Integrative Cancer Care for the Whole Person

Are you navigating cancer? What is your map toward wellness? Diagnostic tests, research, doctor’s appointments and evaluating cancer treatments are key components to optimize survival and quality of life. Anyone moving through a cancer journey needs the best conventional cancer care available, but that is only part of the equation.

Providing Whole Body Care

Research studies have shown for many years that cancer grows in “fertile soil” or a hospitable environment in the body that supports cancerous cells. The internal environment of the body strongly impacts whether or not cancer grows in each person. For many, cancer is a symptom of an altered, unbalanced system. Along with receiving treatment for the diagnosis and symptoms, people affected by cancer need whole person health care. This model is called integrative cancer care.

Defining Integrative Cancer Care

So, what is integrative cancer care for the whole person? Integrative cancer care addresses the totality of body, mind and spirit, including the social and environmental health of the individual. All of these aspects of your health and life are constantly interacting together, influencing one another, and interdependently shaping who you are.

Think about integrative cancer care using the example of diet. While what you eat impacts your physical body, food also strongly affects your thinking, your emotions, aspects of your spirituality, your relationship with yourself and other people, and the internal environment of your body. No separation exists between these elements. As a living system, your body and life are comprised of various networks constantly communicating with one another.

Understanding the other dimensions of integrative cancer care provides further insights for people living with cancer and advancing whole person health care.

Supporting Your Mind-Body Connection

What is the state of your mental and emotional wellness? The state of the mind and emotions affects health due to the mind-body connection. No separation exists between the mind and body. The body feeds the mind; the mind feeds the body. Thoughts and feelings, as well as beliefs and attitudes, impact and literally shape aspects of biological functioning. Mind-body approaches strengthen the mental and emotional inner life supporting health and healing.

Tending to Your Spirit

What is your relationship with spirit and your spirituality? Most people understand that they are connected to something larger than themselves and engage contact with spirit. There is a sense of being whole when spirit is united with the body. Since healing is about wholeness, spirituality is an essential component of an integrative cancer care plan addressing the whole person.

Caring for Your Social Wellness

How do you engage social support through cancer? For everyone, cancer is a social issue impacting their entire community. New perceptions and social experiences emerge. People dealing with cancer – patients, family members, friends – endure a range of social challenges and opportunities. Social issues that existed before cancer may also intensify during and after cancer. Learning about and providing support for social issues is a part of quality cancer care.

Addressing Your Environmental Health

How do you support your health through your environment? Today’s world contains high levels of carcinogens. Each person must take steps to safeguard against toxic chemicals associated with diseases such as cancer. The National Cancer Institute even refers to studies as far back as the 1960s concluding that the majority of cancers could be prevented by acting on what was known about the environmental causes of the disease. Addressing the link between cancer and the environment is central to advances in cancer risk reduction and for anyone already living with cancer.

Improving Cancer Care

Both women and men have the capacity to understand that health is about more than one part of their body or lifestyle and instead encompasses the many dimensions of self. This wisdom must be applied to cancer care especially as studies show that integrative cancer care reduces cancer risk, improves cancer survival and quality of life.

Now is the time for more widespread innovation in supporting people with cancer. Integrative cancer care is that model. You can play a key role in improving lives and advancing integrative cancer care for the whole person. What will you do for your health and the health of those you love?

Jeannine Walston is co-founder and executive director of EmbodiWorks, a non-profit organization offering integrative cancer care resources. Jeannine has extensive experience in cancer education and advocacy, health care policy, and both conventional and integrative cancer care.

Photo Credit: George Boyce

My Son’s Journey with Down Syndrome: How Nutrition Improved His Health

I live in paradise. Yes, the kind on the postcards: palm trees, coconuts, sunshine, blue sky, all that. Costa Rica has been my home for 12 years. I came in search of paradise, and in the end I got it. The funny thing is that it didn’t look anything like the postcard I’d imagined.

