This past year, twenty-one members of Stepping Stones responded to an informal survey about complimentary medicines. The idea for the survey was developed during a monthly meeting in which members expressed a desire to compile a tangible list of resources that might be of help to other bone marrow transplant survivors and their family members.The following are the results of the survey:
Why do the members of Stepping Stones, together with a growing number of cancer survivors across the country, embrace alternative therapies as complementary care? According to the participants in the survey, empowerment is the number one reason. "Since my transplant," wrote one member, "I like to feel that I am actively doing something to strengthen my immune system. When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I had a mental image of a group of wild, unruly, uncontrollable cells which were reeking havoc on my body. Today, after my transplant, and through the use of various complimentary therapies, I feel like I have regained control."
- 8 members of the group regularly use acupuncture for prolonged periods since transplant. Although one member specifically mentioned disliking the sensation of needles going into his skin, most others indicate that they feel energized after acupuncture.
- 6 members visit a Chinese practitioner and take Chinese herbs in the form of a brewed tea. These members feel that the tea helps bolster their immune systems in intangible ways. One member believes that the tea is responsible for helping his platelets to recover after relapse and additional chemo treatments. Since taking the tea, he has not needed blood or platelet transfusions.
- 12 members mentioned physical exercise as a key component in the recovery process. A wide variety of exercises were mentioned, ranging from walking, to yoga and chi-gong, programmed workouts at the gym, and regular participation in specific sports. Exercise is viewed as a means of alleviating post transplant stress and fatigue, and of building strength and endurance.
- 6 members take between one and five herbs on a regular basis. 2 members take between six and ten herbs regularly.
- 14 members take vitamins on a daily basis. The majority take between one and five pills daily. However, there are members who take more than six pills a day. One member takes over 16 pills a day.
- 2 members take mineral supplements.
- 7 members noted that they use healing methods which did not fit into the major categories of this survey. These include: osteopathic, anthroposophical, and ayurvedic medical treatments; humor, music and art therapy; and massage.
- 9 members have attended at least one mind/body seminar and all believe that such seminars are extremely helpful during the recovery processes.
- 5 members specifically mentioned positive thinking as a formalized technique which has helped them achieve their successful treatment outcomes, and which they still use in their lives after transplant.
- 6 members wrote at length about the power of prayer as an adjunct to therapy.
- 7 members mentioned the ongoing importance of psychotherapy as an aid to recovery.
- 5 members firmly believe that nutritional therapy is important to maintaining their physical health after transplant. All five follow special diets.
- 20 members believe that support groups are crucial to their post transplant health both physically and mentally.
- 12 members use visualization and relaxation techniques on a regular basis.
- 7 members wrote at length about the positive effect of volunteer work within the cancer community on their own physical and mental health.
"Feeling strong and in control is what my survival is all about," wrote another member who is on a constant search for various methods to bolster her immune system. "I'm always reading to learn....I listen to tapes on healing whenever possible. And I love sharing information on what other BMT survivors do at Stepping Stones' meetings. Stepping Stones is terrific for my immune system!"
In response to the survey question about which methods have been most helpful in the healing process, one member wrote "All were useful as elements in my 'kit'. Meditation and visualization were most helpful in coping with the procedures and discomfort. Therapy has been most helpful in long term management of stress, fear and PTSD. Nutrition and exercise continue to be important as immune boosters."
And many who responded to the survey expressed thoughts similar to this particular survivor who wrote, "I just can't single any one (method) out. It seems that each method was supportive for a specific need at a specific time. For example, prayer feeds and heals my soul, therapy my mind, herbs and acupuncture my chemical body....And each of these supports the other...."
If you would like a copy of the resources mentioned by the Stepping Stones' members who took this survey, or a copy of the survey itself, please write this newsletter. Include a self addressed, stamped envelope.