Tag: Cancer

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Meditation – Get It Right

I received emails with questions about various topics I’ve discussed on the Health and Wellness Show that have a similar inquiry – Meditation.

Does it seem like everyone else who meditates and talks about the benefits have it together? Well, the truth is, I talk about meditation and how great it is. However, it took me quite some time to get it right – well, I am actually a work in progress. I have heard about the benefits of meditation by many successful people and even more importantly, I have seen references to meditation in the bible. Needless to say, I decided that I would go for it. My family was alerted to my plan and they knew that I was not to be disturbed unless the house was on fire.

I would go into my room, turn the lights off, sit on the floor with my feet folded in front and my eyes closed. I sit and begin to clear my mind, listen to my breathing and try to center myself – sounds impressive? Well, far from it. I find that even though I am doing all the things I am supposed to do, I am distracted by the silence. I am thinking of dinner, my tasks, my goals, etc. I would sit there and then force myself not to think of those thoughts and try to block out the thoughts and focus on nothing. What is nothing? How do you focus on nothing? I try to blank it all out and by the time I think I have found that space of not being distracted, I am now disappointed at myself for not getting it sooner. There’s goes my meditation.

Well, that went on for quite some time. The best thing ever was that I did not give up. Here are a few tips that I found to be helpful:

1. Give yourself time to get it right
2. Set aside 10-15 minutes to try it out every day at the same time (if you can)
3. Go into a quiet room where you wont be distracted
4. Get comfortable sit on the floor, you can turn the lights off, light a candle, or dim the
lights
5. Allow yourself to quiet your mind by focusing on a mantra – repeat it to yourself until you
are comfortable to let it go and just be still

Keep in mind that it may take up to 20 minutes before you can clear your mind into silence. By the time you achieve silence, stick with it for as long as you can. As time goes by with consistency you will master the art of meditation. Who knows, you may be getting up at 5:00 AM to meditate for an hour.

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And A Happy New Year

At this point, the years are swiftly coming and leaving us to figure out where it went and how we can ensure that this year we will be able to maximize our time. While some may make resolutions, list their goals and create vision boards, which by the way I have certainly done, I have adjusted to working on my goals until they are completed.

Photo by Arina Krasnikova

Here is a list of things that we should all do this year –

  1. Take care of your health and well-being – schedule your doctor’s visits, get a complete physical, discuss the screenings that you may need with your doctor, keep track of your diet and exercise.
  2. Make moments matter – read a book, watch a movie, sit in silence for 5 minutes, revisit that hobby, listen to your favorite music, learn a new language, call a family member, friend or an elderly person that you know just to say hello.
  3. Meditate and pray daily – the benefits of meditation and prayer are priceless.
  4. Keep a journal, jot down your thoughts and ideas as they come. No pressure to write daily. However, write it down whenever something comes to mind you do not want to lose it. You may not get to it right away but you can have a reminder in place when you look in your journal.
  5. Be intentional – with all of our best intentions, in order for these things to happen, we will need to be intentional.

Cheers to the quote “If it is to be, it is up to me.” – William Johnsen

Go Forth!

A Powerful Health Benefit – Meditation

Photo by Engin Akyurt
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A Powerful Health Benefit – Meditation

Meditation has become quite the subject of controversy. The conflicts arise in the various religious takes on the act of meditation. The bible has many references to meditation. The spiritual benefit is to experience the ultimate connection with God. However, some Christians believe that Meditation has shifted away from God and moved to the power of the self and in some cases, other Gods. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, New Age, Taoism and Jainism all embrace and promote meditation. It is an integral part of practice that they strongly believe will serve to enlighten and empower us. With respect to all religions, I would recommend mediation based on the findings of research studies that show some of the great health benefits. In fact, according to the National Institute of Health, meditation has been shown to help relieve anxiety, stress, fatigue, and improve sleep and mood, when used along with standard medical treatment for some cancer patients. Here’s a look at the benefits:

  • It leads to a deeper level of relaxation
  • Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients
  • Slows the heart rate and increases the blood flow
  • Reduces pre menstrual syndrome
  • Lowers oxygen consumption
  • Assist in chronic diseases like arthritis, allergies, etc.
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Reduces anxiety attacks
  • Builds self confidence
  • Helps keep things in perspective
  • Provides peace of mind, happiness
  • Helps you discover your purpose
  • Increased self-actualization
  • Gain compassion
  • Wisdom
  • Clearer understanding of yourself and others
  • Unites the body, mind, spirit in harmony
  • Higher level of spiritual relaxation
  • Increases acceptance of oneself
  • Helps you to learn forgiveness
  • Changes your attitude toward life

