The following article is in response to requests for more detailed information about the stages of cancer, treatments, and ways to negate side effects. NOTE: as always, consult your doctor or practitioner for exact food/diet suggestions, as not everything works for all people.
Let’s begin with the stages of Cancer. In stage zero there are a small number of cancerous cells in one area. Stages I, II and III progress into how involved the cancerous cells are, affecting both the local area and nearby organs. Stage IV involves other areas and organs, with numerous metastases or spreading, and this stage is often referred to as terminal.
There are many treatment systems used for cancer, depending on the severity and type of cancer. Chemotherapy is the most well known, using chemicals to inhibit the reproduction of cancerous cells. Radiation is sometimes used to inhibit the cancer cell growth or shrink tumors. Surgery is another option, removing the cancerous tissues. Immunotherapy involves treating the immune system, either stimulating or inhibiting through nutrition or drugs. Transplant therapy takes healthy stem cell or bone marrow and is placed as a reminder to the other cells to grow healthier.
The more common side effects of cancer treatment protocols includes: digestive complaints, pain and fatigue, nausea, and delays in the healing process. Other common complaints are hair loss, changes to the nails, loss of smell or taste, weight changes, and anxiety.
There are additional side affects that are not as common. Those can include allergic reactions, changes to blood pressure, shock, serious infections, seizures, and visual changes. The more long term problems stemming from cancer treatment are mental problems, increased malignancies, and especially in treatment through chemotherapy, heart attacks. The most profound and permanent affect to cancer intervention therapies is death of the person.
What are the two best ways to downsize side effects? First we have diet. Diet is the more potent preventative treatment. The recommended diet is high in protein and calorie, with plenty of liquids, given in several small meals throughout the day. Include lean meat, preferably no red meat, and lots of vegetables. Whole grain/fiber, non-acidic fruits, juices, smoothies, yogurt, cottage cheese, and of course clean water.
The second of the top-two self care aids in reducing the affects of cancer treatment is energy healing. This includes reiki, healing touch, therapeutic touch, quantum healing or other healing modalities, including meditation and prayer . Many report decreased fatigue, and less mental, physical and emotional stress. It is believed that these self awareness practices bring balance to the body processes and improve the healing response.
Things To take into account: Many people with cancer have their sense of smell, taste, or appetite affected (or things taste metallic). Be creative with favorite/comfort dishes, or new ones, and/or use wood or plastic utensils to cook or eat with. Prepare food in smaller amounts, vent odors, make sure the foods are easy to digest (generally not raw), and have hard candies available to stimulate saliva/digestive processes. Add a splash of juice to water to make it more appealing/palatable.
Remember to be patient and gentle, regardless of the treatment or interaction. There are many helpful healing aids we can provide through energy healing, therapeutic touch, massage therapy, and other interactive sessions. Allow the patient time to react and respond.
Tags: cancer, compassion, diet, disease, Disease&Illness, health, illness, Nutrition, wellness