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06-04-2010, 10:52 PM
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Timed Out
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When my sister, Jo, was battling skin cancer at NIH, she dropped weight so fast. In the last 3 years of her life, I know that the chemo and experimental drugs really took a toll on her system. We all tried everything from Ensure or fruit shakes or just frozen fruit pops. Now, Jo was very much into cooking, so she still tried to keep playing tennis, making all efforts to live as if she was ok. Then when she was at the point of taking stem cells...she got her appitite back. In fact, she loved to go to McDonald's for breakfast. She loved their coffee, and english muffin w/egg sandwich (can you tell I don't go there much -lol). Anyway, I would make a trip there and get her a large coffee, and 3 or 4 of those sandwiches because I knew later on after this go round, when we were back on the chemo, she would be loosing weight again. I hated it. I hated what it was doing to her. I bought her a teddy bear from Vt. Teddy Bear Company when she was depressed, and not bouncing back from the treatments. That was a big hit for her, but no sooner than she got that, her energy level just dropped. I just kept trying to boost her spirits. I would sent prayer cards, plants, balloons, funny cards, tennis balls, and just tons of pictures. It was the best thing to do to keep her guessing what was coming to her next. The pain meds only help so much. Cancer sucks. I have lost not only my sister to cancer, but my Godfather. He died from brain cancer. I just cannot even talk about what happened to him. It is too fresh, and too overwhelming to me. Namaste to all, Andrew |
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06-13-2010, 08:46 PM
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Five things every Cancer patient needs to know.
http://www.archive.org/details/Teres...patientsneedto This is a Podcast of a show I did some time ago on Holistic care for Cancer patients, I hope it can be of some help and support to you all. It is with Dr Jeannie Galloway, who is Naturapathic Oncologist here in Austin. She has some important tips to share that may help you or family members who are in the process of dealing with cancer, in any phase. These are the notes from a talk on Five things a Cancer patients should know. Generally, when a person hears they have cancer they either: relinquish responsibility and let the doctor have control over their life OR get very busy finding out everything they can that might help. I encourage every cancer patient to become involved in their own decision making and to ask questions. Often my work with a patient is to help them figure out what their questions should be. The treatments for cancer are somewhat limited from a standard medical position. The drugs (especially chemotherapy) are pretty much the same as they have been for many years. New ideas are surfacing, and benefits are found, but we have a long way to go. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are designed to kill the cancer, yet in the process healthy tissue is sacrificed along the way. Side effects of standard treatment are typically not the concern of oncologists. There is a huge gap in cancer care when it comes to addressing the concerns of the person undergoing treatment. The oncologist is focused on the cancer, not really on the wholeness of the person getting treatment. Naturopathic doctors with training and experience in complementary and integrative cancer care fill the void with an emphasis on the wellness factor of the whole person. We: improve nutrient consumption and intake Treat side effects of cancer treatments Improve the response of standard treatments Improve immune function Improve quality of life Speed healing processes Educate patients and their families, and their oncologists on natural medicine's Reduce recurrence of cancer What a Naturopathic doctor is NOT; we aren't just "green doctors" who replace a drug with an herb.We aren't interested in just treating symptoms of disease, we do not believe that drugs are always bad or that cancer can be treated without standard medicine. We do believe that there is an ability of the body to heal itself if given the right building blocks and that addressing the underlying cause of a disease is the important thing to do, instead of just treating symptoms. We also believe that all of medicine has an appropriate place...at times drugs and surgery are needed, at times herbs and meditation are needed. There is a whole spectrum of medicine available to the ND. Five Natural Treatments 1) Blood sugar/Insulin 2) Vit D 3) Green Tea 4) Cortisol 5) Dangerous side effects First, blood sugar and insulin. If a cancer patient has high blood sugar and high insulin levels in the blood they are much more likely to have a more aggressive form of cancer and to have a high rate of recurrence. I encourage all the people I work with who have a cancer diagnosis to be sure their physician is checking their fasting blood sugar and their insulin levels. If there are troubles with high blood sugar or insulin there are great ways to impact this; dietary, exercise, supplements such as cinnamon, bitter melon, gymnema have been shown to have effect, and chromium supplementation, too. Secondly, it is becoming very clear that Vitamin D levels should become part of every person's "annual physical" blood workup. Vitamin D deficiency is being linked to a tremendous amount of disease processes and we are particularly concerned with cancer patients as they have been shown to have lower levels in many cases. If you have cancer, or if you don't and want to prevent it, have your doctor check your Vitamin D status. There are clear guidelines around what these levels should be. Your doctor should know these or s/he can find them out easily. Thirdly, green tea is part of any natural approach to the cancer fight. Cancer cells turn into tumors by continually dividing even when they should just die. Green tea, among many other important cancer fighting properties, is able to shut down cancer cell division...thus slowing the growth of tumors. Fourth, stress is a killer. Cortisol levels are associated with increased insulin levels, with decreased melatonin levels (a natural cancer fighter) and with increased inflammation which can drive cancer formation. Treating the adrenal glands, reducing stress, using techniques such as Tai Chi or Qi Gong are great ways to reduce the stress response and see a more positive influence of the body. Fifth, there are extremely dangerous side effects to chemotherapy. Yet, the use of chemotherapy is highly recommended by Naturopathic Oncologists for many forms of cancer. Sometimes the body needs to have the disease eliminated forceably in order to provide a clear path for healing. The leading side effects that can have long lasting impact are: nerve damage, heart tissue damage and digestive tract symptoms. In each case there are natural treatments that have been shown to reduce the side effects safely. The damage that can be done may be irreparable, and the cancer patient needs to take action to understand the risks and to find a practitioner who can help them avoid side effect damage.
