Tag Archives: positive attitude

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.

 

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.

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, Cancer Research, Cancer Survivors, News

Joan Luden Poses Bald to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

The Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon
The Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon

Former Good Morning America co-host Joan Luden shocked many fans when she recently posed bald on the cover of People magazine to promote cancer awareness. In an interview on Today, Joan, who lost her hair while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, told fans, “We’re losing our hair in order to live and survive.”

Not an Easy Decision

While talking about her cancer journey and decision to bare her bald head in public, Joan admitted to Hoda Kotb that she was initially reluctant to pose for the magazine. “You just are never prepared for it,” she said about losing her hair during chemo. “You feel less like a woman. You feel less feminine. You feel less beautiful. You feel kind of embarrassed. You feel kind of like the ugly duckling. You lose a part of your sense of yourself.”

One More Loss

In the grand scale of things, you would think hair loss would be a small matter for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. But you have only to think how it feels to find a few gray hairs or notice a little thinning on top to realize how important our hair is to our appearance and sense of self. Its sudden loss during cancer treatment can be devastating to someone already struggling with the fear and loss that accompany cancer diagnosis.

A Better Solution

Non-toxic alternative cancer treatment offers a kinder, gentler way to combat cancer. Issels integrative immunotherapy works with your body to fight cancer. Our alternative cancer treatment battles cancer without the horrendous side effects, pain and embarrassing hair loss typical of chemotherapy. Find out more about the benefits of integrative immunotherapy at Issels.com.

Cancer Care Tips, Living with Cancer, Stage Four Cancer Treatment

Tips for Telling Your Family You Have Received a Diagnosis of Cancer

Telling Your Family Of Your Diagnosis
Telling Your Family Of Your Diagnosis

Discussing cancer with your family is akin to walking in an emotional mine field. Once you make it known you have been diagnosed with cancer, you must be prepared to navigate carefully in response to different reactions.

What to Do

Take time to come to terms with how you feel. If you’re angry and afraid, that’s okay. Don’t hold it in. It’s important to have someone you trust to talk to that will listen and be supportive.

Don’t attempt to go through it alone. Decide who you will tell, first, and how much information you want to initially share. The news will have a decided effect and those you tell may not react in the same way. You’ll need to be prepared, as best as possible, for addressing each individual.

Discussing your condition, within your comfort zone, is beneficial. By talking about it, you can move forward with a plan of action.

Don’t be afraid to let people know the limits you’re willing to discuss your condition. Repeating the same information over and over can become tiring and emotionally draining for you. Delegate a friend or family member to relay the news to others.

While you may not want to talk to your closest family members, it’s important that you talk to someone. If you’re not ready to let your family know of your condition, join a cancer support group where you can discuss your feelings, ask questions, and get advice from others.

Keep your daily routine as near normal as possible and encourage and support your family in doing the same.

Contact Issels Integrative Oncology Centers for any questions or information about available treatments.

Living with Cancer, Stage Four Cancer Treatment, Stress Management

The Tough Questions – How Long Will I live?

How Long?
How Long?

If you receive a cancer diagnosis, it is normal to ask, “How long will I live?” Despite the tremendous strides made in battling cancer and extending the life expectancy of cancer patients, The Big C still carries the death stigma.

An Unanswerable Question

None of us can know how long we will live. Whether or not you have cancer, life eventually comes to an end. Sometimes cancer hastens those final days, but more and more frequently it does not. There is no magic calculator that can predict with 100% accuracy when your last day on Earth will dawn.

Prepare for Tomorrow; Live for Today

The advice of people who have faced fatal illness is to prepare for the worst but live with hope. Survivors say knowing your affairs are in order and your loved ones are taken care of frees you to live each day to the fullest.

Many Will Outlive Cancer

Today, many people with some of the most common and most prevalent forms of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer, can realistically expect to beat cancer, live long and happy lives, and die of old age or other causes. Certain forms of cancer are now considered so slow growing and unlikely to impact patients’ lives that testing and treatment are no longer recommended. You’re more likely to die of something else before you feel cancer’s effects.

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment

Scientific progress in genetic and cellular research and recognition of the immense value of immunotherapy are revolutionizing cancer treatment and increasing life expectancy. In Issels’ more than 60 years of experience, many stage 4 cancer patients have achieved long-term remission with integrative immunotherapy.