|
|
September 2007 eNewsletter
Dear Cancer Club Visitor,
Welcome to The Cancer Club! The subject of humor and its healing powers has been written about, researched, analyzed, recommended and embraced since the beginning of time. With "alternative therapy" as a buzz word of the 90's, I like to think of laughter as a "complimentary therapy" in conjunction with traditional and alternative medicines.
Yet I'm often asked, "Christine, I can't think of a single thing that is humorous about a cancer experience." When someone makes that observation, I challenge them to close their eyes and think about: what is the number one thing that makes you laugh?
I hope that just thinking about laughter brings a smile to your face. There are all kinds of things that make me laugh: animals, children, jokes, memories, visual stimulation, even ackward situations. I remember the time I was at a professional golf tournament, watching my three idols tee off: Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd and Tom Weiskopf. A gust of wind came up and blew my hat (and hair!) right off my head into the middle of the fairway. The gallery went silent as I slipped under the ropes, ran into the middle of the fairway, grabbed my wig and hat and turned to the golfers. "Gentlemen," I offered, "The wind is blowing left to right."
They say the laughter could be heard all the way back to the clubhouse, and I realized that once again, laughter is the best medicine! Have a sizzling September. See you in October. And don't forget to laugh! ™
|
FALL FASHIONS |
|
|
|
SHARE THE EXPERIENCE |
|
How You Can Support a Friend Diagnosed With Cancer
One of the most difficult and traumatic experiences faced by many cancer patients is the loss or thinning of hair during chemotherapy or radiation. Many patients are apprehensive of what they should do, or where they can go to buy scarves, hats, hairpieces or turbans. As a friend, make some phone calls in your area; talk to cancer clinics to find out where they recommend patients to go. Then make arrangements with your friend/family member to drive them to a wig salon or help make the phone call to an organization specializing in hair loss. Make a day of it-- go to lunch or the park afterwards. Your friend will appreciate your concern and support, and won't feel quite so alone.
To cancer patients:
Let your friends and family do some research for you and investigate the possibilities. You have enough on your mind already, and besides, it's always nice to get a second opinion on what looks best: the blond or brunette wig, the red or blue scarf. You'll be glad you brought a friend along!
|
|
HERBAL POWER! |
|
Lavender, an herb known mostly for its delicate fragrance, is a new tool in the fight against cancer.
University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists have found that perillyl alcohol, produced by lavender, caused a regression of breast tumors and leukemias. Dr. Howard Bailey, assistant professor of medicine, and Prof. Michael Gould, both of the University's Comprehensive Cancer Center, have received federal approval to study the drug's activity in humans. About two dozen patients will take several capsules a day for up to six months to see if the drug has any effect.
|
|
THE CHAT ROOM |
|
Dear Cancer Club,
A cute reaction to a no-hair day! My four- year-old grandson Joshua stayed overnight one time during my chemo. He had never seen me without my scarf or a wig. I thought I better prepare him in case he woke during the night and came into our bedroom. I told Joshua I had something funny to show him.
I removed my scarf and revealed my bald head. With a funny look on his face, he asked me what happened. Rather than have him fear the loss of hair next time he got sick, I told him I got a hair cut.
He replied, "And they didn't listen, did they, Grannie?!"
Mary Hartner, St. Michael, MN
Dear Cancer Club,
A week after my first chemo treatment, my husband Karl walked in with his head shaved--much to everyone's surprise! When my hair started to fall out a week later, I went to my beautician, who gave me a buzz cut. Karl and I came home and looked in the mirror. Instead of crying, we started to laugh! We all liked Karl's bald head so much, he still shaves his head!
Mary Ann King, Savannah, GA
Dear Cancer Club,
Five years ago, our son-in-law Todd's mother Joyce Olson was diagnosed with cancer and told she had six months to live. Last month she underwent her 100th chemo treatment and the doctors, nurses, and staff at the University of Iowa Medical Center in Iowa City threw her a 100th celebration party! Joyce and her husband Jerry are an inspiration to everyone!
Chuck and Norma Smith, Clawson, MI
|
|
HAVE YOU HEARD? |
|
ABOUT...The Good Search? A search engine powered by Yahoo! that donates 50% of its revenue to charities designated by its users. It's simple. Just use GoodSearch exactly as you would any search engine. Then pick a cancer- related cause to donate to. Each search raises $0.01. visit www.goodsearch.com
ABOUT...One-Breasted Woman, Poems by Susan Deborah King? A wonderful collection of poetry that is utterly alive: vivid with fear, heightened awareness, anger, tenderness, sorrow, playfulness, even joy . (Holy Cow Press) 218-724- 1653 or visit www. holycowpress.org. $15.95 (136 pages)
ABOUT...The Friends' Health Connection? This non-profit group will introduce you to someone with a similar illness, disability or injury by phone, email or regular mail. They also have a network for caregivers. For information, call (800)48-FRIEND or visit http://48friend.org/
|
|
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING! |
|
|
For seriously ill cancer patients under age 60, a pessimistic outlook appears to have some detrimental effect on how long they survive, reported psychologists from the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Georgia in Psychology and Aging, a journal of the American Psychological Association.
More pessimistic patients were likelier to die sooner than less-pessimistic patients with a similar prognosis. How pessimism affects cancer patients remains a mystery, but researchers feel it is possible a pessimistic outlook affects "adherence to a medical regimen, or that it directly affects the endocrine and immune systems, or both." So stay positive!
"The last of the human freedoms-- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.
--Victor Frankl
|
|
NEXT ISSUE: OCTOBER, 2007 |
|
We Hope You've Enjoyed This Edition
We hope you've enjoyed this edition of The Cancer Club eNewsletter. We'd like to thank our FABulous illustrator Jack Lindstrom of FAB Artists!
If you have a humorous or interesting story about cancer, send it to us at: P.O. Box 24747 Edina, MN 55424-0747 or email us at: Christine@cancerclub.com
Visit us online at www.cancerclub.com
Have a fabulous Labor Day weekend. Stay cool. Don't forget to laugh!
| | |
Warmest wishes, 
Christine Clifford Beckwith, CSP
Founder/President/CEO
The Cancer Club ™
Don't forget to laugh! ™
Phone: 1-800-586-9062
Fax: 1-612-922-0195
| |
|