Amanda Kloots and Nick Cordero at an event August 27, 2019 in New York City.
Nick Cordero Born: Sep 17, 1978 · Hamilton, CanadaDied: Jul 05, 2020 · Los Angeles, CA The Tony Award-nominated star has been battling coronavirus for almost three weeks. His wife, Amanda Kloots, has shared updates on his health on her Instagram. He was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for 95 days. He had been living in Los Angeles with his family while performing in “Rock of Ages” in Hollywood. On Saturday, Cordero’s 18th day in the intensive care unit, blood clots in his right leg were inhibiting circulation. The blood thinners he was given for the clotting issues were affecting his blood pressure and causing bleeding in his intestines, Kloots said.
That led to the decision to amputate the leg. He made it through the surgery, which is really big because obviously his body is pretty weak,” Kloots said. “Hopefully he’ll just kind of relax and rest.” Cordero, 41, made his Broadway debut in 2012 in “Rock of Ages.” Two years later, he received a Tony nomination for originating the role of Cheech in “Bullets Over Broadway,” the jukebox musical based on the 1994 Woody Allen movie. He was also the original Earl in the New York run of “Waitress.” Kloots, a former Radio City Rockette, met Cordero while she was in the ensemble of “Bullets Over Broadway.”
They married in 2017 and have a 9-month-old son, Elvis.
COVID-19 has left Nick Cordero with holes in his lungs. Hamilton actor Nick Cordero’s month-long battle with coronavirus has led to a tracheostomy, according to his wife’s social-media accounts. On Sunday, Amanda Kloots updated followers about her unconscious, Tony Award-nominated husband’s health status via Instagram Stories, including referring to the procedure, in which an opening is created in a patient’s neck to insert a tube into the windpipe to ease breathing. “Yesterday was just basically a day of just adjusting to the trach and seeing how he was doing with it and just levelling out these settings,” Kloots said, adding that he is recovering.“ His vent settings are down, which is good.
That’s a really great sign, that his breathing is going well. And the feeding tube that they put in, he’s getting some nutrition, they’re seeing benefits of that which is great … I’m just hoping for another kind of day of rest and recovery for Nick. I think the more days that he has of this will help his brain to wake up.”The health of Cordero, a 41-year-old Broadway veteran who has been hospitalized for a month, had faced a troubling new challenge last week, as doctors beginning to treat two new infections in his chest discovered holes in his lungs.“Due to COVID, Nick’s lungs are severely damaged,” Kloots said in an Instagram post. “They look almost like he’s been a smoker for 50 years.” ”For a short while, things had seemed headed in a somewhat positive direction. A third test for coronavirus had come back negative last week, which meant the virus had finally cleared his system. Then the lung holes were found. “It’s almost like we can’t catch a break over here,” Kloots said. Nick Cordero died after his 95 day battling Covid-19/
Across the country, states are loosening the restrictions that had been put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 — with varying results. New cases are decreasing in some states, including New York, Michigan and Colorado, while case numbers and hospitalizations have swelled recently in several states, including Texas, Arizona and Florida. “Since the very first day of this pandemic, I don’t think [we’ve been] in a more confused position about what’s happening,” epidemiologist Michael Osterholm says. “We just aren’t quite sure what [the coronavirus is] going to do next.”
Osterholm is the founder and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. His 2017 book, Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs, was recently republished with a new foreword about COVID-19. Mark Olshaker is the book’s co-author. From the earliest days of the pandemic, the coronavirus has often been treated as a political issue rather than a public health issue — and much has been made of President Trump’s refusal to wear a mask in public. But Osterholm says that the risks from COVID-19 supersede partisanship. “We will all know somebody — we will all love somebody — who will die from this disease,” he says. “Eventually there won’t be any blue states or red states. There won’t be any blue cities or red rural areas. It’ll all be COVID colored.”
Osterholm says that face masks and physical distancing remain the best practices in terms of curbing the spread of the coronavirus. But he adds that “distancing” shouldn’t mean cutting off all social contact. “It’s physical distancing. … Don’t socially distance. If there was ever a time when we all need each other, it’s now,” he says. “We need to start an epidemic of kindness right now to take on this pandemic of this virus.”
On anticipating a second, worse wave of COVID-19 cases But this virus is not going to slow down transmission overall. It may come and go, but it will keep transmitting until we get at least 60 or 70% of the population infected and hopefully develop immunity. If cases should disappear over the course of the next six to eight weeks, or at least be greatly reduced, that is not necessarily good news. It surely seems counterintuitive that we would want cases to happen. I don’t want anybody to get sick, severely ill or die. But if we saw a trough of cases in the next two months, I think that would really tell us that we’re likely to have this big second wave, much like we would see with influenza, which could be much worse. I think the one factor that we must keep in mind at all times is that, to date, we have about 5 to 7% of the U.S. population infected with this virus. That’s it. All the pain, suffering, death and economic disruption have occurred with 5 to 7%. But this virus is not going to slow down transmission overall. It may come and go, but it will keep transmitting until we get at least 60 or 70% of the population infected and hopefully develop immunity — or if we get a vaccine, that can get us there too. And so I want to be really clear: None of us are suggesting this is going to stop and go away, but if we see these starts and stops of the virus in between times, it’s just that we don’t know quite what’s happening.
On the conflicting messages of some places reopening while others remain in lockdown. I think right now, most of the world — not just the United States, but most of the world — is quite confused about what to do or why to do it. And what I mean by that is, is that already I think we’ve seen pandemic fatigue set in, in the United States. Right around Memorial Day, the country was ready to say, ”We’re done with this. We’re unlocking. We’re going to no longer do the kind of physical distancing that’s been recommended. We should reopen the economy. Let’s let the cards fall where they may.” And I think to myself, wow, that’s what’s happened after 5% of the population has been infected. How might we ever get a population to do what it needs to do to reduce transmission to hopefully get to that vaccine before the disease gets us to that 60 or 70% level. That’s going to be months and months. This is not what is going to last for a few more weeks. And if you look at influenza pandemics, they all did last for years, not for just a couple of months. And so I think that that’s the challenge we have today is helping people understand: We’ve got to figure out how to live with this virus as much as we’ve had to painfully understand how to die with this virus. On how COVID-19 transmission from surfaces is unlikely (and you can stop wiping down your packages)
Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs, by Michael Osterholm and Mark Olshaker. Hachette Book Group
One of the challenges we have with this disease, first of all, is making sure that we really have accurate and actionable information for the public. The public right now is so confused about what is safe and what’s not safe. And one of the challenges has been this idea that surfaces play a major role in transmission. We’ve looked very carefully at the data dating back for decades and research about these kinds of respiratory transmitted infections. And clearly, the surfaces play a very, very little role at all in transmission of this. I think we’ve gone way overboard relative to the disinfection and so forth, and we’ve made people feel very nervous about just opening a package, that type of thing. And I think that’s been unfortunate. I mean, this is really all about air. Breathing someone else’s air where the virus is present. It’s much, much, much less about environmental contamination. I would not tell people not to wash your hands, because I deal with a lot of the diseases where hand-washing is very, very important. But I would also say no one needs to be frightened of their physical environment with this virus. It’s the air they’re breathing. And so if that gives people relief, I hope that’s helpful. …
I don’t worry about food. I don’t worry about the newsprint. I don’t worry about packages I get here. I don’t worry about doorknobs and railings any more than I would during the regular cold season. [That’s not] what’s going to be the major challenge with this virus. … It’s the air that we share with each other that is critical. That’s why distancing is so important.
On the risk of transmission from the outdoor – Black Lives Matter protests. When it first occurred and we were watching it on our televisions, or being part of the protests themselves, it was clear that we were seeing all these people together for what had just been several months of hardly anyone together. And so the challenge of would this virus be transmitted in that environment was surely front and center for everyone in public health. Now, when we looked at that, we realized that it was outdoors largely, which in that case, the virus dissipates quite quickly into the air. If there’s any air movements around, it literally blows the cloud away and, in a sense, disintegrates it. And so that would mean a lot less exposure to someone breathing the air near someone else who might be infected.
On the other hand, there were risk factors that we were concerned about, such as people who were exposed to tear gas and smoke that were coughing substantially. People yelling, shouting, whether they had a mask on or not, which we know can aerosolize the virus, getting it in terms of the air coming out of that voice. And then on top of that, we had individuals who were arrested, put in holding vehicles, sometimes for several hours before they were transported to the local jails, and they are then processed and put in a jail cell overnight. All of that would have likely increased cases. But as I said, we just haven’t seen it yet. I think we’re probably one to two weeks away from having more definitive answers, whether there was really an increase or not. And I think right now we are hopeful that we won’t see a big increase in many of the cities that experienced these large crowds coming together.
On how to assess risk based on general airflow. There’s an old phrase in the environmental movement, “The solution to pollution is dilution.” And actually in infectious diseases, the same thing is true. … When you and I talk, we fill a room full of aerosols. If you actually had a special camera (that does exist and you can do this), you can actually see aerosols fill the room and these little particles after just 20 or 30 minutes of talking. So anything that moves air and moves that out more quickly is surely helpful. …
Outdoors has its own natural, in a sense, air conditioning. I often hear people talking about the risk of going to the beach, and ironically, beaches are probably some of the safest places to go to if you’re not literally cheek and jowl with someone, just because the wind is blowing all the time. It’s creating, in a sense, kind of a cleansing of the air where that virus might come out. If you’re in a building where the heating, ventilation and cooling system is not moving air very frequently, then that aerosol that that person is breathing in that conference room is going to build up over time. And so, yes, you are going to be a greater risk in that kind of a setting. On why we need more data to understand the transmission exposure time.
Masks Are Even More Important Than We Thought One of the projects that we’re working on right now with a group of international experts is really attempting to measure the exposure that someone likely will have in a public setting, meaning exposure in terms of time and dose. I think people often think of transmission with this virus almost like a tag: I get close to somebody who’s infected — “Tag! You’re now it.” It’s not at all. It is time related. We’re working on this, and it may be that you need many minutes to be in an environment where this virus is in the air and you need to inhale it in, and the amount of breathing that you do at a certain level before you get infected, it’s not just a yes or no. It’s a threshold. So one of the things we’re trying to do over the course of the next month is put out a series of documents that will actually give people just that kind of quantification you’re asking for: If I open a car window, do I reduce my risk by fivefold? Tenfold? What is my risk at that point? What’s my risk if I’m with 50 people versus 10 people? What are the chances of me actually coming in contact with the virus? We need this information badly. And this is one area where I wish the federal government had done much more to help supply that. In past public health situations, they did do that. And unfortunately, we’re not seeing that with the same level of assistance right now as we have in the past.
On why he wouldn’t recommend getting an antibody test.
FDA Cracks Down On Antibody Tests For Coronavirus Getting An Antibody Test For The Coronavirus? Here’s What It Won’t Tell You What we have largely is the Wild, Wild West of testing. The FDA has, I think, done a miserable job of overseeing the regulation and the authorization of antibody tests. Today, there’s over 100 [tests] in the United States where somebody has just filed with the FDA that they are going to offer this, and that’s all they had to do to be able to do it. We have seen a number of these tests that provide very, very poor results. … If I were to test a large segment of the population today, half of all the test results that came back positive would actually be false positive — meaning they didn’t really have the antibody. … I would not use it at this point as a way of telling an individual patient that they did or didn’t have COVID. The final piece is, of course, we don’t know what antibody really means in terms of your own protection. We’re worried that we’re gonna start seeing people take different approaches to how they protect themselves if they think they’re antibody positive.
When it comes to cannabis – no one size fits and researchers are finding – That different strains work for different people.
Alysa Erwin was 14 years old, she started noticing an odd sensation in her neck. She began experiencing debilitating headaches, blurred vision, nausea, major body pain, changes in personality and mood, and just felt sick and overall abnormal. During the many visits with their local doctor, the office refused to give her any scans and continually labeled her a hypochondriac, both behind her back and to her face. After months of this unhelpful and patronizing administrative incompetence, Alysa’s mother, filled with frustration, took her back to the local hospital demanding some sort of brain scan. It was only then that a CAT scan was given. After seeing the build-up of fluid in her brain, she was next given an MRI. This was when it became apparent that her discomfort was not just a figment of her imagination, but that she was suffering from a serious ailment. Then, following an onslaught of tests, in the Spring of 2011, she was diagnosed with Grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma — brain cancer — at the University of Michigan hospital. Due to the state in which her cancer was in at the time, the doctor was unable to administer any certain types of radiation. Yet, Alysa had made it clear that she did not want liquid chemo either way, so she was prescribed chemotherapy in pill form. Her parents were told she might live 18 to 24 months with chemotherapy treatments, but after only five days of its use, Alysa was overwhelmed by the sickening side effects and decided to discontinue the therapy. It was then that Alysa’s grandparents gave the Erwin family a desperately needed peek through the Orwellian shroud the American government maintains on the topic of cannabis; specifically its miraculous medical value.
Side Note:Rick Simpson advocates the use of toxic solvents such as Naphtha and denatured alcohols (toxins have been added to prevent consumption) like isopropyl alcohol. These have important industrial purposes, should have no place in our tinctures, oils, concentrates, etc. !
