I have been watching prime-time reruns of the HBO blockbuster, Sex in the City, and I’m reminded of the show’s brilliant finale.I love when Big flies to Paris to take his girl home as Mrs. Big, yes, but am reminded more immediately of my best friend’s cancer treatments, as this episode is one wherein Samantha has cancer and is experimenting with wigs. The writers, directors, and performers make Sam’s having cancer manageable by integrating a strain of humor into the dialogue and actions. They also make it heart-renderingly lovely by having that FOX, Smith Jarrod (played by), shave his gorgeous hair to show empathy for and solidarity with his lover. But that’s television.

Back to my best bud, who was diagnosed with invasive endometrial adinocarcinoma. While I do not wish to make money from her cancer treatments by writing about them too explicitly, and though I have been keeping a meticulously detailed diary of her cancer treatments and side-effects, I have been given leave to discuss with you cancer treatments in general, by telling you which cancer treatments she has undergone thus so far.

Almost immediately after she was diagnosed, she had a full radical hysterectomy on Valentine’s Day. This was done because the cancer was spread through her uterus, and so surgeons could investigate where the cancer was traveling. It was spreading toward the lymph nodes right under the lungs.

Next were a series of consultations with top oncologists. The options are as scary or as dreadful as having to meet a mandate to vote for a country leader and finding the only choices are Adolph Hitler or Pol Pot. Actually, worse: she would have to “elect” two/both of the two options. She would have ten weeks of radiation, five days a week for six weeks and she would take two types of chemotherapy, Sysplatin and 5FU first for four days, then weekly.

Before beginning the first of the post-surgery cancer treatments, my friend was advised to get glutamine (vitamins) and Compazine (an anti-nausea potion)…to combat the Amaphostine shot. Besides having the run-around by pharmacies, she had no trouble before or after the first round (over four days, during the Academy Awards week).

Next in the series of cancer treatments was another consultation. The specialist informed her she would have internal radiation. A tampon as lethal to her as to the cancer that would be inserted and would require she lie on her back with her feet up for three hours afterward.

For the first days, my best friend was feeling fine. When we spoke by phone (as I am a long drive away and cannot be there every day), she was still clear, attentive, and laughing. After two weeks, she was sick. She had terrible bathroom problems and couldn’t even stay on the phone to talk or listen—though this woman is a phone freak, using the phone 99% of the time, over using email.

Thus far, then, through her prepost and interim cancer treatments, all I can do is find hysterical sayings to send her or save to read to her over the phone when she feels better. And she will, for she is a stalwort survivor with one of the finest senses of humor around. And THAT, is purportedly the BEST of cancer treatments…. laughing.

Cancer Treatment Centers

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, there are a vast amount of cancer treatment centers located throughout the country. Many of these cancer treatment centers offer a variety of treatments, both traditional and holistic, to treat not only the cancer, but the body, mind, and spirit as well. Various cancer treatment centers conduct research on an ongoing basis, and patients can participate if they qualify in a number of clinical trials. New cancer treatments are being developed all the time, and once research has progressed to where trying it on humans is warranted, clinical trials are done. Great results are being seen with new cancer treatments; some types of cancer that were an automatic death sentence in the past are now being treated successfully, and patients are living cancer free due to this continued research.

There are cancer treatment centers that are accessible to everyone located in most metropolitan areas. Most are have to do with with large university based hospitals, and offer the latest technology available to treat various types of cancers. These types of facilities are also research based and provide a number of new treatment options to participants in various ongoing studies. If one of these larger cancer treatment centers is not within a reasonable distance, or not accessible due to other limitations, treatment can be sought through local oncologists and cancer treatment centers. These are also great facilities, and can provide the cancer patient with professional care and support. Cancer treatment centers differ in the types of services they offer, whether they are traditional or alternative treatment based, and the corresponding fees differ as well. It’s very possible to find an affordable cancer treatment center, and if you want extra amenities and a more non-traditional approach, that is available too. Some of the more upscale private facilities provide the gourmet organic meals, natural herbal spa treatments, and other pampering services to the cancer patient, in addition to deluxe room accommodations. These non-traditional cancer therapies help the patient recover and enjoy living again.

