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Derry News/Eagle Tribune CARING FOR THE SOUL DURING THE CANCER JOURNEY DERRY – The staff at New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology, in partnership with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston , has developed an educational series for patients and their families, called “Let's Talk.” The series helps cancer patients navigate the long journey of surgeries, radiation treatments, chemotherapy and doctor appointments. The fourth event in this series, “Spirituality and the Cancer Journey,” will be held at Promises to Keep in Derry on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. “There has been a lot of good data stating that if cancer patients are in spiritual distress, they have worse outcomes,” said Dr. Frederick Briccetti, a medical oncologist with New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology, which has an office in Derry . “There is a difference between religion and spirituality,” Briccetti said. “Spirituality is a sense of meaning, of a purpose larger than ourselves.” Traditionally, spiritual care was given in the hospital as a patient neared the end of life. “This is changing,” Briccetti said. “We are beginning to realize that patients who are primarily seen in the outpatient setting have spiritual needs that are just as acute.” Whether it's through consultation with chaplains, prayer, inspiring poetry or music, or even walks in the woods, people are using spiritual means to better cope and make sense of their illnesses. Panelists for the evening include the Rev. Walter Moczynski, director of pastoral care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Douglas Weckstein, medical oncologist at NH Oncology-Hematology, and the Rev. Arthur Reublinger , hospice chaplain for the Portsmouth , Derry , and Salem Home Health and Hospice. There will also be perspectives presented by patients as well. “I want to learn from the panel and the audience,” Briccetti said. “This is one of those areas about which I am not an expert in. I'm interested to hear what they come up with.” “When you are faced with a life-threatening illness, what you believe in is an important part of your healing or coping process,” Moczynski said during an interview for “Paths of Progress,” a publication of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “Whether or not they believe in God, everybody has a belief system.” NH Oncology-Hematology has five locations in New Hampshire and serves the Derry area at the Nutfield Professional Building at Parkland Medical Center 's Oncology Department. After forming an affiliation with the Dana-Farber earlier this year, a group of physicians from both organizations made a laundry list of topics that would be of interest outside of medical cancer care to patients, said Ron Barkley, executive director of NH Oncology-Hematology. “The topics in the series are also of interest to other patients and caregivers as well, not just cancer patients,” Barkley said. Previous topics include nutrition and complementary medicine. “It's exciting to have the resources of Dana-Farber and our first-class oncology-hematology group,” Barkley said. “One of our beliefs is that care should extend into our communities,” he said. The program will help identify resources for coping spirituality based on professional commentaries and actual patient experiences, and the benefits these coping strategies can provide for an individual facing a cancer experience. The program is free; pre-registration is appreciated. Call (603)622-4978 or visit www.nhoh.com . Promises to Keep is on Rockingham Road (Route 28) in Derry.
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