New Year...New Hope!

  Here I sit on New Years Eve 2012 thinking about the last year...When I was diagnosed 6 years ago with Kidney Cancer, I never knew if I would still be here today.  Cancer has a stigma...Much like "The Plague" with facing your own mortality and not knowing this disease is attacking you from the inside with very few telltale signs you are being attacked...I am thankful to be considered in remission at 6 years, 10 years and you are considered cancer-free...The last 2 posts on my blog were guest bloggers who wrote articles about maintaining your health and nothing could be more important...My goal in 2013 is to lose weight, enjoy life more and to spend more quality time with my family.  It's time to dust off the old bicycle say "No thanks" to those chocolate chip cookies and Jamoca Jive ice cream...I will miss them :o(  I want to maintain good health  not only for me but for my family as well.  I know what you are thinking....Noone keeps their New Years Resolutions...I certainly want to try ...Here's to a healthy (cancer-free) 2013!

Managing Blood Glucose Levels with Diabetes 2

For those living with type 2 diabetes, managing blood glucose levels is critical to avoiding serious long-term complications that can result from unchecked hyperglycemia, including glaucoma, cataracts, skin infections, heart disease, hypertension, hearing loss, gum disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke, diabetic coma and ultimately, death.

The first step in managing blood glucose levels is to monitor them, and fortunately in this day and age there are numerous types of easy-to-use monitors available to help you with this.  Of utmost importance is to establish a regular routine for testing blood sugar in order to obtain the most accurate results and to better understand your blood sugar peak and valley patterns. Your doctor will recommend the number of times you should test daily and when.

Eating small, regular meals will help avoid dramatic spikes and drops in blood glucose and keep you on an even keel.  In between meals, snack on healthy, multi-grain carbs, nuts, vegetables and fresh fruit.  Keeping plenty of healthy snacks around the house, in the office and in your carry-on when traveling will help you to avoid making poor choices during bouts of sudden hunger.

Super Foods Missing from Many American Diets

Nutrition is key to managing blood glucose levels, and a healthy diabetes diet is not altogether different from a healthy diet recommended for a non-diabetic.  Ideally, fresh vegetables should constitute approximately half of each meal, with the other half being divided between lean protein such as fish or skinless chicken, and a healthy starch like brown rice, sweet potatoes or beans.  So called “super foods” for diabetics are similar to those prescribed for the rest of the population, and include such things as dark green vegetables, sweet potatoes, citrus, berries, tomatoes, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, nuts, whole grains, fat-free milk and fat-free yogurt. Regular consumption of these super foods guarantees a healthy intake of valuable nutrients, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that are often lacking in typical American diets.

Eating freshly prepared foods is an effective way to ensure your meal is not loaded with trans-fats, hidden sugars, sodium and cholesterol. When eating pre-packaged foods, it is critical to read the label thoroughly to understand exactly what you are consuming and how much.   The American Diabetes Association provides a comprehensive guide to reading and interpreting labels on their website at www.diabetes.org/foodandfitness. 

Regular exercise is important to maintain a healthy weight, cardiovascular health and bone density, but can cause fluctuations in blood glucose due to the increased utilization of sugars and carbohydrates. Accordingly, it’s a good idea to eat a small meal or snack before and after a workout in order to maintain blood sugar at healthy levels.  Low blood glucose levels can cause sleepiness, dizziness and disorientation, so it’s important to wear some form of I.D. identifying you as a diabetic to ensure you get proper assistance should you become disabled or disoriented after exercise, or at any other time during the day.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious illness that cannot be ignored, but managing it successfully can be fairly effortless once you get the hang of it. Twenty-first century technology makes monitoring blood glucose levels easy, discreet and manageable for most individuals, requiring just a small amount of discipline, dedication and regularity.  A healthy diet and exercise regimen, which is absolutely key to maintaining blood glucose levels and preventing diabetic complications, will provide a myriad of healthy benefits above and beyond managing type 2 diabetes.  Looking on the bright side, your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes could very well provide the impetus for you to achieve a level of health and wellness that will actually cause you to live a longer, fuller life!

Valerie Johnston is a health and fitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a marathon, writing for Healthline.com ensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the latest health and fitness news.

Hello!   I wanted to share with my readers a terrific article about fitness in relation to cancer, sent to me by David Haas.  Please take time to read it!  I found it well written and informative.

