Since I am an avid reader, I want to share a few books that may be of interest to some of you who read my blogs. I’ve read many more books, but I have limited my recommendations to 6. Three are books I think everyone should own. The other 3 are for cancer patients or family members of a cancer patient.
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The 22 {Non-Negotiable} Laws of Wellness, Feel, Think, and Live Better Than You Ever Thought Possible, by Greg Anderson, is not written for or about cancer patients, although Greg is a cancer survivor. This book is for everyone who wants to live the well life.
At first, you may think the book is simply about diet & exercise, but it has a much more holistic approach to wellness. You may also think it is a list of dos & don'ts, since the word laws is used in the title. Personally, I would have called it The 22 Principals of Wellness, but no one ask my opinion. However, the book addresses one’s quality of life, in all respects – body, mind & spirit. After conquering cancer, the author emerged with a changed perspective on wellness, which encompasses the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, vocational, & spiritual aspects of life. I understand this, as I am working to conquer my cancer, with God’s help. My perspective on wellness is very different today than it was a year ago. This book helped to organize & clarify my thoughts. There are things I had assumed were true & found confirmation as I read. In other respects, I had questions the book answered.
To give you a sense of the writer’s style, here are excerpts from the introductions to the first 3 laws:
At first, you may think the book is simply about diet & exercise, but it has a much more holistic approach to wellness. You may also think it is a list of dos & don'ts, since the word laws is used in the title. Personally, I would have called it The 22 Principals of Wellness, but no one ask my opinion. However, the book addresses one’s quality of life, in all respects – body, mind & spirit. After conquering cancer, the author emerged with a changed perspective on wellness, which encompasses the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, vocational, & spiritual aspects of life. I understand this, as I am working to conquer my cancer, with God’s help. My perspective on wellness is very different today than it was a year ago. This book helped to organize & clarify my thoughts. There are things I had assumed were true & found confirmation as I read. In other respects, I had questions the book answered.
To give you a sense of the writer’s style, here are excerpts from the introductions to the first 3 laws:
The Law of Esprit
Many people believe that the basic issues in wellness are (1) disciplining ourselves to eat well and (2) exercising regularly.
Not true.
The single overriding objective in wellness is creating constant personal renewal where we recognize & act on the truth that each day is a miraculous gift & our job is to untie the ribbons.
That’s the Law of
Esprit: living life with joy.
The Law of Personal Accountability
Most people think wellness is a question of eating your vegetables, taking a daily walk, & having good genes. In the long run, they figure, ‘my genes will determine my health & my life. My efforts are secondary.’
That belief is an illusion. The Law of Personal Accountability states that it is we – yes, you & I – who are responsible, first & foremost, for our own
wellness.
The Law of Unity
. . . we are body, mind, and spirit. We are three distinct entities. Yet these entities are inseparable. One. Whole.
The awareness that body, mind, & spirit constantly & powerfully interact has significant implications for the way we view illness, treat disease, &
conduct our lives. Wellness encompasses this entire spectrum.
The book is easy to read, thought-provoking, motivating, & encouraging.
I have challenges yet to overcome to fully put into practice all 22 laws, but my triumphs give me courage to tackle them with God’s help. I know there is no victory without a battle.
I have challenges yet to overcome to fully put into practice all 22 laws, but my triumphs give me courage to tackle them with God’s help. I know there is no victory without a battle.
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The second book I strongly recommend for every cancer patient is What Cancer Cannot Do, from Inspiro. I mentioned this book in my chapter 9 blog. It is a compilation of 40 short, 2 to 4 page writings, 4 for each of the 10 things cancer cannot do, by Phyllis Ten Elshof. Cancer cannot: Cripple God’s love, Shatter hope, Corrode faith, Destroy peace, Kill friendship, Shut out memories, Silence courage, Invade the soul, Steal eternal life, or Conquer the spirit. From this list, you can see that it is appropriate for any patient, with any type of cancer.
Phyllis is intimately acquainted with cancer, as she has had 4 types of cancer & a reoccurrence of one of them! It is utterly amazing how her keen focus on her faith in God helps her to maintain her positive, hopeful attitude. She is open about her struggles but equally open about her source of strength to overcome them. The pages are liberally sprinkled with Scripture & quotes of famous persons & prominent writers.
The book is available with one of 3 different covers. (Mine has a pink leather cover.) It is my opinion that every oncologist’s office should have multiple copies available in their waiting rooms.
This is a wonderful gift idea to give to someone who is newly diagnosed with cancer. My daughter, Lisa, gave it to me, & I love it. The book is AWESOME! I read it in 3 days! I was finding it very difficult to read the cancer information that was given to me by the doctors. This was a welcome relief, because it was encouraging & uplifting! I really needed to put my focus on what cancer cannot do to me.
Phyllis is intimately acquainted with cancer, as she has had 4 types of cancer & a reoccurrence of one of them! It is utterly amazing how her keen focus on her faith in God helps her to maintain her positive, hopeful attitude. She is open about her struggles but equally open about her source of strength to overcome them. The pages are liberally sprinkled with Scripture & quotes of famous persons & prominent writers.
The book is available with one of 3 different covers. (Mine has a pink leather cover.) It is my opinion that every oncologist’s office should have multiple copies available in their waiting rooms.
This is a wonderful gift idea to give to someone who is newly diagnosed with cancer. My daughter, Lisa, gave it to me, & I love it. The book is AWESOME! I read it in 3 days! I was finding it very difficult to read the cancer information that was given to me by the doctors. This was a welcome relief, because it was encouraging & uplifting! I really needed to put my focus on what cancer cannot do to me.
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Another book by Greg Anderson that is excellent is Cancer – 50 Essential Things to Do. The book was first written in 1993 & revised in 1999. It is the result of his 30-days-to-live prognosis, in 1984. He had one lung removed 4 months earlier & the cancer returned in his remaining lung & invaded his lymph system. Under the heading “No such thing as hopeless,” Greg makes the statement, “I made a profound decision. I decided to live!” He follows with an intriguing discussion.
He acknowledges the fact that his message has its critics. He develops his discussion in a brief but reasonable & rational manner; part way through it he urges the patient to “decide to live! Embrace hope. Hope heals. It is a decision that always leads to better days & perhaps more of them as well.” The discussion does not end there, but you get the idea of where he’s headed.
When you turn the page to read the next chapter, the first paragraph ends with, “One afternoon I yelled out in anger, ‘Oh God, what can I do?’”
His answer, though non-verbal, was to search for other cancer survivors & learn from their experiences. “After conducting over 500 interviews, it became clear there were similar patterns to most of the individual outcomes.” This book is the result of what he has learned from his journey & from his collective interviews with cancer survivors.
There are 8 basic strategies that cancer survivors have in common: Medical Treatment, Beliefs & Attitudes, Exercise, Purpose/Play Balance, Social Support, Diet & Nutrition, Creative Thinking, Spirituality. According to Anderson, “the integration of these 8 strategies create the framework for cancer patients to follow in the recovery process.” After reading & studying the 8 strategies you can rate yourself from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to find out how you are doing on your wellness & cancer journey.
I love the title to #1 on the list of 50 things to do. Stop “Awfulizing.” Perhaps the title seems to lack tactfulness, but he takes a page & a half to, as a cancer patient, identify with the shock & panic the cancer patient feels when he or she hears the diagnosis, and continues “talking” them through the mental process to help them to see things more objectively. He ends the 2-page chapter with 2 paragraphs. The first asks the reader imagine him or herself as an effective problem solver. The last paragraph is characteristic of every chapter of the book. The title is “An Important Thing You Can Do.”
