natural girls
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Merliee-
Merilee-
I will be thinking of you.
AS far as Pomegranate. I found a freeze dried Organic Pomegranate powder at the health food store yesterday. It is tart- but I put it in my smoothee this morning.
Beth
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My thoughts are with you today Merilee. Prayers at 9:30 just for you. Get those those little buggers and get well!
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Finished my first treatment 4 hours ago and so far feel nothing. Please continue to send positve energy my way.
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That's great, Merilee! Glad it went smoothly. Seems like the first infusion is often almost anti-climatic, after the torturous anxiety most of us have leading up to it. Here's hoping you'll have a very easy time with it. (((Hugs))) Deanna
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The positive energy is flowing Merilee. Great that you had a non-eventful first treatment!
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Thank you Deanna
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I too am sending healing vibes to merilee and ps73. merilee, I hope you continue to have a noneventful reaction. For me, days 3-6 were the times that I cratered. I was given adriamycin and cytoxan the first 4 rounds, then taxotere. My treatments were all through 2005, first chemo starting jan 14th. It's hard to believe my anniversaries this year will 5-year ones.
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Merilee - Sending hugs, positive vibes and strength to get you through this......
Terri
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Merilee,
My prayers are with you. I hope the chemo goes well, hang in there! I am not very good at the abbreviations yet, what type of chemo are you having?
Julie
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Jduford
I am on CMF with is cytoxin Methotrexate and Fluorouracil.
Here is a link that explains it pretty clearly if any one is interested
http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c78/10884/chemo-faqs-cmf/
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Good morning Ladies,
MERILEE- I'm so glad 1st round of chemo was uneventful. I hope the rest is just as smooth
. I have my 1st appointment to have acupuncture on the 14th. I hope it is going to be all that I "hear" it is. Any thoughts on the ones that received it already? Should I ask anything specific?. Thanks
Jenny.
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Merilee - so glad that your chemo went ok. I have been sending you positive white light! Drink lots and lots of fluids to get that yucky chemo to all of your cells and then out.
I go in at 1:30 today, my surgery was pushed back a little. But, I have some very good news. All of your good energy is helping me because I got my period this am. I haven't had it since July and Im one month post chemo. I had my tumor out in May so I am hoping that the menstruation/surgery theory does not apply to me.. I have been doing visualization and breathing techniques, lots of parsley root and proper eating/juicing and overall changing for the better. I know Im a lot less toxic than I was BC (before Cancer). Please keep the good thoughts coming, Im so nervous and was a basket case yesterday. Oh how I hate surgery.
Ill follow up with you all once Im out and functioning. xo
*edited for typos
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Ps73
White light coming back at ya.
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Jenny,
I do accupuncture through chemo and love it. It makes a huge difference for me with nausea and general aches and pains. It doesn't hurt a bit, and is fun. My doc explained the different meridians and energy pathways to me and it was very interesting. Enjoy it!
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PS-Prayers and Strength are all for you today. God Bless
Merilee, gald it went well so far. Can't wait til you are over this hurdle!
I am still trying this oilpulling thing. It is not fun but easy and cheap so I well let you all know if it works.
Stay warm everyone!
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Thank you Geewhiz, That gives me more confidence now. I will let ya know how it goes.
VIVRE- Staying warm is exactly what I am trying to do
. It is freakin' cold here in Texas(compared to what we are use to). It is 22 right now here in Austin. BIG HUGS to EVERYONE.
Jenny.
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Morning Ladies! This thread is surely a happening one!!
Had to drop by to see if anyone has had a diagnosis of Fibromayagia(sp). I have had a very challenging and to date discouraging healing journey from chemo (7 mos) in sleep issues, joint pain and just icky. Finally located a Natural Dr who feels he can help me. He did a quick check over on parts of my main joint areas.. and without too much work, knew i had this condition. Reading up on it all, it is a auto immune issue, hormone imbalance is a main culprit.. sleep is a challenge of this conditon and can be related to serontoin levels. I sent in my saliva and urine test in two days ago and am schedule for a test for my central nervous system to see all that is goin on and that includes serotonin, digestive tract and other key areas in the endocrine system.
Yesterday ( teach and had for two days only this week), i was so exhausted and in pain that i could of cried. IT is such a challenging time and sleep is just not and has not been restorative since chemo. I know this and know this Dr will help in balancing me.. My body is SCREAMING for hormones. I am not goin to or will live like this !!! I have never felt this weak, discouraged and beaten up in my life.
As far as supplementation.doing all the right antioxitants, Vit B's, Calm for magnesium, grapeseed extract,elder berry juice, yoga and excercise when i am not this weak.. also doin a probiotic protocol and vit C and D3 on a higher dose. Dr had no issues on my vits but added Balck Cohosh to take daily as i am flashing at least once an hour and this has helped alot in just af few days.
