I met a Stage 4 cancer survivor on a cruise last summer -- although our contact was limited to a couple of meals in shared company, he made a big impact on me. Why? Because Tom had outlived all predictions, beaten the odds when there shouldn't have been any chance of winning, and most of all, because Tom was a smart, funny, personable man with a lot to offer any conversation.
Months after I returned, I thought about things Tom said in group conversations. His biggest regret? Having to retire because of his cancer. That really stayed with me. Here was a man who had spent his entire career learning the ins and outs of community banking. He had more knowledge about strategies that apply, how the little banks are often the backbone of the community, and how critical it is that customers feel that their banks are working with them, not against them.
What does a man or woman do when cancer claims a career? In many ways, it depends on the career and what adaptive tools can keep your loved one going. Often, especially with neuropathy, the loss of hand function is incredibly frustrating and limiting. In Tom's case, I came to the conclusion that he would have made an amazing consultant to any community bank, but for the challenges of neuropathy. In a case like that, what might Tom have used to overcome the obstacle? What about voice recognition software? Not only can a user access and respond to emails, write documents, and use voice commands to direct computer actions, this technology comes standard on a lot of newer computers. From the line of MAC products to any computer, netbook, or tablet that uses Windows operating system, voice recognition is already an option. In addition, there are even apps that can be downloaded for smart phones to assist anyone with neuropathy to get around the typing obstacle.
To find out if your computer or MAC already has it, use the search word "accessibility". Do the same for any smart phones, tablets, netbooks, or other recent products. You may already have what you need right at your fingertips.
But even better options are available, some for a fee. Maybe your loved one is too easily fatigued to hold a Kindle, Nook, or any other electronic book reader. He or she can just sit back, relax, and listen. It's not even necessary to hold the book. If you have an MP3 player or an IPod, you can download items for your loved one's listening pleasure. Whether it's professional or pleasure reading your loved one wants to do, text-to-speech technology can help get it done.
If you really want to get clever, why not offer your loved one a voice-to-text tool? You can even buy software programs developed for professionals which let your loved one dictate with a minimum of mistakes. Whether it's voice-to-text or text-to-speech, there are options that can help your loved one stay as active and productive as possible during cancer treatment and management.
What about kids with cancer? Unleashing their creativity can be the difference between a child languishing in bed and a child setting the world on fire. Whether the technologies are used to help children write school papers and keep up with homework, or download and listen to their favorite stories, how can that ever be a bad thing? The wonderful thing about children is they exist half-way between the world of make-believe and the real world. If you've ever encouraged a child to create a story, you know there's no way of knowing what the end result is going to be. The process is always interesting. Hand a child the equipment that will help him or her tell a story and you may be surprised at the wonderful treasures that result. Children can do more than just school work with these programs. They can dictate emails to Grandma and Grandpa on the computer and listen to the replies that come back to them. They can even improve their reading skills when they follow the printed word on the computer screen.
Some of these also come in several languages, even the text-to-speech programs. NextUp offers so many voices and accents for its readers through its ATT Natural Voices, it's like a walk through the United Nations.
Some people hesitate to offer up assistive technology to cancer patients, as if it will make their loved ones feel more handicapped. If you're feeling like it would be offensive to suggest your loved one try it, consider this. Busy people already use these technologies to make their lives easier. Whether it's writing a forty-page report or making notes on a big project that's due, a number of working individuals are getting the job done. If it's good enough for productive people, isn't it good enough for your loved one? This kind of software is likely to be used by your loved one well after the neuropathy fades away. And by suggesting it, you're sending a couple of really great messages to your loved one -- that he or she still has a lot of living to do, that he or she still has a lot to share with the world, and that cancer doesn't get to take away anyone's voice. Whether it's reading to your loved one or dictating for your loved one, having this can make a big difference in slipping in a little hope on that rocky cancer road. We all want to feel like we can still get things done. It's important to self-esteem, to our view of the world, and to how we function when we are forced down by physical obstacles. Your loved one may never write the next great novel or reinvent the wheel, but he or she probably has something the world needs to hear. Why not help make that happen? Here are a couple of helpful products:
Dragon Naturally Speaking (PC and MAC versions):
http://www.nuance.com/
NextUp Text Aloud:
http://www.nextup.com/
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
HOW ABOUT A CANCER CARAVAN?
Wouldn't it be fun for cancer families to get together for a long summer weekend and have a cancer caravan? Whether it's heading to the mountains for a camp-out or to the lake to board a houseboat flotilla, getting together with other people who understand what your loved one is going through can be very comforting.
