Peter Fox facilitated a very moving and informative Support Group Meeting in Cape Town on Monday night, 7 May.

Here is Linda Greeff’s feedback -

Dear All,

Some Reflections of our Cancer Buddy group last night  !!

I want to take the time to thank Peter Fox from St Luke’s Hospice Spiritual caring team and his team for the sharing and   compassionate intervention last night in our PLWC support group. We were 12 members ( cancer survivors and caregivers ).

To me the most important factor was the sensitivity and  empathy levels of this team and the respect with which Peter Fox and his team entered into the group  …..what an experience .!!!

Our theme was creating meaning amidst the cancer experience and it was so special to hear the stories of other patients in this regard which Peter shared with us as a group .

The stories of Trish , Kit and others highlighted so many important  ideas and opened us all up to spend more time pondering  what this meaning making is for each of us as an individual.

Peter, please thank the patients that shared their stories with you to share with us.

I want to highlight a few themes that were  opened up as a taster to all and to showcase the importance of such intervention.

Thoughts to ponder and  left us all thinking :

• The importance of silence and the value it has for  healing
• about living to leave a legacy and to  be a model for children and others
• the value of celebrations
• paying back practices
• the power of  a deep spiritual connection to God and the strength that comes from this
• The continuous stress on oneself to be perfect and the importance of just being  a bit more gentle  with oneself
• Making time for healing and self care
• The reprioritising of life that happens  when diagnosed with cancer and not wanting to go back to the old self  but also the struggle of staying in the new self mode with awareness
• To keep remembering to appreciate the small things and  not to get trapped in the rat race again !!
• The  fact that material things become less important  and relationships become  the core of what we need
• Learning to live the good and the not so good days equally
• The down days make it hard to commit to healthy option but the consistent  drive to  do the best you can is   hard at times !!
• The importance of sharing stories was highlighted again and the   level of  awareness that comes when we open our hearts to these stories

Thank you to all for making this  possible and it is a  joy to know we have such special people in  our community that care and reach out to people in need.

I honour you all and am grateful for your  sharing !!

Warm Buddy hugs

Linda

The Cape Town Support Group Laughter Session on the 31 January was a HUGE success! 38 People attended and bar a few participants, everybody else enjoyed it.
Please find attached the Laughter Session “Summary of Results” from the 30x Feedback Forms which were submitted.

From the Feedback Forms – everybody thoroughly ENJOYED it, had Loads of FUN and would LOVE another Laughter Session, as can be seen from their Comments (pg 2). Yipppe Yay!

I hope the Before and After Feedback Forms, give you quantifiable Evidence and Statistics, that Laughter Sessions DO work! You can clearly see, from the percentage SHIFT, the Dramatic IMPROVEMENT in Stress Release, Attitude, Motivation and General Wellbeing of the people who participated. Very Good… Very Good …Yay!

Please note that 13% is equal to 4 people. Unfortunately 4 people would not like to attend another Laughter Session, even though their Comments were Very Positive and they had FUN!

Bronwyn Kilroe
Laughter Coach
Cell: 083 383 0173
Email: goddessbronwyn@telkomsa.net
Web: www.laughteryoga.org

Laughter Session – EXERCISES LIST

1) Bow & Shake Hands and Greeting laughter – talk in laughter
2) Double Hand shake Laughter (above & below)
3) Milkshake Laughter – Pour milk one glass to another ( Aye …Aye… Aye ( cheers) and laugh drinking the milk (4x)
4) Electric shock as swipe card , take card from another person – shake whole body – shake shake

5) Lion Laughter – extend tongue out fully, claws and laugh from belly , meet different people, maintain eye contact – do crazy eyes
6) Humming Bee Laughter ( laughter with mouth closed & humming sound) – do wings & shake wings
7) Gibberish – Directions – pointing in different directions , making hand signals
High 5 – Clapping – one hand , then other, then both hands clap twice (Practise clapping)

9) Lawn Mower – 3x and run around the room mowing the lawn
10) Hand pump and bicycle
11) Cellphone Bill – hold an imaginary bill , making different gestures and move ,
12) Aloha ( Hawain Greetings) – waving then burst into laughter – Alo .. Ha ha ha ha