In 2005, my second child was born with Down Syndrome. Addison’s journey into this world would become a trip into healing – not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally, for him and our entire family.

During my pregnancy, Addison was diagnosed with a defective digestive tract. Without immediate surgery, he would most likely die. I knew food and exercise would be a huge part of his recovery. To believe in this principle was one thing; to implement it was quite another.

After discovering the benefits of breast feeding with my first child, I pumped every few hours for Addison, even freezing the colostrum. Drop by drop, he received the milk from a tube until he was able to eat on his own. While still in intensive care, an ultrasound exposed two cysts on his bile ducts. Left untreated, the cysts would turn cancerous—which meant surgery. That was the second time in less than a year someone had told me my son might die.

Three years earlier, alternative food and natural therapies helped heal a rampant case of tooth decay, which appeared all over my daughter’s baby teeth. Every dentist we went to prescribed major surgery, loads of fillings, and capping all her front teeth with no guarantee any of them would stay in. Terrified and desperate for an alternative, we began going to my acupuncturist. In one of the sessions, he handed me a small piece of paper with a list of alkaline and acidic food. It was the first time I’d heard of the concept, but it instinctively made sense. I bought my first juicer. To my relief, my daughter began drinking apple, celery, and cucumber juice from her special princess cup every day. I began soaking almonds, ditched white sugar, and snuck seaweed into her wheat-free pancakes. Although a few more teeth chipped, others actually calcified and seemed to grow stronger.

My son’s cysts mirrored my daughter’s tooth decay. A naturopath physician confirmed that if we balanced my son’s chemistry, the cysts could not survive. Since Addison was only breast feeding, all of his nutrition came from me. I began doubling the green juice I drank and modified my diet.

At nine months, I took Addison to an ultrasound to see if the cysts had grown or, at least, stabilized. I held him close as the cold goo was lathered on his stomach. The doctor was silent as she wiggled the wand around. “They’re not there,” she said.

“What did you say?” I asked, as my Spanish was often shaky in medical situations.

“I can’t find the cysts,” she said. “They’re gone.” A victory indeed, but with Down Syndrome, there’s always another challenge ahead.

Books never glossed over what my son’s limitations might be: speech deficiencies, heart problems, digestive difficulties, fine and gross motor skill delays, crooked teeth, physical abnormalities, and lagging in emotional and cognitive development, to name a few. Although Addison had a high level of cognitive development, his walking and gross motor skills were very slow to develop. He struggled with a lot of mucus, and smaller nose and ear tubes made it even harder to breath. At three years old, he contracted a case of bronchitis which eventually became pneumonia. Over the course of a year, Addison was hospitalized with bronchial pneumonia three times. Yet between each stay, I knew he was getting stronger.

A few exercise and therapy machines scattered around the house became an all-out gymnasium in the living room. We made respiratory therapy a family activity. Addison chased my daughter around the living room in a game of tag, we danced to ABBA, twisted into yoga positions, and played silly games for hours on mattresses. A good cry was counted as therapy, every phlegm ball extracted a victory, every step a prize, and every deep laugh a sound from heaven.

Deciding what’s best for me is one thing because I feel the effects when I make questionable food choices or slack off in exercising. Ever try getting raw parsley, Swiss chard, or kale into a child? Or administer a Neti Pot to a screaming toddler? Yet over many trials, spit ups, tummy aches, bites, and food matter thrown at me, Addison finally settled into a healthy diet that he seemed to enjoy. He eats sprouts of all sorts, avocados, celery, parsley, and other greens for breakfast. He drinks a green juice for lunch and dinner, has a 95 percent raw diet, never eats wheat, satiates his thirst with green coconut water, and rarely eats sugar. A tremendous benefit of living in Costa Rica, along with the year-round Vitamin D-packed sunshine, is that many of the healthiest foods on his menu are really inexpensive. And, thankfully, my daughter, who began snubbing her nose at the green juice, is giving it a try again.

