Heidi's Healing

Invitation to Talk on Genetic Testing: BrCa Prevention, Best suited Chemo Combo for you, Recurrence prevention

2010-09-25T03:22:00.000-07:00

GeneTalk Invitation
30 September and 5 October 2010

You are invited to attend a public lecture on DNA testing on Thursday 30 September 2010 in Johannesburg, or 5 October 2010 in Bellville, Cape Town. The purpose of these events is to answer any questions you may have about genetic testing. Please feel free to also invite your friends and family.

GENETALK in JOHANNESBURG: 30 September 2010, from 15h30-17h00, at the San Souci, Milpark Hospital, Guild Road, Parktown Johannesburg. Prof Maritha Kotze will present a lecture entitled "Change your genetic destiny". You will also be invited to participate in a research project to assess the impact of hereditary factors on health outcomes in individuals subjected to a wellness screen (Ethics approval number N09/08/224). Ronald van Klaveren of Agendia, in the Netherlands, will provide a short summary on the latest research findings applied in gene profiling for cancer treatment.

GENETALK in CAPE TOWN: 5 October 2010, from 9h30-12h00, at the Van der Horst Building, Room 201, Stellenbosch Business School, Bellville, Cape Town. Prof Justus Apffelstaedt of the Tygerberg Hospital Breast Cancer Clinic will present a lecture on the use of the MammaPrint test for chemotherapy selection. Thereafter further information will be provided on research findings related to the effect of genetic variation on the metabolism of drugs used in cancer prevention like Tamoxifen, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and food substances - such as caffeine, alcohol and folate - that may modify the (recurrence) risk of breast cancer (including BRCA gene mutation carriers) and other chronic diseases of lifestyle.

R.S.V.P. Lyndall at 021 938 9478 or Lujane at 083 3843 085 or email maritha@gmail.com.

GeneTalk Newsletter
Issue 5

The need has been identified for better communication between scientists, healthcare practitioners and the public. GeneTalk aims to increase public awareness of the role genetics plays in health and disease.

In this issue of the Newsletter we would like to announce the date for the October 2010 GeneTalk events. Feedback is also given on the progress made over the past year in bringing molecular genetics into clinical practice.

Forthcoming CPD event: 5th Applied Genetics Workshop (for healthcare practitioners)

Date & Time: 5 October 2010, from 14h00-20h00 (finger lunch from 13h00-14h00)

Venue: Van der Horst Building, Room 201, Stellenbosch Business School, Bellville, Cape Town

Registration fee: R 250.00 per person. Free attendance offered to registered healthcare practitioners who complete a 3-page research questionnaire to be provided after registration.

Public lectures: Breast Cancer Awareness

Public lectures (no cost) will be presented by Prof Maritha Kotze in Johannesburg and Prof Justus Apffelstaedt in Bellville, Cape Town. At the Cape Town event some of our students and the clinicians involved in breast cancer genetic research and the Wellness Project (discussed below) will present their research aims and preliminary findings in short 15 minute slots. Topics include the impact of genetic variation on the metabolism of drugs used in cancer prevention like Tamoxifen, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and food substances - such as caffeine, alcohol and folate - that may modify the (recurrence) risk of breast cancer (including BRCA gene mutation carriers) and other chronic diseases of lifestyle. A CANSA trained counsellor, Lujane Nutt, will co-ordinate future research activities to be discussed after the lectures.

Prof Maritha Kotze was invited to present a talk on Breast Cancer Genetics and Well-being at the Vergelegen Medi-Clinic in Somerset-West on the 9th of October 2010.

Wellness Research Project: Developing a practical approach to personalized medicine

Completion of the sequencing of the human genome in 2003 led to the expectation that genomic information would lead to better medical diagnosis and treatment. It was the beginning of an era of personalised medicine, in which treatments would be tailored to an individual's genetic make-up. The discovery that there are far fewer genes in the human genome than was originally estimated, however, challenged our understanding of the genetic basis of health and disease. It became apparent that a one-gene-one-disease association is the exception rather than the rule. We realised that knowledge of the structure of a gene would be incomplete without a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive the disease process. And so the journey began to develop a practical approach to personalised medicine by using pathology as the bridge between genetics and clinical practice. Genetic counselling to optimise clinical utility forms an integral component of this new approach in healthcare termed pathology supported genetic testing.

In collaboration with researchers from the Department of Health and Wellness at the Cape University of Technology (CPUT), the Department of Pathology at the Tygerberg Academic Hospital initiated a project to develop a comprehensive gene-based wellness program. This project was prompted by the positive outcome of including an MRC-patented multi-gene test for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as part of a Wellness Program offered by a medical aid in Namibia about two years ago. A registered dietician, Charlotte Thiele, motivated the inclusion of genetic testing as part of their healthcare offering based on clinical experience. The same medical aid has approved further funding for screening of a group of their members who fulfils the clinical selection criteria for genetic testing.

Wellness Day: University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Campus

The value of pathology supported genetic testing was made a little clearer on the 28th of July, 2010 during a Wellness Day arranged for the staff of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Tygerberg Academic Hospital. Dr Heloise Avenant of BluePrint Health, who is registered as a co-investigator in our ethically approved Wellness Project, presented guidance on the use of genetic testing for individuals with lifestyle-related conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Even more poignant was the value highlighted for members with a strong family history as a predictive factor of disease risk. Professor Maritha Kotze was one of the participants with a family history of heart disease. The finding that her Discovery Age exactly matched her real age came as no surprise as knowledge of her genetic status empowers her on a daily basis to minimise potentially harmful gene-environment mismatches. Interested parties can sign up for participation in the research project if they fulfil the clinical selection criteria, by providing a saliva sample that will be used in genetic screening after signing an ethically approved informed consent form.

Completion of the Genetic Knowledge Integration Project: 2007-2010

Insight gained from extensive research performed in the genetically distinct populations of South Africa over the past 20 years, paved the way for development of a computer-based medical device made freely available to clinicians who use genetic testing in their practice. With support from the Support Program for Industry Innovation (SPII) and the Innovation Centre of the Medical Research Council over the past three years, a method has been developed to incorporate clinical, biochemical/pathology, environmental and genetic information in a single test application. Genetic information derived from a panel of genes selected according to their phenotypic effects is correlated with the patient's pathology/biochemical measurements to assess gene expression and/or response to treatment. By using this pathology supported genetic testing approach, the same principles applied in the past for use of high-penetrance mutations in genetic tests, can be extrapolated to low-penetrance genetics. Dissection of complex disorders into treatable subtypes and prevention of cumulative risk are important considerations. We have demonstrated the usefulness of this combinational approach in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the latest research findings will be presented by Dr Dawie van Velden at a Congress in Italy later this year. Heart disease provides a model to address the lifestyle link in most chronic diseases with a genetic component. It has been estimated that at least 30% of cancers can be prevented by risk-reduction recommendations for healthy body weight, physical activity and diet. Research is underway to determine the clinical utility of combining lifestyle information with breast cancer genetic testing applications performed in a clinical setting.

70-gene MammaPrint gene profile: Medical Aid payment as part of oncology benefits

Oncology is leading the way in personalised medicine, as it is fast becoming the norm for breast cancer patients to have their genetic material tested to select the best treatment option. One test option used to select patients who are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy is the MammaPrint, a comprehensive 70-gene profile and the only FDA-cleared breast cancer recurrence test. Despite the relatively high cost, MammaPrint is reimbursed by an increasing number of medical schemes in South Africa as it can reduce the use of chemotherapy with about one-third. This is due to the efforts of a group of surgeons, oncologists and Prof Manie de Klerk of Qualsa, who developed an algorithm for use of this test in oestrogen-positive breast cancer patients. These guidelines were incorporated into the Gknowmix software program to identify breast cancer patients where MammaPrint is clinically indicated.

The highly accurate MammaPrint test identifies patients with early metastasis risk, who are likely to develop metastases within five years following surgery. Several authoritative studies have shown that chemotherapy particularly reduces early metastasis risk and in planning treatment, the MammaPrint test results provide doctors with a clear rationale to assess the benefit of chemotherapy in addition to other clinical information and pathology tests. The TargetPrint test is added at no additional cost, to provide objective, quantitative information about the expression of the specific tumor-related proteins, ER, PR and Her-2neu, while a new addition called BluePrint classifies tumours into treatment-directed subtypes. DiscoverPrint furthermore measures the expression of the whole genome for all patients enrolled in a research study, to eventually allow the identification of investigational drugs that offer the most benefit for women with certain tumor characteristics. Ongoing research and development commitments continue to augment the ability to accurately predict breast cancer recurrence and sub-typing, and help physicians tailor individual treatment plans to their patients. The goal of the testing laboratory, Agendia, is to provide women with answers to crucial treatment questions, such as how their breast cancer will respond to targeted therapies or various chemotherapy regimens.

Pre-selection of medication that can block the effect of a faulty gene or avoidance of drugs that are unlikely to work due to the genetic make-up of the patient, paves the way for cost-effective, patient-centered care. Savings can however only be realised if action is taken to reduce recurrence risk or prevent the complications of the disease that is predicted based partly on the genetic test results. To simplify this process, the Gknowmix database tool can now assist clinicians with the test selection and service delivery process, and its use has also been linked to ethically approved health outcomes research projects.

Ongoing Research Projects and Education

Participation in the GeneTalk events is a great way to stay up to speed with genomic research. It is also an opportunity to learn and to be educated about how the outcome of research projects can influence healthcare and patient care. It is not an easy task to translate the complexity of the field of genomics into practical clinical applications. Therefore several translational research projects that involve both a service and research component have been initiated as a collaborative effort between the private and public sector.

In a "Call to Action" recently published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Clinical Pathology, it was pointed out that the medical profession is lagging behind the technology and business communities in preparing for the application of personalised medicine. As a critical step in leading the change to a new medical model, these authors developed a personalised medicine curriculum that could catalyze the adoption of similar training modules throughout North America. South African universities have not stayed behind in preparing clinicians for the new era of personalised medicine. Prof Maritha Kotze will present lectures to pathology registrars on the topics of Pharmacogenetics and Nutrigenetics on the 11th and 13th of October, respectively, and is actively involved in the training of postgraduate students in these new fields through participation in translational research projects. A web-based distance-learning course that includes certain components of these educational materials and highlights the importance of genetic counselling (by clinicians/genetic counsellors) is also offered to private practicing clinicians with a special interest in Integrative Medicine.

Contact us

For more information please contact Prof Maritha Kotze at 021 9389324 / 0828799108 or email maritha@gknowmix.com or maritha@sun.ac.za.

The Wisdom of Your Cells - Bruce Lipton

2010-08-18T01:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.brucelipton.com/articles/the-wisdom-of-your-cells/

The Wisdom of Your Cells is a new biology that will profoundly change civilization and the world we live in. This new biology takes us from the belief that we are victims of our genes, that we are biochemical machines, that life is out of our control, into another reality, a reality where our thoughts, beliefs and mind control our genes, our behavior and the life we experience. This biology is based on current, modern science with some new perceptions added.

The new science takes us from victim to creator; we are very powerful in creating and unfolding the lives that we lead. This is actually knowledge of self and if we understand the old axiom, “Knowledge is power,” then what we are really beginning to understand is the knowledge of self-power. This is what I think we will get from understanding the new biology.

Flying Into Inner Space
My first introduction to biology was in second grade. The teacher brought in a microscope to show us cells and I remember how exciting it was. At the university I graduated from conventional microscopes into electron microscopy and had a further opportunity to look into the lives of cells. The lessons I learned profoundly changed my life and gave me insights about the world we live in that I would like to share with you.
Using electron microscopy, not only did I see the cells from the outside but I was able to go through the cell’s anatomy and understand the nature of its organization, its structures and its functions. As much as people talk about flying into outer space, I was flying into inner space and seeing new vistas, starting to have greater appreciation of the nature of life, the nature of cells and our involvement with our own cells.

At this time I also started training in cell culturing. In about 1968 I started cloning stem cells, doing my first cloning experiments under the guidance of Dr. Irv Konigsberg, a brilliant scientist who created the first stem cell cultures. The stem cells I was working with were called myoblasts. Myo means muscle; blast means progenitor. When I put my cells in the culture dishes with the conditions that support muscle growth, the muscle cells evolved and I would end up with giant contractile muscles. However, if I changed the environmental situation, the fate of the cells would be altered. I would start off with my same muscle precursors but in an altered environment they would actually start to form bone cells. If I further altered the conditions, those cells became adipose or fat cells. The results of these experiments were very exciting because while every one of the cells was genetically identical, the fate of the cells was controlled by the environment in which I placed them.

While I was doing these experiments I also started teaching students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine the conventional understanding that genes controlled the fate of cells. Yet in my experiments it was clearly revealed that the fate of cells was more or less controlled by the environment. My colleagues, of course, were upset with my work. Everyone was then on the bandwagon for the human genome project and in support of the “genes-control-life” story. When my work revealed how the environment would alter the cells, they talked about it as an exception to the rule.

You Are a Community of 50 Trillion Living Cells
Now I have a completely new understanding of life and that has led to a new way to teach people about cells. When you look at yourself you see an individual person. But if you understand the nature of who you are, you realize that you are actually a community of about 50 trillion living cells. Each cell is a living individual, a sentient being that has its own life and functions but interacts with other cells in the nature of a community. If I could reduce you to the size of a cell and drop you inside your own body, you would see a very busy metropolis of trillions of individuals living within one skin. This becomes relevant when we understand that health is when there is harmony in the community and dis-ease is when there is a disharmony that tends to fracture the community relationships. So, number one, we are a community.

Fact number two: There is not one function in the human body that is not already present in every single cell. For example, you have various systems: digestive, respiratory, excretory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, reproductive, a nervous system and an immune system but every one of those functions exists in every one of your cells. In fact we are made in the image of a cell. This is very helpful for biologists because we can do research on cells and then apply that information to understanding the nature of the human body.

I was teaching what is called the medical model, the perception that human biology represents a biological machine comprised of biochemicals and controlled by genes. Therefore when a patient comes in to see a doctor, the belief system is that the patient has something wrong with their biochemistry or genes, which can be adjusted and can lead them to health. At some point I realized that I had to leave the university because I found great conflict in teaching the students about what controls the cell and yet getting a completely different understanding from the cells in my cultures.

A New Understanding of Science
When I was outside the university I had a chance to read into physics. Again I found information that did not conform to the science I had been teaching. In the world of new physics, quantum physics, the mechanisms that are described completely collide with the mechanisms we were teaching, which were based on the old Newtonian physics. The new physics currently is still not introduced in medical schools. Before conventional science, science was the province of the church. It was called natural theology and was infused with the spiritual domain, teaching that God’s hand was directly involved in the unfoldment and maintenance of the world, that God’s image was expressed through the nature we live in. Natural theology had a mission statement: to understand the nature of the environment so we could learn to live in harmony with it. Basically this meant learning how to live in harmony with God, considering that nature and God were so well connected.

However, through the abuses of the church, their insistence on absolute knowledge and their efforts of suppressing new knowledge, there was what is called the Reformation. The Reformation, precipitated by Martin Luther, was a challenge to the church’s authority. After the Reformation, when there was an opportunity to question beliefs about the universe, science became what was called modern science. Isaac Newton, the physicist whose primary studies were on the nature of gravity and the movement of the planets, provided the foundation for modern science. He invented a new mathematics called differential calculus in order to create an equation to predict the movements of the solar system. Science identified truths as things that were predictable. Newtonian physics perceives the universe as a machine made out of matter; it says that if you can understand the nature of the matter that comprises the machine, then you will understand nature itself. Therefore the mission of science was to control and dominate nature, which was completely different than the former mission of science under natural theology, which was to live in harmony with nature.

The issue of control in regard to biology becomes a very important point. What is it that controls the traits that we express? According to Newtonian physics life forms represent machines made out of matter and if you want to understand those machines you take them apart, a process called reductionism. You study the individual pieces and see how they work and when you put all the pieces together again, you have an understanding of the whole. Charles Darwin said that the traits an individual expresses are connected to the parents. The sperm and egg that come together and result in the formation of a new individual must be carrying something that controls the traits in the offspring. Studies of dividing cells began in the early 1900s and they saw string-like structures that were present in cells that were beginning to divide. These string-like structures were called chromosomes.

Interestingly enough, while chromosomes were identified around 1900, it was only in 1944 that we actually identified which of their components carried the genetic traits. The world got very excited. They said, oh, my goodness, after all these years we finally have gotten down to identifying the genetically controlling material; it appears to be the DNA. In 1953 the work of James Watson and Francis Crick revealed that each strand of DNA contained a sequence of genes. The genes are the blueprints for each of the over 100,000 different kinds of proteins that are the building blocks for making a human body. A headline announcing Watson and Crick’s discovery appeared in a New York paper: “Secret of Life Discovered” and from that point on biology has been wrapped up in the genes. Scientists saw that by understanding the genetic code we could change the characters of organisms and therefore there was a big, headlong rush into the human genome project to try to understand the nature of the genes.
At first they thought these genes only controlled the physical form, but the more they started to manipulate genes, they saw that there were also influences on behavior and emotion. Suddenly, the genes took on more profound meaning because all the characters and traits of a human were apparently controlled by these genes.

Are We Victims of Heredity?
Yet there was one last question: what is it that controls the DNA? That would be going up the last rung of the ladder to find out what is ultimately in control. They did an experiment and it revealed that DNA was responsible for copying itself! DNA controls the protein and the protein represents our bodies. Basically it says that life is controlled by DNA. That is the Central Dogma. It supports a concept called “the primacy of DNA” that says who and what we are and the fate of the lives we lead are already preprogrammed in the DNA that we received at conception. What is the consequence of this? That the character and fate of your life reflects the heredity you were born into; you are actually a victim of heredity.

For example, scientists looked at a group of people, scored them on the basis of happiness and tried to find out whether there was a gene that was associated with happy people that was not active in unhappy people. Sure enough, they found a particular gene that seems to be more active in happy people. Then they immediately put out a big media blip on “gene for happiness discovered.” You could say, “Well, wait a minute. If I got a sucky happy gene, then my whole life is going to be predetermined. I’m a victim of my heredity.” This is exactly what we teach in school and this is what I had also been teaching-that people are powerless over their own lives because they can’t change their genes. But when people recognize the nature of being powerless, they also start to become irresponsible. “Well, look, Boss, you’re calling me lazy but I just want you to know my father was lazy. What can you expect from me? I mean, my genes made me lazy. I can’t do anything about it.” Recently in Newsweek they wrote about how fat cells are waging war on our health. It’s interesting because in an epidemic of obesity science stands back and says: it’s your fat cells that are waging war in your life.

The Human Genome Project
To come and save us, the human genome project entered our world. The idea of the project was to identify all the genes that make up a human. It would offer the future opportunity of genetic engineering to correct the ills and problems that face humans in this world. I thought the project was a humanitarian effort but it was interesting later to find out from Paul Silverman, one of the principal architects of the human genome project, what it was actually about. It was simply this: It was estimated that there were going to be over 100,000 genes in the human genome because there are over 100,000 different proteins in our bodies; plus there were also genes that didn’t make proteins but controlled the other genes. The project was actually designed by venture capitalists; they figured that since there were over 100,000 genes, by identifying these genes and then patenting the gene sequences, they could sell the gene patents to the drug industry and the drug industry would use the genes in creating health products. In fact, the program was not actually for advancing the human state as much as it was for making a lot of money.

Here is the fun part. Scientists knew that as you go up the evolutionary scale, simple organisms have less DNA and when you get to the level of humans, with the complexity of our physiology and our behavior, we have a lot more DNA. They thought that primitive organisms would have maybe a few thousand genes but humans were going to have approximately 150,000 genes, which meant 150,000 new drugs. The project began in 1987 and just showed again that when humans really put their heads together they can create miracles. In only about fourteen years we actually had the results of the human genome. It also was what I call a cosmic joke.

To begin the human genome project they first studied a primitive organism, a miniature worm that is barely visible with your eye. These worms had been an experimental animal for geneticists because they reproduce very quickly and in very large numbers and thereby express traits that you can study. They found that this small animal had a genome of about 24,000 genes. Then they decided to do one more genetic model before doing the human and that was with the fruit fly because of the large amount of information already available on the genetics and behavior of fruit flies. The fruit fly genome turned out to have only about 18,000 genes. The primitive worm had 24,000 genes and this flying machine had only 18,000 genes! They didn’t understand what that meant but put it on the back burner and started the work on the human genome project.

The results came in 2001 and were a major shock: in the human genome there are only about 25,000 genes; they expected nearly 150,000 genes and there were only about 25,000! It was such a shock that people actually didn’t talk about it. While there was a lot of hoopla about completing the human genome project, no one talked about the 100,000 missing genes. There was complete lack of discussion in the scientific journals about it. When they realized there were not enough genes to account for human complexity, it shook the foundation of biology

Why is it so important? If a science is based on the way life really works, that science would be good for use in medical practice. But if you base your science on wrong information, then that science could be detrimental to medical practice. It is now a recognized fact that conventional allopathic medicine, the primary medicine we use in Western civilization, is a leading cause of death in the United States. It is also responsible for one out of five deaths in Australia. In the Journal of the American Medical Association Dr. Barbara Starfield wrote an article revealing that from conservative estimates, the practice of medicine is the third leading cause of death in the United States. However, there is a more recent study by Gary Null (see Death by Medicine at: www.garynull.com). He found that rather than being the third leading cause of death, it is the first leading cause with over three-quarters of a million people dying from medical treatment each year. If medicine actually knew what it was doing, it wouldn’t be that lethal.

I left the university in 1980, seven years before the human genome project was started because I already was aware that genes didn’t control life. I was aware that the environment was influential but my colleagues looked at me as not just being a radical but a heretic because I was conflicting with the dogma; therefore this became a religious argument. At some point the religiosity of where I was led me to resign my position. That’s when I started to advance into understanding about brain function and neuroscience. What I was really trying to find out is if it’s not the DNA that controls cells, then where is the “brain” of the cell?

The Computer Within
The new biology revealed that the brain of the cell is its skin, the mem-brane, the interface of the interior of the cell and the ever-changing world we live in. It is the functional element that controls life. This is important because understanding its function reveals that we are not victims of our genes. Through the action of the cell membrane we can actually control our genes, our biology and our life and we have been doing it all along although we have been laboring under the belief that we are victims.

I started to realize that the cell was a chip and that the nucleus was a hard disk with programs. The genes were programs. As I was typing this on my computer one day I realized that my computer was like a cell. It had programs built into it but what was expressed by the computer was not determined by the programs. It was determined by the information that I, as the environment, was typing onto the keyboard. Suddenly all the pieces fell into place: the cell membrane is actually an information-processing computer chip. The cell’s genes are the hard drive with all the potentials. That is why every cell in your body can form any kind of cell because every nucleus has all the genes that make up a human. But why should one cell be skin and another cell be bone or eye?

The answer is not because of the gene programs but because of the feedback of information from the environment. All of a sudden the bigger thing hit me: what makes us different from each other is the presence of a set of unique identifying protein keys (receptors) comprising the keyboard on the surface of our cells. The identity keys on the cell membrane respond to environmental information. The biggest “Aha!” was this: that our identity is actually an environmental signal that is playing through the keyboard on the surface of our cells and engaging our genetic programs; you are not inside your cell, you are playing through your cell using the keyboard as an interface. You are an identity derived from the environment.

In my younger days, I didn’t see that religion was offering me truth. I went away from spirit and ended up in science. Realizing that my identity was something from the environment playing through my cells was the greatest shock to my world because I was completely thrown from a non-spiritual reality into the requirement of a spiritual existence. My cells were like little television sets with antennas and I was the broadcast that controlled the readout of the genes. I was actually programming my cells.

