Gaining Control Of Your Life

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

SO, FULL OF HOPE ISN'T JUST FULL OF BEANS! Good for you. Yes, similar dx, though I have to check out FEC, TACE and LITT, from your signature. Am very interested in THE VACCINE TRIAL you are in! You are in Seattle, or you are in UK? I'm confused. What else is new?

Your words -- "Many animals die when put in cages, even if they are fed, if they are released before death, some make fantastic recovery. SOMETIMES FOR HUMANS OUR *CAGE* CAN BE OUR OWN EASILY WORRIED ATTITUDE, AN INHERITED MINDSET OR FEELINGS OF INADEQUACIES" are full of enlightened awareness in my book.

Our thoughts can haunt and taunt us, OR, if we consciously choose to rewrite our internal dialogue we can elevate our mood and call our desired destiny to us. We can FREE ourselves from the cage of living in fear and sorrow, anger and resentment. We have that power! Along w/the power to instruct our bodies to HEAL... Talk about EMPOWERMENT! It is a stunning discovery once you come to see and BELIEVE...

AUM MANI PADME HOM -- for cleansing and transformation, healing and harmony.

Andi

[PinkGirl]

I did this last week (really) !!!

I had a tooth pulled. My dentist told me to wait one day and then start rinsing my mouth with warm salt water. I left the salt shaker on the bathroom vanity. At suppertime, I remembered where I'd left it, and went to get it. It was the pepper shaker. I had rinsed my mouth with warm pepper water and I swear to gosh - it tasted like salt. Is this the mind/body thing? Did it taste like salt because I thought it was salt? I really did this - couldn't believe it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I met a lovely older woman (late '70s at this stage defines *older* woman) in the chemo room. She sat beside me. We chatted. She mentioned having gone to the gastro doc for stomach issues. He gave her something yucky to drink, which she did. Then, she said, two nurses stood her up and grabbed her by the arm/elbow and SHOOK her up like a malted. Then she lay on the table for pictures. NOTHING. They said, I want to THINK about the most delicious thing you think of it. SEE yourself eating it and FEEL how yummy it tastes. She did this. AND THEN THEY GOT THE PICTURES THEY NEEDED. I think that's a fabulous *visual* to explain the mindbody connection...

If you THINK it and BELIEVE it and can SEE it -- you own it. That's how I made my way to Survival. Do this daily. It really works! I swear!!

WITH LOVE AND HUGS...
Andi

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Hi Fullofbeans,

My mantra has been I AM STRONG, BRAVE AND DETERMINED. It is my goal at the very least. I am mindful that I am a role model for my children, demonstrating firsthand how to deal with adversity of any kind. So my every word and deed has this awareness as its Essence.

Also, I try to live by I WILL NOT WORRY UNTIL I HAVE DEFINITIVE REASON TO BE CONCERNED. That's a really tough one, I know.

And then there's a note I have printed out around my house, in my face: I REFUSE TO ALLOW FEAR-DRIVEN CONCEPTS TO MANIPULATE ME AND PLAY GAMES WITH MY LIFE AND WELL-BEING. I WILL NOT GIVE MY POWER AWAY TO ANY ONE OR ANY THING. I WILL NOT FOCUS ON WHAT I FEAR MOST, BUT RATHER WHAT I TRULY WANT.

I actually instruct my body daily -- NO MORE CANCER! Making my *Intention* and *Expectation* clear and impassioned. I focus my energy on STAYING WELL AND HEALTHY, and inform my body of this routinely. Your body hears every thing you think and whisper... And it obeys! Expectation = Your Reality.

Wishing you, and all our Sisters decades upon decades of dancing with NED... And stay out of cages that entrap your mind...

With love,
Andi

[dhealey]

Andi, Thank you for your wealth of information. I will try some of the supplements. I agree stress plays a part in whether or not we heal. When I think back to the year before my diagnosis it was filled with nothing but stress, my husband and I lost our house that we had bought from my dad because of outstanding loans he had on it that we didn't know about, my husband and I both changed jobs (very stressful), my daughter was diagnosis with a precancerous cervical condition and my son who was 17 was always getting into trouble. All made for a very depressed me. All is better now, we bought a house and 2 mos later I was diagnosised. I have learned alot in the last year about letting go of past hurts and leaving the stress behind. I think of myself as a work in progress. In some ways the cancer has changed me for the better. I am going to try some of the supplements you suggested and get Dr. Gaynor's book and my gosh I am going to have a huge glass of wine which I have obstained from the past year. This weekend marks my one year survival!

