natural girls
Comments
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Deanna,
Your oncologist's reaction was, at best, obnoxious. He should be happy his patient is actively pursuing any means possible to live a better, healthier life. It just goes to show that certain specialists within medicine receive woefully inadequate preparation for anything besides pushing pills and chemical therapy. I've come to view oncologists as high powered drug brokers in the field of medicine. My oncologist told me that I shouldn't worry about diet either, as my BMI was fine. Okayyyyyyyyy.
You're doing all the right stuff to help your health! Bravo!
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WOW! Is Former President Bill Clinton saying he's a vegan? Check out the interview:
http://gawker.com/5644559/bill-clinton-is-a-vegan
Guess he's not concerned with the veggie libel laws that got Oprah in all that trouble with the "mad cow" disease and hamburgers.
Also, anyone else see the video on the home page of breastcancer.org by the founder Dr. Marissa Weiss discussing her own breast cancer diagnosis this past April?
Best health always,
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It's time to get a message, ladies.
September 20, 2010
Regimens: Massage Benefits Are More Than Skin Deep By RONI CARYN RABIN
To their surprise, the researchers, sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health, found that a single session of massage caused biological changes.
Volunteers who received Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol in blood and saliva, and in arginine vasopressin, a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. They also had increases in the number of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the immune system.
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Hi Supermom,
I just watched the video on Dr. Weiss talking about her own breastcancer, but then she was not talking about it, so in the end, her talk, to me was a pile of packaging about nothing! Maybe I am just tired?
Glenis
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Painterly.....that is so weird : you took the very words out of my mouth (well, brain).
Though I think I have a valid reason to be tired - it's just gone midnight here,lol!
But seriously,this was the first I knew that Marisa Weiss had breast cancer herself.I guess she thought she ought to make some kind of 'statement'.
Night night!
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We finally got the book review section set up on our website and I got out my stack of books! I cannot believe I read this many, (some a couple of times). These books were not only my education, they were inspiration to get and stay healthy. Many we have discussed her, such as Suzanne Somers' and Jane Plant and Anti Cancer, some you may not have heard me mention. But I hope you will all weigh in an put in your own two cents about the ones I have listed, and add some of your own. I still have about a dozen reviews to finish up, but at least I have a good start. I really wanted to get this done because so many people have asked me about what books I recommend and I am thrilled to finally have them in one place.
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Concerning Dr. Weiss-Seems like the ultimate irony that she should end up with breast cancer. Hmm I wonder what would have happend if she had taken those of us who fought to have an alternatives forum more seriously? Wouldn't it be great if she did a 180 as Dr. Severin did, and become a believer. Imagine the impact she could make if she took all the money she makes here and start spending it on prevention.
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Hmm I wonder what would have happend if she had taken those of us who fought to have an alternatives forum more seriously? Wouldn't it be great if she did a 180 as Dr. Severin did, and become a believer. Imagine the impact she could make if she took all the money she makes here and start spending it on prevention.
Exactly what I was thinking!!
Bill Clinton trying veganism... why does that crack me up so much? Somehow I picture his version of it like this: "I chewed the cheeseburger, but I didn't swallow...." (kinda like "I didn't inhale"!)
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Hmm I wonder what would have happend if she had taken those of us who fought to have an alternatives forum more seriously?
When I first read that line, I thought you were implying that if she had taken you seriously a few years ago, she wouldn't have cancer today. I was ready to blast an angry reply, then realized no one could be that callous or elitist.
Watch out for Bill Clinton. Next thing you know, he'll be looking into alternative/complimentary treatments for his heart disease! Give him some credit, just like you would anyone else who tells you they have found a healthier way to live following illness.
Anne
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I noticed that she still has hair and eyebrows, chose her words very carefully and she didn't include a radiologist in her list of treating doctors. I think it is very telling that this doctor who is known for her work in the breast cancer field chose not to follow the standard formula of treatment when it came to her own treatment. Perhaps we should all question everything when it comes to treatment. Oh wait, I already do, and so do most of the women reading this thread.
