Our mission is helping patients manage stress and anxiety that naturally arises with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Talking to others that have navigated similar paths can help others that are coping with similar obstacles.
Let these discussions reach heights of not only coping with life during and after treatment and enhancing quality of life. Even having late stage pancreatic cancer is no longer an automatic death sentence. There are many stage 4 patients living long lives. Always stay positive and keep believing.
1. BE ON TIME AT THE START OF EACH SCHEDULED MEETING.
Being late can be disruptive to other attendees. Always be present on time. If you’ve never attended a Zoom Meeting, we suggest getting prepared at least 20-30 minutes before the scheduled start of each virtual meeting. All meetings will be begin promptly as scheduled.
A. See our step by step guide on how to set up Zoom to attend an online meeting.
B. Need advance help? Schedule a time to speak with our Administrator Brandon.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT BACKGROUND.
A. Choose the most professional room in your home. A well-organized home office is likely your most professional setting. Light backgrounds perform best for you image. Backdrops are available.
3. SETTING YOUR CAMERA FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY.
Test your camera. Show your mid-chest and up. Others will see your arms and upper body which works well with communication. Locate in a well lit area. Make sure light is located in front of your camera. Avoid lighting behind your camera which has the tendency to darken your face. Bright smiles will make the entire event look more cheerful, optimistic, and involved.
4. DRESS CASUALLY AS IF YOU WERE ATTENDING A LIVE EVENT.
Always dress below the waist. You never know when you might have to move quickly and we want to avoid embarrassing and offending moments. We realize that patients may feel “under the weather. In those instances wearing medical garb is okay.
5. AVOID UNNECESSARY NOISE.
If you do not have a home office, find a quiet zone. Background noise is disruptive such as barking dogs. Try to find someone to watch children during the session. Place a “a do not disturb sign” to help asking for quiet. Try and find a room that blocks out noise from the outside such as traffic noise. Consider placing your cell phone on vibrate.
Ask someone to watch your children. Pen your pets in the most distant room. Do not eat during a virtual session. Eliminate any possibility of unnecessary noise which would be a nuisance to other attendees. Stay muted until ready to speak.
6. STAY MUTED UNTIL YOU’RE READY TO SPEAK.
Generally, keep your microphone “muted”. Do so to prevent other attendees from getting distracted by unintended background noise. You can “unmute” when you are ready to speak. Sometimes the event host or moderators will make exceptions. In those cases, follow their instructions.
7. DO NOT MULTITASK UNNECESSARILY.
Stay focused On The Meeting Session. Avoid Google Searching. Do not send texts or email to parties outside the event session. Making outside calls is a “no-no” unless it is an emergency. Even shuffling papers can be disruptive.
8. OTHER ETIQUETTE GUIDELINES.
Speak in a clear confident voice. Try not to shout. Consider bring your microphone closer to you. Try not to talk over others. Try not to dominate the meeting session. Give others opportunity to speak.
9. ONLY APPROVED MEMBERS CAN ATTEND SCHEDULED MEETING.
This includes patients and only one “family caregivers”. Family caregiver attendance is at the sole discretion of the pancreatic cancer patient.
10. WE ALSO PROVIDE A FACEBOOK GROUP PANCREATIC CANCER WITH A MEMBERSHIP.
This permits patients and their family caregivers to make comments and ask question 24/7. Membership is Private. You must be approved and registered to protect your privacy. Facebook Group Connect.
11. MOST IMPORTANT GUIDELINE. BE RESPECTFUL.
Be respectful to all members. No profanity. No name calling. ABSOLUTELY NO HATE SPEECH. IF ANY OF THESE RULES ARE BROKEN, IT WILL RESULT IN A PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP BAN.
