However, when cancer is diagnosed, there is motivation to rethink how one lives life. Suddenly what appears so important before cancer becomes insignificant.  It is then time to re-evaluate.  Questions pop up. What am I doing? Where am I going?  Who is with me on this journey?

This requires quiet time – time to just be still and hear your own thoughts.  For me, walk time became a space in time just for me.  Meditation helped quiet my mind which had become a rabbit warren of worrying thoughts vying for space.  Music transported me to magical places. Reading books for cancer patients, especially by survivors to learn how they coped with cancer.

In time, calm, peace and energy returned in a more manageable manner.

That created quite a lifestyle change. Gone were turtleneck sweaters, pullovers, wool, etc.  Anything that I felt would create heat and/or I couldn’t get out of quickly when I got a hot flash.  Cardigans became my friend.  Easy to get on and off in a hurry.  Cotton and wicking clothing are also options, although at the time of my treatment (late 1990), they weren’t readily available outside of sportswear.

Interestingly, the hot flashes became a bonus when standing around outdoors in inclement and/or cold weather for my son’s sports games.  I was warm – others were cold.  However, when the hot flash ran its course, the clammy feeling set in and I was chilled . . . but not for long.

Night sweats are the evening equivalent of hot flashes, so nowadays you can get lovely wicking pajamas.  Cotton flannel – not the most attractive – work, but now always what you want to wear.  We need to thank the sports industry for the fabric as wicking materials have been used to help athletes for some time now.

By knowing these people, I have come to understand some of their challenges.  One of the main problems as a result of treatment is no saliva and the resulting issues around eating – even the enjoyment of eating such as lack of taste.

Saliva is something we take for granted in the eating process. When it is absent, food is not easily chewed, absorbed or transported.  It needs to be soft, wet and a milky consistency in order to facilitate swallowing.  Even exercise is a challenge as dry mouth sets in.  Having a ready water supply is absolutely necessary.

Dry mouth products are available to help counter some of these problems. Although not inspirational gifts for cancer patients with head and throat cancer, a gift basket of these products for dry mouth might be a very welcome and helpful gesture of caring and concern.

Skin care products is just one of many ways we do this.  Many harmful chemicals are used in most of the over the counter products we are exposed to every day.  Here are a few ingredients to watch for on the label:

Mineral oil, paraffin wax, paraffin oil, sodium laureth sulfate, talc powder, toluene, sodium hydroxide, rancid oils, propylene or butylene glycol, lanolin, fragrance and finally, isothiazolinone.

Our skin breathes and whatever we put on our skin is absorbed into the body.  Harmful substances such as the ones above can cause damage ranging from clogging pores to skin damage to intake of carcinogens resulting in cell damage.

There are more natural and organic skin care products on the market these days.  Make sure to check these products as well to ensure that they are, in fact, natural and/or organic.

During cancer, this became a way to add a fashion statement to my otherwise bald head.  Wearing scarves and hats were great, but I needed to find a style that made me feel special and beautifully different.  I learned how to tie a head scarf in an interesting way and added unique earrings and necklaces to complete the look.

Healing gemstones offer a bonus because they are not only beautiful and luxurious in their own right, but they also contribute their healing energy to your body energy.  Many will be skeptical that this is so, but for those who use healing gemstones, they know – it works.  Plus, you just feel great wearing them.

To the general public, cancer often looks like a physical disease.  One that once you have undergone surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation, you are better and ready to resume your life as before.  Well, NO.  Yes, there is the physical healing, but just as important or even more important, is the internal work one does.

I found this part of the cancer healing journey both daunting and exciting.  It called me to learn, reshape my priorities, embrace my authentic self, and heal many aspects of my life that were not working.

During that time, I focused on inspirational poems and stories by people who had gone through tough times and survived.  I absorbed the life lessons they shared and gained insight into the work I needed to do for myself in order to be whole again.  It has been and still is an amazing journey.

I haven’t found any mastectomy bras that come up high, but I have found a camisole that comes with a high neckline.  It has several style options that are both practical and dressy.  The mastectomy camisole was also designed to be worn over a bra.

This mastectomy camisole is extremely comfortable – it has stretch to the fabric.  It was designed with input from many women who had undergone breast cancer treatment – women who know.

This is the scenario most women going through cancer treatment, namely chemotherapy, face as they are often thrown into early menopause.  When sleep is a key ingredient for allowing the body to heal, finding a workable solution to the effects of hot flashes becomes imperative.

Wicking pajamas as well as wicking sheets and pillowcases are a great option.  The fabric will wick away the sweat keeping you reasonably dry so you can continue on with your sleep.  Borrowing the fabric technology from the fitness and sports industry, applying the wicking capacity in garments for cancer patients provides a wonderful solution to the nuisance and unpleasantness of hot flashes.

Chemotheraphy can cause baldness – and does most often.  Nowadays, there are some wonderful choices that are both practical and stylish.

1. Chemo Hats – these are designed to come low enough on the natural hairline to disguise the lack of hair.  Some come with hair pieces – i.e. side flips or bangs.  Depending on the weather, you can find attractive chemo hats to either keep you warm or cool – and protect against sunburn.

2. Scarves – these can be worn in many chic and adaptable ways.  You can use  your own scarves or buy a new wardrobe of scarves.  Make sure the fabric will hold the tie in place, be soft, not scratchy, and the size large enough to make the tie.

3. Wigs – some opt for real hair wigs while some opt for synthetic.  Your choice.  Obviously cost will factor in your decision.  There are wonderful breathable wigs now which are much more comfortable to wear.  It’s a good idea to find a good color and style match before your lose your hair, unless you want to change up your look and get something totally different.  That can be fun!

Lots of choices.  You might as well enjoy the journey and find something to tickle your fancy, make you feel and look great to boost your spirits.

1. Lymphedema – this can happen after node dissection – either upper body or lower body.  Once lymph nodes are removed, the lymph transit system is impaired causing a backlog of fluid which creates uncomfortable swelling.  Taking precautions to reduce your risk of getting lymphedema are critical as there is no cure – only management.

2. Early Menopause – this can be triggered by chemotherapy.  For some, regular periods come back, but for most, they do not.  Since hormone replacement therapy is not advised for breast cancer patients, finding suitable herbal solutions can help.  Also, look for wicking clothing – wicking nightwear and daywear – to alleviate some of the discomfort of sweating with the accompanying chill afterwards.

3.  Fatigue – exercise is the antidote.  As strange as it may sound, exercising will help you increase oxygen uptake, increase blood flow, reduce your risk of lymphedema and elevate self-esteem.  Something as simple as a brisk walk.  Or, join an exercise class with a group that understands your cancer needs – The Lebed Method, Focus on Healing Through Therapeutic Exercise and Movement. Find a buddy to join you, especially for the days you don’t feel like getting out there.

You will get through this time much easier with some thought to coping with cancer ahead of time.