13) Argument: Laugh by pointing fingers at different group members as if arguing.
14) Forgiveness / Apology: Immediately after argument Laughter catch both your ear lobes and laugh while shaking your head (Indian style) or raise both your palms and laugh as if saying sorry.
15) Hot Soup
16) Laughter Cream

17) Jack Pot
18) Mental floss laughter
19) Laughter Orchestra – Conductor – hear laughter of other and make music together – different pitched instruments
20) Swinging Laughter: Stand in a circle and move towards the center by chanting Aee….Ooo….Eee…Uuu…

Laughter and Cholesterol

Laughter May Lower Heart Attack Risk in Diabetics

By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter
April 18
FRIDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) — Setting aside time each day for some good, hearty laughter could help diabetics improve their cholesterol levels and possibly lower their risk of heart attack, researchers report.
“Laughter may indeed be a good medicine,” said study author Lee Berk, a preventive care specialist and psychoneuroimmunologist at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, Calif. “Laughter may be as valuable as the diabetes medicines you are taking.”
Berk is slated to present his findings at the American Physiological Society annual meeting in New Orleans.
Berk and his colleague, Dr. Stanley Tan, an endocrinologist and diabetes specialist at Oak Crest Health Research Institute in Loma Linda, assigned 20 adults with type 2 diabetes, average age 50, to a control group or the laughter group.
All had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both groups were taking standard diabetes medications, high blood pressure medicines and cholesterol-lowering drugs.
The laughter group was instructed to view “self-selected” humor for at least 30 minutes every day. Self-selected humor, Berk said, was “that which they found humorous or funny for themselves.” That usually meant watching sitcoms or funny movies.
The laughter group members got into it, he said, and were faithful to the minimum exposure to humor time of 30 minutes daily. “Once they got into it, they really liked it,” he said.
After 12 months, the researchers evaluated both groups by such tests as measuring cholesterol levels and levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation thought to be associated with heart disease.
The laughter group had an increase in “good” HDL cholesterol of 26 percent, compared to just a 3 percent increase in the good cholesterol of the control group, Berk said. Harmful C-reactive proteins declined by 66 percent in the laughter group but just 26 percent for the control group. Both differences were statistically significant, Berk noted.
What’s the secret? Put very simply, Berk said, “you are decreasing the bad chemicals in the body with laughter and increasing the good chemicals, which help you stay well, may prevent disease and may well have [additional] value relative to the therapies you are taking.”
The findings came as no surprise to Theresa Garnero, a nurse and diabetes educator at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, who has long employed humor in helping her patients deal with diabetes. She also has woven information about the use of humor into the books she has written on the topic.
A growing body of evidence finds value in humor when dealing with diabetes, Garnero said. She cites another study in which laughter helped to lower the increase in blood glucose that occurs after meals. Laughter, she said, “can help put things in perspective, light the fire of self-care management — this is a self-care disease — and help people maintain their stride.”
“There is so much minutia involved in this disease,” Garnero said, referring to the detailed instructions those with diabetes get from their doctor and diabetes educator to maintain a healthy diet, watch their blood sugar, and be on the alert for any symptoms of complications of the disease. “By adding a little humor, they can maintain perspective over the long haul,” she said.
Sue McLaughlin, president of health care and education for the American Diabetes Association, said, “It is encouraging to know that something like laughter, which is cost-free and can be shared and promoted by many, has beneficial effects on the well-being of a chronic disease that affects 24 million Americans.”
Reduction in heart disease risk is especially valuable, she said. “People with diabetes are at a two- to fourfold increased risk for cardiovascular disease, compared to their non-diabetic counterparts.”
More information
To learn about more humor books, visit the International Society for Humor Studies.
SOURCES: Lee Berk, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., preventive care specialist and psychoneuroimmunologist, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif.; Theresa Garnero, R.N., certified diabetes educator and clinical nurse manager, Center for Diabetes Services, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco; April 18, 2009, presentation, Sue McLaughlin, R.D., certified diabetes educator, American Diabetes Association, The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha; April 17, 2009, presentation, American Physiological Society annual meeting, New Orleans

