Readers Respond
In CR’s fall 2008 issue, we
looked at issues of psychosocial
support and hospice care, as well
as treating the whole person
rather than just the tumor. We
asked readers to respond with
their thoughts on what kind
of psychosocial support they
received, if any, and what needs
to be done to improve this type of
support for cancer patients.
Below are a few excerpts from
some of the responses we received.
If you’d like to participate in CR’s
reader feedback and possibly
have your answers published
in a future issue, join our free
e-newsletter list by going to
www.CRmagazine.org.
Figuring out how to tell my family
I might die was terrible. I ended up
being their support system.
Fortunately, the type of cancer
I have has a terrific support
network, and that group of people
living with an incurable cancer
shared many years of experience
and help. Their survival stories and
the permission to talk about my
diagnosis in a safe environment
was the best part.
[Primary care physicians] need
intensive training on how to tell
patients about the diagnosis and a
list of immediate phone numbers
of support groups or centers that
can offer emotional, psychological
and care support.
—Glenn S. Ross
Plantation, Fla.
When I was diagnosed with stage IV
metastasized breast cancer after
having annual mammograms and
sonograms, I was numb.
I’ve joined a support group,
participate in an online support
group, and see a nurse practitioner
who specializes in mental health
every few weeks.
—Colleen Logan Hofmeister
Sayville, N. Y.
I received no support. I did ask
about support groups for younger
men with advanced prostate
cancer, but I was consistently told
there were no services to meet my
needs.
I started to write a blog about
advanced prostate cancer and
have continued for well over
a year and a half. I have also
provided testimony at the FDA
about drug applications, met
with members of Congress,
spearheaded a petition drive to
make prostate cancer a national
priority and led other cancer
support programs.
To me, this self-psychosocial
support has served as my
alternative to the lack of formal
support.
CR | Page No. 7 | www.CRmagazine.org
—Joel Nowak
New York City
[After diagnosis] I found myself
on a medical merry-go-round
that didn’t seem to have an end.
Eventually I decided to see a
psychologist. Being able to have
my anxiety, fears and concerns
validated was what I needed to
regain confidence and strength to
go forward in my journey.
I wish my doctors had more time
to address my concerns or even
refer me to someone. It is hard to
go back to life like before because
it no longer exists.
—Marilia Sardinha
Winslow, Maine
There need to be well-trained
personnel who can follow the
cancer patient through his/her
journey and who can be there
when needed.
—Harley Ast
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
