Bag It Bags Are A Cancer Resource Care Package For A Friend
Recently the Cancer Care Center at the University of Arizona put the spotlight on Bag It Cancer Bags and talked to Executive Director, Mindy Griffith.
Dog Days of Summer
Tips for Keeping You and Your Pet Healthy During Cancer Treatment
The “dog days of summer” remind us of the warmth and joy that pets bring into our lives, especially during tough times like a cancer diagnosis. Their companionship and unconditional love can brighten even the hottest, most challenging days. Many people consider their pets part of the family and rely on them for emotional support during difficult periods.
Studies show that pets can significantly improve mental well-being. Many cancer centers and hospitals recognize this and offer pet therapy programs. These programs include visits to clinics, support groups and even home visits for patients. Our furry friends can lift our moods, lower stress, create a calming effect, reduce pain and have a positive impact on our overall health.
During cancer treatment, your well-being and your pet’s well-being begins with effective communication.
It’s important to know that while you can’t give your pet cancer, having a pet can increase your risk of infection, especially if your immune system is compromised. Before starting cancer treatment, inform your doctor about your pet and how important they are to you. Discuss how your ability to care for your pet might be affected by the treatment and any potential side effects. Your doctor will provide personalized advice based on your type of cancer, specific treatments and the type of pet you have.
Precautions may vary, especially with pets like reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and birds, which can carry a higher risk of infection such as salmonella. Guidelines may include limitations on your involvement with your pet such as avoiding contact with their bodily fluids and waste, preventing scratches and possibly even limiting petting them.
Additionally, it’s crucial to keep potentially harmful cancer medications and related items out of your pet’s reach.
You may also want to consult your pet’s veterinarian to ensure your pet remains healthy during this time. Ask about essential steps, including proper grooming, keeping up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations and medications, and any necessary veterinary care.
Here are some tools and resources to help you take care of your pet during cancer:
My Cancer Circle – an online tool that helps organize the community of people who want to help you with your pet
CancerCare’s Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program features:
- Helpline
- Searchable online database to help people affected by cancer find low-cost or free pet care services
- Downloadable booklet: Planning for Your Pet’s Future Care A Guide to Caring for Your Beloved Pet After You’ve Been Diagnosed With Cancer
Healthy Grilling Tips for a Cancer-Protective Diet
Grilling is a fun and tasty way to cook, especially in the summer. But did you know there are ways to make your grilled food healthier? Here are some simple tips to keep your food yummy and safe:
- Pick Lean Meats: Choose meats with less fat like chicken breasts, fish, or lean beef. Fatty meats can cause flames to flare up and create harmful chemicals. Trim off any extra fat before grilling.
- Marinate Your Meat: Soak your meat in a tasty marinade before grilling. Marinades with vinegar, lemon juice, or herbs can make your food healthier and protect against harmful chemicals that form when meat is cooked at high temperatures.
- Grill More Veggies and Fruits: Grilled vegetables and fruits are delicious and super healthy. Try grilling bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, pineapples, or peaches. They don’t create harmful chemicals when grilled, and they taste great!
- Avoid Burning Your Food: Don’t let your food get too dark or burnt. Burnt food can have bad chemicals. Cook at a moderate temperature and flip your food often to avoid charring. If parts do get burnt, cut them off before eating.
- Keep Your Grill Clean: Clean your grill regularly to get rid of old grease and food bits. This helps prevent harmful chemicals from forming.
- Pre-Cook Your Meat: Cook your meat a little bit in the microwave or oven before grilling. This way, it doesn’t have to stay on the grill too long and you can avoid harmful chemicals.
By following these easy tips, you can enjoy delicious grilled meals that are healthier for you. Happy grilling!
Try this healthy, delicious recipe from the American Institute for Cancer Research. Download Summer Grilled Balsamic Vegetables.
Survivorship: A Personal Story
In honor of National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday, June 2nd, Bag It’s own Mikey Shock has shared her personal journey of coming to terms with being a cancer survivor.
Cancer Survivor… Survivorship… They are words that usually make one think of someone who has won the battle with cancer and is in remission. But there is so much more to survivorship than we think. Survivorship begins at the time of diagnosis and continues for the rest of your life, beyond treatment. It refers to the navigation and experience of a cancer diagnosis.
