natural girls
Comments
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I noticed some mention of detoxing from radiation. Can away share with me what you are doing to do this? I would love to find a way to speed the recovery from the radiation.
Thanks!
Karen
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vivre, I totally agree that I would do things differently if I had the chance for a do-over. I was completely inexperienced at dealing with health challenge in those days. And while I cursed the slow pace of my recovery during all the years I was trying to restore my health, I can now count it as a blessing because I now have a wealth of knowledge that accumulated bit by bit, day by day, until I finally felt good again.
MHB, evebarry has some recent posts on other threads. I don't know about crunchy and I miss her too. Roll call for crunchypoodlemama!
Nancy, since you're early stage and want to make better choices, I'd suggest small steps. If you try to do too much too quick, it can be overwhelming and people tend to say 'oh well' and regress. You mentioned diet soda. I'm not sure what sweetener is used, but generally speaking, the artificial sweeteners are something you'll defintely want to kick to the curb. For me, I was so thirsty all the time during chemo and rads, and I couldn't figure out why I was gaining weight. Turns out, I was drinking 1,000 calories worth of crangrape and arizona tea, all sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. That was the first ingredient on my hit list, and I gotta tell ya, it's everywhere. Now I'm a student in nutrition school. I'm not 'hardcore' with a clean diet, but I've come a long way. Slow and steady is what sticks for me. Hope that's helpful for you too. Welcome to the natural girls.
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Vivre I would also like to know who you have tried to detox from rads. I am 6 months post rads and healing very slowling.
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hello everyone! i am not a cancer patient, however, i find this thread fascinating! I just tested positive for BRCA2 and it took a hit on me. I am 20 years old and my doctor (who is an all natural doctor) feels like i should take a shot at starting lots of vitamins and lots of other remedies. I agree with my doctor on starting some stuff to prevent cancer. Because i did see my mother go through cancer in 2000 for the second time. But, i feel very overwhelmed on how many things she wants me to do. if anyone has heard of any of these things let me know and how you feel about them.
vitamin b complex
vitamin d, 5000 units a day of d3
resveratrol 500 mg 2 times a day
tumeric 4 grams 2 times a day
indole 3 carbinol 400 mg 2 times a day
beta gulcans 7.5 mg 2 times a day
vitamin k12 100mg a day
estriol 1.5mg 2 times a day 1-25 of month add in progesterone 15mg 12-25 of month.
My mom is also a holistic nurse and she thinks this is a good thing to start, however, i am so overwhelmed and i told her that. I cant afford to pay for my prescription of $200 every 3 months for the estriol and progesterone creams (insurance wont cover it). I know i need to take this approach but for a 20 year old i feel this is very drastic measures to take. She wants me to have no sugars, like come on, what 20 year old doesnt like a cookie one in a while?! Any thoughts on this? Please let me know! you guys are all my heroes! i look up to all survivors
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Nancy,
Bravo to you for starting to think about changing your diet. I am a "foodie" as many are, but I have now learned that I should think of every meal as an opportunity to fight a recurrance of cancer. With that notion in mind, I try to make a lot of good choices to give myself a "fighting chance".
I consulted a nutritionist, and he has helped me enormously with a few other health issues I had-- all of which I firmly believe were in direct correlation to my breast cancer. If you can afford it, find a good nutritionist in your area, and that person can help you define an individualized path. Mine is a PhD in Cellular Biology, with a degree in nutrition, so he explained the cause and effect of everything with great detail.... something I really appreciated.
Anyway, here are the "Top 5" suggestions he gave me:
1. Each plate, breakfast-lunch-dinner, should have 3 colors of veggies on it. Deep colors--reds, orange, yellows. One of the veggies should be raw, and it should be a different raw veggie at each meal, as they all have different enzymatic processes that help our digestive system. The key is variety of colors and a "rich palette" of dense nutrition.
2. Leafy greens. Eat at least one salad a day-- I try for a salad with my lunch plate. I get mixed greens, with deep, dark colors.
3. Magnesium. Our soil is deficient in this important mineral. I supplement with this, and will never, ever stop! I love the way it makes me feel.
