Jenny Allen Strikes Back Against Anger

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To my surprise, my lowest moments came after my treatments ended. I felt so sad, and I cried all over the place—I felt hopeless, convinced my cancer was about to return any day.  And I was mad much of the time, mostly at other people. 
According to Jerald Saenz, a therapist at LIVESTRONG in Austin, Texas, who counsels scores of survivors each year, “What you describe is very common, if not ubiquitous, after treatment. When you find out you have cancer, the treatment is done very quickly.

“It takes over your life, and you don’t have time to process the psychological effects of it; [then] all of a sudden, it’s over. That’s when it feels the worst.” But, says Saenz, “Over time, your mind, body, and soul get better.”

It’s also a great help, Saenz and other cancer counselors say, to share your anger with those who’ve been through similar experiences: a support group or other survivors, for instance.

Anger will still surface from time to time; that’s normal. But chances are it won’t seem so frightening, or madly out of place.

For support, support group information, and anger management strategies visit LIVESTRONG.org/Get-Help, or call 855-220-7777.

Chemo, Cancer, and Your Teeth

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Family dentists, despite good training, may not have much experience with the special needs of survivors. Oncologists, on the other hand, “are not well versed in the management and prevention of oral sequelae of cancer therapy,” says Kathleen Rankin, D.D.S., of the Baylor College of Dentistry at Texas A & M Health Sciences Center in Dallas. New vigilance is in order. Some cancer centers, like Sloan-Kettering, do have in-house dental-oncology specialists, but most cancer patients are not treated in such facilities.

Meanwhile, studies have shown that chemotherapy-induced changes in oral pH (acid balance) can alter the delicate ecology inside our mouths. If the protective “biofilm” is thrown out of whack by radiation or chemo, for instance, disease-causing bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, can dominate, which leads to cavities―or worse. This sort of change is also why some cancer patients, especially those whose immune systems have been suppressed, get a case of “thrush” or candidiasis (a yeast infection of the mouth).

The faces behind LIVESTRONG

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Carlos Garcia: Survivor, fundraiser, volunteer. “The first time I was diagnosed I was 17,” says Garcia, a two-time, young adult sarcoma survivor. “I didn’t know anything about LIVESTRONG or anything cancer related. Only thing I knew about cancer was you lost your hair.”

One day in 2009, with an expertly fitted prosthetic leg, he found himself at Mellow Johnny’s bike shop in Austin, being fitted for a road bike. And riding in the fall 2009 LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin, Garcia says, he felt for the first time that he was giving back to the Foundation that had helped him cope, and grow, as a survivor.

“I just had random people come up to me and say, ‘You’re such an inspiration.’ I guess it really has affected people in positive way.”

This past January, Garcia started working for Orthotic Prosthetic Technologies as well. “I want to continue to help as much as possible, working with LIVESTRONG in whatever capacity.  The moment you lose a limb you have limits placed on you. I hate that mindset. To me there are no limits people can place on you.”

Amelie G. Ramirez , Dr. PH.: LIVESTRONG board of directors. When it comes to cancer prevention and message integration, you could call Dr. Ramirez an ambassador of equality.

A member of the LIVESTRONG board of directors and director of outreach and health care disparities at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center in San Antonio, Texas, Ramirez also serves as professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

“One thing I’m really hoping for is equal access to diagnosis and care,” she says, “between those who can afford health insurance and those who cannot. You’re seeing more middle-income families being caught up in this [now] as well. It’s an issue that cuts across all of us.