Pioneering Psychotherapist Shares 3 Exercises for Maintaining Emotionally While Coping with a Diagnosis

Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been one of the most successful campaigns to raise public awareness in recent history. Unfortunately, in terms of successfully reducing breast-cancer mortality, the results have been mixed, which has caused fierce debate among doctors, researchers, non-profit groups and patients.

"Embedded in the message driving the campaign every October includes instruction to women to strongly consider getting screened for breast cancer, which is often asymptomatic during the early stages, in the hopes of finding cancer before it metastasizes," says cancer psychotherapist Dr. Niki Barr, author of "Emotional Wellness, The Other Half of Treating Cancer," (canceremotionalwellbeing.com).

Debate over the efficacy of screenings has arisen as new studies reveal possible shortfalls:  self-examinations haven't been proven effective; younger women experience false positives due to denser breast tissue, as well as missed positives, despite clinical examinations; and recently published studies such as The New England Journal of Medicine's findings on three decades of screening have been mixed, Dr. Barr says.

The latter found that screenings did reduce late-stage cancer rates, to a small extent, but mammograms also drastically increased over-diagnosis and unnecessary treatment,  including surgeries, toxic drugs and an incalculable amount of stress and suffering, she says.

"I think each woman needs to consider screenings on an individual basis. Family history, age and other risk factors should be considered in their decision," Dr. Barr says. "It's equally important to remember that, should you or a loved one be diagnosed with breast cancer, you should care for your emotional well-being as much as you take measures to restore physical well-being."

While doctors, nurses and medical staff tend to your body, you can tend to your mental health with some of these exercises she recommends to her patients:

• "Catch" anxious feelings before they become anxiety. Prevent anxious thoughts from becoming full-blown anxiety by "catching" those feelings before they intensify. If you find anxious thoughts repeating themselves in your mind, take out some index cards and a pen and write them down, one by one, one per card. When you've written them all down, try to identify which one thought started the chain reaction.  Then find the thought that came next. Continue until you have each thought in order. Now, go back to the first thought and write down a new thought that does not make you feel anxious. When the first thought comes to mind, substitute it with the second thought. Continue through the list until you have positive, empowering thoughts for each negative, anxious one.

• Release painful feelings and then let them go: Writing down painful thoughts and feelings through journaling is an excellent way of exorcising them. Some people find rereading what they've written can be helpful, but others hesitate to use this tool for fear someone will find it and read their private thoughts. For those people, Barr suggests an extra measure of release: Shred the pages while focusing on "letting go" of those feelings.

• Give your mind respite by escaping through music and meditation: Music is a tonic for many things: It can help us relax, lift our spirits, provide an escape from anxious thoughts and the here and now. Always have favorite CDs easily accessible so you can escape with music whenever you need to. Meditation CDs are available to help you learn how to meditate and to provide guided imagery for meditation, which is scientifically proven to trigger soothing chemical changes in the brain. Try "Meditation for Beginners" by Jack Kornfield or "Guided Mindfulness Meditation" by Jon Kabat-Zin. Finally, sleep is an absolute must for both physical and emotional health. If you're having trouble sleeping, there are CDs and downloads to help! Try "Sleep Through Insomnia" by KRS Edstrom.

"Having an actual box, with three-dimensional items, gives patients something tangible to use during a confusing time," Dr. Barr says.

About Niki Barr, Ph.D. (@NikiBarrPhD)

Niki Barr, Ph.D. founded a pioneering psychotherapy practice dedicated to working with cancer patients in all stages of the disease, along with their family members, caregivers and friends. In her book, she describes an "emotional wellness toolbox" patients can put together with effective and simple strategies, ready to use at any time, for helping them move forward through cancer. Dr. Barr is a dynamic and popular speaker, sharing her insights with cancer patients and clinicians across the nation.

Quad Cities remains 5 ½ games behind Cedar Rapids in the Western Division second-half race

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 19, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Mark Appel struck out a career-high six batters in five innings, combining with left-hander Mitchell Lambson and right-hander Andrew Walter to limit the Burlington Bees to three hits in a 6-1 win in front of 3,529 at Modern Woodmen Park Monday night.

Four players had multi-hit games for Quad Cities (32-23 second half, 70-54 overall), which had 10 hits - all singles - and won consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 8-9. The River Bandits remained 5 ½ games behind first-place Cedar Rapids (38-18, 77-46) and 3 ½ games ahead of third-place Clinton (29-27, 62-63) in the Midwest League Western Division second-half standings.

