In Order To Be Prepared

I was sitting at the front desk of the office today when a woman entered the building.

"Hello. How can I help you?" I said in my cheeriest, welcoming voice.

She shared with me that she was having surgery for lung cancer in Seattle this coming Friday and was looking for a wig in case she lost her hair if she has chemotherapy treatment.

We went into Wellness House's wig & hat boutique. We found a couple that matched her hair color but she had a hard time getting them to fit right. It's hard to get a good idea about fit when you have all of your hair still, I explained to her. She got up to go when another wig caught her eye. It was more like her current hair style, although a different color, but she took it anyway. I also gave her a turban to wear should she start losing her hair, if she has chemo.

The woman spoke of getting things in order; taking time to make sure all her bills were paid up, that she had time to speak with her family. Finding a wig was part of her effort to be prepared for what lay ahead - because really, she had no idea of what was going to happen past surgery on Friday.

There are a lot of unknowns when a person is diagnosed with cancer. Life is completely turned upside down and halted, in some cases. Focus goes from the day to day living to simply focusing on living. There are feelings of fear, anger, confusion and feeling out of control of your body and your life.

There are a number of ways to take back some of those feelings of control.

1. Start a notebook. In this notebook include copies of paperwork, notes from conversations with your doctors (you will have several) and questions you have. Keep copies of articles you read or information you find to review with your medical team.


2. Keep a calendar. A place in the notebook may be devoted to a calendar. Use the calendar to schedule your medical appointments as well as your professional and personal appointments. As things progress you will use this calendar to plan appointments and treatments with your medical team that may give you the opportunity to adjust appointments as personal plans like birthdays, weddings and trips come along.


3. Write in a journal. This could be another section of your notebook that you may want to separate in two parts. In one part include a daily log of how you are feeling, especially following surgery or while taking chemotherapy or radiation. You will be told what possible side effects you need to watch for and this is a good way to track those. This also serves as a great communication tool when you go to an appointment and you are asked how you have been doing since your last appointment.


4. The other part of the journal is for you, personally. This is a place when you can get out or put down all the emotions you are having. Your journal is a safe spot where you can get angry, scream (yes, you can scream on paper), cry and expel all the pain you may be feeling. This is also a great place to write down accomplishments and milestones; things that you want to look back at some point and say "Wow. I did it."


5. Begin attending a support group or contact someone about a mentor. Even as early as initial diagnosis, connecting with other cancer survivors can improve your outlook toward surgery and treatment. Either format offers you the chance to ask questions and feel a bit more prepared as you move forward.

One woman I met asked a lot of questions of her doctors, her surgeon, everyone on her medical treatment team. She wanted to know everything they knew. It was her life and her body - she was going to have control anyway she could.

Another individual used visualization and meditation to prepare for and get through each segment of their cancer treatment. When they had a chemotherapy appointment scheduled they would begin visualizing the chemo turning into little soldiers as it entered their body, hunting down the cancer and destroying it.

There are many great guided meditation and imagery audio programs that you can listen to prior to surgery or treatment. Dr. Bernie Siegel has some of the best for preparedness.

Most importantly, listen to yourself. What feels right to you and helps you to feel calmer and more in control of the situation? Create that for yourself.

I guess the only other thing I would share with you is to not be afraid to share your thoughts, concerns and feelings with other people. If you are worried about how your family or friends might take what you have to say - call is at Wellness House. We are here to listen with compassion, confidentiality and understanding.

What is it that they say? Oh ya, "What's said in Wellness House, stays in Wellness House."

Blessings, Nan

What Support Do You Need As A Caregiver?

Ms. Rain was a kindergarten teacher. During the school year her days were busy with caring for 45-60 five year old boys and girls, eager to learn and share all their new discoveries.

After her eight - nine hour school day Ms. Rains would go home to be the caregiver for her mother and father. Her mother was dieing from cancer. Her father had complications from diabetes. Her father would care for her mother as best he could during the day, but when Ms. Rain got home and on weekends her second job became care giving for her ill parents.

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Janice was in her 50s when she met Daniel. He was a charming old cowboy that treated her like a lady. Eventually he asked her to marry him. They planned for many years together and eventually to grow old.