How would you go about setting something like this up? First, you'd have to pick a location that has access to good emergency medicine. It's always smart to be prepared, "just in case...." You never know when something might happen, be it an infection or a cut. If you know you'll be able to get to a medical center within a reasonable amount of time, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the trip more, won't you? Take New Hampshire, for example. Lots of wonderful mountains and lakes, not to mention Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. That makes it a good choice for a cancer caravan. If you coordinate with your loved one's cancer team before you go, you can feel fairly confident that your loved one will get quality treatment, if needed, while on vacation. Know what the procedure is before you go. Does the cancer center want you to call in first, so they can directly contact the medical center, or do they want you to provide the treating physician with the cancer team contact? Get that straight and you'll be able to kick back.
Why go with a group of other cancer patients? There are several good reasons. First, it's nice to be with people who get what your loved one is going through. With kids who have cancer, it's freeing to be able to hang out without having to worry about missing your hair or feeling weak. When you're the only kid at the party with a bald head or forced to stay out of the sun because of chemotherapy and radiation issues, it can be a lonely journey. When there's a group in the same dire straights, you're no longer the geek with the Big C. If you have to stay out of the sun, you at least have some good company and the chance to still have fun, whether it's fishing or playing cards. If there are siblings, it's nice for them to hang out with other siblings who know the deep, dark cave that is cancer, where life is uncertain and scary. And it's nice for parents to be able to share the duties with other parents. It starts to form a mini-cancer community, where people work together to give families the fun they need.
But it's not only children and teens with cancer who can benefit from a cancer caravan. Why not adults? Why not do a "couples weekend" or a "family fiesta" for adult cancer patients and the people who matter to them? You can also "buddy up". Whether it's the girls' weekend away or a fishing trip for the guys, your loved one can bring a buddy to do the heavy lifting. Rent a group of cabins in the woods and gather there with others going through the cancer experience. Imagine your loved one being able to rest on the deck of a houseboat, shaded from the sun, enjoying the gentle breeze, the smell of the pine trees, and the chance to feel like "a normal person" again, even just for a long weekend. It's important to factor in your loved one's needs, especially if he or she is still experiencing the side effects of cancer treatment. Are there special nutritional needs? Is a daily nap important?
It doesn't have to be a big, complicated process to get folks together for a long weekend. Pick a spot, invite folks to come along, and make the necessary arrangements. If you're nervous about how it will work out, why not start with a day trip? Hold a day-long picnic party at a woodsy park. Invite folks to bring food to share. Get everyone into the spirit of the day. Foster cooperation and consideration. When you're confident that families are ready to handle a long weekend away, get together and hash out the details.
Cancer support groups could even host trips for their cancer families, with planned activities in a safe outdoor environment, be it lake or mountains. Keep the costs down and the fun quotient up. Lots of activities don't cost a cent. Gather round the grill or campfire at the end of the day and make some s'mores. Tell some ghost stories, sing songs, share some laughs, play charades. Watch the fireflies flicker in the woods or the shooting stars fall through the night sky above. Do it with people who share the cancer experience and build on that camaraderie. These are the folks who are part of your extended cancer family. They know your pain and you know theirs.
What can cancer patients expect to get out of a cancer caravan? How about the opportunity to see that this disease affects people in similar and dissimilar ways? And how do families benefit? For spouses who are struggling with their loved ones' cancer, it can be very comforting to hang out with other spouses of people who are managing cancer. For best friends, it's a chance to remember that friendship is about rising above the challenges. For families, it's a chance to realize that you are not alone. Cancer changes how families live. There is strength in numbers. Wisdom is often passed along when people get together. And hope grows when people begin to understand what is most important in life. Live each day like it matters, because it does.
How would you go about setting something like this up? First, you'd have to pick a location that has access to good emergency medicine. It's always smart to be prepared, "just in case...." You never know when something might happen, be it an infection or a cut. If you know you'll be able to get to a medical center within a reasonable amount of time, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the trip more, won't you? Take New Hampshire, for example. Lots of wonderful mountains and lakes, not to mention Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. That makes it a good choice for a cancer caravan. If you coordinate with your loved one's cancer team before you go, you can feel fairly confident that your loved one will get quality treatment, if needed, while on vacation. Know what the procedure is before you go. Does the cancer center want you to call in first, so they can directly contact the medical center, or do they want you to provide the treating physician with the cancer team contact? Get that straight and you'll be able to kick back.
Why go with a group of other cancer patients? There are several good reasons. First, it's nice to be with people who get what your loved one is going through. With kids who have cancer, it's freeing to be able to hang out without having to worry about missing your hair or feeling weak. When you're the only kid at the party with a bald head or forced to stay out of the sun because of chemotherapy and radiation issues, it can be a lonely journey. When there's a group in the same dire straights, you're no longer the geek with the Big C. If you have to stay out of the sun, you at least have some good company and the chance to still have fun, whether it's fishing or playing cards. If there are siblings, it's nice for them to hang out with other siblings who know the deep, dark cave that is cancer, where life is uncertain and scary. And it's nice for parents to be able to share the duties with other parents. It starts to form a mini-cancer community, where people work together to give families the fun they need.