[PinkGirl]

Hi Andi
Right from the beginning of my cancer adventure and all the book reading and internet surfing, I have been overwhelmed by all the info out there regarding supplements.

If a person (me) was going to start taking supplements, which ones would you suggest I start with. Right now I take calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, celexa, and arimidex. I have a big jug of flax seed and a coffee grinder, but I am afraid to take it because I am ER+ and I read somewhere that flax seed is a phytoestrogen. My onc. told me that phytoestrogens have never been "proven" to be a problem for ER+ people and he even said I could take Black Cohosh for hot flashes. It is also a phytoestrogen, I think.

So, what do you think I should start with? My main complaints are joint pain from the arimidex and fatigue. I would like to start out small and work up but I don't know where to start.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

When I started taking supplements (as a person who didn't swallow pills well on the rare occasions I had to) I took baby steps. Ever put on a long slinky dress that you couldn't sit in, and when you walked, each step was a delicate little wriggling along?

I took 1 supplement. Started at lowest dosage. Waited days and noted bodily reactions. If all was well (no belly cramps, bowel issues, less tired, more energy) I progressed. Increasing dosage for a few more days and noting any changes, till I got to recommended dosage. Then I'd add another supplement to my regimen. (I researched everything by Googling and taking notes.

Yesterday on Oprah, Dr. Christiane Northrup was on for the full hour. I have her first book, WOMEN'S BODIES, WOMEN'S WISDOM. I want to get THE WISDOM OF MENOPAUSE.

Her premise is that when women change the basic conditions of their lives that lead to health problems, they heal faster, more completely, and with far fewer medical interventions. Dr. Northrup is an OB/GYN trained at Dartmouth Medical School and Tufts New England Medical Center and is Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.

She addresses not only the symptoms but examines what is going on in your life, seeking balance body, mind and Spirit. She speaks of holistic ways to prepare and heal faster if surgery is necwssary, embracing contemporary medicine at its best, combining new techniques with natural remedies and the miraculous healing powers within the body itself.

We can have an emotional breakdown, or a physical one. We should see it as an opportunity to learn and come to know our True Selves. She calls it a breakthrough moment. You go into labor with yourself, she explains. Too much has been swept under the carpet by you and your Spirit is saying, What about me?! It gets your attention by manifesting in bodily malfunction.

Northrup says all illness begins with CELLULAR INFLAMMATION (presenting as headaches, back pain, joint pain, heart disease and cancer). So, she says that after age 35 we just have to eat less carbs, less caffeine and seek to regulate our blood sugar. She touts OMEGA 3S AND GROUND FLAXSEED as being anti-inflammatory and having many additional benefits, like elevating mood! YEAH! So, I'd start w/those. I take Flaxseed Oil. I am ER/PR-. I know Flaxseed is an area of concern for many in the med profession, but so are all supplements unfortunately due to the lack of education in medical schools in this area. Conventional med has not caught up yet w/ancient Eastern remedies or adjunctive therapies.

Northrup says more than genetics is at play. Even twins, with the same DNA, can have different health issues -- due to environment. You say, But they were raised together. Yes, but... It's all about your the environment within you! Your thoughts and your emotions (which derive your behavior) can contribute mightily to your health -- for good or bad.

The doc talks about becoming depleted of Co Enzyme Q10 through stress and our heart's need for this. So I would add CO ENZYME 10. Long ago, I was taking 75 mg when I first met Dr. Gaynor. For energy. When I met with him, he waved his hand, Is it helping? No. Not really. You need to take 100 2X a day. Later he upped me to 150 2X a day. I also take B-12 SUBLINGUALLY (could get B-12 shots at regular oncs office for that). I do this every morning and it really helps. Even more so, PHYTO FORMULA POWDER that has no taste and no texture when mixed w/a 6 oz glass of OJ kicks in after about a month and then WOW. Soooo much better.

NADA -- Co enzyme 1 -- 1... 5 mg pill taken 1/2 hr before meals 2X a day is great for mental acuity. (In other words, I'd be even more at a loss for the right word, name, title, whatever, without it.)