But before they could get married, Daniel was diagnosed with a recurrence of prostate cancer. In order to receive benefits at his current rate, Janice and Daniel could not get married. Then Daniel decided not to complete treatment. He didn't want to finish his last few days with Janice sick, thin and lifeless. Janice took leave from work to stay home and care for Daniel. Eventually hospice was ordered and hospice nurses would be coming to their home, to Janice's distress. Especially one day when their regular nurse did not show and a replacement was sent. Janice was not about to leave her house and her love alone with a complete stranger. She canceled all her appointments for that day after throwing the nurse out.

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For 54 years, Jim and Louise had spent their life together: building a home, raising a family and recently, taking trips south during the winter. It was on one of these trips that Louise became very sick; they needed to come home early. She saw her doctor and was diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer.

Jim had a difficult time caring for Louise at home. He had a farm to take care of, it was their livelihood. Jim was forced to put Louise into a nursing home. He visited her every day, either at lunch or dinner time to make sure she was eating something. He would stay and hold her hand or read to her. When he left he always felt guilty; that he wasn't doing the right thing for her. A week before she died, Jim brought her home and set her up on the couch where she was most comfortable.

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What do these three stories have in common? Besides being true (the names were changed for privacy), they reflect the reality caregivers, especially caregivers of family members, are faced with every day.

Isolation, exhaustion, frustration, fear, depression, guilt - these are just a few of the common feelings that caregivers have. Many times the care givers become ill during the time they are providing care or shortly after they are done serving as a care giver.

It is Wellness House's desire to not only provide support programs for the patient, but to provide support for the caregiver, family and friends, as well.

So we are asking you - the care giver - what do you need? What can we provide to you that will help you during your time of providing care for a loved one? What about after? What are your needs following the end of your time as a caregiver?

Please share your thoughts with us. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

I'm Just the Pass Through

Good evening. This is Nan.

Nan McCann, Executive Director of Wellness House.

Tonight I feel the need to take over the blog and share with you a story; something really moving that I had the honor of being a part of today.

I delivered a check to a very appreciative cancer survivor from total strangers.

The Story:

A couple of weeks ago, a board member approached me about a local fruit packing warehouse where the employees wanted to do something to benefit a cancer patient. They were planning to make & sell tamales with the proceeds to help a cancer patient who needed something like a refrigerator, snow tires, or something else significant and expensive. They didn't want the money to go to Wellness House (which I was fine with). They wanted to help one specific person.

It took me a few minutes to think of someone. There were a number of individuals I thought would benefit but I didn't know exactly what they might need.

Then I remembered "The One." She was perfect. She is a very young cancer survivor who is continuing to fight her cancer after multiple surgeries and treatments. She is unable to work, had come back to town for a visit, yet ended up staying and starting treatment again. She had recently called me looking for some possible legal help because of issues with her current relationship. She was overwhelmed by all aspects of her life.

She was "The One."

The board member was excited to have a name, and someone who would really appreciate and deserved the assistance.

She went back to the fruit packing warehouse. She was supposed to find out how much the tamales were. I wanted to buy some. She didn't get back to me.

I had pretty much forgotten all about it.

Today, the board member came by the office. We chit chatted and then I asked her "So, why are you here? How can we help you?"

She pulled out an envelope. In it a very impressive check made out to "The One." I asked her - "This is from tamale sales? You never called me so I could order some."

"I know, but when I called the warehouse Saturday, when they were making them, I was told they were completely sold out. They had hoped the check would be more though."

More? I have to wonder how many tamales they made and how much they cost. Both numbers had to be pretty impressive.

We were all excited to give "The One" her check, so I called her right away and asked her to come to the office; that I had a present for her.

She said she couldn't. She was having a really rough day and could hardly move. She didn't even want to get out of bed.

I had to get this to her. Now more then ever. I asked her if I could bring the present to her. She gave me her address and directions.

Off I went.

Needless to say she was shocked and thrilled. She could not believe complete strangers wanted to help someone like her. She was amazed at the generosity. It made her think back to a time when she had helped a complete stranger. Maybe it was karma.

Whatever it was - a sign or answer to a prayer - it gave her so much more then just the dollar amount. It gave her HOPE.

