What has helped you in the healing process?

misswim

Before my BC nightmare started, I was working on my Masters in Counseling. I took two semesters off from school to have my surgery and chemo, and started back at my weekend residency this weekend.

I am doing a study on Yoga and Meditation as healing modalities for both patients facing catastrophic illness and their families/freinds/caregivers.

Yoga and meditation have been a giant part of my recovery and healing. Recently I lost a close family member to a swift and terminal form of cancer and I was concerned about the lack of support in the form of grief counseling and stress management not only for the patient but for my family members. I have decided the focus of my practice when I graduate will be to work with patients and families dealing with these types of illness, and integrating the holistic in to that practice.

I would love to hear about the use of yoga and/or meditation in the healing process as you have moved forward , or as you cope with your journey.  I would also,be very interested in opinions regarding what sort of support and holistic practices you feel were helpful for you and your family, or would havebeen of interest or helpful to you that were lacking.

Thank you so much for your input.

I thank you in advance for your input.

thefuzzylemon

I do mild yoga everyday...deep breathing, mindful meditation and I'm a big believer in the healing effects of water.

What would I like? Accupunture....more than anything. A infrared sauna....oh yeah...

Now, if this were a dream come true...they'd be delivered to me because I just don't have the energy to go anywhere....

A mobile spa.....there's your niche. Please tell me you deliver to Wisconsin!

lulubee

I've had some accupuncture, and if I could afford it I would get it weekly.  It was SO helpful.

I do meditate and pray, and it helps me.

I have been yapping at my doctors for four years that we need yoga instructors who know how to work with post-reconstruction bodies.  After a bilateral MX with lat flap, I am too nervous about doing harm, or getting into poses that require the lat muscles and falling on my face... I used to love yoga but now I can't relax into a practice because of these fears.  What I wouldn't give for an instructor who could guide me through this with understanding and knowledge.

SpecialK

misswim - I just completed participation in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction study done by the USF School of Nursing and Moffitt Cancer Center.  It was a 12 week study done on breast cancer patients who are exiting active treatment (surgery/chemo/rads) to determine whether MBSR in the form of meditation - both formal and informal, gentle yoga and exercise could be used to decrease stress hormones.  Cortisol levels were tested prior, during and after the 12 week period on saliva and blood samples.  I found the instruction (weekly 3 hour classes) very helpful in achieving calmness and being "in the moment" at the point when anxiety increases as we leave heavily supervised treatment.  The gentleman who taught the classes is a psychologist who deals exclusively with cancer patients.  Moffitt is an NCI-designated center which also offers acupuncture, massage as fee for service, and free yoga classes for patients.  Also, the member asmd started a thread recently about incorporating psychological/psychiatric counseling into the group of physicians treating BC patients - she wondered if patients would be receptive to that - she is a professional and a BC patient herself.  You might check that thread too for what everyone had to say. Good luck - this sounds great!