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Making each day count living with cancer

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Suggestions for Making Each Day Count

“Orville Kelly was diagnosed with lymphoma in his early forties. One day when he was sitting in his doctor’s waiting room, he thought to himself that he should start making better use of his time, since he did not know how long he may live with his cancer. He started talking about ideas of positive thinking to other patients in the waiting room and they formed a small support group. As a result of this experience, Orville founded the organization, Make Today Count, with the simple purpose of bringing together people who are learning to live with cancer. The following are suggestions for making each day count:

Talk About It

  • Those around you may be unsure about what they can do. If they ask, take the opportunity to let them know how they can help you during this time.
  • Tell your doctors that you want to participate in your care and know what is going on with your health.
  • You may meet people who think they can catch cancer by being near you. Share with them what you know about cancer, so they will not be afraid.

Family and Friends

  • Chances are your family and friends will cope better if they are told the truth. Patients sometimes try to protect their loved ones by pretending everything is alright. If loved ones are aware of your diagnosis they can better respond to your need for understanding.
  • You may have unexpected feelings about your diagnosis such as sadness, grief, denial or anger. These are normal reactions to being ill. Loved ones are also trying to cope with the diagnosis and may have the same feelings.
  • If you live alone, there are things you can do to be with others. You may want to join a support group to talk with others who are living with cancer.
  • Your friends may not know what to do or say. They may be afraid they will upset you or your family by saying the wrong thing. You can help to put them at ease by letting them know how you feel.”

Read more and find helpful resources

© April 27, 2017. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

May is Older Americans Month

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POlder Americans Monthresident Donald J. Trump Proclaims May 2017 as Older Americans Month

April 28, 2017

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

“Older Americans are our Nation’s memory.  Some of today’s grandparents and great-grandparents were born during the Great Depression, lived through the Second World War, witnessed the rise and fall of Communism, fought in Korea and Vietnam, marched with Martin Luther King, Jr., and watched the first man walk on the Moon.  Now, they surf the internet and share family photos on their phones in a world that is richer and freer than the one into which they were born.  Listening to the stories of our older citizens allows younger Americans to appreciate the country they inherited and gain the wisdom necessary to make it even better for their children and grandchildren.

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Solo travel with Road Scholar

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Road Scholar
slc

When Traveling Solo Doesn’t Mean Traveling Alone

Road Scholar Learning Adventures Combine Camaraderie and Discovery

March 29, 2017

“Each year thousands of baby boomers take to the roads, cities, countryside and waterways to explore and learn with Road Scholar. From learning about Puebloan rock art in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park to exploring Diocletian’s Palace in Split while sailing Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, nearly a quarter of Road Scholars are venturing out on their own to experience learning adventures in all 50 states and 150 countries worldwide. Road Scholar makes these robust learning adventures exciting and comfortable by taking care of all the details and creating a community in which traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling on your own. Women, in particular, are venturing out as solo travelers, seeking challenging and rewarding experiences as opportunities for learning and growth.  (Watch a video about solo travel for women.)

‘Many solo female travelers, in particular, choose to go with Road Scholar because they feel they’re part of a close group on our educational travel programs,’ says JoAnn Bell, senior vice president of programs at Road Scholar. ‘Our adventures offer unique opportunities for people to engage both intellectually and socially while exploring and learning new things, all in a comfortable, safe environment.’

Jill Swaim of Carlsbad, Calif., started traveling on her own with Road Scholar several years ago — by happenstance. Originally, she and a friend planned a learning adventure in New Orleans, but the friend had to cancel at the last minute. Jill went anyway and soon discovered that traveling solo would be more than just OK.”

Read more about opportunities for solo travel

Road Scholar is the nation’s largest educational travel organization for adults – a true university of the world. This not-for-profit educational organization offers 5,500 extraordinary learning adventures in 150 countries and 50 states.  Check out their blog at blog.roadscholar.org.

