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The May 2007 edition of the magazine "Texas Living" highlights an article under the section of healthy outdoors, entitled "A Place To Heal", featuring the linear garden which adorns the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. To quote the article: "Like other healing gardens now thriving on hospital campuses across the South, it provides a little oasis of tranquility. The setting gives patients and caregivers a place to escape their sterile environment and connect with the natural environment."
From the perspective of spirituality and healing, gardens have always held the power and mystique to heal and provide a source of strength and respite. The surrounding beauty, aromas, and occasional visits by birds and insects help remind us of our connection with nature. The garden is a place where things are growing and flourishing, bringing hope to those with cancer. The garden reminds us of the essential goodness of life, and causes us to reflect upon the blessings we have received along life's journey.
Award-winning author, Marc Ian Barasch will present a seminar entitled: "Field Notes on the Compassionate Life"; Thursday May 3, 12:00pm - 1:00pm at the Cancer Prevention Building Telehealth Conference Room (CPB 8.3059). A cancer survivor, and the author of a national bestseller, entitled "Remarkable Recovery", he continues to speak worldwide to medical shcools, hospitals, and healing centers.
Tonight, April 23rd, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center will be featured on CNN Larry King Live (9 p.m. EDT, 8 p.m. CDT). The topic of the show is cancer. Former President and Mrs. Bush (41) will be the hour-long guests of Larry King, along with Dr. John Mendelsohn, as well as a cancer survivor, and another cancer expert.
The idea of the show came from the recent news about Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snowe. The purpose of the show is to assure the American people that great strides are being made in cancer research, treatment, and prevention, and despite all of this recent bad news, there is more hope that ever.
Our theme is carnival but our goal is education! Please join us for an afternoon celebration honoring our BMT Survivors, their families and M. D. Anderson caregivers. The program will include: survivor recognition, fun activities, refreshments, speakers and educational sessions. Please note that our name has changed and we are now officially Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SCTCT).
RSVP for Survivor's Day by calling 713-792-8750.
Submitted by chaplain Glenda McDonald.
During the week of April 16-20, M. D. Anderson will be sponsoring Caregiver Week by offering several activities for cancer patient caregivers. Here's a list of offerings:
Monday, April 16
Caregiver Fair, 10am - 1pm
A fun and informative event shocasing the programs and services that M. D. Anderson provides for caregivers. Main Building, floor 2, The Park, at top of escalators. Look for Chaplaincy!
Tusday, April 17
PIKNIC: "Caring for the Caregiver", noon-1pm
Presenter: Phyddy Tacchi, R.N., C.N.S., L.M.F.T., L.P.C., advanced practice nurse in Psychiatry Meet with other caregivers to watch the video "Caring for the Cancer Patient: The Caregiver's Perspective" and learn ways to strengthen your coping skills. Place of Wellness, Main Building, Floor 1, near the Aquarium, freestanding facility outside. Lunch provided for the first 20 attendees.
Wednesday, April 18
Caregivers Keeping the Faith, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Spiritual group discussion over lunch with Chaplain Glenda McDonald, Place of Wellness, Main building, Floor 1, near the Aquarium, freestanding facility outside. Lunch provided for first 20 attendees.
Thursday, April 19
Caregivers: "I've Got Feelings, Too!", noon-1pm
Support group for caregivers, Place of Wellness, Main Building, Floor 1, near the Aquarium, freestanding facility outside. Must pre-register, 713-794-4700.
Friday, April 20
Caregiver Mini Retreat, 11am - 1pm
A lunchtime outing to two of Houston's most serene and spiritualt architectural works, the Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum, home of the only two 13th century Byzantine frescoes in the Western Hemisphere, and the neighboring Rothko Chapel, an intimate, nondenominational sacntuary. Bring a lunch and meet the complimentary van at 11am outside Alkek Hospital entrance, Main Building, Floor 1, near The Fountain. Van returns at 1pm. Space is limited. Call 713-745-9206 to reserve a place.
Our pediatrics chaplain, Richard Maddox, has compiled some helpful suggestions about the spiritual life of teenagers living with cancer. Dick is available through the community forum message board if you would like to contact him.
1. The "work" of a teenager is to question almost everything. Under normal circumstances, it is not unusual for a teenager to question and rebel against the religious and spiritual belief systems of his/her parents or other family members. When diagnosed and subsequently living with cancer, it is even more common for a teenager to scrutinize and dismiss the faith of his/her family. This process is quite normal, and in some ways even necessary for the teenager in order to permit him/her to apprehend and own the faith for himself/herself. A very high percentage of teenagers eventually come around to hold the basic beleifs of their parents.