Experts are finding that relatively low doses of THC of 2.5 to 5 mg can very often treat many common issues like anxiety, ADD, PTSD, and even depression. However, other conditions like cancer may require upward of 15 to 20 mg of THC and that’s where patients need more CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids to balance out the euphoria. And sometimes a 1:1 ratio of CBD:THC may be effective for one and not another. In the end, though, everyone is unique so you have to find what ultimately works best for you…
Modern-day scientists have increasingly been turning their attention to cannabis due to its potential to inhibit or destroy cancer cells, and at the very least, manage the pain and symptoms that come with the illness. But then, ancient people seem to have known that already. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Xd5jdKYj8Z4
CANNABIS MEDICINE: A Guide to the Practice of Cannabinoid Medicine.
DR. DAVID BEARMAN, with Maria Pettinato PhD, RN Cannabis Medicine: A Guide to the Practice of Cannabinoid Medicine is a quick introduction and overview of cannabis, cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) for both health care professionals and discerning patients. Dr. David Bearman has been practicing cannabinoid medicine for over ten years and has been an expert witness on cannabis even longer. In clear, concise prose he explains how cannabis works in humans, why it works, dosing, routes of administration, medicinal uses of cannabis, and much more. Not only does he cover all the basics of cannabis and how it works, he also gives readers a step-by-step outline of how he runs his practice. This is an extraordinarily valuable tool for anyone interested in cannabis medicine. Dr. Bearman is one of the most clinically knowledgeable physicians in the U.S. in the field of medicinal marijuana. He has spent 40 years working in substance and drug abuse treatment and prevention programs. Dr. Bearman was a pioneer in the free and community clinic movement. His career includes public health, administrative medicine, provision of primary care, pain management and cannabinology. Dr. Bearman has close to 40 years professional experience in the drug abuse treatment and prevention field includes being the Co-Director of the Haight-Ashbury Drug Treatment Program, being a member of Governor Reagan’s Inter Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse, a member of both the Santa Barbara and the San Diego County Drug Abuse Technical Advisor Committees, and a consultant to Hoffman-LaRoche, Santa Barbara County Schools and the National PTA. He has been recognized by the Santa Barbara Medical Society with the Humanitarian Recognition Award.
Dr. Danial Schecter is the co-founder and medical director of the Canadian Cannabinoid Medical Clinic (CMClinic), one of the largest referral only clinics in Canada specializing in cannabinoid medicine. Dr. Danial Schecter is a practicing family physician and the founder/ Chief Medical Officer of Cannabinoid Medical Clinic, which uses prescription cannabinoids and medical cannabis therapies to treat patients suffering from chronic pain and disabling illnesses. He also serves as the Chief Medical Advisor at AusCann and a Hospitalist at Royal Victoria Hospital. Danial has established a unique skill set that includes patient care, cannabinoid education and business development. He has trained dozens of physicians in the field and has lectured at over a hundred events internationally. He spearheaded the creation of the Patient Handbook on Medical Cannabis used by many Canadian physicians as a patient education tool and has evaluated thousands of patients to decide if cannabinoid medicines are appropriate for them. Dr. Danial Schecter has recently been appointed Director of Global medical Services at Canopy Growth Corporation. Prior to this Dr. Schecter’s interest in cannabinoid medicine led to the founding of the Canabo Medical Clinic (CMClinic), Canada’s largest referral only clinic specializing in medical cannabis. He is involved in education and outreach within the medical cannabis space including education and research and has consulted with industry both nationally and internationally. As a recognized expert he has trained thousands of physicians and pharmacists on how to help patients decide if cannabis is right for them. Outside of cannabinoid medicine Dr. Schecter holds a fellowship in Hospital Medicine, is an active hospitalist at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ontario and also provides house calls to at-risk elderly and palliative care patients.
Today Jeremy Plumb CEO and founder of Newcleus Nurseries Says that Cannabis Will Change How We Farm Carrots and Oranges—and Maybe How We Prescribe Drugs at TFNW 2017.
GreenBridge Medical was established by Allan I. Frankel, MD, in 2007 to serve the residents of Santa Monica, California, and its environs. The center has a mission of treating patients that are living with chronic pain through a combo of medical cannabis and traditional treatment options. Dr. Frankel is an expert in internal medicine and an expert in the application of clinical cannabis. The doctor has been working alongside Mark Kurzman, MD, since 2017. GreenBridge Medical is highly committed to explaining and interpreting the treatment process to the new patient. The center is welcoming, whether you arrive by referral or you find the clinic on your own. The treatment process mainly consists of a regimen of regular cannabis doses delivered through spray or capsule. Dr. Frankel is on the cutting edge of cannabis medicine, developing treatment plans for his patients that entail measured doses of particular cannabinoids targeted towards specific maladies. There is a team of educational consultants that provide relevant information concerning medical cannabis. You can make consultations via phone, video call, or in person. Follow up care is also available for different conditions.
Robin Swan has 30 years experience as a herbalist, holistic healer, therapist and advocate of the profound health benefits of cannabis. She hosts a radio show on ESPN in San Diego, California. The Robin Swan show is dedicated to bring cutting edge news around cannabis as a science as well as hosting those cannapreneurs who are heart centered in their business practices. Robin Swan with Firebird Touch Therapypost an eye-opening videos about cannabis oil, your life, and how you need to wake up and take responsibility for your life.
The cavalier attitude of dealing with death is, Where you go for eternity depends on what you do with Jesus now. The Lord Jesus said in Luke 11:23 ‘Those that are not with me are against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth and is a done deal you are going to hell. Emotional and Psychosocial Effects of Cancer.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone. Watch this special interview with Dr. Wendy Baer of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. Dr. Baer is a psychiatrist and she discusses mental health for cancer patients and caregivers – focusing in on the increased stress caused by the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Psychological stress is a very important health concern for everyone, but especially cancer patients, their caregivers and their loved ones.
Just hearing the doctor say the word “cancer” can have a profound effect on a person. A diagnosis of cancer begins a long journey that can affect physical health, mental well-being, and relationships with loved ones. While getting treatment for the physical aspects of cancer, patients should not neglect the emotional issues associated with cancer. One of the best things patients can do to improve their quality of life is to learn more about their cancer. This can make the disease seem less mysterious and frightening. Information from your doctor and other credible sources can be very helpful in this respect.
A patient’s financial, social and physiological situations may all change due to cancer and cancer treatment. Having a realistic attitude and realizing that cancer can impact many aspects of life is helpful. Patients should not be afraid to tell their doctor how they are feeling, especially when it involves worries. Studies have shown cancer care doctors misinterpret a patient’s distress or psychological disorders as much as 35% of the time. 12 For this reason, it is important to tell your doctor about any pain and feelings of anxiety or despair. Some people feel uncomfortable accepting psychological help because they feel it is only for weak or irrational people. The brain is like any other organ; illnesses in other parts of the body can affect the brain and impact the well-being of the individual. It is important to seek help from a medical professional when there are changes that cause discomfort or unhappiness.
Social Support Network Relationships Intimacy, Body Image Anxiety Depression Self Assessment Test for Depression Uncertainty and Negativity Anger and Fear Additional Resources Learn more about relationships from the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.
Social Support Network Introduction People in a patient’s social support network include family members, spouses, children and friends. Social support can also take the form of support groups or therapists. 3 It is important for these caregivers to listen to the unique needs and concerns of their loved one. For instance, they should be sensitive to the desire of the patient to share and know information about their cancer, treatment options, and their prognosis. 3A support network can greatly help reduce the stress of dealing with cancer. Patients should not be afraid to ask for help from loved ones and friends. The people in a patient’s support network can help ensure that they get to appointments on time, pick up children or just be there to listen to the patient’s concerns. 4
Importance A lack of social support has been associated with higher levels of anxiety and a lower quality of life in cancer patients. 5/6 A lower incidence of depression is associated with the ability of family members to openly express feelings and thoughts to the patient. Anxiety is also less common when patients are able to freely communicate information to their family members.7Most importantly, cancer patients who have a lack of social support have a greater desire to die and a higher risk of committing suicide. 8/9
Treatment A good social support network has been linked with an increased quality of life for cancer patients undergoing treatment.3Information about cancer can also make the patient feel more empowered, giving them a sense of control. Nearly all studies have shown a psychological benefit for cancer patients who attend support groups. 10/11 Most patients attending support groups feel more emotionally fulfilled, get help managing side effects and experience less pain and anxiety. 12 Support group attendance may also extend the life of cancer patients, but more investigation is needed to verify this. 13/14
Dr. Michael Burke discusses the importance of support networks for cancer patients.
Relationships Having cancer may change the way that a patient relates with family, friends, and colleagues. Patients may find that the stress going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment strengthens their relationships with loved ones. While some relationships provide much needed support, other relationships may unexpectedly lead to frustration. In many cases, stress in the relationship is caused by misunderstandings and confusion of how to offer support to a cancer survivor. Many want to offer support, but they just do not know how. With open communication, these issues may be resolved.
After treatment ends, some friends, family, or coworkers may appear to show less support due to their belief that the cancer is gone. They may seem unsupportive due to anxiety and other emotions; speaking with that friend, family member, or coworker can help to mend and strengthen relationships. As survivors work through relationships to figure out what matters most in their life, some may choose to let some casual friendships go as they focus more on those that are more valuable and meaningful.
In addition to dealing with their own feelings, a cancer survivor may also have to cope with their friends and families feelings of sadness and uncertainty. Everyone needs recovery time, both the cancer survivor and those close to them.
Family members and friends of different ages face different challenges. For example, young children may convince themselves that they were somehow to blame for the cancer. Teenagers, on the other hand, may find it difficult to cope because they may feel they have been forced back into the family just as they were beginning to break free and gain their independence. Remember that silence can block communication and that open communication is critical to maintain healthy relationships.
Intimacy, Body Image Introduction People undergoing cancer treatment may lose their hair, experience weight changes, get surgical scars or have body parts surgically altered/removed. It is normal for these events to change a person’s sex drive and body image. Cancer/cancer treatments affecting reproductive organs (breast, prostate, testicles, etc.) may cause patients to question their social and sexual identity as a ‘man’ or ‘woman’. 15/16 This is true for people of all ages, genders, cultures, cancer types, and is independent of partnership status. 15 Because doctors may not discuss this issue, patients may incorrectly feel they are abnormal to be concerned about their sexuality and sex life. 17
In fact, most people going through cancer treatment feel that their needs and concerns about sexual and intimate changes are not adequately met by their health care professionals. 15Doctors trained in traditional Western medical schools learn ways to handle the functional aspects of patient sexuality such as fertility, erectile dysfunction, or menopause. Frequently, their training does not prepare them to provide guidance about sensuality and intimacy issues. 16Doctors often avoid the topic of intimacy because it is not a ‘life or death’ issue, there is not enough time, they themselves are embarrassed about the topic, or they do not have experience in this area. 18/19/20 Some health professionals also struggle to accept the fact that people with life-threatening illnesses, particularly elderly people, have sexual concerns. 21
Importance Desire for survival can take precedence over other concerns when people are first diagnosed with a life-threatening disease like cancer. 22 Cancer patients may lose interest in sex and even though few talk about it, this is quite normal. Over time, patients may wish to ‘get on with life’ and return to normal activities. 22 Sexuality can be important to a person’s identity and a change in body image can affect intimate and social relationships. 22Intimacy with a partner can also be an important way to communicate, alleviate suffering and retain a sense of self. 21/22
Treatment It may take time and patience to adjust to fatigue, altered sensations, or prostheses. Patients should speak with their health care professionals about any concerns or questions they may have.22 Unfortunately, there has not been much research about how to best deal with changes in sexuality, body image and intimacy related to cancer. 16 for frequently asked questions about breast reconstruction surgery risks, benefits, and options.
Anxiety Introduction Anxiety is a normal reaction to a cancer diagnosis. When people feel threatened, their stress level naturally goes up. Cancer can be very dangerous and so many patients become anxious. 23 Symptoms include shaking, fast or irregular heartbeat, and extreme levels of worry. Anxiety can occur at any and all times during cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. 23 About 48% of cancer patients report high levels of anxiety and 18% experience anxiety disorders. 6 (Google Gentle yoga for seniors.)
Watch the video and find how lung cancer survivor Edward Levitt deals with the stress of living with cancer.
Importance Patients who are unmarried and undergoing treatment are at a higher risk of suffering from anxiety. 5 People who have anxiety at the time of diagnosis, severe pain, lack of social support, advancing disease, and previous anxiety disorders are also at high risk to develop anxiety disorders during treatment. 6/24 The fears associated with anxiety may cause enough mental suffering to prevent patients from performing activities normally. 6Anxiety can interfere with a patient’s quality of life and the ability to follow through with their cancer therapy. 23 Higher levels of insomnia, pain expectation, and depression may also be a result of anxiety. 23/6
Treatment A patient can alleviate anxiety by learning more about their cancer, though psychological interventions and with the help of drugs. In cases in which anxiety is caused by pain, a hormone producing tumor, or side effects from medication, treating the source can relieve anxiety. 25
Depression Introduction Depression can be a very important mental issue for cancer patients. It is estimated that 16-25% of cancer patients develop depression. 26/27 Doctors do not recognize about 35% of these cases and many patients remain untreated. 28 Depression is also more common in cancer patients than the general population. 29 There are several categories of depression with major depression being the most noticeable type. Major depression is defined as at least five of the following symptoms for two weeks or more: 30
Depressed mood lasting for most of the day, nearly everyday Noticeable loss of pleasure or interest in normal activities for most of the day, nearly everyday Significant weight loss/gain and decrease/increase in appetite Sleeping much more than usual or much less than usual Fatigue or loss of energy nearly everyday Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt Decreased ability to think or concentrate Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Cancer can alter a patient’s life plans, body image, family/social role and financial status. It is normal to fear these changes but this fear usually lessens over several days or weeks as people adjust to the diagnosis 31. Depression can have different effects on each individual and patients with a more advanced disease are more likely to be depressed. It is normal to have feelings of grief and sadness but it is important for cancer patients to distinguish between normal degrees of grief and depressive disorders. 32 Below is a table highlighting some differences between grief and depression. 31
Characteristics of Depression & Grief Patients experience somatic distress, loss of usual patterns of behavior, agitation, sleep and appetite disturbances, decreased concentration, social withdrawal.
