WORLD CANCER DAY

                                       

Lets come together on 4^th February – World Cancer Day to:

      Raise our collective voices to improve the overall physical and emotional Wellbeing of Cancer Survivors;

      Improve general knowledge around cancer               

      Dismiss misconceptions and myths about the disease     and

      Enhance Advocacy for the Survivors.

Program:

·         Getting together at Soul Square

·         Walk  ½ Km

·         Presentation/s and group discussion regarding  myths surrounding cancer , their psychological effects – during and after the treatment - suggestions to do away with  these myths 

Time: 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Venue: Soul Square, 56, Rajpath Row House, Nr. AIS, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad

Organized by

Survival, Strength and Support – A Coalition: For Physical and emotional wellness of Cancer Survivors

Founded by

Soul Square and RACE to rein-in-cancer

Dr Kamal Nagpal     Ms Rashmi Kapoor     Dr Rita Banik

Girl of the Sea !

She loved water, sea and the beach!  She was into dragon boat racing, and continued to be a part of it even when she was not keeping well.  At the entrance of her house I noticed a board marked – ‘LIFE IS A BEACH’.  Who else but Kay could ever have thought of this?  Her house faced the sea.  Every time one entered, it was impossible to skip those words – and obviously enter the house with a broad smile J and breezy mood!

 Kay loved outdoor life.  So much so, she had even placed a large dining table on her terrace so that her friends could feel and hear the sea while partying.  The mere thought was thrilling!

Each room had a décor of its own.  I noticed beautiful paintings, some painted by Kay herself, certificates of her husband Tim, who was a pilot in “Australian Air Force and died was killed while flying Boeing 707.  There were plenty of books and painting material as well.  There were quotations in every nook and corner of the house.  I felt fortunate to be there and was instantly in love with the place – Bribie Island.   Kay used to mention the beauty of this island often in her mails and now I could see the place through her eyes.  

Leigh Park (Kay's sister) in Kay's kitchen            A Surprise Tea party arranged by Leigh for me

Leigh's skills in cooking  

Though. I had received a warm welcome from her sister Leigh, I so wished Kay had been there too!  Leigh and I had bonded in no time and I wondered if it was in their blood to be so friendly.   The ice was broken between us in no time and we chatted like old friends who meet after a long gap.  Not once did I feel I was meeting Leigh for the first time in my life and might never see her again.  I am still so sure that we are bound to meet again one day. 

Kay always appreciated the dragon boat club women belonging to Dragon Abreast Australia. In her words : "We have a Vibrant Club in Bribie Island formed by a very strong woman who at first couldn't even bring herself to mention to others that she had had breast cancer."  At the time when Kay could not paddle in the canoe, she would sit at the bow of the boat and beat the drum to keep up the pace during the race !

I was told that when Kay died, her dogs expressed their grief only by maintaining silence.  Not once did they search for her, in their own way they seemed to realize that Kay was no more.  Or had she prepared them beforehand for the same?  The house was surrounded with flood water.    Kay, the girl who had cast such a deep impression in my thoughts and memory, the girl who loved water – finally merged into the sea.  Her reflection can still be caught in the blue waters, her laughter heard in the splashing waves and her infinite courage observed in the high tides!

Winners make it happen !

This short note is posted in Kay’s memory on her Birthday – 12^th January.  

Caring for the CAREGIVER

http://www.cancerawakens.com/blog/index2.php

My Caregiver - My Angel !

My sister’s words echoed in my ears, “Sometimes I feel I did not do enough for you during your cancer treatment.  I should have been with you during all your chemos.”   I had tried my best to convince her that she had done more than anyone else in her shoes could.  Being by my side, talking to me off and on, taking me for outings and not being bothered of my looks during chemo, was more than I could have asked for.

Over the years I have come across many cancer patients, as well as met many relatives of cancer patients.  The person who looks after a cancer patient is known as the Caregiver.   Usually in Developed Countries a caregiver is appointed by the hospital, whereas India lags far behind in such care.  But we Indians are still blessed with lots of relatives and friends, who come forward to extend support during the hour of need.  Thus there may be many members in a family playing the vital role of a caregiver.   I too was blessed with a loving family and plenty of friends as caregivers.  Now I also realize that my sister is not the only one facing such guilt.  Many others too feel the same way, reason for which may be that they never got any counseling / training for this kind of work. 

Recently someone asked me, “Ma’am, how should I prepare myself to take care of my mother who has been diagnosed with cancer?”  I was impressed by the query!   I do hope this attitude is inculcated in all.  His question also reminded me of the struggle faced by my family during my cancer treatment though we were fortunate to have met Feroza on the very first day of my chemo.  She was our SOS and was ready to give her advice at any hour of need.