After almost five years, Addison is finally sleeping on his own without struggle. Though he was sent home with a supplemental oxygen machine, which he used frequently for the first six months, it is now tucked in a corner for occasional use. He walks strong, climbs up and down steps, and has started to run. Paradise finally came in a way I never expected. But from where I stand, it’s picture perfect.

Susan Lutz is a writer and film maker living in Costa Rica with her two children. MotherJungle.com chronicles her adventures and daily search for paradise. She recently completed her first documentary film, “The Coffee Dance,” and is the author of a video media arts book, “The Paradox of Paradise: A Woman’s Journey to a Place called Heaven on Earth.” She is also co-editor of the Organic Living section at All Things Healing, an online wellness hub.

My Home Birth Team

It’s a beautiful time in my life. I’m six months pregnant and feeling blissful beyond belief about my plan to have a home birth attended by my husband, midwife and doula. It’s going to be the ultimate birth team! I have no fear of childbirth and actually view it as an exciting rite of passage. I have confidence in my body and baby to do what we women have been doing since the beginning of time. A home birth is natural, healthy and empowering.

Midwives have been helping with home births for a long time. In fact, a majority of births in many parts of the world are home births assisted by midwives. Hospitals may be necessary in some cases, but not all. Most healthy women can birth successfully in the comfort of their own homes and in some cases have better outcomes than if they went to the hospital.

When I tell people I’m planning a home birth, I get looks ranging from shock to disbelief. Then I find myself rattling off statistics to support my choice–one of which is that the United States has some of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the developed world. Furthermore, US Cesarean section rates continue to climb at an alarming rate accounting for almost a third of all deliveries. That’s double what the World Health Organization says is safe for moms and babies.

The bottom line is that I feel a home birth is the best thing for me to do. I am so excited to bring our baby into this world gently and softly. It’s going to be a wonderful harmonious experience. On the contrary, the pain we often see portrayed on TV, or from women birthing in hospitals, isn’t an accurate picture of what the human body is capable of in a more relaxed, comfortable and secure setting. There might be pain, but there might not be much pain. I don’t mind either way. I’m confident that if there is pain, it won’t be the kind seen on TV or heard about from women with hospital horror stories. One of the reasons for this is simply that stress – of any kind – prolongs or even suspends labor.

As a home-birthing mom I can avoid stressors found in a hospital such as, an unfamiliar uncomfortable environment, harsh lights, cold hands, poking and prodding from total strangers when personnel change shifts, or the pressure to undergo surgery. The home-birthing mother can change positions when she’s in labor, walk around, take a bath (whether to lounge or even to give birth in water), dance, sing, eat, drink, wear her own clothes (or no clothes at all), be romantic with her husband, listen to music playing softly with candles lit and dim the lights (or heck, she can even have Nine Inch Nails playing in the background if she wants). She can have her doula or birth partner use acupressure or massage to help relieve pain. Mom and Baby can do things on their schedule, not the doctor’s, not the hospital’s. Baby can come when Baby is ready, and Mom is empowered.

Having a doula attend my birth is important. I would hire a doula whether I planned a home birth or hospital birth. A doula’s calming effect on birth is impressive. According to DONA International, “The word doula comes from ancient Greek, meaning ‘a woman who serves’ and now refers to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier, and they breastfeed more easily.” I hired our doula months before we even tried to conceive! I’m glad I did. Over time, we’ve built an amazing relationship with a bond that is hard to describe. I’m so grateful she’s been a part of our journey and will be there when our baby is born.

I mentioned previously that my birth team consists of my midwife, doula and husband. A lot of people think they won’t need a doula because the husband is present, but this idea underestimates the doula’s role.. The doula not only supports the mother during birth, she is there to support the father as well. My husband will be my main birth companion, and I will lean on him a lot. As a result, I suspect he is going to get tired and need a break (or two!). Our doula can step in during these times. But that’s not all. Our doula has many tricks up her sleeve and plenty of experience in childbirth, which my husband doesn’t have. This makes her a special part of our team with an important role.

