|
 When
someone has cancer, it is important to
take care of the whole person-the mind,
body, and spirit. The HOPES Program is
here to help you do just that. We offer
free education and support
workshops plus wellness services for
patients with cancer, their families
and friends. The HOPES Program can help
you feel better throughout your cancer
experience. You can learn more about
your treatment and side effects, get
tips for coping with symptoms and stress,
and gain support from others with cancer.
Social workers, chaplains, nurses, experienced
patients and caregivers, and other experts
work together to provide HOPES workshops
and services. These small, comfortable
sessions are held in the Cancer Center,
and most are "drop-in" so you do not
need to sign up ahead of time.
To find this month’s list of workshops
and services >>>
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Education
Workshops
 Our
free education
workshops share the information that
can help ease your fear and anxiety.
They also let families and friends learn
more about what their loved ones are
going through.
Topics include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Clinical trials
- Cancer pain management
- Blood counts
- Nutrition
- Fatigue
“[The HOPES workshop] helped
me to relax and understand what I am going
through.”
– Patient with cancer
To find this month’s list of workshops
and services >>>
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Support Workshops
 The
HOPES Program also helps you deal with
your feelings about cancer. Free workshops
provide you with a
comfortable place to share how you feel
and learn how others cope with cancer.
Workshop topics include:
- Talking to your children
about cancer
- Finding faith and hope
- Moving forward
after cancer treatment
The Social Service Department at Massachusetts
General Hospital offers many types
of support groups, including
groups for certain types of cancer, siblings
of children with life threatening illnesses,
and programs for parents of children
with cancer.
“[The HOPES workshop had a] relaxing,
comfortable setting which made discussing
thoughts and feelings welcome.”
–Patient with cancer
To find this month’s list of workshops
and services >>>
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Wellness
Services
 Our
wellness services focus on healing
your mind, body, and spirit. They can
help you cope with your symptoms and
stress, and help you feel better. People
who use these services often return to
experience them again and again, and
consider them an important part of their
healing process. Many of these services
are free of charge.
Our wellness services
(also called complementary or integrative
therapies) include:
- Acupuncture
- Exercise
- Expressive arts (art and writing)
- Gentle yoga
- Healing harp music
- Humor therapy
- Massage therapy
- Music therapy
- Qigong
- Reflexology
- Relaxation methods
“Listening
to the harp makes you feel so calm and relaxed
and is able to shift your focus in a
great way.”
–Family/friend of patient with cancer
To find this month’s list of workshops
and services >>>
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Acupuncture & Massage
Clinic
The HOPES Program also offers full-body acupuncture
and therapeutic massage for Massachusetts
General Hospital Cancer Center patients
for a fee. The benefits of massage and
acupuncture may include helping to:
- reduce stress and anxiety
- relieve symptoms and side effects
like insomnia, fatigue, pain, and
chemotherapy-related nausea.
Acupuncture and Massage are provided on:
- Wednesdays from 1-5
pm in the Cox Building
Acupuncture is provided on:
- Fridays from
1-5 pm in the Yawkey Center.
Licensed acupuncturists and massage
therapists who have experience treating
patients with cancer will provide one-hour
sessions for a fee
of $55 each.
To make an appointment or get more information,
please call 617-72-HOPES (617-724-6737).
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In the News
HOPES celebrates its 10th Anniversary. Channel 5 News
"Healing Sounds Of The Harp: In Hospitals
And Other Settings Where Anxiety Runs
High, Soothing Music Helps Patients Relax"
The Patriot Ledger
"Acupuncture
and Massage: Two Personal Experiences"
Support
Winter 2005, Issue 006
"HOPES
Program Empowers Patients"
Synergy
Fall 2004, Volume 2, Number 3
“HOPES
Program knows collaboration is key to
helping patients”
By Marilyn S. Brier, LICSW, oncology
social worker,
and Regina Holdstock, BCOP, oncology pharmacist
“Living
with Cancer… Moving Forward After
Treatment”
By Marilyn S. Brier, LICSW, oncology
social worker,
and Regina Holdstock, BCOP, oncology pharmacist
“HOPES
Program Offers Chair Massage”
Synergy
Spring/Summer 2004, Volume 2, Number 2
“Oh
No! Chemo?”
Support
Fall 2003, Issue 001
"Five
Ways the HOPES Program Can Help You Relax"
Support
Winter 2004, Issue 002
“Exercising
for Energy”
Support
Summer 2004, Issue 003
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What People
are Saying About the HOPES Program
“The relaxed and informative
presentation made me feel that I have
a partner in my journey.”
–Patient with cancer
“It helped me to relax and understand
what I am going through.” –Patient
with cancer
“[The chemotherapy workshop]
answered all my questions in a low-stress
way.”
–Family member of patient with
cancer
“Through the HOPES Program, people
find they're not alone and that caring,
supportive staff is available to address
their concerns and help them deal with
their illness."
–Staff member, HOPES workshop
presenter
“Massage … help[s] to relieve
some of that tension and stress I'm under.”
–Patient with cancer
“I always feel better after
this (yoga) class!.”
–Patient with cancer
“Relaxing, comfortable setting
which made discussing thoughts and feelings
welcome.”
–Patient with cancer
“The instructor is wonderful.
It is good to be with other patients in
a peaceful space.”
–Patient with Cancer
“[The yoga class] means a lot
to me. It has sustained me throughout
my treatment for cancer…”
–Patient with cancer
“[I liked] hearing how others
are handling their diagnosis–or
a loved one’s diagnosis.”
–Patient with cancer
“I like being able to express
my feelings in art. It is good to be with
others who understand.
–Patient with cancer
“It was very relaxing. The atmosphere
was calm and peaceful.” –Staff
member
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