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Hi PatMom
I also noticed that Dr Weiss had her hair and eyebrows and chose her words carefully. But not knowing her diagnosis, you can't figure out whether or not she is following the "standard of care," and we should not speculate. She has the right to privacy. We post here under pseudo-names if we choose, and she posted under her real name.
I for one am grateful for this web page. It gave me a support system when I went through chemo and rads which I would not otherwise have found. And I hope Dr Weiss is NED and wish her a long and healthy life.
Mandy
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Since she did say that she didn't want to go into the specifics of her treatment that were based on the specifics of her diagnosis, and she didn't want to influence anyone to believe that this is the "correct" treatment for that type of breast cancer, I think she may have not fully followed "standard protocols".
That is a good thing. I fully encourage every woman to make the choices that are right for her. My diet has improved, but I am not (yet?) willing to give up things I love to eat, like dairy, so I know I have to do a little more in other areas. I am willing to take Tamoxifen, while some others are not. We each have to find the balance that works for us. I'm glad that Dr Weiss seems to have found the balance that works for her.
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Sorry, ladies, I just have to remark on the above statement regarding Dr. Weiss: Imagine the impact she could make if she took all the money she makes here and start spending it on prevention.
This is a non-profit site. What sort of "money" do you think Dr Weiss makes here?
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lindasa, "non-profit" doesn't mean the executives don't make money... actually executives of the larger non-profits like United Way, the Ford Foundation, and the like, draw salaries and perks that would make many of us swoon. I doubt that's the case with Dr. Weiss, and wouldn't begrudge her if her bc.org salary were quite large as she provides a much-needed service, but just wanted to dispel any misperception that non-profit means the executives don't get large salaries, perks and bonuses.
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Okay, I don't even know who Dr. Weiss is and haven't found the video you are referring to. However, I can't imagine battling BC without BCO. So if she started this forum, God bless her and may she be healthy again soon. I find it ironic that people are criticizing the person who gave us this forum, on this forum! I think we should all be careful about being too zealous about any of our choices. Real change comes slowly sometimes. I have changed SO much in my diet, but still do some dairy. Up until recently I would have rolled my eyes at Vegans. Now, after more research, I am considering reducing or eliminating dairy. And FYI, I chose a less toxic chemo (CMF). I finished my last chemo today, WHOO HOO! I still have all my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.0
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DesignerMom, congrats on finishing your chemo! Celebrate life and yes, let's keep Dr Weiss in our prayers whether she gets a salary or not doesn't matter, the fact that she is battling BC makes her one of us. Like Crunchy and others have said, she provides a much needed source/forum for us to learn from and bond with others.
Terri
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Crunchy -- Just to be clear, I am a retired fundraising executive!
Good luck to Dr. Weiss, and I'm adding my thanks to her for starting this site -- it's been a lifesaver to me, in more ways than one......
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DesignerMom....Congratulations on finishing chemo!!!!!:):):) You must be so relieved to be finished with that.
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Luna- Thanks for the cheer. I AM so very happy the chemo is over!
I actually like my Onc, not that she was progresive regarding complimentary things AT ALL, just because she didn't try to get in my way when I asked about alternatives and declined her more toxic chemo, many medications (anti virals and antibiotics which I ultimately didn't need anyway). Last visit I asked her if she had checked my vitamin D level. She said "No, but I can, 80% of my patients are low". Yesterday she told me my vitamin D was 14!!! Her normal range is 35-60. I think others are recommending much higher "normal" ranges. She gave me an Rx for vitamin D which I will take once a week to build up. When I asked her if she had checked her own vitamin D she said "No, I'm sure it is low, I haven't even had a physical in a few years". Needless to say, ladies, IT IS UP TO US to take care of ourselves! I am thankful to be learning from all of you.
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I went through standard protocols and never lost my hair. I didn't need chemo. I still had cancer. I think she was wise in not going into details about her treatment plan. It would have been nice if she had shared her diagnosis like many of us do here. However, if she wanted to keep that private like many others do on this board, then I understand that as well.
