Self Destruction

Posted September 8th, 2022

I Didn’t Want to Be Who I Am I’m a hypocrite. My rational self tells me obviously true things about my self-destructive habits. Yet I continue on my road to nowhere health-wise. I came pretty close to dying of cancer. I want to be healthy for as long as possible. But you couldn’t tell that […]

Self-care Isn’t Selfish

Posted August 25th, 2021

What is self-care? The term “self-care” is a buzzword in certain circles, but what does it actually mean, and how does one start doing it? Authors Lee and Miller defined self-care as, “a process of purposeful engagement in practices that promote holistic health and well-being of the self.” If that seems a little vague, it’s in part […]

5 Ways to Slow Down while Dealing with Cancer

Posted October 1st, 2019

Michelle, a running coach, approached me. “What about a weekly walking group for cancer survivors and caregivers?” Michelle’s class was officially named Walking for Wellness. My part as Survivorship Coordinator at the St. Charles Cancer Center was trail sweep—to hang out with the slowest walker so no one got left behind. In all the years, I didn’t […]

Why rest? A few thoughts for the road-weary cancer caregiver

Posted April 1st, 2019

There was a dark, pre-dawn morning when I hurried my husband, Gary, to the hospital emergency room. Because when you’re on chemo and you have tubes sticking out of your body, then flu-like symptoms can shout of serious infection. I brought Gary home after five hours of antibiotic infusion, prepared something for him to eat, […]

Cancer goes to the beach

Cancer Goes To The Beach

Posted July 12th, 2018

These webinars provide tips and tricks for planning a vacation while coping with cancer treatment. Part 1:Practical Issues and Planning Part 1 is presented by Christina Bach, LCSW, OSW-C, OncoLink Content Specialist and Psychosocial Content Editor. Part 2: Managing Medical Concerns Cancer Goes To The Beach Part 2-Managing Medical Concerns, is presented by Carolyn Vachani, […]

Make ‘em Laugh: The Power of Humor to Help Care for Ourselves

Posted March 16th, 2018

This morning, I had the honor of giving a social work month lecture at a local hospital. I give a lot of talks—usually focused on patient education, survivorship, responding to cancer related distress or social work/medical ethics. But for this talk, I wanted to do something different…something special. Social work is tough stuff. We are […]

Karen Arnold-Korzeniowski, BSN, RN

Self-Preservation 

Posted November 30th, 2017

In my adult life I have spent time as a nurse, a patient, and as a caregiver of a family member, or all three at once. I’ve come to learn that self-preservation can be useful in all three situations. Self-preservation, according to Merriam-Webster, is “preservation of oneself from destruction or harm.” This definition might sound […]

Karen Arnold-Korzeniowski, BSN, RN

Use the Good Lip Balm

Posted September 21st, 2017

A few months ago a family member was diagnosed with incurable, but treatable cancer. She was hospitalized when she was diagnosed and stayed in the hospital while starting her treatment. Every imaging test she had showed more metastasis, and the bad news didn’t seem to end for about 5 days straight. It was very challenging […]

How to Regain Childlike Wonder

Posted July 27th, 2017

The New Jersey crew is on an epic cross-country road trip—six grandkids and two parents in an eight-passenger van—visiting family in Iowa, Utah, California, Oregon, Idaho. And I’ve been re-experiencing the wonders of the Wild Wild West through their eyes. Last weekend we were at my bro- and sis-in-law’s ranch in northern California. There was the excitement of riding in […]

christina bach

Hey Healthcare Professionals! Self Care Isn’t Selfish!

Posted January 28th, 2015

Self care isn’t a new concept, but certainly one that is gaining more press as the study of workplace related burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress has risen.