Cancer treatment centers don’t have to be sterile hospital environments, with stale food, and stiff sheets. Comfort is also important for all cancer patients, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Cancer patients searching for a cancer treatment center can look online at a number of options, where various cancer treatments are discussed, as well as other considerations such as diet and nutrition, and spiritual health. Cancer treatment centers all have the same goal, to provide the best care possible, to offer endless support to cancer patients and their families, and turn what can be a devastating situation into a positive and great experience.

Cancer Information

If you are looking for reliable cancer information, you need to look no further then the internet. There are a vast amount of sites that offer information on breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, as well as other types of cancer, including signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis. The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org has an great amount of cancer information and links of interest that can help you to other cancer information resources. There are detailed guides about different kinds of cancer, treatment options, various cancer drugs, and how to get involved in groups promoting cancer awareness and education. You can make donations by purchasing books and other materials that have to do with cancer information from the website as well.

Another good source for news about ongoing research and up to date cancer information is the National Institute of Health’s cancer research group, located online at www.cancer.gov. This is a great site where you can locate cancer statistics, such as the prevalence of various forms of cancer, as well as information regarding ongoing clinical trials, results of previous research, how clinical trials are done, and how to locate a clinical trial to participate in. This site also has an extensive online dictionary with definitions for various cancer terms and treatments, also to add on to an in depth section on medications used in cancer treatments as well as links to more cancer drug information. Other reputable sites worth a visit are www.oncolink.com sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, www.cancersociety.com, and the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at www.cis.nci.nih.gov.

If you are looking for cancer information from more personal sources, say from real (normal) people who have cancer, then you may want to join an online chat forum or local cancer support group. A few people have even posted their experiences and thoughts on their own personal websites, and you can visit with these folks via email as well. You may just have something in common, and this could be a great way to learn more about your situation and what to expect and do. Other good sources of cancer information include your primary care physician or gynecologist for various types of female concerns, including breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers. If you are looking for cancer information on a certain type, you can do a search just on that alone, which will narrow down your results considerably. Hopefully, you or your loved ones will never have to hear the diagnosis of cancer, but if you do, you know that cancer information is easily accessed. Knowledge is power, get it, and use it.

One of the most debilitating feelings you ever experience can be a hangover. If you’re badly hungover you do not want to move, you do not want to eat, you do not want to drink, and you really do not want to go to work.  It’s painful, and you want it to stop ASAP!

Just as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  The best way to deal with a hangover is really just not to get one in the first place, which really isn’t too difficult.  Of course, you could simply avoid getting a hangover by not drinking alcohol at all, but many people don’t see the fun in that.  So, if you do plan on consuming alcohol, take some preventative measures. To begin with, don’t go drinking on an empty stomach.  If you have food in your stomach it will help you absorb the alcohol slower, which is a good thing if you don’t want to feel terrible the next morning.  Also, make sure you are hydrated, since the majority of the symptoms of a hangover come from merely being dehydrated. 

Once you’re out on the town, select your alcohol carefully.  Drinks with high sugar content or sulfites (like wine, for instance) will probably make you hurt more the next morning.  Also, it helps if you stick to just one drink for the night; your stomach won’t be as upset and you’ll probably end up drinking less.  Drink water while you’re out too in order to try and stave off dehydration.

Once you make it back home, drink a big glass of water or two; this is one of the most important prevention steps.  Keep away from Tylenol since it’s hard on your stomach and liver if you take it with alcohol, however a multivitamin will probably do you some good.

When you wake up the next morning, hopefully you have avoided the worst of a hangover.  If you’re still hurting, keep away from the coffee and the Tylenol. Drink some more water and possibly some vitamins, B1 should help. When you can finally eat, something full of nutrients is always good, many people have luck with hamburgers. So drink carefully, and drink water too!