But it's not only children and teens with cancer who can benefit from a cancer caravan. Why not adults? Why not do a "couples weekend" or a "family fiesta" for adult cancer patients and the people who matter to them? You can also "buddy up". Whether it's the girls' weekend away or a fishing trip for the guys, your loved one can bring a buddy to do the heavy lifting. Rent a group of cabins in the woods and gather there with others going through the cancer experience. Imagine your loved one being able to rest on the deck of a houseboat, shaded from the sun, enjoying the gentle breeze, the smell of the pine trees, and the chance to feel like "a normal person" again, even just for a long weekend. It's important to factor in your loved one's needs, especially if he or she is still experiencing the side effects of cancer treatment. Are there special nutritional needs? Is a daily nap important?
It doesn't have to be a big, complicated process to get folks together for a long weekend. Pick a spot, invite folks to come along, and make the necessary arrangements. If you're nervous about how it will work out, why not start with a day trip? Hold a day-long picnic party at a woodsy park. Invite folks to bring food to share. Get everyone into the spirit of the day. Foster cooperation and consideration. When you're confident that families are ready to handle a long weekend away, get together and hash out the details.
Cancer support groups could even host trips for their cancer families, with planned activities in a safe outdoor environment, be it lake or mountains. Keep the costs down and the fun quotient up. Lots of activities don't cost a cent. Gather round the grill or campfire at the end of the day and make some s'mores. Tell some ghost stories, sing songs, share some laughs, play charades. Watch the fireflies flicker in the woods or the shooting stars fall through the night sky above. Do it with people who share the cancer experience and build on that camaraderie. These are the folks who are part of your extended cancer family. They know your pain and you know theirs.
What can cancer patients expect to get out of a cancer caravan? How about the opportunity to see that this disease affects people in similar and dissimilar ways? And how do families benefit? For spouses who are struggling with their loved ones' cancer, it can be very comforting to hang out with other spouses of people who are managing cancer. For best friends, it's a chance to remember that friendship is about rising above the challenges. For families, it's a chance to realize that you are not alone. Cancer changes how families live. There is strength in numbers. Wisdom is often passed along when people get together. And hope grows when people begin to understand what is most important in life. Live each day like it matters, because it does.
COOL SUMMER FUN WITHOUT THE DIRECT SUN
Cancer patients who have had radiation treatment know that exposure to sunlight can be risky for their radiated skin. And chemotherapy can intensify the damaging effects of sunlight during treatment. What's a cancer patient to do while having treatment? Curl up under a rock? Hide in the house all summer long? Balderdash, I say! It's time to get around that big, fat obstacle and have some cool summer fun!
Some cancer patients mourn the loss of their days in the sun. It's just one more blow to endure. Family caregivers can make all the difference in the world by thinking outside the box. If the beach is out of the question, don't let your loved one despair. There are always options.
Yesterday, I took the dog for a long hike through the forest on a hot day. The birds were singing at high noon. We were comfortable under the leafy canopy. Along side the trail, water gurgled in the stream. As I crossed the meadow, the sweet smell of grass and wild flowers filled the air. And then I reached the top of the hill, where the reservoir sat in all its glory. Blue sky, clear water, surrounded by forest -- what could be more glorious? I kicked myself for not bringing my camera with me. I could have painted a wonderful waterscape back in my art studio. But even as I sat upon the reservoir wall, I took in all that beauty and thought about how much my mother would have loved this peaceful place.
That got me thinking. Cancer treatment was tough on my mother. Anyone who's been through it knows what I'm talking about -- whether it's radiation burns or "chemo brain", it's always something. That's why having a tranquil outdoor sanctuary can be a real soul saver. But how can you share a wonderful spot like this with someone who has limited stamina and can't spend much, if any, time in the sun? How do you capture the majesty of a fine summer day for a cancer patient?
What about renting a paddle or pedal boat? Many public parks and vacation resorts offer these with Bimini shade tops. Even some aluminum fishing boats can be rented with a top. For about $15-$20 an hour, you can take your loved one around the lake. Pack a picnic lunch and bring a cooler. Some pedal boats can even seat four, so your loved one can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. If he or she loves to fish, go for the canopied fishing boat rental and drop a line for a couple of hours. What a great way to spend a summer day, even if you don't catch anything.
