Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Idea go
I was so inspired by this lovely story – a portrait of a breast cancer survivor named Victoria Behm, who is a NYC artist. She was diagnosed at the age of 57 with the exact same kind of breast cancer I had.
She made an illustrated notebook of her nine-month journey through breast cancer treatment – see her whole story HERE, along with some of her amazing artwork. I loved this story because it brought such an element of personal triumph over her breast cancer diagnosis. I loved her artwork (some of it will make you laugh, especially slide 9) and I especially loved that she’s a survivor.
Enjoy the story and for those of you actively fighting this disease, remember the words of Winston Churchill:
“If you’re going through hell, KEEP GOING“!!!!!!
I send my love to everyone taking this journey right now. If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com) and I’ll do my utmost to keep you informed and empowered on your healing journey… and beyond.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and markuso
Chemo Brain Is The Real Deal (and What To Do About It)
Anyone going through chemotherapy understands the term “chemo brain” very well. A friend currently undergoing chemotherapy laughingly described it as: “It’s the drugs causing your brain function to go to hell in a hand basket!”
Around 2008, US researchers finally identified what might be going on. They reported that the common chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can kill certain stem cells and their progeny that are responsible for producing the myelin sheath (the part of your brain that allows proper transmission of signals within the brain).
It can also be caused by some medications such as antibiotics, corticosteriods, and drugs that treat cancer related symptoms. The anemia that results from some types of chemotherapy can also be responsible, as well as nutritional deficiences in iron, folic acid, and vitamin B.
So it’s not your imagination! How annoying is it though? It’s like your brain just can’t get there – you know you used to know the answer but it’s just out of reach right now.
Fortunately, complementary and alternative medicine have some remedies for us.
Here are 6 of the Best Remedies for Chemo Brain
- Aromatherapy: essential oils of frankincense, sandalwood, bergamot, lemon, orange, peppermint, and tangerine can be very helpful for those undergoing chemotherapy. These were my favorites and still are. You can diffuse them, inhale them directly from the bottle or put them on pulse points and breathe deeply! One of the ways they assist is by bringing more oxygen into your body and brain and clearing the synapses of chemical residues.
- Yoga: yoga supports the body, mind, and spirit for people affected by cancer, both during and after treatments. The practice of yoga offers physical, psychological, and spiritual support to the whole person.
- Bodywork: massage, reflexology and acupressure are all wonderful to help relieve symptoms of chemo brain – they increase your circulation, help you relax and detox a little from the drugs.
- Herbal teas: try teas with citrus, peppermint (also nice for the digestive system), frankincense, and/or rosemary.
- Supplements: consult a naturopath or qualified integrative cancer provider, for improved brain functions. Integrative cancer providers assess each patient individually and identify specific supplements.
- Imagery: imagery is the use of your imagination to visualize things you want to bring about in your life. Imagery for cancer patients (among many other benefits) helps to prevent or reduce nausea from chemotherapy drugs, it also helps with creativity and problem-solving abilities.
So get out there and try some new things and get rid of that chemo brain!
Need more information on any of the ideas presented here? CONTACT ME.
If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com). When you’re in a desperate situation, you need an ally. You can depend on me to help you through this.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and David Castillo
Toxic Chemicals Found in Babies: 8 Ways to Protect Them (and You)
If you know some who’s pregnant, please tell them about this blog post today.
A recent post on the website for the Environmental Working Group (“EWG”) confirmed that laboratory tests commissioned by the EWG have, for the first time, detected bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic component and synthetic estrogen (known as “xenoestrogen”), in the umbilical cord blood of American infants. 9 out of 10 Tested Had BPA. This is a crying shame! Here is a link to that article.
