natural girls
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Vivre...so glad your seminar went well !Merilee...hope you are doing well !
Deanna ...thank you for enlisting input for your appt. Very much looking forward to hearing the answers. It is so hard for most of us to find advice we can trust our lives to. This type of sharing is more than just cordial or nice...it can save our health !!!!!
Patty...if you are sleeping fine and get too sleepy on melatonin...maybe your body is making more of it than mine is. Around 9 or 10 PM, I take 3 3mg timed release. Around midnight or 1 or 2 when I go to bed, I take 5 or 6 sublingual and swallow three 5 mg tablets. I am finally not waking every hour. I have now had 2 nights when I slept 7 hours straight for the first time in at least 5, 6 or 7 years..not really sure how long. I think the brightness of our bedroom in the house we moved to 10 yrs ago confused my pineal gland. The room has big windows and the moon shines in. Also, clocks reflecting on the mirrors and windows add even more light. I am wearing an eye mask to simulate complete darkness and am using ear plugs to "partially" drown out my husband's snoring and heating and air conditioning sounds. When we lived up north, I did not have trouble waking all during the night. Our room was much darker. The only silver lining to my apparent need for melatonin is that it is an aromatase inhibitor. It would seem that if your body makes its own, then it would also act as an aromatase inhibitor.
Lorraine...does the Hoag lady think the docs at her hospital look as fabulous as you do? Can she make the necessary inference?
With best wishes for all good things to you all.
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Oh.. okay Fairy, I get it. That poor woman didn't have a mine of her own to think with. She leaves that up to 'the doctors'. That's why I don't go to the support group at the hospital. The women are generally a bunch of drones and believe what ever anyone in a white coat tells them.
I had my ultrasound today. I've had 2 bumps since my surgery in June, which I had mentioned to all my 3 doctors, and was ignored. Well the tech found the bumps. One was a lymph node that was missed (hallelujah) during the ALND. The other they don't know what it is and said it was only 3mm. My GS wanted me to get a biopsy on both of them. I declined. As I was leaving, my doc mentioned that I hadn't had my yearly mammogram and wanted me to schedule one. I asked if that was really neccessary. My doctor went on to tell me how great mammos where in finding DCIS. I said to my doc, "Well, I've been geting mammos since I was forty and they've never found any cancer in me". She said my type of cancer-ILC is hard to find in imaging. I looked at my doc and said "No, I don't think so. I'll pass on that one also".
Vivre-Great your seminar was a success! Wish I could've been there.
Deanna-Thanks for posting the link to SS at UCLA. I will be sure and watch it tommorow.
I got my iodine load test results back .It wasn't as low as some. I have a consult with Dr. Flechas tommorow. Take care everybody!
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Hi All
Lots of ladies have been wondering how I have been doing with my Chemo.
I am happy to report that it is all going well, and very doable. I still work out, go to work and all the things I always did. I still have my hair. The CMF is very doable if you ever find yourself in the position of a recurrence and feel you want to take an extra step. So often CMF is not even mentioned as an option.
But long story short, I am still standing LOL I have had 4 of the 6 treatments and I do not anticipate any change with the last two.
However, please continue to send positive light my way. It does help me emotionally.
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Good for you, Merilee! I am so happy that it is turning out so well...what a huge relief that must be for you!! Continued good healing energy coming your way....Wow, what the heck time did you get up this morning, anyway?
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toolie...your post says that the script your onc gave you was 50 iu? I am certainly no expert however, that sounds really low.