The IODINE book is delfintley an interest. Right now i just want to deal with getting my balance back and Suzanne's latest book (have all of them) BREAKTHROUGH is validating ALL of what i am goin thru and know i am on the right path.
thanks for listening and if anyone has Fibromayagila. would love to hear.
Donna
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Ladies, i have started work again this week so very behind on my reading of this thread, tight and sore from surgery ,but started my 2 mile walks and daily gentle yoga. Went to a chiropractor to get things back where they should be!
Merilee, love! Just get through it! Feel the love!
Deanna, POM Wonderful and green tea are mainly what I drink, going to look at that article. Did you try mixing it with water or (better yet) S. Peligrino or some other fizzy water? It is good that way. It is tart, but you will get used to it.!!!!
Spring....
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Donadio, there ia a fibromyalgia recovery group that put together this awesome slide show. I had fibromyalgia for years. Now, I just get a little bit once in a while in my neck area.
http://www.fibromyalgiarecovery.com/IODINE%20-%20Solution%20to%20health%20problems.pdf
Have you heard of Dr. Jorge Flechas?
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Hi Ladies~ I am hoping to find a bit of reinforcement as I am feeling a bit vulnerable after my visit with my Med Onc this morning. Apparently the agenda was to try to convince me that I need to take Tamoxifen. He asked me about why I didn't want to take it, and then systematically took apart my decision until I seemed like an idiot for not wanting to take it. I told him I wanted to check my Estrogen levels....he claimed that it was not useful information and that my insurance wouldn't even cover it because there is no medical justification for a test like that! After I told him I didn't care, I would be happy to pay for it, he still wouldn't order it for me. He did not know what DIM was, and cautioned me against it. He did agree that we would blood test for liver and kidney function, Vit D and (very reluctantly) iodine/thyroid function. Then he said "I am not here to pressure you, I just need to make you aware of T because it's the right thing to do". I feel sick and deflated...I thought I had a good doctor.
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Suzanne ~ Unfortunately, doctors must follow protocol, or Standard Of Care, as it's called, or risk malpractice liability if you were to develop further issues after they agreed to treatment other than what "works" (irrespective of SEs, complications or problems) for the masses. In addition, few doctors receive any training in any complementary or integrative medicine, so cannot even discuss it on an intelligent level. And, in addition, they are probably often asked about less than scrupulous "cures," so I think they just become very rigid and shut off when anyone asks about something outside of their little box of recommendations.
I know how let down you feel, but I also believe we women, especially, know our own bodies and can read research articles and make informed decisions for ourselves about what we want to do to rebuild our bodies and prevent a reoccurance. You may need to start asking around to find a new onc or other doctor who can guide you with a more open mind. This thread is full good information, and there are some additional threads here that address some of your specific concerns. You may need to piece together multiple doctors to help you achieve a plan with which you're comfortable, but take strength in knowing that everything you asked him for is totally reasonable, and it's the medical community as a whole, and some doctors in particular, that are still way behind the times when it comes to integrative medicine and prevention. JMHO... Deanna
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Suzanne-
I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience. I do believe there is a purpose for everything.
I had a similar experience my second visit with my oncologist. I foolishly thought that because I walked in with a plan that she would immediately relent on ARimidex or Tamoxifen.
I now consider her reaction as a gift. I realized that I had a plan, but the depth of my knowledge and my conviction was not deep enough. SO I thank God that she challenged me. SInce she didn't want me to start for a few months - I went back to do more research. I re-visited ARimidex and Tamoxifen. I went through the same agonizing process again, and I ended up making the same decision to not take the drugs. By the time I went for the next appointment, I really owned my treatment plan and I had a team of medical professionals who I truly believe would help heal me.
I agree with Deanna - they have to follow protocol. Their training and their expertise is to know what drugs to prescribe. I made a paradigm shift that I would not expect anything different from my visits with her. SO I was pleasantly surprised when she totally supported the fact that I was using vaginal estriol.
If you need a practioner who does hormones to order the Estrogen 24 Hr Urine Test - try contacting yourlocal compound pharmacy. I do have a coupleof referrals in Sarasota if you can't find someone.
Beth
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welcome to the thread jenny, geewhiz, donna, molly, and suzanne. Jenny, wish I could concur with gee's experience with accupuncture. I went for 3 consecutive treatments last month. I believe my thyroid is underactive since radiation treatments and I decided to try accupuncture as yet one more thing on my ever growing list of things to try. I wouldn't describe it as painfree, but the pain didn't last longer than a few moments in the places where it did hurt. I was told some places hurt because of tendons or nerves. I couldn't help but wonder if he was getting those needles in the right position and if he should be hitting tendons or nerves at all. By the 3rd visit he was concerned about my blood pressure and offered to make me an herbal remedy -- for $675. I didn't partake and didn't go back and don't plan on going back.