According to the Health page at msn.com: “BPA is the main building block of polycarbonate plastic, a hard plastic widely used to make kitchen utensils, food storage containers, travel mugs, and water bottles. BPA is also a main component of the epoxy linings found in metal food and beverage cans. The problem: Polycarbonate plastics can leach BPA into our food and beverages. Heat, acid, alcohol, harsh detergents, age, and microwaving can also exacerbate the release of BPA, says Frederick vom Saal, a biology professor and BPA researcher at the University of Missouri. Because their reproductive organs are still developing, fetuses, infants, and children are especially vulnerable to synthetic estrogens in BPA. This means pregnant women and kids can benefit from reduced exposure to BPA. Reproductive-aged women may also want to be careful.”
While BPA may be impossible to completely eradicate from your life, here are 8 ways to reduce exposure:
1. Don’t store foods in plastic. Glass food storage containers are quite safe and there are plenty of wonderful Pyrex containers on the market. Just make sure you wash the plastic lids by hand.
2. Limit the use of canned foods and beverages. The epoxy liners of metal food and beverage cans most likely contain BPA. If you can, especially avoid buying canned foods that are acid (tomatoes, tomato-based soups, citrus products, and acidic beverages like colas) and canned alcoholic beverages, since acids and alcohols can worsen the leaching of BPA. Many foods and beverages can be purchased in glass containers (think beer, olive oil, and tomato paste).
3. Give up your plastic travel mug. Instead, choose an unlined stainless steel travel mug. This is especially important when transporting hot beverages, like coffee or tea.
4. Filter drinking and cooking water. Detectable levels of BPA have been found in municipal drinking water, so using a reverse osmosis and carbon filter is wise. They can generally can be found for less than $200.
5. Filter your shower and tub water. The problem with BPA is that it can easily be absorbed through the skin. BPA can be removed from the water by adding ceramic filters to shower heads and tubs. Just be sure to change them regularly.
6. Limit use of hard plastic water bottles. Many of those light-weight plastic bottles we use when hiking are made of polycarbonate plastic. Better to choose a stainless steel AND unlined water bottle as that plastic lining might contain BPA.
7. Minimize hard plastics in the kitchen. Hard plastic spatulas, spoons, measuring cups and colanders regularly come into contact with both food and heat. Better to replace them with wooden, metal, or glass alternatives.
8. Avoid the office water cooler. Unfortunately, those hard plastic jugs that many companies use to provide their employees and customers with “pure” water are usually made of BPA-containing polycarbonate.
I know all of this seems like a lot to take in, and more than annoying to implement. But it’s worth doing: BPA has been implicated in a lengthening list of serious chronic disorders, including cancer, cognitive and behavioral impairments, endocrine system disruption, reproductive and cardiovascular system abnormalities, diabetes, asthma and obesity.
Especially for pregnant women: Keep taking that folic acid. Not only does it help prevent birth defects, it may also help protect a developing fetus from the effects of the BPA you may inadvertently come into contact with even if you take steps to reduce exposure.
If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com). When you’re in a desperate situation, you need an ally. You can depend on me to help you through this.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Felixco
I don’t know about you, but I don’t wake up every day thinking it’s going to be a great day. Some days, I am just not feelin’ the love! In fact, some days, more than anything I just want want to hide out under my sheets. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen to me very often. When it does, though, I usually go to my shelf of inspirational books and find one that resonates with me on that day.
Which is how I came to today’s topic: Gratitude. The book I picked up was “Simple Abundance” by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It’s one of my favorite books and often helps me to get out of an undesirable place in my head. I was feeling trapped in a place of lack – you know what I mean, that place where you hunger for more (whether it be more money, more love, more peace, more work…). The book offered me this bit of advice and I wish to share it with you today.
When we surrender our desire for MORE of whatever it is we are wishing for and begin to be grateful for whatever we have and truly appreciate all of our blessings, we are really opening our eyes to what’s around us.
It helps to make an inventory of your life’s assets: your pets, work, your health, partner, roof over your head, food on the table, friends. Think about how each blesses your life. Grow your list from there: the flowers in your garden, the way chocolate melts on your tongue, or how the beach sand squeaks beneath your bare toes. Once I traveled to a place where running water inside the home was a luxury most couldn’t afford, so I even include “running water” on my list of blessings! Notice and appreciate each day’s gifts, then pause for a moment and give thanks for them.
