6 Tips to Help Cancer Patients Become More Organized and Comfortable During Treatment

by Margot Malin

This is a condensed version of a longer post that was published on the Breast Cancer Yoga Blog entitled:

Cancer Pre-Treatment Check List – 6 Tips To Make Your Life Easier Once You Begin Treatments

You can read the full post at: http://breastcanceryogablog.com/2014/01/22/cancer-pre-treatment-check-list/

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming. There are so many questions swirling through your mind and so many things to put in order. Here is a short list of 6 tips suggested by other patients to help make your treatment both more comfortable and better organized.

1. Familiarize Yourself with Your Medications and their Side Effects
2. Schedule a Dental Appointment
3. Order some new products in advance to test them to see if you have any reactions to them, and to see if you like their feel and other characteristics.
4. Make a list of things that need to be done and circulate it to friends and family so that they can sign up to help you.
5. Create a treatment goody bag for yourself
6. Meet with a Naturopathic doctor

Each of these 6 tips should help to reduce the uncertainty and confusion that come with a cancer diagnosis and treatment plan. Try to organize and simplify your daily schedule whenever possible. Don’t forget to ask for help!

You can find products to add to your "Treatment Goody Bag" at www.LotsToLiveFor.com
Lots To Live For, Inc. sells products to reduce and relieve the unpleasant and uncomfortable side effects of cancer treatments including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Tips To Prepare for Chemotherapy and Radiation

Select Your Teams, Organize Your Medical Records and Do Your Research

by Margot Malin

Have you or has someone you know recently been diagnosed with cancer? Here are some helpful things to consider before starting treatment.

This post is condensed version of a more detailed post appearing in the Breast Cancer Yoga Blog.

    1. Choose your medical and support teams. Your "medical team" members can include: your surgeon, your oncologist, your oncology nurses, your nurse navigator, and a cancer coach.  Your "support team" can include friends, family and individuals you meet through support organizations.

             Click to learn more about nurse navigators and cancer coaches.

Medical Team - Cancer Support

2.  Do your research so that you thoroughly understand your treatment protocol. Be active in selecting your course of treatment if you are given a series of choices or options. Having some control and “buying in” will help your frame of mind and can even enhance your outcome. Do as much research as you feel comfortable with. Focus on the important facts. The book TheWeb-Savvy Patient: An Insider's Guide to Navigating the Internet When Facing Medical Crisis is a helpful resource.

3.  Ask about side effects. Be sure to review the potential physical side effects that might result from your treatment. Not all chemotherapy drugs cause the same side effects. Being aware of the side effects caused by the medications you will receive can help you to prepare in advance and purchase products which can help reduce these side effects. To view products to help relieve cancer treatment side effects visit the on line store: http://www.lotstolivefor.com/.

  4. Organize your medical records.  An important way to take control of your health is to take control of your medical records. Be sure you have them organized and in one easily accessible location. You will be visiting a number of doctors and facilities and receiving a variety of treatments and tests.  It is unlikely that they will all be coordinated at the practitioner level.  The MinervaHealth Manager helps you organize your health records in a single coordinated location and it is portable and can be carried with you to doctor appointments and treatments.

 5.  Explore Resources.  In addition to your “teams” there are many support organizations that can help.  A good starting point is to look at the “Collection of CancerResources” that we have compiled on the Lots To Live For website. Your treatment facility might also recommend or have list of support groups. 

 6.  Nutrition and Supplements can help.  The right food can make your body stronger.  Carefully selected nutritional supplements can be a valuable tool in rebuilding your body’s immune system. You might also want to consult a nutritionist who specializes in cancer nutrition.  Two books of interest include: American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Nutrition for Cancer Survivors: Eating Well,Staying Well During and After Cancer and The Whole-Food Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors: A Nutritional Approach to Preventing Recurrence Continue healthy eating during treatment and after treatment is complete.

  7.  Strengthen your body through careful exercise and stretching. Optimize your mobility, strength and conditioning before your surgery or other treatment protocol. This can help reduce your recovery time. 

You can create positive energy by embracing these 7 tips. The key takeaways are to: take control and be proactive, be organized, create support networks using the numerous resources available and make educated choices.

To read the full post click: http://breastcanceryogablog.com/2013/10/31/7-tips-for-preparing-for-chemotherapy-and-radiation/

Just Diagnosed Cancer Kit

Looking for just the right gift for someone who has just been diagnosed with cancer?
The "Just Diagnosed Kit" includes a collection of helpful items to begin a journey towards wellness.
Click here to learn more about this gift: http://www.lotstolivefor.com/just-diagnosed-cancer-kit/

Radiant Wrap – Stylish and Comfortable Radiation Therapy Gowns - Inspiration During Treatment

We have transitioned to a new blog format. You can find the full copy of this post at our new Wordpress blog at:
http://blog.lotstolivefor.com/2013/07/09/radiant-wrap-stylish-radiation-therapy-gowns/

Thanks to Maria Lucas of Radiant Wrap a visit to a radiation oncology center doesn't have to mean wearing a frayed and faded gown. The inspiration for her idea came during her treatment and it is one of her ways to "pay it forward" and help other patients feel more comfortable during treatment.

Radiant Wrap founders - Maria Lucas and her son

Maria says "I knew I wanted something that was stylish and flattering, something that was closed and secure at the back and something that didn’t have ties, buttons, Velcro or snaps. I thought if I could cut up these gowns and design a one piece wrap around that tied at the waist, I would have a beautiful alternative gown. And that is exactly what I did. I had a prototype made of my design, and a first run of forty gowns made that June, six months after I was diagnosed and one month after I finished my radiation."

Read more in the blog post, where you can also read about how to order a Radiant Wrap for yourself or a loved one.

You can view and purchase Radiant Wrap gowns at: http://www.theradiantwrap.com/

CureLauncher Offers Personalized Clinical Trial Matching

Our blog has transitioned to a new format on Wordpress.
Please click on the link below to be taken to the full version of this blog post about CureLauncher.

If you are seeking new treatments and clinical trials  CureLauncher can help give you the power and the support to make a life changing decision. Warm, compassionate, and experienced relationship managers will guide you through the process of finding a new treatment.  Taking control and knowing your options opens up a whole new world of hope.  CureLauncher can help connect you with clinical trials in your area.


CureLauncher - Take Contol Know Your Options

 For more information and to read  a testimonial from Barb Hollingsworth click here: http://blog.lotstolivefor.com/2013/06/18/curelauncher-personalized-clinical-trial-matching/

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