Patients experience similar symptoms, plus hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, guilt, and suicidal thoughts.
Grief is associated with disease progression.
Depression has an increased prevalence (up to 77%) in patients with advanced disease; pain is a major risk factor.
Patients retain the capacity for pleasure.
Patients enjoy nothing.
Grief comes in waves.
Depression is constant.
Patients express passive wishes for death to come quickly.
Patients express intense and persistent suicidal thoughts,
Patients are able to look forward to the future,
Patients have no sense of a positive future.
Importance Current depression, poorly controlled pain, advanced stage cancer, a lack of family support and diagnosis with particular cancer types (i.e. pancreatic cancer) are all associated with an increased risk of depression in cancer patients. 33/34/35
Causes of depression include:
Psychological stress Biological problems Side effect of medication Reaction to chemotherapy 36 Dysfunctional thyroid gland Inadequate diet
Studies have shown that if depression goes untreated it can have negative effects on other health issues. 37/38/39 Depression can make it difficult for patients to make decisions about treatments, slow recovery, and increase a patient’s risk of dying. 3340Older patients and women tend to suffer from cancer related depression more than younger patients and men, respectively. 5 Breast cancer patients with depression do not live as long as other breast cancer patients. 4142 A study of renal cancer patients showed that those with depression had reduced survival. The authors of the study linked depression with changes in the inflammatory responses in the patients.43 Depression is also important to avoid because it is recognized as a major risk factor for suicide. 44
Treatment There are two distinct types of treatment for depression: psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. In psychotherapy, patients are helped to deal with their emotions and worrisome thoughts. This type of intervention can include counseling, relaxation techniques, cancer education, hypnosis, and support groups.
Pharmacotherapy involves the use of prescription antidepressants. This aspect of treatment deals with the chemical and biological aspect of the brain. Studies have shown that the best way to treat cancer related depression is with both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. 45/46
NOTE: These are general guidelines not medical advice. If you or a loved one believes they may be depressed you should contact a licensed health professional.
Uncertainty and Negativity
It is common that a survivor may feel uncertainty in planning the future because they are not sure what will happen in terms of their cancer treatment. If a cancer survivor experiences negative feelings, it is important to remember that everyone has low times and that acknowledging and recognizing feelings of tiredness, anxiety, anger, and depression is actually a positive thing. Expressing feelings openly and honestly can often help to relieve stress and tension. Strong feelings ranging from self-blame, need to blame others, overwhelming stress, and guilt may be frightening but are common.
Anger and Fear
Anger is a natural reaction to the loss of normalcy that may accompany a cancer diagnosis. It is likely that friends and family are feeling the same emotions. When strong feelings like anger are held in, problems such as depression, tiredness, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation can develop. It is very important to release these feelings by speaking with friends, family, or a licensed healthcare professional.
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Gilbert Rutschilling — Born September 18, 1928 Died May 10, 2020 at Lima Memorial Hospital.
The human spirit is the deepest part of our being and was created by God to contact and receive Him.
Footnote 1 on Genesis 2:7 in the Holy Bible Recovery Version explains the meaning of the spirit in this verse: “Man’s spirit is his inward organ for him to contact God, receive God, contain God, and assimilate God into His entire being as his life and his everything.” This ability of our spirit to contact and receive God can be illustrated by a radio. A radio, turned on and properly tuned, can receive the invisible radio waves in the air. This is something a coffee pot or microwave can’t do. In fact, a radio is the only apparatus that can properly receive and interpret those radio waves. Our human spirit is like that radio, and God is like the radio waves. Our spirit is the part of us that can receive and contact God. Our other parts—our body and our soul—are important, but they function in other ways. It is only by our spirit that we can contact and know God, who is Spirit.
What makes your human spirit so important?
Our human spirit is very important to God because God desires to fill us with Himself. He wants us to receive Him, and our spirit is the unique “receiver.” Our Christian life begins with our human spirit. Consider what John 3:6 says: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Footnote 2 on this verse in the Recovery Version says this: “The first Spirit mentioned here is the divine Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God, and the second spirit is the human spirit, the regenerated spirit of man. Regeneration is accomplished in the human spirit by the Holy Spirit of God with God’s life, the uncreated eternal life. Thus, to be regenerated is to have the divine, eternal life (in addition to the human, natural life) as the new source and new element of a new person.” This means that from the moment we believe into God’s Son, Jesus, His Spirit enters into our human spirit and we are reborn! We’re born of God, we receive His divine, eternal life in our spirit, and we become His children. Our human spirit is the unique place for God’s Spirit to enter into us to make us His children, and it is also the place from which he goes on to fill our entire being.
Our human spirit and the Christian life Once we realize that the Lord Jesus lives in our spirit, we need to apply this revelation by practicing to use our spirit to contact Him and receive Him as our life all the time. Here are some ways we can do this: We can practice contacting the Lord Jesus in our spirit first thing each morning, and then continually throughout the day. We can do this even by simply calling on His name—“Lord Jesus!” This is like spiritual breathing. We can use our spirit to contact the Lord in prayer and to pray with God’s Word. Rather than seeking an emotional feeling when we pray or focusing on understanding the Bible in a mental way when we read, we must learn to turn deeply to the Lord who is right in our spirit. Our Bible reading and prayer will then be fresher and full of the divine life. We’ll taste God each time we pray and read His Word, and our hunger for the Lord and His Word will increase.
The human spirit is a component of human philosophy, psychology, art, and knowledge – the spiritual or mental part of humanity. While the term can be used with the same meaning as “human soul”, human spirit is sometimes used to refer to the impersonal, universal or higher component of human nature in contrast to soul or psyche which can refer to the ego or lower element. The human spirit includes our intellect, emotions, fears, passions, and creativity. If we don’t believe that what happens to the ‘human’ is spiritually relevant, we won’t bother to improve our behavior or become more inclusive in our thinking. We won’t stop to look at our effect on each other. We won’t bother to worry about human rights, or healing our trauma, or crafting legal and political structures that reflect our sacred significance. Why would we bother to focus on inclusivity and human value if we believe that our experience of God or Enlightenment or Divinity, is not down here among us, but is way up there, far above the human fray?
Are we human beings living a spiritual experience or are we spiritual beings living a human life?
‘Spirituality’ has been seen as above and beyond our ‘faulty’ humanness.
I often wonder this when I think of the Rutschilling Family, a family that has experienced more than their fair share of the trials and tribulations of life. From Wilbert living through an accident at a fire, having a teenager with cancer in the family, Mother having a stroke,a daughter having a smile on her face the day after having their house destroyed by the Memorial Day 2019 tornado and Wilbert most recently falling at 91 and cracking 4 ribs they always seemingly bounce back with a smile on their face.
MARIA STEIN – Though he was blind for most of his life he never utilized a guide dog, Gilbert Rutschilling perceived the lay of the land and the flora and fauna that inhabit it with extraordinary precision. Simply by listening, a sense he was compelled to hone to compensate for his lack of sight, Gilbert could name a bird by the sound of its song, know when it was safe to cross the road and determine a person’s surname by the way he or she talked.
“He could hear a mouse run through a ditch. He could hear a leaf blow across the parking lot from inside the house,” said his nephew Ben Huelskamp, who lived with his uncle for 21 years. “His brain could focus on his hearing, not that his hearing was any better than yours or mine.” For instance, one night when the electricity went out in the middle of the night at his chicken house, Rutschilling had to run outside to fetch the tractor to run the generator. He found it in the middle of a field via echolocation – smacking two rocks together and listening to hear where the sound reflected back, signaling the location of the tractor. He then drove it back to the chicken house. “(He) stops it. Shuts it off. Hits two rocks together so he can hear the sound bounce off the building and that’s how he got the tractor to the chicken house so he could hook up his generator to save his chickens,” Huelskamp said.
He also played a mean game of euchre at the Korner Kafe, ran an egg operation, managed a snack shop in a Cincinnati high-rise building, where he single-handedly thwarted an attempted robbery, and possessed a vast knowledge of the Cincinnati Reds, never missing a game on the radio. “He never allowed his disability affect him whatsoever. He always had a smile on his face,” Huelskamp said. “He was always happy. He accepted things as they were.” Rutschilling was perhaps best known for walking the streets of Maria Stein – and well beyond. The dedicated saunterer would travel up to 5 miles on each of his constitutionals. “He would walk anywhere from the county line up to 716,” Huelskamp said. “If it was too windy he didn’t walk because he couldn’t hear the cars.
But otherwise, he walked whenever he could.” Sometimes Rutschilling would be gone for hours.
People “would stop and talk to him. Sometimes he said he worked his mouth more than he worked his legs, so many people stopped to talk to him,” Huelskamp recalled. The man loved to walk as a way to enjoy the world around him. He was also fond of sitting still in the woods, squirrels gathering around to eat the peanuts he had tossed about. “He could tell me who had the best cornfield or who had the best wheat field because he’d go out there and he’d feel the (crops),” Huelskamp said. His sharpened sense of hearing, combined with a striking intelligence, a farmer’s grit and a kind heart, allowed Rutschilling to enjoy a rich, fulfilling life, one that sadly came to an end after a heart attack at the age of 91 on May 10. The only thing he loved more than his walks and listening to nature was listening to baseball games, most of the time he would listen to 2 or 3 of them simultaneously. He also loved playing cards with family and friends and seldom missed a chance to play even after being injured by running into the side of a moving van. In some ways when you met Gilbert along the Road side we knew to look out after Gilbert but when he walked down into the ditch we knew he was looking out after us. Never a selfish person, Gilbert donated his body to science. Presently we will not be able to see him again, but now he can see us.
As COVID-19 rages most fiercely in densely-populated cities, we must learn from history’s pandemics. This time around, we have the benefit of technology to share news through social networks and websites. We have advanced medical technology and the ability to share developments or deliver supplies quickly once they become available.
Throughout history, many of the biggest plagues and pandemics have coincided with a conjunction. These are meet-ups between global Jupiter, the planet of expansion and knowledge, and shadowy Pluto, which rules all things hidden and buried. On April 4, Jupiter and Pluto made their first of three conjunctions in Capricorn. In astrology – a conjunction occurs when two or more planets align at an exact degree in the same zodiac sign. This union joins their energies—to mixed results, depending on the planets involved. Related Post: 8 Things Astrology Says About the Coronavirus Outbreak
The three 2020 Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions will be at: April 4: Capricorn 24 degrees June 30: Capricorn 24 degrees November 12: Capricorn 22 degrees
Jupiter has been traveling in proximity to Saturn, Pluto and the South Node all year, but in April, the first official convergence arrives. In Capricorn, the sign of government, structures and the economy, this planetary alliance is already revealing its footprint. It started with a January 12, 2020, Saturn-Pluto conjunction that may now unfurl another chapter of its saga.
Jupiter-Pluto Conjunctions and Mythology: Heaven Meets Hell? Supersizer Jupiter, the planet of global connections, expands whatever it touches. In Roman mythology, Jupiter (Zeus to the ancient Greeks), is the god of all gods— the ruler of the sky and thunder. In mythology, Pluto (or Hades, to the Greeks) was the god of the underworld. Astrological lore contends that Pluto rules all things hidden—from viruses to government conspiracies. This shadowy sign governs death, rebirth and transformation that “rises from the ashes.”
During a Jupiter-Pluto conjunction (meetup), heaven and hell essentially come together.
Perhaps pandemic is our purgatory—that midpoint between the two realms. Indeed we are living in a suspended state as we quarantine and wait interminably for answers, test kits, vaccine developments, medical supplies and more. Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions occur every 13 years. These two planets last connected in Sagittarius mid-December 2007. While not every meetup is quite this eventful, some of history’s most devastating plagues indeed correlated with Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions. A couple of those plagues also peaked during these transits, and simmered down after Jupiter and Pluto parted ways. With grim headlines about rising infection rates and shortages of medical equipment and protective gear, it’s hard to hold onto hope. What history has shown us during past astrological cycles, when Jupiter and Pluto were side-by-side as a pandemic broke out.
The 1918 Flu Pandemic: Jupiter and Pluto in Cancer. In January and February 1918, Jupiter and Pluto were traveling together in Cancer, the zodiac sign that rules the United States. The flu pandemic, which was also called the Spanish flu, broke out during this time, infecting an estimated 500 million people—one-quarter of the world’s population— and resulting in 50 million deaths worldwide. The Spanish flu was the first of two pandemics caused by the H1N1 influenza virus; the second was the swine flu in 2009. When the first case of swine flu was detected in early 2009, Jupiter and Pluto were briefly both in Capricorn, though not making a close conjunction.