Sarah Ban Breathnach reminds us: “Know that your personal net worth cannot possibly be determined by your bank account balance. Be open to exchanging your need for emotional and financial security for serenity.”
May you feel the serenity and gratitude of this perfect day.
If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com). When you’re in a desperate situation, you need an ally. You can depend on me to help you through this.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net & Ambro
Healing your body when you are trying to overcome any major illness can be a full-time job in itself and one you never asked for. Juicing, meditation, a doctor’s visit, yoga, a handful of supplements, family duties, cooking, and possibly even squeezing in a few hours of work can lead to a major case of overwhelm.
What To Do With A Case Of “The Overwhelms”
How on earth is one supposed to manage it all without completely losing it or making yourself sicker than you already are? One option is to ignore the requisite self-care and go on with life as usual. This may work for some, but usually not for very long. Another option is to try to do it all at once, but there’s more than a good chance of getting overwhelmed from all of your healing tasks along with your family and career obligations.
When I was healing up from surgery for breast cancer, I was extremely fortunate that I had a good network of friends who helped me a little with cooking and cleaning so that my husband could go out and work and keep the household afloat. Once I was healed, however, and everyone went back to their normal lives I did go through a case of overwhelming “HOW DO I DO ALL OF THIS?”. I did eventually find a way between overwhelm and completely ignoring my illness. I found a way that honors the healing process without having it consume or define your life. Here are some of those lessons.
1. Begin slowly. While you might be tempted to try all of the healing methods you are interested in at once, I don’t advise that. For one thing, you won’t know which one is working the best! Instead, start with the thing that you know in your heart will help you the most. Build up to a few more things. Start with juicing or meditation and see how you do with them. Then you can add yoga or Reiki or some form of bodywork later on. Baby steps for now.
2. Know that self-care is a project. It might not be where you want to be in your life at this moment, but put it on your list of things to do. Not just doctor’s appointments but everything – juicing, essential oils, yoga, reading – everything you consider important for your healing process. Make sure your healing plan is at the top of your list, because really – what’s more important right now? Self-care and self-love must be front and center of everything you do. If, in the past, you have taken care of everyone else first let your illness mark the end of that notion. You must come first. Now I’m not saying that your work and your children aren’t important. But if you are sick or too tired, you won’t be much help to them. There’s a reason they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first!
3. Plan ahead and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Now that your healing tasks are on your to-do list, feel great about that! But don’t be surprised if you still feel overwhelmed. Now you need to break down the tasks, plan them out and ask for help when you need it. For instance, if you want to make a green juice every morning but there isn’t time for that, on a Sunday afternoon you and your family could clean and cut and prepare all of the produce for the week. Put enough for a day in each of 7 separate bags. Each morning, grab a bag, juice the contents and get yourself out the door.
4. You can make healing fun. I was living in a hot climate when I went through breast cancer. The thought of wearing a wig was abhorrent so I bought some beautiful scarves and learned to make beautiful dangly earrings and that was my fun look. You could try a Thai massage. Maybe even practice yoga in the buff. Instead of going to the gym, stay at home and do some Bollywood dancing in your underwear. Be creative!
5. Make healing sacred. When you’re doing something you aren’t crazy about doing (like sitting through a session of chemotherapy or radiation or yet another scan…) make those moments sacred. Take a deep breath. Burn a candle or put on a relaxing sacred CD. As you’re going through those treatments, imagine it to be a golden light moving through your body and going directly to the source of your illness and completely eradicating it. Not only does this take the dread out of these tasks, you also incorporate the power of guided imagery, which can boost the effects of the treatment.
