My Hero
Oprah’s guest pointed to the place above her collarbone where the tumors first appeared. It’d been a hard fight, with one particularly close call, but she’d made it and now she was a survivor – even a hero. Cue tears from the audience. Normally I’d have been moved, crying along with the show and applauding […]
To Port or Not To Port – Advantages & Disadvantages
Most of our patients who receive chemotherapy, and some patients who receive other therapies for blood disorders, have had a port catheter (or port for short) placed by recommendation of their medical provider for very good reason. A port catheter is a device placed “centrally” into a large, main vein and is generally located in […]
Living Long and Well with Cancer: Can Exercise Help?
A century ago, when illness struck, patients were sent to bed, isolated and ‘let’ of blood. Fortunately, sanatoriums and leeches have been done away with, but the concept of bed rest or inactivity is still one that has been debated until just recently. Historically, there have been concerns that exercise could make cancer spread or […]
Cancer Related Fatigue
Fatigue is a very common complaint among cancer patients. Everyone experiences fatigue from time to time. This is how our bodies indicate the need for rest and sleep and is an expected feeling after certain activities or at day’s end. Usually a good night’s sleep will solve the problem. However, individuals with cancer can experience […]
Care of the Cancer Caregiver
Being diagnosed with cancer is a life-altering event. To survive through the process, one usually relies upon others for help. This article is written for those individuals who are the “helpers” or the caregivers. The people who help can be a spouse, sibling, parent, child, neighbor or friend; a person who will be there for […]
What Can I Do For Chemobrain?
Chemotherapy can cause many patients to have difficulty concentrating, remembering certain things, or finishing brain-intensive tasks. This is commonly called chemobrain. It can sometimes last for weeks, months, or years after treatment for cancer is completed. It’s often a very upsetting experience, even if it’s so slight that no one but the patient notices it. […]
Does Sugar Cause Cancer Cells to Grow?
FACT: Sugar does not make cancer cells grow faster! The truth is that all cells in our body use a form of simple sugar, called glucose, for energy. We get sugar from foods that contain carbohydrates, protein and fat. Even though sugar does not “feed” cancer cells it is a good idea to limit the […]