I realized that if the cell died, it did not necessarily mean the loss of the broadcast-that the broadcast is out there whether the cell is here or not. All of a sudden it hit me with such profound awe. What I realized was that survival was not that important because of my eternal character was derived from some broadcast in the field. The fear of mortality disappeared. That was about twenty-five years ago and it was one of the most wonderful, liberating experiences I ever had.

Perception: The Power of the New Biology
We perceive the environment and adjust our biology, but not all of our perceptions are accurate. If we are laboring under misperceptions, then those misperceptions provide for a mis-adjustment of our biology. When our perceptions are inaccurate we can actually destroy our biology. When we understand that genes are just respondents to the environment from the perceptions handled by the cell membrane, then we can realize that if life isn’t going well, what we have to do is not change our genes but change our perceptions. That is much easier to do than physically altering the body. In fact, this is the power of the new biology: we can control our lives by controlling our perceptions.
We are holding “truths” about science that are actually untruth, they are actually “assumptions,” and false assumptions at that. Until we correct them, we are misunderstanding our relationship to the planet, to nature and the environment. As a result we are destroying that which has provided us life, the environment.

False assumption number one is that the universe is made of matter and its understanding can be attained by studying matter Our perception of a material-only biology and environment is no longer scientifically accurate. Another assumption is that genes control life. It is actually our perceptions that control life and by changing our perceptions we can get control over our lives. I will discuss more about this later. Assumption number three is a very dangerous assumption: that we arrived at this point in our evolution using the mechanisms of Darwinian theory, which may be summed up as “the survival of the fittest in the struggle for existence.” It turns out in the new biology that evolution is based on cooperation. Until we understand that, we keep competing with each other, struggling and destroying the planet without recognizing that our survival is in cooperation and that our continued competition is the death knell of human civilization.

The Future of Medicine
Everything in the universe is now understood to be made out of energy; to our perception it appears physical and solid, yet in reality it is all energy and energies interact. When you interact in your environment you are both absorbing and sending energy at the same time. You are probably more familiar with terms such as “good vibes” and “bad vibes.” Those are the waves at which we are all vibrating. We are all energy. The energy in your body is reflecting the energy around you because the atoms in your body are not only giving off energy, they are absorbing energy. Every living organism communicates with these vibrations. Animals communicate with plants; they communicate with other animals. Shamans talk to plants with vibrations. If you are sensitive to the differences between “good” and “bad” vibrations, you would always be leading yourself to places that would encourage your survival, your growth, your love, et cetera, and staying away from situations and places that would take advantage of you or cancel who you are.

When we are not paying attention to our vibrational energies, we are missing the most important readouts from our environment. Understanding of the new physics says that all energies are entangled and interact with each other. Therefore, you must pay attention to these invisible forces that are involved with what’s going on in your life. While medicine does not train its doctors to recognize that energy is part of the system, they very easily adapted to using the new scan systems to determine what is going on inside the body. It is humorous that they read their scans as “maps,” but do not have the fundamental understanding that their maps are direct readouts of the energy present in the body.

For example, in a mammogram revealing a cancer, one is you are visualizing a characteristic emission of energy distinctive of a cancer. Rather than cutting out the cancer, what if you applied an energy that, through interference patterns, would change the energy of those cancer cells and bring them back to a normal energy? Presumably you would get a healing effect. This would make sense out of thousands of years of what is called “hands-on healing.” The recipient is getting an energy that is interacting with their body through interference and through that interference, changing the character of the energy reflected in the physical matter because the matter is the energy. This is the future of medicine although we are not there with it right now.

Quantum physicists reveal that underneath apparent physical structure there is nothing more than energy, that we are energy beings. That means that we interact with everything in the field. This has an important impact on health care. Quantum physics reveals that energies are always entangled with each other. In an energy universe, waves are always flowing through and interacting with all other waves. We can never separate someone fully from the environment they live in. Quantum physics says the invisible energy is one hundred times more efficient in conveying information than are material signals (e.g., drugs). What we are beginning to recognize is that there is an invisible world that we have not dealt with in regard to understanding the nature of our health.

In other words, rather than focusing on matter, in a quantum world we focus on energy. In the mechanical world we said we can understand everything by reductionism. But in the newer quantum understanding of the universe we have to understand holism: you cannot separate one energy vibration from another energy vibration. We have to recognize that in the world we live in we are entangled in an unfathomable number of energy vibrations and we are connected to all of them!

Here is my definition of the environment: it is everything from the core of your being to the edge of the universe. It includes everything in close proximity to you as well as the planets and the sun and what is going on in the entire solar system. We are part of this entire field. To summarize the significance of this let me give you a quote from Albert Einstein: “The field is the sole governing agency of the particle.” What he says is this: the field, the invisible energy, is the sole governing agency of the physical reality

© 2007 by Bruce Lipton. This article is Part One of a three-part presentation derived from The Wisdom of Your Cells, How Your Beliefs Control Your Biology, published by Sounds True as an Audio Listening Course on eight CDs, www.soundstrue.com. Watch for Part Two and Three of Dr. Lipton’s presentation in the Summer and Autumn 2007 issues of Light of Consciousness.

Genetic testing we should all have done from 1 day old

2010-08-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

I got my results back from the low penetrant genetic mutation testing I had done. I had a general panel tested that show cancer, cardio vascular, obesity, and diabetes risk.

Low penetrant mutations are mutations that we can turn on or off depending on our lifestyle, diet, environmental pollution exposure, exercise amount, etc - ie. we do have a good chance at preventing the diseases the mutations could potentially cause if we make the necessary lifestyle changes.

High penetrant mutations are mutations that show there is a very good, unavoidable chance you will get a certain disease at some point in your life - eg. if you have the BRCA 1 + 2 mutation, there is a very good chance you will get breast cancer.

I knew I did not have BRCA 1 or 2 because no one in my family has breast cancer, let alone cancer. But there had to be another reason I got the breast cancer so early with this family history.

My results showed:

* If I increase my intake of unhealthy fats and refined carbohydrates in my diet, I have a tendency to blood fat (lipid) level imbalance which could lead to obesity, diabetes or hypothyroidism.

* I have wonky DNA synthesis, repair and methylation, which could contribute to cancer development if my folate intake is low. Although adequate dietary intake remains important, supplementation with high doses of folic acid (synthetic folic acid on it's own/not in a B complex) is not recommended in cancer patients. I need to keep my folate (not folic acid) intake at optimal (more than RDA) levels.

* I have the potential for raised homocysteine levels if my folate intake is low.

* I don't have the tendency to store iron unnecessarily so wont get hereditary haemochromatosis. Regular medical check-ups are recommended because the test does not include all possible risk factors for iron-related disorders.

* I have the starvation gene - yeah! - I have the tendency to gain excessive weight and develop hypertension if my level of physical activity is too low (I have always known that I can just look at food and gain weight). I need to do vigorous exercise like spinning to burn fat. I need to trick my body into thinking I am running at high speed across the savanna to catch my next meal before my body will let go of my fat. Increase fat storage results in increased estrogen production which I want to avoid.

* I have an increased risk of insulin resistance.

* I have the tendency to chronic inflammation and reduced insulin secretion, which increases the risk of type II diabetes, hypertension and obesity when the intake of foods with a high content of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids are inadequate - So lots of anti-oxidant rich foods, limit/eliminate toxins that use up anti-oxidants, and increase omega 3's - I am now using fish oil capsules. I have used flax oil + seeds for the last 5 yrs and my hair analysis shows I am still low on omega 3's so time to try the fish oil.

* I have the glutathione S-transferase (GST) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene mutation so my body's ability to remove harmful substances and to fight cancer-causing free radicals is reduced, especially if my intake of anti-oxidants is too low. This was a very interesting mutation: the mutation has deleted how my body should detoxify! My body can detoxify but along other more lengthy, energy-expensive pathways. So I should have never eaten pesticides etc, used non-natural/safe cosmetics, drunk alcohol, taken drugs, ingested medication, and on. No wonder my body felt more toxic than the next person after all the breast surgery general anesthetics last year. I always wondered whether my decision not to have the prophylactic chemotherapy was the right one and now I can see it was - for me. I wonder if this is why some people survive chemo and are fine afterwards, while others it takes down because they can not detoxify the chemo as well.

* The low-activity catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) allele is associated with increased oestrogen levels and cancer risk when oestrogen exposure is increased (e.g. due to obesity or use of hormone replacement therapy in women). I have this gene mutation from both parents. I should never have taken the Pill or ingested any zeno-estrogen's. I should have also taken steps from early to ensure my estrogen elimination pathways were kept open. This in combination of the 'can't detoxify' mutation is a strong indicator for breast cancer.

So where does this leave me?

I am glad I did not just leave the genetic testing investigation where my breast surgeon suggested 'well you probably don't have the high penetrant mutations BRCA 1 or 2 as no one in your family has breast cancer so why bother doing genetic testing'. I now know there are high and low penetrant mutations test for.

I am glad I forged forward because I can see from my low penetrant genetic mutations exactly how I got the breast cancer. I wish I had know these results at the age of 1 day old. This is where I would sponsor breast cancer research - prevention.

After my results, Glenn and I agreed to have our daughters, Grace and Lily, tested. I especially wanted to see what their chance of developing breast cancer in their life times is. I won't disclose their results as they don't know them yet. We need to wait for the right time/age to tell them. All I will say is that I am glad I have been so neurotic about limiting their environmental toxins exposure from birth/in my womb.

Will they rebel against their genes if they know their mutations? Will they be grateful that they can take more responsibility for their health and lead a disease preventative lifestyle - knowing where they can break the rules and where not.

We can't change our genes but we can change our lifestyle, diet, exercise amount, etc. to best suit our mutations.

What interests me going forward is how we tailor our lifestyle, diet, exercise type, etc to our unique biochemical makeup? This, I believe, is the medicine of the future.

Toxic Cosmetics

2010-08-04T21:39:00.000-07:00

Even before my breast cancer diagnosis, I was beginning to move away from cosmetic products containing toxic chemicals. This was not easy in South Africa at the time as there were not a lot to choose from. I tried almost all the natural products on the market but was only impressed by a few.

3 years later, I have pieced together good products from various product ranges. Some of these products are still not on a par with the toxic version but at least they are not toxic! Some products, I import from the UK. I have still not found a foundation like Dior's Totale Capture but for everyday use, the natural version is fine.

I was sent this link from 'The Story Of Stuff' lady, Annie Leonard. It shows, very simply (so even my daughters can understand it) how and why toxic ingredients are in toxic cosmetics (it even states my point about Estee Lauder!): http://storyofstuff.org/cosmetics

I my 20's I worked part time at an Estee Lauder counter in a busy glam retail store. I would get to work early and smear products from all the cosmetic houses all over my body. It was wonderful at the time as all the products smelled so nice and 'did so many amazing things' - like possibly cause cancer.

Estee Lauder is one of the biggest sponsors of breast cancer prevention worldwide. When I went to the local breast cancer meetings, there were always Estee Lauder free gifts for everyone or a hamper to be won. The support group didn't care - they were receiving sponsorship and great gifts.

Us humans are strange creatures!

Who do you think you are?

2010-07-01T08:37:00.001-07:00

We're all disabled in some way, either mentally, physically, spiritually or emotionally, and we've all had experiences that have hurt us massively - but when you recognise that these are the things that offer you the most room for growth, you'll zoom through it into joy and bliss.

It's impossible not to. It's sometimes really hard to believe that when you're going through a hard time in life, but when you look back years later you go "Oh yeah. Look how wise / amazing / wonderful / loving / caring I am now". If you hadn't gone through that stuff, you wouldn't be Who You Are right now... and you're perfect right now, aren't you?

www.shazzie.com

My daughters, Grace and Lily, having a breast discussion in the bath

2010-06-23T00:16:00.000-07:00

Grace:
Do you know how to get kid boobs, Lily?:

1. Make some glue from flour and water
2. Stick some string on green coconuts with this glue
3. Tie coconuts on your chest
4. Paint boob colour
5. They will even have coconut blood in them!

Lily:
Do you know how to get real boobs Grace?:

1. I am going to go to the doctor
2. He will cut off my small kid boobs and give me big boobs with real blood!
3. Mine will get huger than yours!

Grace:
Mine will be infinity boobs. Those are the best!

Food Allergy Blood Test results

2010-06-11T00:07:00.000-07:00

I have just received my results for food allergy blood tests done a week ago. I did these tests to see if I was allergic to any foods as a food allergy could weaken my immune system and play a part in a predisposition to the breast cancer returning, along with other illness.

Company I used:

PG Dip in Human Nutrition
Wellness Division
Molecular Diagnostic Services (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 31 267 7000
Fax: + 27 31 267 7005
www.mdsafrica.net
Contact person: Tammy Parsons
email: tamlyn@mdsafrica.net
R2000 for full food panel

My results show:

Most allergic to:
Almonds
Poppy seeds

Moderately allergic to:
Cashew nuts
Pumpkin seeds
Eggs from chicken

Mildly allergic to:
Pistachio nuts
Sunflower seeds

Nutritionist advise only tiny amounts of:
Yeast
Sugar
Honey
Cacao
Dairy
Peanut
Pork

Great, so now I know - no more of these nuts and seeds! I have not been enjoying nuts for some time now as they cause much wind and bloating so that's easy. Dr Gerson, from the famous natural cancer healing centre in USA, noted that people prone to cancer can't tolerate fat of any kind except flax seeds/oil - I am glad I can still have flax as it is very beneficial to keeping my estrogen levels low (I eat about 2 tablespoons of seeds per day).

When eating a largely raw vegan diet, it is very easy to eat too much fat (nuts, seeds, and their oils), even though the fats are all healthy. Fats should form about 10-20% of daily diet intake. This is not a lot - about 1/2 avocado per day. If I are going to eat other fat sources, it must come out of this portion!

I am also making an effort to increase my protein intake as my blood albumin levels are low - I am eating green leaves, green protein powders, and raw sprouted brown rice protein powder (www.absoluteorganix.co.za

The other result the test noted is the need for more food rotation. I will focus on this from now on. I can eat the same foods for 5 days and then I must eat different foods for the next 5 days and so on. Good advice for us all.

Time to focus on fresh veggies and edible leaves more!

Bottom line for everyone is: know the status of your body now. There are so many tests you can have done these days before you get sick - don't wait - prevention is still better than cure!

Sex therapist visit

2010-06-10T01:17:00.000-07:00

So I have been quite open on this blog about my history. Now that I have disclosed my history, I am only left with my way forward.

I have a list of things that I would still like to do as part of my way forward plan - consulting with a sex therapist was one. I wanted to go for myself, for my marriage and for anyone who consults with me once I open practice again in 2011.

In this blog, I am committed to showing what happens behind the scenes as I work myself towards healing. I want to show what is possible, what options we all have to heal with, and how I am doing it. I trust there is no judgement but rather an acceptance that we all are all the same, and that we will all have the potential to go through the same things in different ways in our lives.

I love Caroline Myss's 'Healing Wheel' idea:

I stand at the centre of all the options I have in this moment in history that can play a part in healing me.
All these options are equally weighted and I don't favour one over the other - I just listen to what I need at that time and respect it.
I can spin the wheel and choose what I need at what time (diet, surgery, chemo, questioning my beliefs work, etc).
I can also spin the wheel and imagine feeling the wind that is generated from all the options I have to heal me and that way feel more empowered.

Our sensual and sexual expression is a key component on all of our wheels but is so often over-looked.

Like I didn't want to leave any stone unturned last year when I did lots of self exploration (Am I a mother? Am I am a female? Do I want to live or die? If I want to live - how do I want to live?), it was now time to explore one more thing - my sexual expression.

I went to see Jonti Searle (jontisearll@mweb.co.za) who did a guest lecture at the ante-natal classes I attended when I was pregnant with my first daughter, Grace, just over 5 years ago.

Out of respect for my husband, Glenn, this post is only about me. Glenn and I have a rock solid marriage, he has been 150% supportive since my breast cancer diagnosis in 2008, and fully accepting of my lack of nipples and reconstructed breasts, but I wanted to see if I am truly ok with myself.

I was very nervous Jonti would head straight into a Cosmo/GQ style list of sexual positions on my first visit but instead he just talked about the differences between being sensual and sexual, awareness, and the importance of being fully present.

Jonti and I talked about where I was at, as well as my goals. It felt very odd discussing things that are so private with someone else. The only person I ever discussed such things with was my boyfriends and best friend - but then we both got married, and never talked about it again as our husbands became our new confidants.

While it felt slightly uncomfortable, I also had a sense of relief that I could now talk to someone where I my privacy was guaranteed and that I was not betraying my husband in any way.

Jonti believes in starting with our sensual sides, instead of sexual sides. Homework after my first session is a very simple technique of lightly touching my hands - touching each hand very slowly and lightly with the other hand. Then I need to do the same on my face. Simple! You can do this with your partner but the main focus is to start with yourself. I need to do this for 5 mins every day. Easy!

As I sat across the room from Jonti with my eyes closed doing the above exercise, I got a huge lump in my chest and throat. The thoughts that came to mind were: this is so simple...indulgent...so long since I have nurtured, given back to and been aware of myself in this way.

One of the documented mental symptoms of breast cancer is that these people cant say 'no' and tend to put everyone before them. I see this simple technique as one way I can start becoming aware of and nurturing myself again (along with meditation).

One of my mental symptoms just before I was diagnosed with early breast cancer was a feeling of 'helplessness' and of feeling 'trapped' - trapped on a wheel that I could not get off: When would I ever be able to leave the house and follow my passions again? When would our renovation end? When would all day and night mothering end? I felt hopeless and burnt out.

I felt a huge sense of relief as I sat there and took the first step forward. I felt like I was doing something for myself. I also felt like I was conquering something that made me feel uncomfortable but which is so vital to my being and that felt good.

Genetic testing to show tendency to get certain diseases in our lifetimes - and how we can change our environmental and lifestyle to help prevent the

2010-06-03T23:30:00.000-07:00

I went finally went for genetic testing today - last year was just too filled with surgery, recovery, and house.

This is the company that did the test:

Gene Pro- WELLNESS DIVISION
Molecular Diagnostic Services (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 31 267 7000
Fax: + 27 31 267 7005
email: wellness@mdsafrica.net
www.mdsafrica.net
Contact genetist: Natalie
Cost of a panel of 16 mutations: R3950
Finer prick blood test
A detailed lifestyle report and recommendations is given with test results.

I will be doing this test for people who consult with me when I open practice in 2011.

I did this test not to show whether or not I have the BRAC1 or 2 gene as I have no family history of breast cancer or even cancer, nor am I of Ashkenazi Jewish or Afrikaaner family lineage, but rather to show what potential certain of my genes have to 'activate/mutate' which could lead to disease if exposed to certain lifestyle and environmental factors.

I want to see what lifestyle and environmental factors to include and exclude to eliminate my breast cancer risk.

The genetic test looks at a person's DNA (the information in our cells that makes us who we are) and a person's lifestyle (this one can change and is influenced by diet, stress etc) and helps to predict our risk for future chronic disease - 16 mutations in your DNA are analyzed. These mutations (or DNA changes) are associated with chronic disease, things like Alzheimer's, Type II diabetes, cardio vascular disease, obesity, cancer etc.

Everybody's DNA is different and the way each person's body responds to nutrients will also be different. This test allows us more insight into how to eat correctly and make correct lifestyle choices for us on a very personal and individual level. Some people are able to eat unhealthy foods and still have no weight problems, while some people just look at a cheese cake and put on weight - this is all down to mutations in our DNA that allow our bodies to respond differently. This test helps us to look at these mutations and gain answers to these questions.

The exciting thing about these mutations is that they are lifestyle and environment driven meaning we can "switch off" the bad mutations just by doing simple things like taking an Omega 3 supplement or other suggested supplements, eating green leafy vegetables, increased levels of exercise etc. The test is therefore very beneficial and can be life changing to an individual provided the recommendations in the report are adhered to. It is a very empowering test and quite possibly where medicine will be in the future with regards personalized DNA diets.

I suggest that every person, including children, have this test done. We only need to do this test once in our lives as our genes stay the same throughout our lives. A child could therefore do the test at birth and have a far better chance of avoiding the avoidable factors in their lives.

(As more mutation tests become available over time, you might want to have these done but the above panel covers the main mutations).

20 Things You Need to Know About Bisphenol-A

2010-06-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

www.healthbooksummeries.com

After many years of insisting that Bisphenol-A (BPA) is safe, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shifted its stance on the endocrine-disrupting chemical, citing that BPA exposure is of “slight concern.” A growing body of scientific evidence, however, has shown that BPA is very dangerous to human health, making it hard for the governmental agency to ignore much longer. Despite this compelling evidence, the FDA “has missed three self-imposed deadlines to re-evaluate its approval of the chemical, after originally promising in June 2009 to deliver a finding in "weeks not months." Read on to learn more about this risky chemical, where it’s found, and what you can to do limit your exposure to it.

1. Bisphenol-A [is a] a chemical that mimics the female sex hormone estrogen and is used to make consumer products ranging from plastic baby bottles to the linings of tin cans.

- Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps

2. You should be drinking a lot of water, but please beware of plastic water bottles. Plastics made from polycarbonate resin can leach Bisphenol-A (BPA), a potent hormone disruptor. BPA may impair the reproductive organs and have adverse effects on tumors, breast tissue development, and prostate development by reducing sperm count. BPA can leach into water bottles through normal wear and tear and exposure to heat and cleaning agents.

- C. W. Randolph, M.D., From Belly Fat to Belly FLAT: How Your Hormones Are Adding Inches to Your Waistline and Subtracting Years from Your Life

3. Bisphenol-A is a toxin associated with birth defects of the male and female reproductive systems. BPA is commonplace — found in copious brands of fruit, vegetables, soda, and other frequently eaten canned goods. It migrates from the can or plastic into the contents, which are then ingested.

- Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps

4. Dental sealants can contain Bisphenol-A, a suspected endocrine disruptor, while traditional silver-colored fillings can contain as much as 50 percent mercury.

- Deirdre Imus, Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series (Green This!)

5. There are two solvents commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products: phthalates, and Bisphenol-A. These ingredients are often hidden, remaining undisclosed on product labels.

- Samuel S. Epstein, Randall Fitzgerald, Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger Your Health . . . And What You Can Do about It

6. A 2007 review of 700 studies involving BPA, published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology, found that infants and fetuses were the most vulnerable to adverse effects from this toxic substance.

- Samuel S. Epstein, Randall Fitzgerald, Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger Your Health . . . And What You Can Do about It

7. Toxins are everywhere — from household cleaning products to plastics in our kitchen-ware, phthalates and Bisphenol-A in our plastic water bottles, and even in our tap water and air supply. We live in a sea of toxins, and a large body of growing evidence shows that these toxins are, in part, responsible for the epidemic of disease we see in the twenty-first century. Toxic exposures affect the health of all brains, young and old. We must also deal with all the by-products and toxic metabolic wastes created by our own bodies.

- Mark Hyman MD, The UltraMind Solution: Fix Your Broken Brain by Healing Your Body First

8. BPA has been linked to the development of prostate and breast cancer in adults.

- Mark Schapiro, Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American Power

9. Bisphenol-A was invented in the 1930s during the search for synthetic estrogens.

- KC Craichy, Super Health 7 Golden Keys to Unlock Lifelong Vitality

10. The compound BPA is one of the most-produced chemicals in the world, and almost everyone has traces of it — or more — in their bodies. The statement, published online by the journal Reproductive Toxicology, was accompanied by a new study by researchers from the National Institutes of Health finding uterine damage in newborn animals exposed to BPA. The researchers indicated that such damage is a possible predictor of reproductive diseases in women, including fibroids, endometriosis, cystic ovaries and cancers.

