Coping: Alternative Approaches to Health (within reason, with humor)

Like most dogs, Golly and Ginny provide lots of laughs. Here they play tug of war at the cottage. Didya know pets help lower the blood pressure (and help heart attack patients recover)? (recent study).
For me, for many of us, dogs help us to be here now, in this moment.

And, in LESS joyful moments, when pain or anxiety intrudes, dogs comfort as well as charm us, even at the end of life. This topic that's less hidden now, thanks in part to Bill Moyers' recent PBS series.

Also, consider, the words of this great Buddhist teacher/poet:
"...the best that you can offer your beloved one is your true presence... You are not caught with your problems, you are not caught with your projects, you are not caught by the future, or by the past. You are really there, available..."
[Tich Nhat Hanh, August 11, 1996, Plum Village, France]. For more of Tich Nhat Hanh's meditation talks (living in difficult times/peace)

For a summary of the PBS Series Healing and the Mind (Bill Moyers)
Go here for Dean Ornish's work on heart disease (Is heart disease reversible?) Go here for Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet (by Jane Brody, NYTimes)

This link contains my Survival Poems: Ginny's Days and Mine (a work in progress since I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Also, I've posted brief comments on some current news (mainly, on women's issues and scientific/medical research).

Please note: Ovarian cancer is UNDER-funded, which requires the help of many people, beyond this webpage. FMI, see research funding (the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance site). In the New York City area, contact Gilda's Club and SHARE.
Go here for Ovarian Cancer Quilts (examples, originally from the NOCC site). And here for the Ladies of the Garden" cancer warriors all (photos)

For peace, walk a labyrinth - one may be nearby (Grace Cathedral's site)
For hope, imagine ... a Field of Daffodils (e.e. cummings' poem and more) And also, Dog Heaven "clear, wide lakes ...and oh, the dog biscuits"
For strength, Maya Angelou's Pretty Woman (a wonderful poem)

Or perhaps you see The Bright Side of Cancer (requires humor, now doesn't it!?) This link gives you Advice from a Rabbit Funny, funny tale, for and about graduate students and thesis work, from a cousin, who (surprise surprise) also has a Ph D

Go here for helpful stretching exercises (esp. for feet and legs)