Raising the Good Cholesterol
Most people are usually concerned about their total cholesterol levels, and their amount of LDL (the “bad cholesterol”). But in reality says Dr. Miller; low HDL levels are also closely linked to coronary heart disease. According to his recent article in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, a low level of the “good cholesterol” (HDL-C) is the most common lipoprotein abnormality in people with coronary heart disease. These low levels best predict the risk of heart disease, even when the total cholesterol is within the normal range.
The National Cholesterol Education Program defines an HDL reading below 40 as an independent risk factor for heart disease.
Lifestyle measures for raising your HDL levels include weight loss, drug therapies, and omega-3 (fish oil) supplementation. In addition, moderate daily alcohol consumption (about 1 to 2 oz a day) can raise HDL levels by 5 to 10 percent
While there are no magic dietary bullets that raise HDL levels, Miller cautions that merely replacing fat with carbohydrates without reducing caloric intake can cause good cholesterol levels to fall by as much as 20 percent
He also favors using monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil and canola oil, in exchange for either saturated fats or carbohydrates. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, help lower blood cholesterol when used in place of saturated fats.
But even more important than diet and weight loss is regular aerobic exercise.
As Miller stated in his article, “aerobic exercise is perhaps the most important lifestyle intervention for raising a low HDL level.” Miller says the benefit is “dose related”–the more aerobic exercise you do, (such as running, brisk walking, swimming or cycling) the higher the good cholesterol will be. And the duration of the exercise rather than the intensity appears to have the biggest influence. Good cholesterol rises about a milligram for every four or five miles run/ covered each week.
Laughter and Tea May Prevent Heart Disease
Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, lowering cholesterol and quitting smoking reduce certain risk factors. But did you know that drinking tea and laughing might also be beneficial?
Maryland Heart Center physicians are studying some of these preventive measures.
“Our research revolves around trying to attain a greater understanding as to how important those positive influences are in reducing heart attack event rates,” stated Miller.
He says that two of the most protective factors against heart disease are high levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and also factors that may reduce stress, such as laughter.
In fact, a recent study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect against a heart attack. The study, which was the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
Reduce Stress with a Good Laugh
So why do stress reduction techniques — laughter in particular– reduce the risk of heart disease? To answer that, it helps to know how mental stress can potentially damage your heart.
“When you’re under a lot of stress there are chemicals that are released that cause blood pressure and the heart rate to go up, cause platelets to clump together and all of those set up a series of reactions that could enhance the process of plaque formation and development,” said Miller. “So people that appear to be under lots of stress all the time are at increased risk [for heart disease] even if they don’t have a family history of heart disease or if they don’t have diabetes.”
Conversely, reducing stress, with laughter in particular, can have the opposite effect.
“We think laughter is an active process and may have a direct impact on improving the lining of the blood vessels,” explained Miller. Reducing stress also benefits the heart by lowering the blood pressure, and heart rate.
“The ability to laugh may have important implications in societies such as the U.S. where heart disease remains the number one killer,” Miller said. “We know that exercising, not smoking and eating foods low in saturated fat, will reduce the risk of heart disease. Perhaps regular, hearty laughter should be added to the list.”
Other stress reduction methods can also help.
“Limiting stress in ways that are accomplishable, that don’t take up a lot of time and are easy to do would help to facilitate the process of stress reduction,” said Miller. He says that any of stress-reducing methods, including yoga and meditation, may be “quite helpful in reducing the risk of coronary

Read more: http://www.umm.edu/features/tips_prev.htm#3#ixzz1n7Flc0OR

A new Cancer Support Group for People living in Delft – helping People and Communities cope with Cancer.
Please click on the title to see all the information.

PROSTATE SUPPORT ACTION (PSA) GROUP
Cell Phone Contact: 073 560 3067
Telephone: 021 786 16 71

I hope not too many people saw my insert in the People’s Post last week. I got really confused looking at my calendar and arranged with Linda Greef to do a talk a week too early. By the time my mistake was pointed out by some of you, she was booked for a different function on 21 February. Brian van Rheede had sent a message via John Payne recommending Bronwyn Kilroe’s approach to deal with stress, and Bronwyn will be with us instead of Linda.

So, our February meeting will be at 17:45 for 18:00 on Tuesday 21 February in the auditorium of MEDICLINIC Constantiaberg, Burnham Road, Plumstead. Bronwyn will show us the use of laughter therapy to cope with the mental stress of being diagnosed.

Please pass on the word that newly diagnosed patients (and patients at any stage) and their partners or carers from all over the Cape Metro are welcome to attend, meet our prostate cancer survivors, and share details of their experiences.

