INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

Meadow- welcome to the thread!

Glennie- you are so welcome. never too early to get that all worked out, you just never know.

Smaarty- that Evie gets cuter all the time.

re: how i catch up, I cheat and use something like Word or Stickies to create a page to write on, then go through every page I missed, writing to each person as they post on my document, and edit as needed. It makes things easier.

hey philly, glad to hear from you! Don't be such a stranger...lol we missed you

Patty, hang in there girlfriend:)

Smaarty, sooooooo cute. Thanks fir the pics:)

Night night

Depression - some options to help you through

Do more for depressed cancer patients (type this string in your search line: www.theguardian.com; then enter the following: Do more for depressed cancer patients

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Yoga Improves Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy - offered through your cancer survivorship programs, classes are free . . . full article has been added below

Yoga Improves Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy

(cancer centers of America)

Published: May 27, 2011

Yoga Improves Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy

Yoga offers unique benefits beyond fighting fatigue for women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, a new study suggests.

While simple stretching exercises improved fatigue, patients who participated in yoga that incorporated yogic breathing, postures, meditation and relaxation techniques into their treatment plan experienced improved physical functioning, better general health and lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels, according to new research from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. These women also were better able to find what they identified as "meaning" in their cancer experience.

The findings are the latest in an ongoing effort to scientifically validate the age-old belief that mind-body interventions have a beneficial impact on the health of cancer patients. The study assessed, for the first time, yoga benefits to cancer patients by comparing their experience with patients in an active control group who integrated simple, generic stretching exercises into their lives.

"Many studies have shown that stress negatively impacts the immune system," said Christine Casey, a mind-body medicine therapist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. "While not a treatment for cancer, yoga can reduce stress and bring about feelings of relaxation and general well-being which can enhance quality of life for some patients with cancer."

To conduct the study, 163 women with breast cancer (stage 0-3) averaging 52 years of age were randomized to one of three groups: 1) yoga; 2) simple stretching; or 3) no instruction in yoga or stretching. Participants in the yoga and stretching groups attended sessions specifically tailored to breast cancer patients for one hour three days a week throughout their six weeks of radiation treatment.

Participants were asked to report on their quality of life, including fatigue, daily functioning, benefit finding, depression and spirituality. Saliva samples were collected and electrocardiogram tests were administered at baseline, end of treatment, and at one, three and six months post-treatment.

After completing radiation treatment, only the women in the yoga and stretching groups reported a reduction in fatigue. At one, three and six months after radiation therapy, women who practiced yoga during the treatment period reported greater benefits to physical functioning and general health. They were more likely to perceive positive life changes from their cancer experience than either other group.

Women who practiced yoga also had the steepest decline in their cortisol across the day, indicating that yoga had the ability to regulate this stress hormone. This is particularly important because higher stress hormone levels throughout the day, known as a blunted circadian cortisol rhythm, have been linked to worse outcomes in breast cancer.

According to the researchers, developing a yoga practice also helps patients after completing cancer treatment.

Many people undergoing treatment for breast cancer, as well as those who have recently completed treatment, find that a yoga practice can improve the quality of sleep, reduce stress, and often decrease feelings of anxiousness and depression, Casey said. "Yoga can also ease the transition after treatment back to everyday life. Using mind-body tools such as yoga can increase coping skills, reduce stress and make this transition less difficult."

According to Casey, mind-body medicine promotes emotional health and well-being. Along with yoga there are many benefits to a meditation practice, or relaxation, or guided imagery. Mind-body medicine techniques help lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, thereby promoting physical health and emotional well-being. Mind-body interventions have a beneficial impact on the health of cancer patients.

"It is important to speak to your doctor before beginning a physical practice and I would recommend seeking a yoga teacher who is experienced and sensitive," Casey said.