Keep a good group of friends

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friends
express.co.uk

Donna, a neighbor and new friend of mine, sent me the following story via text message after I was fretting about not getting to spend time with my family as I would like for various reasons…

“Many years ago, a newlywed young man was sitting on a couch on a hot, humid day, sipping frozen juice during a visit to his father.

As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his son. ‘Never forget your friends,’ he advised, ‘they will become more important as you get older.’

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Embrace retirement by working

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After about three months of experiencing retirement, I realized I wasn’t ready for the drastic adjustment.  I had worked full-time as a high school teacher so I decided to embrace retirement by working part-time as a substitute teacher to help with the transition.  I loved the flexibility and the ability to continue working with young people.  Rob Peters was in a similar situation…

A Californian’s ‘Retirement’ is Part-Time

By Kim Blanton, Squared Away Blog

April 20, 2017

A new body of research indicates that continuing to work but gearing down to a lower-intensity job is often good for older Americans, because it reduces their stress, increases their job satisfaction, and is an encouragement to continue working and preparing financially for retirement.

“Rob Peters’ approach to retiring wasn’t much different from hitting the road in 1975 to help drive a college friend from New York to California. He didn’t really know where he was going.

When he first laid eyes on California, he was captivated by its beauty, as well as the left-leaning politics absent in the conservative Long Island community he grew up in. But Peters, equipped only with an English degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, bounced around for years among the various part-time and full-time counseling jobs available to him in his new paradise.

Not until age 38, after earning a master’s degree in counseling and 13 job interviews, did he land his dream job at Diablo Valley College, a community college serving mostly low-income and minority students. He stayed more than 26 years, as a student adviser, program facilitator, and instructor.

He took a blind leap into retirement, too. Again, finding his place was a process. Within four months of retiring, at the end of 2014, he contacted Diablo Valley College.  Yes, they would welcome him back as a counselor for four hours in the morning, two days per week in the spring and three days in the fall.”

Read more about embracing retirement while working

Benefits of owning pets like Lily and Goldi

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Lily, my cat, came to live with me in 2009 and my dog, Goldi, in 2010.  I adopted them as adults from the Humane Society.  They both give me something to care for, a companion for walks, and a security alarm. Don’t tell the possible intruder, but Goldi’s bark is way worse than her bite, as she is a very gentle dog.

The following article describes some of the benefits of owning pets:

benefits of owning pets
otusliveincare.com

The Benefits of Elderly Owning Pets

Kentish Homecare, April 12, 2017

“Studies have shown that owning a pet may help you live a longer, healthier and happier life thanks to the complex ways that animals can affect human emotions. A study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society suggested that elderly people who live with pets tended to be healthier both physically and mentally than those who didn’t. Plus, the experimental residential home Eden Alternative has filled their facility with over 100 birds, cats, dogs, rabbits and chickens and has proven to have a 15% lower mortality rate than other traditional nursing homes.”

  • Pets can provide companionship
  • Allows owners to be more active
  • They can reduce stress and depression
  • Something to focus on
  • Give a sense of security

More details about the benefits of owning pets

 

Are you a member of the “sandwich generation?”

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sandwich generation
whatisthesandwichgeneration.com

When You’re Taking Care of Your Kids and Your Parents at the Same Time

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“The term ‘sandwich generation’ was coined by social worker Dorothy Miller in 1981, to describe women in their 30s and 40s who were the primary caregivers for their young children and their aging parents. The reality today is that the sandwich generation includes both men and women, ranging from their 30s to their 60s.

According to nonprofit association Aging Life Care, America’s sandwich generation is one of the fastest-growing populations. ‘This group of people often find themselves stuck in the middle of trying to juggle a hectic schedule that includes caring for parents experiencing a decline in health, keeping up with adult children as they struggle to make it on their own and begin their families and managing the financial and emotional stressors that arise throughout these circumstances.’

A 2013 Pew research report found that 47 percent of adults in their 40s and 50s have a parent age 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child (age 18 or older). Around 1 in 7 middle-aged adults is providing financial support to both an aging parent and a child.”

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