+ Oncologist

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

Meagan's Experience:

This is an important aspect to your care. This doctor will be with you during the whole journey. It is important to gain a second opinion, if you have time. I have learned that being your own advocate is vitally important in this journey.

+ TUMOR

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. A mass of tissue that may or may not be visible to the eye. Tumors can sometimes be cancerous (malignant) or they may just be a benign (non-cancerous) growth.

Meagan’s Experience:

I had a 21 by 22 cm tumor on my liver because of this I had Intense rib and shoulder pain. Although I have colon cancer my largest tumor is located on my liver.

+ Angiogenesis

The tumor sends out chemicals that cause blood vessels to grow to support the tumor. This allows for tumors to have their own blood supply.

Meagan’s Experience:

My liver tumor created so many more blood vessels in order for it to grow. I knew something was wrong when I saw the blood vessels on the outside of my skin.

+ Metastasis

The process of cancer cells spreading from the original site to another part of the body which results as a metastatic tumor. Once the cells spread to other body parts, they are still classed as the original cancer from the primary source.

Meagan’s Experience:

An example would be if colon cancer spreads to the liver, it will still be called colon cancer because it is still named after where it originated from.

+ Port

A device that is placed under the skin, many times in the chest, that allows access for blood draws and fluids such as medications or blood transfusions. Oncologists will insert a port when multiple blood draws and treatments are needed to help decrease the amount of needle pokes into the skin. A port will often stay in place for many weeks or months and it can be closed off when not in use.

Meagan’s Experience:

Based upon my oncologist’s recommendation I decided to have the procedure of a port put in within a week of my diagnosis. Knowing the frequency of medication being administered I decided this was the best course of action.

+ Prognosis

The outcome and chance of recovery that your oncologist will discuss with you after your diagnosis is determined.

Meagan’s Experience:

There are many resources to find that will provide you with statistics however, it was recommended by my doctor that I not google survival rate. At that point it was not mentally healthy and some of what is out there is outdated and is misconstrued. I would recommend watching my video about 'How I googled Stage IV colon cancer'.

+ Genetic testing and screening

Testing that evaluates an individual's genes, chromosomes or proteins that can confirm a genetic disease, condition, or an increased risk of developing a certain condition. Genetic testing can be done on a specific tumor to diagnose cancer or show treatment options.

Meagan's Experience:

I chose to get genetic testing done soon after my diagnosis and found two mutations. One of them is TP-53, which I can continue to work with genetic counselors to look at what others with that gene mutation have done for treatment and evaluate clinical trials.

+ Immunotherapy

A specialized treatment used to help your immune system find cancer cells, even in places where they may not have been found yet and fight them. This is a treatment that is often used alongside chemotherapy.

Meagan's Experience:

Based upon my genetic screening my treatment plan included receiving Erbitux, which is an immunotherapy drug only given to people who have a specific gene mutation. In the future I could be a candidate for other treatments because immunotherapy clinical trials are being started each month.

+ Chemotherapy

A treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth or division of cancer cells. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, chemotherapy may be given orally, injected, infused through a port, or applied topically. It can be used on its own orin conjunction with other treatments such as radiation, immunotherapy or surgery.

Meagan's Experience:

I started chemotherapy with an intravenous IV port and now I am taking chemotherapy by pillat home every day. I recommend bringing a bag with everything you may need for the day if you go into a clinical setting for chemotherapy.

+ Chemo Pump / Home Infusion Pump

A bag of chemotherapy medication is often brought home by patients and is infused over several days until the bag empties. A pump will control the amount that is administered through a patient’s port.

Meagan's Experience:

The chemo pump was very nice to take home for two days and be able to get my treatment while I am in the comfort of my home. I found my own over the shoulder bag and ironed on patches reminded me to stay positive while going home with a pump that made me feel sick. A note: don’t sleep with it under a hot blanket.

+ Intravenous (IV)

Medication that is administered into your veins through an IV. This can be done as an injection straight into the IV access port or through an IV drip (which is the bag of fluids) so that it is administered at a slower rate.

Meagan's Experience:

I was given anti-nausea, antihistamineand steroids through IV injection before and after getting chemotherapy. Although the injections may not take away all of the symptoms, they give some comfort while you are administered chemotherapy.

+ Antihistamines

Medications that block an allergic reaction, help to prevent nausea and vomiting and may cause drowsiness.

Meagan's Experience:

I was given an antihistamine, Benadryl, before immune therapy and every blood transfusion to prevent to an prevent allergic reaction. It made me incredibly tired and I would usually fall asleep in the chemotherapy chair.

+ Steroids

Treatment with corticosteroid drugs to reduce swelling, pain, and other symptoms of inflammation.

Meagan's Experience:

During chemotherapy I was given steroids because I had an allergic reaction to the chemotherapy medication. A sign that I needed steroids was that my tongue was hard to move, making it difficult to talk. The last time I got steroids was when I had radiation on my pelvis, and it was to support my body through radiation.

+ Blood transfusion

The transfer of blood into a person’s vein through an intravenous (IV) line. Some cancers, especially digestive system cancers, cause internal bleeding, which can lead to anemia from too few red blood cells.

Meagan's Experience:

Sometimes chemotherapy causes me to become anemic and which is something I have battled with my whole life. Due to my history my doctor had me recieve four in the last year, which I welcomed because I have so much energy about three- four days later.