There are presently 45 million people in America that do not have health insurance. Are you one of them? There are many reasons why people do not buy health insurance. The number one reason and most obvious is the how much it could cost. However the cost to you and your family if you do not have insurance and are struck down with a major illness may mean complete bankruptcy. Another leading reason why people don’t buy health insurance is when they switch companies and have a pre-existing condition. Most often a new company will not insure a person that has been diagnosed with a disease or chronic condition because they are thought of as a high use risk. Although companies want you to buy health insurance they do not necessarily want you to use it. There are many alternative programs in most States in the United States that offer plans to people that have been rejected insurance due to a pre-existing condition. These are not always well publicized but certainly worth looking into if you or a member of your family fits into this category, and not an option to overlook as you buy health insurance.

There are many companies and options to buy health insurance. Most of the major companies offer a free on line quote. Many of these companies also offer to provide comparisons for numorous plans within the company and also will compare the price of similar plans to their major competitors. The comparisons usually look at the type of deductible you are willing to pay as well as co-pays. A major change in price from one plan to the next is whether or not prescription medications are covered or offered at a reduced rate with co-pay. Prescription coverage may not be necessary when you buy health insurance if you or your family members are not prescribed with daily medication. The elderly that are more likely to have prescribed medications, have Medicare options to cover this area, so this is not as important of an issue for them when buying supplemental health insurance to pick up where Medicare finishes. If you decide to have a price quote done it’s important that you fill out what state you settle in when filling out the information for United States Citizens because at this time you can only buy health insurance from providers from the State you reside in. There is a bill in legislation at this point in time trying to amend this policy; however there is not a great deal of support for it. The state of Massachusetts is trying to pass a law that it be mandatory for all residents of that state to buy health insurance or face penalties, similar to the mandatory laws to have car insurance. The main debate with this kind of legislation is what is affordable to one household is not affordable to another.

The situation of millions of Americans that don’t have health insurance is costing tax payers millions of dollars annually. Individuals and families need to be protected so buy health insurance. If each person does buy health insurance the over all costs for everyone will decrease, because those with insurance do not have to pay high cost for premiums to pay for the costs of those that don’t have health care coverage.

Broccoli is one of best and the most versatile vegetables. It can be eaten raw with a dip, tossed into a stir fry or steamed and served with a pat of butter. Another versatile vegetable is broccoli sprouts. Broccoli sprouts are just as delicious as broccoli and can be a nice alternative to serving broccoli in the traditional ways.

Broccoli sprouts are easy to grow and maintain even if you don’t have a large vegetable garden on your property you can be enjoying homegrown sprouts in a matter of days. They are tasty and can be added to a sandwich or to a salad. Broccoli sprouts contain all of the same nutrients as the traditional heads of broccoli we are all used to.

If you don’t have a green thumb, but still want to enjoy the nutritional benefits of broccoli sprouts they can now be purchased in most supermarkets all around. Normally placed near the broccoli they are best when they are relatively fresh. You can tell how fresh they are by their texture. Broccoli sprouts should be firm and crunchy.

Most children shy away from vegetables that are unfamiliar to what they are used to. Trying new things is often the last thing they want to do. If you explain that the sprouts are just another form of the broccoli that they like in their salad or with dip, they will be more likely to give them a chance. If broccoli isn’t one of their favorite foods than it might be best not to mention that the sprouts are actually just another form of that.

Adding the broccoli sprouts to familiar dishes is also an effective way to introduce them to the younger members of your family. When added to a beef stir fry or chicken chow mein the taste blends well with the other ingredients.

Adding the sprouts to other dishes is just as simple. Salads are family favorites and often contain many kinds of vegetables including tomatoes, carrots and radishes. Throwing in a few broccoli sprouts will only add to the crispness and flavor of the salad.

For many people broccoli just isn’t very high on their list of favorite foods. For these people, the idea of eating another food that is related to the vegetable is really unappetizing. Many people would just want to have nothing to do with it. However, it’s important to note that the flavor of the broccoli sprouts is different than the flavor of a head of broccoli. It’s impossible to know whether or not you’ll like the sprouts unless you give them a taste.

