The hardest part of so much of the past several years has been saying goodbye to good things. Time in the sun, outdoor sports, many dreams, plans, and securities are just some. However loosing friends through this battle seems to be the hardest of all the losses. From personal friends to family, I will say the loss of anyone to cancer or just life I suppose; is something that does add an aspect of sobriety.
I have watched many fight a glorious battle only to be called home amidst the fray, never able for themselves to see the victory they may have sought. It is this place of observation that I write today. I am grateful continually for the unparalleled support, love and compassion that is given so generously to me. My body continues to amaze not only doctors, but me and I still continue to fight.
Even after having lived through several treatments and having had many complications I feel inadequate in my attempt to express what I have been observing as of late. These experiences and time spent with cancer have left an impression with me of what cancer Survivor’s here in the valley are in need of.
The Fresno valley is in no way unfamiliar with the term cancer, and yet for the day to day, the rehab and the outpatient-clientele, post treatment survival is seemingly more difficult than need be. Even socially the network for any sort of normalcy seems underdeveloped and in much need of some cohesive strategizing.
Fresno is filled with amazing oncologists, radiologists, and cancer centers. With that fact remaining, many patients like myself find treatment in other cities or have outpatient treatment here. When this is done, the day to day survival and regiments are more than straining on both patients and family. Months and years of treatment can continue and the life of the patient continues onward (at times) without much outward guidance.
If you found yourself living in a larger, more funded city, if you will; there are a myriad of rehab infrastructures and facilities. Not to shine any sort of bad light on the current care here in the valley, but in larger areas with broader demographics of specific diseases, there is obviously a drive for more assistance.
What I am getting at is seemingly simple from the outside, but I believe with the attention and care of many, could become a more complex and very reaching organization. Insurance companies including state and federal have had to cut back on much needed post-treatment for cancer, including surgical, chemotherapy, and radiation patients. While there are obvious reasons for many cutbacks it does not do away with the great need for many that is unmet.
The great thing is that even in the economic quandary we are in, many are more than willing to help with their time, services, and more. From practitioners, to business owners, health advisors, exercise instructors, physical therapists, rehab specialists and other professionals, there are many waiting to assist. While insurance companies would define these as “luxuries” I am sure most would agree any help is help, and many things are needed that are not covered.
The problem can be as simple as a monetary issue but so often there are so many limitations to those just finishing treatment or for those in chronic treatment. Signing up for a gym membership, using money for extra support like physical therapy, yoga, massage and other alternatives for those going through this struggle, is a not always a feasible option.
Over the next several months and in conjunction with several local charities and businesses the Fresno Cancer Survivors Network (FCSN) is hopeful to be able to help aid in connecting providers to patients in this meaningful way. This will be as stated before, a conglomerate of local business owners, charities and professionals engaged in an effort to create a Network for those coming out of treatment for varied types of cancer. The goal is to provide free or at least affordable options for many services out of reach to those in need of the assistance. Our foundation is designed to facilitate those connections, do the research, marketing, fund raising, and gathering of resources and bringing them into one center. We are a volunteered middle man if you will. The organization is lead by several professionals with experience in varied areas to add to the patients success.
I personally don’t know anyone who hasn’t had a close relationship with someone either currently fighting, a survivor, or who still holds dearly the memory of someone who fought till the end with this disease. I’d scarcely say that anyone could. I also know personally the difference having not just the knowledge that people are concerned and involved but seeing the manifestation of that through service and kindness, IS life changing.
To this end, The Fresno Cancer Survivor Network is hoping rally Heart and Energy! I have personally felt from the readers on my blog and hundreds of others, and know that on a plane of some sort of equity, being sick or watching those you love sick takes more from you than you could expect. So, together with that boundless heart and energy, lets give back for those that have lost and would continue too.
So as you are thinking of what you can do to help think of those around. Think if you felt terrible what might be a source of refuge? Money is not the end goal here, rather safe activities and places of refuge, things to help people reconnect with health, in any way possible. We want to have the ability to connect the dots from discharge from the hospital and fear, to hope and acceptance into a community ready to aid in the road less traveled (rehab).
If there has been anything learned in my short four years of life in and around cancer, it is that we are all uniquely connected. Sometimes we just don’t see it, and with the Fresno Cancer Survivors Network, maybe we can start to at least to feel it.
Whether it’s a donation of time or resources we can and will find a person deserving of the effort. From hours given in yoga or meditation instruction to gym days, or hours of design or even therapy sessions, many of these are key to a quicker or more sustained recovery. THINK, BRAINSTORM, and SHARE your ideas or resources.
Our Website will be up shortly and will have information on events, fundraisers, patients, and the success of many.
If you question the success rate WE have achieved (and I do mean you and I) at all- please feel free to read my blog, meet me in person or any other person who has struggled with this in their life. The gifts given not only change the person but are able to inspire much more than you will ever know. It is the grace shown to me through this journey that our organization hopes to be able to generate for many others. Thank you for your time, as always thank you for your love and concern, and remember it does not go unnoticed.
While C is for Chad, today it is for Change, and as always C is Not for Cancer!
