Coping with Cancer
The word cancer instantly evokes fear and uncertainty.
Am I going to live? What about my children, my family? How could this happen? You may feel angry, sad, confused or afraid. How will you ever get through this?
We often use the word coping to describe how people deal with their cancer situation. Coping means managing a problem, and finding ways to take control of it. It also means finding a healthy balance of realism and cautious optimism. It does not mean just living with a problem. When coping, you take control of your life.
Treating the Whole Person Not only is your physical life affected with cancer, but your emotional, social, spiritual and financial life can be affected as well. It is not wrong to be concerned about these other areas as well as your physical state. Coping is taking care of your whole self.
Suggestions for Coping
- Be informed - ask questions so you can make the decisions that are right for you
- Share your feelings about cancer with family and friends
- Join a support group - talk to others going through the same experiences
- Exercise your body and your mind - take walks, learn something new
- Strengthen your spirit - meditate, pray, keep a journal
- Live each day to the fullest - ask yourself...
- Who do I like to be with?
- Who makes me laugh?
- How do I want to spend my time?
- What makes me happy?
- What types of things do I enjoy most?
- What types of things do I like least?
- Is there something I want to do that I've never tried?
- Try to do something just for fun!
Try to live each day as normally as you can. Enjoy the simple things you do, take pleasure in big events and always remember that cancer does not have the power to change the fact that you are the expert on your own life.
Breast Cancer Surgery Class
Mercy offers a special class including a personalized educational notebook for women undergoing breast surgery for cancer. Specially trained nurses and therapists teach the class and answer any questions a woman may have prior to and after surgery. Ask your surgeon to schedule you for this very informative class.
Breast Nurse Coordinator
The Breast Coordinator sees any woman who has an irregular mammogram and provides her with support and information. She provides answers to questions and acts as a liaison between the patient, her referring physician and - if necessary - surgeons and medical oncologists. The Breast Coordinator stays with all patients during procedures at the Breast Care Center and will maintain contact with you throughout any subsequent treatment. Picture of Diane Wofsey
Cancer Information Line
Is a free public service that provides personal and confidential answers to your questions. Whether you are a current or former cancer patient, a caregiver, a family member or a friend, Mercy Cancer Center offers supportive services that can help you understand and deal better with a cancer diagnosis. Contact us locally at 330-430-2788 or toll free at 1-888-293-4673.
Cancer Resource Library
Visit our library that contains an extensive collection of books, videos, CDs and pamphlets on various cancer-related topics. The latest information can be accessed through the internet at a computer terminal available for patron use. Cancer Center staff is available to assist with researching specific materials and information. Open Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Others hours by appointment.
Cancer Support Group
A safe and caring environment for participants to meet others who are experiencing similar challenges, explore and express emotions, discuss problems and concerns and learn new ways to cope with the challenges of cancer.
Cancer Support Service
Is a service that assists patients and families in coping with the physical, psychosocial and spiritual challenges of cancer. A specially trained oncology certified and case management certified nurse is available to discuss the most current information about all types of cancer, treatment options and how to access the care one might need. The goal is to empower the patient to become an active participant in their cancer care. The nurse also assists patients in addressing their financial needs regarding insurance, coordination of benefits and various financial assistance options available.
Cancer Survivor's Garden
Visit the garden located along the southern half of the walking path at Price Park in North Canton. Take time to sit on the park bench and reflect. The garden was developed and planted collaboratively by the Mercy Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society in honor and memory of those touched by cancer and is now maintained each year by Cancer Center staff and volunteers. Designed in the shape of half a heart, the garden encompasses the healing colors of purple, white and pink. Let the healing quality of nature give you a brief respite from life's challenges.
Complementary Medicine Program
The Mercy Cancer Center believes strongly in holistic, comprehensive cancer care that cares for the person while we treat their cancer. The Complementary Medicine Program was created to nurture the mind, body & spirit of those with cancer. The Program is available to any individual touched by cancer that is newly diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment or recovering from cancer along with their families and friends who support them in their journey. All programs and services are offered free or for a minimal fee (usually no more than $5.00) through the support of practitioners who volunteer their time, the backing of Mercy Medical Center and the generosity of individuals, corporate donors and foundation grants. Patients are encouraged to discuss their involvement with their physicians.
A calendar of offerings is published quarterly. To sign-up for services, call the Mercy Healthcare Connection at 330-489-1333. Offerings include but are not limited to:
- Massage
- Reiki
- Polarity
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Guided imagery
- Essential oils
- Music therapy
- Cancer Well-fit
Creative healing such as journaling, scrapbooking- Informative classes pertaining to financial matters, nutrition, spirituality, experiencing the labryrinth
- Supportive groups for families and children
Look Good, Feel Better
Is an American Cancer Society sponsored 1-hour class for women undergoing cancer treatment to learn to cope with the appearance-related side effects of treatment. Women may bring a guest however the free skin care kits and make-up is provided to cancer patients only.