The great news is that meditation does not cost you anything but your time. It requires consistency and a quiet place, preferably the same time if possible. Some place where you can focus on being still and cleanse the mind of negative thoughts while replacing the mind with positive affirmations. Keep in mind that this will take some time as your mind is filled with many thoughts that you have held over the years that’s where consistency is key. Don’t be alarmed if you find that you are having a tough time concentrating on being still – that’s when your mind begins to distract you with thoughts (what you would like to have for dinner, something you needed to do at work, plans for an event, etc.). Keep focused on being quiet let the thoughts flush through and begin to focus on quieting the mind. You may want to repeat a line in your mind “Nothing is impossible” or “I can do all things” – something that will give you a sense of calm. The goal of meditation is to lift your spirit to another level which should sustain you even when you are up and about. Why not give it a try, it may be the best thing you have ever done. Remember, consistency is key to experience the benefits of meditation.

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Coping with Illness & Loss During the Holidays…

♪♪Tis the season to be jolly♪♪

It is that time of the year as we are reminded through the songs, the smiling faces, the decorations, the gifts and all of the parties. While, the atmosphere is in a festive mood, sadly not everyone is sharing in the joy of the season. There are families who are having a tough time during the jubilant season.

This may be the first time that everyone is gathered to spend the day as they always do except that there is something different this time, someone is obviously missing. The loss may be from a divorce, separation, military deployment, illness or death. Whatever the reason, it can affect the mood of those who are facing the holidays without their loved one.

The first Thanksgiving without my father was difficult as he was the family chef during the holidays. Our mother cooked all of the meals throughout the year – Thanksgiving and Christmas was a feast on another level. We considered having our dinner catered. We just wanted to gather together and have dinner and spend our time together as a family. While we were grateful for the years we shared with our father, we were in the midst of mourning all that he meant to us especially on a day where we looked forward to his delicious spread.

 In the case where your loved one is in the hospital, nursing home or rehabilitation facility, perhaps a visit will cheer everyone up. It will definitely make your loved one feel better knowing that they are not forgotten..

Remembering the good times is key. Memories may deliver a mixture of emotions. One moment there may be tears as you wish that your loved one could be with you all, while the next moment may be filled with laughter as you recall the happy times. Laughter is the best medicine, I know this for sure, laughter has helped us through some very tough times during the holidays. It sure takes adjusting especially in the cases where there is a permanent loss.

There is a saying ‘Time heals all wounds’ which it does. However, it takes time – some longer than others. The best way to cope is to acknowledge your feelings then allow yourself to embrace the transition of understanding that while life will never be the same, your life must go on.

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Precision Medicine and Oncology

It was 21 years ago when TIME magazine’s cover featured the promising and hope filled drug Gleevec – the revolutionary pill that will target only the diseased cells – May 28, 2001. The presentation by Dr. George Demetri posed the question, How can we best translate science into reliable effective therapy for people with cancer? The idea that cancer was once a monolithic “black box” which was able to define each type by its site of origin. Cancer found in the breast was known as breast cancer, found in the lung – lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and others were all treated with the one size fits all approach.

Moving forward, a breakthrough in identifying lung cancer for the various sub-types of cancers helped to bring forth new methods of treatments. Specific targeted therapies were developed and the evolution of cancer treatments were well on its way to making strides for the patient community.

Precision medicine is focused on what is driving the cancer. With the ability to conduct clinical research, Larotrectinib and Entrectinib, two different drugs made by two different companies, both used to treat advanced or metastatic solid tumor cancers with neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions – providing a successful outcome for the patients as the shrinking tumors helped to prolong lives.

Needless to say, with all the progress made, the challenges remain. While precision medicine is highly effective for patients, it has only benefited 20-30% of cancers. The majority of cancers do not have a single “driver”. Like viruses and other pathogens, cancer cells continue to evolve into resistant forms. The molecular diagnostics are costly, and the possibility of being misdiagnosed is still a factor. There is a need for safer drug combinations to cure more cancers.

Overall, the excitement remains high as we look to the advancements in treatment therapies being able to identify the best plan for each individual who presents with cancer. Precision medicine has created a much needed shift in making an effective and efficient mark to prolonging lives and improving or maintaining the quality of life. The patients, the advocates and caregivers are eagerly awaiting for the next breakthrough.

Presentation on Precision Medicine and Oncology by Dr. George Demetri, Boston Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, at the AACR Annual Meeting 2022, Scientist↔Survivor Program.

