Getting through cancer treatments

When you have had a chance to get back on track after a treatment therapy regimen but may not still feel like yourself, try to get your strength back by slowly building energy through an activity that can refresh, if you are able, especially as it relates to your psyche in between treatment regimens such as chemotherapy cycles.

Beating side effects

Fatigue, changes in skin, nails, loss of calcium in bones, swelling (lymphadema) or lymph nodes from radiation, nerve pain, tingling, numbness, changes in cognition (a neuropsychologist can help), most all of this gradually can improve to some degree.

Physical therapy can greatly benefit cancer patients who are struggling with post-treatment complications. It all about improving quality of life to help work through residual side effects with issue such as peripheral neuropathy, lymphadema- stimulating the lymph system with massage, range of motion exercises, to reduce swelling, and address orthopedic changes from treatment, soft tissue/range of motion exercises may help.

It is never too late to improve quality of life, to regain independence and emotional well-being as a result, and thrive.

Powering through Chemotherapy

"Still the mind" — focusing on living best during chemo through having dominant thoughts of positive energy, through meditation and positive mental imagery. Keep a journal of how you are feeling. You may eventually refer back to your journal to see how far you have come since that journal entry.

You will get through this, as hard as it may seem at the time, you can make it. You have family and friends around you to support the goal of "making it through."

Your positive attitude can also be a great inspiration to others as well, especially if you are in a support group, but also your friends and family who are there to support you, will feel your strength and courage through your positive attitude. As a caregiver, I have witnessed this, felt it, experienced it. It is real. You can make it happen — you have the POWER.