Coping with Life's Challenges

The following is a guest post by Karen Ingalls, an award winning author, seven-year ovarian cancer survivor, retired RN. Thank you Karen, for your words of wisdom on dealing with life's challenges, nourishing the soul, the power of touch, and getting the most out of each and every day. Laughter truly is the best medicine.

Coping with Life's Challenges, by Karen Ingalls

During a lifetime each of us must face at least one problem, negative event, or challenge, which is the word I prefer. A challenge is defined as a call to battle, a contest, or stimulating one to overcome or face an event.

   The challenges I have faced and overcome are divorce, abuse, untimely deaths, and cancer. Experiencing the journey of ovarian cancer has been my most difficult challenge. Just as everyone else when dealing with a life-changing event we go through the five stages of grief outlined by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross: shock/denial, depression, bargaining, anger, and acceptance.

When I heard the words “You have cancer,” I immediately felt shock, but then quickly entered a state of depression. I do not recall doing any bargaining though I may have done it subconsciously. My anger was expressed more in the form of depression in short intervals. Suddenly I would feel very sad and frightened and tears would flow. As the weeks turned to months and now years, I have come full circle into a healthy state of acceptance.

         

          There are several healthy steps I have used to face my life’s challenges, which helped me to move into acceptance. The first one I call is LIVING EACH MOMENT. Do not waste your time on things you cannot change, but use your energy and knowledge to change the things you can. If we live in each moment with an open heart and love, there is no room for worry, which does not help anyone or change anything.

          Dr. Wayne Dyer states, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

JOYFUL PAST-TIMES are those that bring you joy and peace. Some past-times for me are golfing, gardening, and writing. Listening to certain types of music such as Andrea Bocelli, Ernesto Cortazar, Il Volo, Il Divo, and any of the classical pieces bring joy “to my soul.”

Walking alone on a beach or in a garden helps me to connect with the beauty and majesty of God’s creation. I love to pick up shells; to smell flowers; or to walk barefoot on the sand or grass. They each represent the cycle of life.

LAUGHTER is such a fun way to release stress and worry. During the first few weeks after my diagnosis I spent time watching Laurel & Hardy movies, the Carol Burnett Show, and I Love Lucy. Endorphins are released helping to heal us.

As Charlie Chaplin stated: “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

The gift of LOVE is a treasure that is to be shared. It is the only thing you possess as your own. You will never run out of it, because as you give love, you will receive love.

          Treasure and appreciate your family and friends who love you and show them your love in return.

          To spend even a few minutes in a state of RELAXATION AND DEEP MEDITATION provides healing to the mind, body and spirit. Find a guided meditation tape to help quiet the busy mind. Many times I have “heard” answers to my questions or concerns.

  

For my thesis in graduate school I presented the subject HEALTHY TOUCH. Whether you are receiving a massage, someone is holding your hand, giving you a hug, or an arm around your shoulder the body responds with lower blood pressure and heart rate, relaxes muscles, and increases blood flow.

 Our skin is our largest organ and affects every other part of our body. This photo of twins shows the stronger twin putting an arm around the less strong one to promote healing. Reach out and touch someone, and welcome the returned touch.

 My FAITH in God is the most important way I cope with life’s challenges. I trust that God is working through my doctors, nurses, and caregiver. Whatever your faith is, I encourage you to make it the basis from which all other coping methods flow.       

          “Cancer might have my body, but God has my soul so I am not afraid.” (The Cobblestone of Cancers). This quote can apply to any challenge.

         

 Know that whatever challenge you face, there are ways to shine through it. You can become a stronger, happier, and healthier person by choosing healthy ways to overcome your challenge.

 

Karen Ingalls is an award winning author, seven-year ovarian cancer survivor, retired RN, blogger, and speaker. All proceeds from her Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir book go to gynecologic cancer research. Available at www.amazon.com.

Find Karen:

http://outshineovariancancer.com

http://www.outshineovariancancer.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/karen.ingalls.5

http://goodreads.com/kareningalls

http://twitter.com/KarenIngalls1

http://www/pinterest.com/kcingalls

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~
Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer strategist, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health, and Breast Cancer Answers and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more, and writes the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Magazine. Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Beat Cancer.Org and is on the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. http://elynjacobs.com/about/

If you are interested in working with Elyn to navigate your way through cancer and regain your health, please sign up HERE.

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

A garden needs pure water, sunlight, healthy soil, and lots of love in order to thrive.  If we deprive our garden of the essentials of life, it will wither and die.  If we remedy our sick garden with synthetic chemicals, it will not flourish for long. Like a garden, a healthy body requires this very same support and attention.

