CPS
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT CPS
    • OUR HISTORY
    • OUR TEAM
    • OUR BOARD MEMBERS
  • HEALING ARTS
  • SORORITY
    • NEWSLETTER
    • SPOTLIGHT SISTER
  • FLAMINGO FLOCKING
  • RESOURCES
    • OUR SERVICES
    • ANNUAL REPORT
    • CLIENT FORMS
    • FUNDRAISING POLICIES & PROCEDURES
    • HOW-TO VIDEOS
    • COUNSELOR LISTING
  • HOW TO GIVE
    • DONATE
    • VOLUNTEER
    • CASE FOR SUPPORT
    • STORIES OF COMPASSION
  • EVENTS
    • CALENDAR OF EVENTS
    • FUNDRAISING BY FRIENDS
    • CHILI COOK-OFF
    • FLOCK WALK
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT

Why You Should Try a Music Therapy Class

10/31/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
If you are from my generation, you may remember listening to the radio waiting for your favorite song to come on just so you could hit that button on your cassette tape to record. And then, you could play it back later. Yes I know it was illegal, but how great was that feeling?! The best gifts you could receive from your friends and your significant other was nothing more than a homemade mix tape. Waiting to catch that song on the radio, or making a mix tape was a process that took time. So why did we do it? Because we loved the music! We liked the way specific songs made us feel (happy or sad).

Music means something to us. It validates our emotions. It touches us in a way nothing else can.

This is the very reason why you should try Music Therapy. Research has shown that music is good for cancer patients. Music (and many forms of art) reduces stress, helps alleviate pain, and greatly decreases heart rate. {For the research statistics, click this link} Music just flat-out-makes-us-feel-good.

If you think about it, music is included in many of the important events in our lives (i.e. weddings, birthday parties, holidays, and even funerals). Music often says what the spoken word cannot and it provides an escape from tough moments.

To participate in Music Therapy, there is no requirement to play an instrument. Actually, Music Therapy requires no musical talent at all! All you need to do is bring yourself and be open to trying a variety of instruments and props that allow you to express yourself in a group. There isn't a performance element; music therapy is about self expression and release from stress.

We promise this will be much easier than making an "old school" mix tape. And, you don't have to figure out where you'll store another memento in the backseat of your car. 
0 Comments

What Soothes My Soul

10/24/2016

0 Comments

 
   Life is busy. We are all crazy busy. Add a cancer diagnosis and not only does it turn your world upside down, but your to-do list seems to implode...
- Treatments
- Scans
- Blood tests
- Doctor’s visits

We are constantly on the go, running from one thing to the next. That is until we are just too tired to run anymore. The cancer, the treatments, and even the care-giving wear us down. We become exhausted, adding all of these new activities to our already busy life. So we have to learn how to slow down.

I believe we can find joy in most situations. Sometimes it is burried, but if we look closely, the gift of joy is there.

Anyone that knows me, knows my love for Lake Erie. I love the beach, the water, and the sound of the waves. We have a 1960 mobile home on the coast of Lake Erie. We bought it when my husband was still alive. It was a few years after his cancer diagnosis and while I was pregnant with our son.

During all of the crazy times I had balancing his diagnosis and treatments, my busy full-time job, and a young son, the lake became my happy place. We went up every weekend during the summer. For a few days each month, I could sit down and read a book while I played with Luke and allowed myself to relax.

Opening the door to our trailer soothes my soul. The smell of the water and the sounds of the lake make me happy.

Do you have something that soothes your soul? You should. Maybe yours is a long drive, or some time with a book. Maybe it is cooking a meal, or just taking a nap. There is no magic formula or specific activity or a particular geographical location that is one-size-fits-most for what helps you relax and be you, for a moment. The place or activity that soothes your soul is more than likely that “thing” that slows down your breathing, quiets your mind, and gives you a smile.

I have found that taking a moment to reflect on what you're going through and telling yourself that you are doing your best can help ease the ebb and flow of anxiety. And usually, the place or activity that soothes your soul gives you the best opportunity to reduce overall anxiety. Practicing mindfulness and meditation in the place that soothes your soul can work magic on your stress levels. Here's an online self-compassion resource I have found that can provide the building-blocks for managing overwhelming anxiety.

I also enjoyed this quick reference on 7-Ways-to-Soothe-Your-Soul-and-Refresh-Your-Spirit.

So don’t stress about your need to slow down- see it as a gift. Find your literal "happy-place" and allow that to help soothe your soul. And, do it now.

​There is beauty all around us when we slow down and take time to soak it all in.
0 Comments

#Pinktober

10/17/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Not everyone is a fan.

  In working with cancer patients over the past 70 years, not to mention the fact that the majority of our staff has been through a cancer diagnosis either ourselves or through a loved one or as a caregiver, we have developed a keen understanding of what it is like to actually be a cancer patient.  One of the most poignant revelations we've come to is that not every cancer patient, or even breast cancer patient, wants to be bombarded with Pink everything. And, every October, we are reminded of how marketed breast cancer really is in comparison to other cancers.... Do you ever wonder, why?

