My Internship

Today I read over the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Distress Management Guidelines.

Sounds exciting, huh? Well, it actually was really interesting to me to learn about the importance of evaluating the psychological health of cancer patients or patients who walk into this center wondering whether or not they have cancer.

I could not help but think about how what a valuable source of introductory knowledge my Health Psychology class provided me with while I walk through this center and hospital. The thought of cancer brings a wave of emotions, especially for the people directly effected by it. While hospitals are working to solve the medical issue, there are a few social workers here trying to support the patients with resources to work through the mentally/emotionally taxing situations.

It has been awhile since I have reflected on the people I've known who survived or passed away due to cancer. Because it's been awhile, I think I have forgotten or haven't reflected on how much the situation can impact lives. I guess you could say I had developed an attitude that "it happens to so many people" that I forgot to remember that despite the number of people it can hit, it still hits hard (as many challenges due). Maybe I wanted to stop being so sensitive and cry over the wide range of problems anyone could have - who knows.

While reading these guidelines, I was very interested and constantly wondering, "I want to do something for these people. I want to help. I want to work here and make a difference in improving someone's life." I took time to browse through the Learning Center here to educate patients on so many different aspects of life related to cancer. I entered with interest in the how to care for these patients. I found a book of art by patients, caregivers, family/friends, etc. It was touching to recognize feelings of worry, courage, anger, fear, hopelessness, etc. - all these feelings that I think everyone experiences to one degree or another, but to realize that I still had no full comprehension of these personal experiences.

I also found a journal filled with quotes and entries from patients. At first, I was worried I'd trespass on private feelings, but it was open for anyone to read, so I wanted to know what these patients and family members had to say. If I had been alone in a room at home, I would have been crying for multiple reasons, like sorrow for the entries of one woman who came back repeatedly, yet in joy and praise for this same woman who still had faith and courage, and I will never know if she survived.
I thought about a friend I knew growing up who died from cancer - what would he have said? What would I write if I were the one coming here for a diagnosis or treatment? How would I cope with thoughts of leaving a spouse or children behind?

I am probably biased because of my studies, but I think the emotional and mental state is the one that can be hit the hardest when a person is going through any trial, and I do not think people give it enough attention when being treated or treating someone. I think the mental/spiritual/emotional well-being is underestimated in how it is impacted and how it impacts physical aspects of trials, like cancer. Luckily, people, like hospital employees, are coming to realization of this more and care centers are working on evaluating a patient more holistically to improve the quality of life for a person. (Having a learning center  to provide informational support is even a great step towards helping patients!)

(I'm going to stop here.... I think I could continue on, but I'm going to stop for sake of time)

I guess I'm writing this in hopes that people will be more aware of the fact that there are resources already and that are continually being developed to improve areas of life that affect us a lot, like cancer and learning how to cope with it.

Also, I wanted to record my experience of remembering how big of an emotional and mental ordeal having something like cancer can be.
I think it's important to always remember that everyone goes through life and we need to be careful with one another each day.