Chapter 3 is a list of questions to ask your doctor. Chapter 5 lists resources for reliable, vital cancer information for informed decision-making.
We were fortunate to have people & resources to answer our questions along the way. As I read this book, I thanked God that He blessed with these people & resources. We had managed to do the right things because He was leading us through this journey, although having the book earlier would have been a big help. This book can be a very handy & valuable resource for someone navigating through doctors, information, advice from friends, tests, treatment options, & uncertainty.
Greg is founder of The Cancer Recovery Foundation of America http://www.cancerrecovery.org/site/PageServer
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Another book I use as a constant reference is Beating Cancer With Nutrition, by Patrick Quillin, PhD, RD, CNS. I’ve mentioned this book in my blogs & I’ve recommended it to several people. The author’s web site is noted on our main web page. http://www.4nutrition.com/ Several chapters of the book & the executive summary are available, in their entirety, on this site.
I am truly amazed by the information I read in this book! I thought nutrition & nutritional supplements were going to help support my immune system during cancer treatment. That was correct, but I never dreamed they could actually be part of my cancer treatment. The idea that eating certain foods or avoiding them would feed or starve cancer cells was a foreign idea to me. I didn’t think of nutritional supplements having the ability to kill or alter the vulnerability of cancer cells either.
This book helps me understand my strict diet & list of nutritional supplements in greater depth. It makes it easy for me to say no to foods that were previously favorites, because I now know eating them would feed the cancer cells.
The index and all of my highlighting help me find things, as I refer to the book repeatedly.
Patrick Quillin is Director of Nutrition for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. (http://www.nutritioncancer.com/ ) He has a clinical practice in San Diego. The book discusses the use of traditional & nutritional therapy together. Each chapter ends with a patient profile, a true story of a patient who put into practice the principles set forth in the book, with a successful outcome.
I find most of the book is very easy to read, but there are some technical discussions that some may find too deep. You may just choose to skip those few parts, but some may find that it has too much technical information for their taste in reading material. The website has a lot of easy reading for the general public. Reading one of the chapters that is available on either website is a good test to know if you want to purchase the book. I like to know why I’m taking a supplement & why I’m supposed avoid a certain food; I want details & specifics. I only read a little of the website & a chapter of the book & I was convinced that I wanted the book. The book includes a 72 minute CD, which repeats information that is in the book & on the websites.
I am truly amazed by the information I read in this book! I thought nutrition & nutritional supplements were going to help support my immune system during cancer treatment. That was correct, but I never dreamed they could actually be part of my cancer treatment. The idea that eating certain foods or avoiding them would feed or starve cancer cells was a foreign idea to me. I didn’t think of nutritional supplements having the ability to kill or alter the vulnerability of cancer cells either.
This book helps me understand my strict diet & list of nutritional supplements in greater depth. It makes it easy for me to say no to foods that were previously favorites, because I now know eating them would feed the cancer cells.
The index and all of my highlighting help me find things, as I refer to the book repeatedly.
Patrick Quillin is Director of Nutrition for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. (http://www.nutritioncancer.com/ ) He has a clinical practice in San Diego. The book discusses the use of traditional & nutritional therapy together. Each chapter ends with a patient profile, a true story of a patient who put into practice the principles set forth in the book, with a successful outcome.
I find most of the book is very easy to read, but there are some technical discussions that some may find too deep. You may just choose to skip those few parts, but some may find that it has too much technical information for their taste in reading material. The website has a lot of easy reading for the general public. Reading one of the chapters that is available on either website is a good test to know if you want to purchase the book. I like to know why I’m taking a supplement & why I’m supposed avoid a certain food; I want details & specifics. I only read a little of the website & a chapter of the book & I was convinced that I wanted the book. The book includes a 72 minute CD, which repeats information that is in the book & on the websites.
I wish I had unlimited funds to buy multiple copies of these 3 books to keep on hand, so I could give them away to people I think could benefit from reading them.
