How I’m Fighting Breast Cancer
Posted on January 6, 2009
- Hospitalizations for two nasty superbugs are simultaneously rising in many states, researchers say. One is the potentially dangerous diarrhea bug known as Clostridium difficile, or C. diff. The other is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body, including the skin, the bloodstream, the lungs, and the
Full Post: Superbug Rates on the Rise
By Sandy Powers
It was the summer of 2005 when my diagnostic mammogram revealed a growth in the back of my breast. The biopsy confirmed it was cancer. My best option was to have a mastectomy. The day before surgery, my surgeon called to tell me my pre-opt tests came back.
“Your liver enzymes are seriously elevated,” he said.
“What are liver enzymes?” I asked.
“Liver enzymes let us know how healthy the liver is,” he explained. “Your enzymes are 3 times higher than normal. Surgery is on hold until we run some tests.”
Had the cancer spread to my liver?
After a round of tests, the surgeon called again.
“The cancer doesn’t appear to have spread to your liver, but we can’t pin point the cause of the elevated enzymes.” He continued, “We can’t wait any longer for surgery.”
Three days later I had the mastectomy. The doctors decided I was not a good candidate for the traditional follow-up cancer treatment of radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal (anti-estrogen) therapy. There is no cure for breast cancer; yet, the traditional therapies were not for me. My liver enzymes were still seriously elevated. I knew I had to find an alternative treatment. I went into research mode. I poured through hundreds of research studies, medical journals, and dozens of books. I shifted through my piles of notes. I devised My Six-Step Plan. I became my own guinea pig.
My Six-Step Plan:
1.I stopped all multiple and mineral supplements.
Recent studies, for example, in The Journal of The American Medical Association and The Annuals of Internal Medicine concluded daily intake of beta carotene, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E in the form of vitamin pills increased risk of death; Vitamin A by 16 percent, Vitamin E by 4 percent and beta carotene by 7 percent. Researchers further suggested these and other artificial vitamins overload the liver.
2. I switched to organic food and began using olive oil for all my cooking and
baking.
Organic food eliminated from my diet the toxic pesticides, toxic fertilizers, added hormones, and antibiotics that are in conventional foods. Olive oil is healthy for the liver.
3. I increased my food intake of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the inside of a cell from free radicals that can cause diseases like cancer. Vitamin C is the most important antioxidant of them all. According to the National Academy of Sciences, one out of every six adults receives less than one-half of the daily-recommended amount. Since our bodies can’t manufacture or store Vitamin C, I make sure I drink orange juice, eat tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, broccoli, and parsley every day. But I do not take Vitamin C supplements. According to researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, large doses of Vitamin C—like in supplements— also protect the cancer cells inside our cells. Vitamin C taken in food sources does not.
4. I go out into the sun every day for 15 minutes for Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. Science Daily reports studies show a clear association between a deficiency of Vitamin D and breast cancer. I have a daily ritual of fifteen minutes of sun a day without sunscreen.
5.I walk every day for exercise.
Since I live in Florida where heat can be a problem, I usually walk in Wal-Mart or Target. (I only take a couple of dollars along with me so I’m not tempted to buy anything!)
6.I meditate twenty minutes a day to reduce stress.
A little stress makes us productive. A lot of stress makes us sick. I want my body to concentrate on staying well, not on fighting stress. Meditation is a healer of the mind while Organic Food is a healer of the body.
After six months on this regimen, I returned to the doctor for a series of tests. My liver enzymes returned to normal and my overall cholesterol dropped forty points while my good cholesterol rose forty points. My cancer appeared in remission.
I remain on My Six-Step Plan to fight cancer recurrence. There is no cure for breast cancer. For me, the best I can do is beat cancer into remission and fight to keep it there. This year in the United States there will be approximately 243,000 new cases of breast cancer. Over 41,000 breast cancer patients will die. I don’t plan on being one of them.
Diagnosed with breast cancer and liver problems, Sandy Powers turned to organic food to heal her liver and fight cancer recurrence. Her healing recipes rich in antioxidants and immune boosters are in her new book, “Organic for Health.” Visit Sandy and her book trailer at www.organicforhealthsite.com
If you find this health article interesting then please consider subscribing to my feed RSS. You can also subscribe by Email and have new articles sent directly to your inbox.
Tags: Breast, Cancer, Fighting
Related Posts:
Flu season is here and many of us will get sick. It seems we have more to worry about, though, because of antibiotic resistant Superbugs. There are things you can do to help protect yourself and even get healthier, quicker. The herbs Echinacea and Goldenseal help rev up your immune system - up to 60%! This
Full Post: 5 Helpful Facts to Get Your Immune System in Shape This Flu Season
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zithromax drug is prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Always follow the doctor’s direction while taking Zithromax. Do not miss a dosage and complete the whole course of medication for better results. If the drug is stopped in the middle, the infection can relapse. If you have any heart related problems, kidney and liver diseases or
Full Post: Antibiotic Zithromax
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Food and Drug Administration said yesterday that it was halting importation of 28 drugs made by the giant Indian generic drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories because of manufacturing deficiencies at two of the company’s plants. Douglas Throckmorton, a physician with the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said there was “no evidence
Full Post: FDA Bans Imports of 28 Indian-Made Drugs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Augmentin xr is prescribed for the treatment of infections of the bacteria in the middle ear, respiratory tract, skin and urinary tract. The drug is also prescribed for sinus and pneumonia. It is better to take Augmentin xr with food so that you can avoid any upset of the stomach. Well, if you have been
Full Post: Augmentin xr is prescribed for the treatment of infections
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An antidepressant, Lexapro Generic is prescribed for treating depression and certain other mood conditions. Lexapro comes under a group of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. It acts by brining in changes in the brain chemicals, which causes depression and other mood changes. Lexapro Generic should be taken under the guidance of your doctor.
Full Post: Generic Lexapro
