Tag Archives: mind body bonnection

Living with Cancer

Tips for Moving Beyond Cancer Treatment

Moving Beyond Cancer
Moving Beyond Cancer

Change is difficult. Even change for the better can be unsettling and spark feelings of anxiety. But we must change to our adapting situations or we will lose control of our lives and our future. It is important to understand that as you begin moving beyond cancer treatment. This is why Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology uses individualized immunotherapy treatment protocols. How you respond to treatment and transition to a new normal depends largely on your diagnosis and predisposition.

The National Cancer Institute has a very helpful 36 page booklet to help anyone adjust to the effects of cancer treatment and the changes in lifestyle. It also has some very helpful information for caregivers who will need to prepare themselves for how their level of involvement will change.

Those TV shows that always solve the mystery by the episode conclusion and wrap up all loose ends are written that way for a reason. People want things to have a predictable and logical outcome. But as cancer survivor, you will not be able to resume your previous level of activity right away. Do not try to make up for lost time or take on too much. Keep the following tips in mind:

  • Be open and honest about your feelings and capabilities
  • Be realistic with the goals your set for yourself
  • Talk to your doctor about feelings of anxiety or depression
  • Schedule time for yourself to appreciate the life you have
  • Find ways that friends and family can help you and let them know they are appreciated

Contact Issels® for more information on your treatment options and how we help patients get the most out of life.

 

Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Research, Immunotherapy

Keeping a Healthy Weight While in Cancer Treatment

Eating During Cancer Treatment
Eating During Cancer Treatment

You may be thinking to yourself, “isn’t going through cancer treatment enough without the need to worry about my weight?” While this is a legitimate complaint, following your doctor’s instructions is vital in order to remain strong throughout the treatment.

Going through cancer treatment takes its toll physically and emotionally but you have a hand in controlling how much. Treatment can have a decided affect on your appetite which impacts your eating habits. If both are in a negative mode of operation, the end result is weight loss, plain and simple.

Weight loss and weight gain can be a significant side effect of cancer treatment. For those losing weight, this may be caused due to a lack of appetite. Nothing seems tantalizing and while you do eat something, you may not eat as much as before taking in less calories. This will cause a loss in weight and also impacts the amount of nutrients your body needs.

For other patients, especially those who are obese, weight loss may be recommended while treatments are ongoing. A nutritionist or dietitian are good options for helping determine healthy menus that provide the calories, nutrients, vitamins, and protein to help maintain a healthy weight.

Dietary supplements are also an option for getting the fuel your body needs to handle the rigors of cancer treatment.

Learn more about integrative immunotherapy and holistic treatments at the Issels® blog. The informative articles can help answer questions and concerns you may have about the best approach to cancer treatment.

Living with Cancer

The Tough Questions – Can I Live with Cancer?

Can I Live With Cancer?
Can I Live With Cancer?

Cancer statistics can seem encouraging when talking about advancements made in early detection and new treatments. The same statistics are devastating when you or a loved one has been diagnosed and you are reading about the number of lives lost to various types of cancer. At Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology, we understand that each person’s cancer is due to different causes and conditions. Treatment should be highly personalized and recovery depends on many factors.

Living with cancer

The American Cancer Society says that cancers like ovarian cancer, leukemia, and some types of lymphoma often don’t go completely away. The same is true of cancers that spread to other parts of the body, such as prostate cancer and breast cancer. These cancers can be treated and reduced, but the treatment is an ongoing maintenance treatment prevent spreading and stopping the cancer from growing. It is not accurate to say the cancer is cured.

Disease management and emotional growth

Living with this disease is often the biggest challenge most people will ever face. Treatment schedules disrupt your routines and take both a financial and physical toll. Many people suddenly find themselves no longer in the roll of caregiver, but instead, needing the care, support, and understanding of others. It is important to seek out others going through similar circumstances. Living with cancer has a way of building strong bonds among people who hardly know one another. It can also make it easier to express affection and appreciation for people close to you.

Contact Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology to see all of your available treatment options. We combine treatment with improving the quality of life for our patients.

Cancer Survivors, Living with Cancer

Five Tips to Keeping Healthy After Cancer Treatment

Immune System Building Foods
Tips for After Care

Cancer after care is a vital aspect of ensuring you or a loved one lives a happy, healthy life for years to come. Here are just a few of the best cancer after care tips to help cultivate a long and fulfilling life.

1. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Get into the habit of enjoying a wider variety of fruits, vegetables and other foods rich in vitamins. Selecting low fat alternatives when buying milk or butter can also help reduce weight gain, cholesterol and overall promote better well-being.

2. Stay Active

Along with proper diet, exercising on a regular basis is an excellent way to promote better health during cancer after care. Morning or evening walks, running and bicycling just a few days a week can have a very positive impact on your health.

3. Avoid Alcohol or Tobacco

It is extremely important to avoid tobacco products or alcohol during cancer after care. Any dangerous, potentially habit forming substances can present a major obstacle to living a healthy life following cancer treatment.

4. Visit the Doctor Often

Keeping in touch with your doctor on a regular basis is integral to successful cancer after care. Do not hesitate to discuss concerns, recent changes in health or issues with medication you may be encountering.

5. Keep a Good Attitude

Having a good attitude tends to put everything into perspective, often changing the way we see the world around us. Remaining optimistic will certainly improve health, alleviate stress and promote better cancer after care.

If you would like to learn more about alternative cancer treatments and today’s best cancer after care programs, Contact Issels® today about any questions you may have on if the Issels Treatment® may be right for you.

Immuno-Oncology

Tips to Making Your December Holiday Memorable

Making The Most Of December
Making The Most Of December

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah or another holiday in the month of December, when you have cancer, this is a particularly precious time for you to enjoy with family and friends. Here at Issels®, we love this time of year, so it’s our pleasure to help you find wonderful ways to create beautiful life-long memories for your loved ones. Here are a few tips that will inspire you to start your holiday planning off right.

Tip #1: Take plenty of pictures – A picture is worth a thousand words, and the more pictures you have of your holiday celebrations, the better. When the celebrations are over, why not get together again and put together some photo books or scrapbooks depicting the joys of your holiday. If you really want to make a fun keepsake, you can have books professionally printed for everyone in your family.

Tip #2: Create new traditions – We all have our favorite traditions, but maybe it’s time to start some new ones this year. Perhaps you can add in some fun holiday games like a gift exchanging activity. Or, maybe you could plan a holiday cookie exchange. These traditions are a lot of fun, and they encourage everyone to get involved in a different way.

Tip #3: Consider getting involved in your community – There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than giving back to your community. If you know a family who needs help buying presents, consider pooling your funds to surprise them. It is a season of giving, after all.

Here at Issels®, we specialize in not only improving the quality of life for our patients, but also in providing them with effective, alternative cancer treatments. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us today.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Living with Cancer, Stress Management

Alternative Cancer Treatment Is Popular with Patients

Alternative Cancer Therapy
Alternative Cancer Therapy

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation have dominated Western medicine for decades. But a new player on the cancer team is earning cheers from patients. An estimated half of cancer patients now include some form of alternative cancer treatment in their cancer treatment program.

Alternative Treatments Go Mainstream

Many alternative cancer treatments are not actually “new,” although their therapeutic value has only recently been recognized by Western oncologists. Acupuncture, massage, nutritional immunotherapy and meditation are just some of the alternative therapies now being employed at university hospitals and U.S. cancer centers that have a long history of successful therapeutic treatment of disease in other cultures.

What’s Old Is New Again

Traditional medicine’s focus on immunotherapy as the future of cancer treatment is another example of mainstream medicine’s belated acceptance of alternative cancer treatment. Genetic and cellular research have added scientific proof to the experiential findings of alternative therapy practitioners who have long understood the critical role the body’s immune system plays in cancer treatment. While many U.S. cancer researchers are heralding immunotherapy as “new,” integrative immunotherapy has been practiced with beneficial results at Issels Oncology Centers for more than 60 years.

Merging Two Approaches

Cancer patients are benefiting from traditional medicine’s broadening view of cancer treatment. When used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments, alternative therapies have been shown to greatly reduce the painful and unpleasant side effects of traditional treatments. More importantly, merging traditional and alternative cancer treatments improves your immune system response and enhances the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Issels Oncology Centers works with many patients undergoing traditional cancer treatment. Contact us today for information about adding alternative cancer therapies to your cancer treatment program.