If you enjoyed our recent blog posts, look through the following resources to find out more about living healthy and feeling well. If you have any remaining health-related questions, you can contact West Hills Hospital & Medical Center by calling (818) 676-4000 at any time.

• Learn more about Autism by visiting the Autism Society website.
• There are three degrees of burns. The American Academy of Family Physicians describes the types of burns and how they are treated on their website.
• Learn how to prevent burns in your home by checking out this article found on the American College of Emergency Physicians website.
• Lymphedema can occur as a result of certain cancer treatments. This article from the American Cancer Society provides more information about lymphedema and its management.
• You can take steps to prevent cancer—read this guide from the National Cancer Institute to learn more.
• What is distracted driving? Find out by visiting Distraction.gov.
• You can make a difference by turning your phone off or putting it away when you are driving. Get the facts about the dangers of distracted driving on FocusDriven.org.
• Returning to everyday life after cancer treatment can be challenging. Find help on the American Cancer Society website.
• Bariatric surgery can have a variety of benefits—this article from the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery describes how surgical weight loss can improve your overall health.
• Are you getting the nutrients you need to be healthy? Find out by visiting the American Heart Association website.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’ve put together a list of quotes honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society:

• A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. --Washington Irving (1783-1859)
• Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. --Marion C. Garretty
• Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother. --Lin Yutang, Chinese writer
• There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one. --Jill Churchill
• To the world you might just be one person, but to your mother you are the world. --Author Unknown

Cancer is a deadly disease that can take dozens of different forms. Fortunately, innovations in cancer diagnosis and treatment have allowed millions of cancer sufferers to defeat the disease and live long, active lives. If you have recently ended your cancer treatment and have also defeated your cancer diagnosis, you may be wondering what happens next. Below you can learn more about what you can expect from life after cancer. 

Attend regular follow-up appointments with your doctor
Even though your treatment has come to an end, it is still important to see your cancer specialist regularly. Depending on your situation, you may need to visit with your physician every few months or possibly only a couple times per year. During your visit, your doctor will perform a physical exam and possibly some x-rays or blood tests. These visits also provide you with an excellent opportunity to bring up any health problems that you may be having or ask any questions that may arise between appointments.

Cope with any fear or anxiety that may be troubling you
It is completely natural to feel certain amounts of anxiety before you attend your follow-up visits. You may be afraid that your physician will notify you that your cancer has returned and that you must restart your treatment. Arming yourself with detailed information about your cancer, expressing your feelings to those close to you, staying active, and maintaining a positive attitude can help you to overcome these negative feelings.

Develop a wellness plan to improve your physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health
One of the most important things you can do to improve your life after defeating cancer is to commit to improving your overall health. Develop a wellness plan that is focused on eliminating any bad habits that you may have and replacing them with healthy, positive ones.

We're fortunate have some of the best nurses around. We thank you all and wish you a Happy Nurses Week!

Please join Dr. Richard in celebrating our two Burn Survivor Puppies, Phoenix and Natalia on May 19th in Thousand Oaks.  The adoptive families who will be overseeing their care, education and licensing to become therapy dogs for burn survivors will be announced at the party!