1981 HIV Outbreak: Jupiter and Pluto in Libra In 1981, the HIV epidemic—which remains one of the world’s largest pandemics—arrived in the United States, spawning the AIDS crisis. Jupiter and Pluto made their exact meetup in Libra, the sign of relationships, in October and November 1981. Shortly after the next Jupiter-Pluto conjunction on December 2, 1994, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an oral HIV test, the first non-blood-based antibody test for HIV. This conjunction took place in Scorpio, which rules the sexual organs. By 1995, complications from AIDS was the leading cause of death for adults 25 to 44 years old.
Russian Plague of 1771: Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn.
From 1770 to 1772, The Russian Plague, also known as The Plague of 1771, was the last huge outbreak from the bubonic plague, resulting in between 50,000 and 100,000 lost lives in Moscow. In December 1770, Moscow General Hospital’s chief physician, Dr. Shafonskiy, reported a case of the bubonic plague, but public health officials—particularly a German doctor named Rinder (who died of the plague in June 1771)— were at first skeptical and dismissive. The national government was slow to respond, sending military guards to the hospital to enforce a quarantine. In late February 1771, Jupiter and Pluto united at 18 degrees Capricorn. That month, Dr. Shafonisky submitted a report that was refuted by Dr. Rinder. However, in March (is this starting to sound eerily familiar?), the disease was spreading and Moscow officials began to implement protocols—but unfortunately, they waited too long to act.
In September 1771, Jupiter and Pluto united at exactly 17 degrees Capricorn—which brought the very peak of the plague. That month, the outbreak killed an estimated thousand Moscow residents a day and 20,000 were confirmed dead that month alone. By then, three-quarters of Moscow’s population had fled the city. On September 15, 1771, the Plague Riot broke out, as residents revolted against the state and authorities, convinced that it was a government conspiracy.
The Black Death of 14th Century Europe: Jupiter and Pluto in Aries, From 1346 to 1353, the Black Death swept across Europe. Approximately 50 million people—at the time, 60 percent of Europe’s population—died from the bubonic plague, an infection that circulates among rats. As the rat population started to dwindle from this disease, their fleas began biting humans and infecting them as well. As the plague reached its peak in 1347, the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction was in Aries. In 1346, Jupiter pivoted between Aquarius and Pisces, as it will again in 2021. Aquarius rules large populations and Pisces is associated with hospitals and illness. The crucial error that caused the bubonic plague to spread—like most pandemics—was a slow response or recognition time. The faster we can address an outbreak, as we now know, the better we’ll be able to contain it.
The Plague of Athens (430-427 BC): Pluto in Capricorn. The devastating Plague of Athens in ancient Greece killed around 75,000 to 100,000 people during the Peloponnesian War. Originating in a shipping port and believed to be typhus or typhoid, it raged in waves for five years and ravaged the population. It also sparked uprisings, lawless behavior and chaos among citizens, resulting in rigid government enforcements—and the collapse of Athenian democracy. Although Jupiter and Pluto were not conjunct during the Athens Plague, it’s noteworthy that Pluto was traveling through its final degrees of Capricorn and early degrees of Aquarius during the peak of the plague—just as it will be throughout the 2020s. For context, it takes Pluto roughly 247 years to return to each astrology sign. Pluto was last in Capricorn when the United States was founded. It returned here for the first time from 2008 to 2024, a time that brought massive, Plutonian transformation and shake ups to Capricorn-ruled areas of government and economy. On July 4, 1776, as the United States became a nation, Pluto was at 27 degrees Capricorn. And on February 24, 2020, the stock markets crashed and the U.S. government recognized that the coronavirus was indeed a pandemic, Saturn transited through the same 27-degree point of Capricorn, making an exact conjunction with Pluto in the United States’ chart. The bearing down of weighty (transiting) Saturn on Pluto is like activating a dormant volcano. With Tangible Saturn’s connection with intangible Pluto made our fears into a reality.
How 2020’s Jupiter-Pluto Conjunctions Could Play Out On April 4, Jupiter and Pluto made their first of three conjunctions. With Two possible scenarios could ensue.
Jupiter-Pluto Conjunction Possibility 1: Global Jupiter expands, magnifies and spreads. Pluto governs the invisible realm and anything hidden in the shadows, like viruses. It’s also the ruler of death. On this date, we could see a spike in COVID-19 cases in areas that haven’t yet been hard-hit.
Jupiter-Pluto Conjunction Possibility 2: Optimistic Jupiter exposes what’s hidden, uplifts us and gives hope. We may hear a surge of positive information, such as progress toward a vaccine, deliveries of medical supplies to healthcare workers, or the re-opening of certain small businesses (Jupiter rules entrepreneurs). However, we guard against overconfidence, a temptation of Jupiter. At their second alignment on June 30, both Jupiter and Pluto will be in powered-down retrograde. Inner planet retrogrades (Mercury, Venus, Mars) have a reputation for creating chaos. But when the slow-moving outer planets turn retrograde, it can actually bring improvements. We get a break from whatever they govern—and we could certainly use a reprieve from Jupiter’s wildfire growth and Pluto’s shadowy hand. Late June has other potentially positive transits. Venus, the planet of love and social gatherings, ends a six-week retrograde in Gemini on June 25. Gemini is an interpersonal air sign and when Venus turns retrograde on May 14, friends and couples will struggle with separation (or post-separation) strain. Gemini rules the lungs and hands—two areas of the body that have been central to the COVID-19 crisis.
Saturn, which rules boundaries and barriers, will leave air sign Aquarius on July 1, not to return until December 2020. With this restrictive influence lifted, we may literally and figuratively feel like we can “breathe again.” (This lines up with research indicating that many flus recede during warmer months.) Communal Aquarius is the sign of groups, friendship and social settings—Saturn (the planet of boundaries) here is the ultimate signature for social distancing. As Saturn’s gates lift for a few months, public gatherings may resume. But we should NOT get lax with our prevention, as Saturn will return to Aquarius from December 17, 2020, until March 2023. The final Jupiter-Pluto conjunction arrives on November 12, 2020. Both planets are both in direct (forward) motion once again. With aggressive Mars making an extra-long trip through Aries from June 27, 2020, to January 6, 2021 (and retrograde September 10 to November 13), people may be exploiting their independence and disobeying warnings to distance themselves. At its worst, the double dose of self-interest from Mars in Aries could bring out people’s “Lord of the Flies,” survival-driven nature. A lack of resources might breed an “every person for him/herself” mentality.
We expect a sharp rise in gun sales in the second half of the year. Given that this November 12 grand finale is a week after U.S. presidential elections, anger and frustration could reach a boiling point. No matter who wins the 2020 election, there are certain to be outraged people on both sides. Similar to the Plague Riot of Moscow, which coincided with the peak of the 1771 Russian Plague—citizen uprisings could run rampant if this final Jupiter-Pluto conjunction isn’t managed correctly. Here’s hoping the world leadership handles this crisis appropriately enough to circumvent such worst-case scenarios. Let’s learn from history—and astrology, too—and handle this crisis to avoid civil unrest and devastation.
But we must be prepared to protect ourselves on many levels. So, is there any hope in a Jupiter-Pluto conjunction (Answer: Yes.)
Now, as for getting out of this place—and when it will be over… We don’t want to spread feelings of doom, even though the world is in a dire place, from public health to the job market to the economy. But on the upside, science and technology are at a point of unprecedented progress now. As we write this, the FDA has just approved a 15-minute COVID-19 home testing kit made by healthcare technology company Abbott Labs. Production is set to begin the exact week of the April 4 Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, with a hoped-for output of 50,000 kits per week. And Johnson & Johnson announced a potential vaccine that will start trials in September for release in early 2021. With structured Saturn in communal Aquarius from March 21 to July 1, 2020, the stars support working together in an organized, systematic way. The transformation of convention halls into field hospitals (like New York City’s Jacob Javits Center), though a grim picture, is an example of this kind of modern mobilizing.
Saturn rules authorities and government, and we’re already seeing heightened intervention levels. Last week, Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to compel automaker General Motors to produce ventilators. Quarantines are being enforced around the world, some with stronger police and military presence (and in some places, a rise in police brutality). Military medical workers are being asked to join the front lines. Jupiter will leave its challenged position in Capricorn and enter cutting-edge Aquarius on December 19, marking a time of global innovation that will last throughout 2021. And on December 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will unite in Aquarius, forming what’s called the Great Conjunction, a once-every-20-years alignment that can bring tremendous progress. But we must take things slow and steady, as cautious Saturn reduces the reckless speed that Jupiter prefers.
What might December bring? Well, the last Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn was on May 31, 2000. It took place in Taurus, which rules the economy, right as the dot-com bubble burst and a recession was beginning that spanned through 2001. That year, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates several times to shield the economy from inflated tech stocks. What lessons did we learn about excess, balance and growth from this last Great Conjunction? As the new wave of Jupiter-Saturn meetups shifts from material-minded earth signs to communal air signs, we’ll need to apply the past (Saturn’s domain) to our future (an Aquarian hallmark), as we attempt to recover from the devastating toll of the 2020 pandemic. Interestingly, the Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions that coincided with the major plagues were in authoritative cardinal signs. These pandemics delivered crucial lessons about leadership and planning wisely for the future. Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions can also spawn major moments of innovation and resourcefulness. Pluto governs our resources, and with Jupiter here, we are already being called to be more communal, to put our powers and innovative minds together for a common solution.
Intuitive Astrology: Saturn and Pluto Align 2019-2020 Contemporary Western astrology is often associated with systems of horoscopes that purport to explain aspects of a person’s personality and predict significant events in their lives based on the positions of celestial objects; the majority of professional astrologers rely on such systems. Many cultures have attached importance to astronomical events, and some—such as the Hindus, Chinese, and the Maya—developed elaborate systems for predicting terrestrial events from celestial observations. Western astrology, one of the oldest astrological systems still in use, can trace its roots to 19th–17th century BCE Mesopotamia, from where it spread to Ancient Greece, Rome, the Arab world and eventually Central and Western Europe.
In Astrology, planetary alignment is significant in more than one way. First of all, the position of the planets in the sky at the time of your birth reveal significant information about how you see the world, your habits and traits, belief systems, and strengths and weaknesses. Astrology is a pseudoscience that claims divine information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the movements and relative positions of celestial objects. Astrology has been dated to at least the 2nd millennium BCE, and has its roots in calendrical systems used to predict seasonal shifts and to interpret celestial cycles as signs of divine communications.
Saturn and Pluto align every 34-38 years, so it is not completely abnormal, but the last time these two aligned in Capricorn was hundreds of years ago, so in that sense, this energy is not one that we have ever experienced. Saturn and Pluto have the reputation of being the darkest, deepest, most intense planets in our solar system. They are known to bring change, transformation, endings, rebirths, awakenings, limitations, and more. So, when these two cosmic giants come together, it definitely makes for an interesting recipe.
Huge shifts are expected on a global level, and the closest taste we can get to understanding what shifts may be in store started happening in April 2019. This is because both Saturn and Pluto are hovering about 3 degrees away from each other. This is the closest they will get before they both turn retrograde at the end of the month and go their own separate ways. When they both finally move out of retrograde, it will take until December 2019 to get as close as they are right now. Then on January 12, 2020 they will sync up perfectly and we will all be showered in the full expression and potential of their energy.
This alignment of Pluto and Saturn actually happens on January 12, 2020 and will affect the entire year. In fact, 2020 is filled with powerful and potent cosmic alignments, which really signals that it will be a transformative and perhaps even life-altering year for us all. Also On a global level, Saturn in Capricorn has been putting weight on the banking system, political systems, big corporations, and other government structures to ensure everyone is paying the toll and doing things right. Saturn is all about law and order, so if things have been slipping through the cracks, Saturn will pull them up and write the ticket.
Saturn will continue working in Capricorn until December 2020.
On a global level, Pluto in Capricorn has also been putting pressure on the banking systems, big corporations, and the government. Part of its job while in Capricorn is to rework things and to transform things that are not aligned with authenticity. Pluto is also very connected to power. People in power and the idea of power is up for some transformation and revamping under the spell of Pluto. Pluto’s work is ultimately very spiritual in nature. Pluto works on the inner self, the shadow self, and on the depths of our soul. Pluto helps us to keep digging deeper in order to find our strength, peel back the layers, and step into our authentic power. Pluto will remain in Capricorn until 2024, and will not return until the year 2254, so the impression it leaves will be long-lasting. Can you imagine what conversations Pluto and Saturn will have when they meet up in Capricorn?
Both of them seem focused on banking, government, business, law and order, and the like, but they also carry a deeper message and essence as well. On a soul level, on an intuitive level, Saturn and Pluto are coming together to be reborn. They too are undergoing their own rebirthing process and are moving to a higher level and a higher expression and frequency. Both of these planets aligning are going to create a cosmic storm of sorts.
This storm is going to force us to rise up and claim responsibility for our lives, for our decisions, and for the way in which we are running the world. Under the intense energy of Pluto and Saturn, the curtain is going to be pulled back and we are going to see the chaos of our ways. We are also going to be forced to take responsibility for our collective actions and the contributions we have been making or not making. In the past, when Saturn and Pluto have aligned we have seen everything from recessions to wars, to depressions, and revolutions. All of these, while challenging, gave birth to a new way, and every single time, we rebuilt ourselves and found a new strength. Saturn and Pluto is nothing to fear, but it is definitely something that will be interesting to watch. Pluto and Saturn are going to help all of us to awaken.
