No registration required, just stop by!

All networking groups are drop in style, no pre-registration is required.

• Carcinoid:meets the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:00am-12:00pm

No registration required, just stop by!

A medical release is required for all participants. Contact the Healthy Living Coordinator at 630-654-5193 to register.

Call                                 (630) 654-5193                                for more event information

First, when children are young, they often believe that their thoughts or actions can magically cause events that are not under their control.  It is important that children understand that they are not to blame for another person’s illness.  Even if they misbehaved or were angry with a parent, nothing that a child thought or did could cause someone’s cancer.  

In addition, it is important that children know that cancer is not contagious.  No one can “catch“ cancer like they can catch a cold or the chicken pox from a classmate or a sibling.  So it’s okay to be close to and to cuddle with a person who has cancer. 

Lastly, let children know the steps you will take to maintain their routine and who will be there to help them.  They need to know how they will get to their activities, and who will be taking care of them if mom or dad is in the hospital.  A serious illness in the family can be a disruption, but need not interfere with childrens’ overall sense of security.  Preparing them for the changes in their world will help ease the way.

Remember to keep your children in the loop when it comes to communicating about your illness.  As a result, they will be able to maintain and even grow in their sense of trust toward significant adults in their life.

What is Flexibility?

• Flexibility is the ability to move joints through a normal range of motion
• Stretching exercises can allow us to improve our total body flexibility
• There are many forms of stretching, but static stretching is most recommended when performing stretching exercises without the assistance of a fitness professional
• Static stretches involve an individual stretching to the point of tension or mild discomfort at the end of their range of motion and holding that position for a period of time.  During static stretching, you should not experience pain or bounce to achieve a greater stretch.

 Overall Benefits of Flexibility Exercises

• Reduces muscle soreness & tension
• Reduces risk of low back pain
• Improve muscle performance
• Improves posture & muscle coordination
• Allows greater freedom of movement
• Assists in reducing the risk of injury
• Develops & improves body awareness
• Allows greater freedom of movement
• Relieves psychological stress & tension
• Promotes body & mental relaxation

 Specific Goals of Flexibility Exercises During Cancer Treatment, Recovery & Remission

• Increase and maintain range of motion
• Decrease stiffness from disuse

 General Recommendations for Flexibility and Cancer

• Intensity: Stretch to a point of mild discomfort (not pain), don’t bounce
• Frequency: 2 to 4 repetitions per stretch, 5 to 7 days a week
• Duration: 20 to 30 seconds per stretch

 Stretching Do’s

• Inhale & slowly exhale as you stretch to the point of tension
• Hold each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds
• Relax and repeat up to four times
• Dynamic stretches should be performed under supervision of a fitness professional

 Stretching Don’ts

• Don’t Bounce
• Don’t stretch a muscle that is not warmed up
• Don’t strain or push a muscle too far
• Don’t hold your breath

Firstly, do children need to know? Children will often sense that something has changed just by observing the adults around them. It can be far more troubling for children to sense that something is wrong and not have the information to confirm it.  Keep in mind that children’s unspoken fears can be worse than the reality of the situation, and that children are affected by everything that happens in the family.  You can’t hide or shield your children from a serious illness in the family.  Having the opportunity to communicate openly can provide parents the comfort of knowing that your children are not attempting to manage a potentially difficult experience without your help.

How and when do we tell them? It is very important that you pick a time when you are able to explain things and be able to do so without becoming distraught or overwhelmed. It’s OK to become emotional and to address your reaction with your children; being able to name you feelings of sadness or worry will help them learn to identify their own feelings and put words to them. A little preparation, thinking about what you will say and how you might answer their questions may be very helpful.   

Next, what do children need to know? It is essential that children be told that the illness is a serious one and that they have your best understanding of what to expect and how they will be affected.  For example, “Mommy has an illness called breast cancer and she’ll need to take strong medicine to make it go away.  Mommy may feel tired a lot and have to take more naps, but Daddy and Grandma will be here to take you to play dates and help you with your homework.”  Think about the age of your children and using age appropriate language. For a toddler, hearing that mommy or daddy has a “booboo” that will need to be fixed may be enough information.  For older school-aged children, they will likely need more details and have more questions.  It is OK exercise discretion and parental judgment about sharing certain details. According to Kathleen McCue, Child Life Specialist and author of How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness, good principle is: “Remember, being honest does not necessarily mean telling everything where the child isn’t ready to understand.  It means never telling anything but the truth.” Many adults hesitate using the word cancer, fearing that it will be too upsetting for children to hear.  In reality, the word cancer is typically more overwhelming for adults to hear and say, than it is for children.

Follow the Wellness House blog and look for another entry on talking to children about cancer in the month of November.

65 people managed their stress in the mindfulness, meditation, energy work, hypnosis and Flute circle programs

160 people got stronger in the exercise program

100 people swapped information and encouragement through the camaraderie of the Wellness House support groups

80 people learned how to address their cancer related legal issues, strengthen their immune systems with mindfulness and how they can successfully manage pain.

 …and they will do it all again next month.  If you would like to strengthen yourself at Wellness House, here for people diagnosed with cancer and their families alike, this is your place.”

At Wellness House, we are kicking off a program of support for Young Adults with Cancer by inviting them to join us here for an evening of networking and discussion with Jonny Imerman, founder of Imerman Angels.  Jonny will be facilitating a casual discussion of issues facing young adults.  Please join us on October 27^th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for this exciting event. Click here to register for this event. 

We look forward to spending the evening with you.  We value your input and look forward to hearing your ideas about how Wellness House can help build the growing Young Adult network and best meet your support needs. For questions or more information, please contact Cece Cornell at 630-654-5111.

The following is a list of myths and facts about grief compiled by www.griefandhealing.org that can help to provide insight for both the bereaved as well as the care giver:

MYTH: The pain will go away faster if you ignore it.

Fact: Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it.

MYTH: It’s important to be “strong” in the face of loss.

Fact: Feeling sad, frightened or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. You don’t need to “protect” your family or your friends by putting on a brave front. Showing your true feelings can help them and you.

MYTH: If you don’t cry, it means you aren’t sorry about the loss.

Fact: Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it’s not the only one. Those who don’t cry may feel pain just as deeply as others. They may simply have other ways of showing it.

MYTH: Moving on with your life means you’re forgetting the one you lost.

Fact: Moving on means you’ve accepted your loved one’s death. That is not the same as forgetting. You can create a new life and still keep your loved one’s memory a part of you.

MYTH: Friends can help by not bringing up the subject.

Fact: People who are grieving usually want and need to talk about their loss. Bringing up the subject can make it easier to talk about.

Wellness House provides encouragement and support every Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm in our bereavement group that helps people who have experienced the loss of a loved one from cancer and helps create the atmosphere for safe and appropriate sharing of feelings and emotions.