In his seventh Midwest League start, Appel (2-1) retired the first seven batters of the game before a third-inning, one-out single by Bees right fielder Riley Good. Bees shortstop Angel Rosa led off the fourth inning with a double to left field, and after left fielder Exicardo Cayones put down a sacrifice, Appel struck out designated hitter Matt Scioscia before a two-out wild pitch got away from catcher Jobduan Morales and allowed Rosa to score the game's first run. It was the only run allowed by Appel, who matched a career high with five innings and yielded two hits and no walks. He struck out four of the last five batters he faced.

In the bottom of the fourth, River Bandits first baseman Bobby Borchering was hit by a pitch, and third baseman Rio Ruiz drew a walk from right-hander Pat Lowery (4-8), who walked four batters in three-plus innings. Second baseman Austin Elkins loaded the bases by reaching on a bunt, and Morales drew a walk that forced home the tying run. With Lowery out of the game, right-hander Daniel Hurtado struck out right fielder Jordan Scott, before designated hitter Tony Kemp lined a two-run single into center field for a 3-1 lead.

Quad Cities added on in the sixth inning, as Scott pushed a one-out bunt past the mound for a single, and Kemp and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez drew consecutive walks against right-hander Austin Adams. Right-hander Joseph Krehbiel came in to get a fielder's choice groundout with the bases loaded, but left fielder Danry Vasquez hit a grounder that skipped past first baseman Garrett Cannizaro for a two-run single. Borchering added an RBI single to extend the lead to 6-1.

Lambson started the seventh inning and retired all six batters he faced, including three on strikeouts. Walter allowed an eighth-inning, two-out single by Good that broke a string of 14 batters retired in order, but he pitched two scoreless innings to finish the win.

Monday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

The River Bandits play the final game of the series against Burlington (23-33, 49-72) at 7 p.m. Tuesday. River Bandits left-hander Josh Hader (1-0) is scheduled to face Bees left-hander Tyler DeLoach (5-3).

UP NEXT: Kids eat free, and all tickets are buy-one-get-one free for the Mega Astros Fantacular Giveaway at the River Bandits' 7 p.m. home game Tuesday. The River Bandits' home stand continues through Friday, Aug. 23. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

The art installation " Dying to Teach"  was created by Myra Robinson to bring attention to the current impasse in our educational system due to demands of unethical conduct made of teachers by administration in changing student grades.  These demands are made for purposes of Federal funding, which can be lost if  student grades are too low.

The installation addresses the consequent harassment should the teachers not comply. This is now a growing occurrence with some estimate placing the occurrences to 80%

Significant for our area, this art installation, to be unveiled on Friday 23rd. 2013 at the Phoenix, was brought to the Phoenix art gallery, Moline, because Mary Eve Thorson, the center of this art installation, who died due to this coercion by administration, was  born and brought up in Moline, and her body was brought to Moline a few weeks ago.

Mary's parents will be present for the evening so will the teacher, Myra Robinson, who created the installation.   There will a general talk about installation and its focus: Mary's message, around 7:30 p.m. It will be a informal evening to discuss and review the art and it's message.

We have included the installation as part of the  extended show " Music Along the Mississippi River" . The current show is a visual art representation about the feelings and inspiration of music evoked  by our beloved Mississippi River.

The show will be open during the evening.

7:00 p.m.

At the Phoenix Art Gallery, 1530 Fifth Avenue, Moline. Illinois. 61265

Please call 309-762-8547 or 309-762-9202 for further information.  Or: Email: thephoenixegg@ gmail.com

The event is free and open to all.

Quad City Master Gardeners can find information for the 2014 Upper Midwest Regional Master Gardener Conference on Facebook/Growing Along the River. Updates are posted as they become available regarding speakers, tours and much more! The conference, to be held June 25-28, at the Waterfront Convention Center, is hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener Program.  The bi-annual conference will feature speakers, seminars, tours, vendors, a silent auction and more.  The conference is open to Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska and Missouri active Master Gardeners along with one friend.

If you've ever been interested in becoming a Master Gardener, now is a good time to sign up and complete the classes in time for conference registration.  For Iowa residents, classes are starting in September. Contact the Iowa State University Scott County Extension at 563-359-7577. In Illinois, contact the Illinois State University Extension for next available classes at 309-756-9978. Trained volunteer Master Gardeners provide home horticulture information and education to the community.