"Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more." Confucius
Yesterday one of my sisters ( I have three of them), informed me that a friend of ours, father had passed away. It was very sudden, a massive heart attack. My first response was how tragic as he was only 70 years old. This thought brought me to remember when my father died at the age of 62, suddenly a shiver went down my arms. Losing a parent is never easy, if they die quickly or after a long illness. I realized that it really was about being reminded of my own morality.
I went on facebook and saw a picture that had been posted of him, so full of life, standing with one of his grand-daughters. My first instinct was to leave a comment expressing my sympathy, then it dawned on me how impersonal that seemed. Unfortunately social media is used too often for these personal moments. I feel that I would be cheating by just sending a note on facebook. After all he was someones father, hudsband, grandfather, brother and friend of others. I decided that sending a hand written note would be a better choice.
My sister said she was going to make and delivery dinner to the family (another lost tradition most people, including myself, don't do any more). I went to the local card store to get a card and was confronted with rows and rows of cards for every occasion. As I walked over to the sympathy card section, I passed a women reading juvenile birthday cards and laughing out loud about the humor she read in these innocent cards. It reminded me how this world is losing the personal touch when social media replaces human feelings of warmth and comfort of the written word.
I selected my card and walked out of the store with a smile thinking of the note I was going to write and the thought that a hand written not was not so old-fashion after all.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." Ambrose Redmoon
Today I have to call and schedule my next PET-scan. For those not familiar with the term, PET-scan uses a small amount of an injected radioactive drug to the individual to show where cancer cells are active in the body. I know it doesn't seem logical to have to add more poison into the system just to know where the poison is invading the body. I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
This test always makes me fearful because I have to learn about the unknown, but I know it takes courage to do what needs to be done. This reminds me of something my husband always says to me, " If you are going to strike out, go out swinging." As you may have guessed, he is a big baseball fan. He tells me often, that this is a winning mindset.
With this in mind, I try to envision going into the scanning tunnel with the thought of my cancer cells evaporating before the camera because I am stronger and more courageous than the cancer cells. I mentally visualize destroying the cancer cells in my body with the injected poison. In my mind I keep the heartfelt wish that I will see my two grown children mature and become more independent, marry, have their own children and live a full life. This has given me the courage to continue to live a purposeful and meaningful life.
In closing, the main purpose of creating this blog is to be a voice of encouragement to women like me, who are fighting in the trenches with courage and not guided by fear. I hope I accomplished this goal.
Today I have to call and schedule my next PET-scan. For those not familiar with the term, PET-scan uses a small amount of an injected radioactive drug to the individual to show where cancer cells are active in the body. I know it doesn't seem logical to have to add more poison into the system just to know where the poison is invading the body. I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
This test always makes me fearful because I have to learn about the unknown, but I know it takes courage to do what needs to be done. This reminds me of something my husband always says to me, " If you are going to strike out, go out swinging." As you may have guessed, he is a big baseball fan. He tells me often, that this is a winning mindset.
With this in mind, I try to envision going into the scanning tunnel with the thought of my cancer cells evaporating before the camera because I am stronger and more courageous than the cancer cells. I mentally visualize destroying the cancer cells in my body with the injected poison. In my mind I keep the heartfelt wish that I will see my two grown children mature and become more independent, marry, have their own children and live a full life. This has given me the courage to continue to live a purposeful and meaningful life.
In closing, the main purpose of creating this blog is to be a voice of encouragement to women like me, who are fighting in the trenches with courage and not guided by fear. I hope I accomplished this goal.
Monday, February 23, 2015
In Living Color
"Pink isn't just a color, it's an attitude!" Miley Cyrus
While we are still in the throes of our winter deep freeze here in New England (possible snow again this coming weekend, did someone say March?), I decided to change the channel. I went to the local grocery store and brought a beautiful pot of primroses in shades of pink, along with a tall bright, vibrant yellow daffodil plant. When I got home I placed them in my kitchen window. With the snowy background in the yard, the vibrant colors instantly lifted my mood.
This small act of creativity, inspired me to walk around the house and write a list of bright hues to add to my living room, bedroom and bathroom, in the form of curtains, pillows, placemats and sheets. From my linen closet I selected a multiple combinations of color to help bring spring inside.
These little pops of color really added needed sunshine and love to my day. Only 24 more days until SPRING!!!!
While we are still in the throes of our winter deep freeze here in New England (possible snow again this coming weekend, did someone say March?), I decided to change the channel. I went to the local grocery store and brought a beautiful pot of primroses in shades of pink, along with a tall bright, vibrant yellow daffodil plant. When I got home I placed them in my kitchen window. With the snowy background in the yard, the vibrant colors instantly lifted my mood.
This small act of creativity, inspired me to walk around the house and write a list of bright hues to add to my living room, bedroom and bathroom, in the form of curtains, pillows, placemats and sheets. From my linen closet I selected a multiple combinations of color to help bring spring inside.
These little pops of color really added needed sunshine and love to my day. Only 24 more days until SPRING!!!!
