- With Mayo Clinic nurse educator
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
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Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Sheryl M. Ness
Sheryl Ness, R.N., O.C.N., is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She helps inform patients, families and caregivers about services and resources to help them through the cancer journey.
She has a master's degree in nursing from Augsburg College. In addition, she is an assistant professor of oncology at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and is certified as a specialist in oncology nursing. Sheryl has worked for more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic as an educator. She has a keen interest in the importance of the quality of life and concerns of people living with cancer.
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Living with cancer blog
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Dec. 8, 2009
Cancer survivors have life to celebrate this season
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
From Black Friday and holiday gift commercials to the beautifully-decorated homes and storefronts, it's hard to ignore — the holidays are now upon us.
While this season is a time for us all to celebrate life and its many blessings, the holidays can also be stressful. A few of my recent stressors include carving out time to bake goodies, purchase and trim the tree and send cards. This past weekend alone, I attended three holiday parties in three days!
Since December has only begun and many of you may be hit by the holiday hustle and bustle like me, I wanted to share some tips that my Cancer Education Program colleagues and I offer cancer survivors to help them take time to enjoy the season, themselves and their loved ones:
Simplify the holidays
- Create a new holiday tradition that makes the most of your energy, such as planning potluck dinners or dining at a favorite restaurant.
- Send seasonal cards or letters after Christmas — try New Year's or Valentine's Day.
- Reduce holiday gift exchanges and shop online or via catalogues when necessary.
- Buy holiday treats to reduce the amount of time you spend baking.
- Reach out for help when needed — for example, ask someone to decorate your home or trim the tree; serve them hot chocolate and the pleasure of conversation in return.
Live in the moment
- Realize your limitations and feel comfortable doing less.
- Don't feel obligated to live up to others' expectations.
- Express your love in more direct ways than gifts.
- Rededicate yourself to your spiritual growth.
Share the hope
- Volunteer at a local nursing home or soup kitchen.
- Donate to a local charity (such as the food shelf) versus purchasing gifts.
- Adopt a needy family.
- Count and communicate your blessings.
- Invite someone to your celebration who you know is alone for the holidays.
Now that I've shared these for everyone to see, I know what my next step is. I need to practice what I preach. Thankfully, I'm sharing this early on in the season, giving me a chance to slow down to celebrate the small things in life, including each day I'm blessed with.
What about you? How do you simplify life and take time to celebrate life during the holidays?
4 comments posted
February 24, 2010 6:10 a.m.
When breast cancer cells spread, the cancer cells are often found in lymph nodes near the breast. Also, breast cancer can spread to almost any other part of the body. The most common are the bones, liver, lungs, and brain. The new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the bones, the cancer cells in the bones are actually breast cancer cells. The disease is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer. For that reason, it is treated as breast cancer, not bone cancer. Doctors call the new tumor "distant" or metastatic disease breast cancer hereditary
- jacob
January 11, 2010 12:09 a.m.
No scientific documented evidence exists that 'healing words' are more beneficial than any other words spoken to those living with cancer. Even those people with great faith and devotion die from cancer. But . . human beings are complex creatures and if anything it is the power of the brain that can be most soothing and helpful.
- franadi
December 10, 2009 1:37 p.m.
Alice, Thank you for your feedback -- It's great to know that you found these suggestions helpful after treatment. I hope you take time to celebrate your blessings this season! I also hope you continue to find this blog a meaningful resource. Happy holidays!
- Nicole
December 9, 2009 11:46 a.m.
As a cancer survivor newly released from treatment after five years, I have felt very much unachored now--what to do next? Your suggested have given me a new and clear sense of purpose.
- Alice
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4 comments posted