With Christmas being less than10 days away, if you haven’t started decorating, today’s a good day to make garlands and snowflakes to hang. Below are ideas that are simple enough to do with a child, but can be complex enough to challenge most adults.
Paper Snowflakes Some of the patterns are based on William Bentley’s photographs. Bentley was called “The Snowflake Man” because he was the first person to photograph ice crystals from snow on his farm in Jericho, Vermont.
3-D Snowflake
Popcorn Garland This can be a treat for the birds after the holiday season ends.
Paper Chains
If you like to fold and cut, try making a Christmas Tree with a star using the technique Kirigami.
RELAXATION TIP
Use colored pencils, crayons, markers, pastels or even watercolors to color a holiday mandala. As noted in the October 21 post on mandalas, coloring is a great way to meditate and relax. You can download a variety of holiday designs from http://www.kids-n-fun.com/coloringpages/kleurplaat_Mandala-Christmas_360.aspx
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sexuality and Chronic Disease
As administrator on call for a large University hospital, I met a woman in her late 60’s who was dying. Her husband was quite upset about the care she was receiving, which is why I was called. When the husband left the room, She told me that he had just brought her favorite perfume. She then shyly said, “it makes me feel sexy.”
It was one of those “ah-ha” moments, as I realized that we are sexual beings from the “womb to the tomb.” I was to learn this lesson over and over again in the years that I worked with people with HIV/AIDS. Sexuality became more important for many as it was the most “alive” thing they could do. Others used sex as a way to deaden the pain from so much loss. As one person noted, “the only thing strong enough to make the humans forget that they die is sex.”
In the video Sex and Chronic Disease-Can Women Still Feel Sexy, Dr. Brotto, Assist. Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UBC discusses why women may be more sexual after learning of a life threatening condition.
All people are sexual and therefore deserve a sexuality that is safe and pleasurable to them, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity. What may be needed more than anything else is a new way to discuss sex, which promotes not only healthy behaviors, but a better understanding of what sex is and how it fits within one’s life.
Keep in mind that sex happens between the ears not the legs. People are entitled to define what they mean by sex and to develop a relationship with it that is appropriate for them.
While the usual recommendation is to “talk to your doctor” about various health related issues, this is one area where I find medical providers to be less than well equipped to answer questions. Certainly discuss any medical concerns relating to your sexuality, but for the “how tos” below are a list of resources to help you find some of your answers.
Sexuality and Disability from Disability Resources
Moss Rehab Sexuality and Disability Internet Resources
Disability and Illness from Sexual Health.com
Tantric Sex-A Different Perspective: Instead of rushing toward a climax, a Tantric practitioner slows down, remaining in the moment, and travels toward deep relaxation. In the medical model, sexual energy builds, then is lost. In Tantra, energy is not lost but gained. Instead of using a partner for one_s own gratification, Tantric partners provide vital energy to each other.
Good Vibrations Magazine’s Archives for Sex and Disability: Note that Good Vibrations is an extremely sex positive company that carries very reliable products.
Sexuality for the Woman with Cancer from the American Cancer Society
Sexuality for the Man with Cancer from the American Cancer Society
It was one of those “ah-ha” moments, as I realized that we are sexual beings from the “womb to the tomb.” I was to learn this lesson over and over again in the years that I worked with people with HIV/AIDS. Sexuality became more important for many as it was the most “alive” thing they could do. Others used sex as a way to deaden the pain from so much loss. As one person noted, “the only thing strong enough to make the humans forget that they die is sex.”
In the video Sex and Chronic Disease-Can Women Still Feel Sexy, Dr. Brotto, Assist. Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UBC discusses why women may be more sexual after learning of a life threatening condition.
All people are sexual and therefore deserve a sexuality that is safe and pleasurable to them, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity. What may be needed more than anything else is a new way to discuss sex, which promotes not only healthy behaviors, but a better understanding of what sex is and how it fits within one’s life.
Keep in mind that sex happens between the ears not the legs. People are entitled to define what they mean by sex and to develop a relationship with it that is appropriate for them.
While the usual recommendation is to “talk to your doctor” about various health related issues, this is one area where I find medical providers to be less than well equipped to answer questions. Certainly discuss any medical concerns relating to your sexuality, but for the “how tos” below are a list of resources to help you find some of your answers.
Sexuality and Disability from Disability Resources
Moss Rehab Sexuality and Disability Internet Resources
Disability and Illness from Sexual Health.com
Tantric Sex-A Different Perspective: Instead of rushing toward a climax, a Tantric practitioner slows down, remaining in the moment, and travels toward deep relaxation. In the medical model, sexual energy builds, then is lost. In Tantra, energy is not lost but gained. Instead of using a partner for one_s own gratification, Tantric partners provide vital energy to each other.
