Are You Doing All You Can To Help Your Body Succeed?
I ask this of cancer patient who are suffering from the intense effects of cancer or treatments. Are you doing everything you can to help your body with the incredible challenge it’s facing, perhaps the greatest challenge of your life?
As I spoke the words recently, I had to face the fact that I had let my own body down. I eat healthy foods and try to stay active but my current treatments have introduced more pain and fatigue over time and my body has responded by slowing down, demanding more bed time, limiting my life in small increments that cumulatively have taken a huge toll on my ability to sustain my quality of life.
It’s time, I decided, to help support the hard job my body has of staying active and living life. The answer? Get help from the experts and build a plan to feel better – which for me means increase energy, rebuild bone density, reduce fatigue, lessen joint pain, reduce weight and sleep better. My plan timeframe is 90 days, surely enough time to make an impact.
Consulting with a certified oncology nutritionist, I discovered that some foods help reduce fatigue, some decrease inflammation, some help the body resist cancer, and some add or reduce weight. Armed with this valuable information, I can customize a diet addressing my specific goals.
The tracking mechanism is a food diary that categorizes foods with various properties, in different combinations, and specific times of day. I already take multiple vitamins but we identify a few gaps, like digestive enzymes which help after numerous abdominal surgeries. I meet weekly with the nutritionist to review my nutritional strategy and progress.
An oncology physical rehab therapist at the hospital evaluates my current status and key measurements such as girth, weight, strength (weights/reps), and heart rate. We develop a plan for daily activity that builds muscle mass but with consideration of limitations imposed by my surgical history. I meet with the therapist weekly but report daily pedometer readings.
Mind/Body Connection involves yoga twice a week, Tai Chi weekly and meditation at least 3 times weekly.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment3 Comments
Annette,
Thank you so much for writing this post. It's good to get an update on how you're doing personally, and the whole post is truly food for thought (pun not intended) for any of us, whether we have cancer or not.
Am I doing all I can to help my body succeed? is an inspiring question. My answer over the recent months would have to be no. So I loved reading about how you went about setting out a program for yourself and committing to it in detail.
We'll love hearing how you're doing over the next 90 days of your program. I wish you momentum and motivation!!
January 18, 2010 - 8:52amThis Comment
Thank you, Diane. I intend to post updates on my progress as well as what I learn about the synergy between these different plan elements. I'm very optimistic!
January 18, 2010 - 9:37amOnce again I'm learning from you and being inspired. I've been seeking oncology nutrition information and wasn't aware there were certified oncology nutritionists. Like Diane I'm looking forward to updates on your progress. You go girl! :-) Pat
January 18, 2010 - 5:21pm