Thanks to a probably billion dollar marketing platform, most of us are aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This begs the question, do you know when Colorectal Cancer Awareness is recognized? Do you know which month we celebrate national childhood cancer awareness? What about brain cancer?

In addition, when you are going through cancer, you are poked and prodded and read black-and-white test or surgery results that can crush your loved ones and your family's spirits. You lose body hair and find it hard to hide that you're going through cancer treatment. Wherever you go, you tend to feel eyes upon you... Possibly, you don't want more attention drawn to you by wearing a bright Pink ribbon.

I absolutely am one who is not a huge fan when it comes to #Pinktober. My husband died in 2007 after an 8 year battle with brain and spine cancer.  There is not a ribbon for spine cancer. Brain cancer uses the color gray as a symbol.  When was the last time you saw a gray ribbon or a gray t-shirt with the saying "Save the Noggins"?  Did you know that May is National Brain Cancer Awareness month?  And what about all the other types of cancers?  Check out this site for more information. 

One of the reasons I love Cancer Patient Services is that we help people with ALL types of cancer and at all stages of cancer.  And the help that is provided is of the same love and at the same level for everyone.  I think a majority would agree that cancer is a horrible disease and we should support anyone that has received that devastating diagnosis.  Every person, no matter what type of cancer, deserves our support, equally.  So, why do national advertising campaigns and organizations focus so much time and energy and resource solely on breast cancer? And why are we not more careful about over-marketing a very sensitive subject? (i.e. You can find advertising for breast cancer awareness and national non-profits on the lids of your yogurt, on a bottle of nail polish, and on your household cleaning items, now).

Please don’t get me wrong.  I think the Pink Ribbon campaign was a wonderful idea when it was first introduced 25 years ago.  Breast cancer awareness and breast health needed to be talked about!  The campaign worked. We all know what is means when we see a pink ribbon. So, now how do we bring awareness, or better yet support, for all the other types of cancer?  And, how do we remain mindful of every stage and level of a cancer diagnosis and show support rather than manipulate a symbol like the pink ribbon for marketing initiatives? 

If you would like to support the work that CPS does with all cancer patients that live or work in Hancock County regardless of income, please click our Donate button.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

#WEGIVEHUGS

10/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
The elevator speech.... In the nonprofit world, the elevator speech is the 1 minute description of what your agency does, how it impacts people and hopefully, at the same time, generates interest in the audience to want to find out more about your organization. It's pretty similar to coming up with your own personal elevator speech or perhaps the speech you've been coached on for the organization that you work for.

If you asked any nonprofit leader, staff member or board member, they are all well versed and able to share their elevator speech with you. Vital, important information is delivered in a concise format. Many organizations have them typed up to share with new staff and board members. It is important to have everyone associated with your organization relaying the same message. It is Basic Marketing 101.


But truthfully, most elevator speeches are pretty dry and overly factual. They are filled with statistics. I am not saying this way is wrong or awful – it is all important information to share. However, people want to get involved with organizations and their causes because it makes them feel something. Maybe because they have a personal connection or they are angered by a social injustice. Either emotion is a powerful motivator. So you may agree, facts and figures don’t generally put a fire in someone’s belly...

So, I have been thinking about our elevator speech. We talk about all of our services:
- Financial assistance
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Nutritional supplements
- Cancer patient navigation
- Emotional support
- Healing arts programming
​We talk about the fact that we serve anyone that lives or works in Hancock County who has a cancer diagnosis, regardless of income. And we are proud to be the only local agency that provides direct support to cancer patients. All true information. All factual. I can even give you some lovely statistics. But it doesn’t really touch you on an emotional level, right?


So I am proposing a new speech…and it is much shorter:
Have you been recently diagnosed with cancer? Are you scared, confused, worried about your recent cancer diagnosis? Come see us at Cancer Patient Services…..we give hugs to chase away those bad feelings...

If you want to know more about how or why we “Give Hugs”, send me an email….give me a call.
I would love to share some emotional stories about some of the people we have helped. Because, we are real local people helping real local people and thank goodness #wegivehugs ! <3 <3 <3

0 Comments
    Picture

    Author

    Carol Metzger is CEO of CPS. After losing her husband and her mother to cancer, she gets the gravity of a cancer diagnosis. But, in working with CPS clients over the past five years, she also has seen happiness and friendship evolve out of the support and love we extend one another. This blog is a lot of Carol’s first and second hand experiences with people going through cancer, and she welcomes comments and feedback from you. 

    Archives

    January 2022
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    June 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016

    Categories

    All
    Cancer
    Caregiver
    Pumpkin Spice
    Trigger

    RSS Feed

CANCER PATIENT SERVICES


Location
1800 N. Blanchard St. Suite 120  Findlay, OH  45840
Picture
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9:00AM-4:00PM
Contact:
Phone: 419.423.0286  
Fax: 888-505-2578
support@cancerpatientservices.org
Picture

Copyright © 2021 | All right reserved