As both cancer patient, health care professional and yoga teacher I am always keen on finding out if anyone out there has found any relief to symptoms/side-effects from complementary therapies; such as reflexology, acupuncture, hypnosis, Reiki, Shiatsu, yoga, meditation, "animal companion therapy"?
In my case, yoga and meditation have been wonderful tools, I also have regular aromatherapy massages and they help tremendously. It could all be a psychological effect, but if it helps, why not? Sometimes I feel tired and light yoga and meditation practice seem to bring more energy into my body and mind- I don't mean standing on my head, but just doing gentle stretches and postures. If I feel it is exhausting me, I take a break.. and carry on later. My dog has been such a great "tool" in healing too, if you have pets, you know what I mean :) This is the animal therapy I am talking about.
Right now I am experiencing more symptoms such as dizziness and hypoglycemia- I wonder where these are coming from, but I will be seeing my endocrinologist in April (or probably even earlier as we both work in the same hospital), but as far as I know my thyroid cancer is in remission. I am not diabetic, I've been healthy all my life, apart from few sports injuries. It is still kind of a challenge to accept I had cancer.. I'm still working on it. Having more counseling, trying to enjoy each day, go to work, be more understanding and compassionate toward my own patients. Cancer has taught me a lot.
PS: I also believe in consulting your doctor/nurse before agreeing to have any "extra" treatment, not all these treatments are suitable/appropriate for all of us, you may have had them and you liked/dislike them. Communicate with your doctors/nurses/radiographers, find out what they know about "alternative" therapies.