Suzanne, I also was interested in having my hormone levels tested and my med onc said he 'didn't find the information useful.' It baffles me to this day that they expect us to take hormone therapy without monitoring hormone levels! I took tamoxifen without rebelling at first but after 26 months I stopped taking it. My onc practically yawned when I told him. I have a friend about 15 years older than me who was dx'd the same year I was. She already has her hormone levels checked, and her estrogen was nearly nonexistent at 2. Two! Her onc wanted her to take arimidex without looking at her levels. When she said what kind of good will it do me when I have next to zero estrogen to begin with??? He didn't have an answer. She left and never went back.
I wonder if we need to start asking our doctors questions like "are you recommending something you really believe in, or are you recommending what protocol requires you to say?"
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Molly .. and et al ..Thanks !!!Will look up this sight and appreciate this so much!!!!
Suzanne... Not surprising to hear what the Dr is saying or NOT saying and it has to be the protocol issues and also something not in their approved medical journals. Funny, I just read something on a pass out from my health food store on DIM and it is very interesting to know more on. When i met with my oncocolgist , it ended up to, it is my body and my life and really shocked me as i was expecting a huge debate when i told them i am most likely goin back to Bio's and progestorne or whatever my saliva test warrants etc. Go with your gut and you know what you need and know that here is where to right info is and we do have options.
I have to work outside the box and am finding a DR who is in Intergrative Medicine took AWHILE to find.. but it is giving me hope!
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Merliee! so glad your first go round was as uneventful as it could be, I hope you are doing ok!
PS - Think of you today!
Suzanne! Such a bummer that you were made to feel like an idiot, I hate that! My onc looks at me like I have two heads and just nods, when I told him my progesterone (tested by the naturopath) was super low, he was thrilled!! REALLY???? Yet, he couldn't explain why progesterone was even tested in tumors? Of course they are not going to step outside the standard of care, or if they do, its very rare. I was SO torn over the whole tamoxifen issue, but I can honestly say once my decision was made I never looked back.
L
ox
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Hello all, hope everyone is great. I have a question--what does breast cancer marker of 18 mean?
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Suzanne, I agree with the above, you need a Neutropath or Osteopath or some other doc to help you with the alternative treatment route, your estrogen 2:16 test, etc. The ONCs will not even go there, as you've seen, and this, I believe, is pretty universal, unfortunately.
You are so not alone though! I hate the feeling of being scared and upset and defeated when I come out of there. (The ONC office). I typically feel so good and positive and proud of myself that I have lowered my BMI, changed my diet totally, exercise, and take healthy supplements and am very proactive with my Osteopath concerning many things. Yet I leave the ONC office feeling scared and defeated. UGH.
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PS-hope things went well!
How ya doing Merillee?
Molly. Many of us here have been on iodine therapy and had our tests done at Dr. Flechas' lab. We talk about a lot of it on the iodine, thyroid thread.
Suzanne, don't let that doctor intimidate you. Obviously, he does not know anything about BHRT. Most oncs don't. Keep doctor shopping until you find someone who does know about it. Like Althea, I just could not get over the fact that doctors insist that we take these drugs when they do not even bother to test our hormone levels. How the heck do we know they are doing anything, or are even needed. Another think that always bothered me is that as we get older, our estrogens levels drop, yet the chance of bc rises. So how does this relate to their idea that making us age prematurely, by blocking our hormones, is protective!!! It just makes me crazy. They cannot answer it of course. But Dr. Lee, has proven time and again, that hormone balance is the key, not estrogen blocking. We may still produce estrogen from fat, foods, etc. The progesterone protects us from this. Since the synthetic progesterone got a bad rap, too many people still insist that Bioidentical progesterone does the same thing. Their molecular structure is totally different. I think we have lots of links to this information on the progesterone thread.
WLL-I can't help you at all explaining tumor markers. I do not bother getting any of that stuff tested. I walked out of my onc's office two years ago when she could not explain to me what she could do to help me with nutrition and supplements. I have not been back since, and do not care to have any of those kind of tests. I find that tests that show exactly what my deficiencies are, are much more informative to me than some test that shows the possibility of a tumor, or whatever that test is.
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Prayers and healing vibes to all undergoing treatment and surgeries today!!!!!
I read a long time ago that lavender in products used by young boys causes gynecomastia. So does that mean we ER+ girls should avoid lavender laced products as well?
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Hi DonnaDio, I'm fairly new to this. I was just diagnosed with bc in Nov. '09. I have fibromyalgia, also. I take sam-E for my pain with a vit. B-50 complex. It has helped me tremendously with the pain. The only reason I know this is because I tried to go off of it and the pain came back, so I went on it again and the pain subsided. I haven't heard of anyone taking this for fibromyalgia, but I took it upon myself to try and it works for me. I'm not guaranteeing it will work for everyone else and it may take a month or two to feel its effects. I just wanted to give you a heads-up on this. Maybe you can check it out. Its funny, my dog's veterinarian recommended it for my dog instead of the glucosamine-chondroitin because he said that there were studies that it showed it helped rebuild cartilage in dog's joints. I thought that was an interesting fact.
Nettie
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