Tuesday
Why chemo?
Chemotherapy is used to achieve an assortment of goals.
It can cure some cancers outright.
Induce long-term remissions in others
Decrease the likelihood of a recurrence or spread after surgery or radiation (adjuvant chemotherapy) in potentially curable cancers
Slow the growth and alleviate symptoms such as pain (palliation) in curable or recurrent cancers
Shrink large tumors to operable size
Make radiation more effective
"Buy" time in order to be able to followup with alternative or complimentary therapies
This information and list of goals are from page 70 of Nancy Bruning's book, "Coping with Chemotherapy".
It can cure some cancers outright.
Induce long-term remissions in others
Decrease the likelihood of a recurrence or spread after surgery or radiation (adjuvant chemotherapy) in potentially curable cancers
Slow the growth and alleviate symptoms such as pain (palliation) in curable or recurrent cancers
Shrink large tumors to operable size
Make radiation more effective
"Buy" time in order to be able to followup with alternative or complimentary therapies
This information and list of goals are from page 70 of Nancy Bruning's book, "Coping with Chemotherapy".
Give up or fight like hell.
"If children have the ability to ignore all odds, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have 2 options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell."
Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong
Thursday
A Blueberry Superhero - I like the idea
If you are currently undergoing chemo these nutritional tips are not for you. Not until you are through with chemo. Seek your own doctor's advice as to the diet you should eat while going through your treatment.
Nutrition can help you in your quest for good health. I found a book, "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" by Patrick Quillin. I don't know if his book is scientifically sound however it shares ideas that are worth consideration.
Whether or not their power is described accurately, these foods do offer positive nutritional value that can't hurt and may help us become healthier. You make your own judgement.
In his book Mr. Quillin suggests we starve cancer by eliminating sugar. Too much sugar is never a good idea. Reading this helped me to start thinking twice before reaching for a cookie or a candy bar. Sugar might not starve cancer but passing on the sweets helps to keep my hips from expanding (smile).
Avoid malnutrition. It makes sense that you need to keep your strength in an effort to feel better and making sure you have protein in your diet can help you. Vegetables are important to include in your diet. How wise our parents were trying to get us to eat our veggies. Broccoli is one of his favorites. Garlic, onions, hot peppers, salsa, cinnamon, ginger, sage, rosemary and thyme also rank high on his "to eat" list. Yogurt, water and Green Tea are also mentioned as good for you.
My favorite comment from the book was that "berries cause cancer to self destruct." I love fruit of all types and especially berries. I enjoy the idea that there is a Blueberry Superhero out there that causes cancer to commit suicide (smile). I guess I have watched too many movies.
The point is you should check with your health care specialist and find out which foods you should incorporate into your diet. While I was undergoing chemo most of the foods I have listed above were off limits. Cancer is a fast growing cell. While you are undergoing chemo you are targeting those cells. You are killing them and unfortunately, in the process, killing good fast growing cells too. You want to maximize the effectiveness of your chemo cocktail. The foods discussed above are best eaten when your chemo has ended and you are rebuilding your strength.
Always listen to your doctor. Together you are collaborating for your survival and good health.
Sunday
Look Better Feel Better
A huge trememndous thank you goes out to two lovely ladies, Mary and Miriam, who took time out of their very busy lives to share their experience with me. They introduced me to an awesome program, "Look Good Feel Better".
"Look Good…Feel Better is a free, non-medical, brand-neutral, national public service program founded in 1989 and supported by corporate donors to help women offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment."
Mary and Miriam had participated in the program in their area. It is currently offered in all 50 states. The video below describes the program better than I can.
On the "Look Good Feel Better" site,(see link to the left), you will also find specific videos that deal with individual beauty issues. I am grateful to Mary and Miriam for sharing. Please remember if you have any tips to share please e-mail me at mzdavinci@aol.com Let's help each other. Each cancer journey is unique however sharing we can assist one another with our various challenges.
"Look Good…Feel Better is a free, non-medical, brand-neutral, national public service program founded in 1989 and supported by corporate donors to help women offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment."
Mary and Miriam had participated in the program in their area. It is currently offered in all 50 states. The video below describes the program better than I can.
On the "Look Good Feel Better" site,(see link to the left), you will also find specific videos that deal with individual beauty issues. I am grateful to Mary and Miriam for sharing. Please remember if you have any tips to share please e-mail me at mzdavinci@aol.com Let's help each other. Each cancer journey is unique however sharing we can assist one another with our various challenges.
Saturday
Sometimes it feels like it is just too much.
