The Rev. Laura Hoffman, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena spiritual care manager.

ALPENA — MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena Spiritual Care Program Manager Rev. Laura Hoffman says that spiritual and religious guidance helps cancer patients and survivors find meaning and purpose during and after their diagnoses.

Hoffman explained that people diagnosed with cancer tend to have a lot of support at the beginning and during their cancer journey. As cancer survivors transition to remission, Hoffman said that they experience new kinds of challenges.

“It’s very frightening for them to come to the end of treatment,” she said. “It’s another transition for them, and so our goal is to help them continue to a sense of peace and purpose and meaning and continue to cope with any of the fears that come with the cancer diagnosis.”

Hoffman shared that she had a friend who had gone through a cancer journey and experienced a mindset shift while in remission.

“She had a vivid memory, 10 years after her treatment, and she walked into a doctor’s office … for the first time, she went in seeing herself as a healthy person, not as a sick person,” Hoffman said. “Changing from ‘I’m someone having to seek treatment,’ to someone who has healed and is continuing, hopefully to have many years of health and well-being.”

Hoffman explained that she fell into the role of hospital chaplain and hospital spiritual care after receiving a seminary counseling degree that combined both theology and psychology. Hoffman said that in her role as MyMichigan Alpena’s Spiritual Care Program manager, she acts as a safe space for patients to ask whatever they need to about their cancer journey. She said that a cancer diagnosis raises questions about people’s belief systems.

She said people often ask themselves what they have believed all their life, and whether those beliefs have changed or are changing.

“‘Do I really believe it now? Is there something after this life?’ Those kinds of existential questions arise,” Hoffman said. “‘What have I done with my life?'”

Hoffman said that those with a cancer diagnosis end up having to reevaluate their values.

“Sometimes realigning their values and how they’re living their life with their values in a more intentional way,” Hoffman said.

MyMichigan Health is hosting a free, virtual “Restoring Mind and Spirit After Cancer Treatment” program designed to assist individuals in coping with the psychological impact of cancer.

The program will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, according to a press release from My Michigan Health. Hoffman and oncology social worker Stephanie Gerds will lead the program.

MyMichigan health states that attendees will learn coping strategies and techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and find meaning and purpose. Attendees will also receive guidance on spiritual practices to help navigate spiritual questions and find inner peace.

Registration is required at mymichigan.org/aftercancer.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.