Hope that leads to strength and courage; to not give up when the pain is at a '10' and your world is falling apart. There is someone out there who cares. Cares for a stranger. Cares enough to make a heck of a lot of tamales.

"The One" now wants to go to the warehouse. She wants to personally thank the employees who gave her hope.

I get to drive her. Once again I will be the pass through.

The first time I delivered such a wonderful gift to someone who really needed it in so many ways.

The next time as the transportation of the appreciation.

I love our work.

- N.

Good Grief on Tuesdays

For at least the last 8 years Tuesdays at Wellness House have included the Bereavement Support group, held at noon every Tuesday that Wellness House is open.

The Bereavement Support Group began out of the need to support family members and friends who lose someone due to cancer or other life-challenging illnesses. Like many other programs of Wellness House, the group evolved to meet the needs of the community. The group is now available for anyone experiencing loss and going through the grieving process.

The attendees of the bereavement support group come in all ages, all backgrounds and walks of life. In addition, the group is co-ed. Men and women deal with loss and emotions differently, but the grieving process is the same regardless of who you are.

Recently a new facilitator took over the group. Pastor Swanson from Central Lutheran Church. Prior to Pastor Swanson, Reverend Doctor Ed Cummings from Terrace Heights Presbyterian had facilitated the group for almost its entire existence. The bereavement support group is non-denominational or bible focused in any way, in spite of its religious leadership. The truth is that these two gentlemen both have a skill and a heart for helping people at the end of their life and at the beginning of some one's life following a loss.

A number of the attendees have been coming to the group for some time now. The group is an open group - meaning you can attend or not attend when ever you feel like it. Over the years a small number of group attendees made a transition into a "mentor" type of role. They now attend to share their experiences and support those newly faced with loss and grief.

Coping, accepting, understanding, honoring, crying, laughter are all normal pieces of the grieving process and the Bereavement Support Group. Loss of a loved one can lead to loneliness and feelings of isolation. The group experience serves to lessen the impact of both of those feelings.

Just as death is a part of life, grieving is a part of death. If you would like more information about the Bereavement Support Group that Wellness House offers or you would like to access other resources Wellness House has on death and grieving, please contact Lin, our client advocate, at 509/575-6686 or lin@wellness-house.org.

All Are Welcome At Wellness House

It's Monday at Wellness House. The first Monday of the month of November. First Mondays are a bit quieter then others because there are not any groups scheduled for first Mondays. Not sure exactly why, but it just seems to work out that way.

In the office today were Nan, the Executive Director, and Margaret, the Development Director. Lin, the Client Advocate, was feeling a bit under the weather today so she did not come in. Our dependable Monday volunteers were here though, to answer the phones and greet clients and guests. Mary C. was here in the morning and Donna U. in the afternoon. Our daytime volunteers serve as the receptionists for Wellness House and are critical to the staff. Office volunteers enable Lin to meet uninterrupted with a client or help someone find a wig; they set up for groups so that Ceit can put returned books back in the library; they help Margaret stuffing envelopes for mailings and writing thank you notes; and they help Nan any way they can (because she really NEEDS a lot of help).

If you would be interested in becoming an office volunteer, just email Ceit at ceitllyn@wellness-house.org. She would be happy to get a volunteer application out to you and share with you other opportunities to get involved at Wellness House.

In addition to the regularly scheduled support groups this week (see list to the right), there will be a meeting Tuesday for some of the main folks involved with the 2008 Lunch Among Friends. Nancy Martin has stepped in to co-chair the event. Nancy has been involved with the luncheon numerous times over its 7 year history and will serve as a great lead for the volunteer committee. The 2008 Lunch Among Friends will be held Friday March 7th at the Yakima Convention Center. With 2008 the 20th Anniversary of Wellness House, the theme for Lunch Among Friends will be "Happy Birthday Wellness House!" It is going to be a lot of fun. As things progress you will be able to read all about it here and on our website - http://www.wellness-house.org/.

So, the great idea about this BLOG is the opportunity for Wellness House to receive questions and comments from you. Is there something you would really like to know about Wellness House? Do you need more information about a group at Wellness House? Are you looking to connect with someone who is surviving cancer or has information about the latest cancer issues? Just ask and we will respond.

Have a good week!