Improve Your Overall Health and Quality of Life – Get Moving

If you are facing a life threatening illness, probably the last thing on your mind is going and working out at the gym.  However, many researchers are discovering that cancer patients, maybe more than almost any other group, should be active and physically fit as part of their treatment program.  Fitness for mesothelioma, breast cancer and colon cancer may seem counterintuitive initially.  However, as you start to feel better, you may find yourself looking forward to being active and recognizing it is worth the effort.

What the Research Says

In the past, doctors would advise patients to rest as much as possible when giving a diagnosis and treatment plan for cancer.  Today, it is much different.  According to the National Cancer Institute, individuals who are physically active have longer survival rates and less recurrence of cancer compared to people who are sedentary.

Physical activity has the positive impact of increasing stamina and energy for many patients.  Although it can be initially difficult to start moving, researchers have found that patients who engage in at least 20 minutes of activity daily are able to tolerate the fatigue that comes with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  Additionally, many patients report that with consistent activity, they are able to gradually do more and more, building their strength in the process.

Physical fitness activities also help with weight reduction and decreased risk of diabetes.  For patients with diabetes, physical activity helps with blood sugar levels and may reduce the need for insulin or other medications.

Fitness activities also improve heart health.  Often, physical fitness leads to weight loss, lowers blood pressure and improves a patient’s resting heart rate.  All of these health improvements lower the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.

Individuals who are physically active also improve their immune system’s ability to fight their illness.  Research has shown that people who exercise regularly stimulate immune cell response, boosting the effectiveness of their immune system.

Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life

Becoming physically active can improve the quality of your life on many levels.  Often, as your strength and stamina improve, your self esteem and confidence also improve.  With weight loss, you may begin to feel better about your appearance, particularly if you have lost weight as part of your illness.

Many patients also find that they become more social and want to meet with friends more often.  They begin to find their joy and happiness again and actually start looking toward the future as they engage in activities they enjoy.

Depression and anxiety are very common mental health issues that cancer patients struggle with as part of the impact of their illness.  However, with physical activity, you may find your low mood and anxiety about the future lifting.  In fact, therapists have recommended outdoor and physical activity as a treatment intervention for anxiety and depression for many years.  Physical activity stimulates neurochemicals that improve mood and may help eliminate the need for antidepressants or medications to help you sleep or lower your anxiety.

Improved sleep is also another benefit from being physically active.  For most patients, sleep becomes more restful and restorative and getting to sleep becomes easier.  Improved sleep can improve your mood and it can also help your body fight your illness much more effectively.

It may seem challenging to go for a walk every day or even do simple stretching exercises.  However, with a little bit of effort, you may find that you are able to do a little more each day.  Soon, you will find that you are feeling better overall and your mood is lifting.  Being physically active can not only help you fight cancer now, but it can keep you in remission and give you your life back.  That alone is worth getting up and moving.

(Original Article here

Official 5 Years Cancer Free!

Hello! Yes, I haven't blogged in awhile...I know...No news is good news! I have reached the 5 year mark with no reoccurence of kidney cancer. Although in the"cancer world" you are not considered cancer-free until the 10 year mark..I am still celebrating! The 5 year mark is considered remission but again..Still celebrating... Since my last blog, my coworker lost her battle with breast cancer...It was a sad time for everyone that knew her or had met her. She fought it with everything she had...I still pray for her family. I try to think what if that had been me? I would want people praying and supporting Tim and the boys. It is also survivor guilt...Why did cancer take her but spare me? Only God can answer that one but you still wonder.. On Christmas Day we lost our 15 year old yorkie, Spencer. We didn't get to say goodbye to him before he died and that was hard for me. My dogs had been so instrumental in my recovery(mental and physical) from kidney cancer, that it broke my heart. Spencer's big brown eyes and mischievious antics still bring a smile to my face just thinking about it. I know I have written about it before but the unconditional love of a dog you never forget... My New Year's resolution is to blog more...It's good for the soul and hopefully brings a smile to those who choose to read it! (Thank you by the way...)

How Cancer Changed me...

In December, it will be 4 years since I was diagnosed and my right kidney was removed and I have been cancer -free since(knock on wood.) I have been sitting here thinking of the blessings and changes in my life since I have been told I was cancer-free.

I appreciate the times I have with my family so much more and the milestones with my kids just seem that much more special to me. My sons are now 14 & 16 now and are such young men but I fear have had to grow up a little faster than most because of cancer. They are more aware of what can happen when someone is diagnosed and that their Mom was one of the lucky ones.