2. Regardless of the degree of independence sought by teenagers, or the level of rebelliousness expressed by them, and the resulting utter frustration of their parents, most teenagers still consider their parents to be the most significant people in their lives. Consequently, while not always readily apparent, most teenagers have a deep, yearning to please their parents. This includes their desire to respect and particiapte in the religious or spiritual beliefs and practices of their parents. This may not be in the literal substance or fashion preferred by the parents, but the basic desire is still present.
3. One of the most important elements in a teenager's life is friends. For many reasons, including treatment requirements, distance, life styles, social skills with the sick, etc., relationships with friends during treatment are initially strained and often diminish over tme. When this happens, teenagers lose interest in many of the important features in their lives: treatment assent and compliance, trusting parents and medical staff, and investment in faith and hope.
4. While adults are reasonably comfortable engaging others in conversation regarding faith issues, teenagers are not sure how to do so. They generally pick unexpected times and places, and launch test messages (indirect hints and clues) when wanting to explore faith issues. Parents often are surprised by this approach and feel unprepared especially when the teenager's illness is the precipitating issue for the conversation on faith. Consequently, parents often defer, dismiss, or reframe their teenager's interest in engaging in heart-to-heart talks about faith. Such responses discourage teenagers from discussing such issues, and leave them feeling more abandoned and confused about living with cancer.
Our pediatrics chaplain, Dick Maddox, has compiled a list of things about the spiritual life of younger children living with cancer. We're buidling a list of his suggestions here - also feel free to contact chaplain Maddox on our community forum.
1. Children look to their parents and close family members to learn how to understand and cope religiously or spiritually with their cancer and treatment.
2. Children often conclude that their illness is the result of God, Allah, or other Supreme Being punishing them for their disobedience or misbehavior. Sometimes this comes from, or is reinforced by, hearing their loved ones say things like, "What did we do to deserve this?" or "Why didn't we go to church more often?"
3. The "work" of a child is play. A playful activity or play partmner will provide and sustain a child with hope and meaning.
4. Unlike an adult who replays the past and laments the loss of the future when chronically ill, a child dwells primarilly in the experiences and promises of today, tomorrow, and the next few days.
5. Children have a different vocabulary from adults. they do not generally know terema people around them use. For example, when someone speaks of the "presence" of God, Allah, or other Supreme Being, a child interprets "presence" more literally, assuming that God, Allah, or a Supreme being is physically close.
What motivated you to enter Chaplaincy as a career?
I felt called to ministry and did not know what area I was to serve. While working in my local church , with Young Life and taking and extended CPE unit I knew God as calling me to be a chaplain. I loved working in the hospital. I enrolled in a CPE residency the next year at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
What’s the most challenging part of your work?
The most challenging part of my job is being with people who have received bad news either from the medical team or from home. Each person in the family handles the news differently. It is challenging to be with each person where they are in their grief while being conscious and attuned to the other members of the family at the same time. It is both physically and emotionally exhausting.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
I enjoy meeting new people and staff every day. I love to be with people and hear their stories about life and faith. Walking through life with people is such an honor and gift.
What do you find to be the most helpful when visiting with a cancer patient?
The most helpful thing I have found is listening to what the patient’s needs are by listening to their life story. I like to ask the person what name they want to be called by and then call them by name each time I see them. This is also helpful when I pray with them as I try to pray for the specific things that the person shared with me during the visit.
What spiritual or religious resource do you find most personally helpful?
I would have to say that prayer is the most helpful spiritual resource because I can pray with patients and they can pray any time they wish. It allows them to feel God’s presence at all times.
What personal characteristics do you believe make an effective chaplain?
First of all a love of people. Second a good listener. Third would be a pastoral presence.
Are there spiritual/religious topics you personally wrestle with?
Working as a chaplain I struggle with the same “why” questions that my patients do. Why do people get cancer? Why do good people die? Why do some people get well and others don’t?
What would you like cancer patients and their families to know about M. D. Anderson?
I would like them to know that M.D. Anderson is a place that looks at each patient as a person and considers them part of our family. We really do care about each person’s needs and want to cure them all. Unfortunately, that is not possible but we will still be there for the patient’s and families that do not get a total physical cure
I am pleased to announce that M. D. Anderson Cancer Center was awarded a 2007 IMPACT Award from the Houston Human Resources Association at the award banquet held at Reliant Center, Tuesday, March 27, 2007. We received recognition for our institution's pilot program conducted in the Palliative Care unit measuring the positive impact of leveraging spirituality as a dimension of diversity to improve workplace productivity. The Houston HR Association, known as HR Houston, is the Houston affiliate chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.
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