My vit d level was fairly low and I was taking 5,000-10,000 iu each day. Recently had my vit d level tested and while I doubled my number from the last time my naturopath wants my number up around 150, so I continue with the 5,000 daily. Now that the weather is getting nicer I will also be getting outside and taking 20 minutes of sun each day - well at least on the sunny days :-)
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toolie...forgot to add, are you taking a multi vitamin with Vit A in it? You should check out the website vitamindcouncil.org. They have a lot of good info and I remember reading that Vit A interferes with the absorption of Vit D0
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i also think that diet is wonderful, healthy and anti-inflammatory but sometimes one still gets sick and that is the anomolie of cancer. its easy to get down on ourselves and wind up in a pit of twinkies and depression. its important not to let ourselves get that way. i prob spent way too much time on the why and the how because, like many of us here, i was actually very healthy prior to dx. does anybody wonder sometimes, what is it that we are fighting against? sometimes i think of myself as a warrior in a battle. my sisters are next to me. we are fighting for something empowering and fruitful. i picture strong horses pushing forward and we have huge metal staffs. when someone is taken from us, i pretend that they become knighted as angels and move up to heaven. i go to this place because the hows and the whys haven't added up and as ficticious and childish as it sounds, its more logical to me. you are all my warrior sisters and i am so happy i found this website because it has been incredibly useful in coping through this disease and learning options and building meaningful friendships but i too have decided that i need to sign off. i wish you all peace - i pray for all of you all the time. im having my final surgery next friday and i am really trying to focus since this will be my seventh within a year. its way too much anesthesia for my body. i need to get myself healthy again and even stronger because i am really worried about this one. my last surgery left me feeling inside out and in a state of depression and i don't know if i can handle it again. i need to focus. i dont want to bring you all down. im speaking to my dr today about it - hoping he has something to give me thats natural. Im not sure if ill be back on this site for a while but wanted to give you all a huge cyber hug - my warrior sisters!!! even if im not writing to you or reading your posts, im thinking about you all xoxoxoxoxox
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Hugs to you PS73! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Do what you need to do to be your healthiest you...and God bless your journey :-)
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I just have to tell all of you -- ) I am so excited I am seeing a registered dietician on Monday, March 22nd who specializes in cancer alternative treatments.
I hope everyone is doing well - I will let you all know what I learn and you can let me know your opinions.
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Merilee, chemo and no hair loss, imagine that! Glad you are well.
Vivre, I too thought of you this past weekend! Delighted to hear all went well!
Lorainne, nothing you can do! Some still have blind faith in doctors. It is much more comfortable than admitting, maybe, the course they prescribe may not be the complete answer for you. I feel uncomfortable every day trying to figure this crap out! However, once you are enlightened, you can't go back. OK, embrace the "out of my comfort zone" feeling!!
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vivre, I too was thinking about you over the weekend. I so wish I could've been there. I am so impressed that you put all that together.
merilee, so glad you're getting through treatments so well.
PS73, I hope you'll at least let us know how you do with surgery before taking a hiatus.
ivorymom, how are you doing? Is there a particular thread where you're posting your updates?
As for me, I had a really good day on Saturday. I planted flowers at my mom's and then tried to finish a raised bed for the vegetable garden I want to grow. I ran out of daylight and then I ran out of steam. I've been crashing and burning ever since.
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I forgot to mention that I'm finally reading the Susun Weed book that running with scissors sent to me last year. She's arrived at some different conclusions than the people who advocate colon cleansing, vegan diets, and fasting. I thought it was odd that there's no 'about the author' blurb, so I went googling, and what a fascinating woman she is!
Has anyone else read Susun Weed?
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I spoke with Dr. Flechas' yesterday about the results form my iodine load test. My absorbtion level was 76. He likes to see it at 90. I thought supplementing with 12.5 mg to begin with would be appropriate. He instead recommended 50mg 2 times/day because I had breast cancer. I asked him about doing liver cleanses. In my case, because of the cancer, he doesn't recommend them. I wish I would have known that before I did mine last week. I'd never done one before and it was...'intense'. I called my doctors office to let them know I couldn't complete the 2nd day of the cleanse. The receptionist told me that this liver cleanse is especially tough. Dr Flechas' said that when doing the cleanses we lose sulphur. We need the sulphur to get rid of the toxins in our bodies. He said supplentation with MSM is beneficial. He also recommended the ATP cofactor. Is anyone else using these supplements? Does the MSM make your body smell like sulphur?
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I take both the iodine and ATP Dr. Flechas recommends. It gave me more energy and other many changes. I took half a ATP tablet to start. But now take the whole tablet.
I don't know why Dr. F doesn't like liver cleanses. I have heard nothing but good things about them. It's on my list to-do next. I tried MSM a couple years ago for three months and it never did anything. My husband took it too and it did nothing. I remember because there was a money back refund. No it doesn't make you smell like sulfur.
Thank you for your report! That is my favorite thing about this group, the trial and error and hearing what the different docs say.
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To PS73....I will keep you in my prayers when I pray for all the wonderful women I have met here.
We have a lot in common as I was diagnosed in April 2009 and have my 8th surgery on Monday.