- Andreas Moritz, Timeless Secrets of Health & Rejuvenation: Unleash The Natural Healing Power That Lies Dormant Within You

11. An estrogen-mimicking chemical, Bisphenol-A, causes early puberty in female rats and reduces fertility in rats. In males it appears to cause enlargement in the male rat prostate glands. We do not know if this chemical might be related to prostate cancer in humans.

- Doris J. Rapp, M.D., Our Toxic World: A Wake Up Call

12. An expert panel found credible evidence that Bisphenol-A and the insecticide methoxyclor can cause reproductive damage at very low levels of exposure that are well below the so called "no effect" levels. In one report infertility had risen from 0.5 percent to 25 percent in one cross-section study of college males. In another report in April 2001, the infertility rate in Chinese university students was reported to be as high as 85 percent. Infertility, sexual dysfunction and impotence was stated to affect 20 to 30 percent of Chinese males in one study.

- Doris J. Rapp, M.D., Our Toxic World: A Wake Up Call

13. At 20 ng/g dose of Bisphenol-A, the daily sperm production went down 20 percent. This work needs to be reproduced, but unless refuted it adds fuel to the need for precautionary measures. Try not to get any fillings, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Regular fillings contain mercury (a known hormone disruptor) and composite fillings contain Bisphenol-A (another hormone disruptor). If you have to have a filling, ask for a temporary made out of other materials.

- D. Lindsey Berkson, Hormone Deception

14. Over the past two decades, BPA has meanwhile become an integral chemical in the packaging of millions of food products and other plastic goods; more than six billion pounds of BPA are used each year in resins lining metal cans, food packaging, hot beverage cups, and in blends with other types of plastic products. Lab research shows that the bond that secures BPA molecules to food and beverage packages changes over time, resulting in the release of free BPA into the food we eat and the beverages we consume, as well as into the environment.

- Donna Jackson Nakazawa, The Autoimmune Epidemic

15. PCBs, like plastic additives such as Bisphenol-A and common pesticides, are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been shown in numerous lab studies to stimulate increased production of autoantibodies — antibodies against self — which are the hallmark of autoimmunity in action. Indeed, as we have seen in the previous chapter, the science demonstrating the way in which estrogen disruptors such as PCBs promote autoimmune disease is emerging with profoundly disturbing conclusions.

- Donna Jackson Nakazawa, The Autoimmune Epidemic

16. The plastic industry will tell you that small amounts of BPA are nothing to worry about. A study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, however, suggests that when mice are exposed to low levels of BPA for several days, they develop insulin resistance. What is so alarming about this discovery is that the levels of BPA used in the experiment would be considered safe for humans by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

- Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy

17. Don't microwave your food or drinks in plastic containers; avoid using plastic wrap to cover food in the microwave.

- C. W. Randolph, M.D., From Belly Fat to Belly FLAT: How Your Hormones Are Adding Inches to Your Waistline and Subtracting Years from Your Life

18. The estrogenic properties of Bisphenol-A (BPA) was known as early as 1936, yet children now have their teeth coated with plastic containing BPA. The ADA denies any problem and goes on coating teeth. Food and drink cans are lined with it. Some plastic baby bottles contain it and other plasticizers.

- Michael Friedman, ND, Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology

19. In addition to testing positive for high levels of Bisphenol-A, a chemical that mimics the female sex hormone estrogen and is used to make consumer products ranging from plastic baby bottles to the linings of tin cans, the politicians were also tested for polychlorinated biphenyls, chemicals 185 used in electrical transformers that were banned decades ago. Despite no longer being in use, PCBs are so persistent that all the politicians tested positive for them.

- Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps

20. Polycarbonate can release its primary building block, Bisphenol-A, another suspected hormone disruptor, into liquids and foods. In 1998, the Japanese government ordered manufacturers there to recall and destroy polycarbonate tableware meant for use by children because it contained excessive amounts of Bisphenol-A."

- KC Craichy, Super Health 7 Golden Keys to Unlock Lifelong Vitality

Metabolic Liver Test

2010-04-27T07:23:00.001-07:00

I am doing a voluntary repeat of the metabolic liver test I did over 6 months ago. The test shows how the liver is breaking down & excreting toxins. The data is then analyzed & a supplement formula, which facilitates detoxification in the liver, is then prescribed. Test is done over 24hrs: caffeine tab@8am (hell!), 2xsaliva tests in day, 2xaspirin+2xpanado's at 9pm, & urine collected thru night. Blood tests done the following morning.

Test results show how well the liver is excreting carcinogenic oxidants, as well as hormones that have done their job and that should be excreted instead of being recirculated just because the liver is unable to excrete them.

Ensuring my liver is working optimally is one of the things I decided to do to avoid taking Tamoxifen.

Everyone should do this test!

2010-02-25T01:39:00.000-08:00

Wow! Seems like forever since I have done an entry. Last year was so intense and busy with surgeries, me exploring many different treatment options and self exploration. I am glad it is behind me and I feel like I am opening a new chapter this year.

On my list of thing to do for this year:

1. Genetic snip testing:
This is not to determine whether or not I have the BRCA 1 or 2 gene (there is only a slim chance of having it as no one in my family has had breast cancer or even cancer) but rather to see how the environment affects my genetic make up. I will use this info to put together a going-forward program to ensure my best chance of a disease-free life. I believe everyone should have this done, and as parents, we should do this for our kids so we know how to best give them the chance of a disease-free life. (Cost around R3000 on this date for a panel of about 25 snips).

2. Food allergy testing:
This will determine what foods weaken my immune system so I can avoid them. Allergies can be inherited or can develop for many other reasons some of which include just over-eating a certain food. I will use a German lab for these tests.

3. Diet:
I am focused on eating lots of raw food and greens. Our garden is wildly producing organic everything - more than we can get through. I am dehydrating some of it and trying to get through the rest. I am buying raw recipe ebooks and experimenting - my family is being very tolerant! I am still busy working towards my goal of teaching a raw food class but finding time in the mix of kids and completing a renovation is proving trying.

My husband and I recently went to London and Berlin - he went for a digital music festival, me a raw and health food adventure! I gave up gluten over night in 2.2009 and have felt much better. I wanted to see whether it was possible to eat no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no soya while traveling. I found the most amazing food at most places - sometimes we would to walk an extra 5 kms (:)) in the snow to get to a a place that sold healthy food but it was possible! The highlight of my trip was eating 2 raw gourment restaurants, in particular SAF in London. My wonderful husband surprised me with a meal there and invited his friends (who would have normally eaten at a grill house). They all enjoyed their meal very much and said they would do it again. I will load some pics of our trip to this entry over the next few days when I have more time.

In Berlin, I found an appartment online next door to raw food chef called Boris. This was just amazing! Every morning I would get something raw and very delicious. We also had a 3 course lunch in his apartment which was exceptional! pics to follow. (Boris:www.balive.org)

4. Candida:
In February last year, my iridologist said I had candida and that he could see it in my right breast (the one that was affected by the breast cancer). He said I needed to go on the candida diet for one year - this diet allows no sugars, not even a homeopathic granule! I have struggle to do this for one year now - I love fruit and we have the most amazing fruit in South Africa and there is always fruit in our house and I always have to taste test something I have made for my kids etc! Lots of excuses, I know. I will be working on a candida-free life goal with my NLP teacher next week.

5. Supplements:
I am always trying to refine the supplement regime that someone pre, during, and post-breast cancer has to take. I am always striving for the most natural source of supplements (ie. a plant source), for supplements that don't increase the body's acidity as cancer thrives in an acidic, anaerobic environment, and for the least amount of tablets per day (I was taking 40 tabs twice a day at once point last year).

6. Liver test:
Last year, I did a very new test to see how much liver was functioning. It is not a blood test but rather a 24 hour urine and saliva test. The test looks at how your liver's 2 detox pathways are breaking down and eliminating toxins and metabolic by&end-products. This test interested me because if estrogen is not eliminated effectively from the body, it recirculates and can stimulate estrogen sensitive tissue again. My breast cancer was estrogen stimulated and I chose not to take Tamoxifen so eliminating excess estrogen is something I need to focus on (like every woman should).

The test results showed I had an over active first pathway and an under active second pathway so there was a build up of very toxin substances in my liver. A computer then determined what amounts of which supplements my liver needed to start working properly again. Within 3 days after starting the supplement powder, the pimples on my face disappeared and my skin got a wonderful glow so I knew it was working. I will go back this month to retake the test (been 4 months since I did test) as I want to see how my liver report has changed.

7. More self exploration!:
This year I want to set goals about living my best life possible. I have never been very good with setting goals and sticking to them so I am very open to learning how to do this. I will work my NLP teacher on this.

After struggling with mother issues (Am I a good mother? issues), I am embracing my motherhood more and more each day, with some days still one step forward and 2 back. I was read a lovely story called 'ish'. I am now practicing being a 'good-ish' mother and it gives my perfectionistic nature a day off.

8. Energy:
I still see an energy healer every 2 weeks and still derive benefit from her.

I wish everyone who read this their best year ever (love that cliche!).

Please seriously think about doing the following:

a breast ultrasound
blood hormone level tests by an anti-aging doctor
eating more live, raw organic food in your day
genetic snip testing
food allergy testing
detoxing your life to reduce the toxic your body has to deal with- household, cosmetic, food, etc products. Every bit helps!
thinking happy, loving, kind, grateful thoughts.

I will leave you with a last thought that has got me recently:
What is the most generous thing you can do for yourself and for someone else today?

Video: Antomy of the Breast and the spread of Breast Cancer

2009-10-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

Found this lovely little video showing the anatomy of the breast, where breast cancer develops and how it spreads:

http://health.yahoo.com/breastcancer-videos/what-is-breast-cancer/healthination--HNB10091_breastcancer_1.html

MY HEALTH STATUS

2009-10-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

Wow! It is nearly a year since I was diagnosed with DCIS (stage o-1 breast cancer). October, breast cancer month, is here - I never really took notice of breast cancer or breast cancer month as no one in my family or immediate friend circle had breast cancer. In fact, no one in my family even had any form of cancer.

Here is an update of how I am doing (so we can talk about other things when we see each other - my health status seems to dominate most conversations and I want to get on with living now!):

MY PHYSICAL BODY:

1. CANCER MARKERS:

My cancer markers are all normal. I test these myself every 3 months. Now that I happy with the results, I will start spacing the tests to every 6 months.
The main reproductive cancers to test for include:

* Breast Cancer: CA15-3

* Ovarian Cancer: CA 125

* General Cancer Marker: CEA

* Pregnancy test: this is a very old method to show to rapid division of cells somewhere in the body. Cancer is the rapid division of cells. The test can't say what type of cancer may be present, or where it is in the body, but just that there are rapidly dividing cells.

2. 2:16 HYDROXY-ESTRONE METABOLITES RATIO:

My liver is now metabolizing estrogen much better than it did in the past. The liver needs to be working optimally excrete all toxins, including hormones after they have served their purpose. It is most important that the 2 strong forms of estrogen (estrone and estradiol) leave the body directly after exerting their action to avoid re-stimulation of breast and other estrogen sensitive tissue in the body.

There are 2 main pathways in the liver along which the liver detoxifies the body: Phase I and Phase II. To facilitate these pathways, the liver needs certain catalysts (vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other substances). If either of these pathways is not working properly, a build of toxins, including estrogen, can result. Every day, I take a handful of supplements that are catalysts (facilitate reactions) for these pathways to ensure they are working optimally.

There are main metabolites (breakdown products) of estradiol that these pathways generate that provide valuable info about how the liver is excreting estrogen called: 2-hyroxyestrone and 16-alpha-hyroxyestrone.

The ratio of these metabolites is very improtant as it has been shown that 16-alpha-hyroxyestrone can stimulate breast tissue and breast cancer tissue; while 2-hyroxyestrone inhibits the this action. The ratio needs to be above 2 to be out of risk of breast cancer.

The ratio of these metabolites can be seen by doing a urine test. Currently, this test can only be done in the USA so the urine sample is sent overseas - it, therefore takes around 2-3 months to get the results.

I wish I had done the urine test last year, before I started taking all the supplements, but the lab botched my test and so I only did the test 3 months after starting the supplements.

My first reading was 3.4 and my most recent reading was 7! I am thrilled! This is in just under a year and with the help of a certain supplements each day. I would ideally like to get the ratio to 9 to be safely out a breast cancer recurrence risk zone.

As part of my breast cancer prevention 'campaign', I would like to see a future where every woman does this test from puberty (although I know most Dr's would say this is too early-my focus is on prevention and prediction of breast cancer so the further back a person starts understanding their estrogen breakdown profile amongst other things, the easier it is to take preventative steps to prevent breast cancer and other illness.

I am committed to campaigning that this test becomes as commonly accepted as a breast self-exam, an ultrasound, and a mammogram. The 2:16 hydroxyestrone ratio test may show a risk for breast cancer long before the above tests do.

3. BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES:
While I would love to be on more bio-indentical hormones, after a diagnosis of breast cancer, there are more if's/and's/but's and Dr's get quite nervous of giving hormones until more research is available.

PROGESTERONE:
I have been taking bio-identical (same molecule structure as in the human body) progesterone for the last 6 months: I tried the cream for the first 2 months, and then moved onto the oral form for the last 4 months. I have almost found my ideal dose.

How I feel from the progesterone?:
Calmer and with more energy - progesterone can replinsh cortisol. Also, more peace of mind that I am opposing my body's estrogen so it remains in balance and can not just stimulate cells to divide unchecked.

ESTRIOL:
I have recently added estriol (the weakest form of estrogen) as well. I want to use estriol because it is the weakest form of estrogen and is known to be breast cancer preventive. It, amongst other things, occupies the estrogen receptors, especially on breast cancer cells, so the stronger estrogen forms can’t. Western women (who have a higher incidence of breast cancer) tend to have less estriol and more estradiol and estrone, while Asian women (who have the lowest incidence breast cancer), have the highest estriol levels. Women with breast cancer have been to have low estriol levels. One theory believes, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) should include estriol along with estradiol. If you choose HRT, please check out bio-identical hormones first.

How do I feel on estriol?:
Definitely better than on no estriol - less mid month 'PMT' before ovulation, and more peace of mind that I am taking something that is similar to Tamoxifen but without the harmful side-effects.

MELATONIN:

I have been taking Melatonin, post my diagnosis, for nearly one year now. I can’t say enough good about this hormone! Since I started taking it, I sleep like I did when I was a child. I have wonderfully vivid dreams and wake deeply rested.

I am also calmer in the day as melatonin reduces cortisol levels. It has helped me rest my burnt out adrenal glands. This does not happen overnight because I did not become exhausted overnight - it took 3-6 months plus supplements but has been well worth the wait!

Melatonin also opposes estrogen at the estrogen receptor site so it is a valuable aid to prevent and treat breast cancer. So many of the women I spoke to the breast cancer ward in the hospital were not sleeping properly, and had not been for sometime. Correct sleep patterns and correct circadian rhythms are so critical to a healthy body.

Melatonin is non-addictive, is claimed to have no side effects (although my plastic surgeon believes taking melatonin the night before my Feb 09 operation caused me to bleed after the op. I stopped taking it 1 week before my Aug 09 op and I was fine), it boosts the immune system and is a wonderful anti-oxidant – so many reasons to try it!

My bio-identical hormone tips related to breast health are:

* Find a doctor trained in anti-aging medicine and have them look at all your hormone levels.
* Use bio-identical hormones ONLY!! to balance your hormone levels.
* Have your estrogen urine metabolites tested to see how you liver is breaking your estrogen down.
* Remember, a female can start testing her urine and balancing hormones as young as puberty.
* Ensure your body’s estrogen is opposed with progesterone.
* The contraceptive Pill contains a synthetic form of progesterone called ‘progestin’ - this compound is not the same as bio-identical progesterone so it can sit in the cell's progesterone receptors and not allow your body’s natural progesterone to get into the cell. The Pill keeps the body in a state of delayed menopause, and that, along with progestins, have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. Get off the pill or synthetic HRT if you can. The risk is not worth the convenience.

4. ESTROGEN-FREE ENVIRONMENT:

I try, as much as possible, keep my, and my family’s environment as toxin and xeno-estrogen free as possible – I am always trying to find toxin-free food, toiletries, household products, and general products. This becomes easier as more brands become available on the market.

5. EXERCISE:

I am exercising every day or every second day. I do spinning/weights/walk or run around the block.

Just 4 hours of exercise per week can reduce your breast cancer risk and reduce your risk of recurrence.

Moderate exercise:

* Helps burn fat; the place where most estradiol is made after menopause.
* Helps reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels –> which means better sleep -> which means more progesterone and more efficacy of progesterone -> and means more melatonin opposing estrogen in the body.
* Reduced cortisol also means less cortisol occupying progesterone receptors – cortisol competes with progesterone at the progesterone receptor. Correct progesterone levels are vital to oppose estrogen - estrogen stimulates immature estrogen-sensitive cells to divide, while progesterone slows this process down and allows the cells to mature. If these 2 hormones are not in balance, estrogen is left unchecked and breast cancer can result.
* Reduced cortisol levels also help reduce blood sugar and insulin levels – vital in cancer or pre-cancer states as sugar helps feed the rapidly dividing cells of the tumour.
* Allows cells to get fresh oxygen and nutrients, and promotes a more alkaline cellular environment - cancer thrives in an anaerobic (without oxygen), acidic cellular environment.

6. SUPPLEMENTS:

I take a handful of supplements once or twice per day. My main focus is on my anti-oxidant levels, ensuring my liver is working properly so it can rid my body of excess estrogen, and on keeping certain other critical ingredients at optimal levels.

7. DIET:

Shoo! Such a big topic for me! Sometimes I just want to run away and stop dreaming about my diet! My kitchen is always undergoing some experiment or other. I have eaten a 90-95% raw diet for the last 2 years now – I do still eat a small bit of fish and a few organic eggs. Right now, my focus is on maintaining balanced blood sugar levels and the protein helps me to achieve this.

My objective with food is to keep it in perspective - it is just food after all. Orthorexia is not appealing! I aim to make the most healthy choices with the food available to me at the time. The 5% of my diet I leave open to try new things and listen to my body before all else. I think raising my raw % each day will be easier once that are raw vegan restaurants and fast/snack foods available, and once my organic veggie garden starts producing produce!

I have however recently made a breakthrough about the percentages of protein, fat, and carbohydrates I need to eat every time I ingest something. I need more protein per meal/snack and I am experimenting with various raw vegan protein options. I feel much better since starting this and I find I crave the flesh foods much less.

I downed gluten overnight in Feb 2009 as an iridologist and energy healer independently both said it was carcinogenic for me. Although, I miss bread and crackers, I fortunately knew how to make raw crackers and breads so I had a new options to substitute these with. I feel so much better now and have managed to loose a few kilo’s that were very hard to shift while eating gluten.

Early next year, I plan to start teaching classes on how to increase your percentage of raw food every day. I will focus on people just wanting to increase their raw quota per day, people who want to prevent or who have breast cancer, and how to feed children more raw food. I feel strongly about teaching our children how to eat properly as prevention of degenerative disease starts from young.

Stay posted for the launch of my Heidi's Health Digest early in 2010! Join my FaceBook group to stay updated: search 'Heidi van Loggerenberg' on FaceBook.

8. ALCOHOL:

I may drink a glass of red wine every month – but now I take 800mg of folic acid, along with my other liver detoxifying supplements, before and after to ensure my liver quickly gets rid of any harmful estrogen metabolites.

Red wine is better than any other alcohol to reduce the risk of breast cancer as it results in decreased aromatase levels and increases testosterone levles - which is another estrogen antagonist!

9. MY EMOTIONAL BODY:

Daily, I work on my emotional issues like practicing expressing my emotions more. This sometimes feels like one step forward and 2 steps back but I feel I am making progress slowly but surely. I now say ‘No’ to people, events, my kids and my own ideals without guilt. I rather want to live my best life possible and I need to be alive to do that!

After thrashing out whether or not I have the mother archetype earlier this year, I realize now that I was mostly just burnt out. Now that my adrenal glands are rested and restored, I feel like ‘mom is back in the house’!! I will never allow myself to get that burnt out again but will rather take preventative steps before I get to that point.

I am looking at my kids with new eyes. I feel so grateful to be alive and to be able to spend every precious moment with them. Yes, there will still be moments when they push my buttons but overall the are more precious wake than asleep!

10. MY MENTAL BODY:

I am very conscious about relaxing and practicing letting things go. I tend to want every to be perfect and I am learning to accept the process of life and my human imperfections.

I have wanted to meditate for so many years but could just never do it. Many of the complementary practitioners I saw said it would benefit me greatly but still I could never do it. So I did the NLP ‘Mind to Muscle’ technique and I now meditate 5 mornings a week! The state of meditation is a wonderful state to return to at any time in the day to bring me back into the present moment and to make me mindful.

11. MY SPIRITUAL BODY:

I am actively pursuing my spiritual goals – I hope this will remain life-long. This is really hard and slow sometimes. I am also learning to trust my intuition, as it is always present and always right.

I still see 2 energy healers every month. I derive so much benefit from seeing them that I will continue until my intuition tells me otherwise.

------------------------

My focus for the rest of 2009 year is on moving and settling back into our house - under a month to go! Our garden has just been re-landscaped in only edible and medical plants and I can’t wait to get growing!!

I am also busy planning and putting together my practice, which I will open early next year. I will focus on sharing what I have learnted regarding breast health with others, as well as teaching people how to add more raw food to their diet. My classes will be aimed at anyone wanting to add more raw to their diet, how to add more raw to children's diets, and teaching women how to eat a diet that promotes breast health.

As I have mentioned above, my focus will be on breast cancer PREVENTION mainly as I believe every one can do so much to prevent this disease.

2009-09-30T02:38:00.000-07:00

How to Spot the Symptoms of Metastatic and Recurrent Breast Cancer

http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20190401,00.html

The symptoms of metastatic and recurrent breast cancer depend on how much the cancer has spread. You may have specific physical symptoms, such as a lump in your breast or on your chest wall, bone pain, or shortness of breath. Many women do not have symptoms. Recurrent or metastatic breast cancer is often found before symptoms appear, either on a chest X-ray or as part of another test.

Recurrent breast cancer

If you have cancer that recurs in the same area (local recurrence), you may have symptoms such as:

A lump or thickening in the breast, chest wall, or armpit after you have had breast-conserving surgery or a mastectomy . You may notice that the skin of your chest looks or feels different.
A change in the size or shape of the breast or a dimple or pucker in the skin of the breast.
Discharge or bleeding from the nipple that occurs without squeezing the nipple (spontaneous discharge).
A change in the nipple, such as a scaly or crusty look or a nipple that draws inward (retraction or inversion).

Metastatic breast cancer

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer will depend on the area affected and how far your breast cancer has spread.

**Metastatic breast cancer symptoms**
Area affected	Symptom
Breast or chest wall	Lump or thickening in your breast or under your arm Changes in size or shape of your breast Changes in the skin of your breast or chest wall Chest wall pain Discharge from your nipple
Bones, especially the back, hips, or sternum	Pain Fractures Constipation Fatigue Decreased alertness from high calcium levels
Lungs	Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing Cough Chest wall pain Extreme fatigue
Liver	Nausea Extreme fatigue Increased abdominal girth Fluid collection (edema) in your feet and legs Yellowing or itching of the skin
Brain and spinal cord	Pain Confusion Memory loss Headache Blurred or double vision Change in how your skin senses touch, pain, or any other physical feeling Trouble speaking or understanding speech Trouble standing, moving, or walking Seizures

Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a specific type of breast cancer that involves the skin of the breast. It occurs when breast cancer cells form “nests” and block the lymphatic drainage from the skin of the breast. Symptoms include redness, tenderness, and warmth. Thickening of the skin of the breast (orange peel appearance), rapid breast enlargement, and ridging of the skin of the breast may also occur. Some women may also develop itching, bruising, or a lump in the breast. See a picture of inflammatory breast cancer .

