De-stressed

Recovery has been more difficult than I expected, thus the delay in up-dating my post.  My right breast is swollen, leaking fluid and although I try to use my right arm, it is stiff.  I went in for a follow-up visit and Holly, my nurse, told that everything I am experiencing is normal.  She said it will take me 6-8 months to feel normal - this I did NOT expect!!  Apparently, they don't tell you important information like this pre-surgery.  My arm hurts when I try to stretch it, so I am going to start physical therapy.

As my study continues, I've learned that some of the things making my body a perfect environment for growing cancer were:
1)   low iodine, missing peptides, weak liver, acidic body...all of which I had! 
2)  Thinking and emotions out of balance, such as worrying or being in a para-sympathetic state (always "on").
3)  Above and beyond all, STRESS.  This and other emotions can change an alkaline based diet, into acidic within the body. Which, by the way, no disease can survive in an alkaline based body.
Life today is FULL of stress.  As Helene says, "even the life of a bag lady is stressful" I think that's funny, and true!  So I've learned that the key is to de-stress, with IN stress.  Within the midst of stress, I calm myself, take a few big breaths, slow my thinking down, and take a moment to enjoy something alive like a tree outside my window, an indoor flower, my pet or anything that makes me smile.

Chemotherapy?

Picture by my cousin Jojo  http://jojosjoie.blogspot.com/

Summer's on it's way, my favorite time of year! 
Good news, I'm now 100% cancer free!  However, my surgeon strongly recommends, chemotherapy followed by radiation. Does this make sense? I have a clean bill of health, why do they want to destroy my immune system with chemo? A strong immune system is mandatory to fight cancer and it's re-occurrence. The allopathic idea behind chemotherapy is the following:  It kills various cells throughout the entire body. Cancer cells are the fastest growing, but also the weakest.  The theory is that the healthy cells will be able to endure treatment, re-build themselves and fight the cancer cells. "There has been no progress in curing cancer in conventional medicine for 50 years" says cancer survivor Suzanne Somers, in her new book Knockout. According to my conventional Dr., 30 - 40% of women who had surgery but did not follow up with chemo, were diagnosed with cancer again within 5 years. My questions are what were their eating lifestyle, stress level, living cancer free education, attitude and exercise habits?
It's taken me 50 years to build up my health to a level of excellence (those of you who know me, know that I have a high energy profile), why would I want to break it down intentionally?

I'm willing to take responsibility for my body, keep it vibrant and a hostile environment for cancer. I am working with the Woodlands clinic http://www.woodmed.com/  to take natural chemo agents, continue building my immune system and take nutrients allowing my body to recognize cancer, such as cats claw recommended by chiropractor Dr. Linda Tyrie in Allentown.

There are particular environments within the body, spirit and emotions in which cancer flourishes, and other environments to which it is not attracted.  For every ones benefit, I'll be posting these.
I'm recuperating, very sore in my entire breast and 1/3 of the way down my arm. It's taking me longer than I thought to recover from surgery!

Recovering

The best way to heal, my friend Adrienne said, is not from doctors, the foods you eat or amount of exercise, but from the warmth and love that comes from beloveds being there and doing "it" with you! "It's not the casserole, it's the company" says Dana Guerra.  People say I look better than expected, and I attribute it to my full schedule morning till night with dear friends helping about the house, massaging my stiff back and shoulders, bringing food and dining with me.  I am sore and swollen but my spirits are held high by laughter, care, sweet conversation and a bright outlook everyday. 
My achy body led me to a quick visit with doctor today, who told me "stay inside that surgical bra 24-7, and keep moving that arm" -ouch!   Still uncomfortable, I went for a short walk and did a little Pilate's yoga.  Felt good. 
Immediately after surgery, Dr. Desai told my family that I would require chemotherapy and radiation, starting with chemotherapy first.  Six days later his nurse, Holly, happily told me that further lab results showed absolutely no cancer in the lymph glands (which is the first place cancer begins to metastasize ), or any where surrounding the lump!
Tomorrow I Have an appointment with Dr. Di Martino at the Woodlands clinic.  My pathological report has been forwarded to him, so I'm interested in the protocol he will recommend.  Some of you have begun to pool money together for me, as herbal support is very costly. Thank you immensely!

