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Research and Education on Cancer Treatment Options
Serving Patients, Caregivers and Medical Professionals Since 2001
The single best guidebook we know of for the emotional knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to navigate the “whitewater rapids” of ANY devastating diagnosis is The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers by Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD, The Guilford Press, 2006. The author has a lifetime of relevant personal and professional experience on this subject, lending deep wisdom to this practical and spiritual book. Given the complexity of the subject, it is remarkably easy to read. The author uses a story to illustrate his messages. It is of two daughters caring for their mom, who has cancer.
The last chapter of this book is titled, “Resources”. It has 13 pages listing the names of worldwide organizations, their descriptions, phone numbers and web links.
(NOTE: We suggest you ignore the misleading subtitle, “Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent”. The “aging parent” part, he says, is there since they are such a large and quickly growing group of caregivers. We believe the subtitle should be, “while helping loved ones with any devastating diagnosis”).
This book can save many family relationships, reduce suffering, and offer badly needed information to all patients, caregivers, and other loved ones. Far too many caregivers become so physically and emotionally overwhelmed by the experience that they suffer irrevocable damage to their own health, mental health, financial health, marriages, other relationships and careers. This book can help readers minimize or even avoid such tragedies when dealing with either acute or chronic illness. Please get and read it as soon as you can.
Online Support Groups
http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/online.php?tr=y&auid=1987080.html
Online Support Groups for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals, monitored by oncology social workers.
http://www.cancersurvivors.org/
OR phone the Bloch National Cancer Hotline at 800-433-0464. (This group matches newly diagnosed cancer patients with those successfully treated for the same type of cancer).
http://www.cancerlinks.com/online.html
http://www.sharecancersupport.org
For breast and ovarian cancer patients
Journals and Writing as Therapy
Writing for Therapy Helps Erase Effects of Trauma http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/03/16/health.writing.wmd/
Writing Therapy http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/0,1525,745,00.html
Journal Therapy
http://www.journaltherapy.com
BOOKS ON GRIEF, LOSS and HEALING
- For Children
Aarvy Ardvard Finds Hope by Donna O'Toole (for ages 6 yrs to adult)
Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles (for ages 6-12)
Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley (for ages 5-12)
Gran Bran's Best Trick by Dwight Holden (for ages 5-12)
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch (for all ages)
- For Teens
Coping With Grief by Robert Buckingham and Sandra Huggard
How It Feels When a Parent Dies by Jill Krementz
Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers by Earl Grollman
When a Friend Dies—A Book for Teens About Grieving and Healing by Marilyn Gootman
When a Parent Dies by Fred Bratman
- For Adults
Close to the Bone—Life-Threatening Illness and Search for Meaning by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.
Finding My Way—Healing and Transformation Through Loss and Grief by John Schneider
How to Go on Loving When Someone You Love Died by Theresa Rando
Living When a Loved One Has Died by Earl Grollman
Men and Grief by Carol Straudacher
Recovering from the Loss of a Parent by Katherine Fair-Donnelly
Understanding Grief—Helping Yourself Heal by Alan Wolfelt
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