When patients see a cancer doctor for the first time, they don’t remember everything the doctor tells them.  In fact, both older patients and younger ones remembered about half what they heard about their diagnoses, treatment, chances for cure, and life expectancy.

Patients over 65 only remembered less than younger ones in those situations where visits were longer and more information was discussed.

Prognosis did make a difference.  Patients with poorer prognosis recalled less, no matter what age they were.  And, despite whether the expected cancer outcomes were good or not, the more a doctor talked about prognosis, the less patients remembered. Read the rest of this entry »

A yellow bead for a week in the hospital.  A white bead for every day of chemotherapy.  Glow in the dark beads for radiation.  A child’s name spelled out in beads.  Necklaces that tell stories of cancer journeys and help sick children endure tough times.

Beads of Courage™ were originally developed by Jean Baruch, a children’s cancer nurse, at  Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  Baruch now heads the program which has expanded to a number of other children’s hospitals in the United States and internationally.

Special handmade beads mark important milestones including purple hearts when treatment ends.  Parents whose children die are comforted with a butterfly bead.  Artists and beadmakers throughout the country contribute beads for the project.

Baruch’s research shows that children use the beads to communicate better and deal with painful procedures more easily when they receive the beads.  Anticipation of a black bead for a needle stick calms frightened children and helps health staff.

Watch children receiving Beads of Courage at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.