VITAMIN D

2009-09-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

Summertime Vitamin Can Boost Cancer Survival Rate

HIGH levels of vitamin D in the body may improve survival rates in cancer patients.

Two new studies say that people with more vitamin D - which is produced by the skin in sunlight - when diagnosed with bowel or skin cancer were more likely to survive.

Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis.

In the first study, a team from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston followed more than 1,000 bowel cancer patients for about nine years.

Researchers estimated the vitamin D in their blood at the time of diagnosis, and found those with higher levels were 50 per cent less likely to die from the disease.

Professor Kimmie Ng, author of the study said: "Our study shows that levels of vitamin D after colorectal cancer diagnosis may be important for survival.

"We are now planning further research in patients with bowel cancer to see if vitamin D has the same effect, and to investigate how vitamin D works."

The second study, funded by Cancer Research UK looked at patients with malignant melanoma - the most deadly skin cancer, and linked low levels of vitamin D with higher rates of relapse. High levels of the vitamin were linked to thinner tumours.

Lead author Professor Julia Newton Bishop said: "It's common for the general public to have low levels of vitamin D in many countries."

http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=8781&Section=VITAMINS&source=DHB_090923&key=Body+ContinueReading

MARIE CLAIRE & DESTINY MAGAZINE OCTOBER ISSUE NOW OUT

2009-09-18T00:08:00.000-07:00

The Marie Claire magazine (South Africa) has covered my story for breast cancer month/October issue. Marie Claire kindly agreed to let me post the story on my blog on the 21.10.09 for the overseas readers.

I agreed to do the article as long as different info to the usual info was conveyed. I am satisfied that this has been done.

My story is also in the October Destiny magazine (South African) - article title: 'Life after Mastectomy'

My focus is on prevention of breast cancer, second early detection, thirdly, prevention of recurrence, and lastly, treatment during active breast cancer.

I hope this info will be integrated into the traditional medical model for breast cancer prevention and treatment in South Africa so people are more informed and have more options.

REPLACEMENT OF TISSUE EXPANDERS WITH BREAST IMPLANTS

2009-08-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

I went into hospital today to have the saline-filled breast tissue expanders replaced with silicone breast implants.

The tissue expanders have been in for about 6 months - my plastic surgeon does not feel comfortable leaving the expanders in for longer in case they rupture.

The expanders are usually inserted during the same operation as the mastectomy if you choose immediate breast reconstruction.

The 2 pictures above show the expanders - the small circle on the side of my chest is the port used to fill them with saline.

Each month, my plastic surgeon injected saline solution through the expander ports on the sides of my chest, to slowly stretch my pectoral muscle.

They sit quite high up in the chest. The silicone implants will be a little smaller, sit a little lower and will look more natural.

The saline implants feel quite hard and bumpy -like they have 'corners'. This is not sore, it just does not look smooth.

The silicone breast implants should last about 20 years or longer.

My plastic surgeon is unsure of what the patch of 'psoriasis' or 'fungal infection' spot on my right breast, where my nipple was, is. He will biopsy the skin and send to lab for analysis. I find this area quite weird as all breast tissue and nipple has been removed. Is it my nipple trying to grow back in my morphic field??

I am finding the courses I am studying so interesting. The information contained in the course on anti-aging and preventative medicine is so over-due. I am learning about, amongst other topics, the endocrine system (body's hormonal system) and how to create balance using bio-indentical hormones, therapeutic doses of nutritional supplements, diet, lifestyle changes, therapies, etc.

I love that the move towards wanting to integrate alternative and complimentry therapies is coming from allopathic doctors for a change.The boudaries between the schools of medicine are starting to disolve and there is a move towards what is best for the person, regardless of the school of medicine.

The other course, on psycho-neuro immunology and neuro-linguistic programming, is also so fascinating and valuable. These subjects look at the mind's role in the creation of disease and healing.

I hope to see the information I am learning regarding breast cancer prevention, early detection and treatment options, integrate into the traditional medical breast health model in South Africa.

After the temporary saline implants have been removed, drains are inserted. These will be in for as long as it takes to drain a certain amount of fluid - I think this is about 25ml per day.

Luckily, I managed to do this overnight so my drains could be removed at lunch time the next day.

The last pic is the final product! - after the silicone implants had been inserted behind my pectoral muscles.

(Pic orientation: My head is at the bottom of the pic - you can tell because the scar where the silicone impant was inserted, is underneath the breast).

The silicone implants are a lot smoother than the saline implants although still quite swollen, and without the ports on the sides which is the main thing!

Yeah! I can now sleep-ish on my side again without waking up in pain because the port is pressing on a rib nerve.

Next year, I will go back to have nipples sewn on using skin from my bikini line. My plastic surgeon will sewn the 2 muscles, running length ways from my ribs to my pubic bone, back together again - they got separated while I was pregnant with our 2 girls. I now have a hernia down my midline - lovely! (this does not happen to everyone so still have kids!!)

During this operation, my plastic surgeon will also take fat from my bum area and inject it into where needed in my breast area, to fill out any dents. I just never thought my breasts would end up here!!

2009-06-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins University

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3 When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors..

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water.. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

1. No plastic containers in micro.

2. No water bottles in freezer.

3. No plastic wrap in microwave.

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.

Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Cast le Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body.

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

2009-06-12T02:49:00.000-07:00

The 20 Cancer Symptoms Women Are Most Likely to Ignore

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06/11/The-20-Cancer-Symptoms-Women-Are-Most-Likely-to-Ignore.aspx

Don't rely on routine tests alone to protect you from cancer. It's just as important to listen to your body and notice anything that's different, odd, or unexplainable. Here are some signs that are commonly overlooked:

1. Wheezing or shortness of breath
One of the first signs many lung cancer patients remember noticing is the inability to catch their breath.

2. Chronic cough or chest pain
Several types of cancer, including leukemia and lung tumors, can cause symptoms that mimic a bad cough or bronchitis. Some lung cancer patients report chest pain that extends up into the shoulder or down the arm.

3. Frequent fevers or infections
These can be signs of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia causes the marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells, sapping your body's infection-fighting capabilities.

4. Difficulty swallowing
Trouble swallowing is most commonly associated with esophageal or throat cancer, and is sometimes one of the first signs of lung cancer, too.

5. Swollen lymph nodes or lumps on the neck, underarm, or groin
Enlarged lymph nodes indicate changes in the lymphatic system, which can be a sign of cancer.

6. Excessive bruising or bleeding that doesn't stop
This symptom usually suggests something abnormal happening with the platelets and red blood cells, which can be a sign of leukemia. Over time, leukemia cells crowd out red blood cells and platelets, impairing your blood's ability to carry oxygen and clot.

7. Weakness and fatigue
Generalized fatigue and weakness is a symptom of so many different kinds of cancer that you'll need to look at it in combination with other symptoms. But any time you feel exhausted without explanation and it doesn't respond to getting more sleep, talk to your doctor.

8. Bloating or abdominal weight gain
Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer overwhelmingly report unexplained abdominal bloating that came on fairly suddenly and continued on and off over a long period of time.

9. Feeling full and unable to eat
This is another tip-off to ovarian cancer; women say they have no appetite and can't eat, even when they haven't eaten for some time.

10. Pelvic or abdominal pain
Pain and cramping in the pelvis and abdomen can go hand in hand with the bloating that often signals ovarian cancer. Leukemia can also cause abdominal pain resulting from an enlarged spleen.

11. Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
This is a common result of diagnosing colorectal cancer. Blood in the toilet alone is reason to call your doctor and schedule a colonoscopy.

12. Unexplained weight loss
Weight loss is an early sign of colon and other digestive cancers; it's also a sign of cancer that's spread to the liver, affecting your appetite and the ability of your body to rid itself of wastes.

13. Upset stomach or stomachache
Stomach cramps or frequent upset stomachs may indicate colorectal cancer.

14. A red, sore, or swollen breast
These symptoms can indicate inflammatory breast cancer. Call your doctor about any unexplained changes to your breasts.

15. Nipple changes
One of the most common changes women remember noticing before being diagnosed with breast cancer is a nipple that began to appear flattened, inverted, or turned sideways.

16. Unusually heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods
Many women report this as the tip-off to endometrial or uterine cancer. Ask for a transvaginal ultrasound if you suspect something more than routine heavy periods.

17. Swelling of facial features
Some patients with lung cancer report noticing puffiness, swelling, or redness in the face. Small cell lung tumors commonly block blood vessels in the chest, preventing blood from flowing freely from your head and face.

18. A sore or skin lump that doesn't heal, becomes crusty, or bleeds easily
Familiarize yourself with the different types of skin cancer -- melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma -- and be vigilant about checking skin all over your body for odd-looking growths or spots.

19. Changes in nails
Unexplained changes to the fingernails can be a sign of several types of cancer. A brown or black streak or dot under the nail can indicate skin cancer, while newly discovered "clubbing"-- enlargement of the ends of the fingers with nails that curve down over the tips -- can be a sign of lung cancer. Pale or white nails can sometimes be a sign of liver cancer.

20. Pain in the back or lower right side
Many cancer patients say this was the first sign of liver cancer. Breast cancer is also often diagnosed via back pain, which can occur when a breast tumor presses backward into the chest, or when the cancer spreads to the spine or ribs.

I HAVE GONE INTO THE 'MONASTERY'

2009-05-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

I have not written on my blog for a while now because I have not felt like doing it. Each time I think I should write, I feel irritated, so I have just not.

I am feeling very introspective and like something inside me is awakening. I need to block all outside chatter to listen very carefully. The whole of last year I ignored the little voice inside me that said: 'Be still, I need to tell you something'.

When something potentially life threatening is chasing you with a big stick, you sit down and listen!! Now I am doing exactly what my intuition tells me to.

So if I have not called you or made a plan to see you, please excuse me. I am not sure when next I will feel like I want to see anyone.

I am seeing Patricia, the 'Soul Dr', once or twice a week. She is like a sounding board for my own intuition and is helping me to trust what I am sensing. I am feeling very grounded, energised, and happy.

Patricia warned that I must not think I can just go back to the way was living just yet as I may become exhausted again (I don't think I will ever as I can see what exhaustion can result in).

I don't have any extra energy for anyone or anything. I feel irritated by the thought of seeing or doing anything so I am going to listen to this (Feels very strange I must add!!). I need all the energy I can muster to heal.

I do the body awareness technique every second day and I am slowly integrating energy held in my past back into present time. This process seems very slow indeed but I am getting better at it with each attempt.

Until next time,

H

DR JOHN R LEE'S 3 RULES FOR HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

2009-05-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

DR. JOHN R. LEE'S THREE RULES FOR HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Use a sprinkle of common sense and a dash of logic.

by John R. Lee, M.D.

The recent Lancet publication of the Million Women Study (MWS) removes any lingering doubt that there’s something wrong with conventional HRT (see Million Woman Study in the UK, Published in The Lancet, Gives New Insight into HRT and Breast Cancer for details). Why would supplemental estrogen and a progestin (e.g. not real progesterone) increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 30 percent or more? Other studies found that these same synthetic HRT hormones increase one’s risk of heart disease and blood clots (strokes), and do nothing to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. When you pass through puberty and your sex hormones surge, they don’t make you sick—they cause your body to mature into adulthood and be healthy. But, the hormones used in conventional HRT are somehow not right—they are killing women by the tens of thousands.

The question is—where do we go from here? My answer is—we go back to the basics and find out where our mistake is. I have some ideas on that.

Over the years I have adopted a simple set of three rules covering hormone supplementation. When these rules are followed, women have a decreased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, or strokes. They are much less likely to get fat, or have poor sleep, or short term memory loss, fibrocystic breasts, mood disorders or libido problems. And the rules are not complicated.

Rule 1. Give hormones only to those who are truly deficient in them.

The first rule is common sense. We don’t give insulin to someone unless we have good evidence that they need it. The same is true of thyroid, cortisol and all our hormones. Yet, conventional physicians routinely prescribe estrogen or other sex hormones without ever testing for hormone deficiency. Conventional medicine assumes that women after menopause are estrogen-deficient. This assumption is false. Twenty-five years ago I reviewed the literature on hormone levels before and after menopause, and all authorities agreed that over two-thirds (66 percent) of women up to age 80 continue to make all the estrogen they need. Since then, the evidence has become stronger. Even with ovaries removed, women make estrogen, primarily by an aromatase enzyme in body fat and breasts that converts an adrenal hormone, androstenedione, into estrone. Women with plenty of body fat may make more estrogen after menopause than skinny women make before menopause.

Breast cancer specialists are so concerned about all the estrogen women make after menopause that they now use drugs to block the aromatase enzyme. Consider the irony: some conventional physicians are prescribing estrogens to treat a presumed hormone deficiency in postmenopausal women, while others are prescribing drugs that block estrogen production in postmenopausal women.

How does one determine if estrogen deficiency exists? Any woman still having monthly periods has plenty of estrogen. Vaginal dryness and vaginal mucosal atrophy, on the other hand, are clear signs of estrogen deficiency. Lacking these signs, the best test is the saliva hormone assay. With new and better technology, saliva hormone testing has become accurate and reliable. As might be expected, we have learned that hormone levels differ between individuals; what is normal for one person is not necessarily normal for another. Further, one must be aware that hormones work within a complex network of other hormones and metabolic mediators, something like different musicians in an orchestra. To interpret a hormone’s level, one must consider not only its absolute level but also its relative ratios with other hormones that include not only estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, but cortisol and thyroid as well.

For example, in healthy women without breast cancer, we find that the saliva progesterone level routinely is 200 to 300 times greater than the saliva estradiol level. In women with breast cancer, the saliva progesterone/estradiol ratio is considerably less than 200 to 1. As more investigators become more familiar with saliva hormone tests, I believe these various ratios will become more and more useful in monitoring hormone supplements.

Serum or plasma blood tests for steroid hormones should be abandoned—the results so obtained are essentially irrelevant. Steroid hormones are extremely lipophilic (fat-loving) and are not soluble in serum. Steroid hormones carry their message to cells by leaving the blood flow at capillaries to enter cells where they bond with specific hormone receptors in order to convey their message to the cells. These are called “free” hormones. When eventually they circulate through the liver, they become protein-bound (enveloped by specific globulins or albumin), a process that not only seriously impedes their bioavailability but also makes them water soluble, thus facilitating their excretion in urine. Measuring the concentration of these non-bioavailable forms in urine or serum is irrelevant since it provides no clue as to the concentration of the more clinically significant “free“ (bioavailable) hormone in the blood stream.

When circulating through saliva glands, the “free” non–protein-bound steroid hormone diffuses easily from blood capillaries into the saliva gland and then into saliva. Protein-bound, non-bioavailable hormones do not pass into or through the saliva gland. Thus, saliva testing is far superior to serum or urine testing in measuring bioavailable hormone levels.

Serum testing is fine for glucose and proteins but not for measuring “free” steroid hormones. Fifty years of “blood” tests have led to the great confusion that now befuddles conventional medicine in regard to steroid hormone supplementation.

Rule 2. Use bioidentical hormones rather than synthetic hormones.

The second rule is also just common sense. The message of steroid hormones to target tissue cells requires bonding of the hormone with specific unique receptors in the cells. The bonding of a hormone to its receptor is determined by its molecular configuration, like a key is for a lock. Synthetic hormone molecules and molecules from different species (e.g. Premarin, which is from horses) differ in molecular configuration from endogenous (made in the body) hormones. From studies of petrochemical xenohormones, we learn that substitute synthetic hormones differ in their activity at the receptor level. In some cases, they will activate the receptor in a manner similar to the natural hormone, but in other cases the synthetic hormone will have no effect or will block the receptor completely. Thus, hormones that are not bioidentical do not provide the same total physiologic activity as the hormones they are intended to replace, and all will provoke undesirable side effects not found with the human hormone. Human insulin, for example, is preferable to pig insulin. Sex hormones identical to human (bioidentical) hormones have been available for over 50 years.

Pharmaceutical companies, however, prefer synthetic hormones. Synthetic hormones (not found in nature) can be patented, whereas real (natural, bioidentical) hormones can not. Patented drugs are more profitable than non-patented drugs. Sex hormone prescription sales have made billions of dollars for pharmaceutical companies Thus is women’s health sacrificed for commercial profit.

Rule 3. Use only in dosages that provide normal physiologic tissue levels.

The third rule is a bit more complicated. Everyone would agree, I think, that dosages of hormone supplements should restore normal physiologic levels. The question is—how do you define normal physiologic levels? Hormones do not work by just floating around in circulating blood; they work by slipping out of blood capillaries to enter cells that have the proper receptors in them. As explained above, protein-bound hormones are unable to leave blood vessels and bond with intracellular receptors. They are non-bioavailable. But they are water-soluble, and thus found in serum, whereas the “free” bioavailable hormone is lipophilic and not water soluble, thus not likely to be found in serum. Serum tests do not help you measure the “free,” bioavailable form of the hormone. The answer is saliva testing.

It is quite simple to measure the change in saliva hormone levels when hormone supplementation is given. If more physicians did that, they would find that their usual estrogen dosages create estrogen levels 8 to 10 times greater than found in normal healthy people, and that progesterone levels are not raised by giving supplements of synthetic progestin such as medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA).

Further, saliva levels (and not serum levels) of progesterone will clearly demonstrate excellent absorption of progesterone from transdermal creams. Transdermal progesterone enters the bloodstream fully bioavailable (i.e., without being protein-bound). The progesterone increase is readily apparent in saliva testing, whereas serum will show little or no change. In fact, any rise of serum progesterone after transdermal progesterone dosing is most often a sign of excessive progesterone dosage. Saliva testing helps determine optimal dosages of supplemented steroid hormones, something that serum testing cannot do.

It is important to note that conventional HRT violates all three of these rules for rational use of supplemental steroid hormones.

A 10-year French study of HRT using a low-dose estradiol patch plus oral progesterone shows no increased risk of breast cancer, strokes or heart attacks. Hormone replacement therapy is a laudable goal, but it must be done correctly. HRT based on correcting hormone deficiency and restoring proper physiologic balanced tissue levels, is proposed as a more sane, successful and safe technique.

Other Factors

Hormone imbalance is not the only cause of breast cancer, strokes, and heart attacks. Other risk factors of importance include the following:

Poor diet (excess sugar and refined starches, trans fatty acids, lack of needed nutrients such as omega-3 fats, full range of essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc.)
Environmental xenoestrogens and hormones not removed by water treatment. (Be sure that your home water filter will remove hormones.).
Insulin resistance.
Stress.
Lifestyle problems such as excess light at night (poor sleep, melatonin deficiency), alcohol, cadmium (cigarette smoking), and birth control pills during early teens.

Men share these risks equally with women. Hormone imbalance and exposure to these risk factors in men leads to earlier heart attacks, lower sperm counts and higher prostate cancer risk.

Conclusion

Conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) composed of either estrone or estradiol, with or without progestins (excluding progesterone) carries an unacceptable risk of breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes. I propose a more rational HRT using bioidentical hormones in dosages based on true needs as determined by saliva testing. In addition to proper hormone balancing, other important risk factors are described, all of which are potentially correctable. Combining hormone balancing with correction of other environmental and lifestyle factors is our best hope for reducing the present risks of breast cancer, strokes and heart attacks.

A much broader discussion of all these factors can be found in the updated and revised edition of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer.

BIO-IDENTICAL PROGESTERONE

2009-05-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

I went to Dr Gareth Edwards (my plastic surgeon, sure you know his name well by now!) again today for my weekly squirt of saline into my breast tissue expanders.

I asked more about my progesterone receptor result that had come back ambivalant when the estrogen receptor status was initally done. I asked whether the test could be redone. He said yes, and ordered a re-run (results will be ready on Monday).

I gathered from Gareth that the medical world does not care as much about the progesterone receptor status because they don't have a method of dealing with it.

I went home and read some more of Dr John R Lee's book 'What your Dr may not tell you about Menopause' and in which he details how having progesterone positive receptors on breast cancer cells is a good thing as this allow the progesterone into the cells. This can also happen if the receptor results come back negative as there are always progesterone receptors on breast cells.

Estrogen causes immature breast cells to divide more rapidly, while Progesterone slows the breast cell division and encourages cells to mature.

I am now waiting for my saliva progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA-S, and cortisol levels. These tests are still quite new in this country so the lab is taking it's time. I am on them!

I need these results to determine what percentage of progesterone to have mixed into the cream, and also as a marker to see what my hormone levels are before and after treatment.

I would start taking Progesterone now if I could! I am very excited that bio-identical progesterone is the alternative to Tamoxifen I was looking for!

In Dr John R Lee's book's, he pulls together most of my symptoms as being due to low progesterone levels:

the adrenal fatigue - progesterone is a precursor to cortisol, the body's stress hormone.
the slightly under active thyroid - low cortisol suppresses thyroid function
the weight gain after haivng both my children - estrogen dominence
the impaired blood sugar levels for most of my 20's and early 30's- estrogen dominence
the low sex drive- estrogen dominence
the suppressed immune system (zinc boosts the immune system and low progesterone levels cause a loss of zinc and a rise in copper - this can also lead to infertility)- estrogen dominence
low oxygen levels - cancer is believed to grow in an anaerobic (no oxygen), acidic inter- and intracellular environment. Estrogen dominence reduces oxgygen levels in cells while progesterone promotes cellular oxygenation- estrogen dominence.
the risk of gall bladder disease - this was a strange one to find. Towards the end of my pregnancy with Lily, my 2nd child, I had very itchy, yellow palms of my hands and soles of my feet. After much reading online, I determined that I had cholestasis due to pregnancy. This is temporary and is caused by the pressure of the baby on the gall bladder which hinders the free flow of bile from the gall bladder into the intesttine. The result is the back up of bilirubin in the blood, hence the yellow colour and the itchy. I never thought much of it it then but I wonder whether that was linked to low progesterone levels back then already??

If you are a woman, I urge you again, to read the books by Dr John R Lee - in them, he answers so many questions we all have but that our doctors may not have answers for.

After a close read of Dr John R Lee's website, I realise he died in 2003 so I will not be able to to email him! www.johnleemd.com

DE & RE-CONSTRUCTING HEIDI

2009-05-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

In 1 & 2.2009, I went to Dr Angela Lecore (who treats with NLP, hypnosis, and Psyche K) in pursuit of the emotional causes of the breast cancer.

The Psyche-K technique uses kinesiology to test whether or not my subconscious has a belief installed. If not, we install it. Over simplification for this technique but that I feel great afterwards!

Now that I have a bit of a breather from surgery etc, I want to pick up where we left off.

Before the mastectomy, we installed the following 2 beliefs in my subconscious:

I am worthy
I am Heidi

Today, I wanted to explore a theory by Lowell Ward that parents may have wanted a boy child instead of a girl child while child was in the uterus and therefore the girl never felt fully 'girl'. The girl then develops breast cancer asa result of not fully accepting herself.

The person who mentioned this theory had commented on why I had had both breasts removed when I only needed to have one removed (I had done this to lessen chance of recurrence by haivng as much estrogen senstive breast tissue removed as possible, and from a better reconstruction point of view). He questioned whether I was trying to feel more like a male??

