Give the GIFT OF HOPE! Your generous contribution will help people affected by cancer & their families.

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1 Cancer Support Community Delaware Issue No. 6 Summer 2013 Dear Marcia, Caregivers play a vital role. They are cheerleaders, nutritionists, pharmacists, coaches, record keepers, hand-holders, therapists. They are SUPERHEROS! But often, they just don't know it. Probably because they are also overwhelmed and exhausted. At the Cancer Support Community, we understand their role... and the conflicting emotions that go along with it. We are here for YOU! Sincerely, Marcia Esposito Marketing Manager Cancer Support Commu nity Delaware CSC is proud to be recognized as the 6th Most Impactful Non-Profit in the Field of Cancer in the U.S. by Philanthropedia, a Guidestar organization. Give the GIFT OF HOPE! Your generous contribution will help people affected by cancer & their families.

2 Learn more... Donate now... WORDS OF HOPE... IN THIS ISSUE: Cancer Support Being a Team Player CSC Recognized Give the Gift of Hope! Words of Hope Upcoming Events Photos of Past Events CANCER SUPPORT: Caring for the Caregiver: When someone is diagnosed with cancer, loved ones usually rally around to support the person from time of diagnosis through active treatment. They focus on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the person facing the illness. In addition to what was already happening in their lives, they take on more responsibility. More people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis and the cumulative effect of this lengthened time affects not only the person with cancer but their caregivers. The Cancer Support Community provides a respite for those family members and friends from this caregiving. CSC is one of the few places that focus on the needs of the caregiver. Our weekly caregiver support groups offer the added opportunity to speak with other caregivers about their coping strategies. These groups are facilitated by a licensed mental health professional who has expertise in caregiving issues. One need that is a common topic is "time". Many caregivers try to juggle the responsibilities that they had before their loved one became ill in addition to the caregiving. While this might work for a short time as the need to care for a loved one increases, so does the need to make time not Cancer Support Community Delaware Caregiver, Vickie Drury Shares Her Story Support Just For Caregivers: (Sussex) Caring for the Caregiver - (New Castle) Caregiver Support Group - Mark Your Calendars: 2013 Greene Turtle Lewes 5k Sunday, August 18, 2013 The Greene Turtle Restaurant & Sports Bar North Village Main Blvd, Lewes, DE A Butterfly Release

3 only for the caregiving, but for oneself. There is a fair body of research documenting the potential negative health issues from extended caregiving. The additional stress of extended caregiving can be balanced with care for oneself. For those who come to caregiving naturally it can be a challenge to care as much for oneself than for the person with cancer. Many factors go into determining this: cultural, relationship, life stage at the time of caregiving, etc. but setting reasonable goals regarding the caregiving process (perhaps it is OK to leave the lawn uncut or the floor unswept until tomorrow), utilizing help (allowing someone else to drive him/her to radiation therapy once in a while), and actively seeking stress reduction opportunities can assist the caregiver actively combat caregiver stress. In addition to additional responsibilities of caregiving comes the emotional concern of "will my loved one be OK?" The emotional roller coaster ride that frequently accompanies the cancer journey can be as difficult as the physical care that can accompany a cancer diagnosis. No matter how difficult the person with cancer's treatment is, she or he can focus on recovery; they can actively participate in their care. The caregiver is a step away from this, and has their own concerns about the person with cancer: how will they change?, will they survive?, etc. The caregiver might feel that expressing some of these fears and concerns to the person who is dealing with cancer could impact their ability to maintain hope. While this isn't necessarily the case; having a place to go to express concerns before talking to your loved one can frequently help improve the caregiver communication. Caregiving is hard work but with support, hope and a place to "recharge the batteries" it can be one of life's great accomplishments. As a person caring for a loved one with cancer please reach out and care for yourself as well. September 14 Contact Lily to be a part of this inspiring event. Strides for Hope Half Moon Bay International Marathon San Francisco, California September 26-30, 2013 Contact Susan for more info Classic Car & Street Rod Show Saturday, October 19, 2013, 11am to 3pm Kreutz Creek Vineyards & Winery Ground 533 S. Guernsey Rd, West Grove, PA Sean Hebbel, LCSW, OSW-C Program Director, CSC Click here for more info

4 Being a "Team Player" As a caregiver, you are now a part of a team... The team starts with the oncologist and possibly an oncology surgeon and radiologist. Other team members include oncology social workers, mental health experts, nurses, pharmacists, home health aides, rehabilitation specialists, nutrition experts, clergy, and hospice care workers. As a member of this team, you need to develop positive relationships with these specialists. Have all their contact numbers, and don't be afraid to use them. And ask lots of questions! Write questions down before visits, and jot down the answers when you get them. If you don't understand the answer, ask the question in another way. Check out our FUNdraisers in all three counties. Just click I Just Want To Have Fun! Speaking of having fun... did we ever!!! Check out some photos from recent programs & events: (New Castle) Twin Lakes Plunge Dickie Golf Classic Going to doctor visits. Make sure you have enough time, bring a folder containing all the important health information, take notes, and be a good advocate. Let the doctor know about any new symptoms or any other concerns. Keeping track of medications. Know what each one does and what side effects to look for. You may need to give the cancer patient his medications and keep all the prescriptions up to date. During Cancer Treatments: Expanding the Caregiving Team You can't do all these important jobs by yourself, especially if you are also running a household, preparing meals, or holding down a job. An important way to help the cancer patient work with the cancer treatment team is to enlist help. 5K For Cliff (Sussex) Whoop it Up! Create your own cancer support team. Expand your treatment team to include friends and family members. Keep all the phone numbers handy, posted on the refrigerator at home and in a small notebook, or programmed into your cell phone for when you are on

5 the go. Mark down the times each team member is available to help out. Delegate responsibilities. You may need help with cooking, cleaning, shopping, child care, or transportation for the cancer patient. You can't get help until you ask for it. Organize cancer-care team meetings. Hold regular meetings to keep everyone involved, including the cancer patient. Also consider providing "virtual" updates on an online patient-oriented Web site, such as Care Pages or Caring Bridge, that allows loved ones to connect online at any hour, no matter where they live. Your involvement in your loved one's care can make all the difference in his comfort level and the ease in which he goes through his treatment process. Staying on top of that process, and all that it involves, will benefit the patient, the team, and you. * *EverydayHealth.com Follow us on TWITTER! Click Free Mobile App to enable the app provided by CancerSupportSource, an innovative mobile application providing cancer patients and their caregivers with a unique set of tools addressing their physical, social and emotional concerns related to living with cancer and its treatment. Please remember us: United Way Delaware ~ 9235 United Way Chester County, PA ~9659 TASTY TIDBITS: WALNUT PESTO * 1 cup toasted walnuts 2cups loosely packed basil leaves 1 garlic clove 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Salt & Pepper to taste CSCDelaware Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Taste for seasonings. Use on pasta, chicken, toasted bread, grilled cheese...now that was easy! *From: Forward This was sent to mesposito@cscde.org by mesposito@cscde.org Update Profile/ Address Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy. Cancer Support Community Delaware 4810 Lancaster Pike Wilmington DE 19807