Cinco Vidas

“I think that when you are a breast cancer survivor,” says survivor and blogger Kathy-Ellen, “living in the now is the best way to prepare for the future. Often as survivors we really do hold our breath and wait for the bad outcome in between living. I guess living in the now means no waiting, no holding our breaths and definitely no expectation of another cancer diagnosis.”

There’s no doubt we’ve heard a lot about “living in the now” lately, particularly because of the great success of spiritual leader Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now. (more…)

If you want to reduce your chances of getting cancer—or increase your odds of surviving it—don’t spend too much time alone. Scientists say isolation can hurt you.

In an animal study at the University of Chicago, social isolation and stress was associated with a 3.3-fold greater chance of developing breast cancer. Rats kept alone after they had contracted the disease had a 135 percent increase in the number of tumors, and a more than 8,000 percent increase in tumor size. (more…)

We all know that too much stress is bad for us. But if you fail to control the stress in your life, could you be encouraging your own cells to malfunction?

Some studies show a link. In 2004, The Lancet Oncology published one that found chronic stress weakens the immune system, which in turn may affect the incidence of virus-associated cancers like Kaposi sarcoma and some lymphomas. In 2006, Nature Reviews Cancer published another study—this time, scientists found that stress releases hormones that can affect DNA repair and regulation of cell growth, reducing the body’s own defenses against cancer. A 24-year study of women in Sweden showed that those who reported high levels of stress, including tension, fear, anxiety, and sleeplessness, were twice as likely to develop breast cancer as those with low levels of stress. (more…)

Five-time cancer survivor and author Donald Wilhelm is the first to admit that finding “happiness” while battling cancer is a bit difficult. However, he definitely advocates positive thinking.

“You have a choice,” he says. “You can be negative, or you can be positive, make some changes, and make the most of it. My question to people is, why would you choose negativity?”

Diagnosed in 2000 with Hodgkins 4A, Donald has gone through a long journey of cancer treatments. Total up the chemo he’s had and you’re talking over 24 month’s worth. His journey has been a series of remissions followed by recurrences, more chemo, remission, recurrence, chemo, rinse, and repeat. To say the least, it’s been grueling. (more…)

I'm so grateful for my husband!

Watching the “Hope for Haiti” broadcast Friday, January 22nd, I couldn’t help but realize how very blessed I am—how blessed we all are to have food, clean water, shelter, and our loved ones around us. Sometimes it takes tragedies like these for us to realize that all the little things we worry about, complain about, and stress about aren’t really that important. We have what we need. And so much more.

Did you know that after September 11, 2001, researchers noted a surge in feelings of gratitude? Such feelings help us better manage the negative effects of stress. In fact, gratefulness can do a lot for our health. Robert Emmons, author of Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, reports in his book on several studies that he and his colleagues have conducted at the University of California at Davis. (more…)

For most people, a cancer diagnosis is a definite downer. Surely no one would admit to feeling “happy” about their cancer. But is it possible to feel happiness and joy while going through cancer? And if so, what’s the secret?

Strangely enough, according to many survivors, cancer can be a catalyst for more happiness, for one reason: It teaches us to be grateful.

“I woke up early one morning and realized I was happy,” says two-time breast-cancer survivor and writer, Betty Rollin. “The weird part is, I realized that the source of my happiness was, of all things, cancer—that cancer had everything to do with how good the good parts of my life were.” (more…)

When we’re going through cancer (or caring for someone who is) and feeling overwhelmed, afraid, anxious, and stressed, wouldn’t it be nice if we had a switch to turn it all off and feel better, now?

According to Benson-Henry Institute Senior Physician Dr. Eva Selhub, we all have such a button. It’s called “love.” And this switch doesn’t just help us feel better, it helps us heal.

“From the very beginning, right after we’re born,” Dr. Eva says, “the very first thing we learn is love. When we cry, someone holds us. When we’re hungry, someone gives us food. (more…)

The word “cancer” can bring up lots of other dark and unfriendly words. Fear, pain, struggle, exhaustion—these and more pop up in the minds of most people when they’re diagnosed.

Shanda Sumpter, founder of HeartCore Bootcamp, suggests a different word: gift.

Cancer, a gift?

“You’re not a victim no matter what has happened in your life,” says this clarity coach. “Whether you’ve had a divorce, suffered an injury, gotten cancer…anything that has come up in your space. (more…)

Laura Kupperman, yoga instructor and Cinco Vidas expert, says yoga class eased her chemo side effects and helped her recover quickly from a mastectomy.

“A few years ago,” says survivor Dana, “when I found a lump on my breast, I felt so disconnected to my body. How could it betray me like this?”

“It’s weird,” says fighter Debi. “I feel as though my rational brain is disconnected from my body, because although I know in the end that I will be fine, my body is shaky and scared.”

It’s a common feeling among cancer patients: disjointed, disconnected, betrayed by the body. For decades this complex mass of organic material has taken you where you needed to go, and performed according to your commands. Suddenly, something’s wrong. It’s not a virus, nor bacteria that have invaded your hallowed walls. It’s your own cells, turning on you. (more…)

If you’re struggling with cancer, you’re no stranger to fear. You may be asking, “Will I be able to handle the side effects of treatment? How will my family get through? What if I don’t make it?”

“Fear is imagination based for the most part,” says Jacqueline Wales, author, life coach, and Cinco Vidas expert. “It leads you to imagine the worst. You’re mind is on overdrive with, ‘Oh no, I’m going to lose my looks and feel all this pain and what about my family and I could die and…’ On and on with the worst-case scenario. Don’t listen to the gremlins in the mind. Reverse it. Think, ‘Right now my body is fighting these cells, and it’s producing new and healthy ones, and I can see what they look like. I can see a picture of me with all the hair on my head, and I’m thriving.’” (more…)