Surgery results

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

I was in extremely good hands for an excellent surgery and came through with flying colors! I was pleasantly surprised at not only how competent everyone was, but how kind and caring they were as well.  Dr. Desai had previously marked my body where he was going to make the incision. In consideration of the outfits I wear on stage when singing, he drew the line to the outside of, but close to the lump, balancing surgery efficiency. My experience: 

• 
  
  The pre-surgery assistants were kind and helpful.  They made everything pleasant.
• 
  
  My mother Shirley and daughter Tashina were with me until a few minutes before surgery.  Tashina left to get ready for her Prom!  Mom met my brother Dar and father Samir for lunch at a nice restaurant.  It put my heart at ease to know everyone was doing something nice.
• 
  
  I had a few minutes to myself and took the time to look around the room with my intuitive eye.  I saw the spirit of everyone who had said "I can't be there with you physically, but I'll be there with you in spirit", my spirit helpers, guardian angels (actually, the room was packed!) and to my surprise, the strongest presence was archangel Gabriel.  When I got home I looked Gabriel up, and the message was "It's time for you to assume your leadership power and position, and lovingly guide others".  This was interesting as I found several of the assistants open to alternative medicine!
• 
  
  Meanwhile, anesthesiologist Dr. Hayward was more caring than I expected (I expected competence, which everyone had).  He put me at ease and I went into surgery happy as could be...with a little help!  Once in the surgery room, I was soon unconscious and the next thing I experienced was waking up from a heavenly dream saying "Oh, I forgot I was in surgery today". In this altered state, I saw people as energy fields for a few minutes. I noticed in particular, the anesthesiologist and a nurse, were emanating a tremendous amount of caring energy. It made me happy to know that I had been in genuinely caring hands. (In my heavenly dream, my girlfriend Adrienne and I were doing our usual thing...philosophizing and theorizing.  As thoughts are things, these ideas were manifesting as we were speaking). Adrienne and I are childhood friends from infancy, our fathers did research together at Lehigh University, and our mothers taught together in the Palisades school district.
• 
  
  Returning from the recovery room, Lars, Dar, Mom & Dad met me in the hallway before I even got to my resting room, what a treat!  Kisses, laughter, a bit of food, we were all feeling better being together again (although Mom was concerned about how pale I looked).
• 
  
  The doctor pulled out 5 lymph glands because 3 were swollen and blocked, so he wanted to check them.  None had cancer - yea!
• 
  
  On home, rest, sleep...
• 
  
  The 1st day home I rested, watched "50th Anniversary of I Love Lucy" and laughed, sat outside to take in sunshine and nature, and noticed something unique.  The evening before surgery there were specific uniform shapes in the clouds like VVVV, as if to say everything is going as planned and is synchronized.  The evening after, I saw a double rainbow, something I've never seen before.  Wow, what a special message for me!!
• 
  
  Your prayers, healing and good intentions worked!!!  I got it ALL!!!

Today, Mothers Day, I got my wish. I was able to join my whole family (all 10) for Mothers Day brunch - happy Mama! Sat outside with my mother and daughter, then came home and watched more funny shows.

My friend Sherry made a schedule for people to fill out to come over and help me this week.  I'm so grateful to you Sherry, and every one who is helping out!!

More soon.

Surgery

Ahh, finally finished my grant application!  Wow, what an effort.  Wanting to send it in so I can simply relax next week, we just spent 3 hours figuring out how to make a 4 minute clip of a 20 minute meditation I recorded last year, and will send it all in tomorrow morning!
I register at St. Lukes Hospital in Quakertown at 10 a.m. tomorrow,  have my 1st injection at 11, and surgery begins at 1.  Dr. Desai's surgeries typically last 2 - 2.5 hrs, my recovery 1 hour,  about an hour to stabilize, and home after that!!  With the assistance of my friend Cheyenne http://www.healthheartsoul.com/ I've asked my spirit to be very present during the procedure, and to make sure everything goes well :) I'm happy now.
Angels will be at my side, as will your thoughts and prayers, keep them coming.  A smooth operation tomorrow, great assistance, speedy recovery, then better than ever!

