Walking with Cancer & CodieWalking with Cancer and Codie is a series of videos with Victoria and her Husky Codie as she finds her way around coping with a mum with cancer and mother in law with cancer.
The dog walking has helped to galvanise thoughts, let off steam, have a cry, laugh and even have a moan. Everyone's experience with cancer is very individual, but it is hoped that some of you who watch will see that you are not on your own and your feelings and experiences are normal and valid. #walking#cancer#dog#kent#faversham#help#support#experiences# Walking with Cancer & Codie - How Long ?I've found that there is huge urge to timeframe cancer and survival. It seems odd that as we cling to hope for the future we also look to the end, asking how long. I've heard this phrase time and time again. Well wishers ask how long, nurses, friends, relatives.
The patient asks how long have I got ………. how long to plan for my funeral, get my house in order, go on holiday, do the bucket list, how long to say goodbye. Time frames are demanded by us and doctors feel obliged to comply. Any time frame is pure guess work, and statistically based. It does not take into the nuances of the patient's health and circumstances. Really, really try not to get hung up on 'how long' and focus on the positives. Surely, if we timeframe an illness we then have expectations of that time frame being reality. Time is real isn't it ? so time framing must be ? So I try to see the time frame of 'how long' as merely a dusty line in the sand, not a clock ticking life away. Walking with Cancer & Codie - Getting your House In Order
When a family member has cancer the topic of personal finances, passwords, wills, power of attorney, CPR, all comes up. These are subjects which we could chose to ignore because they are difficult to face and talk about. I have found that the experience, although very difficult and emotional, was actually worth going through, as I now know it is less for me to deal with if mum's health worsens.
We don't have a crystal ball into the future, but we can make every day easier as we move through towards it. GET ORGANISED ………………….. |
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Walking with Cancer & Codie - Cancer and Exclusion Diets
You are what you eat. If you google nutrition and cancer the lists are endless, line upon line of stories, suggestions, regimens, memberships. So which one would you for. I talk about this very hot topic because it has been so prevalent in my experience with mum's care and health. Optimal health is what we all strive for, and when receiving treatment for cancer it is essential that people don't lose weight. The treatment can bring on loss of appetite, so your desire to eat drops, so every calorie should be nutritious, healthy and nurturing. Some regimens require cutting out sugars, saturated fats, carbohydrates to name but a few and this can lead to a substantial drop in weight. It is vital that cancer patients do not lose weight, as this can mean a loss of muscle mass, leading to weakness and loss of mobility. Some diet regimens are deceptive, they promote good health but a consequence of following them is dramatic weight loss, and it can be rapid. So, do your research, and if you do decide to follow a regimen, do not let your calories drop, you may to eat more!. Grazing can help with this is you cannot eat larger meals.
Some patients will describe weakness, feeling it is connected to the cancer, where it is in fact due to weakness due to lack of nutrition.
If appetite is poor then there are calorie dense smoothies which can be made, and prescribed drinks to help keep energy up.