They are going to help all of us to rework the structure of our lives. So perhaps you will start to see just a glimmer of what is to come, or what tensions are being built that will ultimately give rise to the powerful lessons that this alignment will bring. This energy is going to give us new air to breathe and new ways to consider. We are going to have to do things differently, we are going to have to change our values, we are going to have to pivot as a society. This alignment has been a long time in the works. There are so many moving parts and moving pieces, but the world as we know it is going to shift and we are going to be given the opportunity to change the way we have been dealing with money and power. All of us are going to be given the opportunity to shed and rise up. All of us are going to be given the opportunity to release our limitations and rebirth them into something new. All of us are going to be given a new power and a new strength. We are preparing for this alignment from now. We are being prepped and guided on the deepest levels of our soul. Your soul knew this was coming, and wanted to be a part of this new unfolding of energy. Right now, we all have to continue working to raise our consciousness to ensure that when Pluto and Saturn align, the sparkles they rain down are able to work their magic at the highest vibration.
God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Ronald Reagan 40th President of the United States Wikipedia Lived: Feb 06, 1911 – Jun 05, 2004 (age 93) This powerful message by President Ronald Reagan reminds each American we are One Nation Under God. Celebrate America’s freedoms and we celebrate the Ones who gave us these freedoms. This video makes a powerful addition to your church service or patriotic gathering. Perfect for when you are speaking on the topics of freedom or America’s religious heritage for the next generation.
I Was HONORED TO HAVE HAD THIS GREAT MAN LIVE AS THE GREATEST PRESIDENT OF MY LIFETIME! GOD BLESS President Reagan, Nancy & HIS FAMILY!
HE IMMENSELY IMPACTED MY LIFE!
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on. When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach US lifetime lessons: Those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. You’re to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
So enough of this protesting nonsense already: What makes all humans the same is that everybody’s special and unique with different DNA. Well it appears all the people in the world came from the same blueprint irrespective of what language they speak or color of their skin. We all have similar needs, food, clothing, shelter and companionship. Our strategies for meeting those needs are similar – but we make so much about of the slightest differences.
We all have the same dreams, complaints, problems, interests, and motivations in life. I promise you. We all perceive the world and are forced to create our own unique world view. There are several major cultures (Western, Far Eastern, Middle Eastern, etc.) which have nothing whatsoever in common with one another. However, we are all condensations of energy with absolutely no matter at all, and we are intimately connected with each other within the great energy field of all the universe, so there is no separation at all between us. Nature has made all humans the same or similar. The Color of your skin or brain power may differ but it doesn’t matter as each individual is different in that respect. Equality is not a descriptive but a prescriptive, ethical term. It concerns what should be most fundamentally valued and respected about a person and all others among the most morally defining features they have.
People that are equal means, they have the most fundamentally respectful features in common. If you want to be included into someone’s life welcome them into your life with a smile 🙂 Being A street thug will only bring you a hard life and get you killed!!!
SO If you want RESPECT: give it and there’s a good chance it will be returned.
Traditionally these features have been defined as dignity meaning the cognitive awareness and power to be self-determining in the way they think, act, relate and interact. This power encompasses a variety of cerebral functions and neural nets, expressed under the guidance of social understandings and institutions, Justice under the law, opportunity in the economy, access to healthcare, and freely available education – but only in countries where the people value equality to the extent that they fight for and enact laws to guarantee it.
People are the same from the mental and physical capacity point of view. But external appearance and mental processes differ widely and that is where some excel and others fail. There are certain universals of human culture, about 70 of them identified so far. I read about the research in the book The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker. But after that cultures vary immensely. For example, in western cultures children are nourished before adults In Africa, the father is nourished before the rest of the family. In China the oldest male son is nourished first. By nourished, I mean that that person is fed even if others go hungry. Because they have different physical characteristics, different abilities, different interests and tastes. However they all have equal “worth”. Equal dignity. And an equal right to our respect and support unless lost in very specific circumstances. If you think about it, we are made from the universe; we are part of it.
We were made from the universe, and so we are all the exact same in our cores, no matter how different we appear to be. We are simply the universe in consciousness experiencing itself. And the universe is in fact a constant, and so we are all, in our core, the same. There are a plethora of differences between each and every person on this planet. Some are major, but most are minor. The only thing that is exactly the same in each person is their original spirit. Although some have become far darker over their lifetime. What makes all humans the same is the classification of having most, if not all, of the characteristics of the human species (homo sapiens). This includes the human genome, similar physiological characteristics (eyes, ears, arms, legs, etc.), certain communication characteristics, similar associative characteristics (like culture), certain created systems that encourage further understanding (education), etc.
This is more or less a simplified definition of humans.
In summing it up, everybody have different choices and intentions and tastes, so in “reality (as in my reality) we are all the same because there is no point of view, there is no big or small or blacks or whites, or males or females, nothing to describe, relatively we are different as everybody has a point of view and that makes it different. Generally we are all the same. But because of our background or the way we are raised we bring differences into the equation like who we choose as friends is what shaped us versus who are brothers and sisters turned out to become.
Some humans have no regard for others, no respect for the religion of others, no respect for the customs of others and no tolerance for anything other than their own. I believe people have basic commonness in general regardless of nationality. However, the way you were brought up and its experiences in life makes up one’s thinking, language, and culture. it can also change with age and more of life experiences in time conditions the person. People are biologically much, much more similar than they are different. Variations within populations are greater than between populations and humans are far, far more like one another. Anatomically, yes. We are all members of the same species. We are all primates, and some things are universal. But everything else relies upon culture and psychology. The outlaw biker in Texas has different views from the middle class college student. I rather like the fact that humans are (in DNA) more than 99.9% similar to each other and more than 99.5% similar to an ape. I understand that humans are also 50% similar to bananas. Because racialists and white supremacists seem to like enlisting “science” to justify their wholly erroneous belief that there are intrinsic differences between human “races” (in every group we have our “good” and “bad.” just like good and bad cops.) There is a new form of imperialism called globalization that insists on ironing out differences and destroying unique cultures and features.
The reality is that while people share many virtues and emotions, there are many different cultures with different ways of looking at the world. There is more variety in the world and when we try to force them to be the same – to fit our mold – some are destroyed (like many indigenous people), some ignore us and carry on on their own path (like modern China) and some rebel violently (like the Islamists). We all are born, we all live, we all need food, water, shelter, and clothing. We all want to have families, find love, love others, protect our children, see them grow, see them become adults and parents as well. We all die. The circumstances of the above commonalities are different due to location, culture, and the nature of both human kind and our natural surroundings. We all suffer, we all have joy, We all question, we all provide answers, we all search and eventually we all find. Confirmation Bias has us wanting to have our beliefs and preferences confirmed/endorsed. Clever opportunists know this about people and use it to attract or stir up and then manipulate them. This is an age old political and public relations tactic. So we tend to constantly scan our environment looking for what supports our biases…..and we criticize and even attack those that don’t (like/they’re our enemy). Most people are totally oblivious to doing this even turning their backs to strangers on elevators. If they were more aware, they’d gain more understanding of themselves and others and this anger and hate would cease. So if I assume everyone is (or even should be) like me, I can become outraged with even a hint that they aren’t. This is reinforced by culture and by the many leaders and those seeking leadership: “To finally……end all those differences!”. Of course it’s easier to control a population (or segment of a population) when they are more alike….lock step….follow the leader. Obviously there are some cultural differences, but we all share the same DNA, we can mate with each other successfully, and we can learn each other’s languages so then we can communicate pretty successfully. I think we notice the differences so much more than the similarities because we are so similar, to those differences that stand out. Food and climate and religion, and history and class structure all play a part, but I could describe several different types of people and I know you would recognize them through your own life experiences. Therefore, If only we did see each other as brothers, the world would be a better place.
We may look different and have different life styles and life choices, but we all have the same emotions. All people everywhere feel love, hate, joy, happiness, sadness, jealousy, etc. the exact same way. The intensity of the emotions may differ, but otherwise we can all relate to everyone else when they are feeling the same emotions we feel. Levels of intelligence and capacity for empathy may affect them as well, but that does not affect your basic premise with two patterns in the world of nations:
1. People as a collective whole (a culture, in other words) are very different from each other. 2. One on one, person to person, there are more similarities because individually we have very similar needs, wants, concerns and hopes.
It’s like the old nature vs. nurture argument. It’s not one or the other. It’s both, often simultaneously, and depending on the perspective you’re looking from. On the biological level, we’re mostly similar because as animals we have similar basic biological needs. We all need good air, water, food, shelter, etc. There are also universal human psychological needs like identity, community, etc. As groups, however, (clans, nations, cultures, religions, etc.) we’re often quite different. Although very often, if you dig deeper, you’ll find similarities and patterns among psychological groups. On the individual level, when we meet and interact with someone, we get to experience both – the similarities and the differences. And that dynamic determines whether we fall in love or go to war – or just walk away. We humans are pretty much the same, but some of us have traveled further along their version of The Way to becoming Love, as opposed to just surviving in Fear. The journey towards that Destiny of becoming Love is actually a huge one, but all are likely doing all they can do, according to what they understand it to be.
In the end, then, some of us have learned a lot and acted upon it and some of us have listened to societies’ Lies and not grown much at all along their version of The Way of their Life Mission. There is a huge teaching process needed here, but maybe “The Trumpet who makes that terrible noise” will end up showing many of us how bad we can become when we do not turn towards Love. Equality is not sameness, for there are many ways to describe human similarities AND differences. What makes humans different from one another is what makes them unique. Sex, race, personalities, intelligence, and endless other traits belong to all. They are commonly celebrated, cultural, as well as family traditions. More or less, yeah. There are differences in appearance, culture, social norms, etc. but generally speaking those are learned. When it comes down to it, all humans are basically biological machines with a bit of free will mixed in to make things interesting. There is variance in the mechanical design of various genepools – for example, Kenya creates a dramatically higher number of elite distance runners when compared to other locations – and Jamaica produces better sprinters but about 99.5% of human DNA is identical across all people. A lot of people answering this question are getting hung up on culture, ideology, religion, national identity, etc.
But none of that is ‘real’, in the same sense that a human individual is real. Genetics, mechanics, biology, brain chemistry – those things can be easily, empirically proven to be basically similar across all people.
People are basically the same everywhere. What they believe, what they do, and especially how they relate to one another, is not necessarily the same everywhere. Using caution, I personally find it tragic and ironic that what sets each person apart, no matter how wonderful or special, historically is also the source and roots of great conflict and hatred throughout the entire species… Our parts are interchangeable. If you need a blood transfusion in another part of the world, chances are someone has your blood type. We can give away “spare” parts like kidneys and livers. We all laugh. We may not laugh at the same things and a smile may be harder to coax from one individual than from another, but there are things that make us happy. We all cry. We all feel pain whether physical, psychological or emotional. When someone close to us dies we feel a sense of loss. We all want something better for our kids. Even terrorists want this. They are completely wrong-headed in the way they try to accomplish things, but if you listen to the rhetoric they’re wanting what they perceive to be a “better” society. Their vision may sound horrific to us, but to them it’s “better”.
We all want to feel important and accomplished. Not necessarily to be Nobel Laureates, but to feel like we matter. We all find it easier to have compassion for those like us than for those we perceive as “different”. So the sooner we begin to see how much we are alike, the better for us all.
However, we are all the same in some respects.
We require clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, clean food to eat, a clean environment to live and grow in. We all require the same general things: light to do our work and other activities, space to move and feel free, clothing to keep us safe, clean and protected from the environment’s excesses, opportunities for social interaction with people we prefer, and the ability to avoid those we would rather avoid, the opportunity for privacy, temperatures generally hospitable for our general survival and flourishing. We all are fragile and breakable; when cut, we all bleed.
One could go on and on, but you get the gist.
With all that being said, the short answer still remains as follows: The only equality humans share entirely, is their inescapable mortality. To be human, we are required to be birthed, only to be promised a death to come. Therefore, effectively speaking on sameness of the human race undoubtedly is MOST alike and similar in the facts of one’s beginning and guaranteed end to life.
Last summer the former Senate majority leader hid from the obvious fact that pancreatic cancer was on the verge of defeating him. “I wasn’t willing to acknowledge that I was about to get hit by the Grim Reaper,” Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday in a 45-minute telephone interview. Instead, under an experimental treatment, Reid has been declared in “complete remission” and cancer-free. He does therapy workouts with a trainer four times a week, including 20-minute walks with the help of a cane in his neighborhood outside Las Vegas. His hair is even starting to grow back. One year later, his world has been transformed, he said. “There’s no comparison to how I feel — I feel good. I’m alive.” The 80-year-old former amateur boxer long ago turned fighting into his political call sign. He titled one of his books “The Good Fight” and, on the day Democrats elected him leader, he declared that he knew how to dance and how to fight. Over 12 years as leader, eight in the majority, he danced and boxed his way to a vast legislative legacy.
