Northern Lights: My Habits For Staying Healthy
I hope that all readers are enjoying this season, mid-way between winter and spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and mid-way between summer and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere!
Recently, my husband Dilip and I took a two-week trip to Australia, where we really enjoyed being in peak summer weather. That trip has taken some of the bite out of our winter, since we are still experiencing severe cold and heavy snowfalls here in Canada, even in March. We all hope that since March came in like a lion this year, it will go out like a lamb!
Despite the severe cold, I have been lucky so far this season that I have not caught any major cold or infection, such as the flu or pneumonia.
I was worried about catching any infections for quite a while, as I have undergone several years of cancer treatment, including high-dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous stem cell transplant.
I developed some habits during that time that have stayed with me, even though I am fortunate not to be taking any cancer treatment at the moment. I just don’t know how immune compromised I am.
Flu season always is a worry, so I still get the flu shot annually, as Dilip and I have done since the 1980s, when it was introduced as a public health measure. At the time when I was undergoing induction therapy and a stem cell transplant, from late 2009 to early 2010, the H1N1 flu was raging here in Canada. That made a strong impression on me, and ever since I have been trying to avoid catching influenza.
Another habit I have developed is being keen on getting all recommended vaccinations, including my childhood vaccinations after the stem cell transplant, an annual flu shot, and pneumonia vaccines. I am also getting a non-live shingles vaccine this spring. This all helps to reassure me that if I do get sick, it won’t be too serious. It is of course possible that my system will not put up immunities in response to the vaccines, and in that case, they would not be effective. I nevertheless prefer to take any vaccines on the hope that they will take.
Ever since I recovered from my stem cell transplant in 2010, I make an effort to exercise regularly. With the help of my fitness tracker and encouragement from family and friends, I am trying to walk every day, about 3.5 miles (6 km) if at all possible. I try to do most of my walking outside, but if the weather is bad, I go to the gym or walk around indoor shopping malls. I am a bit obsessive about keeping track of my steps, since I am still in a remission and don’t want my blood counts to indicate that I need to get back on treatment. I think that exercising lots is helping me that way.
Trying not to get exhausted can keep one from being susceptible to infections. If I do have the start of a cold and am sneezing, coughing, or have a sore throat, I try to stay home. I wish others would do the same thing! If I am resting, it is likely that the cold will not develop much, and I will feel better in a day or two.
I wash my hands lots and try to avoid crowds where infections may easily spread. If I am traveling on public transit, I try to avoid rush hour. For air travel, I try to get an aisle seat.
I don’t soak in hot tubs anymore and avoid saunas for fear of getting infections. I miss those treats, but I would rather not risk my health. I have had fungal infections on my toe nails a few years ago, and thought it might have been from being in an outdoor heated lagoon! I used a topical anti-fungal treatment, available by prescription, to clear up that infection.
Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water, or even coffee or tea, seems to help with good health. And I notice that if I forget to take my vitamin pills for a few days, I may start to come down with something.
I work from home, which usually keeps me away from unpredictable situations where people around me could be sick.
My hobbies that I have had for years seem fine for keeping healthy. As long as I don’t get too sedentary, I enjoy working on stitching, sewing, and knitting projects. These are quiet pursuits that I can do at home.
And music is a great joy in my life. I listen to music when exercising, and sing in a choir. I find that singing is good for my health, in that it lifts my spirits. In addition, the breathing exercises that go along with singing strengthen my lungs.
What special tips do you have for coping with a weakened immune system?
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The quotation for this month is from Aldo Leopold (1887 - 1948), an American author, philosopher, scientist, and environmentalist, who said: "One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of March thaw, is the spring."
Nancy Shamanna is a multiple myeloma patient and a columnist at The Myeloma Beacon. You can view a list of her columns here.
If you are interested in writing a regular column to be published by The Myeloma Beacon, please contact the Beacon team at .
Hello Nancy! I read that germs thrive in wet and warm environment. That's why they love our mouths and the space under our nails, if they are not clean. But the sauna is hot and dry, so I would think they don't have a chance to survive. Did you ask your doctor about using it?
Nancy, I really can't add anything to your great advice. For me, I pretty much do the same as you. I wish others would practice good hygiene and stay home when they're sick--we wouldn't have as many flu cases and the like if they did!!
Very timely article, Nancy. You are spot on for staying healthy. Every thing you mentioned can help those with compromised immune systems. My husband is on maintenance therapy so his white count is always a little below normal. One additional thing we do is wear masks in crowded public places and when we fly. So far, so good. Thanks for sharing and continue to stay healthy!
Thanks for the kind comments!
Annamaria, I could probably try the sauna, and there is one at my fitness club. I just worry about it being closed in and then germs getting trapped in there. I definitely avoid hot tubs though!
Susan, thanks and it's nice to be able to avoid crowds when people are sick. It was a bad flu season this year, and we are fortunate to have gotten through it. There must be some sort of 'herd immunity' since some people do get vaccinated, and thus are unlikely to spread the flu. So that will protect those who cannot get a vaccine. It's nice to get the vaccine if one can in terms of helping others too!
Patty, I carry masks with me when I travel too. I haven't used them often but they can come in handy at times.
I appreciate all of the suggestions you have for maintaining our health. I have heard one thing on the news lately that you might need to change. They say studies show the window seat on the plane is the best place to avoid getting sick because of all the activity in the aisle. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Joyce, maybe you are right about the window seat being in the quietest spot. The middle seat could be a problem if anyone with a respiratory infection is sitting to either side of you. The aisle seat is good for getting up during the flight if you need to do so . Should we be using that air flow that you can adjust above the seat?
Thanks for the great suggestions and the encouragement!
Thanks, Linda, we can all learn from each other. Hope you are doing well.
Regarding infection, I have only the following to add.
I asked my consultant about whether it might be advantageous to use a mask for air travel, as this seems to be a trigger for me.
He said the mask had to be very high tech to do any good. Specific recommendations were to wipe down the tray and surrounding area with antiseptic wipes and to keep your hands away from your face.
The drug regimen in the clinical trial in which I'm participating includes antibacterials, which must help.
Regards,
Ray
Thanks Ray, that sounds like a good idea, to wipe off the tray in the airplane, and I suppose not to read the magazines there either if you think you are at risk of infection. I have noticed that on some planes passengers need to bring an iPad, or rent one, to see movies on, since there is no longer a screen on the back of the seat in front of the passenger. I think that could be better for avoiding infections too. Good luck with the clinical trial you are in.
Thanks for this good article Nancy! I also try to do most of the things you mentioned here. I thInk keeping up with exercise is extremely important, as well as getting adequate rest when we start to feel run down and overtired. Sometimes that means I will have to take a nap in the middle of the day, which I have the luxury of doing since I often work from home, but I don’t like doing it. I’m in complete remission and on a maintenance therapy. I look perfectly healthy, I’m active, I do weight training at the gym, so people don’t always realize that sometimes I need a bit more rest to stay healthy - but if I let myself get run down, a sinus infection is often the result. So all these precautions are definitely worth the effort!
Thanks, Paul, and keep up the good work!
I practice this every summer and now (Revlimid maintenance) everyday to avoid interdigital mycosis (fungal infection between the toes, which often appears in the summer): I apply a small amount of essential lavender (lavandine) oil between my toes - smells good and prevents infections. (You can also use it to banish moths or to remove fatty grease in the kitchen :))
Thanks, Karin, for the tip about putting essential lavender oil between the toes! That sounds very nice.