Cancer
Cancer is a big business. After my mom passed away, I was planning to blog more about this, and even write a book on corruption in the medical industry, but I couldn't bring myself to do it, because each time I tried, it brought back a lot of negative memories about my mom's cancer, her time spent between doctors, the hospital, and home, the amount of suffering she went through, and the darkness I faced.
Everyone should know something about cancer because once you or someone you love gets it, it's much harder to start learning. Do your own research. I'm not a doctor. My goal here is to post a few things about what my friends and I faced. I hope you find it helpful.
Some of the symptoms to look for:
1. Low vitamin D level
2. If a person is tired all the time and wants to sleep often.
3. They stop caring about things that they once enjoyed.
4. If they struggled to lose weight their whole life, and all the sudden their weight start to come off easily, and they're not hungry.
5. High fever that comes and goes, Fever is the body's way of warning—It's trying to get rid of something in the body that doesn't belong there (I learned this at the Gerson institute).
6. Any type of bleeding. It may or may not be hemorrhoids or urinary tract infections. Hopefully that's what it is. Sometimes it's more than that.
7. Crying and feeling depressed for no reason. Deep depression can cause the body get out of balance, and may cause cancer.
If you have Cancer:
1. Cancer is not a death sentence. Many people have recovered. Doctors sometimes say that you have six months or one year to live. Unfortunately, once they plant that seed in your head, that's how long you will live. It's best to wipe out any time frame from your mind, and make it a goal to want to fight back and live. Because once that time frame gets to you, you begin to spiral down.
2. Trauma gets trapped in the body, and shows up as a disease. Better to find away to release it asap, be it through therapy, talking to your friends, journaling, exercising, or whatever way that works for you. The longer trauma stays within you, the more difficult it becomes to get rid of it. I should know. I carried mine for too long because I didn't take care of it right away, and now it's that much harder to release it. Don't be like me. Snip it as quickly as you can.
3. Animal products are too hard on the body, especially when you have cancer (I learned this at the Gerson Institute). Fish is a better option than meat, chicken and dairy.
4. Avoid too many products on your body. If possible use organic. If not, buy from the children's section. Sometimes, they put less crap in those. Dr. Bronner's liquid soap (this can be used as shampoo, hand soap, dishwashing, and laundry soap), coconut oil to moisturize, and Naturtint hair dye are some suggestions.
If you're taking care of someone with cancer:
1. Decorate their room with things they used to like, be it in the house or during their stays at the hospital. Nothing is worse than staring at blank walls when you're sick. There is no joy in it. If they're lying on their back all the time, hang things from the ceiling.
2. Fresh cut flowers bring happiness to any room.
3. Put on their favorite music. I was too busy taking care of my mom that I didn't pay attention to this. But music heals the soul.
4. Play their favorite movie or TV show even if they have Alzheimer's or are in coma. They can still hear it and know that you care.
5. Read to them.
6. Ask family and friends to come and visit more often. When my mom was ill, she would always ask if anyone was going to come over and see her. She was happy even when a doctor or a physical therapist would come by.
7. Borrow a pet. I'm not a pet owner, but I have learned that when people pet an animal, they somehow start to feel better.
8. Let them eat their favorite foods or snacks.
9. Figure out a way to have them spend time in the sun. Sunshine has many health benefits.
10. And more important than any of this—show them a lot of love. I would say this is more important than any medicine.
Suggestions for caretakers:
1. It's important to also take care of you. Talk to people who are going through cancer, or join a forum. It helps to share. I remember this one guy who was going through cancer. He shared some tips with me. He passed away a few years after my mom. I will always remember him, and his kindness.
2. Live in the moment, and enjoy your time with the person you're taking care of. Don't worry about things you're missing out on. You'll have plenty of time for them later. Nothing ever stays the same.
3. Find a few minutes of solitude. Close your eyes, clear your mind, and take deep breaths.
4. Do one thing everyday that helps take your mind away from your troubles such as going for a walk, painting, cooking, or any activity that helps relax your body.
5. I used to listen to AM/PM Yoga Meditation by Gael Chiarella, and found it helpful. I even bought one for a friend who had cancer. He emailed me and said that it helped him to relax.
Suggetions for the friends of the cancer patient or the caretaker:
1. Help out. Don't just be a bystander. When you go for a visit, make a thermos of tea, and take food with you. Don't expect the caretaker to serve you. Serve them, and wash the dishes. Perhaps do a load of laudry for them or vacuum the floors.
2. Engage with the patient, and give the caretaker a break to go out for a few hours.
3. Check on them regularly, and see if they need anything.
4. Having cancer or taking taking care of someone with cancer drains you, and at times, takes you down a dark path. Any help is always welcomed.
Seasons flow in a cycle. Life too passes through difficult winters. But after any winter, spring will follow.
