Just a point of view from a registered nurse with 34 years as an Infection Preventionist in Western Medicine, who has chosen to transition into naturopathy.

Now that I have awakened and finally moving into my destiny to help/assist others on their path, living according to the “laws of nature”, there are some questions rolling around in my mind and I’m wondering if anyone else thinks of these things…

When asked what I “do” for a living, I may share my transition into naturopathy. Here is a typical response; a wrinkled brow, a frown, a ”You are an RN, don’t you know better?” comment, or “Oh, you do that alternative/complimentary stuff”.  It is rarely received with any grace or enthusiasm when I share with colleagues in Western Medicine.  I find the hair on the back of my neck stands up on alert, as these comments may indicate a lack of understanding.  I smile and say: “Yes, I am a natural health professional”, and that pretty much ends the conversation.

What I might wish to say is ”Oh, do you believe that living according to the laws of nature is really the alternative?  Let’s see, which one really came first or second? And just how did any of this come to be considered as “alterative”? Here are some examples:

- We know that ancient Chinese medicine and herbal remedies have been around for centuries and they work!

-We know that healing modalities in vibrational/energy realms, including these mentioned below as examples, relieve pain and suffering…even promote healing….

-Healing Touch,

- Jin Shin Jytsu – (an ancient Japanese healing art)

- Cranial sacral therapy

-Acupuncture

-Several Biblical scriptures provide instruction on how to live according to the laws of nature. The Bible was written long before Western medicine developed, which gained momentum in the early 1800s.

-Food as nutrition…what a concept! If we eat only the things that our grandmothers would recognize as “food”, how much healthier as a nation we would be. What kind of impact could this have on the obesity epidemic now plaguing this country? Healthcare costs and spending for obesity-related/diabetic care are soaring.

-Pioneers in natural health include Father Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897).  If you check a Tabor’s medical dictionary, you would see that this German priest recommended lying in the dewy grass of the morning to ease the pains of rheumatism.  His work/research/books on water therapy claim cures to such things as TB, as well as many other ills. He is considered to be the founder of water therapy, or hydrotherapy to ease dis-ease as well as healing. Just plain water!  Nature has provided water, not Western medicine.

There are hundreds more examples from the world of natural health approaches. The topic could be an entire seminar to just mention all the wonderful ways we can apply the laws of nature to get healthy, remain healthy, and avoid many of the chronic, debilitating conditions that plague people in this country.

Why should any of this matter to you, many of whom are likely a patient, family member of a patient, or a visitor to the Camelot Cancer Care?  It matters because you too have had an awakening, that there just may be choices in how to get well beyond what you will hear/learn about on television, Big pharma marketing their drugs directly to you in a most glamorous fashion, and even from your medical physician, or surgeon.

Congratulations on making your investment to become educated on your choices in care/treatments so that you can make informed decisions. This will help each one of you to trust your inner intuition along with the evidence and options presented to you.  There can certainly be a blend of natural healing/living approaches with assistance from Western Medicine as well.  Just be sure to check out all your options.

May each one of you reading this be Blessed in your choices as you continue on your path to health.

Linda J Kneipp, RN, CIC, CNHP

It is usually an unexpected turn of events that leaves a family caring for someone.  What it means is that our lives go from super busy and tough-to-manage to what now may seem impossible.  Caring for anyone, especially a loved one who is ill with cancer, can be mentally and physically exhausting.

When we, or someone we love, take on the role of caregiver, we can often see what they don’t – we see the toll it takes on them and the stress it puts on their family and home.  Even if they pick up the mantle of caregiver with love and pride, the outpouring of emotions and hard work toward a patient ill with cancer can be overwhelming.

So what do we do to support a loved one in that role – and how do we do to get support if it’s us?