Its been a looonnng ride huh ??? Take heart...we are almost there !!! You and I...we are going to get through my surgery on Monday and yours on Friday. I know you had a hard time last time and you might even have to find a way through that stupid depression again this time (hope your doc has a natural remedy for you). You have battled all this way. Just one more. You can certainly do #7. You've already done 6. Me too. Hopefully this is the last for us both. I will continue to pray for you. Please continue to pray for me. Do whatever you need to do. If it is a break from here, then that is what you do. I for one come here because I need a break from everyone else !!!:):):) Here are the only people in my world who get it and are willing to discuss it head on and are interested and don't get all uncomfortable with the subject.
This is a wonderful place where we support everyone's need for support as they find their own path to strength and health.
I wish you all good things as you finish on Friday!!!
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Wow, I almost forgot one of my anniversaries! I had my stage 2 surgery (unilateral diep) four years ago yesterday in New Orleans. Just an overnight in the hospital, and then recouping in the hotel for a few days. I stayed at the Monteleone that time, smack dab in the heart of the french quarter. This picture is the result of me trying to figure out night photography under the influence of pain pills. Gotta love those pain pills.
Happy St Patricks everyone and best of luck for all surgeries coming up. 
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PS73 ~ I will certainly miss your posts, but totally understand the need to back away from BCO. I'll be thinking about you and praying for you on Friday. Please stop back and let us know how everything went and how you're doing.
Toolie (Cath) ~ I don't quite understand your post; however, sometimes RXs for high dose D are actually for D2, not D3. Do you know if both of your D's are D3? If not, that could be part of the problem.
vivre ~ Could you give us the link or web address again for your new site? I went to check it out today but couldn't find your earlier post with the name.
Luna ~ Good luck with your surgery on Monday. I thought 3 was rough. I don't know how you and PS73 have stayed strong with 7 and 8 surgeries. I hope this will absolutely be your last, and I will be praying that everything goes perfectly.
Olivia, I hope you'll share with us whatever you learn in your March 22 app't. Good for you for making that appointment!
Great photo, Althea, and congrats on the 4-year anniversary! We all need to celebrate every milestone! Deanna
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Making way and Lucy.
I do the Iodoral, and take 2 ATP cofactors, along with all the other "protocol" stuff (selenium, magnesium, etc) and I've had 2 tests. My second didn't go up much, both were in the 50's. I have a consult with Dr. F each time. I'm due for another test this spring. I am currently 1 50mg a day, and if my numbers don't go up, I bet he'll also recommend 2 50s for me too!
I have been taking hi levels of Vit C and other antioxidents to try and increase the absorption. I send him my list of supplements prior to my consult with him now, so he can see everything I am on.
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Nice Shot, Althea! Love it!!
Congrats on your anniversary! 0 -
Thank you, Deanna. Please do pray for me for my Monday re-exchange and push'em up where they belong surgery. I need all the good words to God and all the healing vibes I can get to hopefully get me safely through this and that it will be my last surgery. Please also pray that they get my IV in on the first try !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or..at the very least on the second try. Those third and fourth tries are really starting to bug me.
PS73...I was thinking you meant your surgery is next Friday instead of tomorrow..either way..please know another prayer just went up.
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Althea...Happy Anniversary! Love the pic...Fun to see New Orleans the way you saw it in your formerly drugged up state!
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Merilee, I'm glad CMF is going so well for you!! That's great to hear.
Althea, I've been reading/learning from Susun Weed for years - yes, she is fascinating! I used to visit her message boards a lot, but haven't been in a while. I love her Healing Wise book, but I'm not so sure about the Breast Health book, mainly because it's so outdated that much of it isn't relevant anymore. I don't always agree with everything she says (which is healthy, of course), but for the most part, I love her teachings. She posts a lot of great videos on her Facebook page, if you're on FB. I've never fasted or done a cleanse and her reasons not to make sense to me, as does the importance of nourishing your body/being - I drink a mason jar of Chickweed infusion every day.
Great anti-inflammatory herb, and so full of JOY!
That's an awesome picture you posted. I didn't know you COULD post photos on the boards! Why don't more people?Luna, sending you healing energy and good thoughts for Monday!!
Vivre, I, too, would be interested in a link to your site.
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I got my iodine test back, but have not talked with Dr. F yet. I have been too busy to set up a time.
Thoughts and prayers to you all, especially those of you still in treatments and waiting for surgeries. I do not know how you guys do it. I had a hard enough time with ONE surgery. Not sure I could ever get through chemo, I was a basket case with rads. I guess we manage to do what we have to do. Luna, do you lift weights? It really makes the veins pop.
