Art Therapy - Part of Cancer Treatment

Creating art is a terrific part of complementary therapy when undergoing cancer treatment --- or any type of treatment for that matter.  UCI offers art therapy to its patients,  but you don't have to be part of a group to enjoy creating art.


Kirsten is one of the patients I visit with at UCI Medical Center and is an artist. She likes to paint on different types of mediums. She prefers to stay at home and paint. This is a sample of her work:

You don't have to paint, you can write poetry, cook, collage or whatever. I even have a patient who brings a coloring book and crayons to pass the time while she receives chemotherapy.


If you prefer spending time and creating with a group, ask your doctor if there is an art program at your hospital or medical center.


xo   Inge

 

I found some fun and inspirational quotes and pictures on the net that I want to share with you:

 

 

And I found this terrific article...

 

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3986/10-Things-to-Remind-Yourself-on-a-Daily-Basis.html

 

 

xo   Inge

I made the abosulte BEST smoothie just now. I bought fresh figs at the store. They were on sale, so I figured I would try them. Eating them au naturale was pretty bland, so I decided to experiment. I peeled 7 figs and added them to 1/2 cup ...

coconut milk, a banana and threw them in a blender. WOW! Who needs milkshakes?  Make mine a fig smoothie! Figs are full of phyto-nutrients and anti-oxidents. They spoil fast so I suggest peeling and freezing them.

What you aren't being told about cancer

WATCH THIS VIDEO!!!!  IT EXPLAINS WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AND WHY CANCER IS EPIDEMIC! 

"There is little direct evidence of widespread ill health or ecosystem damage by the use of man-made chemicals."

Alan Perroy, Director General of the European Chemical Industry Council, in a 2001 letter to European Members of Parliament.

"It has now been scientifically demonstrated that there is indeed a link between chemical products and the appearance of diseases, such as cancers, infertility, degenerative diseases of the central nervous system and allergies."

CPME - Standing Committee of European Doctors, 2005


http://www.japanesepopsongs.com/idiotcycle/film_english.html

 

How to Make A Fabulous Green Smoothie without Really Trying

I had a busy week working on the Prop 37 campaign. Monsanto and its gang members have been busy too. They spent 10 million dollars so far and its only August! They are dead set on the American people not knowing what's in their food. I am just as determined as they are though. Sybborn is my middle name. Graet news though Senator Mark Leno (D) says yes to Ptop 37. Here is a copy of his letter:

Dear Colleagues & Candidates,

I'm writing today to ask that you join me in saying Yes on 37. Please join the CA Democratic Party, the California Labor Federation, the California Nurses Association, UFW, Sierra Club, CALPIRG, Consumer Federation of America, dozens of farmers and doctors, and hundreds of other organizations and businesses in officially endorsing Yes on 37. Yes on 37 is California's Right to Know ballot measure that would label genetically engineered foods. You can endorse Prop 37 right now at http://www.carighttoknow.org/endorsements or simply by replying to this e-mail.

Yes on 37 is based on a pretty simple notion: we have the right to know what's in the food we and our families eat. Food products should have simple labels that tell us if they have been genetically engineered, especially since we don't know these foods to be safe. This "right to know" is a fundamental right and a bedrock American value. It is time for California to join 49 countries that already label genetically engineered foods.

Yes on 37 is part of a massive, rapidly-growing national grassroots movement. Here in California, we've secured the endorsements of several elected officials, including U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Congresswomen Maxine Waters & Judy Chu, Chair of CA Dems Women's Caucus Christine Pelosi, State Assemblymembers Allen, Huber, Monning, Huffman, and Ammiano, and many more.

Please learn more and join us today: http://www.carighttoknow.org/.

Thank you!

Mark Leno

State Senator

 

I also found an article about one independent study concerning the effects of gmos:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/tests-rats-suggest-genetically-modified-foods-pose-health-hazards

 

Oh and if you shop at WalMart, they will sell gmo corn in a couple of weeks and of course you won't know, because they don't have to label it!

http://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-is-going-to-sell-monsantos-genetically-modified-corn-and-it-wont-be-labeled-2012-8

 

School is starting soon and in some cities it started last week. Do you know what you are feeding your children?

