Wellness Formula

You have only so much control at this time in your life (during chemo)and one thing you can control is your focus. Focusing on what is good tends to make it a little easier to smile even during the difficult times.

If not sure about DR,Go on QUACKWATCH www.quackwatch.com A non-profit site founded to expose cases of health fraud on the web.

There is a magazine called Cure, It is free to cancer patients.
Cancer Information Group,LP 3535 Worth St. Collins Tower,Ste 185,Dallas Texas 75246
Or visit www.curetoday.com

As you fight, Please remember to keep yourself strong. Mind and body, It is very important to think positive about the chemo for instants, Burning the cancer away, I always said I can win each time I had chemo. So where ever you are in your fight with cancer, Stay positive and Win!

Have a Get Away From Cancer Place!

When You need a break from the fight, Find a place to get away to. If it is online with friends to a garden or even a good book. Anything to get you mind off of the cancer. I use to take a friend to lunch on my good days. On my bad days I would watch a happy TV show. Mostly it is up to you to find that get away place and relax. Good Luck!

The Ten Commandments of Human Relations

1. Speak to people, There is nothing so nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes 72 muscles to frown but only 14 to smile.
3. Call people by name. The sound of ones name is music to anyones ears.
4. Be friendly and helpful. If you want to have friends,you must be one.
5. Be cordial, Speak and act as if everything you do is a joy.
6. Be genuinely interested in people. You can like almost anyone if you try.
7. Be considerate toward the feelings of others. There are usually three sides to a controversy; yours, the other guy's, and the right side.
8. Be generous with praise and cautious with criticism.
9. Be eager to lend a helping hand. Often it is appreciated more then you know. What counts most in life if what we do for others.
10. Add this to a good sense of humor,a huge dose of patience and a dash of humility. This combination will open many doors and rewards will be enormous.

Do More

Do more then exist...Live!
Do more then touch...Feel!
Do more then look....See!
Do more then hear...Listen!
Do more then talk..Say something!

Life is so easier when you tell someone you care.

Developing a Plan

Even when others offer to help, it is important to let people know you can still do somethings yourself. As much as you are able, keep up with your normal routine by making decisions, doing household chores, ans working on hobbies that you enjoy.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Think about hiring someone or asking for a volunteer. Health insurance sometimes pays for people to help with household chores. you might be able to find a volunteer through groups in your community.

Paid or volunteers may be able help you with;

Physical care,such as bathing or dressing.
Household chores, such as cleaning or food shopping.
Skilled care, such as giving you special feedings or medications.

It will make you feel better and let your family know you are still able to. But they will also rest better knowing you have help when needed.

The Three Importants Of Healing

The three most important components of healing are; Building strength and endurance through therapuetic exercise, eating a healing diet and allowing your body to rest well. But also be good to yourself every day.

Botanical(herbal)medicine

Botanical offer a wide variety of treatment actions. Many modern drugs are based on herbals. Some of the herbs are available over the counter have actions in your body as strong as prescription drugs. Homepathy is a unique version of botanical medicine.

Herbals can,in some cases, provide a safe effective treatment for a wide range of ailments. They can also, however, interact with drugs or other conventional treatment and they may
have side effects that are not well explained on the label.

The best results are usually achieved by doing your homework and enlisting the help of an expert. Consult with your licensed providers if you are receiving conventional treatment,in order to avoid an unexpected interaction.

Volunteering at your local hospital or one of your breast cancer organizations in your area is one way to get
started. Budgets are often very limited and there
is usually a need for assistance in clerical or patient contact. Some times organizations require survivors to be out of treatment for at least a year before beginning volunteer work. This helps allow patients plenty of time to regain strength and energy after their treatment and before committing to a new routine or schedule.

Gratitude

Gratitude has been described as the great attitude. Although most people tend to take their lives for granted, Life is a in fact a gift, and every day that you are alive you receive many blessings. Even times of pain and adversity can be seen as opportunities for growth for which we can be grateful. By commiting yourself to becoming more aware of your blessing, you strengthen your connection with the Spirit and are better able to recognize the wisdom and intelligence that underlies all of creation, Once you allow yourself to appreciate the lessons presented during times of stuggle or life crises, the brunt of the pain subsides and the state of inner peace follows. This is especially
true of most chronic diseases, which sometimes can be seen as external reflextion of inner pain. typically, when people choose consciously to focus
on the positive in their lives and express gratitude for them, more positive things start to happen. Gratitude can produce powerful feelings
of joy and self-acceptance. It is an attitude that anyone can choose to have, just as you can choose to see the glass half-full or half-empty. By focusing on what you do have, instead of what you lack, you feel a sense of
abundance and your problems seem much less severe; you are able to let go of negative thoughts and attitudes. And wonderful things will happen and you will begin to feel grateful.

Never give up!

We all have said the "Why me" When we found out we have breast cancer. But we must never give up and say,"I am going to win this battle!" We must be able to keep ourselves thinking and doing positive things to not let the stress get us down.

When I found out a year after I found my mother passed away, I thought of all those, What if's, I had to stop cause I was alone and I said "I can!" everyday,
Sometimes 3 times a day! After 3 surgerys and high chemo. I did it! So to all of you that are new fighting breast cancer,
Remember YOU CAN WIN!

Hindsight can be harmful. Lets go of the what ifs, the maybes and the should haves
Pratice living life to the fullest.

"One year ago I was diagnosed
My life turned upside down
How did I feel about that?
I don't know.
Happy to be alive
Would be dead
If not the check-up
How do I feel about that?
Grateful."

Be informed,
Be involved,
Be inspired.

Reward yourself each day!

