‘Cancer – 50 Essential Things to Do’ is a book by Greg Anderson which I used as a guide to journal what I needed to work through in the immediate aftermath of being diagnosed with Stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer in February, 2006. By actively writing here I was able to distance myself from what was really going on. Almost like after someone you love dies; you are busy preparing the funeral so you don’t have to feel.
Eliminate Active and Passive Smoking (20):
The question is not whether you can quit.
The question is whether you will quit.
This is good for any bad habits in your life that do not promote wellness.
Willpower alone can’t do the job. A change in thinking can. Bad habits are behaviours.
Adopt This Dietary Strategy During Treatment (21):
Eat well!
There is overwhelming scientific evidence of diet’s link with cancer recovery.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Emphasize protein.
Increase food quality -- foods that are minimally processed, as close to their natural state as possible.
I will eat better than I have in my entire life.
Follow These Eat Smart Guidelines (22):
Fresh fruits and fresh vegetables are my foods of choice.
Whole grain breads and pasta.
Beans, nuts, legumes for protein.
No red meat.
Avoid high fat and sugary foods.
*I vow to eat three fruit and vegetables a day.
Replace Fluids (23):
Drink lots of fluid – at least eight glasses a day the day before, the day of, and the day after chemotherapy.
*It is an almost universal truth; people with cancer are dehydrated. Water is the most potent defense you have against cancer. The environment your cells live in is not blood, it is fluid.
Drink eight cups of water a day.
Know Why You’re Eating (24):
Linking diet to emotional fulfillment is dangerous territory.
*Don’t look at changing your diet as something you have to do. Look at changing your diet as something you get to do!
Distinguish between a food craving, which is a psychological need, and hunger, which is the body’s need for nourishment.
*Honour your hunger, not your craving. Eat with awareness.
Determine Your Vitamin, Mineral and Herbal Supplements (25):
During radiation it is important to have garlic.
Wahid said you can not be in denial about your own health.
Ginger tea is good for nausea.
Make Exercise Part of Your Recovery Program (26):
No matter how long it has been since you have exercised, no matter how incapacitated or confined you are, there are exercises you can do. Exercise will help you get well again.
No more excuses! Take charge. Your body will respond to your get well signals.
Get More Sleep (27):
Fatigue is part of nearly every cancer patient’s experience.
Your body is getting repaired with chemotherapy, surgery, more chemotherapy, and radiation.
Repairs demand rest.
The fact is survivors rest.
*artwork by Pamela Zagarenski
43 comments:
Are you resting my pretty???
I love you.
I love the diet part of this wonderful book. I think that this would be a wonderful attitude to adopt in my daily life.
I love the idea that people should have garlic during radiation, I didn't know that one.
Have GREAT day.
xoxoxo
Dear Renee,
don't forget to be gentle with yourself and if you want a treat here and there that's ok too.
these are good reminders for all of us, I think we are all in the same boat with things we can control(what we feed ourselves) and things we can't(getting cancer)
i don't like cancer and i don't like that it's in you, but it isn't you. you are lovely. I pray everyday that it goes away. from Renee.
♥
One look at your picture of the determined looking lady with her chin up and her sails billowing in the wind as her boat flows forward and one of my favorite quotes came to mind:
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." ~Louisa May Alcott
Blessings, dearest Renee!!
You know I believe this book is your map to wellness. I haven't disagreed with any of his advice so far. As a matter of fact I need to take heed myself!
Today is the final dumpster for the final tossing of the crap in the house. Everything will be packed by the end of the day and we'll go to paper plates and cups.
I'll just put a straw in my wine bottle ;)
We hit the open road Sunday morning.
New life, here I come.
love you. I hope today is sweet.
xoxo
Lolo
as always Renee, your sharing rings of universal truths while being uniquely and specifically powerful.
I love the closing line - to remember and honor this one thing is such a gift, "The fact is, survivors rest."
loving you, K
I so need to follow all of that. To protect what I do have...Tese posts are so insightful...and give such great information to use everyday...
Sonia xoxoxo
I hope you are resting and getting many, many glasses of water. It's interesting how they said "no red meat"...I'm a vegan, so that wouldn't be a problem, but hubby would say, "Not even organic??" and shudder, I am sure, if he saw that, lol.
Hugs and prayers,
Meg xoxo
This is a great book my friend. I hope you are getting your rest. Rest is very important.
I am the most happiest and sobby girl today! Yes, I did need the tissues. Every little gift within this parcel was more special than christmas. A total suprize. Guess what, It is my birthday tomorrow, what a brilliant day to arrive.
The moon is hanging from my dining/art room shelf. Loved them all so very much.
We have planted most of the seeds already in the front garden, it was great as it became a family activity, very special!
Thank you Renee, from the bottom of my heart! What a great suprize!
Big hoodles cuddle and kiss!
Sweetest Renee!
Thanks Renee!!! Are you having a good day today?
Love and huge hugs.
What Wahid says is always true - "We cannot be in denial about our own health"...What you said when dreaming of "W"ahid – “Watch for the lessons” is also true.
We should all live by these rules! I love Lori Ann's quote:
"I don't like cancer and i don't like that it's in you, but it isn't you. you are lovely. I pray everyday that it goes away."
I feel the same way!
Hugs,
Darla
wise words for us all. you look it fair and square in the face and i like that about you, no i love that about you girl!!
Good morning hon....I think these should be guidlines for everyone - well at least me!! ARe you being good to you my dear!! You certainly are good to me - thank you! Love, Sarah
Sounds like a wonderful book and it is so great that you share its wisdom with us :D
Thanks, Renee!
