Grappling with reality

mensana
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

I won't mince words but I feel as though for the past few weeks I've been through hell. Chemo finished a week and a half ago, radiation a half week ago. Hadn't been able to eat much, or even drink, and keep it down. Weight dropped way down. Spent a lot of time dry retching and/or vomiting.The previous weekend after a bout of vomiting my temperature went up over 38. Called the ambulance as instructed and by the time they arrived temp was 39. Luckily I keep meticulous notes on my observations and medications (self administered). Just handed them over to the Ambos they didn't have to ask any questions. They kept me overnight, on antibiotics and a saline drip.

 

The next day (Monday) they discharged me, had the second last radiation therapy and went home. On the way had to get out of the car and was dry retching on the side of the road. At home it wasn't long before the vomiting started again and temp shot up. Rang the Alan Walker Centre but they just said to ring the ambulance again. So it wasn't long and I was on my way back to hospital with temp of 39.

This time they kept me for four nights in isolation. One big concern was my starting to cough up blood in my mucus. They didn't seem particularly concerned. Recovery was reasonably fast, probably because of having me on a drip which brought my fluid levels back up. Managed to start eating again, not bad for hospital food. Couldn't get enough so would go down to the hospital cafeteria and get myself a big milkshake. During this time we went into lockdown but only four days.

 

They gave me a CT scan with tracer. Head, neck, and chest/abdomen. They quickly checked for sign of embollism but found nothing. They discharged me again saying next week they'd go over the scan thoroughly and let me know the results.

 

So, back on my own for the weekend and so far so good. Tried to get some work done early this morning. Then did a rubbish run to the dump. Also managed to get grocery shopping done. While lined up at the checkout felt I'd over done it. Couldn't get out fast enough and found a bench to rest on. Waited for a while and then headed for the car and drove home. Lesson learned. Overdoing it at home the bed is close by. Overdoing it away from home becomes more complicated.

 

The house building is progressing slowly. But good thing is the plumber is going to get the bathroom functional so I can use it before the house is finished. Told him it was getting too difficult to cope with an outside shower and toilet. There's one final inspection due for the house but it's at least a couple of months before the house will be at that stage.

Janine3220
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

Great to hear from you Mensana,

I was getting worried.

 

You're a toughy with herculean determination.

Congratulations on finishing the therapy.

I want to recommend you see a Naturopath or a certified Nutritionist (from reading your blogs, I think you would only need a big intake consultation and then maybe one or likely two sessions thereafter for any queries/monitoring) since first-hand guidance is essential as every one has individual needs.

 

Now the following is a quick draft but it has the most important points : )). Apologies for typos etc.

 

You have a second chance now. Another bite of the cherry that even the poor Afghans aren't getting.

Cancer is NOT A BLOODY DEATH SENTENCE.

 

You've had a rough trot but it is in the past now. It was a process gone haywire for any of the following reasons:  genetic (not necessarily, our genes are there but they are Not the triggers!); environmental toxins cumulative effect or one time effect such as Chernobyl, pesticides...; personal environmental  ie socio-emotional stress - yesss stress is a killer big time; obesity, poor nutrition; metabolic syndrome; inflammation (the kind caused by lack of exercise, bad diet, alcohol, sugar addiction etc etc); infections from parasites, bacteria or fungus; which it are rarely pinpointed, and these trigger cancer.  Interestingly, my oncology registrar only asked about genetics not a whisper of a question about diet or stress or infections etc. Hmmm. I have my life in my hands : )

 

Why a plant-based diet? An alkaline diet ie a focus on vegetables (half salads of edible raw veg and herbs such as basil, parsley, coriander etc) and cooked veg (not chargrilled) once per day; and preferably steam-microwaved (only need a tablespoon or two of water and a lid on the veg) at dinner say; [If you can, have a veg and a fruit at breakfast e.g. tomato/mushroom an egg, some wholegrain artisan bread or sultana bran/weet bix for brekky]; and fresh fruits as mentioned before (citrus, kiwi and dark berries, cherries and prunes); Nuts [wash before you eat - I just found out that they are treated with chemicals : (( ] ;  no added sugar (just fruit and you can use washed dried fruit) and that includes alcohol except maybe (I would not recommend it) 100ml red wine; fish every other day and organic chicken or pork loin/fillet (Coles) and organic eggs (Safeway) and lots of boiled and filtered water and wholegrains, and seaweed (nori sheets, low salt - the brand I recommend is HoSan - some brands are loaded with salt).