4. Eat every two hours. Make sure you have a protein filled snack, and that means no high glycemic foods. Avoid anything that spikes your blood sugar up, as that is what taxes our bodies like a spike in insulin, which can lead to insulin resistance. That also means you should cut out a lot of foods which convert into sugar..... which is a lot of BREAD. (Very difficult for me, but was also dx'd with gluten intolerance so had to cut it out anyway!) Basically, the good snacks are: nuts, fruits, celery with peanut butter, etc., etc. I love Udi's bread with almond butter for a good snack in between meals.
Basically, the key is variety in your vegetable selection, lots of colors and nutrient dense foods. Once you begin eating like this, it's hard to recall what it was like before. If I go 2 days without vegetables (yes, that's happened), I start to crave them as if they were candy. Go figure.
Those of us with DCIS have one shot at this, so I keep that in mind daily. I am just trying to dodge any more bullets which may be headed my way! Good luck with your new challenge, and remember that you can still treat yourself to ice cream, etc every once in awhile. Don't cut it out of your life entirely, or life can get pretty darn boring. We are here to LIVE life to its fullest!
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Vivre,
I haven't tried thermography, but would like to do so. There is a thermography center in Dallas, and I will see if I can get it covered with my insurance. Read your post on "still seeing red" on your thermograms.... is that the radiation? Ugh. I feel absolutely sick that I have radiation still flowing in my body. Woke up this morning, feeling a bit upset that I let them talk me into it. I was just so darned scared that I listened to the team of docs. I finally got my senses together to tell them there was no way I'd do Tamoxifen, and they backed off.
Thanks for the advice on thermography. I'll give it a try.
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hannah welcome, I am still new at all this as well. From all the things I have reas and what my own MO has done with me your supplements look pretty good but I am sure there are others more experienced in this area that can give some feedback. As far as the sugar goes try to get rid of it along with white breads etc that turn into sugars in your body. I wish that I had known more about it when I was younger. I have suffered for years with vaginal yeast infections. 15 years ago I read a book yeast infections and tried to talk to my Dr about it but everyone thought I was crazy now there are statistics and facts that sugar causes lots of problems along with yeast infections. I am a sugar addict so getting rid of sugar was no easy task but I find that as long as I don't eat it I don't crave it. give me that first bite of cake and I want the whole thing.
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Isomajik You will have to decide what you are willing to do and what you are not.
Cold turkey off diet coke could give you a caffeine deprivation headache unless you add caffeine with green tea or some other source.
I went cold turkey off diet coke. Then tried it as a "treat" a few months later and hated it. Now, it just tastes like chemicals. My husband still drinks it as his primary beverage...so had a sip of his at the movie last night...2 yrs since my last sip.... It was awful...too chemically for me. Enjoyed my smuggled in water with a tad of pomgranate juice instead.
Good luck. This is truly a pain. Most of the foods I used to eat have been replaced.
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Hannah ~ you are a brave young woman and kudos to you for being proactive! I sent you a PM - don't feel like you have to respond. Yes, it's all very overwhelming and you shouldn't feel like you have to do everything right away. Sending you a great big hug and wishing you didn't have to be here! ~ Daiva
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Hannah, good for you. I have always said that I wish I had respected my body in early adulthood.
I would also add selenium to your supplement list.
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Marianna ~ what do you notice taking the Magnesium? I take so many supplements that I can't really tell what does what.
Also, has anyone had immune testing done to check activity level of NKC (natural killer cells)?
I have a phone consult with my naturopath to discuss the results of my last bloodwork. I am crossing my fingers that she doesn't add anything to what I'm already taking. How cow - it's sure add up! Anyone else taking "Perque" brand supplements? ~ Daiva
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Hannah-Bravo to you for being proactive. I soooo wish I had not taken my health for granted when I was young. Be aware that just because you have a gene, does no mean you will get cancer. If you keep your cells healthy and minimize the amount of toxins you are exposed to, you can protect yourself. Knowlege is power. It sounds like you have a pretty good plan from your doc. I would love for you to come to my ThinkBeyondthePink weekend in oct. My goal is to get younger women there, because I do believe the things they will learn will greatly dimish their changes of ever having to deal with this. I am so excited that Dr. Hal Huggins will b speaking. He is well respected for his research into toxins in dentistry. He speaks all over the world and he will be presenting his latest research at our gathering that he says will prove the links the with breast cancer and toxic teeth. He has extracted the teeth from thousands of women and put them into rabbits, and they all have developed breast cancer. Stephanie, who runs the yahoo iodine group will also be speaking about the iodine protocol, which I credit with detoxing my breasts for those of you who have asked. Bring your friends and enjoy a wonderful and empowering weekend. All the proceeds will go to benefit children with autism.
