What to Expect with a Cancer Diagnosis
From Karen Whitehead, MS, LCSW, CCH and TurningPoint’s support group facilitator: People often ask if their feelings are normal. There seems to be some general assumption that there is a prescribed reaction that you “should” have when faced with the life-altering diagnosis of cancer. Given the range of human emotions and personal experiences, any number of thoughts and feelings can and do bubble up – some just under the surface and some like a geyser, and others becoming a fluid wave between the two. There are some common themes with people who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer or other cancers… Read more.
I Wish I Had Known: A Message from Dana Barrett
Dear TurningPoint Community – Some of you may know me as the emcee of The Pink Affair, and maybe you’ve heard me say a word or two about my own breast cancer battle at the mic on those inspiring and important evenings. But while it is an honor to be a part of the TurningPoint community now, when I went through cancer, I did it largely by myself. I was diagnosed at age 45 after a routine mammogram, and at that point in my life I was a single empty-nester with no family in Atlanta. My best friend and my boyfriend at the time were there for me, and helped shuttle me to and from my surgery, and my family was certainly emotionally supportive from afar, but in many ways I felt alone when it came to understanding my disease and making decisions about treatment. My doctors were fantastic, and I felt like I was in good hands, but I’m sure there were questions that went unasked and options for healing and support that I missed altogether. I say I’m sure about that because TurningPoint existed when I was going through cancer and I didn’t know about it. Perhaps there was a brochure for TurningPoint amongst all the other papers I brought home, perhaps not, but either way, I missed out on a healing place and a community of support. Years later, a TurningPoint board member saw me emceeing a non-profit event and asked if I would be open to emceeing The Pink Affair. As a breast cancer survivor, I was immediately interested, but didn’t want to get onstage without knowing more. Shortly after our initial conversation I was introduced to TP founder Jill Binkley and went to see the facility and meet some of the staff. Hearing Jill’s story, I knew the place would be special. I wasn’t disappointed. From the moment I walked in, I could feel that I was in a place of understanding. Maybe that sounds corny, but from the way the place is decorated to the people at the front desk, to the PTs, counselors and therapists, everyone gets it. It’s like you’re walking into a place where you don’t have to explain yourself. As Jill toured me around, I asked her some questions about my own experience and about my on-going fears, and she understood and had answers. And then I was lucky enough to experience a TurningPoint massage. I think at that point I was only about 3 years past my surgery, so I still had some tenderness, and some range of motion issues with my right arm. My massage therapist spent time talking to me about all of that before we even got started, and then made sure to customize my position on the table and the massage itself to my body and my trouble spots. That’s when I truly knew what I had missed out on. Her compassion, intuition, and of course skill made me almost want to cry, because I was finally in a place that got it. It was not a place full of pity or empty words of encouragement… it was real. Klonopin (Clonazepam) deserves attention because it is effective in treating such a nuisance as neurosis/panic attacks/panic (anxiety) disorder. It should be prescribed, of course, by a competent doctor, because self-treatment is unacceptable unambiguously. I consider myself competent to tell only about what I got convinced in personally by my own experience at https://holisticdental.org/klonopin-for-anxiety/, namely: if the dose chosen by the doctor is correct and accurate and if it is combined with compatible drugs, then this is the most effective remedy. It will produce the desired result! Since then I have done what I could to get the word out. I’ve emceed The Pink Affair for the last 3 years and had Jill, Rebecca and several others from the organization on my radio show multiple times. I’ve also donated a portion of the proceeds from my quarterly women’s networking events to TurningPoint and mentioned the organization to virtual strangers who probably thought I was getting too personal. Of course, we all hope for the day when breast cancer is no more. But until then it is my sincere wish that everyone who goes through breast cancer has access to TurningPoint. That means awareness here in Atlanta, and it means funding so that TurningPoint can grow in our city and beyond. So please join me this month and spread the word! Let’s make sure TurningPoint is known and grown! Much love and appreciation, Dana BarrettTurningPoint Spokesperson& Host of The Dana Barret Show on Talk Radio 640 WGST
Evidence Update: Benefits of Physical Activity
To be physically active or not to be physically active? For the cancer patient or survivor this can be a recurring question. The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests that adults receive 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week. But what can the cancer patient or survivor expect from engaging in moderate to vigorous activity? Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund published research on the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors and those currently in treatment. Through their studies they determined that exercising during or after treatment can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and increase bone mineral density. They also determined that those who were currently receiving treatment experienced fewer side effects from treatment, less nausea and improved quality of sleep. Since engaging in physical activity has been shown to boost the immune system, those individuals who are exercising regularly lower their risk of cancer recurrence. The effects of exercise do not stop at physical benefits. According to the same research by Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund those who choose to exercise can also receive mental and emotional benefits. During their research they discovered those who exercise during and after treatment reported improved emotional well-being, increased quality of life, less anxiety and improved memory. You may be asking, what does the research say about survival after diagnosis? In 2005, a study titled Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer Diagnosis was published by the American Medical Association. During the study, researchers observed 2987 female breast cancer survivors between the years of 1984 until 2002. From their findings the researchers suggest that physical activity after breast cancer diagnosis may reduce the risk of death from the disease. During their study it was found that the greatest benefit was seen in women who performed 3 to 5 hours of walking per week at an average pace. As you can see the benefits of exercise are endless. If you wish to know more about exercise, specifically Walking, join TurningPoint on June 19th at Abernathy Greenway for a walk and learn style class. Online guidelines. (2012). Nutrition and physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors. CA Cancer J Clin, 62:242-274. Holmes, M. D., Chen, W. Y., Feskanich, D., Kroenke, C., & Colditz, G. (2005). Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. American Medical Association, 2479-2486. Wharton, M. (2015). The Benefits of Exercise After Getting Diagnosed with Cancer. Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund, 1-4.
Patient Perspective: Cari
My Breast Cancer Diagnosis hit hard and fast. I had to make a lot of decisions and make them quick. I was overwhelmed and I know my family felt the same way. I did as much research as I could, exploring every option possible on what treatment plans were best for me. Before my diagnosis, I was teaching yoga classes, going to acting class and auditions, along with waiting tables at night. I ended up having a double mastectomy, froze my eggs, and then went through chemotherapy. I lost the range of motion in my arms after surgery, and chemo really drained my energy. Also, I had no idea how expensive a cancer diagnosis would be. It really has drained me financially. I am so thankful I found TurningPoint, which has been a healing oasis for me. They helped me get my range of motion back faster than I would have on my own and helped me financially. TurningPoint will always have a special place in my heart.