Love the drawing too :D
xox
Good grief; just reading this exhausted me. Oh Renee, try my favorite treat: frozen grapes! I am seriously addicted to them. Hello, my name is Deborah, and I am a grape addict. Sending you all my love, Deborah
Such good advice - for everyone really! I like the part about gettig lots of rest - I still can't get enough of it, it seems. And the fruits and vegs - always a good thing to do!
I didn't know about the garlic! I wonder what the reason for that is. Hope that you are well. Sending love and hugs to you.
xoxoxo
When do women ever take the time to take good care of themsselves? Most of our energy goes toward others.
Take care of you.
This is a vital and important post and I hope that you recover and savour everyday while doing so.
Pardon my ignorance, who is Wahid?
"Wahid said you can not be in denial about your own health"
Renee,
I hope you are getting enough rest! As for the eating well part, don't forget the Jeannie cake as part of your therapy. I think that foods that make you smile should be classified as essential medicine!
These are great tips for everyone Renee!
I so believe in exercise and the benefits that are derived from it!
Ginger tea.... helps me with car sickness, plane sickness and the list goes on!
Love the post! Thanks for the kind comment on my blog this morning!
Actually that's sane advice across the board don't you think? Whether you're ill or under the weather it's all about a healthy balance. Hard to do without conscious effort.It's all about being 'good' to yourself. I hope you are!
So many of these tips are good for all of us.
Each post you make from this book is so inspiring and so packed full of every-day-life truths!
This particular post, I particularly gleaned to the dietary recommendations. Again, this is a book that should be read by everyone!
Hugs,
Dear Renee,
This is good stuff! Thank you for sharing with us.
Thinking thoughts of perfect health for you!
Love,
Constance
I can so relate to about distancing oneself from what is really going on.
I try and stay busy with stuff to avoid idle time thinking ...
Thanks you so much for your supporting comments to my blog. I especially appreciate it because you have gone through what I am going through.
I love sweetened dried ginger. My mother fed me fresh ginger ale every time I was sick as a child. She was very holistic and she seldom gave us medications. We seldom got sick. I wanted to be sick so I can miss school but did not have much chance to skip school. You are very good about being proactive Renee. I think it helps a lot and it also teaches those of us who neglect our health. I don't get enough sleep. Someday, I may have to pay for it. I hope not. I hope the health angel gives me credit and a pass.
Wow, reading all that reminded me that I'm the one who's in charge of my body. So I can imagine how much faith and feeling of power that would help you to recover after being told you have cancer.
What a great book. One that you need to re-read to remind yourself of every now and then I'd say.
Keep at it!
Renee, your blog is always a nice stop for me on my internet travels. Its raw and from the heart. I just love your posts. Get your rest my friend.
BTW I gave your blog an award! You've probably already got a ton of these I"m sure! Anyways head over to my blog to get it :)
My sister had a nightmarish pregnancy -- 9 straight months of morning sickness, with a toxemia chaser -- and she found ginger tea to be an excellent remedy for the nausea. Glad it helped you, too!
Beautiful and strong like you!!
Thank you!
These are great rules for life, period. I need to re-read them and see what needs changing in my own life.
"The question is not whether you can quit.
The question is whether you will quit." - I was just having this discussion with a patient today, who needs to quit smoking because of severe asthma.
G'day Renee... your wisdom makes my heart sing :-)
Thank you and best wishes always...
x Ribbon
Fabulous list
(Ps) am resting tOO!
X:-)
dearest Renee,
I dont begin to understand your ebs and flows with in the cancer. But I want you to know that I appreciate you and your experiences. I wont lie I have always feared Cancer. It seems like so many parts of our environment can invite it into our bodies. I have had to say goodby to few who carry it with them. But at last when they left this earth they left it behind it did not go with them. They became free.
Thats a comfort to me.
I said a prayer today to God to have his loving way with you and to send Angels to replace your birds to swirl above your head dear.
I became a follower
Blessings be well in spirit and mind
Brittany
http://www.papermoonies.blogspot.com
Renee, you are being guided with many truths, much light....your being is craving the light...and BELIEVE that "God is Light and in Him there is no darkness"..."He is the Light and the LIFE of men" (and women)!!
Prayers and blessings of wellness and peace that passes all understanding~ in Him!
xo abigail
bon soir renee, how are you? boy, this book gives good advice. i'm overweight, love pizza and chocolate, don't exercise beyond using the stairs, but reading this made me feel i am heading in the right direction.
did you see lavender's comment on my blog today, something like "if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging", that is so true!
renee, i'm not too religious but every day i pray for what i believe: that you are having and will have a full and wonderful life. you are vibrant.
(okay, so i'm mushy tonight. sue me..) :)
love
kj
I'll be honest, I did want to brag. I feel quite honored to consider Renee my buddy! ;)
Jamie
Crap! I often wonder why a lot of people eat crap! Me including. Hahahahah!
Hi Renee!!!
One of our friends was diagnosed with cancer about 10 years ago....and she fought it and started to eat and drink some wold things...she makes a shake in her blender with veggies and 8 cloves of garlic every day....and she is still clear of the disease...I love the idea of the diet part of the book too...like Marie....very interesting
I hope you are doing well!!!
Hugssssssssssssssss
Diana
Why are you still up?
What!? WHAT?! You can't eat shit! Stop it. Go to sleep. I need to go to bed too. I have to wake up early tomorrow and will have a busy day. I love Renee.
Be aware of what we eat and how we live, every day, for every reason. Not easy to do, is it?
You are your own wind, Renee. Drive it hard. I feel you all the way over here.
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