Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 7

Cancer Stories - Part 7

Ovarian Cancer Survivor - Its Been How Long? Really!?!

I have had two major surgeries, eighteen rounds of chemo, countless pokes, prods, peaks and lab draws, scores of doctor appointments, hundreds of hours spent in traditional medical procedures and alternative medicine treatments, millions of tears, too many laughs, hugs and smiles to count

June 7, 2012 marks five since my hmm, is there a problem.  June 26, 2012 marks five years since my official diagnosis. December 26, 2012, marks five years since my last round of chemo and here I am; no cancer in sight!

With a 70% chance that the cancer would return in five years, that is a BIG deal, at least to me.  Is it because of all the different types of alternative medicine I used?  Is it because I believed in alternative therapies?  Is it because of the mass quantities of lavender essential oil I have used?  I can’t honestly tell you for sure.

I can tell you I have used each of the following alternative therapies and alternative medicine treatments in my personal journey in one form or another.  It took me hours to research this information, and I offer them to you as a time saving mechanism.

They're coming up next and I hope you find them useful!

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 6

Cancer Stories - Part 6

Is There a Point to All of This?  
          
     Yes there is!

If you are recently diagnosed with cancer or other chronic condition, or just starting to check out alternative health medicine and alternative therapies, it might be too much to process, simply because there is so much information to choose from.

A simple search online can show you scientific research, anecdotal testimonies and informative articles relating to the different types of alternative medicine, alternative therapies and alternative medicine treatments.  But really, when you’re sick, who has time or energy to study all that stuff?

The whole purpose of my article is to provide a list, in one place, of the more popular types of alternative medicine, alternative therapies, and alternative medicine treatments that are available to seekers. My list is by no means scientific or complete.  My article and the products offered at MindfulMassageSupplies.com are designed for the new seeker and for the practitioner who is serving people walking the cancer or other chronic dis-ease journey.

Is that significant? I think so!

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 5

So, What is Alternative Health Medicine Anyways?

Alternative medicine, alternative health medicine, alternative medicine treatments, alternative therapies and types of alternative medicine really speak to the same genre of healing.

First of all, alternative health medicine is the combined use of practices, items or techniques not generally an element of conventional Western medicine therapies. Countless people have begun making use of other types of alternative medicine and alternative therapies hoping that they will avoid or perhaps arrest conditions which reduce ones quality of life.

People seek alternative medicine treatments for a variety of reasons. One reason is, when conventional medicine techniques, especially those treating long-term physical, emotional, or psychological issues, are not as effective as hoped. One may to start looking for alternative medicine treatments to assist or boost their traditional treatment. Another reason people consider alternative therapies can be linked to insurance coverage, or the lack of insurance coverage. People seek different types of alternative medicine and alternative therapies when their prognosis is poor, and they want to do everything they can to improve their survival rate and quality of life.

Utilizing alternative therapies and alternative health medicine as a possible approach or supplement to your traditional health care aid you in becoming the best human being you can be.  They help you play the hand you’ve been dealt; or at least that has been my experience.  One of the great gifts of alternative health medicine is that you don't need to be sick to start. No matter what you’re physical, mental or emotional condition, participation in alternative therapies will probably improve your quality of life.

Different types of alternative medicine treatment plans require various degrees of knowledge. There is provider and non-provider centered alternative therapies. Provider types of alternative medicine have someone administering or facilitating the alternative medicine treatments. Non-provider alternative therapies are self directed. A person facilitates the alternative medicine treatments on their own behalf.

Until a short while ago, very little information could be found on the many different types of alternative medicine possibilities. Nowadays there are thousands of guides in print, with a many more appearing weekly.

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 4

Ovarian Cancer Stories - Part 4

So Many Choices, So Little Time!

If you or someone you know is suffering from a serious ailment, you know how challenging it can be to simply make it through a single day. When the issue is something like ovarian cancer every moment that slips by feels like a precious jewel. I felt like time was now my enemy; marching on ceaselessly with me unable to suit up or show up in the way I was accustomed. I was tired, sick, and more than a little scared. My body did not react well to pain medication so I was left with Tylenol and ibuprofen as my only sources of pain killers.  Could alternative therapies help with my day to day ailments?  How do I decide?

I need to back track a bit so I can set the stage and move forward.  My surgery took place about an hour and a half from where I live.  I have a dear friend who housed my family while I was hospitalized.  She is a progressive thinker and knew a lot about alternative health medicine and alternative therapies that I may want to look into.  When I was discharged she allowed me to convalesce in her home.  During my stay she introduced me to Young Living Essential Oils, Reiki, Raindrop Therapy, foot detox, Conscious Language, and a whole host of other treatments that fit loosely under the alternative health medicine umbrella.

After my week with Pauline I was better equipped to compliment my conventional western medical treatment, but if I wanted to progress I was going have to start learning about different types of alternative medicine. I remembered what I had read about Louise Hay and Deepak Chopra so I started to search. I got books on tape, meditation CD's, reference books, dietary information, information on acupuncture, Reiki, Ayurvedic medicine and too many other alternative therapies to list here. I studied Louise Hay, Bernie Segal, Deepak Chopra, and Robert Tennyson Stevens.  Let me say, if you are on a mission to heal your life, these authors are my top four picks. I began wading through the oceans of information available regarding the many varieties of alternative health medicine, and became quickly overwhelmed.

So many times on my journey, I wished someone would run interference for me; give me a set of instructions on what the best course of action was; tell me what types of alternative medicine I should employ; just tell me what to do. Unfortunately, there wasn't any such person! When the rubber meets the road at this level, the ultimate decision is ours to make.

Follow this link to read my ovarian cancer survivors story in its entirety.