Cancer Care

“I truly believe cancer changed my life for the better,” Lynn Ettinger of Morris said during a stormy June afternoon.

For Ettinger, being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 was a positive experience.

“It gave me a different outlook on life,” Ettinger said. “I believe I was healed by God. I also found a network of women who were going through the same experience as me. To share our stories, was so helpful.”

Around the same time Ettinger found out she had cancer, news came that her sister-in-law, Carol, had also been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It was really wild,” Ettinger says looking back. “We really helped each other through the process. We both had chemotherapy and radiation at the same time, so we really could share our experiences.”

Being able to talk with her sister-in-law at the time was extremely important. As both women went through breast cancer treatment, they were able to compare notes on medication and resources.

From there, the women also found other survivors of breast cancer, who, in turn, shared their experiences with Ettinger and her sister-in-law.

“We had this unofficial network of breast cancer survivors to help us,” Ettinger said.

After going into remission, Ettinger knew she wanted other people to be able to experience cancer with the same kind of encouragement and support she had.

“It seemed like no matter where I went - to church, to a party, to just a gathering in the neighborhood - there is always someone who has been affected by cancer.”

The need became clear to Ettinger - she wanted to start a support group in Morris for anyone affected by cancer in any manner.

“I was so freaked out by my cancer diagnosis initially that I couldn’t even do any research,” Ettinger said. “I had trouble accepting that I had cancer in my own body. It was such a freakish thought that I didn’t want to read anything about it.”

Putting her fears aside, Ettinger knew that information was knowledge.

She then focused the little energy she had left on surrounding herself with resources that would help her mind, body and soul.

Once Ettinger brought herself to begin researching breast cancer, she found some of the information contradictory. For example, some resources advise taking vitamins when going through treatment, while others advise against it. Some advise dietary changes, while others don’t condone dietary changes.

“It really helps to share information and sort things out,” Ettinger said in reference to the her plans for the support group.

And though Ettinger doesn’t want the support group dispensing medical advice, she does want the group to be able to talk about the information they have found or learned on their cancer, in order to better educate themselves.

“I really just want to meet with people and find out what their needs are,” Ettinger said. “Topics can range from diet and exercise, research, to just talking about their experiences.”

Ettinger also plans on asking speakers, with the help of Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, to talk about different cancer-related information with the group.

Positive mental health and genetic testing is also another aspect Ettinger hopes the group will discuss.

Although breast cancer has affected Ettinger’s life, she does not want the support group to focus only on women’s health or breast cancer. She envisions the group to be much broader, including people who have experienced any type of cancer, those who have lost a loved one to cancer, or those with family members and friends who have been diagnosed with cancer.

“There is so much information on cancer,” Ettinger said. “There are such divergent ideas about it, so I think it is good to hear from other people.”

Source : www.morrisdailyherald.com