Many have tried to define spirituality and religion in the context of medical care. I have always felt the definitions are not quite right…that there is something missing. For care-givers and patients, exploring the connection between the healing of the body and the healing of the spirit recognizes the comprehensive character of cancer treatment, and furthers the understanding that both care-givers and patients share a knowledge (as Deb would say) that what patients lose in their battle with cancer is more than simply a medical life.

The fact that this exploration is also deeply personal and frightening and that these feelings have not been identified as a reason for some hesitancy towards the subject, surprises me. Together we will futher discuss our understanding of what defines "spirituality and medicine" and the multiple ways a cancer diagnosis affects the spiritual, psychological, and social aspects of survivorship.