Do You Believe in Cancer and Coronavirus Miracles? Here's research.

Are miracles real or just wishful thinking when a good health prognosis is wanted? Healthcare worker have to be sensitive to patients' spirituality and religious beliefs regarding death journeys. As a hospice volunteer, I noticed that many patients held strong beliefs about miracles that were important to them when making decisions about their health care. What about you? Do you believe in miracles? If so, you have lots of company.

Progression of cancer is an important example of a healthcare situation that requires patients to make decisions about their treatment. How does belief in miracles impact patients’ decisions? A study of 158 patients with advanced cancer, whom oncologists expected to die within 6 months, were assessed before and after the visit at which scan results were discussed. Before the visit, religious belief in miracles was also assessed. 

Approximately 78% of the participants reported at least some belief in miracles, with almost half endorsing the strongest possible belief. Religious beliefs in miracles were highly prevalent and diminished the impact of receiving negative news of cancer progression. Assessing patients' beliefs in miracles may help to optimize the effectiveness of news received during discussions about scan results.

Kevin Swinks is a Maryland man hailed as a COVID-19 "miracle" survivor. He spent 30 days in the ICU and was on a ventilator three times while at MedStar Franklin Square where he almost died. With the help of his care team after 31 days, Kevin finally was well enough to go home and share his miraculous story. He says, "Life is sweet," and healthcare workers who took care of him say his story inspires them as they care for others.

Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.

Frances Shani Parker's Website

Youth Caregiving Disabled and Older Adults (Video 3:13)

Did you know there are hundreds of thousands of children across America, some as young as eight years old, who are major caregivers on a daily basis? This is the reality of many school children, particularly in racial-ethnic minority communities and among low to mid-income families. The stress and responsibilities of caregiving adults are often recognized and discussed. But what about the lives of these children whose lives are impacted greatly with many of the same issues adult caregivers experience?

As a former school principal, it was not unusual for me to have students in elementary through high school grades with attendance problems due to caregiving responsibilities at homes when no one else was available to help. These children’s responsibilities included medicating, dressing, feeding, bathing, and more. The emotional stress of child caregivers can be even more harmful to them than the physical burdens. Unfortunately, as the economy struggles and the ranks of baby boomers expand, increasing numbers of children are being assigned caregiving responsibilities.

More people are recognizing this problem, and for some children, but not nearly enough, help is being provided. The American Association of Caregiving Youth 
provides resources and support to young people who are the primary caregivers of disabled or elderly relatives. Their mission is to increase awareness and provide support services for youth caregivers and their families by connecting them with healthcare, education and community resources. This CNN video features Connie Siskowski:



Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog