Nutrition, Physical activity, Stress and relaxation, were the draw-card for 40 Cancer, Breast Cancer and Tumor patients, who attended Cancer Council Qld., "Healthy Living" seminar, held at their main offices, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Saturday 20th.
Patients, Carers, partners and friends were treated to the latest trends in food value varieties for sensible eating to aid recovery following Cancer treatment. Facts flowed to the attentive audience about dos and donts regarding values of calories, the make-up of food varieties regarding vitamins, amega3, tomatoes and broccoli, berries and green teas. Many questions were raised re use of oils, how much coffee and red wine to drink and value of mushrooms and chocolate. Presenter Dwan Vilcins, clinical naturopath, was able to change a number of myths in food tastes.
Next, Debbie Pickersgill, from UQSport, demonstrated the value of simple physical exercise for 60 year olds, plus showing the best types of movements that would improve warm-up and mobility.
UQSport, a health unit of Uni. Queensland, has developed special programs for patients who have received treatment for Cancer, Breast Cancer and Tumor receovery. Deb also supplied an easy-guide showing simple movements patients can safely used in the home.
Stress and relaxation was presented by Yoga specialist, Sheridan Oliver, who demonstrated simple exercise and breathing techniques, discussing how stress can tighten up your muscles and what to do about it.
Comments from the audience demonstrated that all the advice on Healthy Living had been taken seriously; the questuions from the floor tying-up the presenters many times. A great Seminar enjoyed by all. Geoff.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Malfunctions after Meningioma removal - Therapist comment
A Physical Therapist, who is a recent patient of Meningioma removal, has some sound words of advice for other Meningimates, who may be suffering discomfort from a craniotomy.
Sandy Conran writes: I'm a craniotomy patient, MNG survivor, and a physical therapist. Following my surgery last year my titanium screws sites were very sensitive and it was nearly 6 mth. before I could lie on my left side. Fortunately, I had access to a therapist trained in craniosacral therapy.
The basis for this therapy is that meninge layer that lines the inside of the skull and spinal cord is filled with cerebrospinal fluid that has a current, like a river. The surgery disrupted this flow, especially around the meninge incision site which is where the screws are placed post-op.
One-two 30 min. sessions with this therapist relieved the sensitivity around 2 of my 3 screw sites. The other one was too sensitive to work for several more months.
Cranio-sacral therapists may be physical therapists, massage therapists, or thier own entity.
It is considered mainstream currently but was considered more alternative therapy until last decade. Use your search engines to check for nearby practitioners or for more background information. (This is useful information. Geoff)
Sandy Conran writes: I'm a craniotomy patient, MNG survivor, and a physical therapist. Following my surgery last year my titanium screws sites were very sensitive and it was nearly 6 mth. before I could lie on my left side. Fortunately, I had access to a therapist trained in craniosacral therapy.
The basis for this therapy is that meninge layer that lines the inside of the skull and spinal cord is filled with cerebrospinal fluid that has a current, like a river. The surgery disrupted this flow, especially around the meninge incision site which is where the screws are placed post-op.
One-two 30 min. sessions with this therapist relieved the sensitivity around 2 of my 3 screw sites. The other one was too sensitive to work for several more months.
Cranio-sacral therapists may be physical therapists, massage therapists, or thier own entity.
It is considered mainstream currently but was considered more alternative therapy until last decade. Use your search engines to check for nearby practitioners or for more background information. (This is useful information. Geoff)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Health Debates reach new Lows - personal prospective
Recent debates on abortion and stem cell research have sunk to new lows, with personal religious and personal politics deciding on one's life and health.
It is incredible to think that, in this new millennium, such thoughts can even be contemplated in what is now regarded as living in a modern World.
The Victorian parliament has been debating a new deal for mothers, who may want to abort their foetus, for whatever personal or health reason. New Victorian legislation will allow abortion on demand upto 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Over in the United States Presidential elections, debate is raging between Democrat and Republican candidates, over a re-think by President George Bush, to relent slightly, to allow limited support for using embryonic stem cell research to develop medical therapies.
Democratic Vice-Presidential hopeful, Sen. Joe Biden, has wasted no time in firing a fusillade at Republican Vice-Presidential Sarah Palin, on this issue, due to the effect Rublicans oppose embryonic stem cell research, and also the fact that Sarah Palin gave birth, in April, to a down-syndrome child.
Why is it that our personal health has to be penalised by religious and political tags - health of an individual must be allowed to be free of censure. We are also being made aware of censures placed on Asiatic mothers, due to religious and political fervor. In terms of securing individual health, there is no place for fundamentalism and secularism.
Australia has to be one of the World bodies that sanctions such high degress in health care. Personal health care has to be registered well above religious and political thinking.
We have made it with anti-discrimination; the same should be applied to World Health.! Geoff.
It is incredible to think that, in this new millennium, such thoughts can even be contemplated in what is now regarded as living in a modern World.
The Victorian parliament has been debating a new deal for mothers, who may want to abort their foetus, for whatever personal or health reason. New Victorian legislation will allow abortion on demand upto 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Over in the United States Presidential elections, debate is raging between Democrat and Republican candidates, over a re-think by President George Bush, to relent slightly, to allow limited support for using embryonic stem cell research to develop medical therapies.
Democratic Vice-Presidential hopeful, Sen. Joe Biden, has wasted no time in firing a fusillade at Republican Vice-Presidential Sarah Palin, on this issue, due to the effect Rublicans oppose embryonic stem cell research, and also the fact that Sarah Palin gave birth, in April, to a down-syndrome child.
Why is it that our personal health has to be penalised by religious and political tags - health of an individual must be allowed to be free of censure. We are also being made aware of censures placed on Asiatic mothers, due to religious and political fervor. In terms of securing individual health, there is no place for fundamentalism and secularism.
Australia has to be one of the World bodies that sanctions such high degress in health care. Personal health care has to be registered well above religious and political thinking.
We have made it with anti-discrimination; the same should be applied to World Health.! Geoff.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Info Handbook/DVD for After-Treatment
Following Sept. Brain Tumor Support Group meeting, members were invited by Cancer Council Queensland, to join a Focus Group session, to discuss a proposal to develop a Survivor Kit, Book or DVD, for patients as they leave hospital after their treatment for cancer or tumor.
With funding provided by Cancer Australia, this patient-support initiative has received a large amount of experience-information to support this project.
The key issue is to ensure patients re-entering their normal life surroundings after leaving a treatment centre, will have a smooth transition to returning to as normal life as possible.
Items covered in this information project are anxiety and stress once cancer treatment finishes, uncertainly what to expect in terms of side-effects, loss of confidence in one's body and fear of recurrence, feeling socially isolated when visible support level diminishes from hospital, family and friends, feelings of guilt and anger, grief and loss related to changes cancer has made to your physical health, appearance, fertility, sexuality, work-life, income, independence and many others.
Discussions from various support groups will be collated by project officer Heather Woodford, Cancer Council Qld. from where a Focus committee will decide on the final presentation of the project.
For more information or interest, contact/email heatherwoodford@cancerqld.org.au Geoff.
With funding provided by Cancer Australia, this patient-support initiative has received a large amount of experience-information to support this project.
The key issue is to ensure patients re-entering their normal life surroundings after leaving a treatment centre, will have a smooth transition to returning to as normal life as possible.
Items covered in this information project are anxiety and stress once cancer treatment finishes, uncertainly what to expect in terms of side-effects, loss of confidence in one's body and fear of recurrence, feeling socially isolated when visible support level diminishes from hospital, family and friends, feelings of guilt and anger, grief and loss related to changes cancer has made to your physical health, appearance, fertility, sexuality, work-life, income, independence and many others.
Discussions from various support groups will be collated by project officer Heather Woodford, Cancer Council Qld. from where a Focus committee will decide on the final presentation of the project.
For more information or interest, contact/email heatherwoodford@cancerqld.org.au Geoff.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Improve Brain Health: Good Nutrition!
Due to the treatment you are on, correct nutritional food guidelines are essential to pull the mind and body back into condition. Eat a variety of foods of different colors without a lot of added ingredients or processes.
Plan meals around your vegetables, and then add friut, protien, dairy and/or whole gran breads.
Add some cold water fish to your diet like tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, barra and whiting fillets; these contain important omega-3 fatty acids. Trim down meals containing red meats, frys and bbq's. Learn what a portion-size is, so you do not over eat, but enjoy your food.
Try to eat more foods low in GI (Glycemic Index). There are many GI Cook books available to help you with choice recipes. If you can only do one thing, eat more vegetables, particulary leafy green ones. Geoff Acknowlegment sharpbrains.com
Plan meals around your vegetables, and then add friut, protien, dairy and/or whole gran breads.
Add some cold water fish to your diet like tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, barra and whiting fillets; these contain important omega-3 fatty acids. Trim down meals containing red meats, frys and bbq's. Learn what a portion-size is, so you do not over eat, but enjoy your food.
Try to eat more foods low in GI (Glycemic Index). There are many GI Cook books available to help you with choice recipes. If you can only do one thing, eat more vegetables, particulary leafy green ones. Geoff Acknowlegment sharpbrains.com
Improve Brain Health: Stress Management!
Get regular cardiovascular exercise. Try to get enough
sleep each night. Keep in touch with friends and family,
join a Brain Tumor Support Group.
Practice meditation, yoga, or some other calming activity as a way to take a relaxing time-out, like a massage, take the dog for a walk, go fishing, gardening, and reading.
If you can only do one thing, set aside 5 to 10 minutes just to breath deeply and recharge yourself. Geoff
Acknowledgment sharpbrain.com
Improve Brain Health: Get Physical!
If you can only do one thing, do something cardiovascular, meaning something that gets your heart beating faster. This will include walking, running, skiing, swimming, biking, tennis basketball, and any other similar sports activities.
If you are currently not physically active, start talking to your Doctor, especially if you have special health concerns, or considering making changes to your current program. Set a goal that you can achieve.
Do something you enjoy for even 15 to 30 minutes a day. You can always add more time and activities later, as you gain more confidence. Do not stress yourself if at first you cannot achieve your goal. Geoff
Acknowledgment sharpbrains.com
If you are currently not physically active, start talking to your Doctor, especially if you have special health concerns, or considering making changes to your current program. Set a goal that you can achieve.
Do something you enjoy for even 15 to 30 minutes a day. You can always add more time and activities later, as you gain more confidence. Do not stress yourself if at first you cannot achieve your goal. Geoff
Acknowledgment sharpbrains.com
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