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Reply to "Trauma Informed Care and Oncology"

I was treated for breast cancer in 2018/19 and part of my care team was a wonderful Integrative Oncologist named Dr Keith Block (The Block Clinic, in Skokie, Ill).  I do not know what his practice-specific policies are for his patients' old or current traumas, as I only had a consult with him, and then received/practiced his recommended treatment in my home area.  However, I can report that 1/4 of my 4-hour consult was about emotional aspects, psychological dimensions, spiritual practices and music, nature, resilience, meditation/yoga and other 'best practices' for nurturing myself and being psychologically grounded. 

So I think contacting some top Integrative Oncologists would be a great place to begin your hunt. 

I can also attest to there being an *extreme* need for trauma awareness. 

In my non-scientific but ACE-aware observation, from active participation in patient message boards: a LOT of cancer patients have had prior childhood trauma (just like a lot of Americans).  There are also many co-morbidities indicating child trauma among cancer patients.

I can attest that emotional dimensions-- proactivity (self agency), love, a sense of purpose-- dictates a huge amount of the course of one's healing.  Being fierce in defense of your life, and self, and values.  Being a deep-dive researcher and strong self-advocate.   Swimming against the tide, and not becoming a widget, and all of it while feeling like shit!

Now, think of being an abuse survivor:  people pulling your gown open, making you lie still, etc.   Maybe even hurting you, in specific treatments.  Manipulating a part of your body where sexual often first occurs.  Male techs in empty rooms.  Etc.   

From the shock of diagnosis on, BC treatment is a series of mini traumas...  "I have  WHAT?"  Then being made to do highly unpleasant treatments, losing your hair, being seen as an ill person by others, being 'forced' to do so many things you do not want to do.    For many, though the meds of recurrence-prevention are yucky and ongoing, the woman can appear "well" so she gets no empathy or actual understanding of the fear/grief state she may be in & the sword of Damocles they live under.  How like a traumatized child's emotional experience!!

I am very lucky to have had excellent social (and financial) support from a good family and no sexual abuse in my background.  I am lucky to have dear friends and lovely kids who took care of me.  My sense of luck and joy was a palpable counter force:  a rising wave that buoyed me up alongside all the treatments beating me down.  Exalted and grateful emotions are very, very healing. 

I tell people, only half kidding, that the best thing I did for myself to heal was adopt two kittens.  Instant JOY remedy.

Please press forward and let us know what you find.

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