Yet, it seems healthcare these days has strayed from health care to sick care. For every ill there is a pill.  Instead of focusing on nourishing or healing the body, doctors prescribe drugs to mask symptoms; it’s easier and faster than working with a patient to change the quality of their soil-- the valuable environment within the body. Long before modern medical science came into being, mankind was dealing with illness via natural means. Many of these herbal remedies have borne the test of time, and are still being used today. But often when we tell our doctors we are taking supplements for our ills, we are warned of the dangers or told that supplementation only provides “expensive pee.” They often don’t say this out of arrogance, but ignorance. I don’t blame doctors, for they are taught to prescribe drugs and are not educated in the innate power of nature.  Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for pharms in critical care, but drugs for the long-term management of symptoms is not healthcare, it is sick care.  Prescription drugs are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer-- Americans are over drugged and underserved. 

Our seniors are clearly drug addicts at the hands of their doctors.  On average, individuals 65 to 69 years old take nearly 14 prescriptions per year; individuals aged 80 to 84 take an average of 18 prescriptions per year.  Why? Because it is easy for doctors and seniors are notoriously compliant. According to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, “ While medications are probably the single most important factor in improving the quality of life for older Americans  [I completely disagree on this point—this is only because we give the pill for the ill instead of concentrating on health], the nation’s seniors are especially at risk for medication-related problems due to physiological changes of aging, higher incidence of multiple chronic diseases and conditions, and greater consumption of prescription and over-the-counter medications.”   They go on to say that “any symptom in an elderly patient should be considered a drug side effect until proven otherwise." 

After my father was rushed to the ER with a severe headache , various other symptoms and no resolution, I questioned his doctor as to why he had prescribed a diuretic for high blood pressure when my dad clearly suffers from chronic dehydration-- the look on his face was priceless.  There are many natural remedies for high blood pressure that nourish the garden instead of harming the patient.

Pain and other symptoms are Mother Nature’s way of telling is that there is something wrong. And while there is no reason anyone should have to suffer unaided, just treating the symptoms may mean ignoring a problem that could have significant impact on your general health.

So how do we grow our garden?

We eat for life and engage in stress-reducing activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation and other mind-body therapies. Medical experts have long recognized the relationship between diet and the incidence of disease, and that realistic modifications of diet and lifestyle can significantly improve mortality. Research suggests that 85% of all medical problems are caused by stress.  Stress-related symptoms range from tension headaches and migraines to lower-back pain, frequent colds, insomnia and hypertension, and stress contributes to cancer as well--chronic stress changes immune cell genes, leading to inflammation. 

We look within to see what is causing the ill, and we fix it.  If I were dehydrated and suffering from the symptom of a headache, I could take an aspirin and likely feel better.  However, will that aspirin cure my dehydration—a problem that could impact my health and very survival?  No.

Thirty years ago I was suffering from debilitating knee pain, so severe I could not stand up. The doctor told me to stop all forms of exercise and take 600mg of ibuprofen twice daily to manage the pain, and hope that I didn’t end up in a wheelchair (or worse, die of the remedy.)  With the assistance of a far-wiser doctor I solved the problem with nothing other than—you guessed it—targeted and consistent exercise to support my knees—something I do to this day and my knees are pain-free.

Keep in mind that pain’s partner is inflammation, and we now know that most, or perhaps even all chronic diseases are the result of inflammation.   So while you may think you are just managing pain, by reducing inflammation you are also taking a major step in extending your life—just don’ forget to address the root of the problem.

We must also consider the repercussions of our remedy if we are to nourish the garden. If we take a toxic drug such as Tylenol or Advil, we may get relief from a symptom, but we could be causing more ills.  Several studies have shown that Tylenol damages the liver and kidneys.  Each year over 78,000 Americans go to the emergency room for treatment for an acetaminophen overdose, and death by overdose or accidental ingestion causes about 450 deaths a year (Tylenol is often hidden in other pharms such as cough medicine and prescription drugs.) Yet, most patients are told to take the drug daily and even several times daily. Tylenol is often recommended for the pain relief of osteoarthritis, but NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) is now warning against the use of Tylenol (acetaminophen in the US and paracetamol in the UK). It warns of the potential side effects of Tylenol and says it has “limited benefit”. When used, it should be the “lowest effective dose” for the “shortest possible time.”  In this exhaustive 600+ page report they offer holistic and other non-pharmaceutical recommendations. 

Research links ibuprofen (NSAIDS) use to things like heart disease, circulatory problems, gastrointestinal conditions, bleeding and/or perforation of the gut and the intestinal tract. Again, we need to turn to nature.  Numerous studies have shown that curcumin (turmeric) is at least as effective as ibuprofen and offers numerous health benefits (over 600).  In a 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, researchers found that 2000mg of turmeric extract was as effective as 800mg of Ibuprofen in reducing the pain and inflammation associated with knee osteoarthritis. (For a good source, try: THORNE RESEARCH – Meriva-SR – 120ct ). Don’t sacrifice tomorrow for today: while it might seem easier just to pop that pill, make every attempt to heal and to manage symptoms with non-toxic alternatives--or you just might add another ill to your list.  Nurture your garden and reap the benefits.

