ERT and my naturopath

Hello all,

I read one of the articles from the previous blog's link, about estrogen replacement therapy.  Please take time to read.  I am so happy that I discontinued my estradiol patch about a month or so ago.  I just had this feeling inside that I needed to stop.  Because I am also BRCA 1 mutation positive, eventually I may take Tamoxafen to help decrease the chances of breast cancer.  You cannot take Tamoxafen while taking estrogen.  Plus, according to the article, estrogen can increase the risk of recurrence and also increase the speed of destruction.

That's just plain bad news.

So I am having hot flashes every hour or so, and it's not so fun.  The only upside is that the overall temperature is "cold" and I can just go outside for a minute and cool off.  Hopefully this will pass sooner than later, but it's nothing compared to a recurrence.  I'll deal, no biggie.

My ND (Naturpathic Doctor) is fantastic, he's just what I needed on my team right now.  I think everyone should see him.  Prior to seeing him, I had to complete a detailed questionnaire, as usual.  But it asked really good questions about my habits, body and what was important to me.  Wow.

In his office there were some awards.  He sits looking out onto the water in Puget Sound, nice.  The staff is all smiley and friendly.  Perfect.

After answering 20 or 30 very specific questions about anything you can imagine, he wrote out a very simple plan to get my GI tract back in check.  Yippie.  I do have 4 new supplements that range from enzymes to multivitamins.  I also must eat several cups of fruit ( cantaloupe or pears etc) per day.  The fruit is for fiber.  One of the supplements will help to grease my GI tract to help things move along more smoothly.

The most important thing was to increase my exercise.  He insists that I move briskly for 20 minutes every day.................aaagh.  He prefers that I walk, but any really fast moving that gets my heart pumping is what he wants.  I didn't ask "why" because I know why.  I need to flush out toxins and increase my endurance.

I have other issues to face but he just wants to deal with digestion for now.  That is what I want to do.  He affirmed that healthy absorption of nutrients can help improve my immune function, which would hopefully fend off disease.

Funny thing, he also wants me to over-chew my food.  He said "chew your soup".  This is because the salivary enzymes are a critical part of the digestion process.  I've always been a slow eater, so no problem.  I just need to be careful I don't look like a cow chewing her cud......ha ha.

I am to see him again in late January.

I don't want to invest all my hope in this area of my treatment, but it's so so so so so important to me that I do whatever I can do to help myself be healthy.  I can control what I eat, how I eat, etc. I can't control my bone marrow production, you know what I mean?

AND.....being full of energy, feeling good, appearing healthy are all part of returning to being a productive member of the working population.

It just really gets me down that I'm not healthy sometimes, healthy people have no idea how lucky they are.

If I were healthy, I could do anything I wanted.  I could climb rocks, I could be a waitress to earn extra money.............but being like I am, my options have narrowed.  So I will do my best to see the glory and sunshine, because I do know I'm meant for something.

I also was able to go to church tonight for a mass to celebrate Virgin Mary. Last year I was not able to go. It felt so nice to be able to go to church.....................so nice.

Be Love and God Bless

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/In-The-Know-With-OCRF--Research-Report-2010.html?soid=1102150261756&aid=qjObaaPCPzk

Hello everyone. Here's a link to some of the latest research on ovarian cancer. Later I will blog about my wonderful trip to the naturopathic doctor.

Be well

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/In-The-Know-With-OCRF--Research-Report-2010.html?soid=1102150261756&aid=qjObaaPCPzk

RIP Elizabeth Edwards

Rest in Peace dear Elizabeth.  One day the cure for cancer will be allowed in the hands of oncologists who want to save lives.  You are a beacon of hope and love, grace and strength.

I believe that stress can cause cancer.  I say this only in that you endured much stress the last few years, and your body just couldn't take it any more.  I am so sorry.  God is with you now.

Elizabeth Edwards' illness worsens - latimes.com

Dear Elizabeth,

You have been an inspiration to me and many other women. So strong and brave. I am so sorry to hear the news that you are no longer receiving treatment for your breast cancer. I pray that God's angels carry your pain away, and that this precious moment in time with those you love is sheltered from fear and cold. God's Blessings to you.

Elizabeth Edwards' illness worsens - latimes.com

ASA : History of Medical Cannabis...what do you think?

Hello from Seattle,

This information about the history of Medical Cannabis is quite interesting. I have not made up my mind yet on the whole mowi-wowi thing. But it does seem that there is enough evidence existing that indicates medical marijuana can be helpful to some cancer patients. I think if my last hope were medical marijuana, I'd have no choice but to try it. When your life is literally on the line, suddenly your boundaries change, your willingness increases and you think beyond the ordinary.

I pray that whatever is used to treat all cancer patients pushes them into full remission, but that is not the case. I hold no judgement or opinion on people who use medical marijuana. I just pray that if it's used, that it works!

Be Love and God Bless

ASA : History of Medical Cannabis