Posts Tagged ‘Moving’

Get moving: Cancer survivors urged to exercise

Get moving: Cancer survivors urged to exercise
Cancer survivors, better work up a sweat. New guidelines are urging survivors to exercise more, even – hard as it may sound – those who haven’t…

Read more on News 10 NBC Rochester

Ford: Moving On

Ford: Moving On
Ford’s one of the hottest brands on the road. So how does it plan on staying there?

Read more on AdWeek

Moving with the times

Moving with the times
After thrilling fans in 2006, Lionel Richie returns for another shift at the upcoming Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix Gala night.

Read more on The Star

Moving On After Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects everyone in different ways and depending on the severity of each case, the recovery period varies greatly.

Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease and some very good work is being done to raise awareness and explore preventative measures. Unfortunately, there is still a downside.

This is the fact that these two words “breast cancer” strike fear into the hearts of most women. We all know that it is these dreaded words that sets the alarm bells ringing. The psychological aspect of this means that when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer her stress levels skyrocket, putting an extra load on the body when she can cope with it the least.

It is of course her attitude towards these words that could be the greatest influence in her recovery.

Having survived breast cancer myself, I feel that some of the healing process is in part how you view the disease itself. As anyone who’s read any of my previous articles will know, I did make considerable lifestyle changes to facilitate recovery. I’m also convinced that a big part of the process was down to the attitude I adopted towards cancer.

I had great faith in my surgeon and after the operation when he told me he had removed the cancer I believed him; totally. However, I also understood that the surgeon had done his part, now it was down to me to make sure the cancer didn’t come back.

During the recuperation period there is plenty of time to think. It was during this time, that I was able to work out what I think was the cause of my breast cancer. It is a good time to find a strategy for post-breast cancer lifestyle. I had several challenges on a personal level; self-confidence being one of the issues. So I bought several books on the subject that were a real help in getting me back on track.

I’ve never liked the word remission, because it always seems to me that when someone says they are in remission, it is as if they expect the cancer to come back. The Law of attraction states that you will attract what you think about the most. If you spend your time expecting the cancer to come back, the odds are pretty good that it will. Of course I have absolutely no medical qualifications, and I don’t profess to know the answers, I can only say what has worked for me.

I’ve always believed that stress caused my breast cancer, and part of the changes I’ve made to ensure the cancer didn’t return was to eliminate as much stress from my life as I could.

For my part, I felt the best thing was to move on as soon as possible. So after a few mammograms and checkups that put me in the clear, I cut all ties with the breast cancer episode and got on with my life. I don’t think about it very often, and I’m inclined to treat it as just another surgical procedure. It was a necessary procedure such as my appendectomy, but by not giving it too much credence, it means my breast cancer remains low on my list of things to think about.

Overcoming breast cancer is not easy, but advances in medical science help surgeons work miracles. Then it’s down to the individual to decide what part their attitude can play in effecting a lasting cure.

My last piece of advice would have to be, set your self up to enjoy life. You know what they say, this isn’t a dress rehearsal. This is it the real thing. Enjoy it now.

Breast Cancer Treatment Options: Facing Your Fears And Moving Ahead

After breast cancer diagnosis, time is of the essence to ensure recovery. Digest the news; then start learning, so you’re comfortable with your informed choices for breast cancer treatment.

Building Your Team

Before choosing surgery, you build a breast cancer treatment team. You need surgeons, oncologists, anesthesiologist, and radiologist. If you’re able, you are the leader of this team. You have to live with the choices made.

Breast surgeon – recommends and performs breast surgery such as mastectomy or lumpectomy under general anesthesia, and a sentinel node biopsy.

Oncologist – also recommends which surgical option is best. Recommends chemotherapies and follows treatment.

Anesthesiologist – usually on hospital staff, unless you want to choose your own.

Radiologist – performs the sentinel node biopsy (where 2-3 lymph nodes in the armpit or breast are surgically removed) is also on hospital staff.

Plastic surgeon – performs reconstruction if you want it, during or well after mastectomy.

Radiation oncologist – manages radiation therapy. Wait till after surgery to find.

First Breast Cancer Treatment: Surgery

Lumpectomy – usually recommended when there is a single, small lump. The lump and the margin around it are surgically removed under general anesthesia.

* Advantage: You have a small scar, usually.

* Disadvantages: You undergo radiation therapy afterwards; because radiation can cause lumps, you may have more biopsies in the future.

Mastectomy – removes breast tissue, comprised mainly of fat, under general anesthesia. Surrounding tissues are undisturbed.

* Advantages: You need no further biopsies on that side; you probably avoid radiation therapy if cancer is detected early.

* Disadvantages: You have asymmetry, and this may temporarily affect sex life or self-image. With psychological adjustment or reconstruction, these disadvantages can disappear.

Breast reconstruction – during/after a mastectomy using techniques such as DIEP, where abdominal fat and skin are transferred to the chest, to shape a new breast. This is not cosmetic surgery; it’s part of treatment.

* Advantages: feeling and looking restored; getting a tummy tuck and a breast lift on the other breast.

Breast Cancer Treatment After Surgery

The oncologist considers the information from the various tests. The oncologist stages the cancer, and recommends various breast cancer treatments. The oncologist can refer you to a psychologist or support group to allay anxiety about treatment.

Radiation therapy – usually started after recovery from lumpectomy. It is precisely administered to the breast (and perhaps lymph nodes) in order to kill cancerous cells, while avoiding damage to the rest of the body. Sessions are a few minutes, once a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks.

* Short-term side effects: fatigue, breast soreness, redness, swelling.

* Long-term side effects: breast shrinkage, tanning, lumpiness.

Chemotherapy – started after all radiation is complete. Drugs which kill or disable cancer cells are given cyclically, with time off between treatments, for 3 to 6 months. The chemotherapy visit usually is outpatient, lasting 1 to 6 hours. Some drugs are taken orally at home, sometimes as a permanent regime.

* Side effects: hair loss, nausea/vomiting, nerve or muscle pain, infection, weight gain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping.

Hormone Therapy – taken orally at home; both treats and prevents recurrence in some cases.

Exercise, diet and lifestyle changes help recovery significantly.

Survival After Therapy

With 2 million breast cancer survivors in America, breast cancer is beatable. Breast cancer treatment requires internal fortitude to reach recovery. You emerge with relief, gratitude and hope.