CATEGORIES [ GENERAL, CAREGIVING ]

Have you nominated a nurse yet?

BY ELIZABETH WHITTINGTON | NOVEMBER 8, 2011

There are two types of people - those who are early (planning ahead optional) and those who are last-minute. (Well, three types if you count those people who are spot-on, all the time ... but do those people really exist?)

I'm sure many people are doing their holiday shopping early, like my dad, who will be early to his own funeral. No joke. And then there will be people like my mom, who whip up something spectacular at the last minute. So, what type of person are you? One who will nominate a deserving oncology nurse for CURE's Extraordinary Healer Award early or last-minute?

If you haven't heard about the annual essay contest, each year CURE gives readers (patients, survivors, caregivers, and peers) a unique opportunity to honor an oncology nurse by describing the compassion, expertise and helpfulness that a special oncology nurse has shown to his or her patients. (For research, you can read last year's finalist essays here). At the end of the contest, we will offer three nurse finalists and the individuals who nominated them (plus one guest each) a trip to New Orleans to be honored at a reception on May 3.

If you want to get a jump on your nurse nomination, CURE is now accepting submissions to its 2012 essay contest. Why wait until the deadline of March 21st when you know how great your nurse is and can't wait to write about them?

We've had finalists who couldn't wait to submit their essay, and we've honored individuals who nominated their nurse at the stroke of midnight on the last day of the contest.

To learn more about the contest, go to curetoday.com/healeraward. We will also be updating the Extraordinary Healer pages with new features soon, so stay tuned!

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CATEGORIES [ CAREGIVING ]

Do men grieve differently?

BY ELIZABETH WHITTINGTON | JULY 27, 2011

An article in the New York Times this week discusses how men may grieve differently than women: "Men in Grief Seek Others Who Mourn as They Do."

It begins by telling the story of Sam Feldman, a widower who lost his wife of 53 years to cancer. He was interested in joining a local bereavement group, but was quickly disheartened when he learned the group was comprised of all women. That led him to create the Men's Bereavement Network.

It's an interesting concept. While everyone deals with loss and grieves in his or her own way, there may be distinct differences to how men and women grieve the death of a loved one.

Sherry Schachter, director of bereavement services at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx and a grief specialist for 25 years, said in a telephone interview: "While women grieve intuitively, open to expressing their feelings, men are 'instrumental' grievers. They're not comfortable with talking about their feelings, and they prefer to do things to cope."

In a men's group she has run for the last few years, she said, "I never ask, 'How do you feel?' Rather, I ask, 'What did you do?' "

While coping strategies for women may include talking about their feelings, perhaps strategies for men should include what they can do. Feldman began a support group.

What are some other ways men cope with grief?

You can read more about coping strategies in "Coping with Grief and Relief."

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Tips for managing the financial cost of caregiving

BY ELIZABETH WHITTINGTON | JUNE 24, 2009

In Hard Times, caregivers learn the cost of cancer caregiving can be both expensive and surprising. Not only do caregivers and patients deal with lost wages, co-pays, and deductibles, but also the hidden costs, such as travel expenses, support services, and special meals, in addition to time spent on researching, coordinating appointments, and endless hours on the phone with insurance companies. Caregivers who don't live with the patient must also factor in time away from work or their own family, possible travel and lodging expenses, and paid help when they are away from the patient.

Here are a few financial tips to get caregivers over the hump:

1. Set up a free website, such as CaringBridge, Lotsa Helping Hands, Share The Care, and the Patient/Partner Project, for your support team (and have them invite their friends and family who can help!) to let them know when you need help with child care, transportation, meals, errands, and other services. Many times people want to help, but they don't know how to ask or what to do. Having a list of needs available to everyone will prevent 15 calorie-rich casseroles on your doorstep the first week.

2. Several organizations offer free or discounted rates for travel and lodging if a patient must travel for treatment. Corporate Angel Network offers free rides for patients traveling to treatment. Joe's House offers discounted hotel rooms, and the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge offers free lodging for patients and caregivers.

3. Tap into services that help pay for cancer care, such as the Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief and various drug assistance programs.

4. It may take time, but it's worth keeping insurance statements, bills, and medical records organized. Follow a strategy to make sure you're getting the most out of your insurance plan.

5. Take advantage of tax exemptions for cancer expenses, including mileage and transportation costs associated with treatment.

6. It may take some searching online, but there are grants and services available through various local organizations that may help pay for child care, house cleaning, transportation, and other basic needs. Your local hospital and non-profit cancer organizations may also have information on these services.

7. Look into services and grants provided by non-profit organizations that focus on your cancer type. For example, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides financial assistance to patients in significant financial need, and the Colorectal CareLine Financial Aid Fund provides assistance for travel, lodging, and child care.

8. Don't hesitate to flash the "cancer card" sometimes, even if the patient is past treatment. Ask about special discounts provided by companies for products or services used during cancer treatment. Many airlines offer discounted rates if traveling to a specific hospital. Childhood cancer survivors (and children of adult cancer survivors) are eligible for specific college scholarships from various organizations.

Know any other tips to help shoulder the finanical burden of cancer caregiving? Please add your own!

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