Raili-thanks for the headsup about the chickweed. I have 2 acres of the stuff. I am so parnoid of week killers now that it is taking over. Are you saying I can go out and pick it and make tea? Hmmmm, maybe I can sell the stuff. LOL I will pm you the link to my site.
Lucy, if you do a liver cleanse, make sure you do a safe one. They can cause problems if you try to do it too fast. It is best to do one with a knowlegable doctor. I did one right after I finished rads. I just wanted to clear all that medical crap out of me. I used a supplement by metagenics called advaclear. You also have to follow a strict diet for a few weeks. I started oozing this horrible smell. But I am happy to say, it must have worked, because I have no body odor now. I do not even use a deodorant anymore. But part of the reason is they zapped my thyroid and I no longer sweat. It is still makes me so friggin mad they did not tell me this could happen. We need to sweat to detox.
I won't be hangin out here much once I get my site rolling. I hope the rest of you will keep it going here, and bring your healthy friends to our new site so they can learn more about prevention. We neeed to spread the word, and nip this thing in the bud.
Althea, Loved you pic of NOLA. It is just like I remembered it too. The place has really strange vibes. Did you take that pic during the voodoo tour?
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Luna ~ Sending up prayers and sending you blessings for an easy-peasy surgery with beautiful results! Also praying they get the IV on the first try!
Vivre ~ they zapped your thyroid? SOBs! Yah, I couldn't believe it when the rad onc told me about the "dead" sweat and oil glands in my breast/armpit. Of course he didn't mention that until a month after rads were over! They just keep peeling the onion, don't they??
I hope all you lovely ladies have a beautiful weekend!
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Vivre, wow, I am so jealous of all of your chickweed!!
As far as I know, there are at least 3 different varieties of chickweed - mouse-ear, starwort, and the "regular" chickweed, stellaria media. The latter is the one that is good for tea - it's the chickweed that grows in messy clusters, and the leaves are soft and wavy, and if you hold the stems up to the light, you can see hairs on only ONE side of the stem - weird! My mom's farm was full of mouse-ear chickweed and I made tea from it for weeks, wondering why it was never as satisfying as the chickweed tea I had bought in bulk from herbal companies, ha! Chickweed is also delicious just eaten raw, by the handful. Oh, I'm getting so excited now that it's officially spring (okay, tomorrow!!) and I can go out and find the chickweed patches!!0 -
While this just-published article regarding a study out of the Mayo Clinic is about biased drug researchers and the drug Avandia, obviously, this scenario isn't limited to that one drug. It's nothing we don't already know, but this time it's research from a highly reputable source that substantiates why we all need to do our own research and use common sense when it comes to the claimed benefits of any drug, and not blindly take what our doctors want to RX for us...
This infuriates me personally because my MIL was on Avandia and now has some heart damage from it. 6 to 1 is ridiculously biased when it comes to keeping a bad drug on the market. And I was equally as gullible re. Prempro. Never again! Deanna
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vivre, what were your test results? Did you get a bromide test done too? My tests were disappointing but not unexpected last month. Despite doubling my iodine intake last july, my saturation is nearly identical to my levels tested last may. This time I had a bromide test though, and I have plenty of it.
That picture I posted is of a float in a nighttime st patrick's day parade in the french quarter.
My favorite place to read lately is susunweed.com. She has an archive index of her newsletters at http://www.susunweed.com/Weed_letter_Archive.htm You'll find info on chickweed there.
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Yes, Vivre, how did you do on the Iodine test? Did you go up at all?
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Ok gals, I got my Estrogen Profile results. I got my doc to fax it to me before we talk, so I can get all of my questions together. I will need a lot of help from my doc interpreting this - but I am encouraged so far about the report. It would appear that my protocol is working. YEAH!!!
My Estradiol is down to <.25.
My Estrogen Quotient(Estriol/ (Estrone + Estradiol?) was 8.0 ( it says you want above 1.0 and I know that natural balance is 80% estriol; 10% estrone and 10% estradiol which would be 4.0). I have to ask my doctor if this can actually be too high?
My 4OH (bad stuff) is .3 which is at the low end of range - which is a Good thing!!
Lots of other stuff to interpret - I will post feedback once I have a chance to meet with my doc.
Beth
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Beth, that looks fab!!!!
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