Women & Cancer Magazine, Excerpts from Faith article

[Sandy]

Giving Faith a Chance
Spiritual support networks based in faith and open to all comfort cancer patients and educate communities.

By Mia James

Sandy Gragg shares the feelings of so many touched by cancer when she explains how those around her, though well meaning, struggled to support her when she was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. “Friends and family were at a loss for words to comfort me upon my diagnosis, and co-workers shied away as if the cancer might be contagious,” she says. “They feared I had been given a death sentence.”

Given the complexity of cancer—its many different forms, treatments, and prognoses—it’s understandable that, without some education, most of us aren’t prepared to offer the type of support that will truly comfort someone on an emotional and spiritual level in a way that will address his or her real needs. We struggle for the right words, avoid topics that frighten us, and may know little of the physical discomfort and limitations caused by the disease and its treatment.

And, as in Sandy’s experience, even loved ones with genuine concern are challenged when confronted with the daunting and inscrutable presence of cancer. As a result, a cancer patient whose body may be undergoing treatment with the latest, most powerful drugs and technologies may still be missing what might prove to be the crucial element in the protocol: care and support directed toward his or her spiritual and emotional needs—the type of guidance that inspires hope and a sense a value in one’s life even in the most challenging times.

The value of this spiritual element in patient care has not gone unnoticed. Programs offering spiritual support and providing spiritually based guidance—regardless of an individual’s religious affiliation or faith—are being implemented at many cancer centers. These increasingly popular programs fill the obvious need that patients have for an informed and compassionate resource that can provide a steadfast message of hope. One such resource—where faith-based principles guide the support of cancer patients—is Our Journey of Hope (OJOH), the spiritual outreach program of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). Rooted in CTCA’s philosophy of integrated care, where cancer patients’ nutritional, psychological, and spiritual needs are addressed along with their medical care, OJOH-trained lay ministers offer guidance tailored specifically to individual needs.

Unique to the CTCA concept is the idea that with the right training, anyone wanting to extend care and compassion toward those affected by cancer can become an invaluable community resource. No formal spiritual education is required to become a lay minister; participants are often survivors and individuals with a particular interest in the spiritual needs of cancer patients. Comprehensive training seminars, which OJOH offers to churches that request them, educate lay ministers about the disease, nutrition and prevention, the nature of various treatments and their side effects, and the psychological issues that can accompany diagnosis and treatment.

Two years after Sandy Gragg was treated for breast cancer at CTCA, she attended an OJOH seminar near her home in Oklahoma City and became a lay minister. In her new role, she recognizes how much this education enhances her ability to help others affected by cancer: “I knew this program had to be the answer to how to help others following me on the journey—what to say and how to help them spiritually.”

What is it about adding a spiritual component to cancer care that can potentially have such a potent impact on patients’ well-being? The answer may begin with the term faith, which can encompass ideas like belief and trust, and which may pertain to strong convictions like a belief in God or other higher power. People facing serious illness might also choose to put their belief and trust in their healthcare team and their faith in the drugs and the procedures intended to help them, which can be equally empowering. In whichever way faith plays a part, it can be a compelling component in cancer care.

As retired oncology nurse and OJOH-trained lay minister Marjory McNulty explains, when patients allow faith to stand in for what they cannot know—namely the outcome of their cancer journey—they are better able to live fully and look for meaning in their experience, knowing that they are not, and will not be, abandoned by healthcare providers, their loved ones, or a higher power. What’s so important about finding this level of comfort, Marjory says, is that patients feel that they can honestly express themselves: “To verbalize—even anger—is one of the most important things for cancer patients to do.”

In the OJOH program, lay ministers are trained to communicate with patients and families in a number of ways, from e-mail and telephone correspondence to home or hospital visits. Lyn Thompson, spiritual outreach coordinator for pastoral care at CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa , explains that lay ministers learn techniques to meet patients and their families wherever the need is greatest. To this end the program also makes OJOH resources available to all cancer patients, regardless of where they live or where they are being treated.

...

If one thing resonates above the many stated benefits and goals of spiritual care for cancer patients and their families, it is that faith-based care gives all involved a solid and enduring strength to carry them through their cancer journey.

:cuppa:

[yvonne]

ooooooooooooooooohh!! our sandy is "famous"!!

[Sandy]

NOT. As you all know, I credit my survival to His Blessing - wouldn't be here without Him.

And, I just keep finding ways to tell others that He's there - just talk to Him.
'Reaching out to others' was my survival assignment for the rest of my life. I'll just keep plugging along. :dance:

[JanS]

Sandy...you know you'll always be a star in our eyes :) I'm glad that they did this article. We all know that it takes whatever we can use to get through this, not just treatments. You are an angel among us, and will help many to deal with this. :)

hugs...

Jan :hugs:

[Sandy]

I forgot to tell everyone
visit www.womenandcancer.com and you receive a 1 year subscription free if you're a cancer survivor (or in treatment).

It's a great magazine - browse away!

[yvonne]

i went to the link but no reference to a free magazine anywhere?

[Sandy]

just click on 'subscribe now' and that page gives you the option of 1 year free if you are a cancer patient, or survivor, and you just answer a few questions and put your mailing address in. The subscription of for a hardcopy (only) of the magazine for a year - guess if you pay the $25 you get access to print from the net and can read all the articles online and not wait for the snail mail.

[tishcancok@yahoo.com]

To Whoooooom, I'll make this short and sweet , as I am new at this computer stuff. I stil have not figured out a lot of things . Duh !!! I never did find where to sign up for a subscription to the magazine . So.......! Someone out there "HELP " From what I have seen so far, I like it. So help me get everything done that I need to get done . Tks !!!!! Also , would I use my regular email adddress for this or do I make a different one than what I normally use ? There is a birthday coming up in July . MINE !!!!!! Not only that I will be 50 . Yet another turning point. So all of you "boomers" start to sing ..... Standing in His Everlasting Love !!!!!!! Tish

[livingfabulously]

I don't know why it took me so long but I went to this site www.womenandcancer.com and I got er...ahem...an adult site. What is up with this?

Anne

[livingfabulously]

Did some investigating.....here is the correct link.
http://www.womenandcancermag.com/

[livingfabulously]

Tish,
When you go to the website you will see an orange box on the right that has a pink button in the middle. It says subscribe now. Click that button. In the middle of the page you will see an explanation of how they provide a free subscription for cancer patients. It will say "click here" in blue. When you click that it will take you to another page where you fill in your info. Make sure you check the one of the diagnosis bubbles and put your year. Then it does not ask you to pay. I agree with you that this sounds like a wonderful addition to treatment. How would we make it without Him walking beside us?

Anne

[livingfabulously]

Sorry for all of the posts girls.

Tish we hope you will spend your birthday with us! I think you are asking about using your email on this site?
If you look above the dark blue bar at the top, above where you see the options for the "code buttons", you will see "logged in as..." and your name. Click your name and it will let you change your profile and stuff. You can use any name you like. I am so glad you have joined us.

Anne