Ayurveda

Is It Vanity? Hair Everywhere…

Lately I have been really concerned with the amount of hair I am loosing. Perhaps the better word for it is ‘shedding’, with my bed, pillows, bathroom floor, shower, sink, clothes, etc., all littered with my hair. Ironically, it feels like I am competing with my dogs regarding who will shed more! Who knew that I, who bravely handled the worse part of my disease progression, would be so challenged with this aspect.

Truthfully, the thinning of the hair to the extent you can see the scalp in many places is very demoralizing, worry-some and very difficult to deal with. I have to shampoo daily plus learn new ways to part or style hair to ensure they remain fluffy, minimize thin spots and combat sebum that flatten the hair and make these areas visible. Dry shampoo and root touchup sprays have become my best friends!

Also, I don’t remember my oncologist, pharmacist or my online research highlighting that hair loss was a potential side effect of Letrozole. Therefore, this amount of hair loss has indeed been quite a surprise! Although my recent email exchange where he shared ‘hair loss / thinning is a side effect of any hormone blockade medication. There are varying levels of severity but I tend to see a “plateau” phase where the thinning reaches a certain point and stabilizes. In other words, it would be highly unusual for a patient to lose their hair entirely with this medication’.

I take this as great news which gives me immense hope! Now my new plan to aid/stimulate hair growth is to 1) daily massage my scalp with ‘Brahmi oil or Bringraj oil’ at night and washing it out in the morning (will need to protect my pillow and sheets); 2) restart ‘Manjishtha’ to support my blood, lymph and circulatory system; 3) incorporate ‘Amla’ for a healthy dose of Vitamin C, etc. My research also shows that topical 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (found in pumpkin see oil) and supplementation of vitamin C (Amla) and omega-3 fatty acids would support hair growth! Lets see if this plan aids me in restoring my crowning glory. I will report out in 3-4 months if this plan helps me any. Wish me luck!

Radiation completed. How did I fare?

Having established a solid mind-body-soul mindset, along with Ayurvedic help, I was ready to commence my treatment. Instead of taking anti-nausea medication, I planned to buffer my stomach with fruit. So I started by taking fresh pineapple about 30-40 mins prior to my radiation treatments and banana right afterwards.

This approach worked till round 8 of radiation, but round 9 and 10 were especially tough! Not only was I tired and had general malaise, my food pipe hurt when food or liquid went down especially at the hiatal valve/ stomach pit area,, my face swelled up and my body felt weak. Yogi Cameron suggested increasing the ‘Manjistha’ (blood and lymph cleanser) along with incorporating daily self oil-massages (Abhyanga) using ‘Bala’ or ‘Mahanarayan’ oils, to support the lymph system.

Verdict – Increasing Manjistha along with Abhyanga helped tremendously. I was also pleased that the body (although a little backed up) worked optimally!

tumblr_inline_p5iisgorHp1vagv91_540

With the body weakening fast, radiation and chemo down the road, preparing the body by ensuring it was running & eliminating optimally, maintaining its vitality to endure long toxic assaults, etc., became momentous and center-stage in my life! The mind-body-spirit connection had to be strengthened, well thought-out and executed. This was make it or break it time! The warrior princess was alive & kicking!

Already on prescription steroids and pain pills (Norco), with prescription for anti-nausea medications for radiation treatment due to effect my digestive/ gastrointestinal tract and secretory glands, and with chemo down the road… there were concerns galore! How do I effectively manage all the side effects and toxins (constipation due to pain pills being primary concern), plus how to buffer the stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, intestines, etc. from short and long term damage!

Needless to say, diet and nutrition moved center stage! Food became sacred! To achieve the right physical strength and calm mind (and to balance the flow of energy between the two), my relationship with food and lifestyle had to overhaul and be transformed! Foods- type of foods, herbs, minerals, and supplements which would fortify the body, help build the body (bones in my case), kept it vibrant (while counteracting side effects my treatment and prescription medications), allowed for proper elimination and to bring it to a state of balance, before, after and beyond treatment, became a conscious intention.

Good thing! I had had a head start in my journey down Ayurveda way, although in infancy stage! So didn’t need much convincing, however, the diagnosis did propelled it to center stage in my life fast! I was seeking spiritual transformation as I knew my purpose of life was more than I was doing. I was more caught up in my ego, desires, wishes and materialistic pursuits, busy lifestyle, and resulting negative emotions and thought patterns. I understood that there is more to life than that and I need to restore the delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit by doing lifestyle modifications, incorporating meditation, mind-training by chanting, incorporating daily spiritual practices, reigniting my creativity, etc.

While doing online research on Ayurvedic medicine and lifestyle I repeatedly saw myself drawn to Yogi Cameron’s youtube videos. His aura and energy was crystal-clear! His advice sound and practical! His lifestyle was disciplined and ascetic! He was the healer for me! Once we were able to schedule a phone appointment, we discussed my diagnosis, treatment plans, need to build the bone tissue, my lifestyle, diet, spirituality and daily practices, etc. Following is the plan we came up for me during radiation, that will commence Feb 5th and last for 10 sessions. I will give an update as to how it went for me.

Yogi Cameron’s Plan for Me –

Morning Sadhana

6-10 Asanas – to open the muscles and channels of the system.
Pranayama of Full breath and Alternate nostril breathing – each done for 5-7 minutes each.
Spiritual practice – to thank the divine and set intention for the day

Nutrition during Radiation-

Probiotics – double the dosage!
Drink Ghee in hot milk – helps transport ghee to deeper bone tissue.
Tip- Everyone should incorporate daily 3 tsp of ‘Desi Ghee’ daily, young or elders!
Vegetable soups/smoothies/juices(even when not hungry)– for nutrition
Fresh Tumeric and ginger root juice – bitter so mix it in a little water

Supplements

Shilajit – encourages healthy cellular function/ nourishes muscle tissue
Ashwagandha – encourages nerve, muscle function, adrenal glands
Shatavari – cools the body, nourishes tissue and immune system
Manjishta– cleanses blood and lymph
Bala Oil – (external use only) – massage oil for muscles and joints/heart

Bedtime

Triphala – one hour before bedtime on an empty stomach to help clean the colon (a must)

Yogiji Cameron you are such a blessing from the divine in my life. Thank you!