It's okay to acknowledge that sometimes you are overwhelmed. As you will see below, even Mother Teresa felt that way.
"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."
Erma Bombeck
"Have you ever felt that even though you're taking things "one day at a time" it's about 24 hours more than you can take?"
Barbara Johnson
"I know God won't give me anything I cannot handle. Sometimes I just wish that he did not trust me so much."
Mother Teresa
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Sometimes the only thing in life that makes sense is chocolate."
Unknown
"Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise. Success in many cases is failure turned inside out. The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity. Eliminate the negative attitude and believe you can do anything. Replace "If I can, I hope, maybe" with I can, I will, I must."
Mary Kay
"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
Unknown
"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."
Erma Bombeck
"Have you ever felt that even though you're taking things "one day at a time" it's about 24 hours more than you can take?"
Barbara Johnson
"I know God won't give me anything I cannot handle. Sometimes I just wish that he did not trust me so much."
Mother Teresa
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Sometimes the only thing in life that makes sense is chocolate."
Unknown
"Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise. Success in many cases is failure turned inside out. The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity. Eliminate the negative attitude and believe you can do anything. Replace "If I can, I hope, maybe" with I can, I will, I must."
Mary Kay
"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
Unknown
Tuesday
Flatulence is a fancy word for gas.
Chemotherapy often disrupts digestion contributing to abdominal pain, cramping and flatulence. Breathe deeply and try to relax when you experience stomach cramps or get gas.
You need to know it is also okay to burp or fart. It will release pressure and you will feel so much better afterwards. Don't try to hold it in. Normally burps and farts are not socially acceptable. Acceptable or not let it rip! You can always excuse yourself politely afterwards. It isn't good for your health to keep the gas bottled up inside.
There are things you can do to help ease the cramps, pain and build-up of gas. Take your medication with a little food unless you have been specifically instructed to take it on an empty stomach. Don't smoke or drink alcohol as both can irritate your stomach. Avoid spicy, sugary sweet, or greasy fried foods. Slowly eat small meals throughout the day instead of gulping down a couple of large ones. Take note of what works. Identifying what makes the situation better or worse is a "trial and error" process.
Please contact your doctor if your abdomen swells suddenly and feels rigid. Or if you have severe pain or incessant cramping. Or if there is blood in your vomit or stools. It is important that you keep an on-going dialogue with your medical team. The information here and on other websites should only compliment the information you are receiving from the medical team who knows your specific case history and circumstance.
I confess I was concerned that when my chemo treatments were over burping and farting may have become second nature to me and I would lose all sense of decorum and etiquette. Happily that isn't the case. I am in control now just as I ever was. The gas pain is gone. My digestion is improving everyday. Of course, I am human so there is the occasional oops!
If you're a female reading this, let me add that you may find that the men in your life will smile with pride when you "trumpet". Strange but true. I can't explain it. I think it is a guy thing. If you are a man reading this, please recognize that although I encourage you to release your gas build-up from your cancer treatments, I'm not suggesting you have carte' blanche to cut loose forever and ever (smile).
You need to know it is also okay to burp or fart. It will release pressure and you will feel so much better afterwards. Don't try to hold it in. Normally burps and farts are not socially acceptable. Acceptable or not let it rip! You can always excuse yourself politely afterwards. It isn't good for your health to keep the gas bottled up inside.
There are things you can do to help ease the cramps, pain and build-up of gas. Take your medication with a little food unless you have been specifically instructed to take it on an empty stomach. Don't smoke or drink alcohol as both can irritate your stomach. Avoid spicy, sugary sweet, or greasy fried foods. Slowly eat small meals throughout the day instead of gulping down a couple of large ones. Take note of what works. Identifying what makes the situation better or worse is a "trial and error" process.
Please contact your doctor if your abdomen swells suddenly and feels rigid. Or if you have severe pain or incessant cramping. Or if there is blood in your vomit or stools. It is important that you keep an on-going dialogue with your medical team. The information here and on other websites should only compliment the information you are receiving from the medical team who knows your specific case history and circumstance.
I confess I was concerned that when my chemo treatments were over burping and farting may have become second nature to me and I would lose all sense of decorum and etiquette. Happily that isn't the case. I am in control now just as I ever was. The gas pain is gone. My digestion is improving everyday. Of course, I am human so there is the occasional oops!
If you're a female reading this, let me add that you may find that the men in your life will smile with pride when you "trumpet". Strange but true. I can't explain it. I think it is a guy thing. If you are a man reading this, please recognize that although I encourage you to release your gas build-up from your cancer treatments, I'm not suggesting you have carte' blanche to cut loose forever and ever (smile).
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