 

In my research: (1) the reason for the high increase in cancers, is the low amount of iodine in our diets (certain fish, and seafood; milk and cheese; fortified bread) and the low amount of iodine in our soils. Iodine prevents breast, prostate and skin cancers and treats these; and is important in the prevention of a myriad of other cancers and diseases besides the obvious thyroid diseases. The Japanese eat a lot of seaweed and have very very very low breast and prostate cancer incidence (until the drop their trad diet when they emigrate and bingo they acquire the same rate of cancer as their new country). Iodine is also involved in the metabolism and transportation of calcium and other things.

 

A plant based diet as above, and sufficient protein (in recovery from cancer therapy, you need a bit more protein to build muscle and tissues and bones; and you also get it from plants, beans, grains, nuts) - this plant based diet creates a nice alkaline environment in the body and such extraordinary benefits of a healthy immune system and life. Tumours and cancerous cells (which are baby tumours) have an acidic shell and when they find themselves in an acidic environment they are right at home and proliferate; they grow fat, burst and release their virus and you have metastatic cancer. A plant based diet, water (which not only hydrates, delivers nutrients and oxygen, but also flushes toxins and cancers out of  the system) creates an oxygenated environment that viruses and bacteria and fungi cannot survive in : ).

 

2) Iodine is a natural and very very very essential mineral for metabolism and immunity. We ALL have cancerous cells in our bodies, but if our nutrition is poor, our iodine intake low or non-existant, we are over-exposed to fungas, bacteria and parasites and toxins from the environment and our immune system cannot clean the cancerous cells out. Refer to previous para. First check with the Naturopath or GP because I cannot advise you on this point since I don't know whether your thyroid is affected. If your GP ignores you or puts you down, that indicates the GP is out of his depth - they don't all keep up with research literature and they do not get taught Nutrition at university at all (!!!).

 

3) Furthermore, any trauma from mental stress, emotional stress, financial stress, violence, war, for a lengthy period raises our cortisol levels and we create a perfect environment for cancer. Meditation is required. Meditation can be anything that makes you feel calm. For some people its sitting in a zen position and swatting out thoughts while concentrating on their nostrils. For others its knitting, or sitting in a garden or looking at a beautiful view etc. Whatever calms you right down. Do it at least once a day, preferably x3, including before bed.

 

4) Sleep. Your body is now recovering from a massive battle and resting is essential - even if you cannot sleep, you must (I don't beat around the bush Mensana) go to bed at the same time eg 9pm and focus on your breathing and something peaceful (a scene of beauty, a kitten or puppy etc). You have a 9 hour appointment each night for resting the body. You can read, do a crossword, but no phones or tv in bedroom. And be confident that your hydrated body, and nourished with good proteins and veg and fruit throughout the day, will be doing its automatic cleansing and detoxification during the night, as well as rebuilding and healing your body. If you can visualise this while you are meditating or lying in bed as you are falling asleep, you will do your body a world of good. It works.

 

5) Exercise. When you have regained your strength through eating and resting, you must take up exercise e.g. an exercise bike while you watch the news or a favourite show; brisk walking; a team sport - whatever gets you into a sweat. Build up each day to a half hour eventually. At first you might only be able to walk from bedroom to kitchen or do only 1 minute on eg a bike. That's fine - you have the rest of your wonderful life to come to build up : ))

 

You are on your healing journey now YAY!!!  Each day is a wonderful brand new day!

 

Talk soon

 

Janine

 

 

 

Dee58
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

@mensana Take note of Janine's reply... very good stuff there! I heartily recommend also seeing a naturopath - some specialise in cancer patients so see if you can find one and they will put you on the right path for YOU, YOUR body and lifestyle and what you can afford. They will help you with everything including diet... much moreso than a GP. Having a good naturopath in your life is 100 times better than having a GP... in my opinion... and Janines probably... and many others I suspect...

You've made it this far... you can go all the way! 🙂

I had my big petscan last Tuesday and get my results this Thursday. Fingers crossed 🙂

Donna
xx
Janine3220
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

Hi Donna

I don't know whether 'fingers crossed' is the word, you have come a long and courageous way and there's no looking back.  You are not your dis-ease any longer.  Wow! Now, Your "body-vehicle of life" will get stronger and stronger; you are ready with a new perspective. Nothing will stop you now, nothing. You have the opportunity to rebuild your body and life to fashion it your way. Fear has no place in anyone's journey. You are on your way!

 

(A little fact just by the by while I am at it: We rebuild our skeleton every 3 years; our livers regenerate; we can rebuild our muscles and the state of our bodies and we can do so many other so-called miraculous things. How awe-inspiring is that).

 

I recommend the book by K. Turner "Radical Remission".  I want everyone to buy this woman's book (she's a Ph.D. in oncology counselling and did a lot of research to write this book - in fact every home should have a copy because it is the blueprint to a wonderful way of living wherein cancer CANNOT survive. I got it through www.bookdepository.com 

 

I agree with you 100 times over and over to see a Naturopath - preferably one with Oncology as a specialty, and experience.

 

Best wishes

Janine

 

Dee58
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

@Janine3220

Hi Janine, thank you for this info! I will get that book! My major concern right now is lymphedema... I have my oncologist appt tomorrow... if he confirms what my GP said then I am going to look into one of those redlight lamps... do you have any thoughts/advice on those that might be useful to me?

Thanks!
Donna
Reply
0 Kudos
Janine3220
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

Hi Donna

I would check out the searches below. The first one (WebMd) has helpful pictures.

1. The important things to remember is that early attention is very important; and making yourself the number one priority; ensuring the person giving massages is a lymphedema qualified therapist.

2.The links below explain how to manage the condition.

3.I would also get the doctor to give you a referral to a Oncology accredited Dietitian or you might like to seek out a Naturopath with Nutrition, and Oncology as a specialty.

 

4. Above all Stay positive. Do visualisation and meditation with the following : ) record this on your phone and play it with eyes closed or open if you are meditating in a calming setting e.g. garden, botanic gardens, beach you get the drift. Eyes shut is good, and right before bed. Chant this as your mantra, ok? The brain and subconscious only knows what you tell it. You will be fine.

 

         I am now totally centered in the love and joy of being Alive. I flow with life. Peace of mind is mine. This is my precious life. I am flowing with understanding, and compassion and forgiveness. I bend and flow with ease. All is well.  I am divinely guided and inspired. Love, for myself, flows. I move forward with confidence and joy, knowing that all is well in my future. I rise above all limitations and flow beyond past limitations into the freedom of the now. I relax into the flow of life and let life provide all that I need easily and comfortably. Life is for me. Only right action is taking place in my life. I release the old and welcome the new. All Is Well.

 

https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/ss/slideshow-lymphedema

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374687

 

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/lymphedema-after-cancer-surgery-beyond-the-basics

 

Go Donna!!!

 

Hugs

Janine

 

 

Dee58
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

@Janine3220 

 

thanks for that awesome meditation wording!  Love it!  

 

Yes my therapist is an oedema specialist.  She is the only clinic in town that is just specialising in oedema actually... she is a lovely lady and I'm so glad she has made room for me... 

 

I also have massages I have to do myself at home.... of course,  a whole week of mine never compares to what she achieves in just 45 minutes!  🙂

 

I'm between a rock and a hard place - exercise is good for me so I do it - but that same exercise exacerbates the lymphedema I have...   I had head and neck cancer and the lymphatic system in my neck no longer works ... thanks to the radiation... but hey, on the bright side, I AM alive 🙂

 

Janine3220
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

Hi Donna

How fortuitous to have your therapist!! 

