Complementary Combos

Along with the treatment(s) you have decided on, you may want to consider certain
complementary treatment. Some survivors report a resulting boost in their battle
against breast cancer. We’re talking about methods used along with, but certainly not
instead of, treatments previously discussed. These are therapies that help manage
stress and discomfort, ease side effects, or provide a nutritional boost. For additional
details, check the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine toll
free at 1-888-644-6226 or on the Web at nccam.nih.gov/. Following are some meth-
ods you may want to investigate.
Mind over Matter
Several mind-over-matter therapies have worked wonders for survivors who talked
with us. Visualization is one of these—a process by which you concentrate on seeing
the healing process. Janelle reports that she listened to the “1812 Overture” during
chemo and visualized with every crash of the cymbals the medicine blasting away the
bad stuff. Carolyn reports getting “a clear picture of
millions of tiny pink love hearts in my body. They
were gooey and could slip into spots nothing else
would fit. And every time they found something
suspicious, they smothered it with love, digested it,
and out it went.” You can learn to use visualization
by using readily available audio tapes or by contact-
ing a therapist, either of which can help you come
up with an image that works for you.
Hypnosis also works for some. Seven-year survivor
Susan Thomas, former oncology nurse and now
founder and president of Susan’s Special Needs in
Detroit, said she used a hypnotist to help her
through chemo. He went with her to every treat-
ment, and, in her hypnotic state, suggested to her
that the chemo was filling her with love. She never
experienced nausea, never took anything for it, was
never tired or sick, her blood count was always
okay, and she took over 80 percent of the pre-
scribed dosage. If you want, ask your medical team
to help you find a trained hypnotist who can do
the work for you or train you to hypnotize yourself.
Relaxation techniques rely on deep, even breathing and exercises to relieve stress.
Variations include progressive muscle relaxation, tai chi, or yoga. Several survivors re-
ported that using headphones and playing a new-age–type music tape during chemo
(and, one woman reported, during her surgery!) helped them to relax. By extension,
anything that helps distract you from immediate discomfort helps: a card game, a
book you can’t put down, a craft that requires your concentration.
Shown effective for reducing stress and managing discomfort, meditation is another
mind-over-matter therapy. It is so well respected as a complementary method that
hospitals, clinics, and community groups sponsor classes to help you get started. Ask
your medical team.
Finally, remember that it’s commonly accepted that the most important healing fac-
tor is your state of mind. It’s the old I-can-do-this attitude. Sure, you need to know
what you’re up against, but then you need to deal with it. Whether that means you
pound out your frustration on the jogging path or pound out your anger at the key-
board, whether you see a therapist every week or see your best friend over lunch
every week—whatever you do, it’s top priority that you maintain a positive attitude.
You. Can. Do. This. What’s more, if you need help, most hospitals can do psyche re-
ferrals, and the appointments may even be covered by insurance.