The Interiors Supportive Cancer Care Consulting

Who Am I?

I am a mother, wife, friend and daughter with a passion to help those dealing with a cancer diagnosis achieve balance in all aspects of their life. We are often consumed with addressing the physical aspects of a disease and in doing so can neglect what makes us who we are. Holistic care includes all aspects of our life such as emotions, spiritually, relationships/support network and environmental. Life is busy enough never mind adding a diagnosis of cancer. I believe balance in one's life can be achieved through mindfulness. I can help you find different ways of dealing with negative thought processes and difficult emotions accompanied with a cancer diagnosis through self care and self compassion.

Services

- One to one consulting addressing all areas of one’s life to support a holistic approach to your care and healing. Helping support you to find new ways of dealing with negative thoughts and difficult emotions through mindfulness using a three circle model & the circle of you. Any stage and type of disease from diagnosis to treatment right through to survivorship.

- Consulting for care givers and family members. Caregiving is an extremely important yet can be a challenging job. As caregivers we often become consumed in helping others that we forget about ourselves. Helping you understand what your loved one is going through while dealing with your own negative thoughts and emotions, in essence helping you to find balance.

- Palliative care (working through loss, grief and bereavement). Work through cycles of grief to help you to develop skills and tools to help you through a trying time.

Education

- Registered Radiation Therapist (January 2010- currently).
4+ years of experience as a registered radiation therapist plus 2.5 years in radiation therapy school. Helping patients deal with not only the physical aspects of radiation treatment but also the mental and emotional components. Experience helping clients work through loss, grief and bereavement.

- Msc Supportive and Palliative Care (January 2012-currently).
A module based program that explores current issues such as euthanasia, slippery slope, quality of life/death, spirituality and advanced care planning. Explore and discussed loss, grief and bereavement in a variety of different settings. Loss was discussed in relation not only to ‘death’ but to physical loss as well (body image and sexuality), for example removal of breast due to breast cancer diagnosis or physical scaring (i.e. lumpectomy). Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ 5 stages of grief was used (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). Non-pharmaceutical management of grief includes education (normalizing loss/discussing what to expect), lifestyle management (individual basis- what is helpful to the patient) and resources (information/handouts etc). Bereavement gives rise to a wide range of needs- practical, financial, social, emotional and spiritual. Other risk factors include co-morbidities, concurrent stressors, circumstances around the death, lack of supports and relationships. Ensuring patient’s needs are continually being met as that can change as their spectrum of need changes. Non-pharmaceutical management of bereavement includes self-management (provide patient with information ‘what to expect’, provide resources) and ongoing care contact (continual support/assessment of needs). A key feature of holistic care is that it focuses on the person and their needs, not just the disease type or individual symptom. This includes assessment of their physical state but also their emotional, psychological and spiritual needs. By providing holistic care we are supporting and empowering individuals to feel 'whole'. End of life care pathway’s and best practise were discussed. The key to end of life care is open, honest communication; assessing needs of patients and carers while co-ordinating care on an individual basis.

- Client Volunteer at Kamloops Hospice (2005-2009).
Extensive training to become a client volunteer. One to one client volunteering for approximately 4 years. Attended “Essentials in Hospice Palliative Care Workshop”.

Contact

- Facebook
- Email cancercareconsulting@gmail.com
- Call or text 778-220-8822
- daniwittal on Skype