Thanks very much for all the comments, suggestions and critiques from people about their experiences with cancer treatment. There was a real consistency to them that, sadly, reflect we have a long ways to go still.  If oncology professionals have anything to add, please don’t hold back!  I’ll make good use of the feedback at the meeting I’ll be attending next week.

And speaking of oncology, do take a look at this week’s Hot Research.  It’s pretty exciting.  I don’t remember ever seeing this impressive a panel of bloodwork measures to test immune function after using relaxation and guided imagery – and the results are pretty terrific!  Pretty soon even the naysayers will be sitting up and taking notice.

The original article requesting cancer care feedback (as well as the reader comments that ensued) can be found here.

Researchers from United Lincolnshire Hospitals and Queen's Medical Centre in the UK  performed a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the immuno-modulatory effects of relaxation training and guided imagery on 80 women with breast cancer.

Patients underwent chemotherapy followed by surgery, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. Those in the intervention group were taught relaxation and guided imagery. Patients kept diaries of the frequency of relaxation practice and imagery vividness.

Hi!  I have used your CD's to help me with my Breast Cancer treatment.  I am now done with the treatment and left, hopefully, medically cancer free.  But oh what a number has been done on my spirit!  Lack of trust in my body, in the future, and sea sickness from all the emotions roiling around in me. 

I have read that MANY (maybe most) Breast Cancer survivors have to seek help from anti-depressants or simply suffer untreated depression after their medical treatment.  Since what especially needs healing now is the spirit, what better work for guided imagery?  Maybe your post trauma CD is what I am looking for and I will try it, but it seems there are some specific aspects of cancer fighting (like the possibility of recurrence) that make this need unique.
 
Do you take requests?  : )
Thanks, Joyce

I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in August of 2002. At that time, I walked away from the institution that handed me the diagnosis, and went off to cure my cancer with all "alternative" treatments.

I studied herbalism, and made my own medicines. I received acupucture, polarity, massage, huna, and other forms of treatments. I changed the way I was eating, thinking, and drinking, as well as living my life.

Researchers from the Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University of Chicago, used a non-randomized, controlled design to evaluate the effect and feasibility of a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) program on immune function, quality of life (QOL), and coping in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Early stage breast cancer patients, who did not receive chemotherapy, self-selected into an 8-week MBSR program or into an assessment-only control group. Outcomes were evaluated over time. The first assessment was at least 10 days after surgery and prior to adjuvant therapy, as well as before the MBSR start-up. Further assessments were mid-MBSR, at completion of MBSR, and at 4-week post-MBSR completion.