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06-14-2010, 07:04 AM
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#3 |
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Skipping Medical Care
We have done this at one point in our lives. We make due with what we have. For colds, we take our Tylenol, stay in bed, eat chix noodle soup, and suck on cough drops. For some of us, it is a means of survival. Money for medical care and insurance causes alot of us to dely treatment. Cash for services rendered is out of question because it is so high. I really am not sure of what the answer is. I believe in healthcare for everyone, not just the wealthy. That is why I am all for NIH. It is not a hospital, but a research center. That way all of your medical care is free. It is funded by the drug companies & manufacturers. I feel that accountability for those sick should be on the minds of those in the medical field. It shouldn't be financial and run as a business for profit. There goes the Hypocratic Oath. But then again, this is my opinion only. |
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06-14-2010, 08:53 AM
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Caregiver Burnout
By Dr. M. Ross Seligson Being able to cope with the strains and stresses of being a Caregiver is part of the art of Caregiving In order to remain healthy so that we can continue to be Caregivers, we must be able to see our own limitations and learn to care for ourselves as well as others. It is important for all of us to make the effort to recognize the signs of burnout, In order to do this we must be honest and willing to hear feedback from those around us. This is especially important for those caring for family or friends. Too often Caregivers who are not closely associated with the healthcare profession get overlooked and lost in the commotion of medical emergencies and procedures. Otherwise close friends begin to grow distant, and eventually the Caregiver is alone without a support structure. We must allow those who do care for us, who are interested enough to say something, to tell us about our behavior, a noticed decrease in energy or mood changes. Burnout isn't like a cold. You don't always notice it when you are in its clutches. Very much like Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, the symptoms of burnout can begin surfacing months after a traumatic episode. The following are symptoms we might notice in ourselves, or others might say they see in us. Think about what is being said, and consider the possibility of burnout. •Feelings of depression. •A sense of ongoing and constant fatigue. •Decreasing interest in work. •Decrease in work production. •Withdrawal from social contacts. •Increase in use of stimulants and alcohol. •Increasing fear of death. •Change in eating patterns. •Feelings of helplessness. Strategies to ward off or cope with burnout are important. To counteract burnout, the following specific strategies are recommended •Participate in a support network. •Consult with professionals to explore burnout issues. •Attend a support group to receive feedback and coping strategies. •Vary the focus of caregiving responsibilities if possible (rotate responsibilities with family members). •Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet. •Establish "quiet time" for meditation. •Get a weekly massage •Stay involved in hobbies. By acknowledging the reality that being a Caregiver is filled with stress and anxiety, and understanding the potential for burnout, Caregivers can be forewarned and guard against this debilitating condition. As much as it is said, it can still not be said too often, the best way to be an effective Caregiver is to take care of yourself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a great article but I cannot get two hours of downtime let alone a weekly massage, how do others deal with caregiver burnout? When you alone do the caregiving 24/7 and you cannot afford a private nurse?
