100 Perks of Having Cancer: Plus 100 Health Tips for Surviving It (17 page)

systems have less positive outcomes with their illness than those with strong

support systems.

Examine your support systems. Are you taking advantage of what they

are offering? Or are you more likely to think,
I don’t need any help.
Think

about the four types of support mentioned above. Are you lacking in one

or more of these key types of support?

Here are some links to check out. If you’re looking for local resources,

you can use these links to find those as well.

Worldwide

●
National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov) gives information on global

cancer issues, topics, and research.

●
Cancer Support Community (cancersupportcommunity.org)—formally

the Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide—is an enormous

organization that provides support, education, and hope to those affected

by cancer.

Perk #12: Nearly Every Day Was a Feast Day

61

●
Cancer Index (www.cancerindex.org) provides links with close to 100 dif-

ferent support groups worldwide as well as links to treatments, preven-

tions, and medical centers for all types of cancers.

●
Oncochat (www.oncochat.org) is an online support system for those with

cancer. Here you can share information with other cancer patients and

survivors from around the world.

●
Association of Cancer Online Resources (www.acor.org) provides lists of

information and support that will allow you to access what you need.

In the United States

●
Cancer Hope Network (www.cancerhopenetwork.org) matches you one-

on-one with a cancer survivor who has gone through a similar experience.

●
Imerman Angels (www.ImermanAngels.org) matches you

one-on-one with a cancer survivor. Connect through phone

Make sure you are

calls and e-mails.

using every support

system available to

●
American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) provides in -

you to improve your

formation about doctors, treatments, and services.

outcome.

In Canada

●
The Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) provides information

about cancer and cancer-related services; connects you to a peer support

system; and allows you to be part of an online community.

●
The Canadian Cancer Advocacy Network (www.ccanacc.ca/) provides

information and support for caregivers, patients, and their families.

●
Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada (www.canceradvocacy.ca/) advo-

cates for prevention and treatment issues, as well as the emotional, phys-

ical, and financial needs of patients and survivors.

There’s plenty of help and support out there for you. It’s up to you to

take the first step in getting it.

Perk #13

The Use of Medicinal Marijuana

L
et me make one thing clear: I am not the type

to scrimp on drugs. When it comes to natural

childbirth, for example, I am completely against

it. If there is a drug out there to ease pain and

suffering of any kind, you can give it to me (I’m

talking legit, prescribed meds of course). After

all, that is why God created pharmaceuticals.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, one of my

biggest concerns was about the side effects of

chemo. I was fine with losing my hair, but just

the thought of being sick made me sick. I was so

relieved when my oncologist explained to me

the variety of drugs available to cancer patients: steroids, diuretics, and anti-

nausea pills, to name a few. If all else failed, she could even prescribe medic-

inal marijuana!

Suddenly, I had visions of myself in a long, flowing skirt, my arms

weighed down with bangles, puffing contentedly on a joint as I listened

to Bob Marley tunes. I even briefly considered getting the peace symbol

tattooed on my ankle. However, my daughter Kaitlyn put an abrupt end

to my fantasies when she said, “Mom, don’t even think about trying to be

one of those COOL cancer patients. You can’t pull it off.” And so, my

friends, I am sad to say that while the use of medicinal marijuana is a perk

of having cancer, for me it was a missed perk. Although I do think I AM

cool enough to pull it off!

Cancer treatments can have some nasty side effects, but there is

no need to suffer in silence. Explore with your doctor the many

options available to ease unpleasant symptoms and side effects.

I 62 J

Perk #13: The Use of Medicinal Marijuana

63

HEALTH TIP #13

No Rolling Papers? Try Ginger for Nausea Relief

M
arijuana is not the only botanical that can help

ease chemo side effects. My “nondrug” of choice

was ginger!

The Chinese names for ginger, gan jiang (dried gin-

ger) and sheng jiang (fresh ginger), mean “to defend,”

suggesting that ginger helps to defend or protect the

body from ailments. In modern China, ginger is used

in almost half of all Chinese herbal prescriptions.

Herbalists believe that even modest amounts of ginger

in the diet can strengthen the lungs and kidneys, and it is a proven anti-

inflammatory. The body’s own response to inflammation is the root cause

of many chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. So “anti”

inflammatory agents, such as ginger, are good for the body. (And with the

way ginger tastes, your mouth won’t mind either.)

Ginger ale consumption on airplanes is always high. One theory among

flight attendants is that people have found that it relieves motion sickness

and settles the stomach. (During my chemo-run, never was I seen without

my ginger ale in hand!) Researchers agree.
The Lancet,
a well-known medical

journal, reported that consuming ginger before a long flight was equally as

effective as taking the most popular pharmaceutical treatment, dimenhydri-

nate (Dramamine), at preventing motion sickness. Luckily, ginger is one

root that is easily found in markets, either as a whole root or in powder

form. Given the choice of taking a natural, delicious-tasting root or a drug,

I would hope that choice would be a no-brainer.

There are many ways to “get your ginger on.” You can sip

Ginger is a useful,

ginger tea, suck on ginger candy, eat ginger cookies, or drink

natural, and yummy way

ginger ale.

to help with nausea.

My favorite way to eat this delicious root is in soup. This

But don’t wait until you

quick and easy carrot ginger soup really relieves any kind of

feel sick to try this

stomach upset, provides healing antioxidant vitamins A and

delicious cancer-

fighting food.

C, and was a staple during my chemotherapy treatment:

64

100 Perks of Having Cancer

CARROT GINGER SOUP

YIELD: 8 CUPS

2 tablespoons extra-virgin organic olive oil (EVOOO)

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

6 cups vegetable broth (organic if possible)

2 pounds of carrots, peeled and roughly sliced (organic if possible)

2 to 3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger*

1 cup almond or coconut milk (coconut is creamier)

Sea salt and white pepper, to taste

Parsley sprigs, for garnish (if you’re a garnisher)

*Fresh is always better, but powdered or in a tube will work too.

If using powdered, use 11/2 tablespoons.

Directions:

In a 6-quart pot, heat oil and onions over medium heat, cooking and stirring