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Prowling around the internet tonight, and came across this article that gives a few more interesting details about Marisa Weiss' story:
And congrats, DesignerMom, on finishing up chemo! I hope your recovery from CMF will be fast & easy. Deanna
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Thanks, Deanna,
It sounds like Marissa Weiss' "extensive surgery" they mention would indicate she chose a mastectomy and reconstruction for her small tumor rather than a lumpectomy and radiation. I wish her well. It sounds like she has a great support system.
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Thanks Deanna-Great article on a great lady! She sounds like a dynamo with great style and passion. I wish her Godspeed in her BC trip. Did you see she has a book coming out on going green?
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DesignerMom...check and double check with the pharmacist to make sure you have been prescribed D3 and not D2. There has been much discussion about pharmacists dispensing weekly 50,000 IU doses of D2 considering it the same as D3. Don't remember if that discussion was on this thread or another. And yes we want to get to at least 60.
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Lucy, I think you're right; at least that's what it sounds like to me -- that she chose to do a mast or even a bi-lat mast and skip the RT.
And DesignerMom, I agree with you. She sounds like a wonderfully intelligent, engaging and compassionate woman. And I haven't seen anything about her book on going green. Sounds like that's going somewhat in a different direction for her, but, who knows, maybe it ties into health & prevention??? Deanna
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Maybe all that D3 discussion was on the "help with Vitamin D levels" thread...not sure.
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Deanna- I actually read all 7 pages of that article you linked. In it I believe she mentioned concern/thoughts that environmental issues were contributing to the increase in BC. It mentioned she was working with someone at Harvard about cells And it mentioned her new book, something about "going green". I got the sense it had to do with eliminating chemicals from your house....might be wrong. By the way, she shops for vintage clothing on e-bay, my kind of gal!0
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Hi Natural Girls!
I consider myself a natural girl who is also seriously considering modern day medicine as I continue on this healing journey. I have so many steps I am trying to decide about at this point, but am at the point where I am almost certain I will be having a BI MX w/TE recon (as I have gone the lumpectomy route already a couple of times and still have margins not cleared). The onc is recommending 3 months of Taxotere (1x per week) and Herceptin for a year (as well as Tamoxifin for 5.) after the MX recovery time. Since my diagnosis I have been seeing an acupuncturist and body worker (to open energy paths, etc.) each week. I feel as though this part has been amazing for my body, mind and soul. I have so many questions, but one simple one is will I still be able to keep up the holistic therapy after having a MX (and tissue expanders in)? Right now, I lay down on my stomach for this and can't imagine doing that for awhile after the MX. Also, a more difficult question is, if anyone here has a similar diagnosis and whether you decided to do chemotherapy and all the medications. Thank you for any input you may have. 0 -
Hi Natural Girls!
I consider myself a natural girl who is also seriously considering modern day medicine as I continue on this healing journey. I have so many steps I am trying to decide about at this point, but am at the point where I am almost certain I will be having a BI MX w/TE recon (as I have gone the lumpectomy route already a couple of times and still have margins not cleared). The onc is recommending 3 months of Taxotere (1x per week) and Herceptin for a year (as well as Tamoxifin for 5.) after the MX recovery time. Since my diagnosis I have been seeing an acupuncturist and body worker (to open energy paths, etc.) each week. I feel as though this part has been amazing for my body, mind and soul. I have so many questions, but one simple one is will I still be able to keep up the holistic therapy after having a MX (and tissue expanders in)? Right now, I lay down on my stomach for this and can't imagine doing that for awhile after the MX. Also, a more difficult question is, if anyone here has a similar diagnosis and whether you decided to do chemotherapy and all the medications. Thank you for any input you may have. 0 -
Thanks, dlb823, for the link to the article about Dr. Weiss. I found it inspiring, and I understood the reason she didn't explain her medical decisions on the video. I didn't understand the cynical remarks made about her on previous posts. This is a wonderful website which has been very helpful to me, both with conventional medical treatments and suggestions for healthier habits to improve my handling of breast cancer. I commend her for starting this website while raising three children and maintaining a medical practice!
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