I would like to comment and give a perspective in response to the innumerable posts about which diet or supplement is better than that diet or supplement and what one should do become healthy. Its my personal view that the individual components of a lifestyle are less important than the lifestyle as a whole. What do I mean by that?
Its my observation that many of the people that do well after a cancer diagnosis do so because they are successful in making changes in their lifestyle at all levels, physical, mental and spiritual. They are successful in achieving this not because they are preoccupied with disease, but because they become preoccupied with WELLNESS.
The question is often asked what can you do after treatment is complete and you are stable or NED. This was the time I felt the most directionless and most vulnerable because I would focus on all the negative things that had happened or could happen. I had been through radiation, chemo, two surgeries and then adjuvant chemo post surgery. I was preoccupied with cancer as a disease. It really hit home when one of the medical staff at the hospital told me they were really sorry to hear about my pathology as several of my lymph nodes were still positive. Sorry? I beg your pardon? Why not congratulate me for the fact that the tumor was fried to oblivion even it was the size of a grapefruit? I was determined that I was not going to allow negativity to take over!
The step change for me was making a vow one day to focus on WELLNESS. By focusing on wellness it didn’t leave a lot of time to worry about disease and things really started to look up. I became interested in nutrition and spent a lot of time researching why some people can eat just about anything and get away with it and yet others had to be much more selective about what they put in their bodies. I also became interested in cooking and preparing food. I settled on a stable regime that I really enjoy and seems to suit me.
I don’t want to debate whether it’s the flax oil and cottage cheese or the predominance of fresh fruit and veg (although I’m happy to share) that is probably less important than the net benefit of living a structured lifestyle. Could it be the placebo effect? Maybe and if so I say bring on the placebos, because they work real good!!
Another step towards wellness for me was getting physical again. At first, four days after my old style lobectomy, I could only make a few steps. On day four I started walking out and managed the length of my front yard. The next day I added one more yard and tried to do that every two or three days. Within a few weeks I was walking some distance and even added some hills. After several months I was jogging and eventually able to run the neighborhood (three miles) in 28 mins. And off pain meds. I sometimes chuckle when people ask me how I got so fit and healthy, if only they knew!
Regards the spiritual, much has been written on this site about peoples personal beliefs and all I want to say is that I think it really helps if your outlook goes beyond your immediate circumstances and you can be at piece with yourself and the rest of the world. It really doesn’t help to get angry about every little thing that’s said or done or not said and not done. Whether you can achieve that through religion, mediation, yoga or making music it really doesn’t matter but it’s my opinion that you need something to help build and maintain the subtle energies.
As for mental attitude, I think that embraces everything. I have had set backs – the biggest one was finding out recently that I had a bone met, however the inspection of old films showed that it had been there for a long time and fortunately it was pretty stable. But still, those sorts of things can beat you up if you let them. I just wont let them!
I hope this is helpful and explains why some of us think that lifestyle changes can be helpful. It’s a preoccupation with WELLNESS, not disease that drives us on, so let’s not get caught up in the minutia.
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Preoccupation with WELLNESS?
- By Mach1
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 12:44 pm · 21 replies
- In Survivor stories
- Shared with the public
21 replies
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- Newest first
- By stage4survivor
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 1:11 pm
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mach1,
I don't disagree with anything you've said.
Then there is me,
See food diet
Supplements: 20-30oz coffee/day
Exercise: self-propelled lawn mower on 60X100' property each wk
smoke 1ppd unfiltered camels
motrin for arthritis/bursitis
Honestly? The only thing I'd like to change is smoking
5'11 170lbs of twisted steel and sex appeal!
G
- By stage4survivor
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 1:20 pm
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OOPS!
PRAYER is the biggest help in ANY disease, this is well documented in the medical literature.
I pray AM and PM, that's the most important for me.
Even if you don't believe in God, pray, cuz She believes in you.
OK, that's all I have to say about that,
G
- By mare
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 2:27 pm
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Great post. Loved it. I agree whole heartly with you and G.
G if you can please try to get off the cigs.
Prayers for all,
Mary
- By who-me
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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Mach1,
I believe attitude is everything... and I love yours!
- By brooklynda
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 3:13 pm
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Thanks! Enjoyed what you had to say. One of the things I realized is "If you always do what you've always done, you're gonna get what you always got!" I have made many lifestyle changes - mostly in small increments - and continue to do so as I evaluate all the new info that comes my way. I am much more open to considering many different possibilities now than I was before cancer. Blessings! Brooklynda
- By Mach1
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 3:36 pm
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Hey George, while we walk different paths I suspect we are pretty close on the kick butt thing. You epitomize what I was saying about different folks having different needs. But I know you have a purpose and a focus and it's not disease. Love ya.
