Game On! Eye of the Tiger---Whatever It Takes!

I have a certain group of amazing friends who are an inspiration to me on a daily basis. They vary in age, in gender, in hair color, in size…pretty variable I would say…except they all have two things in common: they have a diagnosis of cancer—and they are fighters. You may know some of them…I know I am so blessed by knowing them!

I’ve learned so much from them. I sincerely hope I’ve been a good friend… and possibly shared some beneficial information with them. I’m also blessed with an amazing faculty with great wisdom & insight to bless me on my journey to a PhD in Holistic Health. My reasons for pursuing further education at this point in my life are not because I’m bored…definitely not! The need for sound research in Integrative Medicine practices for cancer prevention, support during conventional cancer treatments, natural cancer treatments, and ‘after-cancer’ treatments has become of great interest to me---with the ultimate goal of getting solid, non-biased information out ‘to the masses’ so they can make educated decisions instead of agreeing to questionable treatments out of fear or pressure.

Several things have become clear to me over the past few years. As you read this short list, I hope that you will gain greater insight into the challenges of those you know who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and be better able to support & encourage them. I say this most humbly, since I have not walked in their shoes…

Point #1: A diagnosis of cancer is not a death sentence---it’s a diagnosis---and we all know there are many diagnoses out there, like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and congestive heart failure, to name just a very few. I think most of us would acknowledge that our reaction to someone we know telling us that they were just diagnosed with cancer is usually quite different to someone we know telling us that they have one of the other diagnoses listed above. Question to ask ourselves: How can I best respond to this in a positive & supportive way?

Point #2: A person’s mindset is critically important throughout life---and becomes even more so in times of crises and challenges. For many people their faith also plays a significant role in their mindset. Question to ask ourselves: How can I be of help in this area?

Point #3: When a diagnosis of cancer is made, one way of ‘dealing’ with the challenge is to consider the treatment plan like going into training for an intense athletic event (ie. a marathon), which may involve several hours every day. That’s because there’s more to fighting cancer than going for chemotherapy treatments or radiation. Similarly, there’s more to fighting diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis… (insert diagnosis here) than taking a medication or giving ourselves an injection. Other factors that need to be addressed include nutrition, water intake, sleep and exercise. Imagine how well a diabetic would do if they didn’t make lifestyle changes (including diet & exercise) after being diagnosed with either Type I or Type II diabetes---not very well! Question to ask ourselves: How would I support this friend/family member if they just told me they were going into training for a marathon (instead of starting chemo treatments)?

Point #4: There are so many sound, researched integrative medicine options available that can be incorporated into any and all treatment plans. These options may provide relief of chemo side effects, support the liver, and enhance the effects of other treatments, along with many other positive results. Health care providers are NOT dictators of anyone’s health and should NOT be making statements like, “No, that won’t work”---or “No, I don’t want you to do that” unless they have sound documentation to back up their statement (which would not include a biased study by a pharmaceutical company). Question to ask ourselves: How can we best support our friend/family member in this education process & not let our personal advice/judgment take over?

Point #5: Once the wonderful words ‘remission of cancer’ are heard, the training/challenge is NOT over. Think about it, when a diabetic hears their blood sugar is in the normal range, do they just ‘forget about it’ and go back to their former lifestyle habits? I hope not! Keeping up with healthy lifestyle habits are CRITICAL for long-term success in maintaining the best health possible. Question to ask ourselves: How can we encourage them in this healthy lifestyle journey?

So…some possible answers for Questions to ask ourselves to encourage those we know who have a cancer diagnosis:
• My first & foremost answer is to pray for them. I realize this is a very personal aspect---though, honestly, it is at the very top of my list.

• One of the most important ways (again, in my humble opinion) to support them is to get our ‘Game Face’ on and let them know we’re there for them…NOT with looks of pity but with the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and a ‘Whatever It Takes’ attitude.

• Think of the positive difference we could potentially make in their lives as we greet them with a smile (& ‘the ‘Eye’)…check in on them…’hang’ with them…with an attitude of, “Hey, you’ve got this”…”you’re doing everything you can do”…”you can do this”…GAME ON!>”

Let’s be that person to others---Thank you for being a blessing!
Sana

My 1st Assignment--Why I'm Doing What I'm Doing

I'm quickly figuring out 'how things work' as I jump in with both feet into my coursework toward my Doctor of Education in Holistic Health & Wellness degree---Here is my first 'project' that I submitted this past week that gives an idea for why I'm doing what I'm doing----I know there are many out there who truly are wondering WHY I'm doing what I'm doing!
May you and your families be blessed with great health!
Sana

My Philosophy of Natural Health
Imagine a nation in which being healthy and truly feeling well was the norm…with illness being an uncommon occurrence for which there were simple, safe and effective measures to take. While we’re at it, let’s also imagine a prevailing mindset of personal responsibility for our health. I realize that the general public would be rolling their eyes in unison after reading the above two statements. That’s okay, though. That’s why I’m embarking on this journey of education with a destination of a Doctor of Education in Holistic Health and Wellness degree.

The reason I say it’s ‘okay’ at present for the public to roll their eyes in disbelief at the thought of a healthy nation is because the majority of people aren’t aware of the sound research and information available in the natural health arena that can impact our health in positive ways. The barrage of pharmaceutical-driven health information from multiple media sources that the public is subject to, even if they aren’t looking for information, is a formidable mess of misinformation often designed to intimidate and alarm.

Many of us were raised under a Western medicine influence with a skewed view of health being ‘the absence of disease.’ Little, if any, emphasis was placed on disease prevention. The average health care consumer is growing increasingly frustrated and confused with conflicting reports and myriads of health care choices. This frustration and confusion is creating a wonderful window of opportunity in the natural health field. I believe that sound, pertinent education is the key in changing the face of our nation’s health for the better.

This ‘sound’ education can only happen with knowledgeable natural health consultants and practitioners standing up and speaking out, armed with unbiased, unequivocal research. This is what it will take in a country overridden with a medical (sick care) system driven for the most part by financial greed. I’ve been a part of both sides (Western medicine and natural health) in my 28 year nursing career and I know which side needs to win the battle. A true victory will be a cooperative force of health practitioners and consultants practicing integrative medicine that actually endorses and follows the ‘Do no harm’ credo.

I know that I will benefit personally from the knowledge gained on this journey of natural health education. My goal is to take this invaluable information and utilize effective ways to educate others in ways that make sense to them, empowering them to incorporate healthy behaviors into their lifestyles. I look forward to the journey.