Use Music to Soothe Cancer Treatments

Listening to music can be good therapy for people undergoing cancer treatment, according to recent research. The American Cancer Society reports that music therapy can help reduce pain and relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Studies also have shown that listening to music can slow your heart and breathing rate, reduce blood pressure, improve mood and even help you sleep better.

Here are some easy ways to get your musical "dose":

Bring an iPod or CD player with a headset to medical appointments. Listen to classical music, instrumental arrangements or anything you find soothing in the waiting room or during chemo infusions.

Tune your car radio to easy-listening stations. Or, listen to favorite CDs while driving to or from the clinic or hospital. Avoid jarring tunes and downbeat news stations.

If you play a musical instrument, carve out time for personal jam sessions.

Sing along to your favorite tunes-don't by shy!

this article was in the Healthmonitor Magazine, Feb/Mar 2011.

Check for this magazine at your doctors office, they have some great articles.

Good health and wealth to all,

Leigh

Cancer Patients: Spring is Here, Be Careful Outdoors

If you have cancer and taking chemotherapy and other medications: Spring is here and you must be vigilant in taking care of yourself.

I love working in the yard. Everything from riding the lawnmower to pulling weeds in the flower beds. I love the colors of spring and summer and miss being able to really enjoy the swimming pool. Cancer medications react with the sun. I thought it would be OK to have a little garage sale. It was a beautiful day and I kept my hat on to keep the sun off my face. But I forgot about my arms and legs. The next day I had sun poisoning. I was sick for a week.

I had not been working in the garden because of the sun but the weeds were starting to take over, so out I went. I apparently had gotten some Poison Ivy growing in the garden and though I had normally not had a problem with it before my system reacted very badly to it. Oh was I miserable and so was my poor husband. He felt so bad for allowing me to go out in the garden. But as I told him, he could not have stopped me, I am bull headed all the way.

My whole system has changed and even though I am not on chemo anymore, my system reacts differently to almost everything. I never know what to expect. My medications make me sensitive to the sun still and I miss lying out by the pool and getting a tan. Time for "Tan in a Bottle". But I wonder if I will react to that.

Please consider what the worst that could happen would be before you go out and try to attack something in the yard. Bee stings may have a more deadly reaction if you are on medication.

Fire Ants, they are bad anytime. You may react to flowers and weeds differently. I love roses but right now the smell makes me nauseous. If you do decide to go out in the sun put on sunscreen, wide brimmed hat and wear a long sleeve shirt and slacks. Bug repellent is a must have.

Everyone take care and watch for all the little critters out there.

If you have any hints on how we can protect ourselves from the sun and bugs, Let my readers know. I am sure they would appreciate it and I would too.

Good Health to us all, Leigh

What to Eat During Cancer Treatment

I was on the American Cancer Society web site today doing some research and I came across this great book for anyone going through cancer treatment. I wish I had known about it when I was going through chemo. I am going to order a copy to send to my sister-in-law. She was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been visiting her the last two week, that is why I have been out of touch.

(This is a small synopsis of the book.)

If you or someone you care about is going through cancer treatment or experiencing other health problems that make eating difficult, this cookbook will make life a whole lot easier. Inside you will find 100 fast, flavorful recipes, all organized by side effects, including recipes to deal with nausea, diarrhea, constipation, sore mouth, difficulty swallowing, taste alterations, and unintentional weight loss.

Includes 6 special bonus sections, including advice for the caregiver, tips to make eating out easier, a kitchen staples list, advice on avoiding weight gain during treatment and tips on assembling a take-along food "survival kit", as well as a helpful list of organizations that provide information on nutrition and cancer.

The book sells for $19.95 and looks like it will be well worth the money. This price includes the shipping to domestic addresses. Makes it even a better buy.

I am putting in a link to the direct order page.

Take advantage of this and I hope it will help you get through the rough times during chemo treatment.

Good health to us all,

Leigh

anyone interested in Vintage Cookbooks, I have a bunch for sell in my eBay store,

Decor, Glass and Home. The money goes to help pay my medical bills from my breast cancer.