This is my second "go round" with cancer and chemoptherapy, this
time I'm much more educated in helping myself deal with side effects and
would like to pass my remedies on to others.
Chemotherapy affects
the stomach in a very devastating manner from the top to the bottom and
though the prescribed Katrill was a life saver, it doesn't do it "all".
Here are a few home remedies your oncologist will not tell you
about...he's busy with the chemical aspect of treating the disease and
not much into home remedies....I am!
1. Ginger
Ginger has
long been known as an anti-nausea agent....I used fresh ginger, sliced
it up thinly and put it in the freezer. I would put a few slices from
the freezer into a cup of hot water and sip it as tea. I was surprised
to read that they have a clinical trial going on using ginger in capsule
form to treat nausea in chemo patients...worked for me!
2. Aloe
Aloe
is another soothing agent to the stomach and intestinal tract and aloe
water is tasteless and can be found in any supermarket in the produce
department. It's inexpensive and helpful...I personally know a man that
cured himself of bleeding ulcers with aloe juice, his doctor was amazed.
3. White food
Now
for eating....I read many years ago that eating "white food" was a good
idea as most white food doesn't have a strong smell or strong
taste....I can't say that it worked for me but it could work for you.
I'm a believer in organic food and foods made from scratch....we have
enough chemicals racing around our body, we don't need more. You might
want to check out the "Budwig Diet" on the internet.
4. Baldness
Your
oncologist will tell you if you will lose your hair....for me it was
somewhat of a blessing, not having to shave my legs, no blow drying etc.
Cut your hair very short and once it starts falling out, shave it! The
American Cancer Society will give you wigs free of cost....I prefer my
baldness as I live in Florida and I also have a nicely shaped head. My
eyebrow are very sparse and rather than pencil them in, I use eye shadow
that I apply with a brush....it's more natural looking.
5. Attitude
Should
you experience depression...fight it, talk to yourself, convince
yourself that depression will not help you and imagine yourself healthy
again....and smile as you talk to yourself...I don't know why, but it
works.
6. Acupuncture
I went to an acupuncturist during my
first experience with cancer....it helped so much with the horrendous
headaches and the nausea. I don't know why I didn't do it through this
battle.
7. Water
Drinking water is of the utmost importance
and I'm sure your doctor will tell you that, but he doesn't tell you to
drink mineralized water which will put your body in an alkaline
state
8. Exercise
DO
NOT let yourself become a couch potato....even if you must force
yourself to walk around the block, it will be helpful. Somedays you must
force yourself to put one foot in front of the other....but do it.
Exercise helps your body, but it also helps your mind. You will feel
good about yourself and proud.
9. Grooming
Keeping yourself
well-groomed can be an effort on some days, but it's a must! I found on
the days I HAD to go out and groom myself with make-up etc....something
magical happened and I'd feel better....the effort was great but well
worth it......I try and do that everyday now. I mean beyond taking a
shower and brushing my teeth.
10. Power of Prayer
I think
one of the most important remedies is prayer....it has such power and
has gotten me through some really rough times. I don't know how it
works, IT WORKS.
Oops! Forgot something.....dealing with
constipation. I hate the thickness of prune juice and read on the
internet to combat that... put dried prunes in a cup, pour boiling water
over them... drink the liquid while warm and then eat the prunes. One
woman told me her nurse told her to add a bit of butter to it... I chose
to pass on that one but the woman found it quite effective. Flaxseed
is also quite effective and you can add them to your cereal or mix them
in a salad or just eat a teaspoonful... of course, taking laxatives work
but they are not a good idea unless it's an emergency as your body will
come dependent of them.
Good luck to all you "warriors" and I
hope that I've helped you in your battle... it's a tough battle but it
can be won... keep positive... it's the attitude that will get you
through this... fight on and beat it!