6. Be nice to yourself. Be aware that on any given week or day, you might not have time to do something you’d intended to do. You might be too tired to take that walk. You might completely forget that afternoon’s vitamins. No worries! Don’t beat yourself up about it. In fact, expect it to happen, because it will. Don’t worry about it. Just do it the next day. I will, however, offer a word of caution. It is really important to create boundaries around the things you consider to be the most important. Those are the ones that will set your healing back big time if you can’t do them. Do your best to make sure the important things happen and then don’t worry over the other ones.
I found these 6 things helped me so much and in fact I still do many of the things I considered to be the most healing. I have to thank the website of crazysexylife.com for the inspiration of writing this article and for reminding me of the things I did that helped me so much. I hope they help you too. May your healing journey be amazing.
I send my love to everyone taking this journey right now. If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com) and I’ll do my utmost to keep you informed and empowered on your healing journey… and beyond.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net & adamr
If Stress Is Driving YOU Crazy,,,
First of all, take a deep breath. Now, keep reading.
Anyone going through a prolonged period of stress will tell you it’s no fun. Whether it be job related or due to a relationship, illness or even just one very bad day, stress can create situations you just want (and need) to get out of.
The problem with prolonged stress is that it can wreck your health. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia, immune related disorders, asthma, ulcers, digestive disorders, migraines, backaches, even cancer can all be related to unmitigated stress.
For myself, a prolonged period of poorly managed stress led to my breast cancer diagnosis. I’m not saying that stress caused my cancer, because I know that’s not true. But I’m positive that it undermined my immune system and probably helped to open the door.
Meditation Offers a Calming Solution.
Take heart – meditation offers a calming solution.
Buddhism tells us that we can’t change what happens to us, we can only change how we react to it.
By meditating only when you feel stressed – well at least you’re finding a way to cope with the stress and that’s a wonderful start. By meditating each and every day, however, you are finding ways to train your brain so that when stressful things occur, you actually can change the way you react to it and the outcome of the stress can be quite different.
I have recently heard that kindergarten children are being taught how to meditate now and I think that’s absolutely fantastic. But more than anything else meditation is being used as a personal growth device these days—for instilling a more positive attitude into our lives.
Learning meditation was one of the best things I did for myself when going through breast cancer. It helped me cope during those times when I wasn’t coping well, it helped me through all of the medical tests and chemotherapy. It’s a very powerful thing to do for yourself. Just Google the words “meditation benefits” and you’ll get all the information on this subject you’re ever likely to need!
Update 2/4/2013 Because of the fact that so many of my subscribers live in areas that do not offer meditation classes, I have put together my own meditation course for you. Here is more information about it. You can also join my new Facebook page on meditation (search for “Change Your Life Meditation”).
If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com). When you’re in a desperate situation, you need an ally. You can depend on me to help you through this.
Photo courtesy of rgbstock.com and kodakgold
Yes, it’s true – washing your hair CAN make you stupid AND sick!
The Dirt On Personal Care Products
Research suggests that your shampoo may be washing away more than dirt. An ingredient found in some soaps and shampoos might actually be affecting your memory and giving you a higher risk of cancer.
The research centers around an ingredient found in shampoos, soaps and other products we use to keep clean. It’s called DEA (stands for diethanolamine), a chemical widely used in shampoos, lotions, creams and other cosmetics. It provides a rich lather in shampoos and keeps a favorable consistency in lotions and creams.
DEA, TEA and Brain Health
Dr Steven Zeisel of the University of North Carolina School of Public Health (Chapel Hill) has uncovered evidence in mice that suggests DEA and TEA (similar chemical, triethanolamine) seep through the skin and block the brain’s ability to absorb choline, a key nutrient that plays a crucial role in the memory cell making process in the developing brain. Low choline levels in the brain causes problems with memory and mental acuity, especially for babies. The UNC research is using the same amounts of DEA that most of us would get if we shampooed our hair a couple of times per week.
According to preventcancer.com, “DEA by itself is not harmful but while sitting on the store shelves or in your cabinet at home, DEA can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), “There is sufficient evidence of a carcinogenic effect of N-nitrosodiethanolamine — .”
