Childhood Pastime Helping Cancer Patients Cope

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RICHARDSON (CBS11) – A classic childhood pastime is providing quite the popular therapy for cancer patients at Methodist Richardson Medical Center.

The staff there says adult coloring books are all the craze, and they appear to be soothing the minds of chemotherapy patients during treatment.

Sherri Jackson, who is battling stage 3 breast cancer says the coloring books serve as a de-stressing tool for her.

She said, "It's just something to break up the monotony of sitting here with a port hanging out of your chest."

Jackson added, "It takes your mind away from something you don't want to think about."

Katherine Baronet, is the artist in residency at Methodist Richardson and runs the program.

Baronet said, "When you're in the zone of creating something. It's just so calming and relaxing."

The adult coloring book program is paid for by the Methodist Richardson fund, and it's popularity has now caught the attention of oncologists who are taking a closer look at the benefits the activity offers.

Dr. Alan Trumbly, an oncologist at the cancer center said they've noticed, "less anxiety medicine is being used."

He went on to say "We've been able to show that it has really helped with the overall outcome."

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