For the longest time during treatment, I felt like I couldn’t use the word survivor because I had not yet beat cancer; I wasn’t in remission yet. But, others told me that I was a cancer survivor. There was so much inner turmoil because how could I have cancer? I honestly thought it was REALLY funny that I had such a diagnosis. I grew up asking my Mom if I would get the cancer she had when I was two, and she would always tell me no because it isn’t genetic. Well… it’s funny because I got the same diagnosis in the same location, and during the same time of year, 19 years later.
Cancer was one of the best and worst things that ever happened to me. I am so glad and grateful I had cancer. I learned so much about who I was and what I could do. Even though I know my diagnosis doesn’t define me, I now find myself constantly motivating myself by saying “I beat cancer, this is nothing!” Knowing that there is a possibility you could die because you have a deadly diagnosis changes your perspective on life and the world around you. You see things you never noticed before, you appreciate the world around you and the fresh air in your lungs (especially after you experienced a collapsed lung). My diagnosis changed me for the better.
After months of coughing until I threw up and having my symptoms ignored by my doctor, I finally received a chest x-ray that showed my right lung collapsing and filling with fluid. Further scans at the ER revealed a massive tumor causing this destruction. After a hospital stay, lots of tests, and a month later I found out that it was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was surreal because I grew up with my Mom sharing her experiences battling this diagnosis. I hear the horror she experienced because technology had not yet evolved to what it is today. I underwent 16 chemo treatments for ABVD and 15 rounds of radiation.
It wasn’t until after I was considered in remission that I started to truly process my survivorship. During treatment, I was in survival mode and wasn’t able to consider my feelings and emotions toward it, I had to get through it.
Ultimately what helped me process my survivorship was Bag It Cancer! I had read all of the materials in the binder during treatment, though I wasn’t able to process everything I was reading, I appreciated knowing I had a resource I could go to whenever I needed it. After I started working for Bag It, I began to see what a helpful resource the Bag It Bag could be. I started to attend events on behalf of Bag It where we would have an advocate table. One of my first events was a Survivorship event. I heard stories, participated in small groups, and had several discussions with oncologists and cancer survivors. This is when I started to truly process what I had just gone through!
After my treatments had ended, I became very depressed and I wasn’t sure why. I was honestly sad that I wasn’t in treatment anymore. I can’t explain it. It wasn’t survivor’s guilt, but a sadness that I had finished that journey. It also didn’t help that the cards, constant texts, and support were starting to dwindle because I was “fine” at that point. I just felt lost.
Honestly, coping with the experience of survivorship after treatment was way harder than during treatment. Again, I can’t tell you why, but I think it’s because I wasn’t in survival mode. I was finally given the time and energy to process this traumatic experience.
I also felt (and still sometimes feel) completely invalidated. I feel that when my body hurts, or when I am so tired that I can’t function, or that I get confused and foggy it’s not a valid excuse anymore because I’m not in treatment. Even a year after treatment ended, I still feel these symptoms at full force and feel like I am expected to be at my full capacity even though I can’t. For some, these long-term symptoms last months, years or even for the rest of your life after chemo.
Survivorship to me means that I am someone who has battled and beat cancer, but also continuing the battle for the rest of my life. I was poisoned with some nasty stuff, and I came out stronger. I am proud of my journey. I am a cancer survivor, and each moment is my gift. Stay strong!
Women’s Health Month — Spotlight on Self-Care
May marks Women’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique health needs of women. The demands of work and family, among other barriers, can greatly affect many women’s abilities to take care of their own health. This month’s spotlight on women serves as a gentle reminder for them to prioritize their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Consider the “whole” you, with these practical tips:
- Make good food and drink choices – avoid processed foods and sugar; focus on fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein
- Stay active – Exercise or do other physical activity you enjoy, and often
- Get preventive healthcare – have regular checkups and screenings recommended by your doctor
- Foster emotional well-being – cultivate resilience, practice self-care, nurture healthy relationships, and find balance in your daily life
Remember to “mind your mind” by tending to your mental health just as you would care for your physical health.
Research shows that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to lower your risk of many different health conditions, including cancer. Bag It Cancer recognizes the importance of having trustworthy resources specifically for women’s cancers. That’s why we collaborated with national women’s cancer nonprofits to create two Bag It Bags for metastatic breast and uterine cancers. Each bag has introductory information about these specific cancer types and the supportive resources offered by our partners. Order a Bag for yourself or a loved one.
Resources for Women’s Health
Know Your Rights: Reproductive Health Care from the Office on Women’s Health Women’s
Women’ Health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Office of Research on Women’s Health
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