Cancer affects each member of the family differently, so it may not be improper to say that each and every member requires counseling to some extent.    When someone you love is being treated for Cancer and you feel responsible for your loved one, unknowingly you assume the role of a caregiver.  It always pays to be well prepared for the same.  It is good for a caregiver to understand that a cancer patient needs company, may have mood swings, is physically weak and wants to be surrounded by people all the time.  He/She may undergo pangs of depression so a listening ear is more than welcome.  The person going through the treatment is obviously in such a great shock that he simply does not visualize the emotional upheaval of people around him.   On the other hand, caregivers may also get so involved that they tend to neglect themselves and may show some physical or emotional changes as in:

• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Weaker immune system (poor ability to fight off illness)
• Sleep problems
• Dry mouth / excess sweating
• Higher blood pressure
• Changes in appetite / upset stomach
• Headaches
• Anxiety, depression, or other mood changes
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Not being able to enjoy things anymore (such as food, being with friends, sex)
• Suicidal thoughts
• Having trouble concentrating or feeling scatterbrained etc

Feroza had been less lucky herself but God sent for us.  She was in the hospital to take chemo for her recurrence of cancer.  She was not a counselor yet her instructions were of great help to us.  My sister Nita took good note of Feroza’s advice and was highly benefited in the long run.  Here are few things that she did:

      She made time for herself by taking help from others in running small errands.

      On days when I felt healthy enough, she would take me out shopping or for movies etc which gave her some relaxation as well.

      She did not cut down totally on her own activities

      She took stock of her feelings, maintaining high spirits all the time.

      She managed to reschedule her personal jobs according to the time needed for me.

      She took care of her own food along with mine.

      She continued her evening walks which gave her some space to be with her friends.

      At times both of us watched silly TV shows and laughed together.  It is said that ‘Keeping your sense of humor in trying times is a good coping skill ‘!   

      Her religious inclination also gave her a lot of positive strength to deal with the situation.    

I don’t know what I would have done without my sister’s support or for that matter without the support of my whole family and friends.  But it is also true that there is an Angel for each one of us behind the scenes.  We may not even know, until the time comes and the angel appears out of the blue.  In my case it was in the form of my lovely sister who took charge, directing me out of the dark tunnel slowly but steadily.    I guess the secret of being a good caregiver lies hidden in the words below:

“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone …”                              ~ Lin Yutang

So here is a piece of advice to all Angels – Caregivers:  ‘Take charge of the situation and take good care of your loved one but in the process do not neglect your own self.  Listen to your body and act accordingly.  Do not run away from life and do not have any guilt.  Do your best for others as well as for yourself.  It is good to seek advice from counselor on do’s and don’ts for yourself.  It is also good to gain knowledge about the disease and its course of treatment from the concerned doctor.  This will remove your fear and help to be a smiling caregiver!’

"RACE to rein-in-cancer is there for any needy Cancer patients and their Caregivers 24 x 7.  Please do not hesitate to contact us!"

Redefining the Pink Month

Save our daugters from B.C.

Sunday, 14^th October 2012, brought thrill and learning for Rotarians of Ahmadabad.  Our Charitable Trust: RACE to rein-in-cancer, which is taking its baby steps towards eradication of Breast Cancer, organized  'The Pink Lunch’ with the support of Rotary Club, Metro, Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India.  This was clubbed with Awareness Presentations on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer along with a Fund Raising Game of Tambola for all.       

Session organized by Rotary Club, Ahmedabad

                  Rita Banik felicitating Kapil Bhavsar    

          Rashmi Kapoor felicitating Dr Kalpana Kothari

                

Presentation on Breast Cancer by Rita Banik          

 Rashmi Kapoor felicitating Ragini Bhavsar

Janac Mastectomy Wear For Fighters & Survivors |

http://wp.me/p1hTaa-7q



www.cancerandfertility.com

ARTICLE BY RITA BANIK IN CANCER AWAKENS

http://www.cancerawakens.com/blog/2011/12/regaining-my-identity-after-breast-cancer-part-1/

My article in Cancer Awakens on Reconstruction is not merely about looks.  It may not be easy to comprehend the psychological trauma a woman undergoes after mastectomy.  The article narrates only a few emotional nuances that I went through during that period, before finally deciding to go for Reconstruction Surgery.  It was not an easy decision to make.  I would like to emphasize that this thought about your loss has nothing to do with age.  Mastectomy is difficult for any woman to handle at any age.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Taken from BREAST HEALTH  DAY (www.breasthealthday.org )

v Postmenopausal gain in weight or obesity highly increases the risk of BC

v A large amount of abdominal  fat increases the risk of BC

v Obese women tend to have more abnormal mammography readings than non-obese women

v Inactivity causes about 10 – 16% of BC cases

v Inactivity coupled with excess body weight account for nearly 33% of BC cases

v If BMI is greater than 25 then the risk of BC increases drastically

v Normally BMI should  lie within the range of           18.5 – 24.9