Broccoli sprouts are an inexpensive way to add a nutritional food to your menu. Experiment with them and create some new dishes of your own.

A concern for many at this point in time is losing weight. As it becomes easier and easier to eat high fat and low nutrient food, it also becomes easier to gain lots weight. There are many methods you should combine in losing weight in a healthy way.

The obvious way, of course, is to not eat as much. Or you can try to improve your diet and eat better. Boosting metabolism is also an obvious way to lose weight, and many people do this through exercise.

Your metabolism is, in easy terms, the rate at which your body uses the energy in food. In different people, natural metabolism is different. If you want to boost your metabolism there are several different ways to approach it.

If you exercise your metabolism will slowly increase as the cells in your body consume more in order to keep themselves going. Exercise should be varied – muscle building will help by boosting metabolism as well as using up more calories in the long term, and aerobic exercise, which can even be just going for a short walk, will slowly build up a higher metabolism, as well as increasing all around health.

Another way of boosting metabolism which at first, seems counter productive, is to just eatting more. As in, eat more often. If you eat below a certain amount of calories in a day, rather than boosting your metabolism, you are lowering it – cells start learning how to survive on fewer calories, and no longer require that many calories.

This is sometimes called starvation mode. This mode is how your body would survive if there was a famine. Cells don’t work that well in starvation mode. This is why it is important to eat breakfast every day.

There are also certain foods which can help in boosting metabolism. Sugary foods don’t help (these actually slow down metabolism rather than speed it up), but spicy foods have been seen to help in weight loss by boosting metabolism. Eating small, tasty, and healthy meals several times a day is the best approach when trying to lose some weight.

Sleep and stress also affect your efforts at boosting metabolism. Stress slows your metabolism and releases steroids called cortisol into your body that cause your metabolism to slow down, besides the fact that many dieters often want to eat more and unhealthy food when they become stressed.

Sleep is very helpful in boosting metabolism. Eight or nine hours a night is best for most people. If you exercise on a regular basis your metabolism will actually function much better.

Boosting metabolism is important because as people get older, metabolism inevitably slows down. By boosting metabolism, people keep their body fit and lean at optimum energy levels. So go out! Take a walk; actually take one three times a week for at least thirty-forty minutes.

The trend in fashion these days, is to have a sleek fine look, especially in evening dressing. For many people that look is not easy to achieve. One woman bought a very trendy form fitting dress to take along on a week long cruise. The dress was a bit tight, but the cruise had advertised several different exercise classes and multiple activities so she thought that by the last night of the cruise the dress would fit comfortably. She forgot that the cruise also offered unlimited food. By the fourth day of the cruise all of her clothes were fitting a bit snug. She went to the spa to find out about the body wrap treatment that she had seen advertised in a pamphlet. The pamphlet had said that you could lose multiple inches the same day that the body wrap was done. She new she had to do something in order to look good in her new dress.

The spa employee explained that the body wrap procedure took about three hours. First the technician takes your body measurements. This is done so that you can see how many inches you have lost after the body wrap is taken off. Next a small thin coating of a mud like mixture is placed over your entire body and then the body wrap is applied. The body wrap is thin layers of bandage like material that is pulled very tight. You then lay in the body wrap for about an hour covered in heated blankets to help sweat out toxins and improve the texture of the skin. The body wrap does not allow for much movement during this amount of time. After this the body wrap is removed and the mud mixture is wiped off. You are encouraged to refrain from showering for as long as possible to allow the ingredients in the mud mixture to continue to purify the skin.

The body wrap procedure has multiple advantages. Many people utilize it for losing inches quickly, but the body wrap also helps improve circulation and can help to alleviate pain in the muscles and joints. Because the body wrap is tight and used in conjunction with heat the muscles and joints feel better. There is also the benefit of losing inches over the entire body. People have reported losing additional inches days after the body wrap procedure is completed.