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Tai Chi - offered through your cancer survivorship programs, classes are free

PubMed - Tai Chi for breast cancer patients (enter the following in your search line: pubmed; go to page, enter the following: Tai Chi for breast cancer patients)

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0030813/ (copy and paste this string in your search line to read the full research article if the hyperlink does not work)

Helped me understand why my arms and legs had no coordination after rads, serious brain fog issues. I was a dance instructor prior to bc. The instructor for Tai Chi is an MD and had no idea survivors were experiencing such side effects with structured body movement classes during recovery. I spoke up and shared what I was experiencing in class, then others shared their brain fog issues with chemo and coordination or both chemo/rads. This sharing has helped an entire class of survivors make a connection, not feel so alone, help emotionally support each other once class was over and started a conversation with the medial team about expanding body movement therapy that helps us feel better about what we face most days and how to achieve a better quality of life one day at a time.

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Donna Karan's Urban Zen Foundation, limited locations

to reach this web page (type this string in your search line: urban zen stand up 2 cancer)

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The Emotional Impact of Cancer

www.cancercenter.com (to reach the home page, hover over the path line (hyperlink), an additional link line will appear, select the link)

If the hyperlink instructions do not work for this on your device, type the following in your search line: www.cancercenter.com ; once at the main page, type in the following: The Emotional Impact of Cancer

Emotional / psychological

If you are fighting cancer, it is not uncommon to experience psychological distress. Whether you are coping with the diagnosis, the challenges of treatment, or continued worry about a recurrence, emotions brought on by the cancer experience can be difficult to handle.

Cancer may bring on a range of emotions, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Shock/disbelief
• Fear/uncertainty
• Guilt
• Grief/sadness
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anger/frustration
• Feelings of isolation
• Vulnerability/helplessness

Psychological care is normal and necessary, and is an integral part of cancer care. Addressing your psychological well-being can help you feel more relaxed and in control, cope better during treatment, overcome anxiety and depression, and enjoy life.

Tips for improving your psychological well-being

• Find a new outlook. Focus on what you can change, not on what you can't change.
• Try not to generalize. Cancer means something different to each individual. Everyone experiences cancer differently and your experience is unique to you.
• Talk about your feelings. Reach out to family and friends, other cancer survivors a spiritual leader, etc.
• Make healthy lifestyle choices. Pay attention to your needs for rest, nutrition, exercise and private time.
• Seek professional counseling, including individual, couple, family and/or group therapy.
• Try mind-body techniques, such as relaxation therapies, laughter therapy, stress management interventions, energy therapies, etc.

Check with your onc team for programs available to you through the survivorship arm of your treatment center to gain insight on all options available to you.

*****

many more options through your local survivorship programs, some are now starting to offer virtual classes for those who can't or opt not to travel during recovery

Evie has GROWN!

Phyllis - Hi! I remember you well from your great sense of humour on YKYACPW

Miss Meadow! How fun you came to join us! We love new folks... and we'll help you no matter what is going on... I mean sometimes!

Then SOMEtimes I don't know what anyone is talking about when it comes to medical stuff... my whole solution is to go fix yourself up some milk-toast, and have a chocolate coke.... Aloe Vera is the best for everything else.

And OH PHYLLIFROMTHEBIGHOUSE! From where did YOU find yourself coming out from? I mean they've kept you locked up for THIS long? We've been lamenting your waywordness, and your so many tribulations, and thought someone must have did you in for good! What???? Did you forget all about us?

We've missed you .... um...... what's your name again? Wasn't it Cammi that thought your name was Phylopian? Or however she spelled it? Anyway, so fun to see you here with us again....

Hi Looking.... I was taking care of my Grandma's and folks, when they got older.... When things are in order, it really helps.... I know when Mom passed away, Dad was just lost... I TRIED to help him figure things out, but I think we all go through this.... So many things to consider..... I found that a tablet was the best thing to help me.... I carried that thing everywhere...... Had every phone number, address, and things my Brother and I had to do, to keep things straight...

I have all that now for when something happens to us.... Everything is in order... bank-accounts, the house, phone numbers they have to call, and it makes it a lot easier...