If there is one thing I have learned in this life it is to never accept anything as written in stone. New knowledge occurs on a daily basis - people are  doing research left right and centre. Therapies change.

If exercise is a problem, there are other exercise techniques specific to your requirements and I suggest you see a physiotherapist as well who specialises in exercise and - I hate the word - specific dis-ease i.e. e.g. not a sports physio or a lumbar physio.

 

You WILL KNOW what works for YOU. It is important that you take control of your treatment and not just accept things. I have read horror stories where a treatment or experiment is used by unscrupulous care-providers for their own benefit e.g. writing a paper...and sadly know of too many personal experiences (relatives and friends) in detail of shoddy treatment by virtue of a lack of informed knowledge on the part of the GP.  You can read of this in Radical Remission.

 

And, moreover, nothing lasts forever i.e. things always change. And you will change - for the better. Have faith. A knowledgeable therapist keeps up to date with developments in her field. Furthermore, it is important that you also research your different concerns around the world - Oz sometimes can fall behind, not much, but we do lag behind e.g. Germany, Japan, US ... NB before any therapy by a GP, therapist, or Specialist is permitted to be used (as in accepted by Medicare funding; and insurers; etc, and trained in the Colleges) much umming and ahhing takes place to verify techniques.  And if the GP doesn't keep up with not only their own GP journals but health care and science and are complacent and smug and know it all, that bodes ill.

 

Let me give you an example. My GP (2 of them) were aghast that I wouldn't take an injection for Osteoporosis, and I wouldn't take the meds either. (I didn't want the side-effects, nor having to eat pills - I want quality not quantity of life. That is my own personal wish and I won't stop anyone having the injection or the meds but I despise GPs who will not discuss the side-effects with their patients and who have no knowledge whatsoever about Nutrition and the MASSIVE role it plays in disease. (In my case, one GP dismissed the side-effects as being rare, sorry I know too many women first hand who have them and still broke bones. I actually had a fall by leaning over too far and fell right on my Osteoporotic hip a few months ago and I had no pain, no crack, nothing so I knew my protocol works. The other GP was so condescending toward me about the injection and meds that I was gob-smacked, and shocked by his unprofessionalism.) They are trained in what they are trained in and the training states give the osteoporotic populace meds. Well, I am a Nutritionist as well as psychotherapist. I said I was going to do it via exercise and diet tweaking (you may wonder how I an intelligent woman got the big O - I was sedentary and non-sporty all my life, and my GPs never ever ever talked about diet and exercise nor the issue of Osteoporosis after menopause... bugga). My GPs (I've dropped both since) thought I was insane. 18 months later I have increased my bone density NATURALLY by 5% and the O in my spine by next year will become Osteopenia, and thereafter I will push it and push it and push it until I have normal bone. Sure some people may need the meds, but no one who takes these meds recovers or grows healthy strong bone. I recently bumped into one of my GPs who still gets my Dexa Scans sent to him (can't change this) who couldn't look me in the eye. He didn't believe I a mere mortal !! and non-doctor could do it, that perhaps, I would fall by the wayside.  He was genuinely surprised. Doesn't he read the literature? I am afraid to say that the literature ie research studies and articles only focus on their studies which are hard to do and fund, I have yet to read a medical article or research paper that conclusively promotes ex and diet for the big O. Why might we wonder? Because the researchers have a mindset borne of their medical or scientific training and why would you promote ex or food when you can't write a prescription for it...? Mind you, chiropractors, naturopaths and I as an example successfully treat Osteoporosis, without drugs.

That is why everyone needs to take control of their situation. Sure there are many who leave everything to their GP - that won't work - it might, but what the GP offers is largely a pharmaceutical solution mixed with a silo mentality, not a holistic and integrative therapy.  And you should see how far far far behind the mental health treatment is in treating mental issues. That is why I am a Psychotherapist-Nutritionist... I wring my hands in despair and it keeps me awake, no it makes me wail. That said, it wouldn't be right to condemn allopathic care-providers since that is all they know, alas.

