MAY 2, 2012 CANCER CENTERS OF AMERICA

"NO ROAD IS LONG WITH GOOD COMPANY." - turkish proverb

My road to a better way of living has been long. It is progress of a process. I have had company. Some of the company was just adequate. I can without a doubt state that the last ten years I have had the best company --this is the form of a life partner--my best friend, Rick. I do not know how this journey would have gone if I didn't change my lifestyle, my friendships and my previous partner. I do know that I wouldn't be where I am today if not for his love, support, and trust. Today I have good company. Do you have company along your journey?

                This past weekend, Rick and I visited Cancer Centers of America  in Philadelphia PA. We had personal reasons as well as an invitation as I have referred patients to the center. It is more than a cancer treatment center. The center empowers the patient to be in the driver's seat. Every patient has their own care team that not only includes a physician (MD), but a nutritionist, a naturopathic doctor (ND), clinical nurse and other specialties if needed. This is the most comprehensive cancer center I have seen. It started privately in Zion Illinois and continues to grow around the United States. (http://www.cancercenter.com/) You have seen the commercials.  Each center is a center of hope, dreams, and spirit. Depending on the stages of cancer, patients receive both mind-body medicine and physical therapy. Also if needed chiropractic treatment. In the chapel is the wishing wall, where your wish on a piece of paper is put into the grooves in the wall. I had a  very special wish for my Rick. 

Good nutrition is most important and Cancer Centers of America understands it better than the biggest cancer facilities I have seen both in the New York City area and other places. There is A RED FOOD, YELLOW FOOD AND GREEN FOOD list every day for patients and their visitors. Red foods have limited vita nutrients, yellow is processed and the green foods are the healthiest choices. Cancer patients should stay in the green foods while their caregivers might want a red food item. The cafeteria was incredible. Rick and I had fresh organic vegetables, gluten free grains, and a delicious mercury free piece of fish.

We met a woman named Pam who looks great and not a day over 25. She is in her thirties with metastatic cancer breast to liver and brain. She shared her story and stated that Cancer Centers saved her life by having the best doctor/patient relationship with open communication, respect, openness, honesty and trust. You GO GIRL! Rick and I had to hug her when we left her at the center.  We left with a joyful heart knowing that individuals are getting a Wholistic or Integrative approach to cancer which is not available in other centers. Everyone says hello in the halls. You feel like you are part of  a family that you have known for years. We have to thank Sera and her amazing team for allowing us to witness first hand what 'helping, loving and caring' is all about. What a team approach

More amazing is that CTCA in Philadelphia has their own herbal/vegetable garden -- they grow organic. Can you beat that? The only suggestion is that I install a beehive in the yard to keep those bees pollinating all their fruits and vegetables. Hint: Let's get a Bee Hive there! There is even HT (horticultural therapy) for the patients. Many patients love to grow and nuture plants. Why not , It is a form of therapy for them

Until tomorrow...