Although my plan is to birth at home, there might be circumstances that require going to a hospital. In that event, I have created a birth plan to be followed. My doula and midwife will serve as advocates on my behalf. If the hospital is resistant to any of my requests, no big deal; let ‘em talk to my team while I focus on other things.

I want my childbirth to be a beautiful and amazing experience. I’m stacking the deck in my favor by taking control of the situation, my environment and my team by having my home birth attended by a midwife, doula and my husband. And I’m doing many other things that are not widely known, or are considered “alternative,” such as eating an extremely healthy, high raw, vegan diet, having my birth plan written in advance, taking hypnobirthing classes and more. For pregnant women reading this, or women who may become pregnant in the future, realize there are many options to consider and that you have much more control over your birthing experience and outcome than you may have been taught.

Beating the Odds

Today’s Meatless Monday inspiration comes from Keri and Paul Haken’s personal journey. Read on to learn how they are beating the odds and savoring each day of their lives together. An essential part of their wellness plan includes an organic vegan (mostly) raw diet!

Keri & Paul Haken

By Keri Haken

“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein

In late December 2007, my 39-year-old husband was diagnosed with stage IV, metastic, inoperable Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas; pancreatic cancer. We were devastated. The diagnosis was like having a bomb dropped on our lives, and we were totally clueless as to what would happen next.

In February 2007, I battled a serious illness that almost killed me, and I was still in rehabilitation. I had a brain abscess that was remedied with surgery but left me with stroke-like symptoms on the left side of my body, along with blood clots to my lung and thigh. We were still dealing with my illness when Paul’s 40-pound weight loss and back pain proved to be cancer. It was difficult in the beginning, and it required so much just to get out of bed and face each day.

Pancreatic cancer typically means a life expectancy of three to six months and a zero percent success rate with conventional treatments. Facing this daunting diagnosis, we knew we wanted to really live our lives as positively and fully as possible. I have always remembered the time that one of my doctors told me that I was a “miracle woman.” I told Paul he could be a “miracle man,” and we have kept the attitude ever since. Eventually, Paul’s oncologist even told him that he was a miracle. Such positive reinforcement meant everything to us!

One day, I came home from work to find a new book on the coffee table. It was Louis Hay’s “You Can Heal Your Life,” and Paul seemed to soak it up. We also had a copy of “Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips” by Kris Carr, and we devoured her book, too. Between Kris & Louise, we gained the first real measure of confidence and insight Our new focus was to heal cancer both physically and mentally, but we had to retrain our brains.

Paul began attending a place in our home town of Kansas City called Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing. There, he began to take T’ai Chi and Qi Gong, and he met a woman named Dee, a cancer survivor in her 70’s. At her suggestion, we read “The Secret,” which—in conjunction with T’ai Chi & QiGong teachings—led us to meditation. Meditation is a beautiful thing, and now a big part of our lives.

Paul has wanted a motorcycle for years, but he never knew how to ride. Finally, on his 40th birthday, he got that motorcycle. We have had a lot of fun on our bike, and we no longer use excuses about money or think of reasons to put off living in the moment. Now, we do the complete opposite. We no longer allow obstacles to stand in our way. Some concrete limitations are difficult to ignore—like having a balance of $20 in your bank account! Still, it is about being conscious and having the right attitude. In T’ai Chi meditation, one of my favorite flows is to acknowledge the past, honor the present, and be open to new possibilities. It is a beautiful thought.

A big part of our lives now is food: focusing on what to eat and what to omit. We, like most, were uneducated about what we were putting into our bodies before the cancer diagnosis, and diet and nutrition have admittedly become healthy obsessions as important components of Paul’s healing. Instead of viewing the changes as too overwhelming to conquer, we chose to look at them as natural ways to heal our bodies. In fact, one of my nieces battled her way to remission from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma using diet and juicing as part of her protocol, and she influenced our decision to do the same. I have been a vegetarian for over 15 years, so the changes were not actually so drastic. Paul jumped in wholeheartedly, and we are now organic vegan, almost 100% raw. I retrained my brain to think of cooking and food preparation as another creative outlet. Every meal I make is a healing meal, and I spend more time in my kitchen than any other room in our home.

