Accent on relaxation at cii From page 1 because I wasn’t a good risk to get better.” (The Cancer Agency funds a portion of all cancer treat- ment centres in B.C. including the one at Lions Gate Hospital. ‘The agency’s main centre is in Vancouver on West 10th). King had already received her limit of radiation therapy — available only at regional oncol- ogy clinics such as the Vancouver Cancer Centre — to treat breast cancer. She still remembers the day doctors at Lions Gate told her she had the disease, “I thought they had made a mistake,” King said. “It felt like Pd been punched in the stcom- acl “Tried all the way home. It was 5 p.m. on a wet January night. ] don’t remember how I managed to drive home.” Nurse Betty Kavanaugh has worked at the Lions Gate oncology clinic since it opened in 1983. She said people are “absolutely terrified” at being diagnosed with the disease. “Some people can’t deal with it very well, some people can’t deal with it at all,” Kavanaugh said. “It’s not just giving medication — that’s _ only part of it. We listen, we ” counsel, and we also treat it like - home. We don’t want it to be a scary place. “People with cancer are members of families, they have jobs, they have worries other than cancer and you're trying NEWS photo Mike Wakefield DEBBIE Zamprogno (left) and Betty Kavanaugh visit with Anne King at Lions Gate Hospi ital. to help the:n through this.” There are times when Kavanaugh says she gets “really stressed.” “I cry a lot, I laugh a lot. If T get to a point where it doesn’t get me upset to see someone hurting, bs 's time for me to Move out.” Like Kavanaugh, social worker Joyce Auld is part of the cancer clinic team. She provides patients and their families with emotional support and practical heip, gives counseling, directs people to available support groups, and helps them find transportation to the clinic and financial aid. Once a week, the clinic also provides a support group for famili ies —- where treatment, ° side-effects, pain management A) MPAPIDIUBE 4m MWRRAPADLUBE DRIVE-THRU Ol! CHANGE PROFESSIONALS: “BCAA APPROVED No appointment necessary i Most cars & pick u, Plas taxes 4 exviro ny includes 21 poist safety inspactior TL FREE FLUID, TOP-UP | Opel i: ine siolent « Windtiekd wesher el» Power 8:00am - 6:00pm r ering Haid © Transmission fluld « Brake fluld Mon.-Sat. axpires Apel 14/97 i pLONSDALE & 13TH 988-4050 Join me for an educational, six part series on rersonal f money management for women, including: f @ Five steps to financial independencemm f & Portfolio management strategies W Retirement & estate planning @ Tax planning . fg Balancing risk and reward Mutual funds KATHY SAGER COURSE BEGINS TUESDAY, MAY 6 and runs Tuesday evenings for six weeks Time: 6pm - 9pm Place: Suite 114, 100 Park Royal, W. Van. Enrollment Fees: $125 MIDLAND For course information call KATHY SAGER Vice President and emotional well-being are discussed. On Thursdays, patients can participate in a relaxation ther- apy program. In a spacious, carpeted rcnm in the hospital, people gather around a circle and share thoughts and discuss concerns. Later, under dinwmed lights, lying or sitting on mats and blankets, a therapist leads them ‘through relaxation and visual- ization, sometimes with the gentle strum of a guitar. “It’s important for support and helps them cope and gives them renewed energy,” said Civit LIGATION Civil Litigation ~ matrimonial - commercial & estate litigation ~ wrongful dismissai - personal injury BALDWIN ir sardtly, U8 Auld. “People in a medical health crisis appear to do better when they are in support groups.” Patients are encouraged to bring a friend or family mem- ber co these sessions. “Relaxing is important because they give you so many chemicals and drugs and this helps y your body become peace- ful,” Kraupner said. “It’s like meditation. You don’t realize how uptight your body is. Ir helps.” Besides _clinic-facititated support groups, relaxation tapes aud videos are available at the clinic’s library. This “closer to home care” as Dr. Klimo calls it, where everything is within reach for Patients in the community, is ideal for many because less stress is involved. “They offer these programs at the Cancer Agency (in Vancouver), but by the time you drive over there, you're stressed our,” Kraupner said. “Here, you’re not battling traf- fic and trying to find parking — it’s less stressful.” Considering Kelowna? Then call the Kelowna Kid LINDSAY MCDONALD ia 3 Sunday. Apri 1 Since many people feel helpless that a disease has taken over their bodies, patients ar the clinic are encouraged to take contro! of their health. “If we prescribed the treat- ment and they just take it, they feel on the passive end,” Dr. Klimo said. “If you make a con- wibution to your recovery, the patient feels that he or she has a choice.” Valerie Kraupner has taken control. After surfing on the Net, she found a drug that would help strengthen her bones while she is being treated for bone cancer. Through Dr. Kimo, she was able to obtain the drug and use it as a secondary treatment. “You do have to take con- trol and fecl responsible,” Kraupner said. “Being knowl- edgeable and taking charge is , 1297 ~ North Shore News — 5 a Kraupner, she’s learned to take each day one step ata time. “You have to get the most out of each day,” she said. “You don’t know what it will bring.” For nurse Kavanaugh, a patient's optimism goes a long way. “Maybe you ‘can "t give them any answers” she said. “But you can listen.” part of the healing process. I've -. “ learned to read my own blood level. Ir puts your mind at rest when you know exactly what’s happenin And although the cancer is not yet under control for SUCCESS THROUGH SERVICE Realtor referrals welcomed? TOLL FREE 1-604-979-0918 “ 400" s of parts =. in. stock’: . 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While only Reform Party of Canada members joining on or before March 12, 1997 are eligible to vote, all other citizens are urged to attend also, to hear the special guest speaker Ezra Levant, who is described by TV's Mike Duffy as “one of the brightest and most articulate people of his generation." Infornaiion: 926-6859 Thursday, April 17, '97 at 6:30 PM Gleneagles Golf Club 6190 Marine Drive West Vancouver ieee Stee Perea tni ao OPEN DAILY Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am - 10 pm BREAKFAST ¢ LUNCH © DINNER® WEEKEND BRUNCH STARTS 8:30 AM LOCATED AT LYNNWOOD MARINA 1653 Columbia St., North Vancouver 988-0038 Financial Advisor 925-5552 [BLUE CHIP THINKING and WOMEN AND WEALTH are Trademarks of Midland Walwyn Capital Inc. idland Walwyn Capital Inc is a member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Sponsored in part by: WALWYN BLUE CHIP THINKING™ Seite Members muy vote only once at the above location or other dates in Squamish, Sechelt, or Powell River