Combinations Help Cure
"Put a colour upon a canvas-- it not only colours with that colour the part of the canvas to which the colour has been applied, but it also colours the surrounding space with the complementary." Henri Matisse
If you are familiar with the work of Henri Matisse, then you may understand how the combination of complimentary items have positive effects on each other. Yesterday after I wrote the blog about the use of turmeric in cancer care, I received comments from readers about how turmeric can also be helpful in combination with other vegetables like yellow onions. It appears onions in combination with turmeric interact to provide a power to enhance the cancer fighting effects of each other.
After researching how certain food combinations have an enhanced power to combat cancer, Dr. Oz reports that some of these food combinations include; chicken and broccoli; avocado and salsa; turmeric and yellow onions; and grilled salmon with watercress. Dr Oz said, "If you eat chicken and broccoli together at the same time, then it is three times more effective at fighting Breast Cancer! Salsa is full of lycopene and reduces risk of Lung Cancer and Bladder Cancer. Avocado helps you absorb five times more lycpene." Have a great Mexican Taco Night!!!
If you are familiar with the work of Henri Matisse, then you may understand how the combination of complimentary items have positive effects on each other. Yesterday after I wrote the blog about the use of turmeric in cancer care, I received comments from readers about how turmeric can also be helpful in combination with other vegetables like yellow onions. It appears onions in combination with turmeric interact to provide a power to enhance the cancer fighting effects of each other.
After researching how certain food combinations have an enhanced power to combat cancer, Dr. Oz reports that some of these food combinations include; chicken and broccoli; avocado and salsa; turmeric and yellow onions; and grilled salmon with watercress. Dr Oz said, "If you eat chicken and broccoli together at the same time, then it is three times more effective at fighting Breast Cancer! Salsa is full of lycopene and reduces risk of Lung Cancer and Bladder Cancer. Avocado helps you absorb five times more lycpene." Have a great Mexican Taco Night!!!
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Turmeric
"Turmeric is a perennial plant from the ginger family. Turmeric is a great source of the cancer fighting compound curcumin." Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD
When I first was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer is 2011,I have become increasingly motivated to eat foods that help facilitate recovery. I am even more interested with natural non-toxic approaches to treat my cancer.
Studies at the Cancer Centers of America have shown that one of these approaches include the use of turmeric, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help fight cancer. The women of Okinawna, Japan drink turmeric tea daily and have one fifth the rate of breast cancer than American women. Traditional doses are in the range of 2-3 tsps. of turmeric daily, according to Julie T Chen, MD, Integrative Medicine.
Here's a quick little recipe that I found online and drink regularly. Feel free to adjust the proportions of fresh ginger and or turmeric.
Ingredients:
1 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
a splash of almond milk, soy milk or cow milk
honey, agave, or maple syrup
In a small saucepan, bring water to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in milk and strain tea into cup. Add sweetener to taste.
BON APPETITE!
When I first was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer is 2011,I have become increasingly motivated to eat foods that help facilitate recovery. I am even more interested with natural non-toxic approaches to treat my cancer.
Studies at the Cancer Centers of America have shown that one of these approaches include the use of turmeric, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help fight cancer. The women of Okinawna, Japan drink turmeric tea daily and have one fifth the rate of breast cancer than American women. Traditional doses are in the range of 2-3 tsps. of turmeric daily, according to Julie T Chen, MD, Integrative Medicine.
Here's a quick little recipe that I found online and drink regularly. Feel free to adjust the proportions of fresh ginger and or turmeric.
Ingredients:
1 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
a splash of almond milk, soy milk or cow milk
honey, agave, or maple syrup
In a small saucepan, bring water to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in milk and strain tea into cup. Add sweetener to taste.
BON APPETITE!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
" A strong and positive attitude creates more miracles than any other thing, because life is 10% how you make it, and 90% how you take it" Walt Whitman
Today I went to my monthly doctor visit and I am happy to report no changes in my cancer condition. All my test results came back the same, a little improvement, as last month. A big sigh of relief!
I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to enhance my chances with cancer. What he told me, surprised me a little. He said, that there was no right or wrong way to personally deal with cancer. He said to stay positive, eat healthy and pray daily.
With that being said, I realized that a positive attitude was very important and one I followed regularly. Even when I don't feel like it, I still get up early, shower, fix my hair, and put on make-up. Doing all these things help me feel normal and healthy, even if I'm not.
I also try not to let cancer define me. I tell myself I am in control of my cancer and I will not be a victim. Doing these little things makes me feel that they are working, especially when my doctor tells me I am holding my own with cancer.
Today I went to my monthly doctor visit and I am happy to report no changes in my cancer condition. All my test results came back the same, a little improvement, as last month. A big sigh of relief!
I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to enhance my chances with cancer. What he told me, surprised me a little. He said, that there was no right or wrong way to personally deal with cancer. He said to stay positive, eat healthy and pray daily.
With that being said, I realized that a positive attitude was very important and one I followed regularly. Even when I don't feel like it, I still get up early, shower, fix my hair, and put on make-up. Doing all these things help me feel normal and healthy, even if I'm not.
I also try not to let cancer define me. I tell myself I am in control of my cancer and I will not be a victim. Doing these little things makes me feel that they are working, especially when my doctor tells me I am holding my own with cancer.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
All We Need is Love, Love, Love....
"We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone." Orson Welles
"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead." Oscar Wilde
Happy Valentine's Day!
"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead." Oscar Wilde
Happy Valentine's Day!
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