- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
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Stress blog
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Sept. 21, 2010
Knowing when to retreat
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
The marathon is a race of 26.2 miles. There are no short cuts in training. If you don't invest the training time, you might finish the race but your results won't be pretty and you might well end up injured. The cornerstone of marathon training is at least two long runs of approximately 20 miles each.
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During one such run I hooked up with a woman in her early 60s who I knew but not very well. Talking with fellow runners takes your mind off the discomfort and creates a sense of camaraderie. As we ran, she shared with me some of her struggles:
- A thorny political situation at work that might jeopardize her future with the organization.
- An adult daughter struggling with mental illness who refuses to take her medications on a regular basis and who was charged with reckless driving.
- A husband who was forced into retirement and now struggles with his self-identity.
As we approached the 15-mile mark, I felt like Dr. Phil. I was compelled to say, "Okay, you have a lot of things on your plate. Some are fixable and some are not. What are you doing to take care of yourself?" Most people faced with that question fumble for a response. But not my running partner.
She made it crystal clear that she understands the value of self-care. She said she planned to spend five days alone at the family cabin to find some personal renewal. When she returned, she'd be better able to support her husband and daughter with their challenges.
I found her attitude very healthy. She understood that you can't give what you don't have. So the question is: What are you doing to take care of yourself?
7 comments posted
September 29, 2010 7:05 a.m.
I recently went through a tramatic situation with my husband having a second heart attack and atrial fibulation so bad that they had trouble getting him stabilized so he was kept in the hospital for 3 weeks. He then a quadruple coronary by-pass. He owns his own business and was at first reluctant to have the surgery due to worry about his business. I stepped in and ran the business (luckily I have some knowledge of it and some managerial skill). This enabled me to do something positive about the situation and actually helped me feel better. I did not cancel any of my own scheduled situations so that I could have my own get away periods. This all sounds good and helped me alot but I still had the worse part to go through: his recouperation. I still feel under pressure but its not as bad as it was as he is now back to work and at least out of the house! Lizabeth, you are going through a very difficult time and not every solution will work but you should try to get some outside help. I know most communities have "day care" available for Alzheimer's patients and training programs for those suffering from Down's Syndrom. If you could only time their periods away so that you can have some time to yourself. I wish you smooth sailing with your situation.
- Barbara
September 28, 2010 8:01 p.m.
Lizabeth, my heart goes out to you. The care of your mom alone would be enough to exhaust you. You need help. Do you have United Way 211 in your area? They might be able to put a "package" together to address your various needs. It may sound like defeat, but you might want to think of putting your mother in a nursing home. Better than putting yourself into an early grave. Can you reach out to a church or club and ask for people to give you some respite?
- Reynaldo
September 28, 2010 1:35 p.m.
I have also taken breaks alone in times of stress. Lizabeth, even if it is only for a few minutes a day, you must carve out time for yourself. Is it possible for you to get some help with your mother. Some communities have day care for seniors so that care givers can get some relief. Finally talk to your family practitioner about your health care concerns. If you become ill, who will care for your mother and husband? I hope that you find some help. In the meantime take care of yourself.
- Barbara
September 27, 2010 4:57 p.m.
Please consider the context of this gem of an anecdote--a story within a story--which hits the mark on several levels. If feeling follows action, then engaging in regular physical activity will yield big rewards; camaraderie on the journey of life will yield big rewards. Self-care involves all of the above: physical activity, camaraderie, and down time as appropriate. Not easy to get it right, but worth the effort!
- Alan
September 26, 2010 9:21 p.m.
Lizabeth..... my heart goes out to you.... I thought I had problems. I am the same age as you but with some different circumstances and am slowly making my way out of the hole I was in. This past Spring at age 51 I suffered a heart attack, yes I know family history plays a part but I also know it was due in part to tremendous stress. I am hoping you start to find some network of friends, support groups, respite care...whatever you can to help you out. Don't make excuses that the folks in your life can not survive without you......and believe me this may happen you won't survive!!!!! Please please reach out look for help in your area!! Best wishes Lizabeth!!
- Miss M
September 24, 2010 11:33 p.m.
I visited a Dr. recently-- he recommended someone he said could provide more info on small steps that would help (with GERD in my case). This was helpful to me, to think in terms of small steps. Small steps may help you too Lizabeth. Have you viewed the art therapy on the multimedia tab above? Maybe setting aside a few minutes to paint might provide some relief, a small step you might build from. Paint your retreats, it has been helping me at any rate...
- Big Carol
September 23, 2010 3:03 a.m.
If it was that simple....a retreat would be so logical. What if the people who depend on you define you and everything you do. Like having a husband with severe PTSD from Vietnam along with all of the health problems he has like, diabetes, heart problems, bipolar disorder, etc., an 86 yr. old mother who requires 24/7 care of which has to be supervised, plus the administrating of her expenses and household and medical needs, and lastly but not quite as exsasparating a 22 yr. old son with Down Syndrome who is my rock. Where and how does one get away for self healing and time to re-energize the batteries to focus of another stressful moment? My health is starting to suffer and I am only 52 and feel like I am 62, physically and mentally. I realize self-care but what does one do when it just doesn't seem possible?
- Lizabeth
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