But what about cancer patients who have families on vacation? It's hard to do family activities with the limitations of cancer treatment, unless you get creative. Why not take the gang on a pontoon or patio boat? You can rent one of these for $200-$300 for half a day. Easy to navigate, you can even rent a tube to tow. What kid wouldn't love an adventure like that? Some pontoon and patio boats come with luxury touches, like BBQ grills, CD/stereo players, and comfortable seating. Some are built for 6 passengers, others for up to about 18 passengers. That means you could plan a group outing and really crank up the "cool" factor. If your loved one is feeling energetic, he or she can certainly slip into the lake for a dip. But if cancer treatment has put a limit on physical activities, what could be more lovely than spending an afternoon under a protective canopy? Your loved one can dose comfortably while the rest of the crew hangs out. Whether it's a lake in New Hampshire, New York, Missouri, South Carolina, or California, getting out and feeling connected to nature can feed the soul of a cancer patient. It's all about feeling alive. It's all about being a part of life. Surrounded by the people you love, comforted by the tranquility of a beautiful waterway -- does summer get any better than this?
Oh, wait. Maybe it could -- there are always houseboats to rent. Now there's an ultimate vacation for a cancer patient -- spend a week on the lake, just kicking back and being free. Whether it's a trip with college buddies, grandkids, or the immediate family, houseboats offer the chance to socialize and play on the water. Self-contained, with plenty of shade and all the necessary comforts, houseboats allow cancer patients to vacation without stress or exertion. That's really what a summer vacation is all about, isn't it? A little slice of paradise....
Some cancer patients mourn the loss of their days in the sun. It's just one more blow to endure. Family caregivers can make all the difference in the world by thinking outside the box. If the beach is out of the question, don't let your loved one despair. There are always options.
Yesterday, I took the dog for a long hike through the forest on a hot day. The birds were singing at high noon. We were comfortable under the leafy canopy. Along side the trail, water gurgled in the stream. As I crossed the meadow, the sweet smell of grass and wild flowers filled the air. And then I reached the top of the hill, where the reservoir sat in all its glory. Blue sky, clear water, surrounded by forest -- what could be more glorious? I kicked myself for not bringing my camera with me. I could have painted a wonderful waterscape back in my art studio. But even as I sat upon the reservoir wall, I took in all that beauty and thought about how much my mother would have loved this peaceful place.
That got me thinking. Cancer treatment was tough on my mother. Anyone who's been through it knows what I'm talking about -- whether it's radiation burns or "chemo brain", it's always something. That's why having a tranquil outdoor sanctuary can be a real soul saver. But how can you share a wonderful spot like this with someone who has limited stamina and can't spend much, if any, time in the sun? How do you capture the majesty of a fine summer day for a cancer patient?
What about renting a paddle or pedal boat? Many public parks and vacation resorts offer these with Bimini shade tops. Even some aluminum fishing boats can be rented with a top. For about $15-$20 an hour, you can take your loved one around the lake. Pack a picnic lunch and bring a cooler. Some pedal boats can even seat four, so your loved one can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. If he or she loves to fish, go for the canopied fishing boat rental and drop a line for a couple of hours. What a great way to spend a summer day, even if you don't catch anything.
But what about cancer patients who have families on vacation? It's hard to do family activities with the limitations of cancer treatment, unless you get creative. Why not take the gang on a pontoon or patio boat? You can rent one of these for $200-$300 for half a day. Easy to navigate, you can even rent a tube to tow. What kid wouldn't love an adventure like that? Some pontoon and patio boats come with luxury touches, like BBQ grills, CD/stereo players, and comfortable seating. Some are built for 6 passengers, others for up to about 18 passengers. That means you could plan a group outing and really crank up the "cool" factor. If your loved one is feeling energetic, he or she can certainly slip into the lake for a dip. But if cancer treatment has put a limit on physical activities, what could be more lovely than spending an afternoon under a protective canopy? Your loved one can dose comfortably while the rest of the crew hangs out. Whether it's a lake in New Hampshire, New York, Missouri, South Carolina, or California, getting out and feeling connected to nature can feed the soul of a cancer patient. It's all about feeling alive. It's all about being a part of life. Surrounded by the people you love, comforted by the tranquility of a beautiful waterway -- does summer get any better than this?
Oh, wait. Maybe it could -- there are always houseboats to rent. Now there's an ultimate vacation for a cancer patient -- spend a week on the lake, just kicking back and being free. Whether it's a trip with college buddies, grandkids, or the immediate family, houseboats offer the chance to socialize and play on the water. Self-contained, with plenty of shade and all the necessary comforts, houseboats allow cancer patients to vacation without stress or exertion. That's really what a summer vacation is all about, isn't it? A little slice of paradise....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)