www.cancerrecovery.org
www.oncolink.org
hold yourself accountable for an in-depth knowledge of your treatment.
The first link is pretty good. Lots of outdated links though. I signed up for a daily devotional that will be emailed to me every day.
The second is better. Loads of info. Lots of reading.
Friday, February 19, 2010
February 18, 2010
1. Examine. Sept back from the day to day pressures of life to evaluate your current situation in its entirety.
2. Discover. Assess both current life issues that must be changed and well as future needs that must be met.
3. Plan. Create a plan to restore health and total well being.
4. Implement. Work in partnership with health advisers who have your confidence. Begin a self-care plan that creates whole-person well-being.
5. Review. Conduct quarterly reviews of your progress, making adjustments as necessary.
I will address these at the beginning of march after I've looked into things a bit more and familiarized myself with the book...
2. Discover. Assess both current life issues that must be changed and well as future needs that must be met.
3. Plan. Create a plan to restore health and total well being.
4. Implement. Work in partnership with health advisers who have your confidence. Begin a self-care plan that creates whole-person well-being.
5. Review. Conduct quarterly reviews of your progress, making adjustments as necessary.
I will address these at the beginning of march after I've looked into things a bit more and familiarized myself with the book...
#4- Get 2 second opinions
February 17, 2010
#4- Get 2 second opinions
-look for someone at a different hospital or part of a different multi-disciplinary team
I researched a doctor at PMH, and I am trying to get a referral to see her. I know she is somewhat affiliated with Dr. Covens, in that they both send patients to the same clinical trial and are probably part of some city wide gyn onc stuff. Still another patient who had Dr. Covens and switched to this doctor had a much better fit and experience with the second.
I also think I may call the Rosewell centre again in Buffalo. Rochelle recommended that I go there for another opinion. I should call there again and find out how much it would cost for them to review my history and recommend a course of treatment? If it’s say 500 or less. I think I’ll do it!
#4- Get 2 second opinions
-look for someone at a different hospital or part of a different multi-disciplinary team
I researched a doctor at PMH, and I am trying to get a referral to see her. I know she is somewhat affiliated with Dr. Covens, in that they both send patients to the same clinical trial and are probably part of some city wide gyn onc stuff. Still another patient who had Dr. Covens and switched to this doctor had a much better fit and experience with the second.
I also think I may call the Rosewell centre again in Buffalo. Rochelle recommended that I go there for another opinion. I should call there again and find out how much it would cost for them to review my history and recommend a course of treatment? If it’s say 500 or less. I think I’ll do it!
#3- Questions to ask your doctor
February 17, 2010
(or ask at second opinion, which I will do)
1- precisely what type of cancer do i have?
2- where has the cancer spread?
3- what tests did you use to determine diagnosis
4- may i have a copy of pathology report?
5- is there any indication that a second (or another) pathology report is needed?
6- are you going to recommend any additional tests? if so, what? why?
7- how certain are you that the diagnosis is correct?
8- what are my treatment options?
9- which one(s) do you recommend?
10- whom would you recommend for a second opinion?
(or ask at second opinion, which I will do)
1- precisely what type of cancer do i have?
2- where has the cancer spread?
3- what tests did you use to determine diagnosis
4- may i have a copy of pathology report?
5- is there any indication that a second (or another) pathology report is needed?
6- are you going to recommend any additional tests? if so, what? why?
7- how certain are you that the diagnosis is correct?
8- what are my treatment options?
9- which one(s) do you recommend?
10- whom would you recommend for a second opinion?
#2- take charge
February 16, 2010
-too many cancer patients surrender leadership to their cancer recovery program
-take charge
-build up a strong team of players for your cancer recovery team
thinking about my team. i have some great people. some of whom i’d like to see more (weekly): meg and daniel... or more regularly at least. some of whom i’d like to replace (dr. covens). i need to send out some emails now.
-too many cancer patients surrender leadership to their cancer recovery program
-take charge
-build up a strong team of players for your cancer recovery team
thinking about my team. i have some great people. some of whom i’d like to see more (weekly): meg and daniel... or more regularly at least. some of whom i’d like to replace (dr. covens). i need to send out some emails now.
#1 Stop "Awfulizing"
February 15, 2010
-don’t mentally take this to its worst possible conclusion
-when you start to feel anxious emotions arising inside, try to just witness them, as an observer. by not engaging in the mind battle, by watching the emotions and letting them go, panic will soon subside
-develop a system, even something simple like: “hey mr. fear, i don’t want you in my life... get outta’ here!!” and replace that thought with a prayer of gratitude like: “thank you God for giving me long life”
-don’t mentally take this to its worst possible conclusion
-when you start to feel anxious emotions arising inside, try to just witness them, as an observer. by not engaging in the mind battle, by watching the emotions and letting them go, panic will soon subside
-develop a system, even something simple like: “hey mr. fear, i don’t want you in my life... get outta’ here!!” and replace that thought with a prayer of gratitude like: “thank you God for giving me long life”
Thursday, February 18, 2010
February 14, 2010
Strategy #1 Medical Treatment
-most survivors interviewed did some conventional medical therapy
-most survivors were active in pursuing doctors who they had confidence in
-most survivors got lots of information and really researched to determine whether or not they should pursue a particular treatment option
-most survivors used other “medical” therapies too, acupuncture, naturopaths, holistic healers, osteopaths, etc.