As for detox-I am trying everything, and like I said my therms are still mostly red, though I am getting cooling in every therm so far. I read that it may take 10 years! Damn rads. One of the things I am doing is constant liver detoxing with a Usana product called Hepasil, that contains things like Milk thistle, NAC, tumeric, and alpha lypoic acid which are all supportive for the liver. If the liver pathways are clear, the body can keep the detoxing channels open. I also use the far infared sauna, though it has been so hot here lately, I do not need it now. I am trying something I got at the Health Freedom Expo, and will see in my next therm in a couple of months if it is doing any good. For those of you who want more info on thermography, I have tons of links on my website. Did you know that the only way to detect cancer is with a biopsy? Mammography can detect anatomical abonormalities and thermography can detect physiological differences but without radiation or compression.
Agree with Luna and Althea-getting off of soda is a must. I went cold turkey too and have not had one in 4 years now. I do not miss it or desire it at all any more, and I use to have a cola every day. Once you get your body use to eating healthier, you crave the good stuff more, and the bad stuff makes you feel like crap, so you learn not to tempt fate.
Go to the iodine thread for more about detoxing. I went through a couple of months of torso itching when I was detoxing with iodine, but now have no problems. Once I released all those toxins, I lost all the midriff and my estrogen levels went down too. It is all related.
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xRay girl,
I use the Perque Vitamin C powder.... expensive, but so worth it. I would like to try more of their lines, but my nutritionist typically uses Designs for Health and GNLD. I buy most of my supplements through him.
As for magnesium, it just makes me a very calm, even-tempered person. I used to have A LOT of anxiety and panic attacks. With magnesium, I just feel so-- calm yet energetic. It's like an antidepressant, mood elevator, plus it's good for all my systems. The two supplements that turned things around for me... in a big way... were Vitamin D and magnesium.
I was testing in the high ranges for my PTH (parathyroid hormone), and Vitamin D + magnesium forced my body into the normal range for PTH, which is a very good thing for my bones and overall health.
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I know some of you are Christine Northrup fans, and her original clinic is here in Maine. It's still women's practitioners, women clients. Marcelle Pick, the current head of the clinic has several books out. One, The Core Balance Diet, I think would really help anyone that it trying to eat healthy. It's a huge book with multiple quizzes in it to determine what is out of balance in your body, ie Adrenal system. It's published by Hay House. They have a website too...women to women....Granted I have not purchased anything other than the book, so I'm not trying to push any sales for anyone, but I lost 8 pounds in 6 weeks by doing the diet, and it was not difficult at all. I've always been a healthy eater, and I just liked the way she was so informative in this book. The website had services you can purchase for assistance, and nutritional supplements to help re-balance. Since it's a local clinic, I've run into women at my gym that are on the entire program, and they have totally changed their appearance, not just in weight loss but in skin palor, and energy level, and all over health. I got referred after I over heard their convo on the tread. I think her book is a good, low cost way to start towards better diet.
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Hope everyone is having a great summer. We are on a tiny island in British Columbia enjoying fresh air, sunshine, home grown veggies. Life is good! When I made the hard decision to decline Tamox and AIs, my Onc asked what my reservations were. I told her that I thought the yet unknown longterm SE could be worse than a BC recurrence. She replied "do you think the FDA would aprove something that wasn't safe?" My DH and I nearly shouted "Yes!" I am so grateful for all of you incredibly determined, bright women who have helped me learn some great, less dangerous strategies to getting and staying healthy. I do believe we are revolutionaries of sorts! I just found this article saying that the FDA doesn't require patient testing on most implantable devices (really??). Things like surgical mesh are deteriorating inside people and causing chronic problems. Please do not assume things are safe, keep questioning everything. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43886793/ns/health-health_care/
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Thought I would share my thoughts on stopping Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago....struggling with total piece of mind over this decision, but felt I had no choice. Extreme fatique, dizziness, nausea and just a general feeling of being unwell. Was on the tamoxifen for about 3 1/2 mos. Have spent the last yr. trying Femara than Aromasin and ending up with tendonitis in the shoulder etc. etc. Have gone to a naturapath and she suggests "Estro Detox" and "D Glucarate" from AOR. Can't believe it, actually feel like my old self again!!!!!