I cast my mind back to growing up and remember being very much a tomboy. I was always playing bikes and skateboards, was crawling in rivers and storm water drains with the boys from my neigbourhood (all the kids in our neighbourhood just happened to be boys except for a girl next door who I never got along with).

I always wore a sleeveless vest under my t-shirts as I didn't like my the feeling of just the t-shirt on my chest/maybe of my nipples sticking through.

I cringed at the thought of parting with my vests when it came time for a bra so my mom gave me one for Christmas!! Very traumatic!

I was also in denial when my periods started so told my mom it was just a runny tummy.

Through my teens and early 20's, I was still very boy-ish but never thought much about it.

When I asked my parents whether they had wanted a boy, my mom said 'no'. My dad said 'no' at first, but then added that it would have been nice to have had a boy first to be assured that the family name would be continued!

Remember, there were no scans in those days to show the sex of the baby so parents had 10 months to wonder and wish for the sex they wanted. Even though we have scans today, parents could still desire the opposite sex, or feel disappointed, even if they know.

After I was born, my dad fell head over heals in love with me and didn't want anymore children!

I hate unexplored stuff so off with the lid!! During my session with Dr Lecore, she asked my subconscious whether gender was a issue for me.

My subconscious said it was an issue, back was not the main issue. We had to install the following beliefs first:

I can relax and be myself safely
I am confident, and therefore believe in myself fully

This is as far as we got today. A bit of a cliff hanger, I know!

I feel like getting breast cancer has given me the opportunity to unpack and question all learnt beliefs, behaviours, roles, and identities I have gathered until now.

I now get to clean my slate, and take only what I want to. I am working from the bottom up. This process is quite scary at times but very rewarding.

I still don't know where it will end up. I am consciously taking ownership of every aspect of myself and this feels so good.

I realise that 'growing up' and becoming adult, happens in tiny steps, never all at once.

DR JOHN R LEE'S COMMENTS ON BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

2009-05-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

I am still deciding whether or not to take the the estrogen receptor blocker drug, Tamoxifen. All the while, I am researching bio-identical progesterone cream as an alternative.

I busy reading Dr John R Lee's books: 'What you Dr may not tell you about Breast Cancer' and 'What your Dr may not tell you about Menopause' - his points are below.

(Dr Lee has also written a book called 'What your Dr may not tell you about Premenopause' which I will buy next - although I am sure the info is all pretty much the same).

EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO READ THESE BOOKS! DOCTORS DO NOT KNOW THIS INFO. EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU ARE NOT A CANDIDATE FOR BREAST CANCER. The bio-identical progesterone also helps treat various other female problems.

To date, Dr Lee's books have been the most useful, well researched, comprehensive, and hope providing. Finding a practitioner int his country who has successfully treated breast cancer for many years is a not proving easy.

The only thing is: my breast tissue results came back as estrogen positive and progesterone ambivalent - they could not determine whether or not the breast cancer was stimulated by progesterone.

If it was stimulated by progesterone, I am not sure whether or not I can use the progesterone cream. About to email Dr Lee now.

I am questioning whether women could start measuring their estrogen and progesterone levels from 20-25yrs, correct any imbalances with bio-identical hormones, and decrease the chance of getting breast cancer. Obviously, there are other contributing factors to breast cancer and all these need to be addressed.

......Back to the lab for more info on the breast tissue results

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What Dr. Lee Said About Breast Cancer

http://www.johnleemd.com/store/hbh-081001.html#about_breast_cancer

For more than 20 years, women and charitable organizations around the world have joined together each October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over the last two decades, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has done much to raise money and awareness levels for the disease. In our opinion, however, the event has focused too much attention on promoting the early detection of breast cancer while devoting little energy to preventing women from getting the disease in the first place.

To prevent a disease, one must understand what causes it. This is the truth that Dr. Lee understood. It was Dr. Lee's desire to know the causes behind breast cancer that led him to write his book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer. If you have not read this groundbreaking document, we encourage you to do so this October. Here is an overview of some of the central points he made in the book.

Despite billions of dollars spent on breast cancer research, a woman's chance of surviving a malignant breast tumor has changed little over the last 50 years. It may come as a shock, but a woman's chance of surviving a malignant breast tumor today is about one in three...roughly the same rate as five decades ago. Research studies on mortality rates have shown that radiation therapy, tamoxifen, and chemotherapy are not saving more lives. At best, they prolong some lives by a few months or years, but often at the expense of painful or even deadly side effects. Moreover, the number of breast cancer cases per thousand women is much higher today than it was 50 or even 30 years ago.

While breast cancer is rarely caused by a single factor, unopposed estrogens play a central role in the formation of the disease. For decades, researchers have known that excess estrogen (i.e., estrogen that is unopposed by adequate progesterone and other hormones) increases a woman's risk for endometrial cancer. Recent research has revealed that it also plays a key role in breast cancer formation. Unopposed estrogens can break down into quinone estrogens that react with and damage the DNA in breast cells. These damaged cells can become cancer cells if the body's various defense mechanisms do not recognize and destroy them. In addition, unopposed estrogen can activate the Bcl-2 gene that frequently induces cancer-causing cell proliferation.

Unfortunately, it has become common in developed countries for both women and men to have high levels of unopposed estrogens. This condition, which Dr. Lee called estrogen dominance, has been fueled by changes in our diets and lifestyles. Another cause is our growing exposure to the estrogen-like substances–known as xenoestrogens–found in plastics, fertilizers, pesticides, and other manmade products. Unless we address estrogen dominance, breast cancer risks are likely to remain elevated.

Progesterone plays a critical role in countering the negative effects of unopposed estrogens. In the body, progesterone neutralizes many of the effects of unopposed estrogen that can lead to breast cancer. It decreases the cell proliferation that is induced by estrogen. In addition, it down-regulates the cancer-causing Bcl-2 gene and up-regulates gene p53, a gene that promotes the death (known as apoptosis) of tumor cells.

Given these findings, having adequate progesterone can be critical to preventing breast cancer. Unfortunately, progesterone levels among many women in developed countries are below normal, healthy levels. This is especially the case among older women and those who use conventional hormone replacement therapies (HRT). This is why Dr. Lee recommended natural progesterone supplementation for women suffering from estrogen dominance, not to mention the avoidance of HRT.

Besides maintaining healthy progesterone levels and avoiding HRT, women should take steps to reduce other breast cancer risk factors. These include reducing our exposure to xenoestrogens, maintaining healthy levels of other hormones such as DHEA and melatonin, reducing our intake of sugars and unhealthy fats, and managing stress levels through exercise and adequate rest.

Throughout his career as a physician and researcher, Dr. Lee was passionate about finding the causes of breast cancer and the other cancers that women face. It is therefore fitting that What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer was the last book that he completed before he passed away in 2003. The words with which he opens the book speak volumes about his commitment:

"The book is dedicated to all the women who have lost their lives to breast cancer, and to all women currently fighting breast cancer."

HORMONAL TREATMENT OR NOT??

2009-05-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

I am going through a tough time again - similar to before deciding to have a double mastectomy.

I see Dr Gareth Edwards, my plastic surgeon, every week for saline injections into the breast tissue expanders.

Each week, Gareth urges me to go on Tamoxifen (estrogen receptor site blocker) because my breast cancer was 66% stimulated by estrogen, because I am premenopausal/35 yrs, and because there was a small bit of invasive cancer. I also need to consider having the LHRH agonist (shuts off ovarian production of estrogen) injection every 3 months. This treatment will put my body into early menopause - joy!

At first I resisted it and thought I could do it naturally but I am beginning to think I should intergrate both natural and allopathic medicine for the best survival chance.

I am slowly coming around to the fact that I may need to take Tamoxifen, but I am debating whether to take the drug to shut down my ovarian estrogen production for the next however many years or just to surgically remove my ovaries.

And while I am am doing that, should I not remove my uterus as well?? One of the possible long term side effects of Tamoxifen is uterine cancer so a hysterectomy would negate this.

This decision is not as easy as just deciding to go for the op - there may be after effects like:

hot flashes
vaginal dryness
decreased libido or other sexual side effects
sleep disturbance
memory changes - your brain uses estrogen to think - even in men!
mood changes
fatigue
weight gain
urinary incontinence
accelerated ageing - I may age rapidly
more prone to osteoporosis

(There is more info in the article below).

I am 35 yrs old!!! The thought of these symptoms is not very appealing. And I would want to try and treat the side/after effects with bio-indentical hormones but am not sure whehther I can take those now that I have a greater risk for breast cancer recurrence.

But the thought of dying of breast cancer is even less appealing. I am just playing a game of priorities here!

I keep looking at Glenn and my kids and crying. I want to be around as long as I can for them but the cost is huge. I feel miserable but keep trying to focus on the present moment.

It would be easier for me to die and start again next lifetime but it is more of a challenge for me to push through and live this life as best I can.

I saw another engery healer (Patricia - The Soul Dr) this week. She said the universe told her I am going to be ok and that everything I needed to get me to this point, got me here; good and bad. I need to love and accept (this again) myself completely as I am a spark of the creator and I am therefore perfect.

Maybe my issue is not about me not being a good/natural mother but more about needing to love and nature myself more. Maybe I had low self love when my kids were born. Two babies born close together and a house that needed so much of my love, time, and energy then pushed me into a energy deficit in my love and nurturing chakra (heart /breast/chest) area which resulted in a cancer. Still questioning and focusing equally on the energy issues while I look into the physical medications etc.

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http://www.facingourrisk.org/risk_management/surgical_menopause.html

Overview

The decision to undergo prophylactic removal of the ovaries and tubes to lower the risk for cancer is a difficult and personal one.

Women who undergo oophorectomy prior to natural menopause will experience menopause from the surgery. Menopausal symptoms and the experience varies from woman to woman. Further, some of the consequences of menopause are more serious than others. Some women find hormone supplementation alleviates their menopausal symptoms. However, research on hormone replacement is inconclusive regarding the benefits and risks to menopausal women. Because much of the research has been conducted on women who experienced natural menopause, the applicability to women experiencing early surgical menopause is uncertain. It is important for each woman to discuss menopausal symptoms with their doctor and to weigh the potential benefits and relief from hormone replacement vs. their individual risks from hormone replacement or other menopausal treatments.

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Menopausal side effects

Different women experience menopausal side-effects to differing degrees. Some of the side effects reported by women include:

hot flashes
vaginal dryness
decreased libido or other sexual side effects
sleep disturbance
memory changes
mood changes
fatigue
weight gain
urinary incontinence

Some of these side effects can be alleviated or resolved with medications, or improved with supplements. It is important to note that medications and supplements can have their own risks and side effects. For some individuals, low-dose hormone therapy may be an option for addressing medical or quality-of-life issues not resolved any other way.

Research of hormone replacement therapy in premenopausal women with BRCA mutations who have not had breast cancer but had oophorectomy has been limited. One study which examined short-term hormone replacement after oophorectomy in BRCA carriers indicates that prophylactic oophorectomy prior to age 50 substantially lowers the risk for breast cancer. The breast cancer risk reduction was similar in women who took hormones for up to three years and women who did not take hormones post-oophorectomy. The long term effects of hormone replacement after oophorectomy are unclear at this time.

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Types of hormone replacement

A woman’s body can make various types of estrogen, as well as progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones. Several hormone replacement options are available for women with surgical menopause containing varying amounts of these hormones.

Hormones may be categorized by the type of hormones contained in the preparation, how the hormones are delivered to the body, and how the preparation is made. For some women the choice of hormones depends on their symptoms, for example, a woman experiencing vaginal dryness, may find an estrogen-releasing device called a vaginal estrogen ring helpful. The ring works by providing estrogen to the vaginal walls and minimizing absorption into the body. For women who retain their uterus, preparations containing progesterone are chosen to protect against uterine cancer risk.

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HRT vs. ERT

For high-risk women, oophorectomy brings two primary benefits when performed prior to menopause: reduction of ovarian cancer risk and reduction of breast cancer risk. It may seem contrary for high-risk women to receive hormones after removing their ovaries to lower their risk for breast cancer. However, hormone levels received through medication is generally less than what is normally produced by the ovaries during the premenopausal years. It isn't entirely clear what effect estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or combined estrogen-progestin therapy (HRT) might have on cancer risk, particularly in high-risk women or breast cancer survivors. A recent study followed premenopausal women who carry a BRCA mutation for 3 1/2 years. Women who elected risk-reducing salpingo- oophorectomy (removal of ovaries and tubes) had a substantial decrease in breast cancer risk. Hormone replacement after oophorectomy didn't significantly change the breast cancer risk in the women in this study. It is important for women to discuss the risk of hormone replacement with their healthcare team to make an informed decision.

HRT are preparations of estrogen combined with progesterone. The progesterone protects against uterine cancer and is generally prescribed for women who are postmenopausal but still have their uterus. ERT are estrogen-only preparations appropriate for postmenopausal women who have had hysterectomies. Because they have no uterus, these women have no risk of uterine cancer and therefore don’t require progesterone.

The Women’s Health Initiative is a large, randomized study for hormone replacement after menopause. It reviewed women who took HRT, ERT or a placebo after natural menopause. It is important to remember that this study did not look at women with BRCA mutations or premenopausal women who experienced surgical menopause. The study demonstrated that HRT supplementation (estrogen plus progesterone) increased the risk for breast cancer in women who went through natural menopause. The study concluded, however, that ERT supplementation (estrogen alone) does not appear to raise the risk for breast cancer in this population. The study did not specifically consider women who underwent surgical menopause due to risk-reducing oophorectomy, so its applicability to the high-risk population who undergo early menopause is uncertain.

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Bio-identical hormones

Some attention has been given to whether certain hormone preparations are safer or more effective than others. “Bio-identical” hormones are hormone replacement preparations that are chemically identical to the hormones produced in the body; whether they originate in animals, plants, or are synthetic, they cannot be distinguished from the body’s own hormones. There is currently no conclusive evidence that "bio-identical" hormones are safer than other preparations.

Some physicians describe specially-made hormone compounds prepared by pharmacists as “bio-identical.” Compounded hormone replacement is described in more detail below.

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Commercial vs. compounded hormone preparations

Certain hormone preparations, (including some bio-identical compounds), have been tested by the FDA and are available commercially by prescription. Other "compounded" hormone preparations contain individualized combinations of different hormones and are prepared on an individual basis by pharmacists. Some physicians feel these "compounded" hormones are safer than commercial preparations. However, this has not been demonstrated by scientific research. There may be risks associated with compounded hormones: they are neither tested nor approved by the FDA and are unregulated. Compounded preparation methods vary from one pharmacist to another, and from one pharmacy to another, so compounds may not be consistent. Some custom-compounded preparations are not covered by insurance plans. Custom-compounded hormones may provide certain benefits, allowing individualized doses and mixtures of different hormones unavailable in commercial products. Anecdotally, some women posting on the FORCE message board reported they found pharmacist-compounded hormone preparations relieved their menopausal symptoms more effectively than commercially available preparations. A list of hormone replacement therapy products was published in a 2001 International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding.

Some physicians follow patients who use these compounds by testing their saliva for hormone levels. However the reliability of these tests and optimal saliva hormone levels have not been established.

One study of previous research which compared hormone types determined the conclusions drawn were compromised because the research efforts were too small or had design flaws. The study's authors suggested there was not enough evidence to recommend bio-identical hormones over conventional hormones.

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), a professional organization devoted to promoting women's health and quality of life through an understanding of menopause, published a position statement on compounded hormone replacement. The NAMS does not recommend custom-compounded products over well-tested, government-approved products for the majority of women. Nor does the Society recommend saliva testing to determine hormone levels.

It is important for women who have undergone surgical menopause or are considering prophylactic oophorectomy to discuss menopausal symptoms and management with their healthcare team. The menopause experience is individual. Response to hormone replacement appears to be individual as well.

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Osteopenia and osteoporosis

Osteopenia refers to loss of bone density. Osteoporosis is a more serious loss of bone density which weakens the bones. Some degree of bone thinning occurs as a natural part of the aging process. Significant weakening of the bones, however, puts a person at increased risk for fractures (broken bones). Loss of estrogen through natural or surgical menopause can lead to increased weakening of the bones.

A bone density test can determine whether a person’s bones are weakened or are of normal density. Health care providers categorize a person’s bone density as “normal,” “osteopenia,” or “osteoporosis,” as compared to others of the same age and gender. Health care providers often recommend a baseline bone density test before prophylactic oophorectomy or soon after and then on an annual or semi-annual basis after menopause.

Hormonal and nonhormonal medications can lower the risk for fractures due to loss of bone density. These medications may have side effects. Some, like hormones, may raise the risk for other cancers. Women with osteopenia or osteoporosis associated with menopause should be followed by endocrinologists or other health care professionals who are trained in managing menopausal symptoms. It is important for each woman to weigh the potential benefits and relief from hormone replacement vs. their individual risk for cancer or other risks associated with hormone replacement.

Weight-bearing or resistance exercise may lower the risk for osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. However, it is important to discuss exercise with your physician before starting any exercise routine. It is worthwhile to consult with a licensed physical therapist to assure that your exercise routine is safe and appropriate. Experts recommend post-menopausal women receive 1200 milligrams of calcium per day, either through their diet or through supplementation.

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Hot-flashes

Studies show hormones and certain non hormonal medications—antidepressants belonging to a class of drugs called selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), for instance—may relieve some menopausal side effects such as hot flashes. One small randomized trial found venlafaxine (Effexor) alleviated hot flashes in postmenopausal women compared to a placebo. Another study found fluoxetine (Prozac) lowered the frequency of hot flashes more effectively than placebo in post menopausal women. Research on the effectiveness and safety of supplements such as soy or black cohosh has been inconclusive.

Products such as handheld fans and "chillows," which cool the body temperature, have been helpful for some women who experience hot-flashes.

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Libido

Decreased libido is often associated with menopause. Hormonal and nonhormonal options are available for improving libido in women who are surgically menopausal. Some physicians recommend the addition of testosterone replacement for women who have loss of libido with menopause that isn't alleviated by ERT or HRT alone. One short randomized, prospective study found testosterone supplementation improves libido in women who experienced loss of libido due to oophorectomy. There is conflicting data, however, about the safety of testosterone and whether it may increase the risk for breast cancer.

A small preliminary study looked at the effects of the antidepressant bupropion (Welbutrin) on the libido of individuals who were not clinically depressed. The study suggested bupropion improved sexual arousal, overall sexual satisfaction, and satisfaction with intensity of orgasm when compared to placebo. However, this study was not specific to high-risk women who experienced surgical menopause.

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Sleep disturbances

Some women report disruption in sleep patterns associated with menopause. Sleep disturbances may also cause menopause-related fatigue. One small randomized study compared insomnia in peri- and postmenopausal women who used the sleep aid zolpidem (Ambien) compared with those who took a placebo. Women who took zolpidem reported improved sleep over those who took a placebo.

Specialized sleep disorder clinics can sometimes assist with sleep disruptions associated with menopause.

2009-05-01T09:39:00.001-07:00

LHRH Agonists Show Promise for Early Breast Cancer

http://www.ajog.org/article/PIIS0002937805002814/abstract

The study reviewed here found that after surgery and other treatments for hormone-receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer in premenopausal women, treatment with the hormonal therapy medicine Zoladex (chemical name: goserelin) can lower the risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence) and improve overall prognosis.

The ovaries of premenopausal women produce estrogen. Estrogen can make breast cancer cells grow and increase the risk of the cancer coming back. Stopping the ovaries from producing estrogen or blocking the effects of estrogen on breast cancer cells can be an effective part of a treatment plan for premenopausal women.

Removing the ovaries (called oophorectomy or surgical ablation) or destroying the ovaries with radiation therapy permanently stop the ovaries from producing estrogen. But some premenopausal women may want to temporarily stop the ovaries from producing estrogen so they have the option of having children after treatment. Medicines called LHRH (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone) agonists can be used to temporarily stop the ovaries from making estrogen. This is called medical ovarian shutdown. LHRH-agonist medicines include Zoladex and Lupron (chemical name: leuprolide).

Tamoxifen, another hormonal therapy medicine, also can lower the risk of early-stage hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer coming back in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Tamoxifen is a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator). Tamoxifen has different effects on different types of cells. In breast cells, tamoxifen blocks estrogen receptors. Blocking the estrogen receptors means that estrogen can't attach to the cell and so can't tell the cell to grow.

In the study reviewed here, the researchers reviewed the information from more than 14 other studies involving more than 12,000 premenopausal women. All of the women in these studies were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Almost all of the cancers were hormone-receptor-positive. To reduce the risk of the cancer coming back, the women were divided into three broad groups:

some got Zoladex alone
some got tamoxifen alone
some got Zoladex and tamoxifen together

Many of the women also got chemotherapy to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. Doctors use the term adjuvant chemotherapy to describe chemotherapy used to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.

The researchers found:

Zoladex and tamoxifen combined seemed to do a better job of reducing the risk of the cancer coming back and improving prognosis compared to Zoladex alone or tamoxifen alone.
Zoladex alone or tamoxifen alone also reduced the risk of the cancer coming back and improved prognosis, but it wasn't clear if one medicine was more effective than the other.
There was no difference in the risk of the cancer coming back or prognosis in women who got either Zoladex alone or tamoxifen and Zoladex together compared to women who got adjuvant chemotherapy with no hormonal therapy medicine. Still, the adjuvant chemotherapy caused more troubling side effects.
Women who got Zoladex (either alone or with tamoxifen) and adjuvant chemotherapy had a lower risk of the cancer coming back and a better prognosis compared to women who got adjuvant chemotherapy with no hormonal therapy.

If you're a premenopausal woman diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer, you and your doctor will consider a number of treatment options to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back after surgery. Hormonal therapy and medical ovarian shutdown may be options you consider. Based on this study, you might want to ask your doctor if the combination of tamoxifen and Zoladex makes sense for you, whether or not you get adjuvant chemotherapy.

In the Breastcancer.org Hormonal Therapy section you can learn more about hormonal therapy medicines used to lower the risk of the cancer coming back in premenopausal women.

2ND VISIT TO ONCOLOGIST: TAMOXIFEN OR NOT??

2009-04-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

It was my second visit to the oncologist, Dr Deven Moodley, today.

The aim of the discussion was to establish whether or not I should start taking Tamoxifen.

I decided about a month ago not to do chemo and now I need to think about long term treatment to reduce my estrogen levels.

I had specific questions that I wanted answered. If Deven had better answers than mine, I would consider his treatment protocol.

His plan was that I would take Tamoxifen for 5yrs. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen receptors on all estrogen sensitive tissue, as well as breast cancer cells that are either still in the breast area or have moved to other parts of the body.

Estrogen stimulates cell division of estrogen sensitive cells so blocking estrogen reduces breast cancer cell division.

Once the cells are not getting any estrogen, they send a message to the brain saying 'We are not getting estrogen so make some more'.

The body then makes more estrogen and after 2 years of taking Tamoxifen, a woman usually has very high levels of estrogen circulating in the blood that can cause blood clots, osteoporosis, and uterine cancer.

After 5 yrs of being on the drug, the risks out way the benefits, so it is advised that women stop taking it.

There is a large study that has been going for about 12 years where researchers have followed the same group of women (about 700 odd) with all the variations of breast cancer, and various allopathic forms of treatment (NSABP).

From the study, it can be seen that there is a 'decrease in breast cancer recurrence' benefit that increases from year 1 to year 5 of taking Tamoxifen.

However, if a women dies from a side effect of Tamoxifen, ie. other than breast cancer, she falls off the study. If she gets healthy enough to prevent a recurrence, she also falls off the study.