I never, ever take my health for granted...Before I was diagnosed, I was in perfect health...I had never even had a surgery before. It just goes to show that kidney cancer can happen to anyone. It did not run in my family...No cancer did...I had the occasional bronchitis and migraines but that was about it...Now I keep my doctors in the loop, no matter what!

The most amazing thing I think I learned from cancer is the friends that stepped up to support me and my amazing family that kept giving me endless hope. The phrase, "Don't sweat the small stuff," took a whole new meaning! In the past 4 years I have reached out to long lost friends(via facebook), reestablished a relationship with my father.(We hadn't spoken for 16 years-I know-crazy right?) So life really is too short to waste...None of us really know how long we are here for...

In December, I go back to my Urologist for a CATSCAN and a chest Xray to make sure no reoccurence for another year. I have to say my heart skips a beat until I get the results. A coworker of mine is currently facing the battle of her life with breast cancer and chemotherapy. I don't know her well but I have been praying for her daily because I know the havoc cancer can bring to your life and spirit. God bless her and her family and anyone else going through this diagnosis.

People vs Cancer

The hardest thing about having cancer or surving cancer is telling people about it. I'll never forget after my diagnosis having to tell family and friend that I had cancer. The word itself so darn scary and the death sentence and it seems to automatically carry. There is an old 80's movie, "St. Elmos Fire," where a character's mother whispers words she finds personally offensive, she mentions a friend's daughter has (whisper)cancer.

It's the subject that some people avoid once they find out and others can't support you enough. I remember calling to my workplace after my diagnosis and being in tears explaining how I had Kidney Cancer and I needed find out out about taking sick leave. I then, left a tear filled, sobbing 3 minute message on my supervisor's voicemail. He called me back later that day and he had not yet heard it yet and I told him just to delete it. By that time, I had calmed down and had time to deal with it(as much as you can deal with it.)

I had friends and relatives that called me right away as soon as they heard and others that could not face me. I tried not to take this personally, because cancer scares the hell outta people...I know it did me. I learned of other cancer survivors, like my coworker and friend Lee. As soon as she heard my diagnosis, she sent me the nicest supportive letter, which I still have. Her words took me from a dim place to a bright place full of hope...My friends Scarlet & Terri came by to check on me and we talked and laughed and that too my cancer easier to swallow.

After my kidney was removed and I was healing and considered a Cancer Survivor at that point, people still have mixed reactions. When I went back to work, I'll never forget a coworker practically raising her voice at me when I told her that I had never had to have to chemo. She was trying to second guess my urologist. I was comfortable with my specialist and my decision to remove my kidney but to someone who had not been in my shoes, she was adamant that I needed chemotherapy. Everyone's a doctor what can i say? lol She meant well I am sure...

Even when I tell people today that I am a survivor...They are shocked...I think it makes people realize that cancer can touch anyone. (Even a 44 year old, married, working mom!) But it also means that you can survive cancer and being a walking billboard for that...Doesn't scare me at all!

Reflections of Life

First of all, just want to apologize for the long delay between blogs. The McDaniel household has been as busy as usual in preparing for back to school. Also, a couple of tragedies...My dear friend Scarlet lost her Mother to a stroke and a fellow coworker passed this week from stage 4 cancer. God bless both families....

Growing up, our family never really talked about death... My family was in a car accident(hit by a drunk driver)when I was 4 and my 5 year old brother died...But we never talked about it. I remember the accident, the ambulance ride, the funeral, like it was yesterday...I don't have a fear of death but let's just say...I'm not looking forward to it...

I am a person that enjoys life for the most part. My husband and kids drive me a lil crazy sometimes but like everyone else, I roll with the punches. When I was diagnosed all the normal daily stress seem to fade away...All I could think is , I am not ready to give this up yet! One of my sons once told me that I couldn't die because I was the glue that held our family together. I'll never forget the night before my surgery, couldn't sleep because I was worried about my husband and kids if I didn't make it. Who would balance the checkbook? Who would vacuum under the couch cushions? Who would make sure my boys didn't try to wear the same clothes everyday? Who would make the beds? Water the plants? I know, seems silly now but just the same I was worried. I remember writing the letter everyone writes to their family before a surgery...Short but sweet-How much I loved them and always will and advised my husband he could not marry a Hooters waitress as his next wife.lol

I never worry now about death, just enjoy life more...I have talked to my kids about death but never wanted to scare them about it or make them dwell on it...Your life can change in an instant and I have instilled that in them both, because time is something you can't get back. I have faith in my my life and not just religious faith but faith in life. Life really is what you make of it...