Take a "Vacation" from Cancer
Cancer is a difficult diagnosis to deal with, whether it's you or a loved one facing
the condition. You may find yourself battling both the emotional stress and strain
of coping with cancer and the physical challenges of the illness and its treatment.
From time to time, it can be helpful to a break from your condition, even if you can't
leave your illness completely behind. This "vacation" from cancer can come in many
forms. It can be as simple as using relaxation techniques that bring you some peace
and tranquility during cancer treatment sessions. Or it can be as luxurious as indulging
in a getaway.
Creating a retreat at home
One of the simplest ways to take a vacation from cancer doesn't even mean leaving
your own home. You can give yourself a mental vacation by using relaxation techniques.
Relaxation is also helpful during cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, which can
be mentally and physically taxing. For this reason, the American Cancer Society (ACS)
advises relaxation methods. These include:
All of these relaxation techniques can help take your mind off the stress of cancer
treatment, at least for a little while.
Another way to get an emotional break is to connect with other cancer survivors. This
can provide you with support and encouragement. The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN)
was created to answer this need. It provides support groups and survivor programs
for people looking for help, encouragement, and friendship from their peers. You can
find more information and specific programs in your region at the CSN website .
Ideas for a real getaway
Sometimes you need to take a true vacation from cancer and all the challenges that
it presents. When you're up to traveling, you can find many ways to relax and heal
with camps, programs, and retreats.
For children with cancer, a special summer camp can be a fun escape. The ACS regional
divisions often sponsor these camps. For instance, the New England division offers
YMCA Camp Jewell in Colebrook, Connecticut; YMCA Camp Jordan in Ellsworth, Maine;
and Camp Aldersgate in North Scituate, Rhode Island. Camps for kids with cancer are
available in many states. For more information, visit the ACS website or call 800-227-2345. You can talk with a cancer information specialist who can help
you find a camp in your area.
For adults coping with cancer, cancer retreats allow you to focus on your treatment
in a relaxed, sometimes exotic place. These include the Kokolulu Cancer Retreat in
Hawaii, the Commonweal Cancer Help Program in California, and the Harmony Hill Retreat
Center in Washington State. A simple online search can help you find a cancer retreat
in your area, or even on the other side of the country.