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Health & Wellness begins on Monday

Photo by Julia Larson

Are you one of those who will make the weekend decision to begin on Monday? “Starting on Monday I will eat healthy, exercise and try to maintain a healthy diet and weight.” Of course, there are those who will make the attempt on Monday and successfully make it through the week with their goals. However, there are some who with the best intentions fall off the track simply by eating a snack or making a food choice that they know is not the best healthy choice – using that moment to then continue to eat whatever and as much as they want with the new proclamation to begin the healthy plan again next week. There are also the office events, someone’s leaving, someone’s birthday, someone felt like bringing in a homemade pie or cookies, etc. and you certainly do not want to offend anyone so you indulge. On the other hand, it may be missing the morning run or a gym day. Whatever the situation, do not allow it to take you completely off your track.

Photo by Julia Larson

Keep in mind that you are working to improve your health and wellness. Therefore,you will need to make the necessary adjustments. So you missed a day at the gym, or you woke up late and could not go for your walk/run, you enjoyed a meal or snack that is not on your healthy plan list, the next meal should be one that is healthy. If possible, use the stairs on your way out of the office. Once you are home, plan to do some jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, and any other indoor exercises that may work for you.

Photo by Julia Larson

Good health requires consistency and it is a work in progress. The challenge is to eat healthy and maintain a well balanced diet to enjoy a healthy and prolonged life. Keep moving through the detours, you will find that you are well on your way in the right direction. It is very important to note that diet and exercise may lower your risk for cancer and here’s more on helping cancer survivors eat better and exercise more.

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Falling for Fall

As we enter into the fourth quarter of the year, we can only look back with great wonderment of what we have experienced within the last 8 months of 2020. Last year this time, we were out and about with a sense of knowing how to best navigate through our day. Whether it is going in for a cancer screening, doctor’s appointment, therapy, work, shopping or just running some simple errands – those days are long gone. We are now living in the era of a pandemic that is taking the world by it’s throat.

The new protocols are set to help us mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. While there are some people who are resisting the guidelines set by the top healthcare professionals, there is a majority of people who understand the importance of taking a unified approach to not only protect themselves but to protect others.

Fall is here and the chill is in the air. It is the time where we stay indoors more often. Families are huddled at home keeping warm. Not to mention those who live with room mates where there is limited control on the comings and goings of each person, including whom they may bring into the space. There is also the homeless shelter mixed with families and others who are also sharing a space. Why are we considering these people? We are a part of society. We travel to and from work, use the public transportation, open and close doors, shop in the stores, ride in car services, among other things. The people who have the highest risk of dying from COVID-19 are those who have pre-existing conditions. If you have cancer or even as a cancer survivor, it is important to avoid being exposed to the virus.

It is very important to make every effort to adhere to the standards of keeping a distance from others, wearing a mask, washing your hands and avoid touching your face. When you return to your living space, wash your hands. When you bring your groceries in, wipe them down with a disinfectant, wipe down the handles of the appliances, the door knobs, the faucets, any handle that is frequently used should be disinfected – including the handles on the toilet as well. I know it all seems to be a bit much but as we are still learning more about the virus each day, we cannot afford to let our guards down. With her most nurturing efforts, my mother would say – an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. If only we could all take that approach, we may be able to get through this pandemic with less fatalities than we had in the height of the Spring and Summer season.

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Cancer and Coronavirus

The challenge of cancer during a pandemic

Summer is here and what a year it has been. We are half way through the year and as it was just a mere six months ago when everyone who endured the winter season, looked forward to the warm weather and just before Spring arrived, we were faced with a terrifying virus that caused the country to ask their citizens to shelter in place while they figured out how to contain the coronavirus.

Everything changed within a matter of days. The number of cases climbed so high as hundreds of people were dying daily, then it was thousands and the hospitals were overwhelmed. New York was preparing for the worst using every resource available, including make shift hospitals in Central Park and the Jacob Javits Center. The Navy Hospital Ship Comfort came to help with the non-covid patients as the hospitals were running out of space and could not accommodate their regular level of patients.

It was just too much to take in. The news coverage was focused on hearing from the healthcare experts, while they too figured out how to address this relatively unknown monster. First, they said, just wash your hands and avoid touching your face, you’ll be just fine if you follow these simple rules. “Don’t wear a mask!” they emphasized, “Leave that to the health professionals.” We quickly learned that the advice was not enough. They initially thought it was most likely going to affect the elderly and immunocompromised – until it was not the case. The death rates were highest among the minority population, but make no mistake, people from all ages and races were dying. Yet, while all this was going on, some people pushed back and refused to take COVID-19 seriously they failed to adhere to the precautionary and safety measures. Somehow, it became about their constitutional rights.