Why Isn’t DEA Regulated By The FDA?
Because the cosmetics industry is the least regulated industry under the jurisdiction of the FDA.
The FDA can make recommendations but it has very little power to enforce them. In 1979 the FDA ordered industry to eliminate NDEA from their products. In 1992, the FDA tested 12 products for NDEA contamination and found that 8 of them still contained this potent carcinogen. While levels have been reduced, there is still an avoidable risk of cancer when nitrosamine contaminated products are used. Even small amounts of this potent carcinogen can increase the risk of cancer.
It’s Up To Us To Be Proactive (What Else Is New?)
So – as usual, it’s buyer beware! Go to your bathroom and check out your shampoos, lotions, deodorants and toss them out if this stuff is in them! Most supermarket shampoos and lotions have DEA in them. Doesn’t that make you mad? If you want more information on safe cosmetics, click here
If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com). When you’re in a desperate situation, you need an ally. You can depend on me to help you through this..
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and imagery majestic
Very quick post today – I just want to share with you this YouTube video on the benefits of Raindrop Technique, a specific massage technique employing essential oils.
I won’t waste your time telling you how wonderful this technique is – just watch the video, it only takes 3 minutes! CLICK HERE.
I had this done for me after I finished my chemotherapy treatments – I was doing a few things to help my body detox from all of those nasty chemicals. I can highly recommend it, it’s utterly divine.
If you need help finding someone in your area who does Raindrop Technique, contact me. I’ll do my best to help you.
If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com). When you’re in a desperate situation, you need an ally. You can depend on me to help you through this.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and zirconicusso
A new video by Kris Carr shows the benefits of juicers for fighting cancer. Kris is someone I really admire and appreciate. She is a cancer thriver, acclaimed author, and has her own website “Crazy Sexy Life”.
Kris’s video appeared recently on the TV program “The Revolution” and she shares her favorite juicing recipe and shows you how it’s done. Click here to see her video, it is well worth your time!
Juicing is something so easy to do for yourself, yet has so many wonderful health benefits (particularly if you have cancer), I highly recommend it. Watch the video to see why it’s so important.
I’ll even share with you my absolute favorite juicer, you can even buy it from this link and it’s a great price. Your purchases help to fund this blog and keep this information out there for the benefit of all.
Fantastic video, thanks to Kris and thanks to You Tube for the video.
If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com). When you’re in a desperate situation, you need an ally. You can depend on me to help you through this.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and graur razvan ionut
About Cancer and Emotions: Regret Lowers Your Immunity
The Huffington Post today added to our knowledge base about cancer and emotions and how interrelated they are.
According to a study done by Montreal’s Concordia University, the distressing feelings that come with experiencing regret can have a negative impact on your immune system.
Not too surprising! For myself, prior to my breast cancer diagnosis, I was all too aware that I was under a super-abundance of stress and not handling it well at all. Negative emotions like worry, fear, unremitting anger, an inability to forgive someone – quite simply, they are all toxic.
Experienced for long enough they can depress your immune system, the very thing you need to keep disease at bay or overcome it.
What to do about it? Well, quite simply you have to do what works for you. According to livescience.com, if you are able to get in touch with your emotions (name them), you can tame them, according to new research that covers the benefits of meditation and may help to discover why meditation works.
“Brain scans show that putting negative emotions into words calms the brain’s emotion center. That could explain meditation’s purported emotional benefits, because people who meditate often label their negative emotions in an effort to ‘let them go.’ Psychologists have long believed that people who talk about their feelings have more control over them, but they don’t know why it works.”
So you must do what works for you, whether it be talking with your psychiatrist, your best friend, or spending some time in reflective meditation. Don’t know how to meditate? Want some help? I’ve created a downloadable how-to-meditate course specifically for cancer patients.
If you would like my help with getting through breast cancer in an inspiring and ultra-healthy way, please sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com) and I’ll do my utmost to keep you informed and empowered on your healing journey… and beyond.
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