 

I hope my blog inspires you to have faith that despite what you are told, you can take control and make it right for yourself.

 

Hug

Janine

Dee58
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

@Janine3220

 

Thanks Janine... love your reply and I happen to agree with you.  I learned the same things but not via osteo... but via serious vaccine injury.  Until it happened to myself AND then one almost killed my daughter and she's now on the official Australian gov TGA vaccine injury register, I believed the propoganda they push about vaccines... but my experiences and what our states top immunologist told me at the time blew my mind... and I now know why Drs and nurses are forbidden to speak out about it publicly in this country or risk losing their careers.  Its disgustingly evil.  Anyhow...

 

I am really well aware of the limitations on all forms of medical and health care providers and always keep my own eyes open and tend to now try and do my own research.  If I got paid for every time I, little uneducated in the medical realms me, actually educated a Doctor on something they did not know about, I might be able to retire now 🙂

 

Sadly they seem to rely just on the marketing lies pharmaceutical companies spin on them and they no longer seek to cure or mend people - just mask their symptoms and get their rewards for doing so...

 

I'm really lucky that I have found a great local clinic where 99% of the doctors are very aware of all the above and who themselves offer up natural treatments for long term gain and who don't push you know whats because they know the truth... 

 

And i will never have the Covid jab either... not knowing the numbers of seriously injured and dying from it.  Apart from the fact I personally know 5 people who are suffering right now just within days/weeks of their Covid jab and undergoing tests to find out whats wrong with them  - we all know whats wrong with them 😞  But the damage is done now...   I used to know 6... but one of them died mysteriously in their sleep and their family is still fighting about it because the coroner is trying to tell them it wasn't the jab BUT he doesn't know what it was so they've just put the death down to unknown causes.  Unknown my foot!  He was perfectly healthy and fine until he had that jab... 😞

 

Anyhow, sorry for waffling... just wanted to thank you for your indepth and informative responses!

 

xxx

D

 

 

Reply
0 Kudos
Janine3220
Contributor

Re: Grappling with reality

Hi Donna

I am sorry to hear that about vaccines. I am aware of complications that can occur. There are many factors, across All the parties involved as to what goes wrong. And yes it does sometimes feel like Russian Roulette. I am aghast at GPs who immunise children in one go for 5 to 7 diseases. And then the poor child is severely affected. In all circumstances, it's about numbers and avoiding a scourge like Polio or Small Pox. I got the COVID shot. I was afraid. But, I had it and I do recommend it. Of course, your circumstances are undoubtedly wanting investigation.

 

Re: your research and mine:   I told (one of my countless) GP that colic can indicate lactose intolerance, but also may indicate helicobacter pylori a bug and that he could read about in the research papers available online. He was also a lecturer in the medical faculty at a university.  He didn't know. I have no respect for him professionally or personally; unethical behaviour because of a lack of duty of care. Helicobacter P. infests, that we know of, half the world population and can be the precursor to various cancers. It is easily killed off with a month's worth of medication. Thankfully.  Like you, so many examples - curing myself because my GP at $400K p.a. doesn't know how to 'cure' because he doesn't know how 'it' starts. Testing him, when I asked this particular GP why many people suffer from swollen feet and ankles in the summer - that GP's reply: 'water in the body accumulates in the feet' (sure if you have a heart problem) - but the usual reason is people are dehydrated. What would that GP do? Put you on heart medication. Another reason could be too much OR too little salt in the diet, out of balance electrolytes. ETC ETC. But he derisively remarked and with satisfaction that "I know nothing about nutrition". What audacity and ignorance, even if he looked like an old Brad Pitt.

 

You are truly lucky to have that clinic. It is very reassuring. You may like to watch this video - the best hour and a bit you can ever spend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUSWWI2qVt4

 

Go Donna!

Hugs

Janine

 

 

Reply
0 Kudos
Post new topic
Talk to a health professional
Cancer Council support and information 13 11 20Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Cancer Information and Support

Online resources and support

Access information about support services, online resources and a range of other materials.

Caring for someone with cancer?

Find out what resources and support services are available to assist you.