Patient resources
The following resources were compiled by members of the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance. This information on supportive treatments is incomplete and based only on our own experiences of what we found helpful. Newly diagnosed cancer patients tend to be inundated and overwhelmed with information. Every patient's need and approach to healing is unique. We hope that these resources will be helpful to you and we would appreciate feedback on any additional information that you would like to see added to this page.
Web sites on complementary and alternative medicines
1. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Integrative Cancer Service
Includes brief descriptions of many associated therapies (e.g. guided imagery, meditation, Reiki, acupuncture) as well as a large database on supplements called About Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products
2. Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrated Therapies at Dana Farber Includes general information about what to look for in alternative therapies as well as services offered at the Zakim Center.
3. www.drweil.com This is an extensive web site on alternative medicines in general. The "Ask Dr. Weil" section, Q&A Library has some good pages on complementary and traditional treatments for cancer.
Note: The "About Herbs" database on the MSK web site and the Dr.Weil web site are both useful for getting objective information on the many pills and elixirs that well-meaning friends and relatives start to bring when they hear a cancer diagnosis.
4. CancerCare Provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: patients, caregivers, children, loved ones and the bereaved. Programs include counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help and are provided by trained oncology social workers.
5. Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research An organization dedicated to advancing resources for pancreatic cancer patients and families.
Books
Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen, MD. A wise and beautifully written book by a physician and therapist interested in the mind/body health field. A collection of inspirational true stories that focus on the varied and individual ways that people heal themselves.
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD Describes the program of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. A practical guide for anyone, well or ill, who seeks to transcend his or her limitations and move toward greater levels of health and well-being. The mindfulness teachings help train one to stay in the moment and learn to reduce anxiety.
The Anatomy of Hope by Jerome Groopman, MD A physician's perspective with many interesting patient examples of how hope can change the course of an illness.
Betty Crocker's Living with Cancer Cookbook A fabulous cookbook for cancer patients. Includes coping with side effects, energy-boosting breakfasts, fatigue-fighting snacks, 20-minute main dishes, make-ahead meals, family-pleasing main dishes, comforting side dishes and treat-yourself desserts. Each recipe includes a key to what treatment side effects if will help control: nausea, mouth sores, diarrhea and constipation.
The Cancer Survival Cookbook: 200 Quick and Easy Recipes with Helpful Eating Hints by Donna Weihofen RD, MS, with Christina Marino, MD, MPH Pages 1-56 provide advice for overcoming specific eating challenges like "I feel so full after eating just a little", "food just doesn't taste the same" and "I can't stand the smell of food". The section on herbal remedies includes promising benefits and reasons for caution. The recipes are simple and offer a nice variety of choices.
The Power of the Mind to Heal: Renewing Body, Mind and Spirit by Joan Borysenko, PhD, and Miroslav Borysenko, PhD The Borysenkos have integrated their considerable knowledge of medicine, metaphysics, and spirituality and alternative forms of healing to reveal how to use the power of the mind to heal physical and emotional ailments. The chapters on Practical Tips on Meditation and Inspirations and Affirmations are especially helpful in reducing anxiety.
Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide of Mind-Body Techniques by Peggy Huddleston Outlines five steps to help prepare for surgery, reduce fear and feel more in control. Steps include Relax to Feel Peaceful, Visualize Your Healing, Organize a Support Group, Use Healing Statements, and Meet Your Anesthesiologist. There is a nice relaxation tape that complements the book. The visualization techniques are helpful during chemo and radiation therapies.
Own Your Health by Roanne Weisman and Brian Berman, MD Chapter 5 on treatments for cancer provides a good synthesis on combining complementary and alternative medicines with traditional treatments. Includes examples on when complementary/alternative medicines can be detrimental.
The Power of Reiki: An Ancient Hands on Healing Technique by Tanmaya Honervogt The word Reiki is translated as "universal life energy". A Reiki treatment provides a simple hands on technique to help balance energy. Some recipients have reported the sense of calm and centeredness they feel after a treatment. A helpful way to reduce anxiety and reunite mind and body.
Surviving Cancer by Margie Levine One woman's story and her inspiring program for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis. The topics covered range from concrete advice about dealing with doctors, suggestions for better nutrition, and connecting with nature.
Love, Medicine and Miracles by Bernie Siegel How exceptional patients heal themselves and where they find the courage and determination to follow new, inspirational paths. A best seller that shows patients how to influence their own recovery.
The Courage Muscle: A Chicken's Guide to Living With Breast Cancer(Chandler House Press, $13.95). Monique Doyle Spencer's frank and funny guide was written during the shock of diagnosis, the ordeal of treatment and the roller-coaster of preventive measures afterward. She didn't believe it when she was told she had stage 3 breast cancer because she was a chicken and there are no chickens with cancer, she reasoned. But she did, in fact, develop both courage and a positive attitude, along the way explaining what various cancer terms mean and dispensing practical advice. "Cancer isn't funny," she said. "Life is."
Note: While all of the books on cancer, nutrition and stress management are helpful in their own way, sometimes it's nice to escape and read something other than cancer help books: sports, crafts, quilting, knitting, adventure, any neutral topic.
Audio
Cancer Survival Toolbox; An Audio Resource Program This resource, available FREE of charge from the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, contains 8 CDs and a booklet with information on many useful organizations for patients with cancer and their families (e.g., Internet information, legal services, financial resources, support groups, advocacy, hospice, and caregiver supports). The audio materials cover many of the same topics and others, including communicating with health professionals, finding information and making decisions, finding ways to pay for care and living beyond cancer. The program is extensive, but well organized and understandable.
Video
Yoga for the Rest of Us by Peggy Cappy. Yoga incorporates gentle stretching and strengthening poses to help renew energy, strength and confidence. Classes end with a relaxation session that can be very soothing and calming. Take your own pace and refresh your mind and body.
Alternative Treatments
Hot and Cold Pacs for Therapy. Grampa's Garden
- Joint/Neck Pac Attaches with Velcro around neck, joints or lower back for hot or cold therapy as you move around.
- Heat Your Feet Slippers - Microwavable booties for cold feet.
Community Support
It can be tremendously useful to have a relative or friend in the community to serve as a contact person. Anyone who wants to help or get information may contact this individual. This person can devise a calendar for the months of most intensive treatments, provide a schedule of people to give rides to treatments or deliver dinners, and schedule childcare. It is also a huge help to maintain an email list of close friends and relatives who want updates after every appointment, saving the time and energy involved in multiple phone explanations.
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