But his latest steps might prove to be even more lasting. “Consider the senator the first astronaut to the new universe,” said Patrick Soon-Shiong, a cancer specialist who credits a new drug treatment with saving Reid’s life. Soon-Shiong, a South African of Chinese descent, has spent the past decade working on alternative cancer treatments, other than the standard heavy doses of chemotherapy and radiation that ravage a patient’s body. Reid is one of four patients who joined his compassionate-use program for patients suffering from certain forms of pancreatic, breast and brain cancers — basically, for those who have run out of options.
“The prognosis for these patients, sadly, is months,” Soon-Shiong, adjunct professor of surgery at UCLA, said in the conference call with Reid. Reid, always a fighter: famously punched his future father-in-law in the face when he refused to let his daughter marry him, eloping to Utah not long after. Likewise, Soon-Shiong has run into trouble at various medical destinations along the way, including MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and at Northwestern University. Years ago they wanted to use his cancer drug, Abraxane, at high doses that would create the same effect as chemotherapy. He returned to UCLA and kept working on using Abraxane and therapies at lower doses, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong Says ‘Triangle Offense’ Against Cancer Is Working to Ignite three “killer cells” to Attack tumors. The final cell is ignited through an IV therapy in a way that, Soon-Shiong contended, allows the cells to locate and continue fighting the cancer.
“Find me, kill me, remember me,” he said. Reid reached out to Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, about his new doctor and received a warning that Soon-Shiong was unconventional. He didn’t mind and, besides, he had just about run out of options. “I saw him the next day,” Reid said. After surgery in May 2018, Reid underwent a brutal slate of chemo and radiation that crushed his body. Doctors would not even allow Reid to take a short flight to Phoenix for a memorial service for his old friend, the late senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), that August. Reid told the New York Times in late 2018 that his diagnosis was “you’re dead,” further feeding fear among former colleagues he might soon die. He fought through most of 2019, but the standard cancer treatments left his already hunched back even more curled up, requiring a wheelchair to get around in public places because he had lost his balance.
Many Democrats privately viewed the weeks leading up to his state’s critical Feb. 22 presidential caucus as a farewell tour of sorts. He received a standing ovation at the Democratic debate and doled out his political wisdom to any reporters who made their way to his office inside MGM’s Las Vegas headquarters. He greeted reporters with jokes about their graying hair, only to take his cap off to show a completely bald head of his own. Reid didn’t let on that things were improving. Last September, he and Landra Reid celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, and he began the new treatment regimen with Soon-Shiong. The doctor is comfortable around powerful figures. He spoke with then-Vice President Joe Biden during his son Beau’s fight against brain cancer, and later joined top cancer experts at the Naval Observatory when Biden convened the “cancer moon shot” strategy, a massive infusion of funding to National Institutes of Health to fight the disease. That legislation, part of a broader 21st Century Cures legislation, was one of the last major bills to pass under Reid’s watch before he retired in January 2017. Soon-Shiong said that the spirit of collaboration infused by Biden, now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has fallen apart amid internal politics and profit motives for the medical and pharmaceutical industries. He kept pushing on his own and, in Reid, feels he has a triumphant case to present to those experts who dismissed him years ago. “People may still think this is quackery.
It’s not,” Soon-Shiong said. Soon-Shiong is CEO of NantKwest and ImmunityBio, the company that has been cleared to start a Phase II trial for his treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, using a new IV therapy that allowed Reid to do these sessions as an outpatient. For Reid the progress came instantly, seeing his data points drop quickly to normal levels.
By April they declared they had answered the question. “Clinically? A complete remission,” Soon-Shiong said. Reid showed his results to an oncologist in Las Vegas, who told him it must be “witchcraft.” He spoke to Biden just over a week ago and gave him an update on his health. Reid will continue to keep up the treatments, for fear that there are cancer cells lurking that will return to go up against him. For now, however, the former majority leader’s bigger fear is battling through the covid-pandemic world, as an elderly man fighting cancer. He has a big backyard, where his children will visit and bring the grandchildren. They all wear masks.
“Also Harry you sure ate your words in the video below.” 🙂
We Need a National Push for Everybody to Do the Right Thing. For a brief shining moment at the end of May, Americans may have had hope that the COVID-19 pandemic was behind us. But by mid-June, the coronavirus started surging in some southern and western states. Now, just a few short weeks later, 40 out of 50 U.S. states are seeing new COVID case numbers climb again. “Put simply, we are losing the war with the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” Mark Kortepeter, MD, an infectious disease doctor and professor of epidemiology at University of Nebraska Medical Center, wrote for Forbes. According to Kortepeter, the “increases in new cases of infection are not surprising.” As he sees it, states that reopened more aggressively are seeing COVID surges, while “the states in the northeast that were hammered during the first wave are being a bit more cautious and seeing declining or stable numbers of cases.” Currently, the states in the most “critical” COVID situations—according to data collected by Covid Act Now—are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, and South Carolina, most of which reopened at the end of April or beginning of May. Kortepeter compared reopening too quickly amid the pandemic to speeding down a highway. “[If] a car in front of you stops, you will put your foot on the brakes. If you let up on the brakes too soon, you will crash,” he writes. “This is what has been occurring across the country. As businesses reopen, they have let up on the brakes. If it occurs too quickly, a ‘crash’ is inevitable.” The doctor, who also previously studied the Ebola virus, says a virus has one purpose: to reproduce. “It is programmed to hijack your cells to crank out offspring, which then infect others,” he writes. “If you let up on the brakes, the virus will take advantage of any opening you give it.” Recently, many Americans have given coronavirus the opportunity to do just that, Kortepeter says. “If you gather with others, whether for a political rally, a protest, a drink at the local bar, a beach party with friends, in a nursing home, or in a meatpacking plant, the virus will exploit any vulnerabilities,” he writes. “The only real control we have is our own personal behavior.” RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. So, how does Kortepeter recommend changing your behavior? Well, he says to weigh the risk of every activity you engage in. The riskiest, he says, involve these five things: 1. Being around a lot of people 2. Being indoors 3. Not wearing masks 4. Being physically close to people 5. Spending lengthy amounts of time in places that meet those four criteria. The risk factors he points out align with the measures many states with COVID outbreaks are taking to reduce the spread of the virus. For example, Texas and Florida have shut down indoor bars and restaurants, while Arizona shuttered bars, gyms, theaters, and water parks. On top of that, masks are now required when out in public in four more states as of July 3. While California and Texas recently joined the list, the six aforementioned “critical” states still do not mandate that citizens wear masks across the board. “Hoping that this problem will go away is not a plan,” Kortepeter warns. “By ignoring the problem, the chance of our getting back to ‘normal’ gets further and further away.” He added: “Everyone can do their part to make a difference by acknowledging their risk and taking measures to reduce that risk.” And for behavior to be wary of, check out: Most COVID-19 Patients Did This One Thing Before Getting Sick, Study Finds. BEST LIFE IS CONSTANTLY MONITORING THE LATEST NEWS AS IT RELATES TO COVID-19 IN ORDER TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY, SAFE, AND INFORMED. HERE ARE THE ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST BURNING QUESTIONS, THE WAYS YOU CAN STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY, THE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW, THE RISKS YOU SHOULD AVOID, THE MYTHS YOU NEED TO IGNORE,AND THE SYMPTOMS TO BE AWARE OF. CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF OUR COVID-19 COVERAGE, AND SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER TO STAY UP TO DATE.
But so far, no single discovery has had the potential to end it. That’s why this study from UCSF’s Quantitative Biosciences Institute is so exciting: if proven true, their findings could mean an end to the virus’ reign of terror. They claim they’ve found COVID’s “Achilles heel,” and that it may be possible to stop its spread within the body by using drugs already exist on the market.
The study, which was published last week in the journal Cell, reveals that when COVID infects human cells, it relies on a family of enzymes known as kinases in order to promote its own spread and survival. By attaching “tiny chemical tags to proteins,” coronavirus is able to hijack those cells and reprogram them with the singular goal of multiplying. The study, which was published last week in the journal Cell, reveals that when COVID infects human cells, it relies on a family of enzymes known as kinases in order to promote its own spread and survival. By attaching “tiny chemical tags to proteins,” coronavirus is able to hijack those cells and reprogram them with the singular goal of multiplying.
Though the researchers have not yet tested their theory in human subjects, they were “encouraged” by their findings that kinase inhibitors were effective at combating the spread of coronavirus in cell cultures. As they shared in a press release, these treatments “exhibited potent antiviral activity without being toxic to cells, suggesting that a combination ‘cocktail’ of these drugs could prove to be an effective way to treat COVID-19.” While the pandemic won’t truly be “over” until an effective vaccine is available for widespread use, this would be a groundbreaking achievement that could save countless lives. Until then, we’ll all need to do our part to stop the spread by socially distancing, washing our hands frequently, and wearing masks in public. And find out how you could be spreading COVID, even without any symptoms:
By now you know that COVID-19 is a respiratory virus mostly spread by the transmission of aerosolized droplets from person-to-person contact. Symptoms, of course, include shortness of breath, coughing, and congestion. But doctors are just beginning to fully comprehend some of the more insidious and harmful effects that COVID-19 has on the rest of your body—in both the short and long term. New research indicates that the coronavirus attacks essentially all of your major organs, especially the brain, and can saddle your body with an incredibly long and arduous recovery—assuming, of course, that you actually recover at all. Oxford University’s Helen Salisbury, MD, wrote in the British Medical Journal on June 23 that though COVID-19 symptoms usually last around two to three weeks, upwards of 10 percent of patients will experience symptoms that persist for much, much longer—perhaps indefinitely. Read on to find out the unique effects COVID-19 has on your body. And for some more up-to-the-minute, expert-backed health advice, make sure you know the 3 New Coronavirus Symptoms the CDC Just Announced.
1. IT AFFECTS BASICALLY ALL OF YOUR MAJOR ORGANS. A study published in April in the journal Protein & Cell found that COVID-19 spreads by first entering the lungs and then infecting the cells lining your blood vessels—a key step in its full-body invasion that allows the viral particles to circulate throughout your bloodstream. “We thought this was only a respiratory virus,” Eric Topol, MD, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, told Reuters recently. “Turns out, it goes after the pancreas. It goes after the heart. It goes after the liver, the brain, the kidney, and other organs. We didn’t appreciate that at the beginning.” It remains unclear whether or not the resulting organ damage, according to Nature, “is directly caused by the virus or by secondary complications of the virus,” but the damage is undeniable. And for more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. 2. IT REALLY TARGETS YOUR BRAIN. “The virus can also cause neurological complications that range from headache, dizziness, and loss of taste or smell to seizures and confusion,” according to Reuters. “Recovery can be slow, incomplete and costly, with a huge impact on quality of life.” A new study published on June 25 in the journal Lancet Psychiatry revealed that COVID-19 can even cause psychosis and lead to dementia. “What was particularly interesting was that this spanned the neurological spectrum,” senior author Benedict Michael, PhD, a neurologist at the University of Liverpool, told Stat News. 3. IT CAN CAUSE BLOOD CLOTTING THAT LEADS TO STROKES. The Reuters article also notes that those suffering from coronavirus may experience disorders arising from blood clotting that “can lead to strokes, and extreme inflammation that attacks multiple organs.” It’s been well reported that patients who are as young as 30 years old have experienced strokes as a result of COVID-19. As Villanova University’s Theresa Capriotti, DO, MSN, RN, explained to Healthline: “The coronavirus has been shown to cause development of [small clots that] can travel to the lung and obstruct blood flow to the lung, which is called pulmonary embolism, or travel to brain circulation and cause ischemic stroke.” Capriotti added: “It can occur in any age group and it occurs suddenly.” And for more alarming news, check out 50 Percent of Coronavirus Patients Experience This Terrifying Side Effect. 4. PHYSICAL RECOVERY TAKES A LONG, LONG TIME—MAYBE FOREVER. Extreme fatigue is an overlooked side effect of COVID-19. In fact, those who have had severe cases of the virus will require weeks of rehabilitation to restore their bodies. “I tell all of my post-hospital patients you’re going to be tired for a month. You’re going to be tired for six weeks,” said Stephen Cleves, MD, an internal medicine specialist, in an interview with WKRC, in late May. But according to Oxford University’s Salisbury, writing in BMJ, there’s no guarantee you’ll even bounce back. “If you previously ran 5k three times a week and now feel breathless after a single flight of stairs, or if you cough incessantly and are too exhausted to return to work, then the fear that you may never regain your previous health is very real,” she wrote. And for more coronavirus news, make sure you’re aware of The Rare Weather Event About to Make Coronavirus Even Worse.
BOTTOM LINE; Before We’re Screwed Over In line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, as well as federal guidance from the Trump Administration, you’re encouraged to follow these guidelines: 1. Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities. 2. If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider. 3. If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider. 4. If someone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider. 5. If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people. 6. If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people. 7. Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19. 8. Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 50 people. 9. Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options. 10. Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits. 11. Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance. 12. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface. Avoid touching your face. Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow. Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible. 13. Practice common sense and personal responsibility.
Arthritis, gastritis, colitis, dermatitis, nephritis, neuritis, cystitis are just some of the common inflammatory conditions.
If the doctor’s diagnosis ends in the four letters “itis,” which there are 178 diseases by definition, inflammation is involved. By 2040, an estimated 78 million (26%) US adults aged 18 years or older are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Learn more about future arthritis burden HERE. There are also numerous diseases or health challenges that are closely linked to inflammation. For example, heart disease, especially coronary artery disease, is thought to be directly associated with inflammation. Inflammation is now considered to be a more important risk factor for heart disease than high cholesterol levels. Laboratory tests showing elevated levels of ESR, hs-CRP, and fibrinogen indicate the presence of inflammation in the body and a higher risk for heart disease. Also noteworthy is that statin drugs such as Lipitor and Crestor routinely used by the medical profession to lower blood levels of cholesterol are anti-inflammatory in their mechanism of action.
