Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 - (Page 20)

to experiment with more than one before they find what works best. To quell queasiness, it also helps to eat frequent, small meals throughout the day instead of large meals at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sweet, fried or fatty foods can increase nausea, while cool, clear liquids such as apple juice, tea or ginger ale that has lost its fizz can help settle an upset stomach. If nausea is a problem in the morning, it often helps to eat dry foods, such as cereal, toast or crackers, before getting up. Mickey Scherl, a cancer survivor and an ACS volunteer, discovered that ginger helped her nausea. “I drank ginger tea by the gallon, and I loved it,” she says. k fatigue fighters Harpham says cancer treatment can feel as exhausting as running a marathon, even if you’ve spent the day in bed. But it’s possible to regain your energy with both a healthy diet and exercise. Think of your body as a Lamborghini, Harpham says. “Put only one gallon of goodquality gasoline in its tank, and you’ll have a very short ride,” she writes. “Put in a full tank of watered-down gas or let the oil run dry, and this superb machine will sputter to a stop. Similarly your diet can give you an edge in healing or can hurt you.” For expert advice, consult with a dietitian who specializes in cancer treatment at your local hospital. Moderate activity, such as a brisk walk, also can help alleviate treatment-induced fatigue. If you don’t work out already, “this may not be the best time for a person to launch a new exercise program,” says Terri Ades, M.S., a registered nurse and director of cancer information for the ACS. “But if a person has been active, we’d encourage them to continue.” First, let your physician know of your workout plans. self-care tips from ‘healthy survivors’ “I had just been elected to the city council two months before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I actually felt fortunate that I had started a new job with a lot of responsibility, because when I felt overwhelmed at work it kept my mind off the horrible diagnosis and fear. My worst time was actually when I wasn’t busy.” —Laura Miller, Dallas “On the weekends, I’d go out kayaking first thing in the morning, when the lake was quiet and there were no boats. I’d see deer, osprey, sandhill cranes and families of ducks. I felt a deep appreciation for all those little things I might not have noticed before.” —Kay Nelson, Ishpeming, Mich. “I was having trouble sleeping during cancer treatment because my mind was always racing. So I listened to Andrew Weil’s CD Sound Body, k about face Cancer treatment can wreak havoc on your looks—and self-esteem. “When you look in the mirror and you’re completely bald and you look so not like yourself, it’s really a punch in the stomach,” Harpham says. “You can’t help but think, ‘You’re really sick,’ because it’s staring you right in the face.” Still, you can protect your PHOtOgrAPH BY CHev WILKINSON, DIgItAL rAILrOAD Sound Mind: Music for Healing. As I listened to the music, I felt my head emptying of all this extraneous stuff and I could finally relax my mind and body and go to sleep.” —Mickey Scherl, New York City 20 vim & vigor • w inte r 2 008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 Contents Friendly Faces For Your Health 'Tis the Season to be Safe Eat Your Veggies Joint Effort Fresh Beginnings Decades of Opportunity Keeping Score Your Big Give Roll Up Your Sleeve Tidings of Comfort and Health Blueprint for Safety The Smoke-Free Mom-to-Be Childbirth Trends Moms Choosing Midwives Community Sections Dollars & Sense Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

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