Tag: cancer patient

Crystal and Carvel’s Story

A family with a mother, two teenage soons, and a young sister pose together.

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Crystal and Carvel’s Story of Hope Transcript

Crystal (00:13)

I was having mammograms every six months, and I say, about a year and a half later they told me that it had changed, and I got a biopsy done. And that’s when I found out I had cancer.

Carvel (00:27)

What’s gonna happen to my mother? My mom is my whole world. It was a hard conversation. And right then and there is when I decided I needed to take on more responsibility.

Crystal (01:06)

Going through cancer treatment. It, it negatively affected Carvel the most because he’s the oldest, and he understood what was going on.

You know, when you’re going through cancer, you’re not going through it alone. The people who are there and care for you, they’re going through it with you.

He had to learn how to do hair for his little sister. It looked crazy, but it was done. And he had to help take his autistic brother to therapy. He had to step in and shoot basically grow up.

Carvel (01:08)

It never felt like a job to me.

Crystal (01:12)

He’s just a – he’s an amazing human being

Carvel (01:35)

Going through this before Cancer Care and not knowing anyone who dealt with cancer care or treatments. So I was depressed. My mom was depressed. We were – we felt very alone and isolated from everyone else. We felt like we weren’t normal. We felt like we were dealing with something that only we were dealing with.

Crystal (02:00)

I didn’t know basically what the Cancer Care services were. It’s nice because with everything going on, the appointments, the medications, the chemo, radiation, just everything you’re going through during the time of treatment, you’re constantly at doctor’s appointments. Then when you go home, you have work to do at home, you know?

Carvel (02:15)

Yeah. It caused a lot of stress for me. And when I was stressed, it caused stress for my mother. So, I had to seek help. And that’s when she told me about, um, Cancer Care and I was like, let’s do it. Let’s take that step.

Crystal (02:32)

If you need any help with any type of prescriptions or if you are behind on a bill, hey, we have emergency funds to assist with that and so it is very helpful when you have someone there to help you navigate through everything.

Carvel (03:20)

Well, my experience as a Camper, it was actually like a bright moment. I would say. It was like a breath of relief because when I was able to share my moments with other people who also went through it at CampCARE, I was like, I’m not alone in this.

Cancer Care is a great big family. That night away, that was like a night where I didn’t have any stress. I didn’t have to think about work. I didn’t have to think about prescriptions, and I didn’t have to think about treatment. I was just purely having fun for one night. And Cancer Care can take that load off my back.

You don’t have to deal with this alone. You can come over with us, me and my mom, and we can go over to Cancer Care together, and we can get the help that you need.

Cancer Care is gonna be there every single step of the way, and we will too ’cause we’re part of Cancer Care now.

Connect Night: Friendsgiving 2024

A boy has a full plate of food at Friendsgiving hosted by Cancer Care Services.

Register Here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/210046374588156

Join both Connect and Spiritual Care services for a Friendsgiving baking class! A chef will lead us through baking our favorite holiday pies. You will also take home the ingredients so you can make the pie during the holidays for your friends and family.

Acompáñenos a celebrar Friendsgiving con una clase de pastelería con los grupos de Connect y del Cuidado Espiritual. Un cocinero nos dirigirá en la clase de cocina para cocer nuestras tartas festivas favoritas. También se llevará a casa los ingredientes necesarios para cocinar su propia tarta durante los días festivos para compatir con sus seres queridos.

 

Fire Family First

Fire Family First is a monthly gathering of firefighter families impacted by cancer on the first Tuesday of the month throughout 2024. The evening is facilitated by Cameron Brown, a retired Fort Worth firefighter, and Cancer Care staff who will provide caregiver support and therapeutic activities for children.

Families welcome!

Dinner is provided 6:00 – 6:30 pm.

Families welcome!

For planning purposes, please register to attend: https://qrco.de/firefamilyfirst

For questions, contact Deanna Stuart at Deanna@CancerCareServices.org or 817-921-0653.

Location:

Cancer Care Services

623 S Henderson St

Fort Worth, TX 76104

 

Kayla’s Story

Kayla poses with her family, who she mentions during Kayla's Story of Hope video.

Kayla's Story of Hope

Kayla’s Story of Hope Transcript:

Being a cancer patient, it’s cancer 24/7 because even if you’re feeling good, you’re thinking about it.  It’s in your head, you know; it’s in your spirit. 

Before cancer, my life was like– pretty much busy. I had my three little kids and my husband. I did notice I was tired all the time, and I suffered a lot from fibromyalgia, so I thought– in this neck area. So, my life was really being impacted before, and I didn’t know it.

I was actually sick with COVID, and I was taking a little bit longer to recover. I was having breathing problems, so we ended up going to the Emergency. When they did the scan of my chest, they did notice a mass higher up in my throat.

And so the doctor was pretty sure that it was only going to be a two-hour surgery. My surgery ended up being 6.5 hours. He knew right away that it was for sure cancer.

When I woke up from surgery, them being like, “Okay, well, you had cancer, but now you don’t,” it was just a rush of emotions because I didn’t know whether to be sad or scared or okay, now relieved because, well, it’s out now! So, it was just a lot to take in.

I think I actually found Cancer Care online. I ended up calling and immediately got connected to a social worker. Usually, you call when you need help anywhere, and, you know, you’re on a waitlist, or you’ve got to wait a while, or apply and all this. Cancer Care was on it and was like, “Yes, we can help you with this, this, this, this, so it all just moved really quickly.

The overall best help was counseling! And then my husband was able to get counseling, which, first of all, was amazing because I think the whole “cancer” thing affected him more than it affected me. He was able to get that counseling after hours.