**I need to get a referral to another doctor other than doctor covens
**I need to do more research into my own treatment options
Strategy #2 Nutrition
-most common nutritional shifts: whole foods, foods low in sodium and sugar and fat, emphasis on fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains, pure water
-single greatest dietary shift, less-processed things: if it’s bottled, boxed, or canned the food should come under immediate suspicion
-vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements widely consumed by survivors, however new research shows diet modification is more important
**drink more water (much more)
**re-evaluate if I can get any of the supplements via nutrition (ask Naturopath)
Strategy #3 Exercise
-survivors engage in some form of physical activity every day, or almost every day
Strategy #4 Attitude
-survivors believe they will survive
-choose beliefs about illness and wellness that empower
-most fundamental belief: cancer ≠ death
-many survivors change doctors in search of those who can be trusted and meet their expectations
**get referral to new doctor
**work on attitude/mental game re: beating cancer
Stratgey #5 Support
-relationships: survivors invest time and emotional energy in relationships that nurture
-survivors invest less time/limit time with people who are toxic
-survivors have one person, at least one person, with whom they can share everything without fear of judgement, this is a powerful elixir
Strategy #6 Spiritual
-survivors tend to be reborn spiritually during the process and it essentially changes who they are forever
-they ask different questions and live different
February 13, 2010
Questions to determine: what is the state of my holistic well being?
Physical:
Do I truly practice high nutritional intelligence? yes.
Do I exercise each day? just about. generally.
Do I seek health guidance from competent health guides. yes. many.
Attitude:
Do I balance time for myself with time for others? yes. truly. for the first time in my life, yes.
Do I allow time for play or am I a workaholic? time for play!
Do I ask others for help or must I always go it alone? ask. getting better at asking.
Emotional:
Do I feel free to express my feelings or do I keep a stiff upper lip? Working on it with Dr. Yeung and meditating and prayer. I know I need to get better at this.
Do I possess an awareness of my dominant emotional style? no.
Do I understand how to choose and manage my emotions? no
Social:
Do I feel a close connection with others? most definately.
Do I both give and receive attention? yes.
Do I have someone with whom I can share everything. yes. a few people.
Spiritual:
Do I have a sense of the divine? yes.
Do I have an intimate connection with the divine. yes. working on it too.
Do I know what to do to strengthen my spiritual connection? yes. trying to be disciplined in this too.
Physical:
Do I truly practice high nutritional intelligence? yes.
Do I exercise each day? just about. generally.
Do I seek health guidance from competent health guides. yes. many.
Attitude:
Do I balance time for myself with time for others? yes. truly. for the first time in my life, yes.
Do I allow time for play or am I a workaholic? time for play!
Do I ask others for help or must I always go it alone? ask. getting better at asking.
Emotional:
Do I feel free to express my feelings or do I keep a stiff upper lip? Working on it with Dr. Yeung and meditating and prayer. I know I need to get better at this.
Do I possess an awareness of my dominant emotional style? no.
Do I understand how to choose and manage my emotions? no
Social:
Do I feel a close connection with others? most definately.
Do I both give and receive attention? yes.
Do I have someone with whom I can share everything. yes. a few people.
Spiritual:
Do I have a sense of the divine? yes.
Do I have an intimate connection with the divine. yes. working on it too.
Do I know what to do to strengthen my spiritual connection? yes. trying to be disciplined in this too.
February 12, 2010
“Two paths are before you. One is marked by the road signs of passivity and despair; the other by the guideposts of engagement and hope. You have a choice. Please choose hope.”
Oh I have. I love hope. I don’t think there is such a thing as false hope. I have decided to live and to put all of me into living and being well. I am more determined now than ever. And I have more to live for now than I ever have before.
Oh I have. I love hope. I don’t think there is such a thing as false hope. I have decided to live and to put all of me into living and being well. I am more determined now than ever. And I have more to live for now than I ever have before.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A Journey Begins
Some things I liked in the introduction:
"Know this: a recurrence does not equate with certain death. What you do does make a difference."
"2 years is a reasonable time frame with which to work towards health and recovery."
-not a quick fix, but a process
education.
empowerment.
encouragement.
He was told he had 30 days to live in 1984. He is still alive, and cancer free.
I will beat this. I will heal. I will create and recreate wellness.
"Know this: a recurrence does not equate with certain death. What you do does make a difference."
"2 years is a reasonable time frame with which to work towards health and recovery."
-not a quick fix, but a process
education.
empowerment.
encouragement.
He was told he had 30 days to live in 1984. He is still alive, and cancer free.
I will beat this. I will heal. I will create and recreate wellness.
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