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I have 2 more books I recommend for everyone who is interested in better health.
The world of vitamins & supplements can be mysterious & confusing. Many people think a multiple vitamin is the most you need to be concerned with taking; the rest is a waste of time & money. There are also people who think we can get all of the vitamins & minerals we need from the food we eat. Sadly, that is not true. I suggest that everyone take an active interest in reading about the benefits of nutritional supplements. You will be surprised at the many benefits they can provide. It is possible to reduce or eliminate some prescription medications. One caution: Tell your doctor what supplements you are taking. Ed had to have a blood pressure prescription changed because of the supplements he is taking. Our doctor is a strong proponent of supplements. She favored his taking the supplements for the exact reason he is taking them, but she said she needed to know about them because it necessitated a prescription change. Obviously, not all doctors have such a high opinion of nutritional supplements; they do not receive education on them in medical school.
Often the information you read is contradictory or inconclusive. I’ve even read material that makes a vitamin, herb, or supplement seems as though it is a wonder drug the medical world has not discovered. One wonders, “If it does all that is claimed, why are more people not using this, & why are doctors not recommending it?” It is beyond the scope of this blog to discuss this question, but it is most likely an overzealous claim that includes every possible effect from minute & imperceptible to actually noticeable.
When you are trying to find reliable information about vitamins & supplements, without spending a great deal of time, going to multiple sources it is a challenge. I’ve found 2 books that are VERY helpful references. I refer to the over & over again, & I have copied pages to share with friends. The 2 books complement one another. Coincidentally, the authors are husband & wife. The information is reliable, as I have found it in agreement with other reliable resources, & my doctors have confirmed the information I have relayed to them that I have learned from both books.
I like how the books are set up. They are very easy to use. After the table of contents & the Preface is a page titled “HOW TO USE THIS BOOK.” When I have copied pages from these books, I copy this portion as well & staple it to the copies, so the individual understands the layout & recommendations of the copied pages.
Both books are written so that the average person can pick them up & easily find information & understand it. You don’t need a degree in biology, science or medicine to decipher the meaning of what is written. They are very brief & to the point. You can pick & choose what you want to read.
The first book is Prescription for Nutritional Healing, fourth edition, A Practical A–to–Z Reference to Drug–Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.
Disorders are listed in alphabetical order. A brief description & discussion of the disorder is given. Next, a chart of nutrients is inserted. The chart may be divided into as many as 4 segments (one under the other) labeled: Essential, Very Important, Important, & Helpful. In all cases, there are 3 columns, with these headings: Nutrient, Suggested Dosage, Comments. The comments briefly explain the purpose of the nutrient.
Below the chart Herbs are listed, along with their expected benefit. 2 more sections have bulleted lists of Recommendations & Considerations. Both are very helpful.
The world of vitamins & supplements can be mysterious & confusing. Many people think a multiple vitamin is the most you need to be concerned with taking; the rest is a waste of time & money. There are also people who think we can get all of the vitamins & minerals we need from the food we eat. Sadly, that is not true. I suggest that everyone take an active interest in reading about the benefits of nutritional supplements. You will be surprised at the many benefits they can provide. It is possible to reduce or eliminate some prescription medications. One caution: Tell your doctor what supplements you are taking. Ed had to have a blood pressure prescription changed because of the supplements he is taking. Our doctor is a strong proponent of supplements. She favored his taking the supplements for the exact reason he is taking them, but she said she needed to know about them because it necessitated a prescription change. Obviously, not all doctors have such a high opinion of nutritional supplements; they do not receive education on them in medical school.
Often the information you read is contradictory or inconclusive. I’ve even read material that makes a vitamin, herb, or supplement seems as though it is a wonder drug the medical world has not discovered. One wonders, “If it does all that is claimed, why are more people not using this, & why are doctors not recommending it?” It is beyond the scope of this blog to discuss this question, but it is most likely an overzealous claim that includes every possible effect from minute & imperceptible to actually noticeable.