Mercy Boutique
A specialty shoppe open to the public that caters to the needs of cancer patients, particularly women. Carries a wide variety of products including mastectomy bras and clothing, skin care products, breast forms and protheses, lymphedema care products, wigs, head coverings, cancer awareness items and much more. A licensed hair stylist is available to assist with wig selection and styling.
Open Monday - Friday from 10:00AM to 5:00 PM. Other hours by appointment.
Reach To Recovery
For a woman facing breast cancer, talking the experience over with a breast cancer survivor who has gone through treatment not only helps answer questions, but also gives her a role model for recovery. Mercy Cancer Center works with the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery Program which offers this opportunity to women by matching volunteer breast cancer survivors with women (or men) dealing with the disease today. The program is meant to complement a woman's relationship with her doctor by helping to point out questions she should ask her physician, and providing additional non-medical information.
There are many "yardsticks" to measure your health & health IQ.
Try some of our Calculators, or take a Quiz Get the facts on having a healthy pregnancy.
Get the latest Health Information from our extensive online library.
If you desire to good health, Mercy's Health News Resource Center can help you!
Mercy Leads The Nation AGAIN With A State-Of-The-Art Cardiac Cath Lab In Our Emergency Department
"Time is Muscle"
That's what heart specialists say about heart muscle damage incurred with every passing second of a heart attack. Every moment lost means damage to the heart muscle, resulting in diminished chances for survival and lost quality of life. That is why Mercy has dramatically reduced the transition period from Emergency Department to Cardiac Catheterization Lab to mere seconds!
When the unthinkable happens... think Mercy.
HOW THE ED CATH LAB SAVES TIME:
EMS crew relays vital information to Emergency Chest Pain Center en route toMercy.
Emergency Chest Pain Center Team makes diagnosis and prepares for patient’s arrival.
Patient is admitted directly to ED Cath Lab for procedure to begin.
Reduced time results in increased survival rates, faster recovery and higher quality of life.
MEETS OR EXCEEDS STATE & NATIONAL STANDARDS
As Featured in M.D. News.
Click to view article.
Overview of Cancer Center
Mercy Cancer Center has been accredited since 1986 as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. In 2008 CoC awarded Mercy Cancer Center the Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in cancer care. Mercy is the only area hospital and one of just 95 facilities nationwide to earn the award, along with the CoC¹s three-year re-accreditation with commendation. Fewer than 20 percent of cancer programs in the United States attain this superior recognition. This earmark of quality ensures patients will receive the very best comprehensive cancer care without ever leaving Stark County.
At the Mercy Cancer Center, we believe that to be truly effective, we must be comprehensive in our approach to the treatment of cancer. We are committed to offering the very best possible care and outcomes for the patients and families we serve. Our goal is to make it easier for you if we can.
Treating approximately 700 new cancer patients every year, the Mercy Cancer Center offers state-of-the-art diagnostics and surgical facilities, innovative treatments with chemotherapy and radiation, national cancer research trials and the latest in cancer information. But what sets us apart from other providers is our holistic approach to cancer care. At the Mercy Cancer Center, we strive to take care of the whole person and not just their cancer. That means we start with progressive and technologically advanced treatment and then surround you with nurturing and supportive services to help you throughout your cancer journey.
We invite you to learn more about our services, physicians and staff by viewing the various sections of our website. More than ever before, the Mercy Cancer Center is dedicated to providing the very best in cancer care and we are proud to serve our community and region.
Mercy Medical Center Info
Mercy Medical Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, operates a 476-bed hospital serving Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties and parts of Southeastern Ohio. It has 620 members on its Medical Staff and employs 2,500 people. Mercy operates outpatient health centers in Carrollton, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Louisville, North Canton, Plain Township and Tuscarawas County. A Catholic hospital, Mercy Medical Center upholds the mission and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and continues to be responsive to the needs of the community.
Mercy Medical Center is a Catholic hospital which upholds all Catholic faith obligations and the mission and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, and continues to be responsive to the needs of the community, including the provision of care to all, regardless of their ability to pay.
Hospital Mission
As a Catholic health care organization, our mission at Mercy Medical Center is to continue Christ's healing ministry by providing quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable care for the whole person. The Mercy Cancer Center upholds this healing ministry of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine by offering advanced, quality healthcare to those afflicted with cancer.
View the 2010 - 2011 Cancer Center Annual Report
(Click here to download the pdf)
Click here to download Radiation Therapy brochure (pdf format)
Click here to download Mercy Cancer Center brochure (pdf format)
Click here to download Breast Care Center brochure (pdf format)