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06-14-2010, 10:12 AM
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#5 |
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Caregivers have a special place in the next life. My hat is off to them. For example hospice workers. They are definitely angels.  |
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06-22-2010, 06:51 PM
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Just FYI :::
Benefits of Acupuncture in Cancer Care
 Here are some ways that acupuncture can help while being treated for and recovering from cancer.Cancer treatments are aggressive and cause numerous unwanted side effects as well as a lowered immune system. Acupuncture is an excellent adjunctive therapy in cancer treatments because of its ability to relieve pain, reduce side effects, accelerate recovery and improve quality of life. What Acupuncture is used for during Cancer Treatment Acupuncture provides a total approach to health care for people with cancer. It can be used to address many of the concerns that come up during and after chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy and surgery. According to the National Cancer Institute, acupuncture may cause physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. These responses can cause the body to release proteins, hormones, and brain chemicals that control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by these actions, acupuncture affects blood pressure and body temperature, boosts immune system activity, and causes the body's natural painkillers, such as endorphins, to be released. Areas that acupuncture has shown the most promise include: Nausea and Vomiting Dry Mouth, Night Sweats and Hot Flashes Stress, Anxiety and Fatigue Pain Management Increasing White Blood Cell Count Source: National Cancer Institute. www.cancer.org
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06-22-2010, 06:58 PM
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[QUOTE=Spirit Dancer;130150]Caregiver Burnout
By Dr. M. Ross Seligson Being able to cope with the strains and stresses of being a Caregiver is part of the art of Caregiving In order to remain healthy so that we can continue to be Caregivers, we must be able to see our own limitations and learn to care for ourselves as well as others. It is important for all of us to make the effort to recognize the signs of burnout, In order to do this we must be honest and willing to hear feedback from those around us. This is especially important for those caring for family or friends. Too often Caregivers who are not closely associated with the healthcare profession get overlooked and lost in the commotion of medical emergencies and procedures. Otherwise close friends begin to grow distant, and eventually the Caregiver is alone without a support structure. We must allow those who do care for us, who are interested enough to say something, to tell us about our behavior, a noticed decrease in energy or mood changes. Burnout isn't like a cold. You don't always notice it when you are in its clutches. Very much like Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, the symptoms of burnout can begin surfacing months after a traumatic episode. The following are symptoms we might notice in ourselves, or others might say they see in us. Think about what is being said, and consider the possibility of burnout. •Feelings of depression. •A sense of ongoing and constant fatigue. •Decreasing interest in work. •Decrease in work production. •Withdrawal from social contacts. •Increase in use of stimulants and alcohol. •Increasing fear of death. •Change in eating patterns. •Feelings of helplessness. Strategies to ward off or cope with burnout are important. To counteract burnout, the following specific strategies are recommended •Participate in a support network. •Consult with professionals to explore burnout issues. •Attend a support group to receive feedback and coping strategies. •Vary the focus of caregiving responsibilities if possible (rotate responsibilities with family members). •Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet. •Establish "quiet time" for meditation. •Get a weekly massage •Stay involved in hobbies. By acknowledging the reality that being a Caregiver is filled with stress and anxiety, and understanding the potential for burnout, Caregivers can be forewarned and guard against this debilitating condition. As much as it is said, it can still not be said too often, the best way to be an effective Caregiver is to take care of yourself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[COLOR="Navy"][B][I] This is a great article but I cannot get two hours of downtime let alone a weekly massage, how do others deal with caregiver burnout? When you alone do the caregiving 24/7 and you cannot afford a private nurse? A very important post! I have been a cancer care-giver for 4 people in my life that I cherished and did lose. It was the hardest thing I have yet to do in my life and I did burn-out. In fact, I believe that some of my impatience with people now has to do with this. I see so much BS being attended to when people are dealing with this damn disease and other dibilitating health issues! My entire perspective on what really matters in this life has changed. Changed my life, forever. A special hug and much gratitude for those of you that have been, or in this position. Always take time for yourself even if it is something very simple. So many now are having to do this due to not having resources. |
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06-23-2010, 11:23 AM
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In Memory Of
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so, in the last week i've had some scary days. i almost went to the hospital one night because it hurt so bad to take a deep breath. and then i had a three day stretch where i could not hold down food, water, or meds. so i almost went to the hospital again. it's still not ruled out all the way as i'm experiencing a lot of nausea.
but i met with my palliative care doctor on monday and he suggested that hospice care might be appropriate for me. and i can still be enrolled in it as i go through clinical trials. i agreed. and i'm still having panic attacks about it. i don't know how to tell my family or friends. i'm afraid they will think that it means i am giving up. which is not the case at all. but i'm very realistic and don't sugar coat my life and i know that there will be no miracle cures for me. the clinical trials that i'm hopefully going to be starting soon will hopefully add some more time for me. and i want to do everything i can to enjoy everything i can. i want to stop gritting my teeth because i'm stubborn and don't want to take pain meds. i don't want to feel nauseous- i love food! i want to enjoy food! most people i know want me to live in a fantasty land that i won't die. i don't want to live in a fantasy land of denial. oy i'm rambling...
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06-23-2010, 11:44 AM
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Quote:
Going into hospice isn't giving up, it's another tool in your fight against this Cancer, a tool to help you remain strong and try to be free of pain. Let your family know you're not giving up that you are simply adding to your exsisting support system. Panic is a coping mechanism we use when we fear losing our control, it is okay to feel. Know if you need more support there are many online support groups as well there are many in the DC area, if you should neeed anything PM and i'll link you site. Hope, Faith and healing light to you.
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06-23-2010, 11:49 AM
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want to know something fabulous? if you DO get hospice care it doesn't mean you HAVE to die within a certain time frame. get your doc to write you a scrip for zofran injections...it's the only thing that really works on the nausea. take your pain meds. start hospice...goddess knows we are all pulling for you and worried about the fact that your mom likes to steal your medicines. you need support and a team. hospice can give you that. ((((hugs)))) |
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07-16-2010, 12:32 AM
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Wanted to share this experience here, in case it may help
someone else out. You are your family members best advocate, especially if they cannot voice their issues or concerns at this time. If they've been told all avenues have been exhausted and the only road left is clinical trial. Know that if the doctors want to keep you on even low dose chemo, that can diqualify you from most trials. Ideally they like you to be on a rest period first then start your trial. When a cancer patient is already struggling with their diagnosis and the issues related to it, you the caregiver are their best advocate. A journal and planner have been my best friend throughout this fight.
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