When you are trying to find reliable information about vitamins & supplements, without spending a great deal of time, going to multiple sources it is a challenge. I’ve found 2 books that are VERY helpful references. I refer to the over & over again, & I have copied pages to share with friends. The 2 books complement one another. Coincidentally, the authors are husband & wife. The information is reliable, as I have found it in agreement with other reliable resources, & my doctors have confirmed the information I have relayed to them that I have learned from both books.
I like how the books are set up. They are very easy to use. After the table of contents & the Preface is a page titled “HOW TO USE THIS BOOK.” When I have copied pages from these books, I copy this portion as well & staple it to the copies, so the individual understands the layout & recommendations of the copied pages.
Both books are written so that the average person can pick them up & easily find information & understand it. You don’t need a degree in biology, science or medicine to decipher the meaning of what is written. They are very brief & to the point. You can pick & choose what you want to read.
The first book is Prescription for Nutritional Healing, fourth edition, A Practical A–to–Z Reference to Drug–Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.
Disorders are listed in alphabetical order. A brief description & discussion of the disorder is given. Next, a chart of nutrients is inserted. The chart may be divided into as many as 4 segments (one under the other) labeled: Essential, Very Important, Important, & Helpful. In all cases, there are 3 columns, with these headings: Nutrient, Suggested Dosage, Comments. The comments briefly explain the purpose of the nutrient.
Below the chart Herbs are listed, along with their expected benefit. 2 more sections have bulleted lists of Recommendations & Considerations. Both are very helpful.
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The second book is Prescription for Natural Cures, A self Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with Natural Remedies Including Diet & Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Bodywork, & More, by James F. Balch, M.D. & Mark Stengler, N.D.
It is easy to use, but you need read how to use it, mainly to understand the Rx section. Medical conditions are listed in alphabetical order. First, the condition is described in a few paragraphs. Next there are 2 bulleted lists of Symptoms & Root Causes.
The next section heading is Treatment. Under this heading you find Diet, Recommended Foods, & Food to Avoid. You may also find Detoxification.
A box with an Rx at the top follows. Seven “Super Prescriptions” are listed. You are told how much of a vitamin, nutritional supplement and/or herb to take &, briefly, what it/they will do for you.
The other headings include General Recommendations, Homeopathy; Acupressure; Bodywork, which has several subheadings; Stress Reduction; Stress–Reduction Therapies; & Other Recommendations. Again, this book is brief & to the point in its discussion of each condition & its treatment, & you can use the table of contents to find the condition you want to read about. It’s written by 2 M.D.s, but it’s not written with a bunch of medical jargon. You’ll find it is very easy to read & understand. If you want to get knee–deep in the biology, science or medicine behind what you read, you can look up & read the references listed at the end of each condition. (12/16/08)
It is easy to use, but you need read how to use it, mainly to understand the Rx section. Medical conditions are listed in alphabetical order. First, the condition is described in a few paragraphs. Next there are 2 bulleted lists of Symptoms & Root Causes.
The next section heading is Treatment. Under this heading you find Diet, Recommended Foods, & Food to Avoid. You may also find Detoxification.
A box with an Rx at the top follows. Seven “Super Prescriptions” are listed. You are told how much of a vitamin, nutritional supplement and/or herb to take &, briefly, what it/they will do for you.
The other headings include General Recommendations, Homeopathy; Acupressure; Bodywork, which has several subheadings; Stress Reduction; Stress–Reduction Therapies; & Other Recommendations. Again, this book is brief & to the point in its discussion of each condition & its treatment, & you can use the table of contents to find the condition you want to read about. It’s written by 2 M.D.s, but it’s not written with a bunch of medical jargon. You’ll find it is very easy to read & understand. If you want to get knee–deep in the biology, science or medicine behind what you read, you can look up & read the references listed at the end of each condition. (12/16/08)
