debt Americans cannot repay to those we honor, but a respect that we humbly give to those who so generously gave their all.
It seemed only fitting that my Mom’s Birthday was around Memorial Day. [Read more]
A Tribute to Nurses: May 6 - 12 is National Nurse’s Week
May 9, 2010
Not long ago, we celebrated Doctor’s Day. We are now in the midst of celebrating National Nurse’s Week. Why do we celebrate Nurse’s Week? Over a period of over 20 years several attempts were made to establish a Nurse’s Day. Finally, in 1974, President Nixon issued a proclamation with a week designated as National Nurse Week. We now celebrate this week ending on May 12th, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. She was the founder of modern nursing. [Read more]
May Day Musings
May 1, 2010
Happy May Day!
The first of May always makes me think of my Mother. Every year on May Day, she would recall her childhood days. On May Day, their neighborhood would leave May Baskets on doorsteps for each other, then ring the doorbell and hide. It was a fond memory. Although we never did May Baskets, I always looked forward to hearing her tell the story every spring.
Although the celebration of May Day may have fallen by the wayside, there is much to celebrate as we enter the month of May. We see the grass greening up nicely while tree buds swell and burst open with new [Read more]
April is Cancer Control Month–What are You Doing About It?
April 17, 2010
The National Cancer Society has named April as Cancer Control Month. Heart disease is the only cause of death beating out cancer in the US. There are so many kinds of cancer and so much to be known about for each one.
If you are a caregiver to a loved one with cancer, you know how devastating this disease can be. As you care for your loved one, you will want to remember to take care of yourself, as well. This means eating right, exercising, getting enough rest and in general, trying to stay healthy. It also means you should get your annual physical exam at the Doctor’s office. In between those annual exams, you still will want to stay alert to any signals that your body may have something going on which needs investigating.
Do you know the seven warning signs of cancer? If you experience any of these, you should get checked out by your Doctor:
- Any unusual bleeding
- A lump or thickening in the breast or any place
- A sore that doesn’t seem to heal
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Persistent cough or hoarseness
- Problems swallowing or chronic indigestion
- Change in size or color of a wart or mole
Don’t ignore any of the symptoms. It may not be cancer, but you need to know for sure. As a Cancer Caregiver, you must value your own health and not take it for granted. You’ll be glad you did!
Inspiration for Caregivers
April 3, 2010
What’s the route to success when you are giving care to a loved one with cancer?
“To succeed…you need to find something to hold onto, something to motivate you, something to inspire you. ” ~ Tony Dorsett
Susan’s Thoughts
Something to hold onto: Hope! Hope for better days ahead. Hope for a closer relationship with your loved one. Hope for relief for your loved one’s fears and anxieties about the cancer. Hope for your loved one with cancer to have a good response to treatment.
Something to motivate you: You will help set the tone for your loved one’s mindset. You need to take care of yourself so you will be there to care for them. You can’t control your loved one’s disease, but you can control your reaction to it.
Something to inspire you: You are a special person! You are giving a precious gift to your loved one with cancer. You will become a better person for the experience. You will grow in stature and in strength. You do not have to be alone in this journey. The Sanctuary For Cancer Caregivers cares for you and your loved one. You really are a special person!
Doctor’s Day on 30 March
March 30, 2010
Did you know that 30 March is Doctor’s Day? It is only fitting that we have a day to honor those who act as the primary physician for our loved one’s with cancer. Your loved one’s Doctor, the one who:
- Answers all your loved one’s tough questions
- Answers all your tough questions
- Determines the course of treatment
- Determines the prognosis
- Heads up your loved one’s medical team
- Takes the brunt of strong emotions from cancer patients and their families
So, what are we doing at the Sanctuary to celebrate and honor Doctors on their special day? We are running a sale from 30 Mar 2010 - 3 April 2010 on the following:
51 Secrets Every Cancer Caregiver Needs to Know Now - Regularly $12.95, NOW $9.95
Embracing the Cancer Caregiver Mindset (with the Caring Action Mindset Plan) - Regularly $19.95, NOW $14.95
You’d better grab them quickly. They won’t last long at these prices. Get your copies now while you give tribute to Doctors everywhere. Click either of the links above to learn more.
Meditation for Cancer Caregivers as a Coping - Tool & Stress-Reliever
March 30, 2010
World Cancer Day, 4 Feb 2010
February 1, 2010
“Cancer can be prevented too.” That’s the campaign tagline for the World Cancer Campaign. The focus is on the link between infections and cancer. The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is taking a lead in this campaign.
The new trend is awareness of the link between infections and cancer. Vaccines are one consideration to help with the fight. Care for an interesting read on this topic? I thought so!
http://www.worldcancercampaign.org/
Learn all you can about this important topic!
Cancer Caregivers at a Distance: 5 Proactive Tips
January 25, 2010
Here’s more tips for those who give care from a distance! Ezine Articles has just published my latest article on Cancer Caregiving. If you help care for a loved one from a distance, you know how challenging it can be. If you are just getting started, these tips will help you plan ahead and maybe save some stress too! Check it out!
Read “Cancer Caregivers at a Distance: 5 Proactive Tips” at: http://bit.ly/6yn75p
