- 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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Nov. 15, 2011
Cancer survivors, take time for Thanksgiving
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
It's that time of year again. Thanksgiving and the start of the busy holiday season are here. As you reflect on the past year as a survivor, whatever your experience has been, take time to recognize the strength that you have inside of you, the family members who have been by your side and the friends who did not let cancer get between you.
Also reflect on how far you've come in your journey. For some of you, it's just beginning.
I often hear from survivors who describe a feeling of intense emotion or increased appreciation for the little things that they never noticed before. It might be the smell of flowers, the taste of your favorite food (when your taste is back to normal after treatment), the physical beauty that surrounds you while you walk in nature, or the warm touch of a hand on yours.
While you plan to celebrate the holidays this year, think about the little things that mean so much to you. Maybe it's an important family tradition, giving to a local charity, or having family and friends around the table to share a meal together. Give thanks and then give back to others in a way that makes you happy.
I'd love to hear your stories of how you celebrate Thanksgiving and the holidays. What makes this time even more meaningful to you?
13 comments posted
November 30, 2011 1:56 p.m.
A friend of mine had lung cance and everything was doing great, she got through the Chemo and Radiation fine. now they want to do a Permanent Trach. and she doesn't want it because she might lose her speach of not be able to breathe. Otherize she is in good health. She is 73 years old. Could you you pleasegive me something to help her make up her mine for the best. Thank You, Thelma
- Thelma
November 29, 2011 11:48 a.m.
Everyone, thanks for your incredible strength and support for each other. You are all so amazing in my eyes. I appreciate your kind words also extended to me...it means so much to me. I am thankful for this role in my career, it is an unexpected blessing for me.
- Sheryl
November 22, 2011 7:14 a.m.
four yrs. ago I was diagnosed with CLL-LYMPHOMA-PROLYMPHOTIC LEUKEMIA(no cure for this one). Was told I had 6 mos. to live. I refused treatment, and put this illness in GOD'S hands. Eleven mos. ago I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Refused treatment. I thank God each day for all my blessing, large and small. I would like to wish everyone of you a blessed Holiday Season & life.This is for each & everyone of you who are giving 100% to fight this terrible disease. If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If HE had a wallet, your picture would be in it. HE sends you flowers every spring and sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, HE listens. HE could live anywhere in the universe, and HE chose your heart. What about that Christmas gift HE sent to you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at. Calvary. Face it, He's crazy about you. I thought this was very special, just like you. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. I send up prayers every day for all of you, because you are so special. Gala
- Gala
November 21, 2011 8:32 p.m.
I am very thankful for being disease free 3 years after my Colon cancer was found. I am thankful for the excellent and caring physicians, nurses and receptionists at Mayo Rochester. I am thankful for everyday I now live and try to embrace each day and do things to make the world a better place. I am aware that I often have taken much for granted and try to be mindful of the fullness of life. Luckily I am a nurse and have the opportunity to help others just as I have been helped. Thank you to Sheryl and all of you who share your lives and thoughts as well.
- Thyra
November 18, 2011 7:34 a.m.
I was diagnosed w/superficial bladder cancer 2 years ago. This holidays I am going to take short trip on San Juan bay (Puerto Rico.USA) aboard the famous HMS BOUNTY, of the famous mutiny about 200 hundres years ago. She will be docking at our beatiful island which you should visit some day.
- Carlos
November 17, 2011 9:47 p.m.
I was told I had breast cancer June 2010. I was completely caught off guard. After a segmental mastectomy, taking only one lymph node and radiation I am cancer free. I will turn 60 on Thanksgiving and I thank God and my church family everyday. I continued to teach kindergarten through my treatments as this was my way of dealing with my diagnosis. I had a lot of support from coworkers and there concern and prayers for me helped more that I can ever express. I am thankful this year for my good health and for the most wonderful family anyone has ever had.
- Freida
November 17, 2011 4:49 p.m.
My thanks is to the wonderful people in Rochester Minnesota! Ten years ago after having surgery on my leg for Stage 4 melanoma tumors,I was in the hospital over Thanksgiving. The staff so was so kind having to work the Holiday how could I complain about being there too. After I came home my family made a big Thanksgiving dinner for me and after the hospital dinner it tasted so good. Thanks to the Dr.s,nurses and all the other staff from the shuttle bus drivers to the surgeons I'm still able to fix my own Thanksgiving dinner at home. Thank you again this Thanksgiving for making me a 10 year cancer survivor next week.
- Linda
November 17, 2011 2:40 p.m.
I'm going through Chemo now after bilateral mastectomy. My friends and family are the only reason I'm getting through this. As I usually do the Thanksgiving cooking our family has decided to celebrate at The Sheridan this year which is fine with me, we'll dress up and all be together that's what counts.
- Ruthan
November 17, 2011 1:59 p.m.
I survived breast cancer -- bilateral mastectomy in 1988 when I was 40. Now I'm on chemo for after brain surgery for glioblastoma multiforme; I was told I had 1-3 years and we celebrated the 5 year mark last month. We thank God every day. Live thankfully, life joyfully, live NOW.
- Eileen
November 17, 2011 12:59 p.m.
I am happy to be live after my Kidney Cancer. I lost half of my left kidney. Thank you God for everything.
- Margaret
November 17, 2011 12:48 p.m.
I was diagnosis with Stage 4 Follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma almost three years ago. I had eight sessions of CVP and 5 sessions of Rituxan and I have now just finished my two years of Rituxan Maintenance program. I never thought that having Cancer could result in a renewed feeling of life, as well as my religion. I have learned to each day and not to look too far into the future. Yes, I have stopped to smell the roses and appreciate my family and all the new Cancer friends that I have made these past few years. I have learned to approach life's difficult situations with a more positive attitude. This does wonders for any anxiety or nervousness that you have during and after your treatment. I try to reach out to all I meet undergoing a health crisis and offer them as much positive feedback, as I can.
- Linda
November 17, 2011 12:20 p.m.
This month last year I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 42. I am greatful for everyday I have, this year I believe the holidays will be very emotional as I am still trying to come to terms of having "Cancer" and being a "Survivor". They have told me that I am cancer free but to me it really needs to be longer before they can tell me I am cancer free. Needless to say I am excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas also as I do get to celebrate with my family and enjoy their company. I also have a very special Nurse that I will be visiting with some goodies as when I was in the hospital she really was good to me and she cried when I left. I want her to know it was a difficult journey but she sure made it a special journey. Thank you to Beth.
- Melissa
November 17, 2011 12:08 p.m.
The topic caught me a little off-guard, so to speak, as my compatriots and I celebrate our official Thanksgiving holiday in October. You have reminded me that as a survivor, every day is Thanksgiving for me. I don't need a designated day to be grateful for my life. This particular day is a tad hard as it would have been my mother's birthday. She died from metastatic breast cancer almost 39 years ago when I was 21. Yet I am grateful for the example, the exceptional strength and dignity with which she faced all of life's trials including the final. Thank you, Sheryl, for the thought and effort you put into this blog.
- Kathleen
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13 comments posted