Good Vibrations Magazine’s Archives for Sex and Disability: Note that Good Vibrations is an extremely sex positive company that carries very reliable products.
Sexuality for the Woman with Cancer from the American Cancer Society
Sexuality for the Man with Cancer from the American Cancer Society
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Make a Zen Garden/Rake a Garden
Karesansui, or the “dry-landscape” style Japanese gardens have been in existence for centuries, but it wasn’t until the late sixth century with the advent of Zen Buddhism did “dry style” gardens began to evolve. The earlier gardens were created where one could enter and walk around and much larger in scale. Around the eleventh century, Zen priests adopted the “dry landscape” style and began building gardens to serve a different purpose. They were to be used as an aid to create a deeper understanding of the Zen concepts. Not only was the viewing intended to aid in meditation but the entire creation of the garden was also intended to trigger contemplation. By the late 1200’s, the basic principles had been established and up to the present day, they have been refined and extended. The garden created by the Zen priest are called “kansho-niwa” or contemplation garden and termed by many today as “ Zen gardens “. From http://www.newsfinder.org/site/more/zen_gardens/
The Photo Gallery of Japanese Zen gardens, Kyoto shows various types of rock gardens as well as flowers and other features.
You can create a small desktop Zen garden, which not makes a wonderful gift, but it can have a very calming effect.
Find a shallow
container, such as a bowl or tray. You can use a picture frame, first removing
the glass and then gluing the back to the frame. Fill it with fine sand- playground sand or
the sand used for filling bottles. Craft stores will carry the latter, while
your local hardware store can provide playground sand.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Knowing What’s Worth Paying for in Vitamins
The December 4 New York Times has an interesting article, "Knowing What's Worth Paying for in Vitamins." If you are paying a lot for supplements, read what this author has found. ConsumerLab.com says it has found a few patterns that consumers may find helpful. Products sold by vitamin chains tend to be more reliable than drugstore brands, and Wal-Mart and Costco’s vitamin lines are usually worth considering. In a recent test of multivitamins, ConsumerLab.com found that Equate-Mature Multivitamin 50+ sold by Wal-Mart was just as good as the name brand Centrum Silver, but at less than a nickel a day is half the price.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Know What to Look For: Understanding the Diagnosis
In the Hospitalized posts, the importance of being a patient advocate when a family member or friend is in the hospital, was identified as the number one way you can help. Since the nurses and doctors will most likely be meeting this person for the first time, you can assist them by letting them know what’s normal for the patient.
In addition, it’s important that the advocate, as well as the person who is living with the chronic condition, have an understanding of the diagnosis and the treatment they may be taking place in the hospital. This also extends to home, and in the weeks following the initial diagnosis.
Regardless of whether you are the person living with the condition, the advocate or the caregiver, ask the nurses and doctors for information and to explain things you don’t understand. There are no stupid questions.
The most frequent way people learn about their health condition is the Internet. Therefore it’s important that users realize that not all information is of equal value. In fact, people with chronic conditions are the primary target of scams and “snake oil” websites. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
When you Google, check the who, what and when of the website
WHO sponsors the site and who can I contact if I have a question? Sites that end with .gov, .edu and .org are generally more reliable. However, there are a growing number of. org’s that are actually sales pitches. Pharmaceutical companies are .com sites. Some of them have excellent resource information about side effects, tips on taking medications, and/or opportunities to obtain a drug for reduced or no cost.
WHAT is the purpose of the site and what is the source of information? If this is a site that is pushing a particular item to buy, be wary of it.
WHEN was the last time the site was updated? If a site isn’t being well maintained, and it’s offering information about a specific condition, be mindful that medical information that's more than a year old can already be outdated.
To learn more, check out Get the E-Facts
Sites with good information include:
• A national organization for the specific condition such as the American Cancer Society. For a list of organizations go to MedLine Plus
• Medline Plus Health Topics: In addition to information and treatment about a specific condition, it includes interactive tutorials, research, clinical trials, current research etc.
• Mayo Clinic Diseases and Conditions: This site includes the following information- definition, symptoms, causes, risk factors, tips for preparing for your appointment, treatments and drugs, lifestyle and home remedies, alternative medicine and prevention.
