October 2016
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THE COMANCHE NATION NEWS The award-winning Comanche Nation News, the official communication of the Comanche Nation, is available at no charge upon request. The deadline to submit information for the November 2016 edition is 5 p.m. October 17. Donations to help cover the cost of printing and mailing are welcome. Contact: The Comanche Nation News P.O. Box 908 Lawton, Okla. 73502-0908 Telephone: (580) 492-3386 Fax: (580) 492-3709 Emails: comanche_news@yahoo.com pio@comanchenation.com •
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TCNN Staff Jolene Schonchin, Editor, Reporter, Photographer-Email: jolenes@ comanchenation.com-Telephone Number-(580)492-3382 Paula Karty, Assist. Editor, Reporter, Photographer- Email: paulak@ comanchenation.com Telephone Number-(580)492-3383 Stacey Heminokeky, Reporter/ Photographer- Telephone-(580) 492-3385. Email: staceyh@comanchenation.com. Candace Todd, Administrative Assistant-Telephone Number (580)492-3386 News items of interest to the local and American Indian community are welcome. Photographs will be copied and will become the property of TCNN. To return original photographs, send a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not send faxed photographs or newspaper copies of photographs. The Milestones Page (Birthdays, Anniversaries, Engagements,Memorial Pictures, Weddings, Births) are by submission only. The Passings/ Obituaries are submitted by the Comanche Nation Funeral Home or by tribal members on a funeral home letterhead. The Milestones Page is for tribal members only. TCNN publishes all services conducted by The Comanche Nation Funeral Home without discretion. Obituaries are written for tribal members only. TCNN will print a Comanche organization’s annual event flyer once free of charge as a courtesy to our tribal organizations. The guidelines for flyer submission are: Pow-wow flyers have to be from an established Comanche organization. There has to be contact person and number on the organization’s annual flyer. We reserve the right to edit all material. Letters or articles that contain libelous information, slander, or personal attacks will not be printed. Letters to the Editor must be signed with a legible name and have a 1,500 word limit. The Letters to the Editor or articles contained in the The Comanche Nation News does not reflect the views or opinions of the PIO staff.
CANCER AWARENESS Continued from Page 1
people think she just gave up—I can assure you she didn’t. Not everyone has a positive experience—even when your diagnosis is treatable. Take me for instance . . . as I said, my intent was to get through the treatments and back to my life. But our healthcare system isn’t what it used to be. Doctors are now aligned with hospitals and medical facilities. Everything has become a one-size-fits-all but at the same time you’re told cancer is as individual as the patient themselves. Isn’t that like mixing water with oil? Here’s where it becomes murky, doctors are so caught up in coding the treatments and diagnosis for whatever hospital or facility they’re working for, they’re forgetting the art of the profession itself. In some cases, abandoning the practice of altruism altogether. Codes and summarizing their findings on a computer has become all-consuming. This isn’t where a doctor’s focus should be. Instead, they should be listening to the patient and relying upon their intuition. I’m reminded of the quote by Albert Einstein, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.” We shouldn’t be so dependent on the “logical” thinking of what computer programs deem appropriate. Which brings me to the next obstacle—individualizing the
Allen’s book about her struggle with breast cancer comes out in October. patient. Indeed, healthcare is cutting edge when it comes to Personalized Medicine (think genetic and microbial signatures). However, they’re neglecting one key element, Personalized Patient Care. As doctors align themselves with hospitals, their offices become an intermingling of many doctors. This seems like a spectacular idea: patients will always have a doctor available when needed. However, only your physician was privy to the conversations detailing what your
Comanche Nation Officials
Chairman Vacant Vice Chairman Susan Cothren Secretary/Treasurer Jerry Tahsequah Committeeman No. 1 Jonathan Poahway Committeeman No. 2 Vacant Committeeman No. 3 Harry Mithlo Committeeman No. 4 Clyde Narcomey Tribal Administrator Jimmy Arterberry To contact officials: Comanche Nation P.O. Box 908 Lawton, Okla. 73502 Toll Free: (877) 492-4988 Physical Address 584 Bingo Rd.. Lawton, OK 73507
Member of the Native American Journalist Association since 2001 Member of the Society of Professional Journalists since 2010
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body has been through both medically and medicinally. When another doctor steps in, they’re only able to make educated guesses based on your medical profile. Now let’s talk compassion. The feelings a person experiences when faced with a life-threatening disease are fear, anxiety and in some cases pain. One would assume the world of healthcare would be well versed and educated in compassion. Truth is, compassion is taught by “observing others”—there is no formal training. Because of this administrative personnel, and many medical professionals, completely dismiss what you’re feeling as a living human being—and some can be downright bullies! This I was absolutely not
ready for. On a positive note, there are many individuals within healthcare I met during this period that truly go above and beyond. They have that inner knack to connect with the person and understand the angst of what one is experiencing. And somehow they have the ability to convey a calm disposition, instilling confidence and trust, both of which assist in the healing process. For many reasons, mindful awareness should be at the forefront during the month of October. Apryl Allen is the author of A Tango with Cancer: My Perilous Dance with Healthcare and Healing (October 2016) www.aprylallen.com