Lancaster Cancer Center... The Healing Journey

The Healing Journey at Lancaster Cancer Center

The Healing Journey is a program of love, support and positive thinking. By integrating meticulous, conventional medical oncology care with harmonizing approaches to healing, we hope to help reduce medication side effects, boast the immune system, and promote general wellness. Complementary therapies and educational programs are offered as an extended approach to oncology care. With our program, the patient and the caregiver can be empowered to share in the healing process. Our programs are available to the community at no cost.

Healing Together


	Janneke van Beusekom, LCSW

Healing Together is our professionally lead therapy group that places emphasis on encouragement, acceptance and affirmation. Healing Together meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Lancaster Cancer Center from 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Newcomers meet the first Thursday of each month.

Please call Janneke van Beusekom at 394.6688 if you plan to attend or if you regularly attend and are unable to make it or with any questions. All patients at Lancaster Cancer Center and their families are invited to experience the comfort and support of this group at no charge.

Moving Through Illness


	Adele Ulrich

We are proudly forming a new group on Wednesday evenings for patients and those close to them. We are extremely fortunate to have LCC patient and breast cancer survivor Adele Ulrich facilitate Moving Through Illness , on Wednesdays, from 6:00 - 7:30 P.M. No movement experience is necessary and elements of Yoga will continue to be incorporated into each session. Patients will experience relaxation, mindfulness, active meditation, gentle stretching and movement (can be done in a chair or wheel chair), drawing (stick figures and abstract images are FINE!), writing, and vocal expressions. When we understand that movement and our life experiences are intertwined, we realize that being in motion, active or gentle, becomes essential to releasing feelings. This can be vital to the healing process. Repressed or incongruent feelings can manifest themselves in negative physical symptoms, a tight jaw or neck, headaches, pain, or a nervous tummy, for example. Actually, research is finding that molecular and even genetic changes take place, according to how we respond to our experiences. Ask your doctor how beneficial this class can be for you. All levels of physical ability are welcome. Adele is a certified Movement Therapist, dancer, choreographer and community educator. She teaches and practices movement therapy at the New Movement Center of Lancaster and happily danced through most of her cancer treatment.

What: Moving through Illness
Cost: Free for patients and one guest $8.00 per session for others
When: Weekly, Wednesday evenings 6:00-7:30
Where: Lancaster Cancer Center
Wear: Loose, comfortable clothing
Bring: Your journal, if you keep one
Register: Call Adele at 627-5300 or e-mail: bluemoon@ptd.net

Educational Programs


	Charlotte DeGreen, MS

Our programs, held at the Center, highlight complementary therapies and overall emotional and physical wellness. Topics covered range from tai chi, relaxation, nutrition, and journaling to aromatherapy. Again, the sessions are complimentary.

Lending Library
Our library is maintained for the use of our patients and their families. Books, audio and video tapes, and DVD’s may be borrowed either during treatment time in the office or taken home for a time period of two weeks. Important to the effectiveness of the library is the sharing of ideas and suggestions of resources which have been helpful. If you have a relevant source which you would like to donate to the library or if you have suggestions, please drop these off in the reception area.

Family Celebrations
Realizing how fun and laughter are an important part of the healing process, the Center sponsors family events where we can all get together for times of sharing and caring. Each fall we hold a family picnic for all patients and their families. A Spa Day for women patients and survivors is currently planned for February, our valentine to those who are braving, or have braved, cancer treatments. Each celebration is offered at no charge.

Friends for the Journey
Lancaster Cancer Center recognizes that support and encouragement plays an important part in a patient’s recovery. Three volunteers, all cancer survivors, have established a program of comfort for our patients and their families by connecting survivors with those newly diagnosed or those beginning treatment. This program has several facets, all of which benefit both those being treated and their caregivers as well as those who feel they would like to return the kindnesses shown them during their healing journey.

If you are a newly diagnosed patient, or the loved one of a patient who is being treated, ask the Patient Coordinator, the nurses or your physician to be connected with a Friend for the Journey.

If you have undergone treatment, or were a caregiver, and would like to help those beginning their healing journey, please consider joining us as a Friend for the Journey. The remuneration may not be impressive, but the rewards you will experience as a volunteer will be priceless.

What: Friends for the Journey
Where: Lancaster Cancer Center as well as in the community
When: Friends may volunteer on a regular basis at a time
convenient to their schedules.
Who: Volunteers may be any who have been treated and/or their family
or friends. Concerned community members may also serve. Those requesting Friends will be any who are newly diagnosed or are currently receiving treatment
What will we do? Any of the following:

Personal contact with patients and/or their family members. Personal contact may take the form of a phone call, visitation, follow-up notes, or companionship at various workshops or programs.
Greet and welcome new patients in the LCC office.
Visit with a patient in the treatment room.

Training: Orientation sessions will be offered. Contact either of the organizers to volunteer your services.

Liz Smedley: esmedley@dejazzd.com
717-684-2596

Needing a Friend: Contact Mindy DeGreen
mdegreen@lancastercancercenter.com
717-291-1313 ext 102

Laugher Club

Experience the joy of laughing in a relaxed, upbeat atmosphere through the Lancaster Cancer Center Laughter Club. Pure laughter, without the
use of jokes or comedy, is used to provide light exercise for mental and physical flexibility, mood regulation, stress reduction, and an attitude boost. Laughter Club “members” will learn simple practices that they can use to feel good and have a better outlook on life. Our Laughter Club can be enjoyed by people in all age groups with virtually any level of physical or mental ability. Research shows that laugher strengthens the immune system, improves breathing, arterial blood flow, digestion and sleep, relaxes muscles, reduces pain and lifts enthusiasm and morale. In addition to the laughter exercises, attendees will learn the principles of Good Hearted Living, upbeat suggestions for changing attitudes. If you like, bring a cartoon or a joke. We will be adding it to our Ya Gatta Laugh collection. The Laughter Club is facilitated by Elaine Boltz from Life Management Associate, a Certified Laughter Leader (CLL) and an official affiliate of the World Laughter Tour and United States Laughter Clubs.

When: First Thursday of each month.
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 P.M.
Where: LCC’s Meeting Area

Patient Advocate

The goal of the patient advocate is to help patients and their loved ones travel the Healing Journey. The PAtient Advocate can provide an organization of appoinments, transportation, attend office visits, and make suggestions of programs which may be beneficial for the patient and his or her family. She can also facilitate the resolving of grievances, complaints, and try to honor requests from patients and caregivers. The patient advocate helps maintain balance and unity in the building of strong relationships between patient, family, physician, and staff.

If you have any questions for the patient advocate, whether you are a new or an establishied patient, or would like the patient advocate to attend an appointment with you, please contact Mindy DeGreen at 717-291-1313 ext. 102.

Pink Hat Club

Look for the bright pink hats! Listen for the laughter! What you will find is the monthly meeting of the Pink Hat Club enjoying the camaraderie and support that breast cancer survivors can provide for each other.

Our luncheon get-together is at noon on the last Wednesday of each month. There is no agenda, no uneasiness, and no restrictions. We simply share a meal and conversation with our fellow survivors. E-mail candydeg@aol. to be added to our list (or call 291-1313 and tell our Patient Advocate that you would like to attend.) Bring a friend and don’t forget to wear a pink hat!