One of the most important parts of healing is being comfortable.
When a person is comfortable, their stress is down, their confidence increases, they’re able to rest well and they have the energy and motivation to work towards improving their health or maintaining their already healthy lifestyle. In fact, there have been many studies like this one about the impact of the hospital environment and hospital room on a patient’s ability to heal. I love that!
However, when you or your loved one are inpatient in the hospital for any reason, comfort isn’t easily achieved and many don’t think it is possible.
When my son, Kicker, was first diagnosed with cancer, we were inpatient for almost an entire month. I can promise you there was nothing ‘comfortable’ about the sterile, dimly lit hallways, the smells, the constant beeping, the terrible quality of food, the continuous interruptions from the medical team…
Oh, the list goes on and on.
I learned early in his diagnosis that I was responsible for changing the outcome of our situation…not that I was in charge of his healing or curing him, but that I was going to have to choose to make the best of our circumstances in a situation that was very uncomfortable.
I needed to find a way to create comfort.
So, with the help of my sister and brother-in-law who lived right next to the hospital, we enjoyed nutrient-dense, homemade meals and broth. I even got to have my morning bullet-proof coffee with breakfast that she would bring. Perhaps you don’t have family close by, but you have friends asking how they can help. My suggestion is to allow them to set up a ‘meal delivery’ train to the hospital and you make some specific requests of what you enjoy and what will nourish your health!
Next, my sister taught me how to diffuse essential oils for comfort, cleansing the air and helping with sleep. She also gave me instructions on how to apply them directly on Kicker and myself to help support healthy immune function and reduce feelings of discomfort or anxiousness. This combo helped so much that it didn’t take long for our room to turn into the nurse’s station because everyone felt so uplifted and comforted from the aromas. Here are the blends we used and how we used them.
We also found it very beneficial to all of our comfort and our son’s healing process to always have some music playing and ketogenic snacks on-hand. Here’s some of our favorites:
Favorite Pandora Playlist:
- David Crowder
- Natalie Grant
- Bethel Music Worship
- Shane & Shane
- Lauren Daigle
Favorite Ketogenic Snacks:
- Hardboiled eggs
- Avocados with sea salt
- Fat balls (recipe below)
- Coconut milk yogurt
- Buttered bone broth
Finally, I recently stayed with a friend at the hospital and here’s some of the things we kept on-hand to support her and keep her comfortable:
- Large Yeti Thermos – full of filtered water to stay healthy and hydrated
- Stainless Steel Cup with Straw – to avoid toxins in plastic
- Natural, Toxin-Free Baby Wipes – for keeping clean
- Hypertonic Minerals – for hydration and balancing electrolytes
- DigestZen Essential Oil – for keeping the bowels regular
- Tea Tree Essential Oil – for any skin irritation
- Cayenne Cleanse Kombucha – to keep unwanted viruses and bacteria out of the body and for a refreshing beverage
- And Not Pictured…Bible, journal, friends and family!
Fat Balls
Ingredients
- 16-ounce jar of almond butter
- 10 ounces crispy nuts, such as macadamias, almonds, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts. Follow soaking instructions. Then, use food processor to grind or chop to desired chunkiness.
- 3-4 Medjool dates, remove the pits
- Handful of sesame seeds, soaked
- Organic shredded coconut, to taste and preference
- Vanilla extract
- 8 ounces unsalted butter, preferably raw butter or cultured butter from pastured cows
Instructions
- Blend in bowl thoroughly and then spoon out small balls on to wax paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Refrigerate or freeze for at least an hour prior to serving.
Notes
If trying to stay in ketosis, do not use Medjool dates.
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