Since I have not gotten things together yet for my and our final entries, I still have some thoughts to share with you. I was out for a really cold walk yesterday morning, even my eyebrows froze! Walking always gets me thinking. Some things happened this week, like the stars aligning or whatever.Â
First I finally got around to listening to a December recording of “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross. She was interviewing Dr. Marisa Weiss, a breast oncologist who was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2010. I was, at the time, most interested in what she was saying about nutrition.
Then I was sent a link to CaringBridge.com to visit a website for a colleague of mine who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. He spoke about immediate changes he was making to his diet in his first entry.
THEN on Saturday I was working in the commissary at the ski lodge and I saw someone who I have not seen since last year. She said “Have you always had curly hair??” and I let her know it was post chemo hair. She was shocked. I have not verbalized that in a while.
All this got me thinking about how I’ve sort of gotten back into my old saddle almost like the past 18 months never happened. What a crazy feeling that was. I dug out my copy of ANTI CANCER a new way of life and began to re read it. Back when I was first diagnosed, my chiropractor recommended that I speak to an elder in the field who had his own experience with cancer.  He recommended this book and said if I could not come to see him, this would be the next best thing.  I looked through it, read some and put it away. That happened with a lot of the literature I was given at that time. No energy or concentration to absorb it all I guess.
I decided to run another detox week and spoke with B about my desire to learn more. I indicated that being on a separate eating plan from the rest of my family was not appealing to me and you know what he said? He told me that it wouldn’t hurt any of us to change the way we eat for the health of it. Just what I needed to hear.
The author of the Anti Cancer book is an MD PhD who was doing brain research. He and his colleagues did scans on their own brains for research purposes. They found a tumor on his brain basically by accident. The book was published in 2008 and he was reporting 14 years cancer free at that time. He did extensive research on the subject and has a list of recommended foods for those who had specific cancers. His premise is basically to strengthen the immune system with the right nutrients to fight off specific types of cancer. Â
SO, I’m 2 days into my detox, which is a good way for me to essentially reset my food intake. We have a relatively new market near by which features locally grown and organic produce. I’m going to scoot in there this week to take note of what they have to offer. I usually purchase organic when I can, but I’m feeling like I need to get more consistent, especially with whatever source of protein I choose. This will be somewhat of a financial challenge, but we’ll just have to deal with it.
I wanted to put my thoughts on the subject down. It’s so easy for me to not look back or remind myself that I had cancer. While I move on, I want to remain mindful. I don’t want my body to be a good host to cancer cells. That’s for sure.
I heard the interview. (Is Terry a great interviewer or what?) It is really hard to stick with things that are inconvenient and go against the grain, even when we know they are for the best. Local support, as in family commitment, may be the most important variable in keeping something like eating optimally in its rightfully important place. Good for you that you have gotten back to your old groove, even better if you improve the groove. Good luck. Call if you want encouragement.
Oh R,
Ever there, my brother.
We had a lovely pizza party in this, our third (I think) snow storm of the week. Our kids together with their POD mates from the last 10 years and really groovy smelling pizza. I ate the non pizza option which was scrumptuous and didn’t contain the things I’m trying to avoid. The more I say it aloud the stronger I feel to resist what is convenient. Maybe the next time I see you we can come up with an “Improve the groove” dance or something. What say you?? I’m so fortunate to have you as my bro. And you can bet I’ll call!
Ever so grateful for you “putting your thoughts down.” I know this sounds mentally ill to some degree, but I feel like any time a recurrance could come back bigger and worse in two areas of my body….we had this conversation before…I’ve been lucky to get mine early in both cases but I feel (especially this last entry you shared) that I need to be able to open this blog so in case I do go at it again with my own particular C I have all this great reference (all throughout this blog).Will this blog, should it end, still be in it’s entirety, in cyber space forever when I start to type myth….the cookie shows and I can still open?
Maybe this blog can live on….it states “A family living with Cancer” well like B said, everyone can stand to change their diet…I’m all for hearing about books, diets, music, etc. that have improved your quality of life. Good for B to get on board during the detox!!!!! He’s a health guru anyway but it is difficult when a whole family shares a kitchen.
I could definitely stand to improve my groove. Maybe if we had a dance, we could invoke it in times of temptation. Saturday we had lunch at a NY Style bistro (no smirking C) and when faced with the choice between a chili dog and falafel, guess what I chose? I am Italian and I love to dance!
I hear you R. Isn’t that the key…invoking our tools….our inspirations from this blog,etc. Sometimes easier said than done but how great one feels when you do get through the day using the right tools! One day at a time-wish I could find the mindset for EVERY day at a time!
P.S.
I did not smirking.