Incredible!

Your support has been incredible!! An amazing journey.
Here's my thinking: They'll remove the lump in 2 days, and get the results in 2 weeks.  If it has cancer cells, it's a good thing it's out!  If the cancer cells are dormant, it's medical proof that everything we did worked (I said WE, because it's been my effort, your prayers & healing, and Creators power - together).
What's amazing to me is I've learned to be peaceful and enjoy life in the present moment, no matter what's going on.  During the course of my cancer experience, just at a time when I'm to be laughing relaxing and doing LESS, I discovered that healing cancer is time consuming, my grant application opened up and is due right after surgery,  my bills became higher, I lost my child support, and was just informed my health insurance expires 3 days after surgery (it's so much that I'm laughing right now!). 

So I learned that "what" is going on doesn't matter, "how" it's going on does.  I feel loving every moment I can (this includes kidding around with insurance people on the phone, receptionists and tellers, etc), taking in the beauty of nature each time I'm driving to an appointment, and soaking in YOUR care and positive thoughts all the way down through my toes...it feels so incredibly good to be inside me right now!

Yesterday - What a Mothers Day Gift!

Thermography

I spoke with my Dr. Helene Leonetti, about thermography http://www.tdinj.com/ as a possible reliable test. She said it is not recognized by traditional medicine YET, although very reliable and can detect cancer many years before a lump appears. She is adamantly opposed to mammograms, as they radiate the breast, causing cancer. Thermography is an alternative to mammograms. She said that I'm going to have to make the sacrifice and take the surgery, but as Paula Johnson says, "If they go in and find nothing--they have found nothing-- which is a proof of its own!" So we'll see! Surgery is scheduled for May 7th, but the lump diagnosis will take 2 weeks. Ah, se la vie!

Advice

"In Western medicine when we hear the word cancer, we panic. With Eastern medicine, they simply treat it as another condition, and take care of it".   These were the words of wisdom spoken to me by my friend Orest Pelechaty http://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncturist/60961 .  He said digestion is essential to optimal health, and promptly put me on enzymes. Dar often suggests taking bitters 1/2 hour before meals.

Bill Brodhead mentioned that The Healing Centre in OR, believes the key to beating cancer is building up your immune system.  (check out his picture to the left, and the rest of his photos at http://www.wpb-radon.com/topPage_Billsphotos.html they're amazing).  My "Auntie Kay" (Kay Cordell Whitaker, author of The Reluctant Shaman and The Sacred Link http://www.worldbalance.com/index.htm) surprised me with the grand information about red meat being healthy, provided it's organic.  Grass fed is so important and rare these days! Kay says "stop eating all vegetable oils. These veggie oils are very carcinogenic!!!!"  Eat only animal fats and coconut and palm oils. Never cook with olive oil.
       While in the tee pee ceremony, I saw a face with big teeth come up and bite me right in the chest!  Kay, who was in New Mexico, in pipe ceremony for me at the same time, saw it also, and said it was the spirit of Sage biting the cancer right out of me.  How interesting!  She said spirits take on all sorts of interesting forms.  I know I have physically felt and seen them.  For me, they have felt exactly like human touch.  Kays teachings are a significant part of my spiritual foundation.  Although in New Mexico, she is near and dear to me in my heart, always.  Thank you Auntie Kay!

So much has happened

My brother Dar did a Cherokee healing ceremony for me on 2/21/10.  This was one out of a series of four.  He pulled out the spirit of cancer, and we literally saw it behind the tee pee, fussing and fuming that it had been dislodged.  With 40 people present and praying, it had absolutely NO permission to return. Thank you Dar!

