No appointment? No problem!

Mind over matter… continued from page 14.
residents or any member of staff who happens
to pick up on the fact that a patient is
under stress and needs an expert to talk to.
As Associate Director of the program,
Mr. Ptack has found that the strengths of
the Department of Social Services (with its
broad perspective on families) are a perfect
complement for the skills of the Division of
Psychology (with its attentiveness to the individual
patient). “With time, we also hope
to have social workers conducting more
evidence-based research,” he adds.
Clearly, Mr. Ptack says, cancer patients
aren’t the only ones who experience stress
Pulling together as a team
Among cancer patients, stress levels can
be heightened not only by legitimate fears,
but by myths, particularly those involving
sexual activity. That’s when sex therapist
Tobi Klein steps in to reassure patients that,
for example, having sex will not aggravate
cancer or make the disease more likely to
return after treatment has ended.
“Oncologists offer whatever support they
can, but their main concern is operating on
the organs,” says Ms. Klein, who joined the
Psychosocial Oncology team in 2009 and is
also part of the JGH Gyne-Oncology team.
“During cancer treatment, sex usually goes
by the wayside. But when the treatment is
over and thoughts of sex return, the stress
may linger. After an operation, patients
may be insecure about the way they look or
about revealing their bodies to their partners.
Also, even if they had a good sexual
relationship before cancer, they’re unsure
how to rekindle the spark. Readjustment
can take quite a while.”
In fact, stress can affect an entire family
so deeply that members of a cancer patient’s
24 spriNG 2011
during medical care, “which is why various
departments try to provide psychosocial
support wherever it’s needed. But Oncology
was the logical place for a formal interdisciplinary
program, because cancer patients
experience so much more uncertainty at
every stage of their illness. The up-days
and down-days come one after the other. A
period of stability can be followed by remission,
with any number of treatments that
are tough for patients and their families. It’s
a psychologically and emotionally draining
process.”
household are sometimes referred to as “cosufferers”,
says social worker Dr. Sharon
Bond, who has been on the Psychosocial
Oncology team for about two years.
“Perhaps there were marital problems
before the disease was diagnosed, and
now they need to be addressed in a different
context,” says Dr. Bond, Director of the
Couple and Family Therapy section of the
JGH Institute of Community and Family
Psychiatry. “Even if the relationship is good,
when cancer hits one spouse, the other is
suddenly forced to assume the role of caregiver,
and this can throw off the balance of
the relationship. And when parents suffer,
children can experience physical symptom
like stomach aches.
“More and more, we’re all coming to
understand that it takes special qualities to
step up and cope with cancer, whether as
individuals or as members of a family. The
strength may be there, but the patient still
needs real support—the kind you get in its
best form from a multidisciplinary team
like ours.”
Psychosocial support needs financial support
The Louise Granofsky Psychosocial Oncology Program was established by Mini and David Granofsky
in memory of their daughter, Louise, who died of cancer. Since the program is funded almost
entirely through private donations, the generosity of donors is the key to ensuring the future
of this vital service for a growing number of cancer patients and their loved ones throughout
Quebec.
“Living with cancer is a horrendous trial,” says patient Yvonne Gariépy. “Being able to count on a
sympathetic ear with a healthy dose of understanding and empathy helped me regain confidence
in life. To know that I can come back for more whenever I need it is greatly appreciated.”
Donations can be made at www.jghfoundation.org
or by calling the JGH Foundation at 514-340-8251.
It’s Care my for hospital!
all.
Auxiliary celebrates
75 caring years
Phyllis Karper and Linny Blauer
Get ready to sing “Happy Birthday”,
because the JGH Auxiliary is celebrating
its 75th anniversary! As we light
the candles, let’s recall that many pacesetting
programs were developed with
Auxiliary support—and were later absorbed
by or associated with the JGH—
including Hope & Cope, the Cardiac Rehab
Fund, the Stroke Rehab Program, the
Chronic Spinal Pain Support Group, the
Department of Volunteer Services and
the ER Urgence Presence Program.
Ever since The Auxiliary was founded
in January 1936 by a handful of dedicated
women led by Annie Goldbloom, it has
maintained a commitment to enhancing
the quality and effectiveness of hospital
services. Today, with a membership of
1,500, our mandate has changed only to
reflect modern attitudes and values. We
provide plastic bags for patients’ belongings
in the ER, Helping Heart Pillows
to alleviate pain in post-cardiac surgery
patients, layettes for mothers in need,
and pacifiers for premature babies in
the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Sales
of used books, collectibles, merchandise
from on-site vendors and our gourmet
Panache cookbook enable us to play an
integral role in helping the JGH to emphasize
the “care” in “health care” as well
as providing revenues.
Most recently, in our drive for innovation,
we have provided funding for
the therapeutic Dr. Clown program, the
Care Cart (morale-boosting visits to
patients) and Humour Cart. Our Menus
for the Mind Series showcases informa-