How Has Having Cancer Changed Your Life?
After a mastectomy and life-threatening complications, I received healing touch, which helped me heal quickly. As result, I opened Well Within, a nonprofit holistic healing center where we help breast and other cancer patients by offering low cost/free integrative therapies, classes and support.
What Type of Cancer Did You Have?
Stage one breast cancer
How long did you undergo treatment?
My recovery from the mastectomy and reconstruction took about a month. I now have chronic lymphedema from the surgery but manage it with exercises and a compression sleeve. Not wanting to have a recurrence, I now try to eat well, exercise, maintain a strong immune system, spend time with family and good friends, and help others as much as I can. So my 'treatment' continues as an ongoing, holistic approach to life.
Advice
- Accept all the help that people offer you.. it's good for them as well as you. Have a friend be in charge of scheduling meals, visits, etc. so you can conserve your energy.
- Talk about what you are going through, with a good friend, or in a support group.
- Consider using integrative therapies to enhance healing and wellbeing. Ones that are especially helpful are accupuncture, healing touch/reiki, Qi Gong or Tai Chi, meditation, and mindfulness--living in the present moment.
- Get some exercise if possible, even just a short walk. This helps your body heal & also helps with depression.
- Pray, Laugh, Love!