As a mother, I don’t want to be crying at home or angry at home, you know, where the kids could see, so Cancer Care really provides that safe space where you can just talk about whatever is going on. 

Everybody has different cancers, and everybody’s affected in different ways, but at the same time, it’s really relatable, and you understand each other and what you’re going through. Almost exactly to the year, I had another CT scan, and they found a mass again.

They were pretty for sure it was cancerous since I had just had it the year before. To be honest, I got in my van, and I let it out. I bawled my eyes out, I cried, had a chat with God. And mainly because the first time, I didn’t do that. I had more time to process it.

Cancer Care is absolutely phenomenal. It’s been a real blessing to not only me but to my husband and my children. It’s been an absolute necessity for me to be able to go through this.

Transcribed by: Kirbi T.

Connect Night: Art Therapy 2024

2 women participate in Art Therapy for cancer patients at a Connect Night.

Register Here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/210046374588156

Join us for art therapy night! Come hungry and ready to get your creativity on! Our Clinical Director, Brianna Silva, will be leading us through an art therapy activity. Dinner will also be provided.

¡Acompáñanos en nuestra Noche de Conexión para explorar tu talento artístico! Un terapeuta de arte nos acompañará para dirigir una actividad de arteterapia para ti y tus seres queridos. La cena será proporcionada.

Fire Family First

Fire Family First is a monthly gathering of firefighter families impacted by cancer on the first Tuesday of the month throughout 2024. The evening is facilitated by Cameron Brown, a retired Fort Worth firefighter, and Tracey Willingham, who provides caregiver support. A child therapy professional will provide therapeutic activities for the children of firefighters during the gathering.

Families welcome!

Dinner is provided 6:00 – 6:30 pm.

Families welcome!

For planning purposes, please register to attend: https://qrco.de/firefamilyfirst

For questions, contact Deanna Stuart at Deanna@CancerCareServices.org or 817-921-0653.

Location:

Cancer Care Services

623 S Henderson St

Fort Worth, TX 76104

Fire Family First Flyer

 

 

Fire Family First

Fire Family First is a monthly gathering of firefighter families impacted by cancer on the first Tuesday of the month throughout 2024. The evening is facilitated by Cameron Brown, a retired Fort Worth firefighter, and Tracey Willingham, who provides caregiver support. A child therapy professional will provide therapeutic activities for the children of firefighters during the gathering.

Families welcome!

Dinner is provided 6:00 – 6:30 pm.

Families welcome!

For planning purposes, please register to attend: https://qrco.de/firefamilyfirst

For questions, contact Deanna Stuart at Deanna@CancerCareServices.org or 817-921-0653.

Location:

Cancer Care Services

623 S Henderson St

Fort Worth, TX 76104

Fire Family First Flyer

 

 

Connect Night: Valentine’s Dinner 2024

A couple dances at a Connect Night: Valentine's Dinner hosted by Cancer CareServices.

Register Here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/210046374588156

All singles and couples impacted by cancer are invited! Come join us for food, fun, break-out sessions, and dancing. We hope to see you there! *Free childcare is provided.

¡Todos los solteros y parejas están invitados! Acompañenos a la comida, la diversión, las sesiones de trabajo y el baile. ¡Esperamos verte ahí! *Tenemos cuidado de niños gratis disponible.

The Financial Impact of Cancer

A couple sits on the ground surrounded by bills due to the financial impact of cancer.

Cancer can cause financial distress for many already struggling to afford their basic needs. In 2022, 79% of our clients who reported their annual income made $42,000 or less, and 6% reported having ZERO income. Cancer Care Services exists, so no one has to choose between paying for their basic needs and cancer-related bills.

What does the financial impact of cancer look like?

The financial impact of cancer infographic in englishThe financial impact of cancer infographic in spanish 

 

Where can I find resources to reduce financial distress?

Cancer Care Services offers financial assistance for transportation, emergency needs, medication co-pays, and more for those who qualify. We also have a financial navigator who can look over medical bills, insurance, and budgets to reduce financial toxicity and distress for those impacted by cancer. Our online resources page contains many organizations and programs that provide financial assistance to cancer patients and their families

How can I support those impacted by cancer?

There are three things you can do to support cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors.

  1. Volunteer your time! Cancer Care needs volunteers for Connect and supporting events, general office duties, and the infusion rooms at Texas Oncology. Start by filling out our online volunteer application.
  2. Spread awareness! Attend a community #CancerCareAWARE Tour or host your own (we will help you every step of the way) to learn more about our services and how you can help with our greatest needs. This is one of the best ways to spread the word about our free, wrap-around services for individuals and families impacted by cancer. Sign up for a #CancerCareAWARE Tour.
  3. Give a gift! Your donation ensures financial, emotional, and practical services to those impacted by cancer in our community. Your donation brings help and hope.

Fire Family First

Firefighter support group flyer

Fire Family First is a monthly gathering of firefighter families impacted by cancer on the first Tuesday of each month throughout 2023 (except for July 4th).

The evening will be facilitated by Cameron Brown, D.Min., M.Div., BSSW, retired Fort Worth firefighter. Therapeutic play and activities for the children of firefighters during the gathering will be provided.

Dinner is provided 6:00 – 6:30 pm.

Families welcome!

For planning purposes, please register to attend: https://qrco.de/firefamilyfirst

For questions, contact Deanna Stuart at Deanna@CancerCareServices.org or 817-921-0653.

Location:

Cancer Care Services

623 S Henderson St

Fort Worth, TX 76104

This monthly event is hosted by Cancer Care Services and the Cowtown Cancer Coalition.

Fire Family First Flyer