My questions to Deven were the following:

HEIDI: I am 35 yrs old now. I have not been through menopause. After 5yrs on Tamoxifen, I have to stop taking Tamoxifen. I will then be 40yrs old. If, and when, my ovaries start up again, they may still produce significant amounts of estrogen. I may only go through menopause at 45yrs old ie. 5 years after stopping Tamoxifen. What was Deven's plan for after 5yrs on Tamoxifen?

DEVEN: The plan was to induce early menopause now with Tamoxifen to block estrogen receptors and another drug to stop my ovaries producing estrogen. After 5yrs, he would just reverse this state to prevent any long term side effects of the drugs. He did not have a plan beyond that - I would be on my own.

HEIDI: So if breast cancer did not get me in the next 5-10 yrs, a side effect of Tamoxifen or playing with my endocrine system, very well may.

HEIDI: If I took the Tamoxifen, would Deven monitor my estrogen levels using saliva, blood, and urine tests during the 5 yr period?

DEVEN: No, he would not do any tests at all, not even blood tests - he would only treat side effects of the drugs.

HEIDI: During this 5 yrs, and after I have stopped taking the Tamoxifen, how would Deven detect a metastasis?

DEVEN: He would not scan for metastasis periodically (thereby detecting any early on) - he would wait until I got symptoms (which is usually quite late).

HEIDI: I asked Deven whether he would be willing to review my periodic saliva, blood, and urine tests done by Dr Craige Golding over the next year while I tried more natural treatments? Could Deven tell me whether there were any warning signs I should be altered to?

DEVEN: He agreed to this.

-------------------------------------------------------

I left Deven's office in a better state than when I went in. I decided not take Tamoxifen, at least not for the next year.

I want to try more natural treatments first - ones that build up my immune system, block estrogen receptors naturally, aid the breakdown of strong estrogen to weak estrogen in my liver, and that reduce my cortisol levels and bring me back from a state of burnout.

Even if I had however long left to live, I don't want to live my life enduring side effects of a drug that does not have all the answers.

3rd SALINE FILL

2009-04-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

My plastic surgeon, Gareth Edwards, injected some more saline into my breast tissue expanders again today.

This was my 3rd saline fill. I was going every 10 days and can now go every week because the scar and surrounding tissue has healed well after surgery and so can now be stretched more.

I am seeing the oncologist, Deven Moodley, again tomorrow to discuss Tamoxifen some more.

Gareth is concerned that a breast cancer cell has strayed to somewhere else in the body. These cells still operate like breast cells so are still stimulated to grow by estrogen.

I will say this again: the breast surgery was a walk in the park compared to the decisions and years ahead.

Gareth is concerned that because I am still only 35 yrs old and so have normal / higher than normal / unopposed (by progesterone) estrogen, these breast cells can be stimulated to grow and the chance of a recurrence could be higher or sooner than someone postmenopause with the same diagnosis.

He does have a point so I am going to investigate some more before making my final decision. One can only take Tamoxifen for 5 yrs. I will then be 40yrs old. I may still not fully be postmenopausal by then so what is Deven's back up plan?

I am studying the intergrative medicine course nightly - it is fascinating! the first module is on the endocrine system.

I am learning all about natural ways to help prevent breast cancer and treatment protocols post diagnosis. I am still waiting for adaquate research trials from the USA that show where natural protocols have showed compariable results compared to Tamoxifen etc.

The manufacturers of Tamoxifen just have so much data because they stand to make so much money from their drug if it is shown to work in any way. I am still furiously searching the natural side though!

What I found that is most interesting is that women without breast cancer can have their estrogen and progesterone levels tested using saliva, blood and urine tests.

If the woman's progesterone is low, which can happen towards menopause (can even start in early 30's), her estrogen then becomes unopposed, even if it too is low.

Estrogen causes breast cells to grow and divide. Progesterone halts their growth. So both hormones work together to keep a balance and keep cells dividing at a normal rate.

When progesterone is low, estrogen is then unopposed and it's cell growth effect continues unchecked by progesterone. The risk for breast cancer then rises.

Women could have their hormones tested as early as in their 20's or 30's and start to take bioidentical progesterone (tabs or creasm depending on person's symptoms) and this could help lower their breast cancer risk!

What is even more interesting is how stress increases the risk of breast cancer. As a woman's stress levels rise so does her cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Cortisol, among other things, suppresses her immune system (the very system supposed to detect cancer cells) and it reduces her progesterone (leaving her estrogen unopposed)!

Finding ways to reduce stress levels is esential in prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

HER2 NEGATIVE!!

2009-03-27T01:04:00.001-07:00

I got the result of the bit of invasive cancer back this week and it is HER2 negative!! This is such great news!!

If the HER2 had come back positive, I would have done the oncological treatment of chemo and Herceptin. But after my mammographer and Dr Carige Golding said they wouldn't do the chemo if HER2 was negative, I have decided not to. This was my gut feeling. This decision just feels right for now.

I am not saying no to ever having chemo, but right now it does not feel right and I am trusting my intuition. The long term side effects out weigh the risks.

Even if I don't do the chemo (for the off chance a cancer cell has gone somewhere else in my body), I need to reduce my estrogen levels as the growth of the cancer was stimulated by estrogen by 66%. I don't want to take Tamoxifen so I need to find another route.

Tamoxifen is an antagonist of the estrogen receptor in breast tissue and is therefore used in the treatment of breast cancer.

Some breast cancer cells require estrogen to grow. Estrogen binds to and activates the estrogen receptor in these cells. Tamoxifen is metabolized into compounds that also bind to the estrogen receptor but do not activate it. Furthermore tamoxifen prevents estrogen from binding to its receptor. Hence breast cancer cell growth is blocked.

Tamoxifen was discovered by ICI Pharmaceuticals^[1] (now AstraZeneca) and is sold under the trade names Nolvadex, Istubal, and Valodex. However, the drug, even before its patent expiration, was and still is widely referred to by its generic name "tamoxifen."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen is an artificial substance that is foreign to the body and has side effects, including uterine cancer!

I went back to Dr Craige Golding (preventive medicine specialist) today. He did blood tests 2 months ago (now that saliva and urine tests are available in South Africa), I will go back and do these next week as these are more accurate at showing hormone levels etc) for:

liver functioning
adrenal functioning and hormone
sex hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
thryoid functioning and hormone levels
various cancer markers

Liver blood results were fine -so my liver is breakdown estrogen fine.
Adrenal gland hormones: the results showed I have high cortisol levels (from adrenal glands). Cortisol is produced in reaction to stress. Cortisol affects sex hormone levels. It can prevent the proper breakdown of estrogen into less harmful forms.

Craige if the 3rd practitioner to suggest the cancer was started by prolonged intense stress. (Dr Carol Benn said cancer started about 2-4 years ago which is when my intense stress period started. I my sessions with Jimmy NLP, I walked back to 4 years ago on my history time line so all ties up).

Maybe my body was also in a compromised state after living it up in my 20's which, and when put under a period of intense stress, cancer developed.

My sex hormones were low - so even though estrogen is low, it is not being broken down on time into less harmful forms so I overstimulating estrogen sensitive tissue.
My thyroid is slightly underactive - which can happen as cortisol suppress all hormones and immune function. the immune system is supposed to detect cancer cells but if weaken, does not.

Craige has put me on a nutritional supplements that facilitate the breakdown of harmful/strong estrogen molecules into less harmful/weaker ones, block any estrogen receptors with a weaker form of estrogen, as well as herbal product to reduce my cortisol levels.

List of my supplements:
• I3C + DIM complex: 2 caps/day
• Melatonin: 6mg/night - I am still questioning this dose - hope to do urine test to determine correct dose.
• Vit D3: 2000IU/day
• Reservatrol: 2/day
• NAC: 2/day
• Rhiodiola + Ashwaganda: 2/day = herbal adaptogens to reduce cortisol
• Flax for omega 3 or krill oil - I take fresh ground flax and the oil
• Phosphyltidal serine = PS
• Vit C 2g per day

NOTE: While some of this supplement protocol standard for breast cancer, it is not the same for everyone with breast cancer. It is determined by the body's hormonal levels. I feel certain supplements may still need to be added and I am finding out about these.

I am still on a mostly raw, low sugar, no diary, no meat, no soya, no alcohol ( although Craige said pinot noir red wine is good for breast cancer) diet. I am eating 2 tablespoons of ground flax + 2 tablespoons of flax oil each day (for omega 3).

I am meeting 3 doctors next week:

Dr Priscilla Rowan: she will do another slide looking at my blood (live blood analysis) to see whether there is still fungal growth.
Dr Dimitri Vlachos: to explore Chinese herbal medicine more as I have no experience in this field and am nervous to just take them after the reaction I had to the herbs in December. I also want to understand the more subtle signs one can look for using the body's energy meridians to see a state of cancer before Western medicine diagnoses it.
Dr Bullatoff: to explore the relationship between parasites (like fungus etc) in the blood/body and cancer.

I am also looking into the Rife Resonator which works by running a low voltage current through the body for a period of time to kill parasitic infestation. (see: www.drclark.net)

I would obviously have to then work on other ways to change my body's terrain so the parasites are not able grow ie. change the pH to more alkaline, reduce sugar, reduce stress, etc.

Oh, and I have started studying 3 courses:

PNI: physco neuro immunology (the effect you thoughts have on your body). I did the NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) practitioners course a while back and am now doing the masters course (not a masters degree - just refers to 'mastering' the material). The topic this year just happens to be health - how can I not do it!
Preventative and anti-ageing course medicine course run by Dr Craige Golding. This focuses on looking inside the body at hormone levels and the endocrine system of the body to help predict future disease. Fascinating! Imagine if I had seen the effect my stress had had on me 3-4 years ago?? Could I have detected my breast cancer, or the possibility of if developing, long before a mammogram or ultrasound could have??
I have ordered a course on 'how to teach raw food classes' for the UK and plan to start teaching this year.....if I don't blow my stress levels out the water!

Lots to keep myself busy with!!
All in all, I am super happy and wonderfully positive!

I am feeling all those prayers, thoughts, and love - THANK YOU!!

WHAT IS HER2?

2009-03-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

What is HER2?

http://www.herceptin.com/her2-breast-cancer/testing-education/what-is.jsp

HER2+ Breast Cancer

Studies show that approximately 25% of breast cancer patients have tumors that are HER2+. HER2 stands for Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2. It is very important to find out your cancer's HER2 status. This is because HER2+ tumors tend to grow and spread more quickly than tumors that are not HER2+. In addition, the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer is different than the treatment of breast cancer that is not HER2+. Women who are uncertain of their cancer's HER2 status should talk to their doctor.

HER2+ breast cancer is aggressive, so it is important to find out your cancer's HER2 status. This can help your doctor choose which treatments may be right for you.

How is HER2 positive breast cancer different?

HER2 stands for Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2. Each normal breast cell contains copies of the HER2 gene, which helps normal cells grow. The HER2 gene is found in the DNA of a cell, and this gene contains the information for making the HER2 protein. ⁴

The HER2 protein, also called the HER2 receptor, is found on the surface of some normal cells in the body. In normal cells, HER2 proteins help send growth signals from outside the cell to the inside of the cell. These signals tell the cell to grow and divide. ⁴

In HER2+ breast cancer, the cancer cells have an abnormally high number of HER2 genes per cell. When this happens, too much HER2 protein appears on the surface of these cancer cells. This is called HER2 protein overexpression. Too much HER2 protein is thought to cause cancer cells to grow and divide more quickly. This is why HER2+ breast cancer is considered aggressive. ^1-3

HER2+ breast cancer is aggressive, so it is important to find out your cancer's HER2 status. This can help your doctor choose which treatments may be right for you.

Higher risk of breast cancer returning (recurrence)

Women with HER2+ breast cancer:
May be less likely to respond to certain breast cancer treatments
May be more likely to have a recurrence (return) of their cancer

Women who are uncertain of their cancer's HER2 status should talk to their doctor.

Inheriting the HER2 gene

Your tumor's HER2 status is not hereditary. This means that HER2 status is not passed down from your parents, and you can't pass it on to your children. However, there is a relationship between the genes in a person's DNA and breast cancer in general. Ask your doctor for more information about the relationship between genes and breast cancer. ⁴

HER2/neu-positive, HER2-overexpressing, and HER2+ breast cancer

HER2/neu is another name for HER2, which stands for Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2. HER2-overexpressing means there is too much HER2 protein/receptor on the surface of the cancer cells. HER2/neu-positive breast cancer and HER2-overexpressing breast cancer are exactly the same as HER2+ breast cancer. ⁴

References:
1. Slamon DJ, Godolphin W, Jones LA, etal. Studies of the HER-2/neu Proto-oncogene in human breast and ovarian cancer. Science. 1989; 244:707-712.
2. Slamon DJ, Clark GM, Wong SG, Levin WJ, Ullrich A, McGuire WL. Human breast cancer: correlation of relapse and survival with amplification of the HER-2/neuoncogene. Science. 1987; 235: 177-182.
3. Paik S, Hazan R, Fisher ER, etal. Pathologic findings from the national surgical adjuvant breast and bowel project: prognostic significance of erbB-2 protein overexpression in primary breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 1990; 8:103-112.
4. Pegram M, Slamon D. Biological rationale for HER2/neu(c-erbB2) as a target for monoclonal antibody therapy. Semin Oncol. 2000; 27 (suppl9): 13-19.

OVARIAN CANCER LINKED TO BREAST CANCER

2009-03-23T05:33:00.000-07:00

If a woman has had breast cancer, she has a higher chance if getting ovarian cancer. She can also get ovarian cancer first. Please let all the women in your life now the symptoms below:

Ovarian Cancer Whispers - so listen...

Watch for:

Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas,
nausea
indigestion
frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection;
unexplained weight gain or weight loss
pelvic and/or abdominal swelling,
bloating and/or feeling of fullness
ongoing unusual fatigue
unexplained changes in bowel habits.

If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, ask your doctor for a combination of the following:

Pelvic/rectal exam
CA-125 blood test
Transvaginal ultrasound.

A Pap Test WILL NOT detect ovarian cancer.

http://www.baymoon.com/~gyncancer/library/weekly/aa011001a.htm

VOMITING AFTER NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS

2009-03-18T01:18:00.000-07:00

I felt so nauseous towards the end of yesterday. I had taken the handful of natural supplements I am on for breast cancer and to block estrogen production and receptor sites.

Ever since I got out of hospital, I have not felt like taking the supplements but have persevered, halving the dose on most days. When I was sick last week with the flu, I really did not feel like taking them so stopped for those days.

I took the supplements again for the last 4 days but felt more and more ill each time I took them.

Last night, I vomited which I thought would relieve the nausea but the vomiting carried on for the next 2 hours - not pleasant at all!! I could never be bulimic!!

Just because something is natural doesn't mean it is safe or without side effects. I also need to do more research on the interactions of the supplements I am taking - but not sure interactions will even be documented yet.

I am seeing Dr Craig Golding again tomorrow to hear his suggested next step after reviewing my blood and urine results.

I still do not have the results from the breast tissue analysis.

My mammographer called today to see how I was doing and said if it was him, he would give the chemo a skip. If the Her2 is positive, maybe just do the Hercepin.

I also want to see if I can substitute the Tamoxifen with natural alternatives.

I am still undecided about chemo.

The supplements I am taking include:

DIM + I3C
IP6
Reduced L-Glutamine
Reservatrol
Vitamin D3
Curcumin + quercetin
Co enzyme Q10
Melatonin at night - 9mg

FIRST VISIT TO ONCLOGIST - DEVAN MOODLEY

2009-03-17T03:57:00.000-07:00

I went to see the oncologist (Devan Moodley +27 11 356 6520/04, Wits Oncology Donald Gordon Medical Centre, 17 Eton Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA) yesterday who works with my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon.

Although we are still waiting for breast tissue analysis results, he was able to give me 2 senario's:

We know from previous biopsies that the DCIS was estrogen positive - meaning the cell growth was stimulated by estrogen.
We don't yet know if the tissue was progesterone positive or not.
And we don't know whether the cells were Her2 positive or negative.

He put my info:

my age = 35yrs - young to get breast cancer
that my DCIS was grade 3 - meaning it was quite aggressive and fast growing
that there was a 0.3cm bit of invasive cancer (they normally only suggest chemo from 1cm - dependant on other variables) that had invaded micro blood and lymph vessels.

into a computer program and it gave the following info:

If the cancer was progesterone negative and Her2 negative => treatment would include chemo for 3 months and Tamoxifen for 5 yrs
If the cancer was progesterone positive and Her2 positive => treatment would include chemo for 6 months + Herceptin for 1yrs + Tamoxifen

The program showed I have a 94% chance of the cancer not returning in the next 10 yrs without treatment. Which I was quite pleased with!

Breast cancer is not like some cancers where, once you have gone beyond a certain time period, will not return. It can return at any point.

So, without treatment in the next 10yrs without treatment, I have a 6% chance of the breast cancer returning.

If i have the oncology treatment, I will only increase my chance of no recurrence in the next 10 yrs by 4%.

So I will then have a 98% chance of the breast cancer not returning in the next 10 yrs after the treatment.

94% chance no recurrence with no oncology treatment
98% chance of no recurrence with oncology treatment

The conversation yesterday was very academic therefore quite easy, and I walked out with a stat report and a prescription that looked like:

T + C + TAMOXIFEN (if results are negative)

T + C + H + TAMOXIFEN (if results are positive)

(T = Taxotere. C = Cyclophosphamide. H = Herceptin)

All quite easy to deal with until the physical reality of actually living through the process hits.

I am between a rock and a hard place trying to decide what to do next. I need to get my breast tissue results before I can think about it further.

Strange, but now the double mastectomy seems like light work compared to the next step.

I think the thing I am most nervous about most are the side effects of the suggested treatment.

Read on this site for more info on the T and C:
www.taxotere.com
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/cyclophosphamide-side-effects.html

I feel quite calm though and am getting better at living in the moment and holding my centre. That said, this decision is not easy.

2 WEEKS POST-MASTECTOMY - GOING OUT WITH FRIENDS

2009-03-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

2 weeks post-mastectomy, Glenn and I are going out with friends for dinner. I have extreme cabin fever by now!

I drove my car for the first time yesterday - it was a little sore in my pectoral muscles but otherwise fine. I was very careful not to strain my pec muscles in anyway as they can go into a spasm around the tissue expander, and while this may not be painful, it can make the one breast appear high than the other.

I am still feeling slight fatigue in the afternoons and am trying to rest where I can.

I still walk around the block every morning and plan to try gym tomorrow - non-arm/chest gym. I think the cardiovascular action would do me good right now. I am missing working up a sweat.

The cancer theory I am still trying on this week is that cancer is caused by fungal overgrowth as the body is in a state of acidosis and fermentaion. Cancer thrives in an acidic and anaerobic environment. I am still eating an diet very similar to an anti-candida diet: 90-95% raw, low GI fruits, only rice and products etc. Diet below:

Foods, drinks, supplements and medicines to EXCLUDE COMPLETELY for 3-12 months:
all grains, flours and cereals (except rice, millet, amaranth and chia), sushi rice (contains sugar and vinegar), all dairy (except plain yogurt, Irish butter and ghee), colostrum, tissue salts, sugar, honey, molasses, maple/corn syrup, palm sugar, sweets, chocolates, carob, halva, fructose, xylitol (except stevia), fresh sweet fruits: mango, banana, grapes, watermelon, melon and dried fruits, fruit juice (except fresh diluted apple and orange juice), vinegar (except fresh lemon juice), all soy products (soy milk, miso, tofu, tamari, soy sauce), all carbonated drinks, all energy drinks, soda and sparkling water, coffee, tea, kombucha tea, yeast containing products, bovril, marmite, Oxo spread, baking powder, commercial curry powder, all alcohol, all tinctures, Sweden bitters, vitamin B complex, Brewer’s yeast, Bio-Strath, StaminoGro, psyllium husk, Herbal Fiberblend, cashews, peanuts, pistachios, olives in brine, chickpeas, hummus, mushrooms, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn products (mielies, pap, samp, polenta, popcorn, corn thins), sorghum, sago, tapioca, cassava plant, sauerkraut, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, Worcester sauce, pickles, pickled ginger, chutney, achaar, salad dressings, sauces, antibiotics, cortisone, antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors, oral contraceptives, Mirena, HRT, progesterone, heparin, chemo- and radiotherapy, etc.

Foods, drinks and supplements to INCLUDE for 3-12 months:
beef, lamb, pork, fish, caviar, shellfish, snails, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, ostrich, crocodile, eggs, almonds, walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, tahini, poppy seeds, flax seed, dried beans, lentils, peas, kidney beans hummus, plain yogurt, kefir, lassi, coconut, coconut milk, almond milk, rice milk, avocado, Irish butter, ghee, olive oil, sesame oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, coconut butter, pumpkin seed oil, flax oil, hemp oil, evening primrose oil, pine nut oil, apricot kernel oil, apple, pineapple, kiwi, plums, paw paw, pears, peaches, oranges, naartjies, berries, tomatoes, sun dried olives, olive tapenade, fresh diluted apple and orange juice, all salads and vegetables, brown/wild/Basmati/white rice, rice cakes, puffed rice, rice pasta, millet, amaranth, chia, fresh lemon juice, garlic, onion, celery, parsley, basil, basil pesto, rocket, dill, fennel, cumin, cardamom, coriander, fresh and dried ginger, horseradish, chilies, pure herbal curries, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, Himalayan salt, stevia, home made salad dressing (olive oil, garlic, fresh lemon juice and herbs), home made mayonnaise (egg yolk, fresh lemon juice and olive oil), wasabi, organic cocoa powder, herbal teas, etc.

N.B. Take bicarbonate of soda – 1 teaspoon in a glass of water twice a day for 3 months and/or magnesium peroxide (Colon-fix) – ½ teaspoon in a glass of water twice a day for 3 months. These two supplements alkalize and oxygenate the body. The medium they create is not conducive for a fungal overgrowth. Do not mix them together. Take them 15 min apart. Anti – fungal supplements: non – acidic vitamin C, Enzimmune, antioxidants, EXO, UMI, carotenoids, caprylic acid, warburgia, African potato, Secomet, Citricidal Plus, Kolorex tea, Pau D’Arco, olive leaf, propolis, Cool Blue, AV/AT, RV 162 and probiotics (Super 8 probiotic, Probiflora 9, Bio – Rem ferment, etc.) speed up the healing process.
Avoid any antibiotics and cortisone during the treatment program.
Eat a lot of avocados, garlic, onion, leaks, chives, horseradish, radish, ginger, basil, oregano, thyme, etc. They suppress the fungal overgrowth. Chew mastic gum daily.
Drink 2-3 liters of purified water a day.
Regular use of a Rife resonator or zapper destroys the fungus.
You will go through a detox in the first 2 weeks as the fungus dies. Cravings might increase for a while. Persevere with the program. Select the correct foods when eating out. The improvement will start after 2 weeks. Follow the diet minimum for 3 - 6 months.

REMOVING DRESSINGS 2 WEEKS AFTER DOUBLE MASTECTOMY

2009-03-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

I still have flu and bronchitis from eating yogurt with the post-surgery antibiotic as you can hear by me stumbling over my words in this video!

I have been desperate to remove the wound dressings that covered the micropore over my mastectomy scars - the right side was quite itchy where the drain hole was.

In the video I mentioned I have gained so much by loosing my breasts but don't clarify - here is what I have gained:

Appreciation for the present moment
Compassion for my human nature and body
Although I need my physical body in order for my spirit to be incarnated in this lifetime, it will pass at some point and that's OK
Lack of tolerance for extraneous people or situations
Ability to say 'No' very easily
Desire to do what I want to do and not what anyone else wants me to do
Realisation on my life's purpose

PESTICIDES: THEIR RISKS & HOW WE CAN REDUCE THOSE RISKS

2009-03-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

I copied this info from: http://www.foodnews.org/reduce.php

As you may know, pesticides can have carcinogenic effects in our bodies. I thought this info from this site outlines this well.

