I titled my blog “It’s a Strong Tree that Withstands a Hurricane” as I believe that a strong, healthy body is a formidable defense against cancer, similar to how a strong tree can withstand the fierce winds of a hurricane. A body that lacks nutrients or that suffers relentless stress is at a disadvantage. Stress, particularly when perceived as inevitable and uncontrollable, is a key factor in vulnerability to cancer. I...
In The Redwood Forest, I talk about changing the cancer environment. I decided this topic deserves more depth, so today’s post goes a bit further into the emotional and nutritional sides of cancer. In good health, Elyn
Changing the Cancer Environment
Disease (is) not an entity but a fluctuating condition of the patient’s body, a battle between the substance of disease and the natural self-healing tendency of the body. Hippocrates
Cancer is not as complicated...
The following is a quest post I wrote for 1uponcancer.com…
Hi folks, this week I’m happy to introduce Guest Blogger, Elyn Jacobs, a Cancer Coach, with homegrown experience …
This week I was I was asked to talk on a radio show about my story and my role coaching survivors. I was asked how I felt about my diagnosis and how...
“You have cancer” Three of the most dreaded words you can hear from your doctor. Your world has changed and you feel a loss of control. A moment ago you were a student, parent, wife, maybe even a doctor. Now, suddenly, you are a patient. In the ensuing panic, disbelief, fear, and confusion you have to make decisions. Likely right now you think “I can barely breathe, let alone function…how am...
There has been so much controversy over the need for a positive attitude. A positive attitude does not mean you have to be upbeat about your cancer or prognosis. It simply means that if you convince yourself you are going to die, then it could just become a self-fulfilling prophesy, and the reverse…if you convince yourself you will live a long-healthy life, you are on the road to achieve...
Today I am excited to share a guest blog by Kelly Turner. Kelly is a researcher, lecturer, and consultant in the field of integrative oncology. She assists cancer patients who are interested in integrating complementary medicine approaches with their Western oncology treatment. Her interest in complementary medicine began when she received her B.A. from Harvard University, and it later became...
I follow many, many blogs and cancer-related online chat forums. One I saw today really stung. A woman asked if anyone taking Tamoxifen had ever experienced debilitating bilateral posterior leg pain and the inability to walk or sit without intense pain. She mentioned that she had done all the tests, MRIs, x-rays, etc. with no resulting explanation for her pain. She added that her doctor took her off...
A woman came to me for help last week; a small breasted woman with early stage breast cancer. She wanted to discuss her options with me. Her preference would be to have a mastectomy, but she was afraid of the cosmetic outcome. She was embarrassed to admit this concern as her doctor had commented that her cancer should be her first priority. I assured her that cancer treatment with a good cosmetic result is possible. I...
You hear those dreaded words, “You have cancer.” Your life changes dramatically. You spend endless hours and days undergoing more tests, consulting surgeons, radiologists, and oncologists. Most clinical environments are truly depressing, and for some reason, many doctors, nurses and other medical staff do not realize that your time is precious. I remember taking a woman for a consultation. She commented to me that the office was cold (not temperature-wise, but the previous office we...
The use of oral contraceptives invites a host of side effects, but perhaps breast cancer was not one of the highlighted risks mentioned by your doctor. Scientists have connected the use of birth control pills to a higher risk for breast cancer for many years. An association between estrogen and increased risk of breast cancer has led to a continuing debate about the role birth control pills play in developing breast cancer....
