Complementary and Integrative Approach to Healing

Buy one of those little daily pill cases and put it right on top of your underwear drawer.

I put my old Westie on MSM back in the 1980's when he got arthritic and he lived to be 16 years old which is unheard of for a typical Westie.

Of course I bought the "horse MSM" because it was what was available at the time and just gave him a teaspoon every night with his meal - I knew not to give the dose for a 1,000 horse

It is much cheaper to buy the "horse" products versus the people and small pet products.

Wow, huge number of NICE posts during the 12 hours this thread has been active. yes, there's hope, ladies!!

The hardest thing for me to do after my first diagnosis was to allow myself to do what I want, without acquiesing to anyone else. Rather than saying , "I don't care" when someone asks what I want to do, I'm way more likely to offer an opinion now, whether I care or not. (I'm such a middle child.) I am much less likely to be that "people pleaser" and less likely to go with the flow, though that is still inherent in my personality, and that's fine.

After the second diagnosis, I revamped my exercise and began taking weekly lessons on the Pilates reformer, with my personal trainer. Now I'm looking to get my certification to teach it next spring. It's an arduous process, but it's something I love.

Exercise is key for me. From climbing to cycling to Pilates to hiking to snowshoeing. But equally as important is honoring the need for quiet and "me" time. And being able to state that I need it.

I eat pretty well always. My main supplement is Body Balance by Life Force. Plus Vit D and healthy oils.

Oh, and I allow myself an hour long massage every 2-3 weeks. For the physical benefit as well as the pure, unadulterated pleasure.

And sleep. I must sleep.

Nothing on my list seems too out of the ordinary. My supplements and exercise and massages are all pretty much mainstream these days. Espeically living in Boulder...

Personally, I am not so entranced with a gluten free diet, but I know it helps my son with his psoriasis... it helps a LOT,   It is still there but you can't see it.  His is pretty severe and he's 17.  It also has helped my sister who's psoriasis is worse than my son. She also has other auto immune issues.

I used to eat a lot of grapefruit.. one a day, for years and years.  Came to find out it is one of those citrus fruits that are not conducive to a cancer free life.  I want one so bad.  I just love the rush of sugar and sour..

Claire... speaking of eating a lot more than women my weight... When I was a cyclist I used to consume 3-4000 calories a day... while cheffing and riding 2 X daily up to 50 miles.  People would come around and accuse me of bulimia  - while I was eating!  Now, because of drugs I'm on, there are some weeks ( 1 out of 3) where I can hardly eat more than a couple bites.. I  also sit around and lay on the couch... yuck.

I really wish I liked bananas.. and I hate them.

Freeze the bananas and blend them up in smoothies. I make smoothies with a carton of yogart (any flavor), some low cal fruit juice (I like something with cranberry or grape), some fresh fruit and a frozen fruit which gives it the iciness. You can hide the banana flavor that way.

I asked my oncologist about grapefruit because I love them too. He said an occasion grapefruit isn't going to hurt you. So every once and awhile I eat one and savor it.

It can't hurt, might help!

Annettek - there is a great web site on smoking that I recommend. I am very independent minded and do-it-yourself, so it didn't immediately occur to me that stopping might be easier if I asked for help and support. No one I know well smokes so I found it online. It is the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking program. I had this link for someone else on another alt. thread.

The best part? You don't have to stop to begin the program - they walk you through setting a date (which should be at least three weeks out):

http://www.ffsonline.org/

Cold Turkey worked best for me. Studies have shown very little success with nicotine gum or patches and the reason became apparent to me - the source of your addiction - nicotine - isn't addressed. Also, unless you smoke in every room of the house, including your bedroom, having a patch on/chewing is a 24-hour solution to an on an off problem (meaning that we are not always inhaling.

I am also skeptical of Chantix and Wellbutrin, Zyban, etc... because cravings are only a temporary problem. The worst part is the psychological addiction. Having said that, the first 72 hours are sheer hell, while the nicotine gets out of your system. The first two weeks are only a step closer to purgatory while you get rid of the metabolites of nicotine (something that no one warns you about) and after that, things improve but it is very easy to fall back. I hate carrot sticks and celery, but both jhelped to address the addiction to putting something in your mouth.

Another goos site to visit is: http://whyquit.com/ - it has good stories and information.

Annette pets are wonderful, I have a dog and a cat.  Each time I have had surgery it is like they know what part of my body to stay away from and they cuddle with me when I can't get out of bed.  Otherwise my little dog can be pretty wound up at times.

I am def gonna look into the accupuncture.  I already get messages every other week and they are wonderful and relaxing.  I have then done on Friday evening which is a good way to end the week and start the weekend being relaxed.

I am planning my fall garden now.  I am adding another bed so I can have a larger garden.  I started small and keep adding to it.  Anyway fall planting here startes between mid to late august so I need to get the other bed planted.

I think recognizing and giving up the amount of sugar I was ingesting was the most difficult for me. I have a huge sweet tooth. Also coming to terms with the unfairness of it all, and not let that set me in a rotten mood.

I saw my MO last week and I am still having hip joint pain even though I am on glucosomin/chondrontin and Celebrex.  He told me to get tart cherry juice to drink or if I eat fresh cherry's to eat 10 a day.  So I finally found some over the weekend but have to get in a habit of drinking it.

Merilee - I think comming to terms with my sweet tooth and its excesses would be nothing short of traumatic for me. I can't get rid of all vices, though.

Cherries, yum. I live in Michigan which is the cherry capital of the world. I love this time of year when you can go pick them fresh.

That turmeric/ginger tea sounds great I am making some as I type

CS - Thankls for the tips. First time for me in seeing your post. Interesting that Kessler was an overeater himself...I don't overeat but I certainly love food. Might check his book out.

Oh thanks I will check these out. I make a trek to the library for reading material every Sunday.

cold turkey.. for me it only took about 28 hours.. those drugs are hard on you.