The woman on the cruise felt wonderful after the body wrap procedure and the feel of her skin had improved. Her husband thought she looked amazing in the new form fitting dress. She did have to admit that the dress looked better after she purchased a body wrap undergarment from the clothing shop on the cruise ship. By the use of both body wrap techniques she looked and felt her best.

One article of lingerie that is normally rejected by the average woman is the body stocking. This wonderful accessory is a must for any adult lady’s sexy wardrobe. This garment is similar to a leotard in that it fits snugly against the skin. Some people equate the body stocking to a kind-of cat suit.

The advantages of such an item is that it can be discreetly worn beneath just about any outfit. No one will know that you have a wonderful surprise for your special someone lingering beneath your clothing. The body suit comes in so many forms that you can gather a few different ones to go with different outfits.

A body stocking is usually made out of material that is similar to tights or pantyhose. Some come is sexy fishnet. The fishnet designs are usually reserved for the daring. Most of us prefer the sleek look and clean lines found in the sheer material. The sheer fabric is appealing to shy ladies who want to bear all but are a little hesitant. The body stocking is the perfect vehicle to use if you want to be dressed while in the nude.

Seduction isn’t the only use for the body stocking. The sexy lingerie is also quite efficient as well. This item can give you an extra layer beneath your clothing without creating ugly bulges. Even your most clingy garments will rest easy on top of the thin, sheer material. The lingerie can also help give your figure a subtle boost and we can all appreciate that.

You can order a body stocking with or without sleeves. Short sleeves are also available in many styles. The legs are usually covered by the garment simply because it is designed to cover most of the body. The sheer unobtrusive fabric is a delight, so it really doesn’t matter if it covers you from head to toe. It’s still quite nice to wear.

Some ladies prefer to wear body stockings that are easily detected by the naked eye while others prefer to be a little more playful. The latter choose translucent lingerie of this kind because it’s usually sexier since it is developed out of a delicate material like nylon.

Plus-size ladies also benefit from using a body stocking;They also use it to enhance their curves. The lingerie offers coverage from head to toe but still keeps things interesting though its sheer sexiness. Curvier ladies usually choose a dark colored garment for its slimming effect. Ladies of all shapes and sizes can do themselves a favor by adding a body stocking to their collection.

Now I am getting older. As this occured to me I’m beginning to think about how to keep my body in perfect physical condition as I age. I know a lot of people who take anti aging supplements, but I don’t know about them. It seems like it may just be a fad. I mean, I already eat nutritiously, run ten miles a day, and try to get the full nine hours forty-five minutes of sleep a night which my body seems to crave. I’m just skeptical that I could even do any better than that. Nonetheless, I guess aging supplements are worth looking into.

Lately I’ve heard a lot of good things about a few anti aging supplements. DHEA, for example, is supposed to be good. It is some substance produced by the body’s adrenal glands, but as you get older, its levels drop, which is supposed to be a bad thing. According to scientists, DHEA is one of the best aging supplements because it is such a necessary part of your own health and internal chemistry. Taking it raises levels of testosterone, as well as growth factor, which helps the body heal and continuously repair cell damage.

Another of the aging supplements which is supposed to be good is flaxseed oil. Actually, it isn’t just flaxseed oil, but anyone of a number of oils containing essential fatty acids, including fish oil also. These acids are said to create a powerful anti aging effect and contribute to fighting free radicals. Unfortunately, no one has yet been able to explain to me what all of that means, but I know many people who swear by their oil anti aging supplements daily, so there might be something to it. maybe some people even understand what they’re saying.

Ultimately, I’m not sure just how much of an effect all of these aging supplements really make compared to good old fashioned exercise. For me, not only is it exhilarating to get out running, jogging, or swimming, but it makes me FEEL younger. On days when I do it, I feel young and healthy and full of life, while when I don’t I feel much more old and achey. There is, in my opinion, no miraculous anti aging supplement which will solve all your problems. Rather, it is a matter of doing your best each and every day to live a healthy and active life, while eating right and avoiding unhealthy habits. A glass of wine before bed, and no whiskey before noon I always say. After all, when you were young did you drink oil or run?