The site also has a great chart that you can download which lists the fresh foods that are most heavily sprayed with pesticides ('The Dirty Dozen'). An addition I would like to add are non-organic berries.

The site also lists the least sprayed produce ('The Clean 15').

I have inserted the full list at the end of this blog entry.

Pesticide Health Effects: The Latest Science

Every year, new research is published demonstrating the toxicity of pesticides to human health and the environment, often at doses previously declared "safe" by the pesticide industry and the government.

As acknowledged by the U.S. and international government agencies, different pesticides have been linked with a variety of toxic effects, including:

Nervous system effects
Carcinogenic effects
Hormone system effects
Skin, eye and lung irritation

Pesticides are unique among the chemicals we release into the environment; they have inherent toxicity because they are designed to kill living organisms – insects, plants, and fungi that are considered "pests." Because they are toxic by design, many pesticides pose health risks to people, risks that have been acknowledged by independent research scientists and physicians across the world.

Ignorance Does Not Equal Safety

Even in the face of a growing body of evidence, pesticide manufacturers continue to defend their products, claiming that the amounts of pesticides on produce are not sufficient to elicit safety concerns. Yet, such statements are often made in the absence of actual data, since most safety tests done for regulatory agencies are not designed to discover whether low dose exposures to mixtures of pesticides and other toxic chemicals are safe, particularly during critical periods of development. In general, the government demands, and companies conduct, high dose studies designed to find gross, obvious toxic effects. In the absence of the appropriate tests at lower doses, pesticide and chemical manufacturers claim safety since the full effects of exposure to these mixtures of chemicals have not been conclusively demonstrated (or even studied).

The majority of the U.S. population has detectable concentrations of multiple pesticide residues in their bodies, as detected in biomonitoring studies by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ubiquitous pesticide exposures are further compounded by exposure to hundreds of industrial chemicals that contaminate human bodies and are even found in the developing fetus. The full health effects of exposure to these mixtures of chemicals are not yet known; true public health protection would require a consideration of cumulative risks of exposure to multiple toxic chemicals at a time.

Children Are Especially at Risk

Protecting our families' health from chemical exposures can start with minimizing children's exposure to pesticides. It is now well established that pesticides pose a risk to vital organ systems that continue to grow and mature from conception throughout infancy and childhood. Exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals during critical periods of development can have lasting adverse effects both in early development and later in life. The metabolism, physiology, and biochemistry of a fetus, infant or child are fundamentally different from those of adults; a young, organism is often less able to metabolize and inactivate toxic chemicals and can be much more vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides. The nervous system, brain, reproductive organs and endocrine (hormone) system can be permanently, if subtly, damaged by exposure to toxic substances in-utero or throughout early childhood that, at the same level, cause no measurable harm to adults. The developing brain and endocrine system are very sensitive, and low doses at a susceptible moment of development can cause more of an effect than high doses. It is especially important to reduce pesticide exposures of babies and young children so as to minimize these risks.

Doesn't The Government Regulate These Chemicals?

When consumers realize the magnitude of the health threat posed by pesticides, they naturally wonder: Doesn't the government regulate these toxic chemicals? The answer is that, unfortunately for human and environmental health, government action has been far too slow. It is important to remember that the government said that highly toxic pesticides like DDT, chlordane, dursban and others were safe right up to the day the EPA banned them. And considering that we are talking about toxic chemicals whose effects on children's health may be irreversible, no delay is justifiable.

The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 was designed to require protection of infants and children from pesticides. This law produced several notable achievements and fundamentally improved the health standards in pesticide law by requiring explicit protection of infants and children. But a lot remains to be done, especially in protecting human health from pesticide mixtures and chemicals that have endocrine disrupting properties. Not surprisingly, pesticide makers and agribusiness groups have been fighting strict application of the statute, particularly provisions that require an extra 10-fold level of protection for infants and children.

What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk?

Addressing the risks of pesticide exposure first and foremost requires information, which is frequently made unavailable to the general public by the government agencies. To counteract this trend for secrecy, EWG believes that:

People have a right to know what's in their food, so they can choose foods with less pesticides.
The government can and should take steps to dramatically reduce the number and amount of toxic chemicals, including pesticides, in the food supply.

Each of us can opt for food safety today by choosing to purchase produce low in pesticides and by buying organically-raised fruits and vegetables as frequently as possible. With this first step we can protect our families' health and preserve our own future and the future of the environment from the harmful effects of pesticides.

The Full List: 47 Fruits & Veggies

RANK	FRUIT OR VEGGIE	SCORE
1 (worst)	Peach	100 (highest pesticide load)
2	Apple	93
3	Sweet Bell Pepper	83
4	Celery	82
5	Nectarine	81
6	Strawberries	80
7	Cherries	73
8	Kale	69
9	Lettuce	67
10	Grapes - Imported	66
11	Carrot	63
12	Pear	63
13	Collard Greens	60
14	Spinach	58
15	Potato	56
16	Green Beans	53
17	Summer Squash	53
18	Pepper	51
19	Cucumber	50
20	Rasberries	46
21	Grapes - Domestic	44
22	Plum	44
23	Orange	44
24	Cauliflower	39
25	Tangerine	37
26	Mushrooms	36
27	Banana	34
28	Winter Squash	34
29	Cantaloupe	33
30	Cranberries	33
31	Honeydew Melon	30
32	Grapefruit	29
33	Sweet Potato	29
34	Tomato	29
35	Broccoli	28
36	Watermelon	26
37	Papaya	20
38	Eggplant	20
39	Cabbage	17
40	Kiwi	13
41	Sweet Peas - Frozen	10
42	Asparagus	10
43	Mango	9
44	Pineapple	7
45	Sweet Corn - Frozen	2
46	Avocado	1
47 (best)	Onion	1 (lowest pesticide load)

Note: We ranked a total of 47 different fruits and vegetables but grapes are listed twice because we looked at both domestic and imported samples.

VERY INFORMATIVE FROM FRIEND ED - THANKS ED!

2009-03-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

Heidi,

You have touched on a subject that has become near and dear to my heart. Have you read Michael Pollen's great books The Omnivore's Dilemma, The Botany of Desire, and In defense of food". Great reads. I also just finished Animal, Veritable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Powerful stuff while still being a fun "page burner" read!

I have some of these in mp3 format if they tickle your fancy!

Nothing is more intimate than food. We vote three times a day what to put inside ourselves, and our kids. It literally becomes our living flesh, yet we often give it scant regard not caring where it came from, how it was grown, and how it got from earth to plate. Multi Nationals are now playing God with our seeds and I was sad to see that Monsanto GMO corn and soy were pervasive in SA. If you get a chance look for the torrent "The World according to Monsanto" - scary, but ignorance is no defence!

I am an active member of www.slowfood.com. There charter is broad but encompasses so much of what I feel is important about food. If there is a SA chapter you should look into it.

The Petersen household today includes an ever expanding veggie garden, and multi planting fruit orchard designed specifically for urban dwellers with matchbox size lots like mine. Growing food has opened my eye's and dare I say soul in ways I am still trying to comprehend. We are members of a local CSA (community Supported Agriculture) and every two weeks we get a box of organic veggies which never fails to entertain and baffle the mediocre chef's in Kaz and I. It is amazing how many great veggies / fruits we receive that we have no idea what they are called which renders Google rather useless.

Anyway, enough! I am so glad you are in recovery.

Keep well. Love to Glenn and the fam.

Ed / Kaz / Justin / Bradley

YOGURT SICKNESS!

2009-03-11T01:19:00.001-07:00

On leaving the hospital, it was recommended that I eat plain yogurt while taking the post-surgery antibiotic, Dalacin.

Although we don't usually have diary in the house, I ate plain organic yogurt twice a day for one week. We made the most delicious mango lassi's (fresh mango pulp + plain yogurt -> blend til smooth) every day. The kids and I now have yogurt sickness (runny noses and chesty coughs)!

I felt very fluey and achy yesterday. My axilla (under arm) and groin lymph nodes are the size of marbles. Although it is not nice being sick, at least my body can still razzle an immune response!

Sometimes, the immune systems of people who have cancer are so weak, they can not even respond to a common cold. Any normal response of the immune system when suffering from cancer is a good sign.

I made myself get out of bed early-ish this morning and walk around the block. I knew I would feel better after doing this - which I did.

Just the action of pumping oxgygen and nutrients to all one's body cells, and the removal of wastes, is so healing in itself.

Although I was in quite a negative, moany state of mind, I repeated positive phrases to myself:

This is the best day ever!
This is the best moment ever!
Well done for just getting out of bed and walking around the block!
I am feeling better and better with each step!

Even when I don't feel that this really is 'The the best moment ever!', I would rather repeat the above/similar phrases than negative phrases that could harm my immune system and body cells.

By the time I got home, I was feeling slightly better and felt I had turned the corner towards getting better.

Now I just have to sit out the releasing of the mucous and aches as my body heals from yogurt sickness!!

DRAIN OUT & TALK OF FURTHER TREATMENT

2009-03-04T09:27:00.000-08:00

(My mom was my videographer for video at end of this entry. I wanted the removal of the drains filmed but she pressed pause for that and filmed all the in between bits...like the floor, ceiling, her body etc so I can't use the footage! But you get to see inside the dressings room at least.)

I saw Dr Gareth Edwards (plastic surgeon) today to check my dressings and the breast wound drain.

Gareth said my drain could be removed as it had drained <25>ml in two days. Yeah! I can move freely again!!

Most of the nerves in my breast area have been cut so removing the drains was not sore - I could just feel a tugging sensation as they came out.

My breast wounds feel numb, almost like my C section scar did immediately after the op.

I am still a little sore but it is more of a stiff feeling with limited arm movement and not a post-surgery raw wound feeling.

I did not need to take any parcetomol for pain today.

I then went to see Dr Carol Benn to get the lab results of my breast tissue analysis.

The histology (body cells under a microscope) report showed:

MY LEFT BREAST:

Mild fibroadenosis

MY RIGHT BREAST:

Grade III infiltrating duct carcinoma, 3.6mm in maximal diameter in upper medial quadrant
Extensive widespread high-grade duct carcinoma in-situ and lobular cancerisation involving both upper medial and lateral quadrants
Lymphovascular invasion identified
Infiltrating tumour 3mm from closest superficial medial margin
DCIS present with 1mm of deep and superficial medial and lateral resection margins

Although Carol removed all the cancer, non-invasive and invasive, I thought surgery was the end of my treatment road.

The fact that the spot of invasive cancer had infiltrated blood and lymph vessels, even though a second axilla lymph node Carol removed last week was negative, means I may still need some form of treatment.

Yesterday, Carol told me I may need some form of chemotherapy which I was quite shocked to hear as I have made it clear that I wanted to avoid chemo and radiation if possible. I was hoping a double mastectomy would negate chemo.

The lab results shows the DCIS tissue to be estrogen positive (meaning estrogen stimulates the growth of the cancer cells).

The test results for progesterone sensitivity and Her2 are ambivilent. These tests need to be redone and the results will only follow within the next 10 days.

Hormone-senstivity means I may need horomone blockers like Tamoxifen. Lymph and vascular infiltration means I may need chemotherapy. If Her2 is positive, I may need Herceptin. I am praying the invasive tissue is Her2 negative.

Although I was told by Carol that she could not comment on the next step of treatment until she had all the results from the breast tissue analysis (understandably), I wish I had been told last week of the potential routes the results of the breast tissue analysis could involve. (If you are about to go thru this, ask your surgeons!)

I feel like I am on the next down of the roller coaster as I wait to hear results of these tests.

The goal posts have been moved again and I am working on getting back on track with my goal of life.

My next move is to book appointments at the neuro linguistic programmer (Jimmy) to reset my goals, Dr Craige Golding to get results of my body's metabolic tests related to breast cancer and plot a way forward naturally, as well as visit the oncologist Carol works closely with.

2 WEEKS POST-MASTECTOMY - GOING OUT WITH FIRENDS

2009-03-04T01:11:00.000-08:00

Saturday night and going out with friends for the first time after mastectomy.

BLOGGING

2009-03-01T23:06:00.000-08:00

I promised Gareth, my plastic surgeon, that I would let him OK pics of him before I posted them - he is concerned about legal liability.

Gareth agreed to let me blog pics and videos if I pixilated the faces of everyone except himself and me to protect their identity. I have given the pics and videos to Glenn who says he is able to do this. I just need to be patient.

Hope to start blog lots more from last week, as well as this last weekend, ASAP!

Am on it!

Heidi

DAY 6 IN HOSPITAL / BEING DISCHARGED / FEELING TOXIC FROM MEDICAL DRUGS

2009-02-28T07:26:00.000-08:00

Day 6 in hospital/Saturday morning and all I wanted to do was go home but I had to wait for Gareth, my plastic surgeon, to discharge me. He said he would come mid morning. I just wanted to get home and restore normality.

After seeing the hours he worked (he would sometimes still be in theatre at 10pm!) the least I could do was be patient while he had a lie-in.

I heard Gareth's voice in the next ward! After 6 days in hospital, I had began to relate to one of Pavolov's dogs - getting excited everytime I heard my plastic surgeon's voice as this meant new information or a step closer to being told I could go home.

My family came to collect me. My sister, Kirsten, had come up from Durban to help look after our children while I was in hospital. Thanks Tink! We are so grateful!

Kirsten had baked some cupcakes with Grace and Lily (a rare event in our house!) but Kirsten had made the kids wait until they came to collect me before the were allowed to eat them. So I was greeted by my kids stuffing sugar cakes into their mouths! But nothing could eclipse seeing my family and knowing that I was going home shortly.

Once home, I couldn't wait to get into got our bed. I felt quite weak, light headed, and emotional. I also felt toxic, acidic and had a severe toxic headache from the 4 anesthetics, all the allopathic medication, and the hospital food. I needed a long bath, to wash my hair, and a good cry!

I was craving my mostly raw diet so I asked my brother Marcus to please make me a green smoothie (40% any edible green leaves + 60% sweetish fruit -> into the blender -> serve!). Instead Marcus put leaves, nuts, and no fruit = disgusting! But I was grateful for your effort, Marcus!

Marcus went back down to the kitchen and tried again. This time, he juiced the vegetables and the drink was delicious!

My dad arrived and brought me some gifts: pressure socks and some camphor cream. He was kind enough to rub feet each time he visited for which I was very grateful!

Then it was time to cut off the pressure bra (which I had already half cut in hospital because it was so tight!)

Cutting off hospital tags and checking my addict archetype into rehab!

Feeling so weak and nauseous! Better for eating. Just a really toxic day.

I finally fell asleep around 9pm and woke around 11pm after having a dream that I felt awake in. I have not had such a vivid dream in so long. It involved a gun, shooting 2 robbers (which were probably my surgeons! No malice intended to both of you!) etc.

I had to wake Glenn and ask him to keep an eye on me. He agreed but I could hear he was not even awake enough to know what I was saying!

Sunday morning came and I was one day further away from Saturday and the whole previous week in hospital.

DAY 5 IN HOSPITAL / 2ND LAST DAY

2009-02-27T07:54:00.000-08:00

High on medical drugs! I did not enjoy this state - I felt totally incapacitated. I wanted you to see it.

I battle to watch this one - it was so sore but the vein the one drip was in felt like it was in a spasm after 5 days and 4 ops and I was ready to rip it out myself!

Missing my family and my life outside of hospital and being non-sick and my soberiety.

So emotional from the medical drugs. Such appreciation for the small pleasure in life like food I like!

Having a rampage while feeling quite light-headed and weak but I made myself get up and go outside to breath in the life of nature! (The 'Gareth' filming this video is not my plastic surgeon but a theatre quarter I befriended after 4 ops).

Exhausted on last night in hospital.

2009-02-26T05:31:00.001-08:00

All cancer safely removed. Lymph gland negative. No chemo. No radiation. Reconstruction today. Thanks 2 all 4 the positivity. Glenn

2009-02-25T12:09:00.001-08:00

Glenn: Some good news at last, see Heidi's YouTube Channel...

VIDEO

2009-02-25T12:04:00.000-08:00

CLICK ME FOR SOME GOOD NEWS

Grace and Lily visit Mommy in hospital

2009-02-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

More Surgery Snaps. - Glenn

2009-02-23T20:47:00.000-08:00

Surgery Pics (uploaded by Glenn)

2009-02-23T20:30:00.001-08:00

LETTER TO MY SURGEONS

2009-02-23T00:14:00.002-08:00

Dear Carol and Garith

I am very grateful to have the 'Ca & Ga' team working on my body though this process.

This operation is the funeral for the body part that has brought me so many lessons & learnings.

The theatre is the mortuary for this dead part that needs to be removed so I can go and start the next phase of my life.

I have taken the pre-op sleeping pill as I have no need to see the innards of the theatre this time - I saw it before my sentinel lymph node removal op. I also trust both of you completly now so don't need to look you in the eye before this surgery.

I am also not in a hurry to wake from this op as I have a better understanding of the post-op pain and discomfort now!

I so appreciate your consideration for my medicine & healing beliefs, and for your genuine concern for me.

Thank you for doing this work which allows people to go on living with a better quality of life.

This surgery is the start of my wonderful, exciting new life: cancer-free & with so many learnings to share.

Heidi

PS. Please can you take as many photos as possible during the op for the people reading/who will read my blog.

I would like people who are about to / are going through this process to see what happens behind the scenes so there is less fear of the unknown, and more trust ad hope.

2009-02-23T00:14:00.001-08:00

Just blogged letter I have written to my surgeons : www.HeidisHealing.blogspot.com

2009-02-23T00:03:00.001-08:00

Testing Ping.fm to update Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, Plaxo & Linked In via web page

MESSAGE FROM ALEX GREYLING

2009-02-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

I received this kind note from the Alex, the man who was brave enough to stand up and run the project of foot patrol officers in our road. This project is largely responsible for stopping crime in our area.

Well done Alex. We so appreciate your hard, courageous work!
Heidi

Dear Northcliff Neighbour

As I write this e-mail Heidi van Loggerenberg from 18 Lily Avenue is getting prepped for surgery. I only found out yesterday that she was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ, stage 0) breast cancer last year. It was her courage and initiative to arrange the first residents meeting back in October 2007 that got us off our backsides in Lily avenue and motivated us to do something about the crime in Northcliff. Please spare her a thought today as she is indirectly responsible for the Foot Patrol Officer in your street and the rest of the initiative that helps to keep your neighbourhood safe.

If you want to follow her progress visit www.heidishealing.blogspot.com From her blog it is evident that she is tackling cancer with the same courage and guts that we have come to know her for.

Heidi, Glen and the girls you will be in our thoughts and we all wish you a speedy recovery and the 80 years you want to still spend on this planet.

Keep safe

Alex Greyling
Tel (W) 011 888 8778
Cell 082 600 7688

Isikhova exclusive community-based street and private guarding
"Without us you could be missing a lot!"

SURGERY IS THE KINDEST ACT

2009-02-22T13:16:00.001-08:00

As I was fallin asleep, I had a thought that made me get out of bed and blog! I was reminding myself again why I am having surgery: I want to be alive for myself and my family. It is the kindest thing I can do for myself and them.

It feels so strange that an act so brutal can be so kind.

It also feels strange to be being so kind to myself. I feel a weird sense of accomplishment that I am actually in a place in a my life where I feel this deserving of kindness to myself and others. I would never had imagined this years back!

I feel like crying all over again but I must get some sleep!!

SURGERY TOMORROW 23.2.09

2009-02-22T10:52:00.000-08:00

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone for all your messages of support, encouragement, and positivity! It means so much to me.

I was feeling quite low after seeing plastic surgeon on Friday and hearing that I will now have 2 op’s and will be in hospital for 5 days and not 3.

I have felt you energy on the energy-waves and am back to my charged positive state. Thank you!

We had our parents over for lunch this afternoon to thank them for everything they have done and everything they will do in the next few weeks to help us.

I explained my surgical process again, what needs to happen with the kids, and that I am not sure what I will need so we agreed to take each day at a time.

I now have a YouTube account so will be vlogging (video blogging) this week. Glenn may also do a few blogs. Not sure whether I will be able to type or not….or even be able to speak on pethidine!

A few thoughts have started creeping into my head from my saboteur archetype saying that it is not possible to get off so lightly, that the doctors may not get all the cancer, and that I may need to have chemotherapy to really understand what others go through so I can be truly compassionate after this.

Every time these thoughts creep in, I thank my saboteur archetype for reminding me to think positive thoughts and to put my energy into feeling self worth and self-love.

Sometimes I think it is easier to think self-destructive/punishing thoughts than to think about being the best you you can be. That is quite daunting! But I just keep focusing on moment-by-moment getting myself to my best me.

I am focusing on me being alive on the other side of this op…. for the next 80 years…with all the knowledge this learning has brought me…in the best health ever!!

I feel very ready for the exam that lies ahead of me tomorrow (I have the student archetype as well!). I want to write this exam and graduate so I can start to use my experience to help others.

I keep putting myself physically in the state I associated with Jimmy (NLP): both hands in the air, fingers in V (victory) sign, and huge satisfied smile on my face, shouting ‘I did it!

My heart is with all those people, where ever they are in the world, who are facing this exam less prepared and are feeling terrified right now. I send you courage, hope, love, and energy.

You can heal. It is possible for you to heal. You deserve to heal.

LUNCH WITH ROB & ULINDI + CARE PACKAGE

2009-02-21T12:14:00.000-08:00

We went out to lunch today with close friends of ours, Rob and Ulindi.

They presented me with gift and card from Glenn's work colleagues.

Rob and Ulindi had gathered care messages from people in their office.

Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in the card and contributed to my gift! I am so overwhelmed by your support.

I was feeling quite low after seeing plastic surgeon yesterday but felt better after the lunch.

I will use the blanket in hospital to stop me shivering!

Perfect gift - thank you, thank you, thank you!

THE ANESTHETIST: DR DU PLESSSIS

2009-02-19T11:11:00.001-08:00

I met with the anesthetist, Dr Du Plessis (011 482 1484), today. He will administer my anesthetic during my surgery on Monday (23.2.09).

He needed to know whether I have any allergies to the anesthetic, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and pain medications that will be given.

I told him I am allergic to allopathic medicine in general! He did not find this funny.

He also asked if I had any serious illnesses. Normally I get to say no, except for virtually non-existent psoriasis. So I pulled his leg and said 'Nothing except for breast cancer'. No laughs again.

I told Dr Du Plessis that I shiver and shake quite a bit after an anesthetic (when my right sentinel lymph node was removed, I only started shivering and shaking once back in the ward and the nurses were quite unsympathetic).

I asked him what caused this?

He explained that this was due to a number of factors:

The theatre is kept quite cool during the operation
The anesthetic causes vasodilation (blood vessel dilation) and the blood moves from the body’s core to the periphery (arms & legs) as well. This results in the blood being exposed to more skin surface area so more heat is lost.
Pain medication, especially morphine, has this side effect. Pethidine does not seem to have as severe an effect so I will be given this.
The body registers the surgery as a major injury,and so the stress hormones (eg. cortisol) rise resulting in a drop in body temperature.

I asked how he was going to help prevent this after Monday's operation?:

During the operation, Dr Du Plessis will cover me with a paper blanket. Warm air will be blown underneath the blanket to keep me warm. The combo of the blanket + 'hairdryer' will follow me to the ward afterwards.