Brooklynda, I tend to agree. I made most of my changes over time and would not do anything that I didn't enjoy doing or consume anything I hated just because it's vogue or healthy. I just do what I think MY body is asking for in order to heal.
- By stage4survivor
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 6:13 pm
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Mach1,
Please don't misunderstand. I don't begrudge or criticize those that make changes and completely agree with brooklynda concerning "getting what you always got" in most things.
As I amended, spirituality is a whole 'nother issue. I'm more aware of a "Higher Power" and that may be the only change.
I simply don't feel that most changes, at this point, make a significant difference, for me.
God has a plan for me, and all of us, I'm just kinda vexed she won't tell me straight out!
For instance, why wasn't I born wealthy instead of so damn handsome?
G
- By brooklynda
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 8:18 pm
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S4S: As far as the "handsome" and "not wealthy" thing goes - I dunno - I guess we all have our burdens to bear! It can be tough to be a sex-symbol sometimes!
- By drawing3d
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 8:39 pm
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Mach1, your words are very powerful - and true.
Your positive attitude reminds me of the Chinese Proverb:
“Those that say it can't be done should get out of the way of those doing it”
...and George... wink-wink :)
Love,
Ellen
- By stage4survivor
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 8:43 pm
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BDA,
I am rich though, my sons are my treasure.
G
- By Mach1
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 9:50 pm
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Thanks Ellen you are one of the people who have helped me along. So pleased your visit to Cleveland was successful. And handsome George bless you too.
Mac.
- By GregGriggs
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 10:14 pm
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I have been fighting this sickness for three years.
Some days it just beats the crap outta me an other days are good.
It is kinda funny like ya said there is a plan for all of us.
I stay busy all the time I had a lotta bad habits all my life .
People came to see me after surgery an Chemo . A couple of years later they said man I didn't think you were going to make it.
I didn't think I was going to make it either.
I gotta admit I sure do miss the old days.
some days I walk out an get the morning paper an think it would be nice ta sit down out side have a smoke an read the paper.
Something else Lotta people came to vist me while I was gettin better and about four of them up an died for no good reason.
Makes me wonder what I am doing here
Hope all goes well with all of you.
Greg
- By cuddles53
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 11:27 pm
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I made a few changes like quitting smoking and adding, not deleting foods in my diet, I also added too much weight on my body, and can't exercise at least my pulmonologist told me no exercise, only walking which I do. I eat purple fruits the most, and I hate all fruit but will eat it now, also my ovaltine I drink in place of coffee everyday,and green tea, thats about it for now, but I also added morphine to my diet, and ativan so I am sure that just does set me back quite a bit for all of the good things I tried to do. I just can't yet, get into cottage cheese and flaxoil? I may just try it later.
God blessSandy
- By stage4survivor
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 11:43 pm
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GregGriggs,
BTW, I like that name! Very solid, very easy. Not sure why butm you remind me of the offer to get a handicap parking sticker, I thought WTH for? I don't need no stinkin HC parking! HELL! They give 'em to people with athletes foot and eczema for chrissake! How many people have them that don't really need them!
G
- By linnea
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 7:56 am
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Mach1--I admire your spirit and believe your attitude not only makes you better prepared to fight, but better prepared to enjoy life. You've learned a lot. Linnea
- By Mach1
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 9:04 am
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Cuddles I know you are a fighter too. Walking is great exercise! All the small changes add up over time and help keep the spirit strong. God bless.
- By erinroro
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 9:13 am
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What a great post! And what fun reading all the great replies! This is more like the LCA I remember! We fight the beast with love, joy and laughter - thank you all for giving me my first (of many I hope) laugh of the day!
BTW Stage4 - you are a hoot! Glad you didn't give up on us!!
Erin
- By Granny888
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 10:31 am
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Not really needing them is -- relative I guess. As a youngster I had a pretty awful case of excema on my feet lol.
I use them, but not often. I usually part near or next to, some handicap spots are only handicap because they allow wheelchair access not because they are close. There are days -- moments -- when I will tell my driver (hmmm ... my driver!) to park in one and I'll barely make it into the store but he knows to use it only when really necessary. It's nice to have. On the days when I'm really bad I don't go.
I do have memories of days when I could hardly walk due to excema though, and I was young then. Fortunately that didn't last long.
- By karenere
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 11:31 pm
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G .... I am so glad you used the word "She" when referring to a higher power. Most men don't realize that lolololololololo
Karen
- By GregGriggs
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 3:45 pm
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Hey G
I like the handi cap thingy ya know when you go to the liquer store for smokes an Beer. you can get them with out runnin all over the parkin lot lookin for a spot to park.
Greg
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