Support Through Cancer
- Newly retired Jason Kelce offered his longtime athletic trainer Joe O’Pella the most meaningful gift before his retirement—he asked him to tape his ankles one last time.
- The 36-year-old sports star has been praised by his coworker for the incredibly kindhearted gesture amid O’Pella’s ongoing battle with cancer.
- Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin previously wrote for SurvivorNet, that it’s “important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment,” which she said can be an “arduous chapter.”
- Supporting a friend or loved one with cancer can be hard. SurvivorNet suggests offering concrete ways to show the cancer warrior you care, allowing them to talk through their negative emotions with you, cooking them a healthy meal that they’ll enjoy, doing activities with them that will lift their spirits and working to better understand their diagnosis if you’re taking on more of a full-time caregiver role.
- People who work in the oncology field doctors and social workers have told SurvivorNet that they recommend working during cancer treatment if you can.
- Whether it be for financial reasons, a sense of normalcy, or simply because you like what you do, it’s important to make a work schedule that suits you during your cancer journey.
As the news of Kelce’s emotional departure from his beloved sport was shared, it was also revealed the footballer, who played his whole NFL career for the Philadelphia Eagles, gave his longtime athletic trainer Joe O’Pella the most meaningful gift—he was asked to tape Kelce’s ankles one last time.
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“You all know about the on-field accomplishments, and many of the off-the-field ones too, but what this man has meant to me and now my family over the past decade plus is nearly indescribable. From being his Wing Bowl ‘cornerman’, to hour long rehab sessions followed by nights out on the town, to sleeping on each other’s couches to being at each other’s weddings, to Sea Isle City Polar Bear Plunges to Super Bowl appearances and a ring, we were there doing it together.”
O’Pella continued, “And in what would be his final season, when I was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo radiation and chemo, he offered his shore house if I needed to get away, and offered to pay for meal services to help my wife and I out, and he called me randomly when I had been home, too sick to come in bc of chemo, just to check on me and chat about random things.
“That’s who he is as a person. I taped this guy’s ankles and thumbs everyday for 13 seasons, and when he played his last game in Tampa, again I couldn’t be there due to cancer. And when he told me he would be retiring and I expressed my regret of not being the last person to ever tape him, and he offered to have me tape him for his retirement press conference.
“That’s who he is. And I hope these stories can add to an already unbelievable legacy.”
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The cancer-fighting dad of two then congratulated the Kelce family on his Hall of Fame career both on and off the field.
“To Kylie’s husband; Wyatt, Elliotte, and Bennett’s dad; the Eagles’ center; Philadelphia’s icon, and my brother: Jason, congratulations on retirement and here’s to the future. I love ya,” he concluded.
Although it’s unclear what type of cancer O’Pella is battling, one thing is for sure—support through cancer is everything.
Not only did O’Pella have Kelce as support throughout his ongoing cancer journey, he also has his wife, children, family, friends, and medical team helping him along the way.
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Finding Support Through Cancer
Feeling support from a friend or a coworker who has become like family, like O’Pella has with Kelce, can help you express your feelings and maintain a positive attitude during a cancer battle.
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin previously wrote for SurvivorNet, that it’s “important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment,” which she said can be an “arduous chapter.”
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That being said, it’s very important to know your limits on what you can handle during treatment.
“Going through treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” she wrote. “Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”
It is important cancer warriors in the midst of their fight to have a strong support system, O’Pella has. So how can you support a loved on in your life who is fighting cancer? SurvivorNet suggests multiple ways you can do so.
Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center told SurvivorNet that “there’s a number of common things cancer patients can experience, such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation and sometimes even PTSD.” So helping to ease those feelings is a great way to support your loved one.
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You can help complete household chores or running errands during the day, which your loved one may not have the time or energy to do. Or, you can simply lend an ear so patients can talk through their feelings, which can help them cope with what they are experiencing during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, there are some practical tips to help you interact with your loved one in a meaningful way. Our experts suggest to avoid asking how you can help. Instead, be proactive and offer tangible things you can do for them to make their lives easier. That could include bringing them food, cooking them dinner or playing a board game with them, anything that will bring them joy.
READ MORE: Family Love and Support Makes a World of Difference During Cancer Treatment
You may also be interested in sending them gifts to help them through their cancer journey. Our gift guide for cancer patients offers several suggestions for meaningful items you can give your loved one, such as bubble bath supplies for a night of self care or a nice, warm blanket for comfort during a chemo session.
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Working Through Cancer
SurvivorNet experts say working during cancer treatment can help your prognosis. Kelce’s trainer had missed some work due to his chemotherapy treatment schedule, but when O’Pella was asked to step in and asked to tape Kelce’s ankles one last time, it was incredibly meaningful.
People who work in the oncology field doctors and social workers have told SurvivorNet that they absolutely recommend working during cancer treatment, if you can, because work can really establish a sense of normalcy in a person’s life.
Not only does it provide a needed source of income, but it also reminds you that you have a life apart from cancer as a valued employee, a great boss, or a trusted co-worker.
A work life also encourages regular contact with others. Sometimes cancer can make you feel isolated and lonely, and being around people can be a great comfort.
It’s important to talk with your doctor before taking the big step of going back to work, whether it’s in an office, a warehouse, at a football stadium in O’Pella’s case. Some people can continue to work during cancer treatment and those who need to take some time away.
The reality is it depends on the person, their individual cancer, and the treatment.
Advice for Going Back to Work
Some cancer warriors choose to work to stay busy, maintain a sense of usefulness, or keep camaraderie among coworkers and friends.
On the other hand, some cancer patients work during treatment because they feel they can’t afford not to.
WATCH: Working during cancer treatment.
Whether it be for financial reasons, a sense of normalcy, or simply because you like what you do, it’s important to try to make a work schedule that suits you during your cancer journey if you want to continue working.
It’s also important for you to know there are people out there to help you navigate the process of not working if that’s your preferred option.
Laurie Ostacher, a social worker at Sutter Bay Medical Foundation, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview how she helps people figure out their working situation after a cancer diagnosis.
“Some women choose to continue working [through cancer] because working is a significant part of their identity, they enjoy the job, and there’s flexibility built in,” she explained.
“I help folks think about whether it makes sense to work … If you don’t want to but are worried, you’re not going to be able to make ends meet, then I’ll sit down and help them figure out, you know, with your disability insurance, would this be possible?”
No matter what, it’s important to do what’s right for you and seek out valuable resources like Ostacher if you need help deciding on the right course of action when it comes to working during a cancer battle.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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