My research began.  Cancer comes as a result of genetics, environment, foods, emotions and spirit.  I had LOTS of work to do on myself. Using some of my own inner processes (healer - heal thyself!) As much as I could, I resolved and healed every significant relationship I could think of from child hood up.  This included my anguish over not being present for Tashina, in a way that would have felt right for me.  Now, it feels sooooo good!
According to Jerri Brunetti, 12 year cancer survivor http://www.agri-dynamics.com/, personality C types are more cancer prone, and he described it something like this:
1) Lack of close relationship in childhood with 1 or more parent(s).
2) Despair or unhappiness over family life.
3) Non expressive with anger.
This supported my research on the importance of inner work/healing. 
Jackie Tice http://www.jackietice.com/ and Dr. Nick Dimartino told me to honor the herbs I'm taking by thanking them for their gifts and healing my body.  Nice touch! 
I try to exercise a little every day, even if it is "just a little".  I try to eat organic as much as possible.  I try to consume raw dairy (very good for you) and stay away from processed dairy.  I found out that almost everyone having cancer has leaky gut syndrome.  4 oz. of raw cream per day fills in the leaks.  Young Livings' Ninxia Red taken daily, helps re-set the gut.  Vitamin D is more of a hormone than a vitamin, and helps alkalize the body.  I'm taking 6-8000 IU daily.  Interesting stuff!
Since healing cancer outside of allopathic medicine is in the minority, I haven't been able to land a conclusive medical/scientific test that will prove how much or little cancer is left in my body.

Test options:
1.  Blood test - non conclusive because as cancer cells die, they release into the blood stream, showing an increase in cancer cells.
2.  Pet scan - must be accompanied by a cat scan, and a 1.3 cm lump is considered to small to scan.  Reason is, by nature of certain organs such as the heart, bladder etc. they, along with the cancer, will light up during scan.  Additionally, the oncologist is emphatic about not seeing me again until after surgery.
3.  Biopsy - the surgeon said even if I get a 2nd or 3rd biopsy showing I don't have cancer, he won't believe it because they could easily miss the cancer cells.
4. MRI - I just found out about this, or I would have asked the narrow minded oncologist about it.  Apparently this is a more detailed view, but I don't know if it's actually an option for me.  I'm running out of time before scheduled surgery. 

According to kinesiology testing, dowsing and intuition, my cancer cells are non-active. The problem is, there are no conclusive NON-invasive medical/scientific tests that I know of available to prove my current condition. My surgeons' theory is "remove it, to prove it".  I have a great deal of family pressure to have a lumpectomy (scheduled for May 7th at St Lukes Hosp. in Quakertown with Dr. Darius Desai, a very good surgeon).  Even I myself, believe it is a good idea to have medical proof of my current status, to know how to best proceed.  Either way (cancer free or not) this will be a life long change.  In order to remain cancer free, I am permanently adapting my new lifestyle.  More on what that is later :)

Lifestyle Change

Healing cancer is time consuming! The following is a partial list of what I have been doing spiritually and emotionally (a little of something every day), and the people who have helped me. If no name is listed, I probably facilitated myself.

1. Clearing cancer for 7 generations of my family, past & future
2. Foot reflexology (Diane Alex http://www.cloudhands.net/ )
3. Body harmonizer - lazer surgery with color, light and sound vibration , Perspiration tent (Dan Tuck)
4. Cherokee healing ceremonies in Tee Pee (Dar Khabbaz)
5. Radionics & accurate Dowsing (Dan Tuck)
6. Brass rings (Scott Anderson) http://www.seedsforchangewellness.com/ www.lightlifetechnology.com/
7. Color therapy and psychic surgery
8. De-tox baths (salts & baking soda. Vinegar. Herbals)
9. Ancient Egyptian treatments and procedures (Gloria Leight & Tani)
10. Energy healing and clearing http://www.serendipitymeadows.com/
11. Past life soul regression SRT
12. Massage Diane Larkin http://www.hunamua.com/ (# offered with her permission: 610 395-4395)
13. Inner communication dialogue between the condition & myself
14. Reiki (Kay Sivel http://www.freewebs.com/kayninesolutions/ )
15. Diaphragmatic breath work (Bill Lampe blampe@ptd.net)
16. Crystal healings
17. Gemstone treatments (Peter Iobst)
18. Drumming, Rattle &Vibrational healing
19. Altantean paddle balancing & psychic readings (Rev. Delores Stevens)
20. Ripcurrent relief http://www.shiome.com/
21. Sound vibration healing
22. Meditations http://www.eaglelife.com/
23. Tibetan ball De-tox massage (greenwood.c@gmail.com)
24. Cherokee traditions (David Winston)
25. Lakota pipe ceremonies
26. Dowsing and Kinesiology
27. Meridian balancing/Aura cleansing
28. Tani’s process (popcorn therapy) with Adrienne Rayna assisting
29. Exercise including; qui gong, pilates, tai chi, lymphatic brushing
30. FUN and laughter with family and friends
31. Most importantly, prayers from YOU!!!!

