Can light shine, even in the darkness?
For many people, spiritual questions arise not just at the point of a cancer diagnosis but also with the ebb and flow of the hard work of treatment. Most of us have worked hard at one time or another, at a career, in school and home—and we have experienced the ups and downs of each. If a cancer diagnosis can be approached from the vantage point of a second job—and a hard one at that—we might be able to remember that there’s usually no straight line between start and finish. I have listened to a friend speak about chemotherapy being tweaked and intensified, one round following another, and feel like I am hearing life’s triumphs and discouragements recapitulated in her indefatigable spirit.
It brings to mind Langston Hughes’ poem, “Mother and Son”:
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair,
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So, boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps.
‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still going, honey,
I’se still climbin,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair
Can light shine, even in the darkness? The Psalmist (139:12) says, “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee: but the night shines as the day, for darkness is as light to thee.” I offer you the possibility of spiritual care that shines light in dark places!
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Nearly everyone has been affected by breast cancer in some way. Either a family member or a friend has had to deal with this diagnosis. When someone close to you goes through the process of breast cancer treatment, it can motivate you to become involved in volunteer or charitable organizations. There are a lot of organizations out there raising money for breast cancer research and education…and it can be tough to decide which one you want to join.
After a lot of careful thought, I’ve partnered with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The American Cancer Society has changed legislation in Florida to get smoking out of our restaurants (Thank goodness!!). They were instrumental in the creation of tamoxifen – a medicine used in breast cancer patients. I see my patients benefit from the American Cancer Society’s work on a daily basis. My patients have received wigs during chemotherapy, transportation to and from appointments, prosthetic bras after surgery, and tons of educational materials – all provided free from the funds raised by the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Program.
This year, I have chosen to volunteer as the Event Chairman for the Making Strides Event. For those of you who do not know, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be held October 9th, 2010 at Huizenga Park at 7:30 am. I am encouraging everyone who has been touched by this disease to form a team, raise money, and then join us at Huizenga Park on October 9th. You really can make a difference!!
If you’re interested, please click here to visit the ACS Making Strides website.
Cancer Center’s Exciting Updates
Happy Summer! Dr. Gutierrez and I have been on a sabbatical from writing our blog but we are committed to getting back to it. We have had a productive and busy first half of this year and we’ll be writing about each of these topics in future blogs.
First and of great interest was the initiation of our collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital in January of this year. This was their first arrangement with a hospital based cancer center outside of the Northeast. The finalization of this contract will allow us to work together formally in a number of ways including assisting patients who spend time both here in South Florida and in the New England area to have seamless easy to obtain care with professionals at both places familiar with their care. There are numerous other exciting opportunities that we will now have with Mass General Hospital.
Second Dr. Gutierrez has successfully opened several Phase 1 and 2 studies here at the Bienes Cancer Center. This is truly a unique feat. Very few hospitals outside an academic structure are able to do this. We now have the ability to offer patients extremely dynamic new treatment options. Those trials are listed on our website.
We also continue to grow. With the addition of a breast cancer nurse navigator we are set to launch our collaborative multidisciplinary breast clinic next month. We have a number of other great developments in our breast center that will be discussed in future blogs – not the least of which is the soon to be opening Dorothy Mangurian Comprehensive Women’s Center in September 2010.
And finally for this blog entry please note that since we last wrote we have hired three cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons and a urologic oncologist to join the Holy Cross Medical Group and Bienes Cancer Center physician team.
Stay tuned….it’s exciting!
Cancer Center Executive Director Maureen Mann & Cancer Center Medical Director Dr. Gutierrez
About the Center
The Michael & Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the Cancer Care Leader in Broward County. Dedicated to providing patients with precise diagnosis, the latest and most advanced treatment and aftercare options, we offer a multidisciplinary approach to care, a compassionate and spiritual healing environment, and an affiliation with the National Cancer Institute. We are also working together with Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center to provide South Florida residents with rapid access to specialized cancer care and genetics counseling.
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