Healing strokes

Hands on Healing offers therapy through art for cancer patients

Ruth Aloni had to leave her job after she was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. In need of a way to fill her days and take her mind off the debilitating side effects of her treatments, she turned to art.

"I needed a distraction from the world," Aloni said.

The self-imposed therapy proved so helpful that Aloni was certain others would also benefit. She founded Hands on Healing, which became a pilot program for the American Cancer Society.

Dozens of teachers offer classes at various locations on Oahu, from juggling, puppetry and jewelry-making to knitting, drawing and painting. The classes offer a social outlet to cancer patients and their caregivers, an opportunity to learn new skills and a focus outside their illness.

The program might expand to include new classes in the areas of journal writing and holistic and alternative medicines. "We want to educate patients about other things, not just arts and crafts," Aloni said.

She began taking drawing lessons following her diagnosis. "I found the process to be mentally captivating," she said. "I totally forgot all about the illness. I figured if it worked for me, it could help others."

As art therapy gains popularity, Aloni couldn't be more pleased. "The mental aspect of healing is so important."

She encourages patients and caregivers to take classes together. "By doing it together, they can share some joy and laughter."

Sharon Asato can definitely relate. Art classes have uplifted her state of mind while allowing her to learn new skills.

"It helps get you out of the depression. ... It is stress-relieving," Asato said.

Art takes her mind off the ugliness of the disease -- from chemotherapy treatments to losing her hair and throwing up. She also described the classes as a sort of support group. "It's amazing that a bond so negative as cancer can bring people together."

Lori Kaneshige, a board-certified advanced practice nurse at Kuakini Medical Center, introduced Hands on Healing to women in the breast cancer support group she facilitates.

"There is a lot to be said about patients looking beyond medical treatments," she said. "Art is a method of stress relief. Stress often perpetuates negative feelings that can impact your health. Creating art is not invasive or intrusive -- it is not something that they are ingesting that could interfere with their medical treatments."

Kaneshige, a cancer survivor herself, explained that once treatments end, patients need to find a sense of renewal. "When patients are going through treatments, their whole life is focused on doctors' appointments, feeling sick, feeling tired," she said.

"The most challenging phase is the survivor period, when they are trying to get back to normal life. ... It is a great time to try something new."

Mary Ann Ishikane did just that, taking up drawing although she believed that she could not draw to save her life.

Before Hands on Healing, she'd kept busy cleaning the house or completing simple tasks. Now, art has replaced the busywork. "Drawing and painting gave me something different to do. I don't just sit around thinking about my sickness."

As an added bonus, Ishikane finds comfort in discussing her illness in a pleasant setting, with people who are going through similar trials.

Local artist Wayne Takazono conducts weekly drawing classes at his Kaneohe studio. The class is loosely structured, he said, but a "solid drawing course."

Takazono, whose teachings are based on Betty Edward's book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain," enjoys working with students who have little or no experience. "That way, you start out with a clean slate. Sometimes bad habits are hard to break."

He does try to keep the class lighthearted and more fun, in hopes of providing an escape for his students.

Takazono chooses not to bring up the topic of cancer, unless his students want to talk about it. "I'm glad they are comfortable to discuss what they are going through. I'm both humbled and privileged that they are willing to be that open around me."

Mostly students are encouraged to find subjects of interest that can be reproduced. "If they learn enough about art, they will be able to communicate their own experiences through their artwork. That is kind of a neat goal."

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The healing arts

When Harriet Kirihara was diagnosed with cancer, focusing on more positive things was at the top of her priority list.

'Rainbow of Hope' As I sat, homebound, during my chemotherapy treatment, I looked out my window every day. I had forgotten the beautiful view down the valley into the mountains, covered with ever-changing clouds. Sometimes it looked a peaceful green; other times, it was an ominous gray. The view helped me reflect on my life, as it, too, was ever changing, with its good days and not-so-good days. Then one bright sunny day, I saw the most wondrous rainbow arching across the valley. It absolutely took my breath away and made me forget the unpleasant changes taking place in my body. I just felt an overwhelming hope that all was well with the world, and somehow, the power that created that beautiful rainbow would make me well soon, too.

Regular treatments caused her to give up simple pleasures of reading, walks in the park and swing dancing. Fortunately, she found sanity in art.

Kirihara began taking art classes through Hands on Healing, a pilot program offered through the American Cancer Society. "Programs like this give people an opportunity to express themselves and heal," she said.

For Kirihara, painting provided a sense of serenity and hope. "It keeps me occupied so I don't have to feel sorry for myself," she said.

Kirihara was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and is scheduled to finish her chemotherapy treatments in a couple of weeks.

Like many cancer patients, she was not accustomed to being homebound. "I can't do a lot of physical activity. The chemo treatments put me down for a few days. Certain abilities of my brain were not working, but the creative part was fine. It was like being in a stupor, but the art has really saved my sanity."

She added, "Oil painting is a slow process. I can sit for two to three hours. It keeps my mind off things and gives me something to do."