Not sure where to start?  Seek out a Naturopathic Doctor, holistic practitioner, health coach, or cancer coach to help you devise a plan for your specific needs and goals.  If you are an internet-surfer, know that quality, dosage and synergy matter when it comes to supplementation, so always seek out the advice of a professional before you add supplements and before you discontinue any medications.  And by all means, get out and get some sunshine!

This article was originally printed in my Options for Life column in the Spring Edition of Natural Healing Natural Wellness.

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer strategist, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health, and Breast Cancer Answers and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more, and writes the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Magazine. Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. http://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/about/

Tune in to the Survive and Live Well Show

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De-Stress is Better than Dis-stress and Dis-ease: Employ the Power of Sound

Can sound really change your brainwaves so you feel relaxed? Can it create a healthy mind, body and spirit to prevent and treat disease?  Research says it can. The benefits to be realized by controlling your brainwaves are simply astounding. The practice in which sound wave stimuli are purposefully used to alter brainwaves in this matter is called brain wave entrainment (BWE).

Numerous studies indicate that roughly 90% of all illness is linked to stress.  While some stress is actually good for us, what we are currently experiencing in our day to day life is way too much.   Chronic, persistent stress has been shown to lead to numerous biological changes that make the body more conducive to cancer development, growth and progression.  By using brainwave entrainment to change the state that your brain is in, you will be better equipped to handle acute and long-term stress as well as improve quality and quantity of sleep—a lack of sleep will exacerbate the effects of stress, and proper sleep is needed to produce much-needed melatonin. 

For the full article, please read Change Your Mind: Change Your Health in my column Options for Life in the Natural Healing, Natural Wellness Newsletter. (please see page 5).

Read more on why not getting enough sleep is a risk factor for cancer, and encourages cancer growth and increases inflammation: Sleep Your Way to Less Cancer

Elyn

             ~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

  Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer strategist, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health, and Breast Cancer Answers and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more, and writes the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Newsletter.  Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. http://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/about/

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Natural Alternatives to Tamoxifen: Interview with Elyn Jacobs

Upcoming Cancer and Wellness Conferences

New Year New You Summit 2014, January 20-24^th, 2014

Free Online Virtual Conference with host Ann Marie Michaels—bringing you cutting-edge information from your favorite health experts, authors, doctors, bloggers, farmers and activists.

For a full listing of speakers, please visit: http://villagegreennetwork.com/new-year-new-you-summit/?AFFID=146498

 

Each day's summit will be free for 24 hours. There is also an option to buy the entire week for unlimited access for $49.  Should you decide to buy the entire week please consider purchasing through this link to support the nonprofit Breast Cancer Choices and its sister site Iodine Research to fund educational work and an ongoing iodine research project with breast cancer.   http://villagegreennetwork.com/new-year-new-you-summit/?AFFID=146498  

Some highlights:

Tuesday January 21^st--Dr Kate Rheaume-Blue, Author of Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox.  Butter is back on the menu! Vitamin K2 directs calcium to the bones and teeth. Learn how to prevent heart disease, osteoporosis, cavities, and Alzheimer’s disease by eating butter, egg yolks and cheese!

Thursday January 23^rd—Lynne Farrow, Author of the Iodine Crisis—How A Hidden Iodine Deficiency Can Wreck Your Life. Iodine deficiency has become a worldwide epidemic due to environmental pollutants. Lynne tells how she used iodine to recover from breast cancer, explains how we became so iodine deficient, and reveals the solution to reversing many conditions.

Want a preview of Lynne's expertise? Lynne was guest on my radio show Survive and Live Well.  To replay the show: Lynne Farrow~The Iodine Crisis: What You Don’t Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Life.  April 2013– http://hipcast.com/podcast/Hr8LzkQs. You can also replay the show via iHeartRadio Talk under the heading of Spreakers or via http://www.iheart.com/talk/show/24233381/.

Future of Nutrition Conference, January 27-31, 2014

FREE online event with host, Marc David.

Created and sponsored by the Institute for the Psychology of Eating, the Future of Nutrition Conference brings together thought leaders with diverse expertise who’ll be sharing innovative ideas and compelling insights.

You’ll enjoy an information-rich conference that can make a powerful difference in your health, metabolism, weight, energy, digestion, immunity, mood, cognition, and so much more. Get ready for some powerful content and daring ideas that are designed to take us into a positive nutritional future.