Dr Du Plessis then took my blood pressure (which was 98/62 – it is always a little low), listened to my lungs, and looked in my mouth. All fine.

I asked him if he would take photos during the surgery for my blog and he said he would.

Return on Tuesday or so for surgery pics!

I will post pics of pre-1st breast implants, post-1st implants, pre-removal of 1st implants, no implants post-mastectomy, insertion of tissue expanders, and finally insertion of 2nd breast implants.

RECON OF MEDICAL BILLS

2009-02-18T11:34:00.000-08:00

Another behind the scenes task is to ensure that I remember to pay all the medical bills, fax the invoices through to the medical aid/insurance, and keep track of what/how much of each bill they have paid.

I have made separate folders for each doctor to ensure I keep an complete record of all my bills.

As we do not have a landline at the house we are renting, I can’t fax the medical invoices through to the medical aid.

Glenn’s mom, Ione, has kindly faxed all my doctor’s bill through to the medical aid. Thanks Ione!

NO SURGERY DONE TODAY

2009-02-17T10:47:00.000-08:00

I did not have surgery today for 2 reasons:

Because my right breast was still quite swollen from injecting the soda bicarbonate into it (detailed in a previous blog). Dr Carol Benn said she could not operate on a breast that was that swollen so I would have to wait a week and thus I could have the date I wanted ie. surgery in the 2nd half of my cycle.
I wanted to have surgery in the 2nd half my menstrual cycle to lessen the chance of recurrence of breast cancer (detailed in a previous blog).

Thank you to everyone who remembered the first surgery date of the 17.2.09 and sent their well wishes. And a special thanks to Henriette for the BEAUTIFUL flowers!!

SURGERY IS NOW BOOKED FOR MONDAY 23.2.09.
Operation at 2pm but will be admitted at 8am.

DECONSTRUCTION OF THE LILYPAD (OUR HOUSE)

2009-02-17T09:56:00.000-08:00

As I am in the process of self deconstruction pre-breast reconstruction, the builders moved on site today and started a parallel process in our house.

We lived in the house during the renovation and I was pregnant with our second child, Lily for the duration.

I remember the day we drove to the hospital for Lily's birth, there were builders lining our driveway just staring at me!

I then had to stay at granny's house for the first 5 days after Lily's birth as the builders were still not finished and there was dust in every part of the house.

I was so exhausted by the whole building process and now had a new baby to deal, with no pause between.

I believe the first half of our renovation contributed much to the development of my breast cancer. It was so stressful and I gave it my all.

I mothered the project and felt like I 'birthed' the renovation/house in a strange way.

The sadness and frustration that our house was incomplete got swept under the carpet because Lily was more important.

This time round we have a fantastic architect (last renovation I was the architect and the architect was essentially a drafts man). She gets as stressed out as I did first time round and she project manages like I did.

All I keep saying is that I am so glad we moved out! I walked away after out first site meeting feeling calm and detached, knowing that someone else, whom I trust, is being me. I can let her buffer the stress.

I feel like I am in a parallel universe to the last 4 years, one that I have helped create just the way I want it. This universe is wonderful and I am worth enough to detach a bit. My ego is also less caught up in a house.

I am free to get on with what I am really passionate about and that feels good!

MY WEEK BEFORE SURGERY: CHEERS!

2009-02-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

This is my last week before surgery on Monday 23.2.09. I am taking this week very easy.

I have seen as many friends as possible for tea, played with my children as much as possible, and just tried to relax in general.

I have not booked any practitioner appointments except with the anesthetist whom I have to see prior to surgery.

I have stopped all treatments and supplements in case of any interactions with the allopathic medicine I will be given during and post surgery.

Oh, but I have snuck in a colon cleanse/irrigation on Friday as I have been having backache in the region of my transverse colon with slow-ish bowel movements. This could be a combination of nerves and trying to eat less fruit because it contains sugar which could feed the cancer (explained in a previous blog entry).

It feels quite weird counting down the days until I won’t have my real breasts, nipples, or much feeling in my breasts anymore.

When I start to feel like I should be wearing boob tube tops or walking round the house topless, I remind myself that life goes on. I don’t need now to radically change my behaviour to include something I don't normally do.

I feel that I have mourned the impending loss of my breasts adequately leading up to now. I now feel calm and happy. I may still cry once a week or so but the intense grieving is mostly over and if I cry now, it is mostly to relieve the stress as well as for joy and my blessings.

I feel so happy and it feels weird to feel this happy. I feel light, positive and rearing to start the next phase of my life with all my new learnings.

LIVE BLOOD ANALYSIS - DR PRICILLA ROWAN

2009-02-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

I went to see Dr Pricilla Rowan this week (Nutritherapy, + 27 11 452 4703, Edenvale).

Dr Rowan is a medical doctor who practices complimentry medicine.

She works on correcting imbalances and unhealthy changes in the blood with large doses of vitamins and minerals, oxygen therapy, homeopathic medicines, tissue cleansing, medicinal herbs, and diet. Most of her medicines are administered intravenously.

Dr Rowan uses live blood analysis to determine the status of the blood. She pricks your finger, squeezes some blood out on to a glass slide and put it under a dark field microscope.

This microscope shines a light onto the blood from the top making it easy to see the constituents of the blood against the black background.

My blood showed changes towards fermentation and fungal (not Candida) growth. This means that due to the raised acidity of my blood, certain cells which are pre-cells (which can develop into anything really: fungi, bacteria, or viruses etc) are starting to display fungal characteristics.

I am decomposing from the inside! I know about this condition and, although it is very mild, was shocked to see those changes in my own blood!

An interesting note here: I had my blood analyzed 3 times over the 2008 and I was never told this. Either the people doing the analysis did not have enough experience or these changes are new. I have also eaten more cooked food recently. Last year I ate a vegan, mostly raw diet.

From the pics you can see my red blood cells are in stacks. This is called Rolation and can make you feel tired as there is less surface area for oxygen to bind. Exercise and an increase in dietary minerals helps to separate the cells. Digestive enzymes also helped this last year.

My blood needs to become more alkaline and more oxygenated. Dr Otto Warburg won 2 Noble prizes around 1945 for proving that cancer thrives in an acidic, anaerobic (lack of oxygen) environment.

Dr Rowan prescribed the following treatment:

Drips containing:

ο Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 3%) - this splits into oxygen and water in the blood. The oxygen changes the blood from anaerobic to aerobic speeding healing and making hard for the cancer to survive.
ο Soda bicarbonate - this helps to alkalizes the blood.
ο Magnesium sulphate
ο Manganese sulphate
ο Zinc sulphate
ο Selenium
ο B6
ο B12
ο Sodium chlorite

Orally:
Vitamin C powder (6g per day) and l-lysine
Dr Vogel's alkalising powder

Dr Rowan said I should be able to see a change in my blood after 4 drips. I asked how many we could fit in before surgery and we agreed I could have 1 drip every second day.

I am still holding out something will work before then but I am not moving the date.

I drove to her rooms for 2 drips and will carry on at home as her rooms are quite far from me. I called a home nursing service to do today's drip.

A nursing sister arrived and after 4 attempts to get the needle in (and I HATE needles) she said her colleague would come back later.

I could not find my Rescue Remedy as we have just moved and everything is still in boxes but I found some wine (not on the cancer diet, I know) in the fridge! After 3 big gulps, I felt less shaky.

Cynette, her colleague, got the needle in first time and I had my third drip. This lady has worked in a few cancer wards and eats lots of raw food! We had lots to talk about. I will make her a green smoothie when she next comes!

After listening to my whole experience and exploration since my diagnosis, she said I have to tell other people about what I have done.

But only a biopsy will show if there have been any cellular tissue changes (this is booked for Monday next week!).

(The last pic is a bit blurred but just wanted to show that we used the clothes steamer as a drip holder!)

THE BREAST PSYCHOLOGIST

2009-02-05T11:38:00.000-08:00

I went to see the 'breast psychologist', Dr Karen Applebaum today. I had to see Karen so she can write an assessment of my mental state prior to surgery. This is for medical aid and legal purposes.

I was expecting her to be quite antagonistic towards me because more allopathic medicine focused practitioners generally are when they find out I studied homeopathy.

I explained my journey from diagnosis, breast duct removal, sentinel lymph node biopsy, core needle biopsy, my estrogen history, Chinese herbal medicine, supplements, trip to Germany to see if another country held a form of treatment that South Africa did not, diet, medical intuitive, energy healer, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Psych-K mind programming, positive affirmations, Caroline Myss, oxygen + mineral +vitamin drips, live blood analysis, to now. Shoo!

I must admit that just seeing all these practitioners saps my energy!

At the end of all of this, Karen said my cancer could just be random with no specific cause, and certainly not something I have done to get it.

She said I am a 'driver' type meaning I like to find the cause and be part of the healing versus a 'passenger' type who just believes it just happened to them and does what the doctor tells them.

Karen questioned me a great deal about why I have opted to have a double mastectomy and not a single. She said if someone has DCIS in one breast, the chances of the other breast getting it are 1 in 8. All women have a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer. In the case of DCIS, my healthy breast has the same chance as any other woman of getting breast cancer ie. 1 in 8.

If the cancer was LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) meaning it had spread to the breast lobules as well, my healthy breast would have a higher chance of getting LCIS in the future. This would be more motivation for a double mastectomy. But I don't have LCIS according to the needle biopsy.

I told Karen that I had thought about this long and hard, spoken to many people, including women who had had mastectomies for breast cancer. I want to have a double mastectomy for safety and cosmetic reasons.

The chance of breast cancer returning after a double mastectomy is 1%. I don't not want this cancer to recur. I am not a candidate for radiation or chemotherapy.

Karen then tried to convince me to have just the right/affected breast removed. After a certain time period, I could then decide whether or not I wanted to do the other breast. This doesn't appeal to me because I would have to go for 2 anesthetics, 2 sets of post surgery antibiotics (and I hallucinate on antibiotics!), 2 sets of post surgery down time and recovery, 2 separate breast drains (to drain liquid left in the wound after surgery) for 7 days each, and the process would be too drawn out. I want to get on with my life!

The plastic surgeon is better able to reconstruct and achieve symmetry, shape and sizes similarities if done together. Splitting the op may also cost more in the long run. Also, the medical aid is more likely to pay if both breasts are done together. If the op is split, the medical aid may see the 2nd breast as purely cosmetic.

The next issue we spoke about was about me being upset that I could not have the mastectomy done in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Studies done in the USA are showing that there is a higher chance of recurrence of the breast cancer if the operation is done from 1-14 of the cycle.

Seeing as I am doing a double mastectomy as a precaution, I don't want to have opted for this radical approach only for it to be negated by having the surgery at the incorrect time in my cycle.

Both the breast surgeon and the plastic surgeon are fully booked until the time I enter the first half of my cycle again. I am now faced with the question: do I wait until the following month's luteal phase (3.3.09) or do I request to be slotted in during the luteal phase of this cycle (9 + 10.2.09) instead of the date booked (17.2.09).

Karen is going to investigate moving my surgery date a week earlier, as well as a single vs double mastectomy.

I told her I know am one of those pesky patients but what if this new research has just filtered down to mainstream circles yet?? These kinds of things need pioneers to push them towards mainstream.

We parted on very good terms, having both enjoyed each other's view points. I expressed that I felt the medical team of breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiologist, mammographer, pathologist, and psychologist, needed a lifestyle/alternative/complimentary medicine opinion as well.

I believe women with breast cancer should have these lifestyle and complimentary medicine options made available to them so they don't just see surgery, radiation and chemo as the start and end of their treatment.

Links for the research about surgery in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8907825?dopt=Abstract

http://www.cbcrp.org/RESEARCH/PageGrant.asp?grant_id=241

http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/7c31a.htm

http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/FAQSurgery.html

http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/1998/B/199801344.html

DR ANGELA LECORE - NLP / HYPNOSIS / PYSCH-K

2009-02-03T10:23:00.000-08:00

I saw Dr Angela Lecore again today.

Dr Angela Lecore
M.B
B.S (London)
LRCP
MRCS
FRSM
FPcert
MBSMDH
Member of SA Clinical Hypnosis Society
Reg with psychological Society of SA

Tel: +27 11 706 6692

Dr Lecore used a new form of NLP called Psych-K (psych = mind; K = kinesiology) with me today.

I went to Dr Lecore because I wanted her to install the program in my mind that I can heal myself, it is possible for me to heal, I deserve to heal, and that my body knows exactly how to heal itself.

This is part of my aim to get more of my energy into present time by dealing with and releasing issues where my energy got stuck and was left in my past.

We started by trying to uncover the main issue that I felt was associated with the DCIS.

Last week we worked on a few phrases that would help us with today's work:

I fully understand all my lessons here (from this gift)
I am whole
I heal naturally from within
I love all the parts of me
I continue with my beautiful breasts
I am excelling!

Today we focused on installing new beliefs. She used muscle testing to confirm which beliefs my subconscious was running and then which belief statement/s my mind would allow her to install for healing.

I had noticed a burning sensation on my right breast near where the DCIS is. This would come on when I was doing domestic stuff like house or kids. I perceived these activities as boring and mundane. I longed to be writing a raw food book, teaching raw food classes, or just doing what I was passionate about.

I said maybe it was a 'burning issue I needed to get off my chest' so we continued to go deeper into the sensation. The first thing that came to mind was 'I feel worthless'.

Wow! I did not want to say that out loud because that is so aweful. But I put my jugdement of this statment aside as this would not be constructive to the process.

As I allowed myself to say the words out loud, I got the sense that this belief was not mine. I was able to stand back from it. My conscious mind started racing; pulling up at lightning speed all the things that had been attached to this hook through out my life. Wow, so much had!

Then it came to me! This was my dad's belief - he is German and has a German work ethic. He derives self worth laregly from his job and from the outside world. His belief had been installed in my subconcious from a young age. This was totally unintentional on his part.

I felt so grateful to my dad for being the messenger of this valuable lesson. I knew that before I left Dr Lecore's office, I was going to leave this belief behind and walk away with my own. I was weirdly excited!

Just realising the belief connection made me feel instantly distanced from the belief. I had already started to move beyond it but still needed something to fully remove it.

Last year I had questioned external things like the food I ate (Why was I just eating the food I grown up eating?) and the houseproducts I used (was there a more eco/human-friendly range of household products other than the mainstream selection?). Now it was time to question my internal world and the beliefs I was running on automatic (I have quite a few more now that I think about it!).

Next we chose a few phrases to do with self worth that we would have to offer to my subconcious (Loreal's: 'Because I am worth it' was in there!) as part of the reprogramming process.

We presented about 5 phrases to my subconscious, muscle testing each one, and the phrase my subconcious finally settled on was 'I am worthy in everything I do'. I did not judge the English of it - my subconsious liked it.

We installed this phrase and thereby undid the hook belief that was not mine and that had gathered so much baggage over the years.

We then asked my subconscious whether I had any other belief blockages. I had one more. This pertained to happiness and contentment. Obvious really - how could I feel happy and content if I did not feel worthy!

We unblocked this one and that was that! It all took an hour and a half. There was also no homework of positive affirmations etc to do this time either - great!

I must admit, I was a bit skeptical when I left her office because of the speed of the process but as I look back at this last week, I see that 'I am worthy in everthing I do' is fully installed!

I sat down took my first lunch hour in front of my maid/domestic worker! Before, I would have felt like I was undeserving of this and had to remain productive even while eating. I would gulp a few mouthfuls while continuing with some task. I also went and watched the sunset while our au pair was bathing the kids. Previously, I would have either never have done this or I would have felt so guilty while doing it However, I did not feel guilt - I just felt worthy!

The burning sensation in my breast has stopped. I started the oxygen, vitamin and mineral drips around this time so those could have had an effect as well. Either way, I am feeling better and I am enojying the interal progress I am making.

ODE TO MY BREASTS

2009-02-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

We moved house this weekend. We are about to complete our house renovation. We have done this in 2 stages because we had our daughter, Lily, half way through the last renovation.

I still can't believe we had to move but feel such relief that I have left the house that caused me so much stress over the last 4 years. I feel very unburdened!! It is a great way to go into the last 2 weeks before my mastectomy.

The house we are renting is brand new so it is clean, bright, and has a wonderful energy. I am glad we moved before my op.

Lily, who will be 2 yrs old in 2 weeks time, was a bit overwhelmed with all the change. We moved her from her cot into a bed tonight. Lily went to sleep after much crying but then woke after a short while.

I went upstairs to comfort her, and while I was holding her in my arms, she pulled on my pajamas and my left breast was exposed. The position reminded me of when I used to breast feed my daughters in the dark.

I just sat there and looked at my breast and nipple, and knew that on 2 weeks time, my breasts and nipples as I have come to know them, would be gone. I gave them gratitude for all they had done for me over the last 35 years. I felt very grateful that I had the opportunity to breast feed both my girls.

I also sent out heart felt compassion to all the women who got breast cancer and who never got not had the chance to breast feed.

ARCHETYPES: MOTHER AND ORPHAN CHILD

2009-01-28T12:16:00.000-08:00

I went to see David Arthur (intuitive) again today. He suggested I see the movie 'August Rush' so I did tonight.

The little boy in the movie is an orphan. David confirmed that I have the orphan child archetype - I have never felt like I fit in anywhere. An anomaly of sorts. Always the black sheep. While growing up, this was scary and lonely. But now, I realise it's value. I don't have to take on or consider any tribal beliefs or traditions. I can just be me.

I cried at all parent/child moments of the movie. It has been so long since I just cried. A few months back, even though I wanted to cry, I just could not. Since my diagnosis, I have been crying more and that feels good. I feel alive again. I feel like Heidi again in the strangest way.

David also confirmed I don't have the mother archetype. I felt such relief. I can now get on with just loving and guiding the souls who chose me, without needing them for my own needs.

After the movie, I went into my kids bedroom where they were sleeping. I just held them and cried. I am so blessed to have them in my life. They teach me so much. Grace reminds me to be real and honest with myself. Lily reminds me to connect with my emotions.

Taking away the pressure of being the 'mother', and the perfect mother, I can just love them. I am so honoured to have been entrusted to guide them through this life. I will rise up to this. I won't waste a moment. I will be present with them.

THE BREAST PSYCHOLOGIST

2009-01-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

I spoke to Karen Applebaum ('breast' psychologist' - +27 83 9638145) tonight. She chatted to me, trying to gage where I was at and how urgently she would need to see me (she is very booked up).

Speaking to her, I felt the pull of the impending operation. She was surprised to hear that I had chosen to have a double mastectomy when I only needed to have one. I could hear she thought I had not processed my decision properly.

I cried after I put the phone down just thinking that I am going to have both my breasts cut off. I am mourning for body parts and a life that was. I know what I have found is more authentic.

Karen's receptionist will call me tomorrow to make an appointment.

QUIET TIME

2009-01-26T20:53:00.001-08:00

After I was diagnosed with DCIS, I promised God and myself that would spend quiet time with him and myself everyday (I do not follow a religion of any kind I just believe in a higher consciousness).

Before our December holidays, I managed to stick to this daily. On holiday, I was not hard on myself if I missed a few days. I am only now getting back into the rhythm of doing it every morning.

It is hard to get up before the kids and even harder now that I have upped my melatonin dose from 3mg to 9mg. Some mornings I feel very sleepy and groggy so I do quite time at some other time in the day. Some times I only remember as I am falling asleep, and sometimes I forget totally!

I read a passage from Louise Hay (The Power is Within You - Chapter: How to Love Yourself) this morning.

Louise says sometimes we develop a physical illness to fulfill unmet needs. Sometimes, people with cancer or a terminal illness, battle to say 'NO' to people or situations. They then 'create' a physical illness to say 'NO' for them. I don't have to believe this but I can entertain it for a few moments.

Louise says to ask oneself:

What is the pay off from this experience?
What am I getting that is positive?

I am getting/learning is:

to listen to myself - what is my body, heart, mind, high intention trying to tell me?
to take time for Heidi - When I am tired I rest. When I am hungry I eat (and only what my body needs!) etc.
to change the negative phrases I used to have on repeat in my brain to positive ones - they can only help me! I start the day by being thankful for everything, next saying that 'This is going to be the best day ever!!', next setting my intention for how I would like to deal with myself, others and situations in the day. At first this felt weird but I soon got into it.
to laugh at things more and to see the light and positive side of everything. This take only about 5-10 mins.
to live in the moment - it is all I have.
to respect everyone...as I do myself.
to love everyone .....as I do myself.
to be grateful for everything before I try to start my list of moans. I have so much! I always start with 'Thank you that I am just alive....'
that I am am more that just my physical body. I have discovered where my authentic power lies: inside, my spirit!
to accept compassion. I have to understand what it is to receive compassion first before I can fully give it.
to stand in someone else's shoes and realise I am not not alone nor am I special.
a desire to want to help others in a similar situation or to play a part in helping people prevent breast cancer.

I hope you have the BEST DAY EVER today!!

MEETING THE PLASTIC SURGEON PRIOR TO SURGERY

2009-01-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

I met with the plastic surgeon, Gareth Edwards (Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa, +27 11 482 1484/4827). He works in tandem with Dr Carol Benn.

Now that I have decided to have the double mastectomy, I had to meet with Gareth again to discuss the surgery.

Gareth pulled out the horrible textbook again and showed me what I can expect from the post surgery stages . I still can not believe I have to have this op done but I just do.

It was not even a year ago that I sat across from a plastic surgeon, looking at pictures of how amazing my breasts would look after implants (and they do!).

The first time I met Gareth, I did not like him, primarily because he treated me like a breast. After all the complimentary practitioners I have seen who have treated me like a whole person, I did not enjoy this.

Every time I go into Dr Carol Benn's office or Gareth's, I feel so low by the time I walk out that I feel physically weak.

Gareth did not promise any outcomes; he only gave me the worst case senario. Any postsurgery results that are better than this will be fantastic but he never promises this.

I have decided to go with the Carol/Gareth team because they do this procedure so often and thus they have a lot of experience. They are top in their field and they sit in various peer review panels.

At the end of the day, I want the best possible operation that will assure the best possible future outcome.

I can put my ego away for this reason. I must remember that they are just body mechanics and panelbeaters.

My realisation is that if they had a wonderful manner, I would become too dependent on them for my healing, and allow them to manage my healing energy.

I am grateful that I keep getting reminded that this is my journey and that surgery is just one spoke in my healing wheel.

I was ok until I walked out of Gareth's office and a lady making photocopies of DCIS info for someone else said that she could not make me copies unless Gareth said so.....blah blah.....and I just burst into tears!

Glenn had not come with me because I wanted to face Gareth on my own. In surgery it would just be Carol, Garerth, and I. I called Glenn but I could not speak I was crying so hard and all Glenn could ask was 'Where are you? Have you had an accident?'

Gareth's secretary called a lady from Busom Buddies, a breast cancer survior support group, to come and speak to me. I felt better after I had spoken to another woman but instantly got the feeling that I did not want to be part of a support group. Being a 'Cancer Survior' just does not interest me. I would rather be 'Heidi on a her own path of discovery'.

Gareth gave me the number of a woman who had had a mastectomy so I could ask her more about the op and whether I could see her chest. Also, to see a 'breast psychologist', Karen Appelbaum (+27 83 963 8145).

I drove home in the rain feeling very weak and tearful, knowing I was grieving for my body parts that would soon be cut off. All the while I knew that my sense of power has shifted over the last few weeks from the physical world to my inner world, and that this was a wonderful thing.

I had the learning that the physical world is just made of matter and it is an illusion. It will end at some point while my high self will go on. So to derive my power from the physical world is a false belief. I need to determine the physical world with my inner world, not the other way around. This is infinitely more powerful.