The cancer journey is a difficult time bringing with it not only physical changes, but also issues surface around body, mind, spirit.  Emotional stress is normal, but not often understood by those not along on this journey.  Those of us who have traveled this road, totally get it.

There are wonderful fabrics out there now that wick away sweat so you don’t have that clammy feeling after the hot flash.  The sportswear industry picked them up first, but with the advent of so many women going through menopause, wicking fabrics are used for lovely nightwear.

Although the wicking fabric works well for your nightwear, having sheets and pillowcases that also wick sweat gives one an added level of comfort.  Then consider not only sheets, but also pillowcases, mattress pads and blankets.

Whatever promotes a good night’s sleep is worth it’s weight in gold.  Sleep is an important aspect of healing.  Being awakened many times in the night with hot flashes disturbs sleep and impairs the body’s ability to heal.

A great place to look for solutions:
Sleep Better Tonight With Cool-jams Wicking Sleepwear For Night Sweats. Free Shipping.

First, the mastectomy bra does need to be functional.  Comfort comes up at the top of the list.  No side seams, soft fabric, proper band around the bottom to keep the bra in place, and pockets for the prosthesis.

However, functional does not always need to appear functional.  Looking and feeling feminine are important for one’s self-esteem and self-image.  Losing a breast to cancer may be necessary for your health and life.  Losing your sense of being a woman does not have to follow.  We are who we are inside.  That is what counts.

So have a look for the mastectomy bra that suits you and your lifestyle.  There may be several looks you want to have in your wardrobe.

Many women choose chemo hats and scarves as an everyday solution.  However, chemo hats and scarves definitely send the message ‘I am going through cancer’.  This brings up the issue of wigs for cancer patients. Wilshire Wigs have an excellent selection for special occasions, those times when you don’t want to broadcast your health situation, and when you need that boost of self-confidence to carry the day.

There are many beautiful wigs available these days at different price points.  They can be synthetic or real hair or a mix of both.  Some women opt for a totally different look – a look they’ve always wanted to have but it didn’t suit their hair.  Other women like to match their regular style as close as possible.  You can do either.

Here are a few tips:

1. Make sure that the wig is comfortable.  The inside should be smooth and not scratchy as the underside of the wig will be directly on top of your skin – no protection.
2. If you live in a warmer climate, there are wigs that are also breathable making them cooler to wear.
3. If you haven’t lost your hair just yet, now is a good time to match the color.

Looking good while going through treatment helps keep your spirits up.  This is for you.  When you look in the mirror, it will reflect back the person you know yourself to be.  Give yourself a hug and boost even on the days when it is difficult.  Every little action counts.

Life was busy when I was young – dance classes, singing lessons, school & homework, teaching dance classes, being in productions – and when I had time, a social life.  Overwhelm used to hit me often so to relax and de-stress, I used to head to our basement rec room, put on a stack of classical records and lie down.  An hour later, the world looked right again.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, healing music and meditation once again became a key element of my healing journey.  I’d don earphones and transport myself to another plane on the waves of healing music during chemotherapy.  In the dark of night when my fears and uncertainties slipped out, I would put on my earphones and listen to calm my soul.

There is much research into the healing benefits of music and/or sound.  Have you ever had chills run up your spine when you listened to music that you loved.  That’s energy – healing energy.  It is a physical reaction that will also stir emotional responses in your body which in turn facilitates healing.

Music for Healingand meditation make a wonderful addition to your books resources for cancer patients – and can be a special gift that will make someone’s day.  When I was going through treatment, friends and family would frequently send me CD’s of music they knew would lift my spirit.  They were special treasures!

Consider a gift basket with inspirational gifts for cancer patients.  These healing baskets save you the work of trying to figure out what would be helpful, have different themes, are focused for gender, age and/or specific issue, etc..

And, if you live distant from the person you want to support, what a wonderful way to say ‘I Care’, ‘I’m Here For You’.

Healing Baskets provides gifts to comfort and support the broken hearted. From sympathy, and loss to cancer, get well, divorce and caregiving. Our gifts encourage, comfort and inspire.

It is so important to find Organic Skin and Hair Care Products to use during this time.  Our skin is more sensitive to harmful and harsh ingredients while going through treatment and needs to be pampered with safe and natural skin care.  Perfume and/or scent is often not tolerated.  Our Wellspring cancer center has signs up asking members to please not wear perfume. For many, this is an issue no matter what their situation – certainly is for me.

Be aware, read the list of ingredients, choose skin care products that have few if any chemicals and watch your skin benefit.  I’ve had to do this for years as I have sensitive skin which was complicated by all the heavy makeup I wore when I was in the theatre.  Going through chemotherapy and radiation made me doubly aware of what I put on my body.

Be kind to yourself and your skin.  It pays to not only eat right and radiate from the inside out, but to also make sure you are protecting your skin from the outside in.

My main reason for making the change was to eliminate a nagging stomach problem that seemed to be escaping diagnosis by scoping and probing.  Nothing showed up, but I knew I had a problem.  Once I switched to this way of eating, the stomach issue cleared up and only returns if I slide off the suggested protocols.

It was a bit tricky at first to change the way I thought about food, especially what I would eat for a main meal.  The rest I had pretty much figured out.  I am purposely not sharing all the details because I really want you to read the book and decide for yourself whether it makes sense to you.

Other benefits, besides a happy stomach, are a return to my ideal weight, improved vision, more energy, less bloating, and an overall sense of well-being.  Now that I have been eating this way for a bit, I really have come to enjoy the foods.  It has become an adventure – a healthy adventure.

So, I invite you to check it out for yourself.  Love to hear your thoughts and/or changes if you do decide to follow this path.

One of these concerns is the risk of lymphedema due to the pressurization of the plane cabin when flying.  Since winter heralds flocks of snowbirds and those of us tired of snow and sleet to warmer climates, I wanted to make sure you were aware and knew what to do.

Please invest in a lower compression (preventive) lymphedema sleeve.  Wear it on the flight and make sure you also get a gauntlet (glove) with it.  Some lymphedema sleeves have the gauntlet as part of the garment.  Not only will the sleeve moderate the pressure on your arm, but will also remind you to be mindful when lifting your luggage as heavy lifting is also a risk factor.

Prevention is key.  Once you are diagnosed with lymphedema, it will be a lifelong commitment of maintenance.  Better to prevent if at all possible – at least reduce the risk by being aware.

Research has indicated that the health benefits of drinking green tea are:

• reduced risk of esophageal cancer
• inhibited growth of cancer cells as a result of a compound in green tea
• lowered total cholesterol levels, as well as improved ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

For those who still want their caffeine fix without the coffee, green tea is an ideal option. It provides the caffeine, although at a much lower dose than coffee, while one reaps the health benefits listed above.

So, slow down and enjoy a wonderful cup of green tea.