For a list of presenters, please visit: https://ipe.infusionsoft.com/go/fnchome/HelayneWaldman

This unique online event goes live January 27-31, and you can sign up for FREE here: https://ipe.infusionsoft.com/go/fnchome/HelayneWaldman

Some topics include: 
Science of Nutrition, Energetics of Food, the Addictive Brain, Plant Based Diets, New Clinical Insights and Research, Ancestral Approaches to Nutrition and Health, Nutrigenomics and Epigenetics, the Power of Your Gut Microbiome, Food Allergies, Eating and Exercise, Nutrition and Immunity, Insulin Resistance and Health, Managing Inflammation, Nutrition and Autism, Food and the Brain, Dieting and Metabolism, Nutrition for Fatigue, the Power of Fermented Foods, the Future of Supplements, Eating for Longevity, Food and Weight, the Brilliance of Raw & Wild foods, the Hidden Politics of Nutrition, and lots more! 

If you’re comfortable at the cutting edge and excited to explore new ways of approaching nutrition, health, and personal transformation - then I wholeheartedly invite you to join in. 
Catch one, five or all of the presentations.

Helayne Waldman, M.S., Ed.D, CNE will be one of the featured presenters. 
Helayne is Founder of Turning-the-Tables™, a holistic nutrition practice and consulting service. After 25 years as an educator, writer and video producer, Helayne decided to take her passion for health and nutrition and dedicate her career to nutrition in 2003. She remains focused on teaching individuals and families the importance of good nutrition through individual consultations, specialized programs, teaching, speaking and writing. Helayne holds a doctorate in Education, a Master’s Degree in Communication and is a graduate of Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition. She specializes in supporting women in their journey with breast cancer, and along with Dr. Ed Bauman, is the author of the 2012 book The Whole Food Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors (New Harbinger Publications). 

Want a preview of Helayne's expertise? Helayne has been on my radio show, Survive and Live Well twice.  To replay the shows:

Helayne Waldman: Modulating Hormones with Diet and Supplements  http://hipcast.com/podcast/HBzGGr6s

Helayne Waldman:Nutrition to Beat Cancer  http://hipcast.com/podcast/HsN1v16Q

You won’t want to miss these events!

Elyn

             ~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer strategist, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health, and Breast Cancer Answers and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more, and writes the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Newsletter.  Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. http://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/about/

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Lyme’s Disease ~Cured Naturally

 The following is a quest post from my healer, Mike Carey. Please, if you have Lyme or have been misdiagnosed with MS....please read this post.

 It is reported that over 300,000 people in the U.S. suffer with Lyme’s disease, and are told that there is no cure or that they will probably be on antibiotics for many years.  However, that is neither true nor necessary.  There is a natural cure for Lyme’s disease, and probably more than one.  Let me explain:

  I have been involved in alternative health for over 35 years.  For nearly 18 years, I have done muscle testing using cellular memory and the electricity of the body to determine the cause of most health problems as well as the natural remedy. I do this by asking the body questions that can be answered “Yes” or “no”, and the body responds electrically, allowing me to muscle test. Using this method has also allowed me to discover the natural remedy for many so-called “incurables”, including Herpes, Shingles, Chronic Fatigue, Hepatitis C, Fibromyalgia, and yes, Lyme’s disease.  Lyme’s disease can generally be cured in 1-3 weeks using all natural things.  Years of agony and suffering are totally unnecessary.

  I live outside the U.S. and currently have clients in 7 or 8 different countries throughout the world.  I am able to test my clients over the telephone because everything in the universe works by electricity and frequencies, including your body and the telephone.  In addition, frequencies travel through the air or we wouldn’t have Radio, TV, Cell Phones, WIFI, or GPS.  I  have a test sheet that covers nearly everything in your body and my testing is extremely accurate because the body can’t lie.  If you, or someone you know, suffer with Lyme’s disease, please contact me at Silverwood08@gmail.com.   I charge $75 for the testing, and this one-time fee covers all rechecks.  I normally recheck my clients once per week until all of their health issues are cleared up.  I will look forward to helping you to regain optimum health.

God Bless!   Mike Carey

For more information on Mike, please read:  Cellular Healing and Your Health

 In your good health,

Elyn

             ~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer strategist, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health, and Breast Cancer Answers and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more, and writes the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Newsletter.  Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. http://elynjacobs.wordpress.com/about/

Follow Elyn on Linkedin

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It's a Strong Tree that Withstands a Hurricane: Friendly Cancer Etiquette

It's a Strong Tree that Withstands a Hurricane: Friendly Cancer Etiquette: What we say to a friend with cancer can strain or ruin the relationship--and it can also be detrimental to her already fragile state and wil...