I can honestly say that we have never been happier in our lives or our relationship than we are today. We are stronger, and our love is stronger, because we are part of each others’ lives and were confronted with the real possibility of loss. We no longer take each other for granted, and it is our goal to make the other happy each day. Life is truly wonderful, and it is bittersweet that it takes something like cancer and serious illness to make us fully realize that. Maybe this realization is why illness came into our lives. It awakened us both. Are we blessed? Yes. Do we bless ourselves? Definitely!

Keri is 36 years old and works at a family-owned furniture store; Paul is a 41-year-old musician and cancer thriver, beating the odds! They have been married for 7 years and together for 17 years.

How My Horse Beat Cancer

By Bonnie Wishney

The picture below (left side) was taken eight months ago of our sweet 21-year-old horse, Duquessa. In July of 2008, we began to notice that she was losing weight, becoming very lethargic, and had no appetite. A large tumor had developed in her mammary glands. Three weeks later, she was still deteriorating and the tumor had grown much larger. We called our veterinarian who came out two days later. After the examination, she gave us devastating news: She suspected the tumor was cancerous and suggested we do a biopsy.

When the results came back a week later, our worst fears were confirmed. Then we had to ask, “Is there anything we can do?” Our veterinarian was not optimistic about chemo or surgery. Due to the horse’s age and the progression of the disease, the vet told us to prepare for the end, which could be in weeks or a few months. At that point my husband and I discussed “putting her down” so she would not suffer, but we just could not give up on her.

Before & After

After several days of crying and feeling sorry for our baby and ourselves, a light bulb suddenly went off in my head. I had worked at the Hippocrates Health Institute for only five months. I was still learning about the program and had begun the transition to healthy living. During my short time there, I had already seen so many people heal themselves from devastating illnesses. I told my husband, “People come to Hippocrates and are healing themselves on the Hippocrates program, why don’t we try to do this for Duquessa?” At that point, we both became totally committed to the program. Dr. Brian Clement developed a program for her and with his guidance we began the journey of healing.

For the last eight months this has been her program:

• Our first step was to change her diet. We stopped feeding her processed food, alfalfa, and all products and treats containing sugar. She eats only unprocessed oats and natural orchard grass.
• She gets 50 sprays of ACZ in the morning and 50 sprays at night.
• We give her 4 ounces of bee pollen in the morning and 4 oz. in the evening.
• She has wheat grass in her food with every meal and we make juice for her every day.
• We apply a garlic and oil mixture every morning.
• She gets several sprays of Sovereign Silver twice a day.
• We apply Two Feathers healing salve in the evening.
• We exercise her for 20 minutes twice a day.
• And finally, we give her lots of love.

After eight months on this program, she has gained an enormous amount of weight, is running around the pasture with the other horses, her attitude is back and, to echo the cliche, she is eating like a horse. The tumor has shrunk from the size of a large grapefruit to the size of a lemon.

Our veterinarian called us a couple of months ago, as she had not heard from us. She assumed the worst. When we told her that Duquessa was recovering and making amazing progress, she did not really believe us. She asked to come to our house and see for herself. When she saw Duquessa, she was speechless and could not believe it was the same horse. She took dozens of pictures and wrote down all the changes we had made, including the Hippocrates lifestyle. If our story helps even just one animal to recover, or one veterinarian to see the possibilities beyond traditional medicine, we have accomplished a great deal.

Each day Duquessa grows stronger, healthier and happier. We look forward to many more wonderful years with her. We are so thankful to Dr. Clement and Hippocrates Health Institute for their direction, their support, and their love for our four-legged family member. Every day we look at her we feel so blessed for the opportunity we have had to learn how to heal our horse and ourselves.