Surviving the Holidays - December 2014 Chat

This month we discussed how gynecologic cancer patients can "Survive the Holidays" while also dealing with treatment schedules, fatigue and the expectations of others. In addition to our Health Care Advisors (Dr D Dizon. Dr R Boulay, Dr A BeckerShutte), this month we were please to have The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University (@LurieCancer) and Mary Jo Graden (@maryjograden) a certified oncology social worker at Lurie join us. 

We welcomed 32 participants, averaged 12 tweets per participant and had over 1 million            impressions. You can find more of our chat statistics here and the transcript of our chat here.

The topic questions that drove our discussion this evening were:

T1: How has your experience with cancer impacted your holiday traditions and celebrations?

T2: What tips can you offer to those going through the holidays while in active treatment?

T3: What's your advice on handling family and friends who still expect you to create the “perfect” holiday?

T4: How will your holidays be different this year? Will you ask for help? Did you ask your healthcare team about food & activities?

Please check below for the resources that were shared during the chat. Patients & caregivers are invited to continue our discussion on the Smart Patients platform at https://t.co/yHJfsjcmMS .

We look forward to you joining us on January 14th, 2014 for our discussion of "Gyn Cancer Risk Factors". 

Christina and I wish you a very Happy Holiday and a Healthy and Happy New Year. 

Dee

Resources:

Celebrating the Holidays after a Cancer Diagnosis: A Survivor's Guide
https://www.sgo.org/sgo-blog-3/

Holiday Eating Tips If You're in Cancer Treatment via @AmericanCancer 
http://t.co/dbDdU7kSTX

Coping with Cancer and the Holidays - A Delicate Balance via @COPING_cancer 
http://t.co/ZSxvFK9SFK

Five Ideas for Maintaining your Holiday Cheer  via @CancerDotNet 
http://t.co/LmWsHY9Z8t 

4 Holiday Party Tips for Cancer Patients @MDAndersonNews 
http://t.co/8Q4QJc9jsL 

Challenge of Self-Care during the Holidays via Cancer Help Hub
http://t.co/NqY8YZagpR

Topic of the Month: Coping With Cancer During the Holidays - 
http://t.co/p4DFVwpiUZ

Heartfelt blog post via Mommy Upgrade on loss to cancer paired w/ mouth-watering make-ahead french toast recipe to bring a friend http://t.co/mcKCXtofi6#gyncsm

The challenge of being alone - @CancerCare
http://t.co/HY3bGzACgq