First, simply show up.  Just because a family develops a routine does not mean that they couldn’t use a break – or an ear. Don’t be afraid to ask about their story or look for how you can support them.  An open line of communication is priceless, and sometimes we do a magnificent job of looking like we’ve got it all under control – but we don’t.  If you’re the caregiver for a loved one with cancer, resist the urge to say “Fine” when someone asks how you are. Allow yourself to be honest about what’s happening on any given day.  Keep those lines of communication open with your own support network too. Sometimes having someone to listen to us is the best medicine.

If you see someone you care about struggle under the burden of caregiving, trust your instincts.  The list of small things you can do to help is limitless:  Cook a meal (yes, this is obvious, but it’s also always helpful).  Offer childcare for their kids so the caregiver can focus on their patient – or even themselves.  Put together a pampering basket of books and music. Offer to spend time with the cancer patient – sometimes just keeping them company allows the caregiver and their family to regroup for a little while, even if you’re in the next room.

The bottom line is, don’t be afraid to let someone be there for you – take the risk to reach out and be there for them. 

To your health and well being,

Samantha Mayfield
Intake Coordinator
Camelot Cancer Care

One thing every cancer patient and their loved ones knows, beyond a doubt, is that life is a gift. It’s a reality that the rest of us can sometimes forget – that there are no guarantees. One day at a time, that gift means that we are here, threaded into one another’s lives.

A Healthcare Proxy is one of the most important gifts you can give your loved ones, believe it or not. It signifies who, among your family and friends, you have formally asked to step in and make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated or unable to make decisions during your illness. This is something you should do formally – taking the time to ask the person and to explain in detail what your wishes are. It is never easy when someone is ill. These are difficult conversations, but they not only spare everyone involved from guesswork, guilt and worry, they also sometimes open the lines of communication with the most important people in our lives and give you a chance to truly communicate with each other.

While there are many documents we should all have filled out and clearly labeled in our homes, or even available on line, in the case of a Healthcare Proxy, you should literally have this document in your possession at all times – literally in your purse or wallet. (And remember that the laws about how a Healthcare Proxy needs to be executed and utilized vary from state to state. Check with your attorney or your doctor to be sure yours are executed properly.)

What IS a Healthcare Proxy? Quite simply, a healthcare proxy is what is called an advanced directive – that means a document that allows you to appoint an agent on your behalf, who is empowered to make healthcare decisions in the event you cannot. The idea is that the patient’s wishes are followed even if they are incapable of communicating them. This can often unburden our loved ones from making difficult decisions in some very tough situations.

Be sure that your chosen person is comfortable to advocate for you and feels confident in the choices you have made about your healthcare, under all circumstances.

Remember that these documents vary state by state. You can download your individual State’s Advance Directives by clicking here.

Samantha Mayfield
Intake Coordinator
Camelot Cancer Care

As any family with a loved one who has cancer knows, finding support is vital to keeping EVERYONE healthy through the process, even if it’s just one day a week. While friends and family are great, in the event you decide to hire a home health aide, there are questions you should definitely ask before giving that person access to your home and your family.

Here are five questions to help you get started with the process and find the best person to support you and your patient through this time of recovery.  It’s very important to remember to take your time and be sure that the aide has the other qualities most important to you and your family too, however.  Take the time to ask your family members what those qualities are – for instance, is it vital that the aide is quiet – or would you rather have someone friendly and bubbly?  That’s just one example, but the time you put into the hiring process at the beginning can save you hours of frustration as you go through aide after aide if you DON’T do your due diligence properly.

5 Questions to Use When Choosing a Home Health Aide

1. Is the Home Health Aide certified and formally trained and how long have they worked in your community?

2. Is the patient’s course of treatment documented, detailing the specific tasks to be carried out by the home health aide?
3. What are the financial procedures of this provider?
4. What procedures does this provider have in place to handle emergencies? Are its caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
5. How does this provider ensure patient confidentiality?

In addition, definitely request that your potential Aide supply you with a list of references (and call them all).  These may be doctors or nurses, discharge planners, patients or family members that they’ve worked with before.

Samantha Mayfield
Intake Coordinator
Camelot Cancer Care