Numerous Diseases Involve Inflammation Cancer spread is accelerated by inflammation, and many cancer therapies utilize anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids to keep the symptoms of inflammation (swelling and pain) under control. As well, obesity, dementia, migraine headaches, and Alzheimer’s disease involve inflammation. So do all infections, allergic conditions such as hives, and virtually all autoimmune diseases. To this list you can add asthma, diabetes, psoriasis and other skin disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome. The medical treatments for all these conditions use anti-inflammatory drugs as the main therapy. Sports injuries (for example, tendonitis and bursitis) and any musculoskeletal injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident involve inflammation.
Treating Inflammation with Drugs & Surgery Conventional doctors have always treated inflammation with drugs and surgery. In some cases, interventions such as surgery for an inflamed appendix are lifesaving. So are short-term antibiotics for some infections such as pneumonitis (pneumonia). But while modern medicine is wonderful in treating acute illnesses, it fails miserably when it comes to chronic disease or prevention. In the majority of cases of chronic illness or inflammation, current medical treatments serve only to suppress symptoms without making any dent in the disease process itself.
For example, if you have osteoarthritis, doctors will prescribe NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Most people who suffer from osteoarthritis are on NSAIDs for life. NSAIDs include drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and numerous others. The trouble with all of these drugs is that they induce blood loss from the stomach or other areas of the gastrointestinal tract if taken for any extended period of time. One NSAID, Vioxx, was banned worldwide from the market a few years ago after it was proven to cause heart attacks and death in hundreds of users.
The one common denominator of all the current medical and surgical treatments for chronic inflammatory conditions is that they do not address the underlying cause of the illness. Doctors say that the use of anti-inflammatory drugs addresses the cause but, if that were really true, why does the disease persist?
Other drugs prescribed for chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus are even worse. Drugs such as Imuran and Remicade suppress the immune system dramatically; drugs that are chemotherapeutic agents (methotrexate) and antimalarial drugs (Plaquinyl) can damage the liver, the bone marrow, and other organs. The horrendous side effects of these drugs are sometimes worse than the disease itself.
Side-Effects of Drugs Prescribed for Chronic Illnesses You do not make hives better by suppressing the immune system with steroids such as prednisone. You don’t cure any form of arthritis by prescribing drugs that cause heart attacks, hemorrhage, and peptic ulcers. You do not reverse prostatitis with a year’s prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics that lead to chronic yeast infections. You can mask and suppress symptoms for years with powerful drugs, but you will never reverse the disease process. With symptom suppression, one pays a huge price in terms of side effects and, often, finances. You cannot prevent inflammation in the body with any drug or surgical procedure. The fact that doctors and surgeons continue trying to do so without attempting a natural approach first is deplorable. Worse is the fact that many still tell their patients that diet has nothing to do with inflammation when there is overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary.
So Can “…itis” Diseases Be Healed? There is a better way. You can prevent, control, reduce, and eliminate inflammation in the body by addressing the root causes of it in the first place. You do not need drugs in order to do this. Whether or not your doctor agrees, you can prevent or treat inflammation successfully through diet and lifestyle changes. This is not just folklore, herbalism, and old wives’ tales — every bit of information in this book [Meals That Heal Inflammation by Julie Daniluk] is backed up by scientific evidence, published studies, and clinical expertise. Certainly, in Julie Daniluk’s good hands, one can be put well on the way to greater health naturally. “Julie is a pioneer in the field of holistic nutrition, bringing her depth of knowledge and unparalleled passion to the world. Julie makes her evidence-based approach so very approachable through her books and online programs, inspiring her audience to get into the kitchen and transform their health.” Though assessing people for deficiencies, toxins, and allergies and prescribing an anti-inflammatory diet and nutritional supplements has convinced me that anyone suffering from an “itis” can reverse the disease process naturally. There are numerous recipes and meals that truly do heal inflammation.
It is indeed possible to improve health conditions without drugs and surgery.
Meals That Heal Inflammation: Embrace Healthy Living and Eliminate Pain, One Meal at a Time — by Julie Daniluk R. H. N. So if you’re one of the millions of people who have been affected by allergies, diabetes, skin disorders, heart disease, arthritis, or other conditions ending in “-itis,” then you know firsthand what havoc inflammation can cause. In Meals That Heal Inflammation, television personality and registered holistic nutritionist Julie Daniluk shows you how to conquer these health conditions with foods that will make you feel fantastic.
Although it comes in many forms, one of the most common forms of arthritis is called osteoarthritis. As a condition, osteoarthritis usually first affects the cartilage lining of our joints that are supposed to be smooth, making pain and stiffness an issue since it makes our movement more difficult than normal. And while it is unfortunate that there is no definitive cure of the condition, emerging bodies of work reveal that one particular lifestyle intervention is known to help alleviate these painful symptoms, especially when it affects our knees and hips.
That’s because, per a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, following the well-known and highly-regarded Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the markers of inflammation while also improving knee flexion and hip rotation in people who are suffering from osteoarthritis.
Here is a simple guide to some of the vegetables that should color your plate every day.
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables Energy production and other metabolic processes in the body produce harmful byproducts called free radicals. Not only do free radicals damage cells, but they also have been linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammation. Green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale, Swiss chard and bok choy are packed with antioxidants like vitamins A, C and K, which protect cells from free-radical damage. These foods are also high in bone-preserving calcium. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy and cauliflower) offer another benefit – a natural compound called sulforaphane. Research on mice shows sulforaphane blocks the inflammatory process and might slow cartilage damage in osteoarthritis (OA). And there’s some evidence diets high in cruciferous vegetables could prevent RA from developing in the first place.
Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Red Peppers and Squash These brightly orange- and red-hued vegetables get their distinctive color from carotenoids like beta-cryptoxanthin. Plant pigments also supply sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and red peppers with antioxidants. Some research suggests eating more foods rich in beta-cryptoxanthin could reduce your risk of developing RA and other inflammatory conditions.
Red and Green Peppers Peppers – no matter what their color or whether they’re mild or hot – are an abundant source of vitamin C, which preserves bone, and may protect cartilage cells. Getting less than the recommended 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men daily may increase risk for OA of the knee. Just a half-cup of red bell pepper gives you a full day’s supply.
Onions, Garlic, Leeks and Shallots These pungent and flavorful vegetables are all members of the allium family, which are rich in a type of antioxidant called quercetin. Researchers are investigating quercetin’s potential ability to relieve inflammation in diseases like RA. Alliums also contain a compound called diallyl disulphine, which may reduce the enzymes that damage cartilage.
Olives Though technically a fruit and not found in the produce aisle, olives and olive oil can be potent inflammation fighters. Extra-virgin olive oil contains the compound oleocanthal, a natural anti-inflammatory agent that has properties similar to the ibuprofen.
Nightshade Vegetables Eggplants, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes are all members of the nightshade family. These vegetables contain the chemical solanine, which some people claim aggravates arthritis pain and inflammation. However, most reports are anecdotal, and while it certainly might be true for some people, there are no scientific studies done to prove that they actually cause inflammation or make symptoms worse, says Kim Larson, a Seattle-based dietitian and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson. Nightshade vegetables are rich in nutrients, making them a worthy addition to your diet. Simply test it. Eliminate nightshades from your diet for a couple weeks and slowly reintroduce them back into your diet.
If you find that adding nightshades trigger arthritis pain, don’t eat them.
Cooking Your Vegetables Almost as important as which vegetables you choose is how you cook them. Steaming is preferable to boiling because it preserves the nutrients in the vegetables. “Don’t use a lot of water, because vitamins and antioxidants might leach out in the water,” Larson says. Also, don’t overcook them – keep vegetables a little bit al dente to hold in the vitamins and minerals. Skip the deep fryer, which adds a lot of extra fat and calories, but do sauté. Using oil releases the phytochemicals in vegetables and makes them more available, says Larson. Even better, use a tablespoon or two of olive oil to get an extra dose of anti-inflammatory oleocanthal.
It wasn’t until 2007 that the international outcome measures in the Rheumatology Clinical Trials group added fatigue to the list of core rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. Fatigue is invisible and different from normal tiredness, so people that haven’t experienced it have a hard time understanding the challenges it presents itself to those that have hard times with it. The nature of fatigue is completely different from the tiredness people get, and it sometimes seems worse because it’s less easy to manage. Researchers have found that fatigue is more prevalent in certain arthritic related conditions. For example, 9 0ut 0f 10 people with RA and fibromyalgia tell their doctors they have fatigue severe enough to affect their daily lives and activities. But a much smaller proportion of people with osteoarthritis (OA) — about 40 to 47 percent – report that level of exhaustion. Furthermore, half of people with psoriatic arthritis state “they feel tired whatever they do.”
A study in the Journal of Pain found that people with RA and OA are better able to predict when fatigue will strike than people with fibromyalgia, whose energy levels often vary more widely day to day. Little is known about the causes of arthritic related fatigue. People can experience it even when their condition is otherwise controlled. A mixture of often connected physical and emotional factors seem to influence fatigue.
Inflammation: inherent in many types of arthritis and autoimmune conditions, is itself a cause of fatigue. Comparing it to the flu is spot on. The body responds to the flu with an inflammatory response that includes the release of infection-fighting proteins called cytokines that makes one feel tired and unwell, as does inflammation in RA and related conditions.
Pain: The No. 1 symptom of arthritis makes feeling fatigue worse. If you’re in pain you have less tolerance for your tiredness, and when you’re fatigued you can’t tolerate the pain you could have put up with [when you weren’t fatigued]. Remember also pain is an accurate predictor of fatigue, thus reducing pain and managing inflammation should be primary fatigue relieving strategies.
Stress: physical and emotional, can leave you flattened by fatigue. Stress from illness or physical overexertion is a surefire fatigue trigger and emotional stress can be just as draining. And another emotional drain and fatigue feed off of each other would be depression.
Depression: affects more people with RA or psoriatic arthritis that other people. In a survey of people with RA, more than 90 percent said fatigue caused them to be depressed in the last week. Depression can also lead to increases in pain perception, and all those factors interacting together create a vicious cycle of worsening symptoms and cause poor sleeping.
Poor Sleep: also worsens fatigue. Sleep problems are extremely common in people with chronic pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia and more than 60 percent of people with RA have poor or disturbed sleep. “Clinicians used to view this as a reaction to chronic pain, but research shows sleep problems are leading the way and causing pain, fatigue and depression. It’s also found that sleep disturbances increase inflammation, which can lead to a worsening of RA.
Fatigue Can Be Tough to Treat… Treating fatigue is complicated because of the shifting mixture of factors that influence it. Drugs can help control inflammation that contribute to fatigue, however, medication alone can’t solve the problem of fatigue. A 2013 Cochrane Database review of 24 studies of non-drug treatments for fatigue in RA looked at a variety of therapies, but only two — exercise and psychosocial interventions — produced measurable interventions. Exercisers had the biggest reductions in fatigue — about 9 percent than before starting the activity.
Pain & Your Brain Stephanie Aleite, a Miami native, has waged a two-decade long war against rheumatoid arthritis. And just as she loves to accessorize the cane she uses to walk with her outfits, she has come to learn that her best accessory is her smile. Just by looking at her, most wouldn’t know that Stephanie battles an autoimmune disease because she shrouds it so well with her positivity and optimistic outlook on life with her illness. Stephanie has had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis since she was 5 years old. Over the years she has learned that how she feels emotionally affects her pain and what she learned intuitively, physicians and researchers are verifying. Being in a good mood distracts my mind from pain and makes it more bearable, says Stephanie: “my flares are usually temporary so I always tell myself there is light at the end of the tunnel.’
How we feel about pain affects the experience of pain.
When you’re talking about physical pain, “it’s so important not to neglect the emotional influences on how we experience pain. A lot is based on our past experiences and emotions to pain.” Although researchers are still investigating how thought and emotions affect pain, numerous studies have shown their correlation. In a 2010 study published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, researchers interviewed 266 people with hip and or knee osteoarthritis over 12 weeks, using a pain index and a mental inventory. And the researchers found that for people whose moods dipped lowest, the chance of a painful flare the following week was more than twice as likely as it was for people who had the greatest feelings of well being. Also in a study published in 2013 in the Journal Brain, researchers looked at brain activity in 153 people with either acute or chronic back pain. Those with back pain for two months or less showed brain activity in areas of the brain involved in acute pain. The researchers speculate that as pain persists, perception becomes less about the increasing emotion, memory and experience of the pain’s persistence. Emotions change the biology of pain as well, explains David Hanscom, M.D.. an orthopedic spine surgeon at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle Washington Out of Chronic Pain and author of Back in Control: A Spine Surgeon’s Roadmap. “Pain is interpreted by the brain,” he says, “if you are angry about and frustrated by your pain, for instance, your body has a fight or flight response, secreting cortisol and adrenalin, chemicals that amplify pain. Your blood supply to the brain shuts down but increases to the muscles, your airways dilate.
Essentially, your body’s driving down the highway amped in third gear.