As you are fighting to win, Remeber to reward yourself for all you are going threw, From a new book to a warm part of socks! You must be good to yourself and remind yourself that you can win. Little rewards help you forget the bad part of the day. Each time you praise yourself for getting threw a long week, It sometimes is easier to face the next time
Good luck! And remember you can win!

Beat the Winter Blues

Take a walk in the mall.

Work out as you clean the home.

Work up on with TV or video.

See if church is doing any workouts.

Join a gym.

Get indoor work out machines.

Good luck and do not give up!

So Much To Appreciate

Breast Cancer has helped me not to take anything for granted. I am content with even the smallest of things, like working on cross-stitch,having time to read,talking and visiting with my family and friends, or even watching my cats play and sleep. These are special moments.

So one way to help people with breast cancer heal is to again focus on the things we love in life. And not the things that could happen. This will make you strong minded to win the battle with breast cancer, because of all the good things that you plan to do can help you win.
So remember you can win! Just focus on that and Good luck!

Nutrition and Physical Activity

It is important fot women with breast cancer to take care of themselves.Taking care of yourselves includes eating well and staying active as you can.

You need the right amount of calories to maintain a good weight. You also need enough protein to keep up your strength. Eating well may help you feel better and have more energy.

Sometimes, esecially during or soon after treatment, you may not feel like eating. You may be uncomfortable or tired. You may find the foods do not taste good as they used to. In addition, the side effects of treatment(such as poor appetite,nausea,vomiting,
or mouth sores) can make it hard to eat well. Your doctor, dietitian or other health care provider can suggest ways to deal with these problems.

Many women find they feel better when they stay active. Walking, yoga, swimming and other activities can keep you strong and increase your energy. Exercise may reduce nausea and pain and make treatment easier to handle. It also can help relieve stress.

Whatever physical activity you choose, be sure to talk to your doctor before you start. If your activity causes you pain or other problems, be sure to check with your doctor or nurse. You may want to try a different exercise instead.

Alot of this infomation is at www.findingthecanincancer.com


Like a tree....Accept the rain, take deeper root, and reach for the sky!

How can I Relieve Stress and Relax?

Simple techniques can help you cope with stress and help you to relax. Try some of these methods to find the ones that work best for you. you may want to check with your doctor before using these techniques, especially if you have lung problems.

Muscle Tension and Release

Lie down in a quiet room.

Take a slow, deep breath.

As you breath in, tense a particular muscle or group of muscles. For example, clench your teeth or stiffen your arms or legs.

Keep your muscles tense for a second or two while holding your breath.

Then breathe out, the tension and let your body relax completely.

Repeat the process with another muscle or muscle group.

Visualization

Visualization is very similar to imagery.
With visualization you create an inner picture that represents your fight against cancer. You might visualize rockets blasting away the cancer cells in your body or knights in armor battling the cells.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis puts a trance-like state that can help reduce discomfort and anxiety. You can be hypnotized by a qualified person, or can learn how to hypnotize yourself. If you are interested in learning more, ask your doctor or nurse to refer you to someone trained in the technique.

Distraction

Distract yourself from your worries or discomfort by watching TV, listening to the radio, reading, going to the movies, or working with your hands by doing needlework or puzzles, building models or painting. You may be surprised how comfortably the time passes.

Family and Friends

Talking with family and friends can help you feel alot better, Often, they can comfort and reassure you in ways that no one else can. You may find though, that you may have to make the first move.

Many people do not understand cancer and may withdraw from you because they are afraid of your illness. Others may worry that they will upset you by saying the wrong thing. You can help relieve these fears by talking openly with others about your illness, your treatment, your needs, and your feelings. you can correct mistaken ideas and let people know that there is no single right thing to say. Once people know they can talk with you honestly, they may be more willing and able to be open.

Simple techniques can help you cope
with stress and help you relax, Try some kind of method to help you and you can deal better with the cancer fight!

Healthy eating and its effects on your immune sytem is the foundation of excellent general health. There are foods that are considered carcinogentic and will dircetly effect your immune system. Some of the are black pepper, button mushrooms and peanuts. Celery and raw legumes sprouts contain natural toxins that harm the immune system.

Some of the important foods are

Broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts, Can give you chemo protective benefits

Tomatoes= lycopene (has been found in animal study to prevent tumor growth.

Citus fruits= limonene (vitatin C )

Blueberries,raspberries, grapes, and apples= ellagic acid (potent cancer fighter)

All yellow or orange fruits and vegetables=carotenoids contain Vitamin A= Helps keep cancer away

Soybeans= isoflavones

Salman and othernothern fish= omega-3, fatty acid

Garlic(potent antibiotic) and ginger(nausea)

Almonds and walnuts= a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acid

Green tea= cancer preventive effects
Drink at least one three time a day.

As you learn more about healthier eating, You will notice, Keep fighting

Giving is Healing

This is a very good time to remember the act of giving is a helpful way of focusing on the needs of others. Helping others can be very helpful for you and the other person. Support and affirmation can give a person the courage to deal with adversity. Helping others seems to help you heal. So if you are in a low mood, Think of that little old lady living alone, Or the childern in the hospital that could use someone to read a book to them. There are many different ways we can focus on caring and also help ourselves feel good. So please share your smile with others

Write a grateful journal

I awhiles heard that if you write 10 things a day you are grateful for, It helps you to forget about the other things in your life and picks you up. I found out it does help me see alot more good even in a bad day. Good luck to you.

This is a New year, I hope you are able to help yourself live more healthy and happy. As you fight to win, Remember to think all good things and tell yourself you can do anything. This Year 2009 is the year we will show people we can stay strong in our fight with cancer. God bless you all and may this year be your best year ever. Hang on to your dreams. Take care, Debbie