 

eat your fruits and veggies! (non-gmo)   xo  Inge

 

How many of you use Nutra Sweet or Equal? How many know Monsanto makes it? Watch this video. All I got to say is "I knew it!" I try to limit my sugar intake but when I do want something with sugar in it I always use natural sugar or unfiltered honey. NEVER artificial sweetners!



 http://share.banoosh.com/2012/08/07/aspartame-sweet-misery-a-poisoned-world

I would like your opinion please...please leave me comments about this question. Should I continue to post about my health stuff...colon/rectal issues, cancer, food updates on this blog or start another one? When I started this blog in 2008 I blogged about crafts, vintage stuff and esty finds, but when I got cancer I blogged about that. I really would like your input...someone told me that blogs should not really be about more than one topic and of course now I blog about everything.

Thanks!   and eat your fruits & veggies!   xo    Inge

I decided to start a new blog that was geared towards cancer and not crafty vintage fun stuff...not saying there aren't times cancer is fun...who am I kidding cancer is not fun although one can have a fun day despite being ill. Anyway my new blog is called   "Rectal Cancer My Ass" and here is link...
 www.rectalcancermyass.blogspot.com. I still plan to post here but not so much about health issues...so if your looking for me to blog about my butt and butt related issues come over to Rectal Cancer My Ass.

Oh and eat your fruit & veggies!   xo  Inge

I saw my colo-rectal doc today, he is also my surgeon. I was there for my checkup but I also had this monster boil on my groin area that he decided to lance. If you ever had a boil to deal with, especially in your groin area you know it's no fun. If he didn't lance it I would have to walk around in pain all day, not knowing when it would go away on it's own. Anyway after alot of wimpering, ok semi... screaming doc lanced the damn thing and I was on my way. He shot the area with alot of lanacane so it felt pretty good...until 2 hours later then it really hurt. So I decided to take one of the pain killers I still have stashed away thinking it would do the trick. Thirty minutes later I felt dizzy and sick to my stomach...now these are the same pain killers I took last year when I was going through treatment and I ate them like candy. This pill was even a lower strength and I still got really sick. I had planned to go out later with a friend but all I could do was lay on the couch with a plastic pan next to me in case I threw up.

I am feeling better as I post this but not 100%. It's funny how much the body can take when it's really in distress. Last year I didn't get sick or dizzy but just felt better. Before I got sick last year I was always a wimp when it came to drugs and even alcohol for that matter..I guess I'm back to my old self.

 

Eat your fruits & veggies!  xo  Inge

***Update...the maternity pants did not work out. They kept sliding down my butt so I walked around looking like a gangsta momma. Not the look I want...so I returned them and bought yoga pants. They are working out nicely. yay! They are also long enough.  I wish they made them in denim too.

My legs have been bothering me the last couple of days. I found a video on youtube...yoga for the disabled and have been doing a modified version. Hopefully that is why my legs are "talking" to me at night. Two days ago my left leg didn't want to walk either...looks like I will be using my walker a litttle longer than I hoped. Oh, well...I have nothing to complain about! Last year I was in the hospital at this time getting poked with giant needles and herds of men dressed as doctors looked at my ass daily.

Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo   Inge

I went shopping for new undies today. I eventually would like to stop wearing pull-ups, but I want to find some that I can put my pouch in. Everything I found were either grannie undies or cost over $10 a pair. If I am gonna pay $10 for  pair of undies they better come with a vibrator!

Eat your fruit & veggies!   xo   Inge

Sometimes I am so smart! I am gaining weight which is good but my jeans don't fit and when I sit down, I have to keep my pants unbuttoned and unzipped so I can breathe...then when I stand up I have to put it back together...it's a bit of a pain...sooo the other day I got a great idea. Wear maternity jeans! They have a stretchy stomach area so I have room for my bag and I don't have to mess with a button or zipper. I went to Sears today to buy John some jeans and we stopped by the maternity section. Bingo! They had a pair that fit and were long enough for my 6 foot tall frame :) I love it when I think outside the box :)

Eat your fruit & veggies!   xo  Inge

My Pet-CT result just came in....IT'S OFFICIAL I AM CANCER FREE 6 MONTHS!!! Monday is one year anniversary of my diagnosis. "Don't give up! You got a reason to live"! WOO!HOO!


and eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge
 

I will admit that I fell off the wagon these past couple of weeks. Patients brought literally bags and bags of sweets to the infusion center, and I found myself eating Sees candy, cookies and cakes. It is sooo easy to fall back into old eating habits. Even at home I found myself "craving" breads and chips. My son brought home donuts this morning, including my favorite, apple fritter (a huge one probably 1,000 calories worth). Of course I ate the whole thing. A few minutes ago I was thinking about starting on one those chocolate Santas someone gave us but I said "stop!"...so I made myself a salad and kale green smoothie instead. Its esy to reach for the processed foods and junk foods....I will also admit that most of it tastes good. I bet if I research it, I will find that corporations who make all this "junk" food has people on staff whose full time job is to make sure these foods are tasty...its like a drug dealer making sure his "product" is tasty for addicts. Sugar is addicting...no doubt in mind. And on that note I'm going to research that...

 

 

http://www.fyiliving.com/diet/nutrition/food-addiction-research-why-you-get-a-sugar-high/

http://stufffreak.com/fat-salt-sugar/


Eat your fruits and veggies!   And hope you are enjoying Christmas!    xo  Inge

I see many different people with different stages of cancer at the hospital. Today I got to thinking...not everyone will survive. It made me think about my battle and even though it was at times extremely painful..I decided early on to fight like Hell. I chose to get the most aggressive treatment possible. I know not everyone does things the sameway but...I suggest for those of you dealing with cancer do whatever you have to to get through it....scream, yell, curse, pray, meditate...don't worry what others will think...this is YOUR battle and fight it anyway you can...you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

This is an affirmation that I start my day with. It is from the book "You Can Heal Your Life", by Louise L. Hay.

     "In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole and complete.

I live in harmony and balance with everyone I know. Deep at the center of my being, there is an infinite well of love. I now allow this love to flow to the surface. It fills my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being and radiates out from me in all directions and returns to me multiplied. The more love I use and give, the more I have to give. The supply is endless. The use of love makes me feel good; it is an expression of my inner joy. I love myself; therefore, I take loving care of my body. I lovingly feed it nourishing foods and beverages. I lovingly groom it and dress it, and my body lovingly responds to me with vibrant health and energy. I love myself; therefore, I provide for myself a comfortable home, one that fills all my needs and is a pleasure to be in. I fill the rooms with the vibration of love so that all who enter, myself included, will feel this love and be nourished by it. I love myself; therefore, I work at a job I truly enjoy doing, one that uses my creative talents and abilities, working with and for people I love and who love me, and earning a good income. I love myself; therefore, I behave and think in a loving way to all people for I know that which I give out returns to me multiplied. I only attract loving people in my world, for they are a mirror of what I am. I love myself; therefore, I forgive and totally release the past all past experiences and I am free. I love myself; therefore, I live totally in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright and joyous and secure, for I am a beloved child of the Universe and the Universe lovingly takes care of me now and forever more."

Dr. Connealy tells us her approach to cancer!

This doctor practices medicine at the hospital that takes care of me.
I was so excited to run across this video! and see food does make a difference in getting helathy and fighting cancer!

Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo   Inge

I guess I really didn't think about what I was eating in the past. I was an on again-off again vegetarian but now I realize there was no emphasis on the vegetarian part...meaning I did not eat nearly enough veggies. Pasta, potatoes and bread alone are not a healthy diet. I am also guilty of eating processed food. I was maybe getting full but I was not eating nutritious food. I wasn't getting my daily dose of phytonutrients which is what berries and veggies are full of. I guess its better late than never and almost a year ago it could have been never. I came so close to croaking...more than once. I am so fortunate to be alive and healthy that I will continue to pass on information that will help others live a healthy life.

 

Here is a link to a food chart that might interest you..

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/healthy-food-food-scoring-guide-smart-choices.html

 

 

 

I went to the cancer survivors Christmas party last night and had a nice time. It was fun dressing up for a change...I think I will do it more often even if I am just going to the grocery store :D There was about 200 hundred people there, including some cancer doctors...two of mine were there. There wasn't any dancing though which was sort of a bummer....but I have another chance a week from Saturday when I go to another Christmas party and I know there will be dancing after dinner!

I am practising walking without my walker... not outside much yet... but I am determined to get rid of this stinking walker! I plan to check out how much a gym membership will cost in January...I figure that's when they have sales. I miss working out and lifting weights.

Tomorrow I meet the orthopedic surgeon...we will discuss a possible future surgery. I really don't want it and I will try to get out of it. I am hoping my pelvic bone will heal itself.

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge