Choices

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Well, after numerous clinics, four scans and the wee matter of an operation-in-between I’m now left with the choice of whether to have chemo or not. Having already plummeted to the depths of hell on chemo before it’s not a path I would happily tread again - BUT - the chemo worked very well last time even after only two and a half cycles, and this regime will be different. Does that mean better? No, probably worse. This time I’ve been offered a combination of Cisplatin and 5-FU. Cisplatin will go through my kidneys with the efficiency of a blowtorch, but at least the 5-FU will be drip fed over a period of time through a pump. Can’t wait to try this lot out.

The best case scenario is it could work very well and I've been told I could feel better after just two weeks. I don’t like to think of the worst scenario. This is the biggest dilemma I have faced in a long time and an incredibly difficult one for me to try and fathom out.

My voice has gone again, either due to the goretex shifting in my vocal cord after a mammoth coughing fit or something more sinister. I’ll find out about that on Wednesday at another clinic.

Myself with Elliott 13 and Luke 26. Both a happy and sad day.

I have managed to fit in two birthdays in between all this horror. My eldest son Luke was 26 and my youngest son Elliott was 13 on the same day (29th January). It was lovely to see them both together and we even managed to have a small family gathering to celebrate. I even managed to swallow some of the birthday cake Cathy made.




This is just a short update. More will follow after my clinic on February 1st. By then some decisions will have been made.

Maximize Health And Recovery Through The Breath

Thursday, January 26, 2012


Maximize Health and Recovery 
The diaphragmatic breath is the most calming and therapeutic breath. When constant stress leads to restriction of connective and muscular tissue in the chest area; a decrease in ROM (Range of Motion) is experienced. This decrease is due in part to unconscious shallow breathing. The chest does not expand as much as it would with slower and deeper breaths. Deeper diaphragmatic breathing is efficient because of the greater amounts of oxygen being drawn in the blood which then flows in the lower lobes of the lungs. Breathe Consciously. “It is as simple as oxygen helping to nourish the body, the muscles, and organs which then provides relief from stress, fear and anxiety. Slow, deep, and relaxed breaths calm the autonomic nervous system, producing balanced stable energy.  Conscious breathing does improve the body’s immune function, and lower blood pressure. Make a conscious decision to start with 5 to 10 minutes a day of deep breathing. 
To learn yoga breathing techniques visit Breast Cancer Yoga and download our “Breast Cancer Yoga Breathing Techniques” E-book

Author & Founder: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500
January 26, 2012

Breast Cancer Yoga Breathing CD Trailer

Monday, January 23, 2012

2012 - Look What January Dragged In

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Hywel
Well, the shit hasn’t just hit the fan, it has covered everything and is slowly working its way down the wire. One oncology clinic has opened up a whole new world of worry, despair, anger and all the associated negative words cancer conjours up.

What I love about cancer is its ability to draw a veil of comfort across you from time to time only to swiftly pull it back as if some sick video game. The veil brings with it pictures of respite, no operations or treatment and as normal a life as you could expect with this disease. As soon as that veil is removed the stark horrors of reality come crashing down on you again with unimaginable force. 

Having survived one oncology clinic with brutal news that the cancer looks as if it’s spreading in my chest, closing off my esophagus and is in my my tongue, the future looks very bleak indeed. A subsequent oncology clinic brought the news of a potential spread into the thoracic spine. Well, I suppose, why have one thing to worry about when you can have three? 

I had an operation on Tuesday January 17th for the team to remove biopsies from my mouth, tongue and esophagus. This was my seventh general anaesthetic in the last five years but when I went into theatre it didn’t bother me in the slightest. Why? Because this time I had so much else to contend with that being knocked out for a couple of hours was the last thing on my mind. 

Luckily I slept fairly well that night as I cope with the anaesthetic quite well, and the following day went home to wait another week for the results. Thursday morning I tried to swallow a tablet and I nearly choked to death. Cathy phoned the hospital and back in I went for a camera down my throat to see what was going on. Whilst on the ward I managed to squeeze in an MRI on the spine - multitasking quite well I thought. 

I was now faced with being unable to swallow solid food of any kind and my tablets would have to be crushed or supplied in a liquid solution. Luckily I could have morphine patches and some things come in an oral form, so only two crap tasting tablets spread over my breakfast cereal. 

We’re only a few weeks into January and not only have I stood in front of a fast moving train once, I’ve been hit by it repeatedly. 

Where does all this leave me? Well, next week I have two clinics which will decide what the future holds, if any. A sobering thought to keep me on my toes. 

The Mayan prophecy seems to have come true in my case. 2012 is my year it seems.
  

Cathy

Unfortunately the results of the scan were a real blow. Hywel has been finding swallowing more and more difficult over the last few months and as well as a CT scan for his chest and abdomen he was referred for a barium swallow. The barium swallow involves drinking a solution which tastes a bit like Gaviscon and is the same gloopy texture. A series of X rays are then taken which can track the flow of this stuff through the esophagus. This was undertaken on January 6th and Hywel’s clinic for the results was January 10th. I went to the hospital with him and waited whilst the test was done. Hywel came out looking a bit shell shocked. The radiographers had shown Hywel the X Rays and there was a considerable narrowing of his esophagus - it being only slightly wider than a vein in one place. We were forewarned there was a new problem. 

The news was as bad as could be. The CT scan and barium swallow showed a strong likelihood cancer was causing the esophagus to narrow. It had also shown up a suspicious area on the tongue. Hywel asked for a prognosis and was told it could be as little as 6 months, possibly longer, as he was in good health apart from the cancer. It was a huge shock. We had been living in a bit of a bubble for the last few months without any treatment to contend with and no imminent results. The bubble exploded with that news and again Hywel has been immersed in the world of cancer treatment. Since the day of the results we have spent more time at the hospital for clinics, tests, scans and operations than we have at home. When we have been at home we have been faced with telling our loved ones and friends the news and the snowball effect of this with the resulting texts and phone calls. It is lovely to know how much people care but at the same time it is exhausting. We try and grab as much quiet time, just the two of us, but that is tinged with so much sadness and an overwhelming sense of loss. 

Since results day we have made ourselves get out of the house a couple of times. We spent a few hours at Ogmore by Sea, and also in Garw Nant which is in the Brecon Beacons. Hywel finds being out in a natural environment good for the soul, it seems to help him find some inner calm. Whilst Hywel was waiting to have his op we spent time attempting to cheer ourselves up by making lists of good things - all the places we have been on holiday both alone and with the children, and all the concerts and shows we have been to. Hywel bought a Lego Millennium Falcon and has spent some time building it with Elliott this last week. It is lovely and at the same time heart wrenching to watch and listen to them working together. We are still hoping there will be some good news at next week's clinic, that they'll be able to do something about Hywel’s swallowing and that some of the areas which look worrying will be fibrosis caused by the radiotherapy rather than the cancer taking over. We try hard to hold onto some vestige of hope. I feel helpless again, as if somehow I have failed to protect Hywel and the kids, although I know deep down that I am not to blame, it is the fault of this vile disease. 

Happy New Year !

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Happy New Year! (and Merry Belated Christmas….. oops, a bit slow in getting this out this year). Hope you had a great Holiday break.

I’m sitting at a hockey rink overlooking my son Graham’s hockey practice. Graham, age 13, has suffered three mild concussions in the last 6 months – and this is his first practice back with the team. The first one happened at the cottage while skating backwards on in-line skates. The second, while trying to get past a very large defenseman at a hockey tournament six weeks ago – and the third in hockey practice, three weeks ago, in which the coach was trying to teach the forwards how to forecheck – and Graham played the dutiful guinea pig. Since then he has had grumbling headaches- though we can take solace in the fact he got 100% on his math test a few days after the hit.

The worry about how/when Graham will recover is probably the one outlying stress in my life. I hope he doesn’t have to give up hockey too early because he absolutely loves it. He loves the competition. He loves training. He loves setting a goal for himself.

(Frankly, I hope he doesn’t have to give it up because of the joy it has brought my life. I love being outside shooting shots in the driveway with him, and playing keep-way on the front yard rink. And the rink is just a make-work project, an excuse to get outside and putter).

I guess I’m just mourning the loss of his childhood and the fun we have had together. Though, the flip side of mourning the losses we experience each day is that we can appreciate the life we do have that much more.

Heading the list is family.

I’m really happy for Jeremy, now in grade 11, who has finally hit his stride. He transferred from a private school to the ‘IB’ program in the public system. My impression is the IB teachers are amongst the best in public school and given the volume and difficulty of the material the kids are expected to master (the physics they covered in first two months matches what the advanced ‘non-IB’ physics class will cover in 2 years), Jeremy’s classmates are often as serious about school as he is. (Frankly, I’m jealous of the quality of education he’s receiving).

More than the academics, Jeremy has made some great friends in the larger school. Gabbie, a true friend, just adores him. She took him shopping yesterday to spruce up his wardrobe. I’m happy because she is very bright and very hard-working (which I’m hoping will rub off on Jeremy).

Jer still hosts the ‘improv’ club (2 guys, 2 girls) at our house every week or so. They may not do any improv games – but they watch youtube clips, play games, and have lots and lots of laughs. Again, I’m jealous – way more fun than I ever had in High School.

To fill out a very busy life, Jer is still taking voice lessons with Paula (yet another wonderful person in his life) and is singing in both the high school and regional choir (visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKl1Znn3J54&list=UUBopEbN5Cjz49OMJMA9J7UQ&index=1&feature=plcp to see a Christmas concert song). He loves singing and his choir mates are great people.

Jer got his driver’s licence (he’s a very good driver– cautious and natural ability – and a similar likelihood of drinking to excess as his father ie 0%)

Jer got his black belt in Karate – a test he did I front of about 80 people. I was very proud of him – he’s persisted through four years of training – partly because I go with him, and partly because he likes one of the girls in the class.

Jer and I are also going to the gym together. This started with Jer saying he didn’t know what to do in a weight room –and would like to learn before going to university. So I hired a personal trainer in the early fall who taught us a basic program which we’ve been following about three times a week. For me, it’s yet another opportunity to spend some time with him – at 16, there’s not much advice that he’ll take from me, but the snippets of conversation we have going to and from the gym are the best I get all week.

Cara is her perennial great self – she’s still working from home (mostly the books for my company/ our household). Graham is stuck resting these last few days and Cara is in reading books, and playing audiobooks for him. She is the master organizer of holidays – including our scuba vacation a year ago and the family bike tour in France this past summer. (Gee, so much happens in a single year, it’s hard to convey the fullness of this life). Of France, I can say it was a good thing we were biking 40-60km per day to make up for our daily consumption of 5000 calories of French pastries and fine dining. It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful – and especially enjoyable as sister Lou and family joined us there.

In my other worlds – as a Radiation Oncologist and as the leader of a charity www.healingandcancer.org – all is well. As much as I love support groups and speaking in public I think I would miss the direct patient contact if I quit my day-job. It’s just a very concrete way of helping people. I think Radiation Oncologists are a very satisfied group because the results of the treatment (like lessening of pain) are dramatic and often persistent. I am so fortunate to be paid for what I love to do. (Lovely 9min video on radiation oncology that I help produce this year: visit http://vimeo.com/32336225)

My charity work has been challenging (ie leading an organization while having so much work and family responsibility) and we’re hoping to raise some major funds to sustain our work for the next few years - please say a prayer for me. I do believe that persistence will pay dividends eventually – For instance I gave a webcast ( visit http://vimeo.com/33700823 ) on ‘complete prostate cancer care: how to integrate the best of conventional and complementary medicine’ which was viewed live by 127 computers/people across Canada in early December. And we just found out that we received a $63K grant from the Atlantic chapter of Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to create an 8DVD set, 45min documentary, and short public service announcement – from the footage of an upcoming retreat for women affected by breast cancer. For more of what’s going happening on this front visit www.twitter.com/healingncancer

So life is fulfilling for me now. And this I hope from deep in my heart for you this year and beyond.

Lots of love to you and yours.

Robr

Where There Is A Prop, There’s A Way

Wednesday, January 18, 2012


No pose is too big or too small, all you need is the right yoga props and a good attitute. Pick a restorative yoga practice of your choice that will offer an opportunity to explore different props and diffrent poses. Using flowing movements before coming into a sustain pose with props will help to warm up muscles, and offer the opportunity to settle down. Movement also provide the chance to shed restlessness and any agitation before settling into a place of surrender.
Props are to be use, so use them generously; blocks, pillows, bolsters, blankets, sandbags, eye pillows and belts. The more support that is felt, the deeper sense of relaxation and nurturance. Make sure when using the props that they feel “just right.”  A little adjustment here, or a little adjustment there, can make all the difference in the world. I mean that, so please explore the placements of the props. One inch can transform a supported pose; allowing you to  feel like you are in heaven. Here in lies your opportunity to tune inwards, and intuitively feel what is needed. For some, restorative poses may create a challenge for the mind to settle down and relax, so don’t be hard on yourself; just allow it to happen.  In time and with practice the feelings of comfort and healing will draw you into the present moment, where the real work is for peace and acceptance. The power of the props are not just to support the physical body through this time of healing but a time to find a quiet understanding. This is where questions are either answered or they lose their importance. 
Taking this valuable time for yourself to be supported with props is imperative. When in breast cancer recovery this maybe a time for emotional healing to be felt and absorbed. It will awaken an awareness inside, where we need not pretend; but realize we can become responsible for change. This awareness exists beyond words and props.

By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500
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WellFlorida partners with churches to fight breast cancer in Alachua County

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (January 11, 2012)— Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women, and African American women are disproportionately affected by it. Recent data shows that in Alachua County only 30.8% of African American women over the age of 40 received a mammogram to screen for breast cancer compared to 57.1% of White women. The age-adjusted death rate for African American women is also more than 40% higher than their White counterparts. Believe! Breast Cancer Prevention through Churches is a new program in Alachua County aimed at reducing the numbers of African American women impacted by the disease.

WellFlorida Council is a recent recipient of the American Cancer Society, Florida Division’s Community Education Grant Program to Address Cancer Disparities, FY 2011-12. Thisaward will be used to support the implementation of Believe! Breast Cancer Prevention through Churches.

The goal of Believe! Breast Cancer Prevention through Churches is to improve early detection of breast cancer through education about routine self-exams and mammograms. This evidence-based program focuses on partnering with representatives from African American churches who will educate women parishoners about breast cancer prevention and resources.

If you or your church is interested in learning more about the program, please contact Kim Gokhale at WellFlorida Council at 352-313-6500 ext. 127 or email her at kgokhale@wellflorida.org.

This grant award was made possible through a competitive statewide grant program offered to community based non-profit organizations by the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society.

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For The Health Of It Free Seminar

Medical Fitness—helping you exercise within your medical limitations

January 19, noon - 1pm
Shands Cancer Hospital at the University of Florida, 1515 SW Archer Road
Michael Wasik, MED, ATC/L, LMT, CSCS
Clinical Coordinator-Shands Fitness and Wellness Center

FREE valet parking for seminar at front entrance

Register online at Shands.org/WA or call 352-265-0943

Cancer Connections January Meeting

Our January meeting is scheduled for the 25th at noon at Hope Lodge. Speakers will be from Shands Arts in Medicine: Nancy Lasseter, Tammy Bernard, and Lauren Arce. For more information, email BnBBarb@aol.com.

FREE Preview "Standing Yoga Poses for Breast Cancer Recovery and Lymphedema Management" E-book


Breast Cancer Yoga has released Standing Yoga Poses E-book as apart of our "Healthy & Hopeful Lifestyle" E-book Series. Free preview of Standing Yoga Poses
Standing Yoga Poses E-book Contains
“Healthy & Hopeful Lifestyle” E-book Series contain specific restorative yoga poses that assist in breast cancer post-surgical recovery, fatigue and lymphedema management. Also included is a standing therapeutic breathing exercise which is an essential tool for reduction of stress, anxiety and depression. Complementary Therapies included in this E-book are herbal teas, massage oils, and aromatherapy to further enhance healing.
Benefits of Standing Yoga Poses
Standing Yoga Poses E-book introduces our first “upright” yoga series. Here the emphasis is placed on developing stamina, flexibility and strength. Balance is a key component in standing. The use of legs and arms builds the whole body. This provides a clearer understanding on how we control our physical and emotional direction by developing this sense of being grounded and being present.
Yoga Helps Overcome Obstacles During Recovery
Remember as you begin to practice yoga poses with awareness, you not only begin to feel better but you will also be able to feel; that is, you become sensitive to everything and everyone around you. As inner awareness expands and deepens both within and outside the body, we consciously begin to overcome obstacles of fear, pain, anxiety. You can practice yoga in such a way that the practice becomes a much “larger yoga.” Our true nature is revealed through this new sensitivity and awareness. We intuitively begin to discover how to overcome certain obstacles on this journey with breast cancer.
By: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500
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What NOT to say to a Cancer Patient...

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Almost five years of dealing with cancer and talking to literally hundreds of people during this time has left me feeling fairly well qualified to devise and advise upon cancer etiquette.

I am one of those cancer patients who wants to know everything about their illness. In fact, I can quite easily say I have become an expert on the forms of cancer I have. Knowing about these wayward cells helps me deal with my illness. Even so, I realise that others want to know nothing about their cancer at all and I fully appreciate that. Everyone deals with this dreaded disease in a different way.

During the last five years I have been bequeathed with wondrously depressing and spirit lowering tales from family members who open their conversation with, “I had two family members the same age as you and both died from cancer.” Thanks for that one, just the kind of lift I need for the day.

Other conversations intended to lift the spirit and optimism go along the lines of, “I know someone who was given months to live after having stage 10 cancer of the little finger and following massive doses of chemo and radio he regularly bungee jumps off very tall buildings”.

I know the last one slightly stretches incredulity but I think you get the picture. It’s very difficult to cover the awkwardness that comes with crossing that dividing line between my little happy family of mediastinal tumours and the healthy world outside.

One family member who shall remain nameless wrote an incredibly long and seemingly accurate list of all operations she’d had over the last 45 years, also including associated family members’ testicular problems. Actually that latter person who is nearing 70, now wears a flashing, growling codpiece so I presume his testicular problems have subsided. What possesses someone to write a lengthy tome on decades’ worth of illness is beyond my comprehension but alas, these people do exist.

Mrs-illness-list further improved her standing by ignoring me when both in the same room. She would just whisper to my wife conspiratorially…

Mrs-illness-list: How’s he doing?
My wife: “Go and ask him yourself, he’s standing over there.”
Mrs-illness-list: Oh, I couldn’t possibly do that, it’s just not done in our generation.”
My wife: ‘Well, I’m not telling you, you’ll have to ask him yourself and that’s that.’

Living with cancer for five years has turned me into something of a social recluse. I find it extremely difficult to be in a social situation as I know at some point the conversation between myself and a stranger will eventually end with the word cancer.

It’s what I call a whirlpool effect and goes along these lines…
Stranger: “Hi, how are you?”
Me: “Fine thanks, and you?”
Blah blah for a few minutes and then the whirlpool kicks in…
Stranger: “What do you do for a living?”
Me: “I was a teacher but I’m retired now.”
Stranger: “A bit young to retire aren’t you?”
Me: “Ill health I’m afraid”
Stranger: “Oh, I hope it wasn’t something serious.”
Me: “Cancer.”
At that point the conversation has plummeted into awkwardness and tends to finish abruptly.

I can’t drink alcohol because of the medication I’m on. I can’t even have fizzy drinks because it affects my esophagus. Where does that leave me? Well, when my wife asks for a wine list I ask for a squash list. “Oooh, do you have blackcurrant and orange? Wow, decisions, decisions.” I get an odd look from the waiter. I chuckle as I think “If only you knew.”

Here are a few well known sentences people have emitted when talking to me over the years. Well intentioned I’m sure, but here’s what I think:


1. “If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.” 

Sorry, that one doesn’t work. Why? Because it puts the onus back on the patient.
Here’s an example we’ve experienced…“If there’s anything I can do just let me know.” “Ok, that’s great thanks.” Two weeks later we call that person, “Could you possibly babysit for us next Saturday? We haven’t had any time to ourselves for over six months now and desperately need a break.” “Oh dear, I’m so sorry, any other time would have been fine but blah blah etc…” You get the picture?

2. “I know how you feel.” 
Well actually you don’t have any idea how I feel and the phrase has the effect of killing a conversation entirely. It really is a conversation stopper. What I would prefer is, “How are you doing today?” At least that opens up a gap so I can choose whether to talk about it or not. Giving the hint that you don’t want to talk about it sends me into an even deeper sense of isolation than I already feel. 


3. “You must have a positive attitude.”
Really? And you presume that I didn’t have one before? I have heard endless variations along those lines during my fight with cancer. Most of the time I am extremely positive, but I also have many moments when I fall into a well of despair and find it very difficult to climb out. If a positive outlook meant being happy all the time and stress free therefore helping to cure my cancer I would try my best with that method, but I simply can’t be like that all the time no matter how hard I try. 


4. “Well done for finishing your chemo.”
Actually finishing my chemo was one of the worst experiences I have ever endured. I didn’t feel a sense of completion, I just thought, well I suppose I’ll just wait for the tumours to grow back now. I need to be given a chance to convey my feelings first and to be asked something along the lines of “How are you feeling now the chemo has finished?”

5. Silence. 
Don’t ignore me. It’s amazing how many social situations I’ve been in when people in the same room totally blanked me for hours. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? It’s bad enough feeling like a social recluse but ignoring me is the height of ignorance. Ring me from time to time just for a chat about life in general, If I’m feeling unwell and not up to chatting I’ll let you know. Maybe you don’t know what to say? Well, that’s just not good enough. With the plethora of information on the internet and cancer charities like Tenovus and Macmillan out there freely willing to give advice there is simply no excuse not to talk to me. I used to get upset before, now I just get angry and would have no hesitation in telling you where to go.  

Faced with a finite future I simply have no wish to spend time in the company of anyone who remains ignorant to my plight. My time is precious and I am not wasting a single breath on these people again.


If you want to really help me you can offer to babysit and not renege on that offer; ask if Elliott would like to come out on a day trip or to the cinema with your kids - it would be a treat for him and give us a bit of time on our own. You can bring me dinner, cook for us, or offer to pick up a bit of shopping when my wife and I are shattered from endless hospital tests and clinics. You can bring me a book; take the dog for a walk. You can offer to make us a tea or coffee when you call around. You can offer to do odd jobs around the house that I can’t do any more because my body simply can’t manage it. I even need a man hug from time to time. Believe me, that makes me feel a whole lot better.

Finally don’t ever EVER promise to do any of these things and not carry them out.

There you have it, cancer etiquette revealed – please spread the word.



Prevent Breast Cancer with Healthy Lifestyle Choices for 2012

Monday, January 2, 2012

Necessary Lifestyle Choices for Optimum Health


An anti-cancer lifestyle will include a variety of exercise, organic foods, clean pure water and air. There are a few easy steps to keep the body safe and healthy. It is important to cultivate an awareness of what feels and taste right going into your body. It is equally important to stop and take notice of bad choices. Ask yourself “Is this good or bad for me? “Will it make me feel better or worse?”  We all want to feel alive and vital.


Exercise – Yoga
Practicing restorative yoga has shown through studies to encourage and improve sleep and to enhance overall quality of life. (Reuters Health) – About one third of breast cancer survivors experience fatigue that affects their quality of life. A new study found that doing yoga might help restore some lost vitality. There are some simple suggestions to start exploring a change in vitality.


Cancer Prevention Foods – Vegetarian/Vegan Diet
It is suggested to eat a plant base diet of fruits and vegetables: make your diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables that are full of micronutrients and bioflavonoids which are duly noted to help prevent breast cancer or other cancers. Here are some simple choices to select from to start improving your health.


Water Therapy – Alkaline Water
Alkaline water (referred to as ionized water) can neutralize or decrease the acidity of the body’s pH caused by stress, modern diet, and air pollution. We suggest trying this water and feeling the possible positive effects.

  • Find a water store and get alkaline water by the gallon (it usually stays charged with negative ions for up to 48 hours)
  • Purchase if possible a home alkaline water system that filters pollutants as well as charging the water with negative ions and anti oxidants
  • Benefit from the many ways to use alkaline water like necessary hydration for the body’s cells

Manage Stress – Learn to Breathe
Deep breathing is vital in that it encourages the release of body toxins, rebuild healthy tissue which consequently increases overall energy. This true oxygen exchange stimulates digestion, assimilation and elimination. A very important function of breathing fully and slowly is that the body’s natural relaxation response is prompted. This relaxation response results in decreased tension, anxiety and fatigue. A great place to start is with our single down-loadable breathing exercises or you could do the following.


Laugh Often – Emotional Balancing
It has been shown that even when manipulated to smile people in truth feel happier and joyful. Laughter can stop depression right in its tracks and boosts our immunity. We suggest the following to bring on happiness.

  • Have a daily joke sent to your e-mail
  • Watch funny YouTube videos
  • Listen to the comedy channel on the radio
  • Download comedians from iTunes

By : Diana Ross, E-RYT 500
Founder & Survivor: Breast Cancer Yoga


Breast Cancer Yoga Welcomes A Healthy 2012



Breast Cancer Yoga wants to wish everyone a "Healthy & Hopeful" new year!