Resources for more information about drug and vitamin supplements
• Physician’s Desktop Reference for Consumers
• Medline Plus Drugs, Supplements and Herbal Information
Resources for Complementary and Alternative Forms of Medicine
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
• Explore Healing Practices from the University of Minnesota’s “Taking Charge of Your Health”
In addition, it’s important that the advocate, as well as the person who is living with the chronic condition, have an understanding of the diagnosis and the treatment they may be taking place in the hospital. This also extends to home, and in the weeks following the initial diagnosis.
Regardless of whether you are the person living with the condition, the advocate or the caregiver, ask the nurses and doctors for information and to explain things you don’t understand. There are no stupid questions.
The most frequent way people learn about their health condition is the Internet. Therefore it’s important that users realize that not all information is of equal value. In fact, people with chronic conditions are the primary target of scams and “snake oil” websites. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
When you Google, check the who, what and when of the website
WHO sponsors the site and who can I contact if I have a question? Sites that end with .gov, .edu and .org are generally more reliable. However, there are a growing number of. org’s that are actually sales pitches. Pharmaceutical companies are .com sites. Some of them have excellent resource information about side effects, tips on taking medications, and/or opportunities to obtain a drug for reduced or no cost.
WHAT is the purpose of the site and what is the source of information? If this is a site that is pushing a particular item to buy, be wary of it.
WHEN was the last time the site was updated? If a site isn’t being well maintained, and it’s offering information about a specific condition, be mindful that medical information that's more than a year old can already be outdated.
To learn more, check out Get the E-Facts
Sites with good information include:
• A national organization for the specific condition such as the American Cancer Society. For a list of organizations go to MedLine Plus
• Medline Plus Health Topics: In addition to information and treatment about a specific condition, it includes interactive tutorials, research, clinical trials, current research etc.
• Mayo Clinic Diseases and Conditions: This site includes the following information- definition, symptoms, causes, risk factors, tips for preparing for your appointment, treatments and drugs, lifestyle and home remedies, alternative medicine and prevention.
Resources for more information about drug and vitamin supplements
• Physician’s Desktop Reference for Consumers
• Medline Plus Drugs, Supplements and Herbal Information
Resources for Complementary and Alternative Forms of Medicine
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
• Explore Healing Practices from the University of Minnesota’s “Taking Charge of Your Health”
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Take a Break: Duct Tape/Music
• Wallet
• Rose, Bracelet or Tie
MUSIC: Make it part of your life
The Holidays are filled with music, but often it is in the background and we hardly notice it. Take time to listen to favorite recordings, discover a new artist or dust off the keyboard, guitar or other instrument and play. Below are links to help enhance your listening pleasure
Pandora Radio Create your own radio station of only music you want to hear. You can select by artist, song or genre.
Benjamin Zander : Don’t think you like classical music, watch this presentation from the TED Conference and you’ll see that classical music is for everyone. You may also learn more about living a “one-butt life.”
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
House Cleaning Resources
When someone is acutely or chronically ill, house cleaning can easily fall by the wayside. This is one activity that friends and family can help with. When someone offers to help, specify what you'd like them to do. Having someone to count on to take care of your trash each week can be a real help.
You may qualify for a program that offers housekeeping services. However, with increasing demand and less funding, programs can't always deliver the service. Other resources which may offer help with cleaning include:
•Many schools (from grade school through college) have programs where students help with heavy chores, including the seasonal ones of cleaning windows, stacking wood, raking leaves, mowing the lawn etc.
• Church groups
• Civic organizations, such as Rotary, Lions Club etc.
• Community Action Agencies
A good way to find out what's available in your community is to call 211, the information and referral service helpline for your state. You can also look on-line through your state's 211 directory However, many communities will have services that are not necessarily listed in the directory so also check with your social worker or case manager, members of a support group, and people you may know connected with churches, civic groups etc.
A friend passed along the following information, which might be useful for some women. If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. 'Cleaning for a Reason' will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women.
You may qualify for a program that offers housekeeping services. However, with increasing demand and less funding, programs can't always deliver the service. Other resources which may offer help with cleaning include:
•Many schools (from grade school through college) have programs where students help with heavy chores, including the seasonal ones of cleaning windows, stacking wood, raking leaves, mowing the lawn etc.
• Church groups
• Civic organizations, such as Rotary, Lions Club etc.
• Community Action Agencies
A good way to find out what's available in your community is to call 211, the information and referral service helpline for your state. You can also look on-line through your state's 211 directory However, many communities will have services that are not necessarily listed in the directory so also check with your social worker or case manager, members of a support group, and people you may know connected with churches, civic groups etc.
A friend passed along the following information, which might be useful for some women. If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. 'Cleaning for a Reason' will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women.
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