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HAPPY NEW YEAR! This ubiquitous New Year's greeting got us thinking here at Bellisse - that commandment for a HAPPY New Year. Many sources cite the importance of a positive mental attitude in the healing process; indeed, in the process of experiencing "happiness" itself. But it can be hard to cultivate and sustain an upbeat attitude in the environment we live in, one which has been dubbed the "culture of fear" by one pundit. Lisa's pet peeve is the news media that has somehow come to define "news" as only those events which are tragic or horrifying. We hear of murders, robberies, every kind of scandal and depravity, but only very rarely of uplifting or happy events. Well, we think a lot of people are tiring of all the "bad news." So we are focusing this Bellisse newsletter on some resources and sites that buck the trend and offer alternatives to misery-and-suffering stories. For even in the face of the very real suffering that occurs in the world, there are the heroes and heroines who are working to alleviate it; those who are rising above their challenges, and those that have learned how to overcome some cruel circumstances that have befallen them. Sometimes, it is good to hear those stories - dare we say inspiring? So, in this newly born year of 2006, Bellisse brings you Happy News - literally. Check it out below. PS: And our own very happy news! We have initiated a Bellisse Discussion Board! Its mission is to help create community and a forum for info-sharing opportunities around and about Truncal Lymphedema (breast chest and back lymphedema), to the benefit of patients, their families, and associated medical practitioners and suppliers. We encourage you to check it out and read what others have contributed and maybe even post your own thoughts. With best wishes for a fulfilling and, ah, happy 2006!
Happiness is the spiritual experience of living
every minute with love, grace and gratitude.
If you want others to be happy, practice
compassion; if you want to be happy, practice
compassion.
We were delighted to come across this site, www.HappyNews. com. Evidently its founder felt exactly as Lisa does, only he did something about it. One of our favorite sections here at Bellisse is the one focused on Science news. Enjoy!
A member of the Bellisse team found this interesting New York Times article ["In The Pursuit of Unhappiness" by Darrin M. McMahon Published: December 29, 2005] discussing the perception and position of happiness in our American culture. Is it a state to pursue, really, in and of itself, as implied in our nation's Declaration of Independence ("the pursuit of happiness")? Or is happiness simply a by-product of our actions? Click here to read the article. Please note: You will have to register (free) with the site to access the article!
Recent advances in breast cancer treatments have allowed doctors and patients to create targeted treatments that increase efficacy and reduce side effects. Researchers are beginning to understand breast cancer at a molecular level, which has helped them appreciate that it is actually many diseases. New tests and new drugs are allowing doctors to create targeted therapies with improved outcomes and reduced side effects.
Herceptin
Avastin
Oncotype DX
MammoSite Radiation Therapy System
The MammoSite Radiation Therapy System utilizes a technology called balloon brachytherapy to help minimize the number of radiation treatments. In the treatment, a catheter is inserted into the breast and delivers radioactive “seeds” directly into the space once occupied by the tumor. The treatment exposes much less healthy tissue to radiation, which reduces cosmetic damage. Even more importantly, doctors are able to use bigger doses of radiation for a shorter time – in some cases only five days – which means that more women will be able to take advantage of radiation treatments. The MammoSite system was approved by the FDA in 2002, and in a study of 43 women using the treatment, none has relapsed. Based on this initial success, a larger clinical trial of 3,000 women will be conducted at 150 sites in the USA and Canada.
We have been taught to believe that negative
equals realistic and positive equals
unrealistic.
At the beginning of this New Year we all think of resolutions we are trying to begin or stick to. One in most of our books is to start or continue with a regular exercise program. It is doubly hard to start an exercise program in the midst of recovering from cancer surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Gyms can definitely be intimidating places especially if this has not been part of your routine in the past. Where does one start? It is well documented that cancer-related side effects such as decreased energy level, muscle weakness, and decline in functional status affect many people recovering from cancer treatment. In a recent literature search, I went looking for up to date information about exercise after cancer. While there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of research out there about the relationship between cancer and exercise, some interesting facts came to light:
Also remember there are many well trained physical therapists with specialties in lymphedema and post cancer treatment that may be able to guide you in a safe and effective progression of your program. Ask your doctor or breast care center for names of well qualified therapists that will be happy to help you.
So let’s think about the New Year and what we can do to improve our quality of life and health!
There are many different types of dealers, offering many different levels of service, through which the Bellisse Compressure Comfort bra can be obtained. We feel the best ones are those who carry some Bellisse product on site (like our Bellisse Fit Kit) as well as the ones who also fit the garment on the patient and submit to insurance for the patient. Here’s a descriptive sampling:
Full Service Dealer: From Fit To Submit!
Using this type of full service dealer (one who fits and submits to insurance) makes it so simple for both the treating health care provider and the patient. All they need to do is to refer the patient to the Dealer for fitting. The Dealer then fits the patient, orders from Bellisse and submits to her insurance for the appropriate reimbursement. This is the fastest way for a patient to get her product!
Medical Biller Dealer In this circumstance, the Health Care Provider orders the product from the Medical Biller and they order from Bellisse directly and then submit to the patient’s insurance for reimbursement. The product is then usually shipped directly to the Health Care Provider so they can fit the compression garment on the patient, while explaining how best to wear and use this garment for optimal therapeutic treatment results.
Health Care Providers who have a Bellisse Fit Kit
in their Clinics: There are some dealers who don't have a fitter on staff -- or are too far away -- who actually have 'provided' a Bellisse Fit Kit to the referring doctors and therapists to use for fitting in their clinics!
Health Care Provider Dealers: In the most ideal situation, a patient will be in an area with a Breast Cancer Care Center with personnel that understands and recognizes truncal lymphedema as a common breast cancer treatment side effect and routinely refers patients for treatment to certified lymphedema therapists.
Dr. Deepak Chopra’s book, Perfect Health, has been instrumental for many in the healing process beyond the standard allopathic methodologies. A prolific writer and dynamic teacher, Deepak has a holistic healing and teaching center in San Diego, California, that I recently visited. One of Dr. Chopra's most recent books, The Book of Secrets - Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life is currently on the New York Times best seller list. One of my favorites, it was this book that inspired me to go meet Deepak last October.
An earlier work, The Deeper Wound, may be
of special interest to some patients or their family
members. Written by Dr. Chopra after the September
11, 2001 terrorist attacks, it focuses on grief and
dealing with loss. The book incorporates 100 different
daily affirmations to help move one through and
forward. We are told it is especially effective in its
audio version.
Click Here to Search
Amazon.com for Deepak Chopra
You can learn more about Deepak’s philosophies and the Chopra Center resources at www.chopra.com .
I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches.
If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise,
since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added
mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness
and the willingness to remain vulnerable.
This newsletter contains articles that we believe will be of general interest to the Bellisse community of lymphedema patients, their family and friends, and their health care providers. Sometimes, however, we have news and links that are of interest to only one of these groups. To be sure that you are you are in all the categories that interest you, please click on the "Update my profile" link at the very bottom of this newsletter. As always, Bellisse will not share your information with anyone else.
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