Navigating through the Holidays While on the Cancer Journey The holidays can be a joyous time, but the hustle and bustle that often accompany this time of the year can leave us feeling stressed and less than jolly. Coupled with a challenge such as cancer, families may find the need to seek some tips on how to minimize the frantic feelings that can be associated with managing the season. A cancer diagnosis can impact families emotionally, spiritually, socially and financially. It takes a toll on the energy level of the person diagnosed and the caregivers and can often necessitate the need for a shift in family roles and responsibilities. Re-evaluating plans and expectations well in advance of the holidays can help lower everyone’s stress level. Sit down together now and discuss what activities are the most important and what can be trimmed back or eliminated this year. Set a realistic expectation for gift giving. Share in advance with children if gift giving will be more limited this year and help them understand why. Perhaps the children will delight in creating their own gifts for family and friends instead of making purchases. If your home is usually the gathering place for holiday dinners, ask another family member or friend to host this year. You are still a part of the festivities but you don't have the added stress of being the host. Even if you decide to have the dinner at your home, consider asking guests to bring side dishes and desserts. Consider asking those who are closest to you to help clean the house and help with any decorating. Children can be a big help also and may feel more included. A family member or friend can also help to pick up gifts and make trips to the grocery store using a detailed list you’ve created. Depending on where you are in your cancer journey, you may not have much of an appetite. If you're going to someone else’s home for a holiday dinner, let them know your situation ahead of time so that they understand why you may not be partaking of everything offered. If this thought makes you feel uncomfortable, then have dinner at home and go visit others after dinner for dessert, coffee, tea or better yet, just to enjoy each other’s company. Whether you are the person diagnosed or the caregiver/ support person, you may not have the energy to do everything you did last year. Give yourself permission to cut back on decorations, baking and any other traditions that may be very taxing. Holidays can be an emotional time and even more so with the addition of a cancer diagnosis. It’s helpful to acknowledge emotions and find someone with whom you feel comfortable talking if there is a need. Give an early gift to you and your family – take some time each day for ‘self’ and to spend relaxing, quality time with each other. When we truly stop to think about it, the real joy of the holidays is in spending time with family and friends and acknowledging those things for which we are grateful. When we truly stop to think about it, the real joy of the holidays is in spending time with family and friends and acknowledging those things for which we are grateful. Programs at The Gathering Place The Gathering Place is a caring community that supports, educates and empowers individuals and families touched by cancer through programs and services provided free of charge. The programs and services offered provide education and information, support, and ways to help manage the stress of a cancer diagnosis. The Gathering Place has two locations in Beachwood and a location in Westlake. Below is a listing of upcoming programs at The Gathering Place located at 23300 Commerce Park in Beachwood. All listed programs require advance registration by calling 216.595.9546 unless otherwise noted. For more information visit www.touchedbycancer.org. Upcoming Programs at The Gathering Place in Beachwood to help cope with emotions and manage stress. Guided Meditation Mondays, Dec. 7 and 21, 2 – 2:45 pm Relax, learn new coping skills and practice mindfulness meditation techniques. No registration required. Group for Those with Cancer Meets weekly on Tuesdays 6:30 – 8 pm Group for Caregivers Meets weekly on Tuesdays 6:30 – 8 pm Yoga Tuesdays, 11 am –12:15 pm and Saturdays, 10 – 11:15am A gentle relaxing exercise that helps increase energy, improve muscle tone and flexibility and help with relaxation. Tai Chi Wednesdays, 2 – 3:15 pm and Thursdays, 11 am – 12:15 pm. Boost your energy, open up and release tension. Tai chi increases strength, balance and flexibility. The programs and services offered provide education and information, support, and ways to help manage the stress of a cancer diagnosis. 48 Beachwood Buzz n December 2015