STORIES OF INSPIRATION Contributed By Our Readers From: Sandy Sandy Powers, sdepour@comcast.net, www.organicforhealthsite.com How I’m Fighting Breast Cancer By Sandy Powers It was the summer of 2005 when my diagnostic mammogram revealed a growth in the back of my breast. The biopsy confirmed it was cancer. My best option was to have a mastectomy. The day before surgery, my surgeon called to tell me my pre-opt tests came back. “Your liver enzymes are seriously elevated,” he said. “What are liver enzymes?” I asked. “Liver enzymes let us know how healthy the liver is,” he explained. “Your enzymes are 3 times higher than normal. Surgery is on hold until we run some tests.” Had the cancer spread to my liver? After a round of tests, the surgeon called again. “The cancer doesn’t appear to have spread to your liver, but we can’t pin point the cause of the elevated enzymes.” He continued, “We can’t wait any longer for surgery.” Three days later I had the mastectomy. The doctors decided I was not a good candidate for the traditional follow-up cancer treatment of radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal (anti-estrogen) therapy. There is no cure for breast cancer; yet, the traditional therapies were not for me. My liver enzymes were still seriously elevated. I knew I had to find an alternative treatment. I went into research mode. I poured through hundreds of research studies, medical journals, and dozens of books. I shifted through my piles of notes. I devised My Six-Step Plan. I became my own guinea pig. My Six-Step Plan: 1. I stopped all multiple and mineral supplements. Recent studies, for example, in The Journal of The American Medical Association and The Annuals of Internal Medicine concluded daily intake of beta carotene, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E in the form of vitamin pills increased risk of death; Vitamin A by 16 percent, Vitamin E by 4 percent and beta carotene by 7 percent. Researchers further suggested these and other artificial vitamins overload the liver. 2. I switched to organic food and began using olive oil for all my cooking and baking. Organic food eliminated from my diet the toxic pesticides, toxic fertilizers, added hormones, and antibiotics that are in conventional foods. Olive oil is healthy for the liver. 3. I increased my food intake of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the inside of a cell from free radicals that can cause diseases like cancer. Vitamin C is the most important antioxidant of them all. According to the National Academy of Sciences, one out of every six adults receives less than one-half of the daily-recommended amount. Since our bodies can’t manufacture or store Vitamin C, I make sure I drink orange juice, eat tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, broccoli, and parsley every day. But I do not take Vitamin C supplements. According to researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, large doses of Vitamin C—like in supplements— also protect the cancer cells inside our cells. Vitamin C taken in food sources does not. 4. I go out into the sun every day for 15 minutes for Vitamin D. Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. Science Daily reports studies show a clear association between a deficiency of Vitamin D and breast cancer. I have a daily ritual of fifteen minutes of sun a day without sunscreen. 5. I walk every day for exercise. Since I live in Florida where heat can be a problem, I usually walk in Wal-Mart or Target. (I only take a couple of dollars along with me so I’m not tempted to buy anything!) 6. I meditate twenty minutes a day to reduce stress. A little stress makes us productive. A lot of stress makes us sick. I want my body to concentrate on staying well, not on fighting stress. Meditation is a healer of the mind while Organic Food is a healer of the body. After six months on this regimen, I returned to the doctor for a series of tests. My liver enzymes returned to normal and my overall cholesterol dropped forty points while my good cholesterol rose forty points. My cancer appeared in remission. I remain on My Six-Step Plan to fight cancer recurrence. There is no cure for breast cancer. For me, the best I can do is beat cancer into remission and fight to keep it there. This year in the United States there will be approximately 243,000 new cases of breast cancer. Over 41,000 breast cancer patients will die. I don’t plan on being one of them. From: Shelly Hi all, I'm Jan's husband and Christi's brother-in law. i feel very fortunate regarding the technology that exists today that enabled an MRI to find the additional cancer in jan's other breast. Cancer, while scary should not be viewed with the fears of yesteryear. My Dad died of kidney cancer 35 years ago but had 2+ years of life after his original surgery, which enabled him to see me graduate from law school and be sworn in to the Bar. my brother-in-law is currently battling the same disease and he has drugs available which are supposed to work wonders which were not available in the past. When I became a type I diabetic 50 years ago my parents were advised that they should not worry about my chances to someday marry and have children, as I would not live that long. Technology has advanced so much over the years and helped us all live longer and more productive lives. Thus, message to all is hang on and be thankful for each day of life and truly the "best is yet to come" From: janis Hi There, I am Christi Scherrer's sister and I have some important information that i want to share with you and your devotees. I want to let everyone know about the latest, most sophisticated breast cancer screening tool---BREAST MRI- I was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine, yearly mammogram and ultrasound. THERE WAS NO CANCER FOUND IN THE RIGHT BREAST AT THAT TIME! FORTUNATELY, MY DOCTORS RECOMMENDED A BREAST MRI PRIOR TO SURGERY. LO AND BEHOLD.... THE MRI DISCOVERED CANCER IN THE RIGHT BREAST. HAVING HAD CANCER IN BOTH BREASTS CHANGED MY CHOICE OF PROCEDURE AND WILL INFLUENCE MY CHOICE OF TREATMENT. THE CANCER IN THE RIGHT BREAST IS MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN THAT FOUND, ORIGINALLY, IN THE LEFT. SO I AM FEELING EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD DOCTORS THAT RECOMMENDED A BREAST MRI- I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS TOOL WILL HAVE SAVED MY LIFE!!! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR WEBSITE!!! From: christi Hi Deb: I just wanted you to know that I'm in New Jersey with my sis. She was just diagnosised with breast cancer and had a double masectomy on 5-22. She is doing great but will have to have chemo treatment. Jan hassome information that she would like to pass on to your web site visitors. From: Daney fighting like a woman isnt just fighting, it is pushing yourself to your last limit, never backing down, knowing and understanding your task, and achievments From: Deb Dear Denise: although i am slow to respond...I just want to know that I loved your entry on our bulletin board. As it says on the inpiration page...fighting like a woman applies to many types of personal challenges. It\'s obvious that you exemplify a true \"fight like a woman\" spirit! I love the way you encourage others to be courageous...as you have been in your challenge! Thanks for sharing with all of us! Warm regards, Deb From: Denise Ladies, I just found your web site and felt conpelled to write for a couple of reasons. First, CONGRATS to all fighters out there! We never give up! I have a little different battle, but battle all the same. In September 2000, three weeks before my 39th birthday I was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemie-Type 2. This particular type, I was told, usually shows up on people 60 years old and up. My first thought was \"What\'s up with that?!\" My second thought was planning on being with my family and friends way passed that. I was told I was the youngest case with this type of AML they ever saw at KU Medical Center. Well, if they wanted to see strange I was the one to show them. I have three brothers and one sister (I\'m the middle child) but no donor match for stem-cell transplant so I did an autogolous (donate to myself) transplant after 6 months of chemo and cell-booster shots. Then I was placed on what looked like a dialysis machine. It took the blood from my body, took out what it wanted from the blood and put the rest back in. Not a pleasant experience so my husband was right there entertaining me AND the staff. He\'s a character. Then I was placed in the special bone marrow unit with just a few rooms and a nurse. I knew at this stage attitude was more important than ever. With the support of my faith, family and friends (and a phone) I was seeing the outdoors for the first time in six weeks-going home, yeah! It took about nine months of recovery to be strong enough to go back to work. I worked for about another nine months then fell out of remission. Now I had to rely on the National Regisry for a match. With much praying, a ten point match was found for me (overseas) . My prayers had been answered again. During the chemo treatments my platelets dropped so rapidly and low I had a mild stroke. I was immobile for six weeks , then physical and occupational therapy started working. I now walk with a walker and a limp. Key words-I\'m walking! I was well enough for the rest of the chemo and had the second transplant in May 2003. I had some Graft vs. Host Disease (where your body trys to reject it) some the first transplant in different ways but this second transplant attacked my lungs. I now have severe athsma and am on O2 24x7 but I thank GOD every day, several times a day that I\'m still with my family and have the best support system ever with my husband, family, friends and my community. I want to shout to everyone that the power of prayer, positive thinking and love will make the fight so worth it. Keep fighting ladies with all that you have! Thanks for reading my story. Feel free to contact me. Make each day count abd GOD BLESS!! From: Deb Thanks so much for your note, Frosty. It is so good to hear that we are fulfilling our mission to enCOURAGE women facing cancer or other illness. We appreciate your spreading the word for us! Hope all is well with you and yours! From: Frosty Hey Deb, Perfect timing for a great idea! Within a few days after getting your message I was able to pass your site on to a friend just diagnosed with breast cancer. It so much nicer than a card or e-mail - - its a whole message of empowerment and hope. Great job! From: Deb As a breast cancer survivor and co-founder of "Fight Like a Woman!", I must dedicate this website to those who are the "very heart" of this endeavor. In loving memory of those who lost their battle with cancer...but whose legacy is reflected here: my mother, Boydine, my grandfather, Boyd, my grandmother "Gammie", my step (but true) sister Sue, and Martha Barkofske. In heartfelt gratitude for my personal "circle of support": My husband Craig (the Rock) and our wonderful grown children, Tyler and Lauren. Our loving extended family, including Aunt Jeanne, Antonio, Catherine, Christian, Colette, Darby, Icer, Inez, Jackie, Jeanne R., Kathy T., Keith C., Kim, Kristen, Lindsay, Marilyn, Sandor, Skye, Stefanie, Brother Tim, Tyler A., Tyler H., Uncle Keith, and Whitney. Our cherished friends, who shared the journey...Carol C., Carol P., Chris & Dick, Claudia & Michael, Dave P., Deb and Wes, Dian E., Diane & Jim, Dianne E., Gail & Tom, Ginger & Doug, Ingrid & Scott, Jody, Joyce, Judy D., Judy L., Karen & Russell, Kathy & Jim, Kelli, Kim & Chris, Linda, Lisa F., Marilyn B., Marilyn T., Marva, Melodie, Michelley & Sean, Pat H., Patty & Dave, Pat & Ron, Paula & Bill, Sandy & Bob, Susie L., and Suzie P. My precious "walk angels"... Joan, Margie, Mimi, Paula, Shelley, and Sue. In celebration of the lives of my survivor sisters: Annie Polson Wolchik, Charlotte White, Cheryl Jernigan, Christi Scherrer, Jean Kling, Jo Lyons, Kathy Langenwalter, Kathy Ritz, Kay Dolson, Laura Maxwell Schultz, Meridee Jordan, Nancy Polson Schuetz, Patty Turkal, Paula Radding, Penny Aiello, and Susan Miller. In appreciation for my talented partner and friend, Jan Tracy, who works diligently to transform our vision into a beautiful reality! Pages >> |1|2|