Keeping cancer dormant or inactive, is a positive change in my lifestyle, forever. Laughter, experiencing life happily, turning negatives into positives and looking on the bright side, are all essential for me. I soak in all warmth from loved ones, and take extra time to notice and receive in beauty surrounding me. I love and enjoy you ALL!!

Research & Physical Practice

Dr. Dimartino (Woodlands Research Center http://www.woodmed.com/ ) presented my case to Dr. Kracht, Burns & Schmidt. They all recommend a lumpectomy in addition to herbal/vitamin/mineral natural support. Knowing my preference is to avoid invasive surgery if possible, they gave me wonderful alternatives including high doses of intravenous vitamin C (a pro oxidant) to break down and kill cancer cells, and peptide injections (full of amino acid) to build the immune system (expensive treatment).

My list of Physical holistic Daily care to date includes:

Herbalist Alchemist tinctures recommended by Dar Khabbaz

7 precious mushrooms – Blend of: Reishi fungus’s, chaga, shitake, and maitake fungus, cordyceps mycelium.
Alterative compound – Blend of: Red clover flower, burdock root, buckthorn bark, licorice, Oregon grape, stilingia, and poke root, prickly ash bark, quassai wood, and potassium iodide.

Dr. Hulda Clark:

• L-Cystein, L-Argenine, L-Orthenine
• Parasite killer machine (kills parasites, fungus, mold, harmful bacteria, yeast)
• Ozonated water – kills free radicals, oxygenates blood.
• Parasite cleanse

Young Living OILS:
Frankincense, Orange oil - kills cancer, Juva Cleanse – supports liver
NingXia Red - 1 oz daily

Young Living Supplements:
JuvaPower – intestinal cleanser
Alka lime – alkaline balancer (like baking soda)
Juva tone – promotes healthy liver function
Core Essentials
Mineral Essence

Orest Pelechaty, C.A., Dipl CH
Tibetan Jewel Pills
Digestive enzymes (excellent for optimal health)
Homeopathic De-tox

Foods:  As much as I possibly can: alkaline, raw, organic.

Exercise: various types about 20 min per day. Trampoline for lymphatic stimulation.

Vitamins & Minerals: 8000 IU Vitamin D daily, Chlorella, Kelp, 1 oz. Aloe Vera juice, Green Tea

Even with all this, I find I’m still missing certain things that are imperative for killing cancer. I learn as I go along.

Dr. Linda Tyrie, excellent chiropractor and dear friend, has been helpful to me in discovering things that will help. I’m low in iodine. Iodine creates a hostile environment for cancer. Cats claw unmasks the cancer cells (which like to hide) so that the immune system can recognize and attack them. She offers Standard Process which has a supplement, mammary p.m.g, that gives the body a blueprint of what healthy breasts and tissue look like.

My Intention

I am deeply moved and feel warmly embraced in a beautiful loving blanket of your warm responses! Thank you all for keeping your comments positive, it helps tremendously!
My intention is to heal myself holistically, but include what ever is necessary to live a long and happy life.  Many of you feel, as do I, that I will fully recover from this and be happier, healthy, more confident and a better person for having had this experience.  I feel the support of your prayers daily, keep 'em coming! Thank you!

Learning

My family and friends have shown up with full support.  After we have a doctor appointment, we all go out to eat, discuss and celebrate!  Laughter and love are two of the greatest contributors to building up the immune system.  Education seems to be the key.  Reading, listening to a variety of doctors, learning from the stories of cancer survivors, then figuring out what works for me.
As David Winston said, I'm in a maze right now, but there IS a way out. 
My cousin Joni, in Norfolk VA, eloquently sumarized my situation on her blog post entitled:
Today I had a Talk... Sunday, March 7, 2010  http://jojosjoie.blogspot.com/ She welcomes you to read it and enjoy her beautiful photos too!