Mind / Body, Positive Thinking, Stress
Positive Thinking
A myeloma doctor observed that some patients in a relatively mild condition that said they were going to get worse did in fact get worse. Conversely, some patients that were in fairly rough shape stated that they were going to get better did in fact get better.
"More than 1,300 scientific articles showing the influence of the mind on the immune system were published between 1976 and 1982, according to a bibliography compiled by Steven Locke, M.D., and Mady Horning-Rohan."
“The immune system simply can’t withstand chronic gloom. In a large study of older Americans, his research team analyzed blood samples to find that pessimists actually had weaker immune activity than did optimists – regardless of their general state of health.”
“The physical benefits of meditation have recently been well documented by Western medical researchers,” states Dr.Siegel. “It tends to lower or normalize blood pressure, pulse rate, and the levels of stress hormones in the blood. It produces changes in brain-wave patterns, showing less excitability. These physical changes reflect changes in attitude, which show up on psychological tests as a reduction in the overcompetitive Type A behavior that increases the risk of heart attack. Meditation also raises the pain threshold and reduces one’s biological age…In short, it reduces wear and tear on both body and mind, helping people live longer and better”.
Positive thinking!
Immune System Can Be Controlled by Thought
Positive
Thinking Boosts Your Immune System
Stress - Progressive Relaxation
Technique (there are a few variations):
Start by lying on a bed or the floor. Breath slowly and deeply through the nose. Relax your feet and feel them sinking into the bed or floor. Continue to breath slowly and deeply. Relax the calf of each leg. Then move up the legs, relaxing the lower, then the upper legs. Relax the hips, lower back, upper back, then relax the arms, starting with the hands and working upward. Finally relax the neck and head. This should take from 5 - 10 minutes and breathing should be slow and deep. Try to think of pleasant thoughts.
Progressive Relaxation Technique (from Stress Relief Tools)
Progressive
Muscle Relaxation (WITH Music)
Ten
Steps To Stress Control, from the International Myeloma Foundation
Affirmations
Affirmations program the subconsciousness mind for healing. There are secular and religious affirmations, but they state the condition or healing that the patient would like to achieve.
"Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better" or
"Day by day, in every way, I'm getting better and better."
Couéism: “Conscious Autosuggestion”
Programming the subconsciousness and superconsciousness minds for healing. The book Scientific Healing Affirmations, by Paramahansa Yogananda, explains posture, technique and other instructions for affirmations. The affirmations in this book are religious, but not necessarily promoting any specific religion.
Meditation
Parade Magazine, in an article called The No. 1 Health-Booster in 2015, said the following:
"The hottest well-being trend right now isn't a hardcore workout or a fad diet. It's a gentle, ancient practice that millions say is the antidote to the 21st-century stress that affects everything from job performance and sleep to your weight.
We’re talking about meditation, and it has cheerleaders from all walks of life—entertainers, businesspeople, athletes, even government legislators. Oprah Winfrey, a longtime meditator, has teamed up with Deepak Chopra to offer a series of 21-day online meditation “challenges” that have drawn more than 3 million participants so far. Hip-hop tycoon Russell Simmons’ new book, Success Through Stillness: Meditation Made Simple (Gotham), aims to demystify meditation for the masses. He even inspired comedian/talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to take it up.
In the business world, Huffington Post Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington meditates daily, calling it the “third metric” in success, after money and power. And meditation programs are used to help at-risk schoolchildren thrive in the classroom, and prison inmates cope with the stress of incarceration.
Clearly, meditation is having a moment. And if you’re distracted while reading this —texting, checking email, thinking about what to have for dinner—it could help you, too"
Madison has some local teachers of meditation and there are books and home study lessons in meditation
There are free classes at Monona Terrace
Meditation Printed Lessons
Richard Davidson has done extensive research about the scientific impact of meditation, meeting with the Dalai Lama and Buddhist monks. His book, The Emotional Life of your Brain presents research using experiments and imaging into how our thoughts and emotions affect the brain. The last chapter gives some simple meditation techniques.
Book: The emotional life of your brain: how its unique patterns affect the way you think, feel, and live--and how you can change them
Dane County Library Book by Richard Davidson
Dane County Library Audio Book, with Richard Davidson, Sharon Begley and Arthur Morey.
These lessons are part of a comprehensive home study course, and are non-denominational religious lessons with teachings from the east and west. They cover exercises, concentration and meditation, as well as a host of other topics.
They are available from Self-Realization Fellowship
Self-Realization Fellowship also offers prayer
support for those in need.
Chemo Brain
From Mayo Clinic:
"Chemo brain is a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction."
Chemo Brain from the American Cancer Society
"Chemo Brain" May Affect Half Of Myeloma Patients After Initial Therapy, And Is Worsened By Stem Cell Transplantation (from the Myeloma Beacon)
'Chemo Brain' Real, Not Just Patient’s Imagination
Chemo Brain, What is Chemo Brain?
Chemo Brain - Is It Real?: What Myeloma Patients and Caregivers Need to
Know (1 hour 05:17 minutes)
Fatigue
At times, nearly all multiple myeloma patients experience anemia, sleep patterns and insomnia, perhaps bone pain, which lead to fatigue.
Fatigue And Multiple Myeloma: Study Highlights Role Of Mood, Reevaluates Role Of Pain (from the Myeloma Beacon)
Fatigue, Sleep, Pain, Mood and Performance Status in Patients with Multiple Myeloma (NCBI)