Hope to come to a place soon were I can completely accept my decision and not keep wavering.
Did try the 10mg. instead of 20 mg. of tamoxifen, but that didn't work either.
Any words of wisdom or other supplementation you may recommend. Have been looking at Grape Seed extract....also any thoughts on "Myomin"?
Thank you all so much, was out with girlfriends last night and decided not to share this stuff with them....they just don't understand! (not that I can expect them to!) but frustrating sometimes, no one to share with.....don't want to think so much about this BC stuff anymore!!!!!
IDC, 1 cm, Stage 1, Grade2/3, 0/3 nodes, weakly ER+/PR-, HER2+. Chemo, rads and 1 yr. of herceptin.
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vivre, please send me information about it! and you guys are all a huge help!
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I've been away, so don't know if this has already been posted on Natural Girls, but I saw this very sad news today on another thread.
http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/scimedemail/la-me-david-servan-schreiber-20110726,0,5480879.story
GirlFriday, thanks for the book & website recommendation. I don't have a weight issue, but I'm certainly interested in ways to ascertain if we're in balance.
DesignerMom, your summer retreat place sounds heavenly! I love Victoria and that whole area! Deanna
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Deanna- Yes, this is my heaven on earth. This little sleepy, Gulf Island is better than any medicine! This is so sad about Dr. Servan Schreiber. I think his Anticancer book was groundbreaking and helped a lot of people, I know I learned a lot from it. As he said, his changes in diet, stress etc...helped him live an additional 19 years, when initially he was only given 6 months.
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bumping for someone that is looking for the thread
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Hi ladies,
Just watched a youtube that shows the effect of a sugary breakfast and figured y'all would want to see it too. Blood was taken from a man who lost weight and had dialed back his sugar consumption. Then he ate a sugary breakfast that included 200 grams of sugar. Just 15 minutes later his blood was tested again, and the changes in his blood sample is dramatic. Check it out
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I've started a new friendship thread on the "Growing our friendships" forum so we Alt gals can get together for social chat. I want it to be positive and respectful. Feel free to join me there though I do keep "Australian hours".
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Thank you, Joy! I'll check out your new thread. And have so enjoyed your balanced and well thought perspective.
Having a very zen kind of morning today. I woke at 5:00a to go for a bike ride, and I think that seeing the sunrise is so good for the soul.... as long as you haven't prefaced it with a night of no sleep!
That's it, no questions or new dietary/supplemental stategies. Have a WONDERFUL DAY, ladies!!!!
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Wow, Althea! I just watched that video about sugar's effect on our blood cells. That is amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing it. I'm anxious to forward it to everyone I know!
Joy, I'll definitely check out your thread, but I'm also pulling back from the time I spend on BCO, so may not post often. Deanna
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I knew sugar was our enemy, but this video really drives it in. Thanks, althea.
Joy, thanks for the friendship thread. We'll probably need to check your hours on the World Clock, I guess (http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/custom.html?continent=australasia).
Yes, Deanna, I have a feeling many of us are trying to cut back on our time here. Still, let's not forget each other......
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althea- thanks for the amazing link on sugar. It is so scary that parents are essentially poisoning their kids with all this junk food.
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althe I just had a chance to see the video. I knew I was doing a good thing in trying to cut out sugar. Now I know for sure.
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Ditto on the sugar, thank you for posting this valuable information. Crazy what it does to our systems.
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OK, I see now why others are cutting back their time here. Is there any other forum where we can learn about natural / alt therapies? I come here because it's where I started after my Dx, and I have learned SO MUCH here. I am a bit worried that you ladies will quit the board, because I read all your comments and truly have gleaned a lot about BC, vitamin support, diet, and good healthy living.
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