+ Hyperbaric

Hyperbaric treatment involves using gas at a higher pressure than in our normal atmosphere. Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment (HBO treatment) involves breathing in pure oxygen in order to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and to promote healing.

Meagan's Experience:

I’ve been using a hyperbaric chamber and ozone therapy to increase the oxygen in my body to help support my body heal and I have seen an alleviation of many of my symptoms because of this treatment.

+ Meditation

During this practice the goal is to focus the mind in order to find stillness and awareness. There are many different types of meditation and different ways to practice. Some of the most common forms include mindfulness and guided meditations. It aims to bring a sense of peace, calm, love and connection to the universe.

Meagan's Experience:

Meditation has been such an important part of my healing journey. It brings me peace and clarity and helps to get me in the right place mentally to keep on fighting. This is something I struggle with, but I found the process of shutting off your brain alone is so important.

+ Grounding

Also known as earthing, involves the body and the ground having direct contact by walking barefoot or lying on the earth. The physical connection between your body and the earth causes a transference of electrons in order to neutralize the body. It has been shown to help with inflammation and immune response as well as bringing a sense of peace, clearing your mind and recharging your energy.

Meagan's Experience:

I make an effort to get outside every day to ground. I love when I start my day by going out in the sun with a book and reading with my bare feet on the ground. Grounding helps to clear my mind and make me feel mentally stronger to fight off the cancer. I recommend a grounding mat to neutralise built up EMF exposure throughout the day and its an added therapy you can do while you sleep.

+ Weighted blankets

This blanket contains little beads or pellets to make the blanket a little heavier which applies pressure while you are under the blanket. It can help with a range of things including relaxation, restlessness and anxiety.

Meagan's Experience:

I was gifted a weighted blanket when I started chemo and I absolutely love it. The weight on my chest helps to calm me when my body is crawling from chemo. A weighted blanket is great for anyone who wants to reduce their anxiety while they rest.

+ CBD

CBD stands for cannabidiol. A substance taken from a cannabis plant that does not contain THC, which is the part of the cannabis plant which gives you a high feeling. CBD can be taken in many forms for pain relief and anxiety.

Meagan's Experience:

I started using CBD oil orally to help with side effects of chemotherapy like nausea and pain when I am trying to sleep. I also like to mix CBD oil in with shea butter to put on my hands and feet at night to alleviate sensitivity I have developed from the chemo. It is important to pick a trusted brand and concentration because how it is processed, and concentration will dictate that efficacy and relief.

+ EASTERN MEDICINE OR TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Eastern medicine will focus on the energy balance (the vital energy) of the person and have a much greater focus on the physical, energetic, spiritual aspects and appreciate and treat the more ‘difficult to measure’ aspect of the healing process.

Meagan's Experience:

In my journey it was important to do conventional healing with chemotherapy and radiation, but also to use medicine and therapies that have been used for thousands of years. When I realized what I was up against, I wanted to useanything and everything to fight against my cancer.

+ Alternative and/or Complimentary Medicine Doctor

Medical practices to assist medical treatment and the health and healing of the body. This would include but is not limited to:acupuncture, oxygen therapy, red light therapy, herbal medicine, all forms of exercise, nutritional modifications, spirituality, and art therapy.

+ Integrative medicine doctor

A truly Integrative approach to medicine should encompass all lifestyle changes, western medicine, complimentary medicine, spirituality, and fully focus on the full holistic healing.

Meagan's Experience:

I found my integrative medicine doctor very helpful because she focused on my whole body and mind while spending significant time with me. However, I found she did not agree with what my Nutrition Response Testing supplements. I have found I am my best advocate while considering all methods of healing and I have to use my own discernment for my body.

+ Muscle Response Testing (MRT) / Kinesiology

Kinesiology or Muscle Response Testing is practiced by medical professionals and focus on the response of the Autonomic Nervous System to various stimulus. If something changes the way the nervous system behaves or responds this can provide the practitioner with information on whether a stressor or complimentary agent is helpful or a hindrance to the body.

Meagan's Experience:

My MRT has been vital for figuring out what my body needs and what type of supplements I need to replenish it.

+ Autonomic Response Testing (ART)

ART is a particular brand of muscle testing resulting from the biofeedback from the body. Detectable and treatable problems within this part of your nervous system are present in body dysfunction and all chronic diseases. ART is non-invasive, non-electronic, and can be used to assess people of any age.

Meagan's Experience:

I had these tests done with my Functional and Integrative doctor and found that it is a non-invasive way to get an update on my body during a very unpredictable treatment plan.

+ Functional Medicine Doctor

Seeks to identify and address the root causes of the disease process. To do this the doctor views the body as one fully integrated system rather than several independent organs in the way it is divided up by medical specialties. Functional Medicine Doctors treat the whole system, not just the symptoms, by closely looking at the interaction of all systems of the body.

Meagan's Experience:

I trust my functional medicine doctor a lot because of the utilization of the whole body with Nutrition Response Testing specialty, nutrition monitoring and the focus of food changing my whole body.

+ Nutritionist

Nutritionists help people with special dietary requirements, allergies, health problems, or those with a desire for increased energy or weight change devise healthy diets.

Meagan's Experience:

Eastern medicine doctor suggests changing my diet and I knew I couldn’t do it on my own. I needed a nutritionist to guide me and follow along. As my treatment changed, my nutritionist would realign my food in order to adjust to how my body was being affected.