Having recently reviewed the book, Good Mourning: Getting Through Your Grief by Allan Hugh Cole, Jr. PhD, I offer the following recommendation:

By distinguishing between grief and mourning, this book serves the purpose of taking the reader on a journey through one's own grief, with its seemingly conflicting myriad of feelings and thoughts, gradually emerging so as to enter the process of mourning. This ritualistic process incorporates spiritual practices, integrating the loss to eventually enter a new phase of one's life. This is the transformative journey, according to Dr. Cole, which links our suffering with the suffering of God, as we give our pain to God and rely on the healing presence of the Holy Spirit. I highly recommend this book as a guide and devotional resource for the grief-stricken soul.
...Rev. David Jenkins, Director of Chaplaincy

Posted by David Jenkins at 11:17 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

What motivated you to enter Chaplaincy as a career?
I find the spiritual care aspects of ministry to be fulfilling. To be involved in people's lives this way has always been an honor. I have skills in this area.

What's the most challenging part of your work?
Each person's situation is unique and different. Listening closely to the person to hear the themes and issues that are theirs.

What's the most rewarding part of your work?
When someone is able to make use of their spiritual resources to cope, live and act within their situation.

What do you find to be the most helpful when visiting with a cancer patient?
Close and empathetic listening.

What spiritual or religious resource do you find most personally helpful?
Scripture and the spiritual tradition.

What personal characteristics do you believe make and effective chaplain?
Not being in a big hurry to jump in and say something but being able to be patient and wait. To not think you understand the person unless you have verified it with them. Getting out of the way so that God can work.

Are their spiritual/religious topics you personally wrestle with?
The relationship of my own faith tradition that of other faith traditions and belief systems. I do not believe that other traditions and systems are just different routes up the same mountain. Human life is too complex and the traditions and systems are far too profound and subtle for that. Each identifies the human condition differently and seeks to address it in a particular way, even though there may be similar features in common.

What would you like cancer patients and their families to know about M. D. Anderson?
That they and their journey here are respected, not just in terms of spiritual care but in all areas of care.

David Stouter
Staff Chaplain

Posted by Stephanie Linscott at 8:42 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The Light Within
by Lois M. Ramondetta and Deborah Sills
When young gynecologic oncology fellow Lois Ramondetta was first summoned to the room of a new patient, neither she nor the forty-nine-year-old professor of religion she encountered named Deborah Sills thought they had much in common. They certainly had no idea that they were about to embark on a transcendent odyssey that would become a soul-deep friendship.
Now their heartfelt story, The Light Within, follows these two women through a decade of friendship and "big lives"-husbands, children, friends, and careers-ultimately crossing the country and traveling to foreign lands, where they spoke and wrote together about the intersection of doctors, patients, and spirituality. Both women searched together and openly for answers with honesty and intimacy until Deborah passed away in the spring of 2006.

The book is available at various bookstores including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and many independent book stores.
ISBN-10: 0061359416
ISBN-13: 978-0061359415

Posted by Stephanie Linscott at 9:21 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

M. D. Anderson and other Houston-area cancer organizations are teaming up to celebrate cancer survivorship on Sunday, June 1, at a free city-wide event for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and their families. The event takes place at the Methodist Training Center at Reliant Park from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Invite Patients and Family Members to Attend
Employees are encouraged to share this information with their family members who are cancer survivors or caregivers and with patients. Attendees will:

- Hear inspirational stories of courage and hope
- Learn about community survivorship resources
- Talk with cancer survivorship experts
- Enjoy live entertainment and more

The program, to begin at 1:30 p.m., will be hosted by Houston former local news anchor Linda Lorelle. Speakers include LaSalle Leffall, M.D., two-term appointee to the President's Cancer Panel, and John Vallely, cancer survivor, caregiver and former Houston Rocket.

Activities for children include face painting, football toss and cookie decorating.

Registration Required
Registration can be completed online at the Survivorship Houston site (www.survivorshiphouston.org) or by phone at 713-745-0549. The deadline to register online or by phone is Friday, May 30.

Attendees also can submit the registration form by mail or fax.
The deadline to register by mail or fax is Friday, May 23.

Posted by Stephanie Linscott at 8:46 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)