In March, Terry Herbert, an early driving force of the PSA group, and author of the excellent little book “A Strange Place” of which many of you have a copy, will attend our meeting. We should have an interesting evening.

In April, Alf Vismer will up-date us on his proton beam experiences and findings.

In May, Dr Conray Moolman, who spoke to us in July last year on new drug therapy for advanced prostate cancer, will speak on a subject yet to be decided.

In August, Dr Louis Kathan, who in April 2010 up-dated us on developments in external beam treatment of prostate cancer, will speak. Again, his topic will be finalised nearer the date.

In our January meeting we had a selection of topics proposed by attendees, one being the topic of dealing with the stress.

Do let us know any ideas you may have on improving the group effectiveness. If anyone knows a printing firm that might sponsor plain copies of Terry Herbert’s little book, do let us know. Terry has kindly given permission for us to reproduce his latest version as long his copyright is clearly stated in case he develops it into a book. I also think we must only allow its use for distribution free to group members, as has always been the case.

VENUE: The Auditorium, Ground Floor, MEDICLINIC Constantiaberg, Burnham Road, Plumstead.
TIME: 17h45 for 18h00

(Should finish by 19h00 approx)

Thanks to all at MEDICLINIC Constantiaberg for providing our venues, juice, tea/coffee and biscuits. Also, thanks to our speakers, for the time and effort they put in to keeping us up-to-date with progress in treatment of our problems.

Yours

Alan, on behalf of

John 021 782 25 00/083 281 70 13 George 021 787 03 74/072 105 63 53

Alan 021 786 16 71/072 661 43 41 Brian 021 434 63 09/072 458 29 74

Cecco 021 794 20 35/083 453 89 30 and Ellena/Steve

PSA group cell 073 560 30 67

The first Cape Town Support Group Meeting for 2012 at Vincent Pallotti Hospital will be a Laughter Session!

A Laughter Session consists of Laughing, Clapping, Breathing and Stretching exercises.

CAPE GATE MONTHLY PATIENT SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS  – FEB 2012 – DEC 2012.

10h00 – 12h00 in the Boardroom at the Cape Gate Oncology Centre

Contact Person: Caron  Majewski. Oncology Social Worker.
Tel : 021 9443800

Evening Support Group:

Venue : Panorama Hospital – Second floor

Time :  17:30- 19:00

Specially inviting patients with these cancers to give their testimonies and help others.

7 Feb. – Talking about breast  cancer

13 March – Talking about prostate cancer

10 April – Creative Wellness –  talking about home care

8 May – Talking about lung cancer

12 June – Talking about colon cancer

14 Aug – Video : testimonies on managing cancer

11 Sept – Talking about melanoma

9 Oct – Dietician visiting the group

13 Nov – Reflecting on the year

Morning Support Group:

Venue : Panorama Oncology Centre, Boardroom

Time : 10:00-12:00

Patients and family currently on treatment

23 Feb. – Stress

15 March – Talking about children and how they manage with their parents’ cancer.

19 April – Radiographer talking about radiation and side-effects.

17 May – Talking about managing the workplace and cancer.

14 June – Chemo nurse talking about chemo and the side-effects.

16 Aug – Talking about self-image.

20 Sept – Talking about sexuality and cancer.

18 Oct – What happens after cancer.

22 November – Dietician visiting the group.

Contact person : Emerentia Esterhuyse  : 021 9443850

Please mark these dates in you 2012 diaries:
Venue:  Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Pinelands. GVI Oncology Unit

Time: 18h00 – 19h30

Contact person: Linda Greeff

Tel: 0219494060

Cell :0825513310

Support Group Meeting – Cape Town- Pinelands at Vincent Pallotti Oncology Centre – 5 December.

The next Support Group Meeting will take place at Vincent Pallotti Hospital (GVI Oncology Reception), Pinelands on 5 December at 18h00. Linda Greeff (Director PLWC)  will lead a discussion on Celebrating Life . Everyone is welcome, including family members and caregivers. For this last group meeting for the year,  please bring a plate of eats and something to drink  .

Please note that the date is not the last  Monday of November as Linda will be in Egypt for a  conference. Everybody is invited to come. It will be great to see all the buddies and  all the persons who have attended the support group the last year !!!!

If anybody has some ideas for entertainment,  please phone Linda urgently at 0219494060

Warm Regards