by Mindy Griffith | Feb 3, 2021 | Events
February is a busy month! We honor love, Martin Luther King Jr., Black history, and even our American presidents, but did you know that World Cancer Day also falls in February? The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) leads the charge in urging everyone to take steps to ensure that preventable cancer deaths are reduced and that there is increased access to life-saving treatments for all patients, “no matter who you are or where you live”. Each year, the UICC establishes a theme for their initiative to shape the many activities and events that kick off around the world each February. This year, the theme is “I Am and I Will” – a call to action to commit and act on steps to get screened and share knowledge in hopes of reducing the number of cancer-related deaths and noncommunicable diseases by one third by 2030 (that’s only 9 years away, so let’s get to it!)
Bag It is aligned with the UICC by providing resources to educate and support patients through their healthcare plan, increasing access to life-saving information regardless of one’s ethnicity or socio-economic background. Bag It provides the tools you need to help you feel more comfortable and confident in speaking up for yourself to ensure the best quality of life with cancer. The contents in the bag are designed to help you and your caregiver(s) cope with the diagnosis, get yourself organized and better understand the language of cancer.
February is cancer prevention month, and we encourage you to think about ways that you can help yourself and others prevent cancer. It’s the perfect time to schedule appointments for you and your loved ones because adhering to the recommended screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal (colon) and lung cancers can lead to early stage diagnosis, which increases the likelihood of treatment working.
What action will you take as we kick off World Cancer Day? Take the 21-Day challenge to learn more about cancer and how to reduce your cancer risks. Some suggestions:
As part of my campaign I participated in the World Cancer Day 21-Day Challenge which was informative and easy and I wrote this blog: I will schedule my mammogram (and a colonoscopy this year) and encourage people to schedule their appointments, and I will work to ensure that everyone diagnosed with cancer receives a Bag It bag to help them cope with their diagnosis and feel comfortable and confident speaking up to ensure they are living their best life with cancer.
Sending positive vibes your way,
Mindy
Preventcancer.org recommends these seven steps to help prevent cancer.
by Mindy Griffith | Jan 6, 2021 | Videos
By Mindy Griffith
“As part of our Wellness Wednesday series Mindy talks about being prepared for appointments in your role of advocating for yourself.
To see more of our Wellness Wednesday videos just click here
by Annettra Farrington | Dec 9, 2020 | Educational Articles
There is a wide variety of relaxation techniques* out there to try in addition to or to pair with your breathing exercises. Sample a few to find the one that is most helpful to you. Regular practice is the key to continued and more profound benefits.
These are just a few:
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation – this technique involves tightening and then relaxing muscle groups of the body as you take slow, deep breaths, usually while lying down. You can self-guide as you work your way up your body or listen to a recording that will lead you through the exercise.
- Yoga – an ancient practice generally involving your breath and moving through different body poses which may include some meditation. There are many types and levels of yoga that can be enjoyed solo or in a group setting led by a yoga teacher. Classes of all levels can be found in your local community or online. A consistent yoga practice will yield increased benefits. Check with your doctor regarding any health conditions before beginning a new yoga practice.
- Meditation – a mind-body practice to increase your awareness of the present moment and promote calmness and relaxation. There are many different types of meditation which focus one’s attention using the breath, mantra, words or an object. Meditation can be guided (sometimes easier when getting started) or self-directed; it can be short or longer in duration. A consistent daily practice typically becomes easier over time and is highly recommended for maximum benefit.
- Visualization (also known as Guided Imagery) – focus your awareness on a pleasing and calming scenario that can be a place, a memory or sensory elements all of your choosing. You can use a guide or pick an environment of your own making.
Links:
Guided-Imagery Meditation from Memorial Sloan Kettering
Other meditations from Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine
Gentle Yoga Poses from Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine
Healthline’s best meditation apps for 2020
More relaxation techniques with instructions
*Relaxation techniques are generally considered safe for those who are healthy. People with serious physical or mental health problems should discuss relaxation techniques with their health care providers.
by Mindy Griffith | Oct 9, 2020 | Presentations
Presented by Mindy Grifitth for A Cure In Sight’s Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar.
For this seminar Mindy presented on how to be your own best advocate, as your healthcare starts with you. Watch the video to learn some tips to feel more comfortable sharing your needs with your healthcare team, why you should speak up for yourself and how and why to have a care plan.
by Bag It Team | Aug 18, 2020 | Educational Articles
Let’s say the unthinkable happens.
You suddenly become hospitalized due to Covid-19 and are unable to communicate, make decisions for yourself or have a loved one by your side.
Preparation of your advance directives for health care is the best way to give voice to your wishes and what matters most to you. A healthcare power of attorney informs your doctors about your preferences for medical care and could give helpful insights to those you select to speak on your behalf. It’s impossible to account for all the possible scenarios and every potential long-term impact on your health from Covid-19. But even expressing what makes life worth living for you or the quality of life you don’t want to suffer later can guide the decisions made about treatments to provide and when.
If you’ve already put the appropriate documents in place and shared them with the right people, good job – but keep reading if you did that pre-Covid! Now is a good time to pull them out and reread them to make sure you are comfortable with your instructions in light of the pandemic. Do they reflect your treatment preferences no matter the reason for your condition or critical illness, or do you have definite ideas about treatments you do and do not want in the case of Covid? Are any changes needed to the named agents appointed to act on your behalf? Do you need to add back-up trusted agents in the event your appointed spouse/partner or other household members also fall ill?
Whether you need to complete these documents for the first time or an update is due, make this a priority today! Below is more information about where to find resources for your state as well as tools and resources to complete the process.
The Conversation Project
Downloadable life care planning packet for Arizona
Downloadable life care planning packet for Arizona: (Spanish)
AZ End of Life Partnership
Downloadable advance directives for 50 states:
aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/free-printable-advance-directives
Caring Info
POLST (portable medical order for emergency medical care)
Once the paperwork is in order, provide copies to the involved people in your life and also have a frank conversation with them about what’s important to you. While it may not be easy to talk about it, having the documents ready and sharing your personal values with them means everyone will feel more prepared and brings a bit of control and peace of mind – just in case the unexpected happens.
There is a wide variety of relaxation techniques* out there to try in addition to or to pair with your breathing exercises. Sample a few to find the one that is most helpful to you. Regular practice is the key to continued and more profound benefits.
Let’s say the unthinkable happens.
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