November 1 Again. Already.

One year ago today I was told that I had a cancerous tumor that had cracked my T4, and so my adventure with Multiple Myeloma began. 

Today I feel stronger and happier than I did a year ago.  I feel lucky to have had kind people all around me, making me feel like I mattered to them.  I've learned a lot about many things. 

DIET MATTERS

Fats store toxins.  Animal fats store more dangerous toxins than plant fats do.  Try to eliminate animal fats to reduce the sources of pernicious toxin in your body.  Sugar feeds cancer, especially fast sugar.  Avoid both as much as possible. 

Cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, green vegetables, even soy all have important chemicals which help your body fight cancer.  Eat as much of these as you can. 

Coffee helps detox your liver.  Alcohol just doesn't have a place in the life of someone with cancer, due to the damage it inflicts on one's liver.  Once I lost the habit of a daily glass of wine, I stopped missing it, but old habits do die hard.  

SLEEP MATTERS

Your body needs to be as strong as possible to fight cancer.  Trying to get 9 hours of sleep each night will help your body repair the things that it struggles to repair when you are awake. 

DOCTORS MATTER 

Make sure that you have a doctor who takes the time to answer all of your questions.  Make sure that you ask how the doctor will balance management of your cancer with management of your immune system as they are at odds with each other.  

Follow your doctor's instructions diligently and if he or she makes a change in the treatment plans, make sure you understand why.   My regime is now Velcade and Revlimid and I will stay on this until "it stops working or I stop working."  The side effects are manageable so far.  Sleep, exercise, food and love will help you manage the side effects of the chemo.  Be patient and gentle with yourself.  Rest when you need to rest, listen to soft music or waves from the ocean (Ambience App) if you need a little bit of peace. 

PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE MATTER 

The great silver lining of a challenge like cancer is that I rediscovered the truly extraordinary people in my life.  The people who showed me love, support, kindness, patience and understanding this past year have a permanent place in my heart and I feel lucky to have them in my life. They helped me stay happy and  healthy and fed and loved. They helped me stay positive and curious.  They helped me start to heal. 

I read Suleika Jaouad's emails and she said something somehow reassuring this morning that I would like to pass along.  I will paraphrase it since I can't find the email right now, but she said to be gentle with yourself and have faith that the molecules in your body are rearranging themselves to heal you.  

LOVE MATTERS 

If you know someone who is sick, give them love, give them kindness.  If they need warmth and hugs, give them warmth and hugs.  If they need rides to the doctor, give them rides.  Life is short and it is precious.  Make their life as comfortable as possible, at any cost that you can afford. You will be glad that you did.   Most people would consider it a privilege to make their loved ones' lives as wonderful as possible given the chance.  

“What drains your spirit drains your body. What fuels your spirit fuels your body.”

― Carolyn Myss

Your body will not heal if it is constantly under stress.   Your body cannot heal if your heart and soul are under constant stress.  Eliminate sources of stress if you are serious about healing. 

Thank you for being in my life and I wish you the strength to fill your life with kind, loving, honest, caring people.  Be gentle and patient with yourself and others.  Meditate.  Read.  Laugh.  Learn.  Listen to music.  Walk with friends.  Eat root vegetables.  Hug your kids.  Or your pet.  And your friends.  Enjoy sun, beauty, humor in peace.  Love deeply. 

Email me and tell me how I can help. 




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