However, for those with cancer, the concern is grave. What about the treatments? Will it affect my chance at survival? Can I go to the hospital for treatment? Will I catch the virus if I go to the hospital or my doctor’s office? How will I get there? Do I have a chance at all? Cancer patients are most vulnerable during treatment and cannot afford to be exposed to anything, not even the common cold. The body needs to work on regaining its health and as it is literally in the fight for life mode, the last thing it needs is to contract a virus, especially the coronavirus.

The plea to all is simply, wear a mask. Avoid large crowds, stay home, stay safe, try to keep your loved ones free from exposure even if you don’t feel sick or have any symptoms, you may be a carrier. In the event that you do not live with your family or have no plans to visit, be mindful that there are others who are merely trying to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

In the meantime, for the cancer patient, avoid going out unless it is absolutely necessary this summer. Stay home, wash your hands whenever you are handling anything from the outside, clean it off. Disinfect your your door knobs, the handles or the area where you open and close the refrigerator door, your toilet handle, the faucet knobs/handles, any area where others may have touched the surfaces, you want to keep your environment clean. If you have a backyard, go out and plant some flowers, vegetables or plants. Read a good book, watch some movies or binge watch your favorite shows, try out some new shows. Be creative, cook, draw, paint, bake, write, join an online group that features your favorite hobby, watch some things of interest on YouTube. Whatever it takes to keep you occupied, take this time to make the best of being indoors. Most importantly, wear a mask, even when you are home and someone comes to visit.

Summer 2020 will come and pass, make it a safe and enjoyable one.

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The Guilt of Being A Caregiver to Someone You Should Love

It can be difficult caring for a loved one who is ill – more so when the loved one shows no love

I never thought of myself as a caregiver. I just knew that I had to be there to take care of my mother. She was going through a rough time facing lung cancer, it was rough for the both of us. I am mixed with emotions. My mother and I did not have a good relationship. She was a mean woman who yelled at me as long as I can remember for just about everything. Here I am dropping everything, canceling plans with my friends, spending time with a woman who rarely showed me any love. I’m still not sure that she even loves me. I am taking her to her doctors appointments, helping her to get dressed and undressed, making sure that she has her favorite foods, spending time with her and she is still nasty and mean. She is never satisfied. She is always complaining. She wants a cigarette, I say no and she calls me an evil bitch.

My life is now filled with resentment, I want to walk away. I want to leave her, for her to see what it is like to be alone with no one there to deal with her misery. I resent that my friends try to empathize with her, suggesting that it’s because of her illness. No, it is not. If she was a nice person when I was a kid then I would understand that might be the case, but she’s such a nasty person before lung cancer. 

One night, the phone rang. I noticed that it was my mother calling, I looked at it while it rang. I am trying to decide whether I should answer her call. I am so angry at her for needing me. 

Lia Y

Caregiver

excerpt from upcoming book The Day That Changed My Life – Cancer an uncertain journey

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The Day That Changed My Life – Cancer & Marriage

Photo by Juan Pablo Arenas

Pamela and Mark’s journey

We have been married for eight years with three kids. This was my first marriage and Marks second marriage. Mark was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was a hell of a time.  Mark was scared but instead of talking about it he withdrew. There was often tension in the house. I took Mark to all of his appointments, he hardly spoke a word. I made sure that he had everything he wanted and still he never even said thanks. Mark became very cranky; the gentle soft spoken man that I had fallen in love with had become impatient especially with the kids.  It felt as though he resented us being there and I knew I had to do something about it. It was not easy, as a matter of fact; I almost did not go through with it. One night when Mark was in his office, I went in and told him that we needed to talk. I told him that he needed to change his attitude especially with the kids. Mark just stared at me and then I had to take it a bit further. I told him that I did not know him anymore; he was not the same thoughtful, kind loving or gentle man. All we wanted to do was be there for him, we all loved him and were happy to be there and do whatever we could for him. I told him that he had become cranky and that he was pushing us away and if he did not change we will go away.  

That night as we were in bed, Mark finally spoke. He told me that he was afraid. He was afraid of losing me, not being able to be there for me or the kids, he was afraid of dying.

Sometimes it’s difficult to express or share how one is feeling. Couples have shared how tough it can be trying to be a part of the process knowing that he or she can never truly feel what their loved one is going through. In some cases, the spouse, lover or partner finds the diagnosis to be too much to handle and they leave. However, there are those who really want to be there through it all. Communication is very important. Find a counselor or a support group.

(An excerpt from the upcoming book The Day That Changed My Life – cancer an uncertain journey)