So, I don’t know if it’s because I have some kind of sixth sense or what, but I started thinking, It’s about time for another edition of What Do You Really Want?

I looked at the first What Do You Really Want? and saw that I posted it on April 26.

Today is May 26.

[enter Twilight Zone music]

So, really, I must have some kind of sixth sense, right? To have thought it was time for another What Do You Really Want? on the same day of the month as the last one?? Right?

Yeah, alright, it was a complete coincidence. Let’s get to what you all want.

5 MHN Search Phrases I Can’t Really Help You With

1. “take kids to see dave matthews band” – Ah, Dave Matthews and Company. What joys you’ve brought my soul. What difficult times you’ve helped me overcome. A search of this phrase brought no results; however, that doesn’t mean I don’t express my love for you here at Mental Health Notes. A search of “Dave Matthews” presents six results. None of them offer any information about taking kids to see you in concert, though. So, to all looking for information about Dave in concert, I recommend perusing through the b5media Music Channel.
2. “hot sexy pics of dale earnhart jr” – Another phrase that brought no results; however, I’m not surprised one of you Mental Health Notes readers would be searching for hot sexy pics of Dale Earnhart, Jr. After all, Dale Jr. is indeed a hot and sexy man and within the top five for me (Wenti, of course, leads that list), even if I’ve only mentioned him once. Alas, for more Dale Earnhart, Jr. news, you’ll have to visit Tim over at Do You NASCAR?
3. “r.e.m.song hurt” – Another great band, and another search with no results at Mental Health Notes. SongMeanings.net provides the lyrics and discussion about the song; try the b5media Music Channel for further information.
4. “being late for work a lot” – Being late for work a lot undoubtedly sucks, and is something I don’t have to worry about as I work from home. This is probably one reason why I’ve never written anything meaningful about it (even though a search of the phrase here at Mental Health Notes brings several results). For work-related matters, you may have better luck at b5media’s Business Channel.
5. “google sexy women” – Ah! While this particular phrase brought no results at Mental Health Notes, I did actually blog about sexy women here a couple of times. During April’s theme day here at the Health & Wellness Channel, I offered cancer-related resources and one of them pertained to women’s sexuality. A few days after that, I shared a study regarding sexy women and their effect on our brains and the economy. Aside from that, however, try checking out b5media’s Beauty & Style, Celebrities, and Entertainment channels for all your sexy women googling needs.

I can’t wait to see what you all want to know about next month!

Image: morgueFile

Remember! You have until May 31, 2008 to enter the Mental Health Notes Birthday Giveaway, and forever to join the This Is Why I ROCK! series!

Post from: Blisstree

Mental Health Notes Asks: What Do You Really Want? May Edition

Rather than try to choose just one topic pertaining to cancer and mental health – or going the obvious route of “How Cancer Affects Your Mental Health,” which would, I think, lead to quite a generic post as the topic is so vast – I thought it’d be more beneficial to point out several different resources that deal with cancer and mental health.

After all, cancer can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of age, gender, or race.

Children and Cancer: If you have a child with cancer, you may want to check out the National Cancer Institutes’s Young People With Cancer: A Handbook For Parents. Not only does this handbook explain physical aspects of cancer such as treatment options, side effects, and other health problems that may arise, but it also helps you explain cancer to your child as well as what to expect when the cancer isn’t curable.

And, when you have a child with cancer you’ll undoubtedly want to share stories with other parents so that everyone can learn from one another and no one will feel as if s/he is alone. One such story is that of Jennifer Phelan and how she dealt with her seven-year-old daughter’s cancer diagnosis and eventual death: When A Child Is Dying. I think it’s a beneficial read for all parents of children with cancer, terminal or not.

Other great resources for information about children’s cancer and how to help your child understand and deal with cancer, as well as continue enjoying all the fun of being a kid, include the Children’s Cancer Association, the National Children’s Cancer Society, the Children’s Cancer Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Cancer Kids.

Women and Cancer: There are a plethora of Web sites and organizations of interest for women with cancer, including the Women’s Cancer Network, the Women’s Cancer Information Center, and the Women & Cancer Magazine. Among these resources you’ll find information about cancers specific to women, current treatment options, important nutritional needs, and inspirational stories from gals just like you.

Now, I’m a big fan of Desperate Housewives, and I couldn’t pass up sharing this article I found during my research for resources related to women’s mental health and cancer: Meeting Sexuality Needs of Women With Breast Cancer. It immediately made me think of Felicity Huffman’s character, Lynette Scavo, and her struggle with her husband to find some kind of sexual balance amidst her battle with cancer. I think the information in this article/interview pertains to women who are battling any kind of cancer, and let’s face it: Being diagnosed with cancer and fighting the battle is a hard enough blow to your mental well being; discovering that you no longer feel feminine, sexy, or desirable is extra salt on the wound for some ladies.

Men and Cancer: At the risk of sounding sexist (and I may have already blown it with my thoughts on women, sexiness, and cancer), many men generally like to feel strong, in control, and as if they can handle anything and handle it preferably without the help of others. (Well, don’t they? I have a dad, I’ve been married, and I have male friends – in the words of William Miller’s mother Elaine in my favorite movie of all time, Almost Famous, “I know what’s going on.”) More importantly, many men don’t like to feel scared. It’s OK – none of us do. Being diagnosed with and facing a battle against any illness, including cancer, is a scary situation. Fear, helplessness, anger – they’re all sure to wreak havoc on your mental well being.

It’s important for men to understand that there is support and help out there, and that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeking it. Any cancer-specific organization can help you learn more about your specific cancer; the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute are good places to start. However, for Web sites and organizations that offer more personal support groups and online forums, try Malecare, Us TOO, and TC-Cancer.

As you can see, there are numerous resources out there for you whether you are a man or woman with cancer or the parent of a child with cancer. Educating yourself and finding support are two key ways to keep your mental health intact during trying times, and I sincerely hope any of these Web sites and organization will help get you started.

For the official list of all b5media Health & Wellness theme day posts, visit Marijke Durning’s Help My Hurt post Living with Cancer: Help My Hurt hosts this month’s Theme Day.

Image sources and credits here, here, here, and here.

Post from: Blisstree

Nurture Mental Health During The Fight Against Cancer