Saturday, October 28, 2017

Integrating Spirituality with Cancer Care: Rev. Drew Angus on Prayer, Love, Hope & Healing

“I would remind any newly diagnosed woman of a promise of God in the words of Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” - Rev. Drew Angus

As cancer care evolves, healthcare providers are realizing that patients need a holistic approach to care - one where spirituality, love and compassionate care are a part of the patient’s treatment journey. Rev. Drew Angus shares his work at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), supporting patients, caregivers and loved ones of those affected by cancer.

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Tigerlily Foundation

Learn More at https://www.tigerlilyfoundation.org/

Taking Her Place - Cancer Today

When Ferraro was 8, in May 1944, her father died of a heart attack at the age of 45. She described the event as a “dividing line” that ran through her life. Ferraro’s mother sold everything, moved to the South Bronx section of  New York City in 1945 and began working countless hours—doing her painstaking beadwork day and night and cooking on weekend nights at her small restaurant.

“I was no longer anyone’s princess,” Ferraro wrote in her book Framing a Life: A Family Memoir, describing a time of lonely struggle. “I was suddenly forced to concentrate on lessons I would never forget—the importance of always having another plan at the ready, the realization that nothing can ever be taken for granted.”

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Lymphedema

New post on Living Well

Lymphedema

by touroinfirmary

Lymphedema is the chronic, or continuous, swelling in a part of the body that may occur after cancer surgery or radiation. Lymphedema is caused by the buildup of fluid that does not properly drain when the lymph nodes are removed during cancer treatment. The condition can happen years after cancer treatment. While there is no cure, there are ways to prevent it and reduce the symptoms.

The most common treatment is a form of therapy performed by certified physical therapists. During the therapy treatment, manual massage may be used to move the fluid out of areas which it is collecting. Compression garments, such as sleeves, gloves, stockings, or others, may also be used to compress the body part and prevent fluid collection. These garments would be a lifelong treatment and may be worn during the day or full time.

To prevent lymphedema if you have not already developed the condition and are at risk, consider the following tips. These should become integrated as daily habits to reduce your chance of the condition and an associated risk of infection with fluid collection.

Don’t wear tight sleeves, cuffs, watches, or jewelry that could constrict your skin.
Trim your fingernails and do not pick at either the skin or nails.
Do not carry heavy items with that arm

Click here to learn more about lymphedema and the symptoms that you may see with the condition.

Click here to learn more about Touro's Cancer Rehabilitation Program and read patients' testimonials who went through lymphedema therapy.

touroinfirmary | October 28, 2017 at 5:00 am | Categories: 31 Days of Pink | URL: https://wp.me/p3U9Kg-px

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Friday, October 27, 2017

When Words Heal - Writing Your Cancer Story

by Sharon A. Bray, EdD

Fifteen years ago, numb from treatment for early-stage breast cancer, I signed up for a weeklong writing workshop at the urging of a friend. While I looked forward to it, I had mixed emotions, and on the first day, I entered the classroom full of doubt and anxiety.

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Tip of the Day: Fall in Love with Sweet Potatoes

Fall in love with sweet potatoes!

Sweet potatoes come in many varieties. Visit your local farmers’ market, farm stand, or grocery store to find a tasty sweet potato variety that grows near you!

Recipe ideas:

Sweet Potato Hash with Egg

Salmon Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries

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Liver Cancer Awareness: Are You at Risk?

By Carrie Soares on October 17th, 2017

What is liver cancer?

Liver cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the liver, an organ that plays a major role in digestion, metabolism and detoxification in the human body. These cancerous cells do not function normally and may divide uncontrollably, crowding out healthy liver cancer cells and possibly invading other organs in the body.

What are the risk factors?

Factors that can elevate risk for liver cancer include:

Alcohol- Heavy alcohol use, especially over a long time, increases liver cancer risk.
Aflatoxin-tainted foods: Aflatoxin is a harmful compound produced by a fungus that grows in improperly stored grains and nuts-particularly in hot and humid environments. Consuming this toxin can increase one’s liver cancer risk.
Diseases and conditions that increase liver cancer risk include:

- Hepatitis B or C infection
- Cirrhosis: a chronic and progressive disease in which normal liver cells are replaced with scar tissues
- Hematochromatosis: a condition that causes excess iron to be stored in the liver
- Type 2 diabetes
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Ethnicity: Asians and Pacific Islanders have the highest risk of developing liver cancer, but the risk is also elevated for African-American, American Indian and Latino populations as well, compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Gender: Liver cancer is more common in men.
Tobacco use

Signs & Symptoms

The symptoms of liver cancer can be different for each person and any one of these symptoms may be caused by other, benign conditions.
In addition, symptoms often do not show up until the later stages of the disease, but sometimes, your cancer might be diagnosed earlier, when treatment is most likely to be helpful.

Some of the most common symptoms of liver cancer are:

When present, common liver cancer symptoms may include:
Weight loss not associated with changes in diet.
Decrease in appetite or a feeling of fullness after a small meal.
Nausea and vomiting not associated with other known conditions.
General weakness and/or fatigue that is persistent, ongoing weakness or fatigue.
Fever that is unrelated to other conditions.
Pain occurring in the upper abdomen on the right side or near the right shoulder blade.
Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) felt as a mass under the ribs on the right side.
Enlarged spleen felt as a mass under the ribs on the left side.
Abdominal swelling (ascites) or bloating in the abdomen can occur as a mass forms.
Jaundice, which appears as yellowing of the skin and eyes. Jaundice occurs when the liver is not functioning properly.

Many of the above mentioned symptoms are similar to other types of benign liver infections or diseases. In the case of liver cancer, the symptoms will continue to evolve and worsen as the disease advances. It is important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis if you have any of the above signs of liver cancer.

Carrie Soares

MedicAlert Team Member

New Edition - The Mighty Cancer Newsletter

"Stop worrying about what others think."

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Cancer Newsletter

“You don’t need to follow anyone’s timeline but your own.”

In this week’s feature story, breast cancer survivor and Mighty contributor Abby Stern shares a few life lessons she learned after her cancer diagnosis. They include realizing there’s no playbook when it comes to recovery, it’s OK to not know what “normal” is anymore, and you shouldn't worry about what others think… so laugh and play outside in your socks.

Read her story, then read a journal entry from a cancer survivor and see how one woman celebrated her one-year “cancerversary.”

All my best,
Trish, The Mighty’s Cancer Editor