I learned when my Grandma had a heart-attack, that nothing was in order.... But she didn't plan on it happening that way... So you just do it and learn.... and try and figure out what to do next... She had little bits of money in several banks, because she didn't trust any of them.... nor Grampa, Ha! And trying to make heads or tails from her check-book... I felt like Sherlock Holmes! I had help from patient counselors at the Assisted Living, and Nursing homes... so with help from everyone else, we got her taken care of.... And finally, I was the only one she had... only one she remembered.... so it was like she became my Daughter.... and I loved being with her, that last year....

Yaay Patty. Great news. XXX

You GO girl! What's this little square thing? What AM I ? Dense or something? How do you find a little "square"? I'll bet it is on your phone, or something... You SURE don't have a computer and a screen sitting there in the hospital!

I'm miffed that I don't have a "square"...! I'm glad you are going home.... now find me a "square"....

Jwoo, what a great car! I've always loved MG's. I thought I would buy one once but when I sat in it to try it out, my head was too high for the roof. That's the kind of thing that happens when you're an Amazon. Please enjoy the hell out of it, for both of us!

Feline - I remember you too! If I remember, that must mean I haven't had chemo in a year. Hallelujah for me!

Spookie - thank you for warning the others about my alleged strangeness. Now they won't have to interpret the clues.

susan - good to see you also.

Chevy - just...Chevy

I've been feeling great lately. As part of the clinical trial that I'm in, I told my RO that I wanted at least a year between treatments. He's given me that so I'm in love with him. I am a full year out from chemo and not quite that from radiation.

I recently started tutoring 4th and 5th graders in reading. I think it's pretty funny considering the state of my brain after all the chemos. You ladies understand, right? Right??

I have also taken my lump of a body and started exercising. It was sort of hard to find something I could do, considering the neuropathy in my feet. I found some exercises on YouTube that I really like. The young man who has the program does exercises for seniors and extra (old) seniors from a chair. Here's a link to one of those balance exercises. Grow Young Balance My big revelation is not only did I stick with it for 2 weeks, now I can actually put my jeans on while standing up (and not fall on my behind). A small miracle!

Have a lovely day ladies!

Phyllistina

It is always great to see our PhyllisIcanexcercisewithoutfallingover back with us.....but does she have to brag? Lol there are still plenty of us laying on the floor around here!

I'm going to New Orleans tomorrow if the airport is open after the tornadoes yesterday....and then maybe a few hurricanes will appear

Oh how fun girls! YOU tease her too...this Phylliwhothinksshecanexcersizelikearealtart person....Yes, she IS just bragging.... I'm doing good to get up once I get DOWN on the floor...Beatmon..... you fool around on the floor? On purpose?

And wait! You, missForward can stand and put jeans on? Without holding onto something? You ALL are just showing off! I don't even have jeans.... I have nice comfortable polyester pants.... I don't think they make little skinny jeans for folk like me.... Not no-one over the age of 60 wears them.... do they?

Phylli! You are tutoring KIDS? Does the law-enforcement know this? Do they know about your paint-gun? And your erratic behavior with big Alice? Are you going incognito amongst them? I don't want to hear they locked you up........ again..........

Chevy yes I do wear skinny jeans and leggings and I am over sixty (said in a whisper), mentally I am still 45

For Patty!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC6Cgb8nHwk

Oh she wears skinny-jeans.... THAT means she is in good shape.... is thin, and LEGGINGS???? Oh good Lord! I only can WiSH I could wear skinny anythings! And she's over sixty.... I'm over 70..... ah geez that sounds old.... but yes.... I feel like I am in my 40's.... With my compression stockings, make-up and hot rollers, I am good to go.... It's all attitude....!

you know all about Wipe Out😜

Good grief, having a thunderstorm here.

Patty, keeping fingers crossed you get sprung tomorrow.

Welcome Meadow and welcome back Phyllis. I've always loved your sense of humor.

Whew, Chevy I have to agree with Patty. What square?

Sas, you're being awfully quiet. Everything ok?