- 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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July 28, 2012
Gardening restores the body and soul
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
I was reflecting this week about how much I enjoy having a little garden. As I thought about this, I couldn't help but think of all of the benefits a garden provides.
Think of the enjoyment as you plan your plantings in the spring, and then the anticipation of seeing the first sprouts of green peeking up through the soil. Then you look forward to the beautiful greens, flowers, vegetables or fruit that arrive as gifts from nature.
Having a garden in your life can be restoring. It gives you something to care for, celebrate, and later on, gives back by producing flowers, fruits or vegetables to nourish your body and your soul. A great idea is to also include aromatic plants such as lavender, rosemary, mint and other herbs to give your senses a treat as well.
Think of how you feel when you receive a beautiful bouquet of garden flowers or fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmer's market or maybe a few treasures shared with you from a generous friend or neighbor. It's priceless. Having a garden can nourish your spirit and your body.
If you don't have a lot of space, start a little potted garden in your windowsill or on your terrace or patio. If you have physical limitations, ask a friend or family member to help you get things started. Once the plants are in their place, it just takes a few minutes every day to water, prune and care for your plants.
I have also heard wonderful stories of gardens that have special significance, such as survivor or memorial gardens or neighborhood garden plots where people come together to plant and care for the garden. What an incredible way to keep in touch with others, get a little physical activity and stay healthy with fresh produce from the garden. The benefits are great, so give it a try.
Tell me about your gardening experience. Follow me on Twitter at @SherylNess1. Join the discussion at #livingwithcancer.
8 comments posted
September 25, 2012 8:12 a.m.
WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 2 CERVICAL CANCER JUST OVER 2 YEARS AGO NOW ITS BACK. NOT COPING AT ALL THIS TIME ROUND SO I HAVE SET UP A BEAUTFUL GARDEN WHERE I CAN SIT AND READ AND SOON THE ROSES WILL ALL BE IN BLOOM I FEEL SO AT PEACE SITTING THERE. WHEN IM GONE LATER ON MY HUSBAND WILL ENJOY IT I REALLY WISH THINGS COULD BE DIFFERENT AND WE COULD GROW OLD TOGETHER BUT ITS NOT MEANT TO BE. THE DRS. HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE MY HUSBAND LETS ME WORK IN THE GARDEN FOR AN HOUR DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER HE IS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND CANT DO ENOUGH FOR ME> I TREASURE EVERY DAY WE HAVE TOGETHER/ WHEN IM HAVING A BAD DAY HE LIFTS ME UP AND MAKES ME LAUGH.
- ELAINE
September 9, 2012 5:25 p.m.
Gardening is the one thing me and my husband can do together without having to worry about me getting to tried because I sit down without having to look for a seat and enjoy the view of the flower and veggies garden. Plus we can get to eat the bounty of our labor.
- Trish
August 9, 2012 4:12 a.m.
Gardening has always been a big part of my life, and when I developed bone marrow cancer, it made me so tired that the complicated garden suffered from lack of care. Now I am on a chemo which has given me back my energy and I am working on the garden again. Mine is a healing garden now, all greens, with trees, bushes, hostas and ferns and water bowls for the birds, as well as two ponds. I like nothing better than sitting there with a book, it really calms my mind and I am sure is helping me physically as well. There is a poem by Emerson which starts "All my hurts my garden spade can heal" and I firmly believe that.
- Rosemary
August 3, 2012 11:08 a.m.
I have always said that digging around in the dirt is good for the soul. Gardening has given me much comfort in all times of my life, it did during my brutal treatment, my recovery and now as I go forth.
- Ruth
August 2, 2012 8:09 p.m.
Sorry for the double entry. However, good news. Had an appointment with my oncologist today and she gave me results of my three month scans. One showed for the second time the tumors in my lung has shrunk even smaller and the bone scan showed stable. She said that was good. After questionng me about how I felt and the low energy she left me on the same medicine but changed it to one week on and then one week off. So I am now on a four week cycle instead of a three cycle. On the way home we pass a nursery and they had a morning morning plant that was eight feet tall with beautifuol blue blossoms on it. My husband said that would look nice on the front of the house where we hang our Christmas wreath. He did not have to say it twice I turned in and purchased it. Since he has a broken foot he will not be able to put it up but my daughter and granddaughter are comng tomorrow and they will do whatever I need done.they callit a 24 hour rest period for us. So the morning glories are our celebration of good news. He said I think I better watch what I say (meaning about the plant). Yes, flowers are uplifting. Have a good day everyone.
- Anna
August 2, 2012 4:37 p.m.
I am living with sarcoma metastisis in my lungs. After surgeries and the effects of chemotherapy it was almost impossible for me to do any flower gardening at all. However, when I couldn't, friends could. They helped plant and weed and nurtured me along the way. Now I am able to do much more as I am on a break from chemo. I appreciate their care and the healing that helping things grow provides.
- Laura
August 2, 2012 12:38 p.m.
Five years ago,when I was diagnosed a second time with breast cancer now metastasized to my stomach,I had to undergo chemotherapy for seven months. I knew I had to have the most beautiful flower garden I could manage to plant. Alas, I didn't have the energy to carry it off alone so I gathered several family members and friends and mostly they planted my pots and planters. It was a riot of colour, joyful and very, very energizing for me as each treatment sapped me of strength. I would look out the window or sit on my patio and "feel" the colour and energy of the growing plants.When I could, I would tend to the plants an hour at a time.I would describe it as providing me with Life as I worried about possible death if the chemo did not work. I have had a beautiful flower garden every year since and I still continue to soak in the energy given off by that riot of colour every summer. It would be my wish that every patient be able to discover an activity that could provide them with the same energy and calm.
- Deanne
August 2, 2012 12:13 p.m.
Gardening with flowers has always been a passion of mine. People stop to tell us how lovely the flowers are in the front. It used to be I would invite them to the backyard. However, this year I am struggling with metases of breast cancer from fifteen years ago. And it is not so nice as it has been. However, since it is tiring and hard for me to get up and down and just lack of energy I have replaced my annuals with blooming bushes. I have hydrangeas ( in bloom right now) forsythia, rose of sharon, spirea etc. They bloom at different times of the season and then I have hostas and ferns as ground cover. When I put this together with my blooming apple and cherry trees I have some color most of the time. There are days I do not feel like doing much or going out but I have made it a must to get out and water anything I think needs it. That has been a bigger chore with the lack of rain we have had. I do haave a few annual pots on our deck and that is easier to water and care for as I do not need to bend . So, yes my interest in nature has been a real blessing to me. I believe in the Spring all the plants, and bushes will come up and there will be little work. Having the plants to talk about with people is a relief . This takes away from having to talk about cancer a lot. I am not sure I will be here to enjoy them but sure am enjoying them now and some one will if I am not.
- Anna
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