Patient Spotlight: Dr. Charelle Samuels, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Dr. Charelle Samuels is an ALK patient and a professional mental health practitioner with decades of experience. She has successfully led emotional support groups and ALKtALK sessions as part of the ALKtALK program, which many members have found particularly helpful. We asked her to talk to us about her personal journey as a professional and a lung cancer patient, her dedication to supporting people in improving their mental health, and her volunteering with the ALKtALK program.
1) Can you tell us a little about yourself, your personal and professional background, and your journey with ALK-positive lung cancer so far?
How can I tell you who I am? While I’m 81 and a grandmother of 4, I only began feeling old after I was diagnosed, a little over 2 years ago. I’m usually thought of as scholarly, but what I really know I’ve learned through experience. I’m usually outspoken, but inside I’m a little shy. I’m considered an expert in my field, but I just learned how to IM (Instant Message), and I still have trouble finding the gallery view on my Zoom screen.
I’ve been in private practice in Pittsburgh since I received my doctorate in 1975 from the University of Pittsburgh. My real learning started after graduation. I studied Bioenergetic Analysis for a few years. Then I enrolled in a training program at the Masterson Institute for Character Disorders in New York. After commuting to New York from Pittsburgh once a week for 3 years, I graduated and was asked to join their faculty. I began training and supervising therapists in Pittsburgh while developing my private practice. I closed my office in 2020 because of Covid, but I continue to maintain a small practice from my home.
I was diagnosed with ALKpositive, stage IV, in November of 2019. I’ve been on Alectinib since then, although I’ve had to lower my dose to 900 mg, because I developed pneumonitis. So far I’ve managed to tolerate the side effects pretty well.
2) What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you were first diagnosed? What would you advise a newly-diagnosed patient?
I wish I had known how valuable this group would be for me. I didn’t join until almost a year after I was diagnosed. I would encourage newly-diagnosed members to become as active as possible. The more the involvement, the greater the benefit.
3) You are a practicing psychotherapist and have been for a long time. Do you feel that your knowledge, experience, and professional expertise have helped you cope better with the emotional burden of a diagnosis that most people find devastating?
My professional expertise has and has not helped me in coping with the emotional aspects of my illness. It hasn’t helped in that I experience the same emotional roller coaster that all of us experience. Coping is a struggle for me too. On the other hand, my expertise has helped me, because I have many coping strategies available for me to use, and I do use them.
4) You have actively participated in the ALKtALK program, both by hosting ALK Roundtable sessions and recently presenting an ALKtALK on mental health that received great feedback. What has prompted you to get more involved in volunteering with ALK Positive, and has this involvement given you a new sense of purpose in helping fellow patients through your own knowledge and expertise?
My getting involved as a volunteer came about very simply. Someone posted a request for members to volunteer whatever expertise they had, so I did. At first I was worried I wouldn’t have the energy to fulfill the commitment I had made. Actually, I’ve found that rather than feeling depleted, I’ve felt energized.
5) What would be some simple everyday tips that people could follow to make sure they take good care of their emotional health during this cancer journey, which is just as important as taking care of their physical health?
Paying attention to your mental health is very important. In many situations we have no control over what is happening to us, but we can control how we deal with it. In that respect, we can make a significant difference. Get to know your ‘insides’, your feelings. If you see that you’re feeling or behaving in a way that is not typical for you, seek help. Join a support group or find a therapist. I find meditation very helpful. I do it every day. These are difficult times, my friends. Getting support is always good. Be kind to yourself.
Note to readers: Dr. Charelle Samuels is starting a new emotional support group (her third one) on April 12th. It will be held once a month on the second Tuesday of the month, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. The group is scheduled to meet for 8 sessions. Since the idea is to get to know each other well, participants will be strongly encouraged to commit to attending each session as opposed to only checking in once in a while. The group will be small – up to 10 to 12 people. There is currently room for a few more participants.
If you would like more information or are interested in joining, please contact Marc Rosenzweig at marc@alkpositive.org
You can watch Dr. Samuels’ full ALKtALK session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHIvzFkw3Lk
Interview by: Christina Weber