Once you realize emotions can affect pain, you may have a whole arsenal of new approaches for reducing it. These approaches won’t make the arthritis go away, but it may help you deal with the pain better. Effects of mindful-attention and compassion meditation training on amygdala response to emotional stimuli in an ordinary, non-meditative state. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3485650/
Now, a new study in which researchers treated 153 adults suffering from fibromyalgia (a chronic, incurable disorder) with nine 20-minute sessions of real or fake acupuncture has shown that regular treatments can lower the pain by about 41 percent, compared with just 27 percent for those given sham treatments. The results were published in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine.
A totally new paradigm for treating back pain…. Virtually every American will suffer from back pain at some point. Dr. Jack Stern, a neurosurgeon and professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, brings relief to these millions of sufferers (including himself) who literally ache for help. Based on the latest scientific data, Dr. Stern developed a five-step solution with a multidisciplinary, holistic perspective that’s been missing from conventional back pain wisdom:
Step One: Unlock your back’s unique pain code Step Two: Prepare to work with health care professionals Step Three: Ensure proper diagnosis Step Four: Embrace various pathways to healing Step Five: Live a life that supports a strong, healthy back
Engagingly written and chock-full of enlightening case studies, Ending Back Pain finally shares the program that’s already helped more than 10,000 grateful patients. The thalamus is the gateway to the cerebral cortex. All cortical-bound somatosensory inputs relay through the thalamus. One major group of these somatosensory inputs is the nociceptive input. Nociceptive inputs from the skin, deep structures, and visceral organs converge in the thalamus en route to the cerebral cortex. A hundred years ago, Head and Holmes1 designated the thalamus the essential organ of the affective side of our sensation, especially pain. The objectives of the present review are to review the importance of the thalamus in pain function, posit main questions, and propose what needs to be done.
Here Are Some Approaches To Try… Mind Your Pain: try mindful meditation exercises — focusing on slow breathing and calming thoughts. Focus on the painful part with positive affirmation. In 2009, a study at Wake Forest University, researchers did brain scans of 15 healthy volunteers in whom they induced pain. An instructor then taught them mindful meditation over four days. In 20 minute sessions, they focused on deep breathing and paying attention to their bodies’ sensations. On day 5, the researchers again induced pain on those same volunteers and they experienced 40 percent pain reduction compared to the levels they had when they were not meditating.
Express Your Pain: for 10 minutes a day, write down exactly what you feel, including your pain inducing thoughts. Then tear up the writing unloading that negative thought from your brain. That simple writing exercise will cause your anxiety and pain to drop. The exercise may reduce inflammatory chemicals as well. In a 2009 study, published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, involving 68 people with rheumatoid arthritis, those who had four weekly sessions for expressing their emotions had significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as cortisol, three months after the sessions.
Monitor Pain-Related Thoughts: for instance, some people with knee arthritis may think that if they have any discomfort, they should stay in bed all day. To help change pain related thoughts cognitive behavioral therapy CBT examines negative thoughts and beliefs and offers ways to alter your attitude. In a University of Vermont study published in 2013 in The Journal of Pain, for example, researchers assessed changes in pain and in the brains of 13 patients with chronic back pain after 11 weeks of group CBT. Scans in their brains showed changes in the gray matter that correlated with less catastrophizing or exaggerated worry about their pain.
Dance Away Your Pain: if you’re looking for a fun way to work out with big benefits, move to music! In a study published in the 2014 issue of Geriaric Nursing, older adults who took a 45 minute dance therapy class twice a week reported less knee and hip pain and were able to walk faster after three months. ” Dancing may help to prevent falls and keep people functional, independent and strengthens muscles while the music stirs happy thoughts. Dancing is great exercise at any age and arthritis patients should look for low impact with slow fluid movements that won’t tax your joints (Zumba Gold, Ballroom Dancing, Healthy Steps, Jazzercise Life.)
1. Laughing reduces cortisol stress hormones. I believe there is a simple reason why Unplugging, our night-time nootropic, has been so popular: we’re all stressed.
2. increases the endorphins that are released by your brain, which activates and relieves your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure.
3. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and…. Extended periods of oxygen deprivation can produce acidosis, inflammation, energy failure, cell stress, or cell death. However, brief profound hypoxia (here defined as Sao2 50%–70% for approximately 10 minutes) is not associated with cardiovascular compromise and is tolerated by healthy humans without apparent ill effects. In contrast, chronic hypoxia induces a suite of adaptations and stresses that can result in either increased tolerance of hypoxia or disease,
In healthy humans, brief profound hypoxia produces increased minute ventilation and increased cardiac output, but little or no alteration in blood chemistry. Central nervous system effects of acute profound hypoxia include transiently decreased cognitive performance, based on alterations in attention brought about by interruptions of frontal/central cerebral connectivity. However, provided there is no decrease in cardiac output or ischemia, brief profound hypoxemia in healthy humans is well tolerated without evidence of acidosis or lasting cognitive impairment.
Setting Higher Expectations: “you can affect the outcome and how you experience pain simple by preempting the emotional aspect.” Talk about your fears and how much pain you are experiencing. Much like Stephanie Aleite who is able to walk and climb steps, She realizes she may never be able to dunk a basketball. But she has her heart set on ice skating and bicycling. She is optimistic that someday she will be chasing a two year old around and enjoying her life.
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About the Authors
Dr. Zoltan P. Rona, author of: Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin!! Dr. Zoltan P. Rona is a graduate of McGill University Medical School (1977) and has a Masters Degree in Biochemistry and Clinical Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut (1984). He is past president of The Canadian Holistic Medical Association (1987-88). He is the author of three Canadian bestsellers, The Joy of Health (1991), Return to the Joy of Health (1995) and Childhood Illness and The Allergy Connection (1997). He is co-author with Jeanne Marie Martin of The Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook (1996) and is the medical editor of the Benjamin Franklin Award winning Encyclopedia of Natural Healing (1998). He has had a private medical practice in Toronto for the past 32 years, has appeared on radio and TV as well as lectured extensively in Canada and the U.S. Dr. Rona has just published his new book, “Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin”.
Julie Daniluk R.H.N., author of: Meals That Heal Inflammation–Embrace Healthy Living and Eliminate Pain, One Meal at at Time by Julie Daniluk, R. H. N. , is a leading nutritionist and the co-host of Healthy Gourmet, a reality cooking show that airs on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) in Canada. Julie has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, The Right Fit, and The Marilyn Denis Show. For 12 years, she was the cooperative owner and the Chief In-Store Nutritionist for one of Canada’s largest health-food stores, The Big Carrot Natural Food Market in Toronto. https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/list-of-inflammatory-diseases.html
Take Control of Your Fight Against Cancer… Discover the powerful benefits of food as medicine with evidence-based nutrition without confusion, overwhelm, and most of all discouragement!
If you’re on a cancer journey, in remission, a caretaker, or someone looking to reduce your chances of developing cancer, then you already KNOW the path is not easy. It’s an emotional and physical one that takes a lot of hard work and growth.
You’ve probably heard a healthy lifestyle can play a role in reducing treatment side effects, improve outcomes, and decrease the risk of recurrence. Since you know that, you know the importance of taking control of your nutrition.
After all, research suggests 1 in 3 cancers are a result of diet.
HERE’S WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW Even if you are lucky enough to have an excellent cancer care team and supportive family and friends, understanding how nutrition impacts cancer is most likely not part of the journey.
~Food Can Be Fuel~ Depending on what you put in your mouth, you’re either causing disease or fighting it. We’ll dive into the difference between disease-causing and disease-fighting foods, which can dramatically change your body’s ability to fight and can impact your loved ones’ health too!
~A Long, Healthy Life, Feeling Strong~ A long, independent life filled with plenty of birthday parties and watching your children (and even grandchildren) getting married is possible. Implementing a healthy lifestyle can increase your chances of being there for the best things in life.
~You Can Gain Control of Your Destiny~ You don’t have to leave it all up to chance. You can take some of that control back. One day at a time, one meal at a time. And fight back.
~Controlling Inflammation~ Research shows inflammation is the root cause of several diseases, including cancer. Learning how to reduce inflammation gives you the best chance of preventing disease in the first place and managing it early.
Even though the motivation to overcome cancer (or prevent it) is clear, the path to actually doing it is anything but.
BEAT CANCER? Let’s Do It! But where do I start?
We All Know It Won’t Be Easy It’s not easy when all your energy has gone into your cancer treatments… dozens of doctor appointments…not to mention all of your other life responsibilities.
You’ve done some nutrition research, but you find so many different resources sharing differing opinions. Don’t eat soy. Eat soy. Don’t eat sugar. Don’t eat legumes… Wait, I thought beans were healthy? Who can keep up?
Maybe you even reached out to your doctors, inquiring how nutrition could complement your treatments. But they’re at a loss, or you didn’t feel confident in his or her answer.
Once you complete your treatment, you wonder, “What’s next?” Cancer took control of your life, but you’re finally ready to make sure it never, ever takes over again.
Most importantly, you don’t want your loved ones, your husband or wife or your children, ever to have to hear the words “you have cancer” like you had to.
You Can’t Afford to Have Cancer to Come Back – So How Do You Take the Next Step? You feel a lack of clarity around what foods cause disease. You feel as though you will always be a cancer victim (or that you’re doomed to be one).
You hear all the health gurus say, “Just don’t do this” or “Do that.” But it’s not that easy, is it? Years of habits can’t change overnight.
The moment you feel like you “messed up” or ate the wrong thing, you feel like it’s impossible to go back. You have never pictured yourself as someone who can successfully live a healthy lifestyle.
You feel as though you have to be PERFECT.
But that is precisely why you need someone to share the WHY, WHAT, and HOW.
The ‘I Can Fight’ Mindset You Need to March On (and reduce your risk of developing cancer and/or recurrence) Let’s pretend you already completed your radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments. Your surgery is over. You walk out of the cancer center wondering what’s next.
When you implement a healthy lifestyle, you have the opportunity to take control of something that has the power to take you to new and exciting places!
WHY NOTHING HAS WORKED IN THE PAST Even though there are hundreds of thousands of health professionals claiming they can help you gain a healthy lifestyle, they simply tell you WHAT to eat: “Eat x cups of broccoli a day. Don’t eat deli meat”.
But you ask, “Why broccoli? How do I cook it so it tastes good? And what does deli meat have to do with my cancer?”
While well intentioned, their approach doesn’t actually give you the tools to make a sustainable shift in your lifestyle. In the end, it can make you feel more lost. What you need is someone to teach you about evidence-based research in an easy-to-understand manner, someone who can provide access to healthy meal planning, recipes, healthy substitutions, tips, tricks, and sustainable changes to put you on the path back to wellness.
The key to marching on is education around the what, the why, and how, to implement a plant-based (or plant-focused) lifestyle.
A comprehensive digital program that teaches evidence-based information about nutrition and cancer AND how to implement a plant-based lifestyle while meeting nutrition needs to support your health once you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or to help prevent it in the first place.
Meet Alison Tierney – Oncology Dietitian I have spent many years training to become an oncology dietitian, achieving my master of science, becoming a certified specialist in oncology nutrition, and teaching other registered dietitians working towards their master’s degrees.
My passion and dedication have allowed me to teach hundreds of patients how to make positive changes in their life. Most of them now have no evidence of disease and are living healthy lives.
ALISON’S CREDENTIALS MS – Master of Science – Nutrition & Fitness Concentration RD – Registered Dietitian CD – Certified Dietitian, State of Wisconsin CSO – Certified Specialist in Oncology Adjunct Graduate Professor – Evidence Based Practice, Oncology
~Teaches Evidence-Based Research~ Teaches the currently available research that demonstrates which foods are disease-causing and which are disease-fighting.
~Is an All-in-One Resource for Cancer Nutrition~ Since oncology nutrition is a specialty practice, it is rare for a medical professional to receive in-depth education on the topic. We believe this course fills that gap and is also perfect for the average person.
~Gives You the Tools to Implement Sustainable Changes~ t doesn’t only share what to do, but why and how to confidently implement it in your own way, at your own pace.
Other References: ON this episode of Health, Hope & Inspiration, psychologist Dr. David Wakefield talks about the importance of finding someone you can trust to talk to when you’ve received a cancer diagnosis, and how that can help you to cope with what the future holds. Processing a Cancer Diagnosis ON This episode of Health, Hope & Inspiration is entitled “Overcoming Insecurities.” Mind-body therapist Corliss Ivy explores how emotions can affect physical well-being. Overcoming Insecurities In this episode of Health, Hope & Inspiration the hosts talk with cancer survivor Robbie Robinson, who shares how his experience with cancer has inspired him to commit his life to serving others and made him an advocate for those starting their own journey. I’m Not Done Yet Mind-body therapist Steve White talks to the hosts of Health, Hope & Inspiration about three thought processes most patients go through and why they should give their worries to God. Taking the Worry Out of Cancer Dr. Lynn Bornfriend, a psychiatrist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, talks on this week’s Health, Hope & Inspiration about the power of a proper mental attitude of focusing on the present in order to help combat the effects of illness in our bodies. Exchanging Anxiety for Peace Clinical Psychiatrist Dr. Laura Sunn joins the hosts of Health, Hope & Inspiration to talk about dealing with mental health issues during cancer care, including anxiety and depression. Caring for Emotional Health