Dr. Weill of Harvard fame says you must take SELENIUM and a little ZINC (too much will give you stomach pains). C w/BIOFLAVINOIDS is essential. CALCIUM w/D + D3 are essential. (NOTE: I take Selenium within RM-10 Immune System Mushroom Blend.)

For bowel and tummy problems of all kinds (mucositis from chemo can be really painful and create spasms and gas big time) -- ACIDOPHILUS PROBIOTIC changed my life + FENNEL SEED to use as needed is enormously relieving in this area. Chemo kills everything, including the healthy, beneficial bacteria in your belly. This Probiotic re-balances your messed up belly and all its issues!

Healthy heart -- B6 and FOLIC ACID, still despite some reports out saying was yes, now no. Gaynor says still yes. 9 yrs of Herceptin and I'm still working so I'm sticking w/that program.

CHROMIUM very good and necessary. DL-PHENYLALALINE is a natural mood enhancer. My mood is good so I'm keeping this one. You can add later, if you choose. E -- important anti-oxidant, inhibits mets. decreases tumor burden.

Immune boosters -- I alternate one wk on w/ECHINACEA/GOLDENSEAL and one wk off. During the off week I substitute TYLMULUS/ASTRAGALUS -- so as not to build up an immunity to one or the other.

GINGKO BILOBA also helps mental alertness. And I need all the help I can get.

GRAPESEED EXTRACT helps protect the brain and spinal nerves, protects liver, enhances anti-tumor effect, strengthens connective tissue, including heart system, slows aging! I think it's working...

GREEN TEA RESERVATOL EXTRACT -- Gaynor says drink 3 cups of Green Tea a day. I'm a tea drinker, but not so fond of Green. During the yr of my met I drank green tea all day. Helps shrink tumors. Healthy for heart.

Amino acids I googled and also found on Gaynor's list -- L-CARNITHAN, L-GLUTAMINE, L-LYSINE -- I take on empty stomach -- assists in gastro absorption which is an issue for me, but also energizes and I see listed by many experts. (I always keep my eyes peeled and love corraboration.)

PERFUSIA is for good Ejection Fraction, which is key for anyone on Vit H .

Then FOR ME, I have a host of hot flash helpers listed at the beginning of this thread. Also there are all the dosages I take. Please note I take them AM and/or PM -- with a meal!!!! OR, I have noted those I take on an empty stomach, which is as I wash my face first thing.

I hope this helps make THE LIST look a bit less daunting... Choose the areas that are most important to you to correct or support and begin there. 1 at a time.

I had tried Gaynor's LYCOPOM (pomegranate juice and tomatoes gel pill) -- powerful anti-oxidant, anti-cancer. I can't eat most fruits due to IBS. This pill gave me problems for 2 days. I stopped for 2 days, and was fine. I started again, and was cramping, doubled over, diarrhea. Threw them out. I eat tomatoes in salad and dishes and marinara sauce and I'm fine. I tried Gaynor's recommended Wheat embryo oil. Wheat is a trigger for me for IBS. 2 days on, problems w/bowel and pain. Stopped -- fine. Started again -- problems. I threw those out. I don' consider it wasted $$$ but a wise move. My body can't tolerate those things, which YOU may find beneficial. The latter is for hair and nails. I take Biotin. A little help, maybe. No hairline, thin, frail hair w/no body (vs thick, wavy hair before chemo). I'll live with it...

Lastly, I forgot -- ALPHA LIPOIC ACID -- is a must include. Detoxifies liver, antioxidant, neutralizes free radicals, protects cells from damage, can cross brain barrier, energy. This is also on many experts lists, I've noted lately.

So good luck. Dr. Northrup says -- make yourself a priority. Remember depression is anger turned inward. It's okay to be angry, but know that you don't want to live angry. She says -- we are all supposed to serve, BUT WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THE MAIN COURSE. Women must learn to receive too. Giving is good, but nourishing yourself is essential to being able to give from the fullness of what you are. Don't give out of exhaustion, it will deplete you and make you physically ill. Don't give out of guilt. Give when you can to feel that joyful sense of gratification, not to feel rent and used.

UNDERSTANDING THIS PHILOSPHY IS PREVENTIVE MEDICINE! Dr. Northrup says -- MEDITATE, EXERCISE (even if it is one 10 minute walk a day) AND HAVE SEX (even if it is "self-cultivation" -- Eastern Daoist teaching vs Western *masturbation*). Love yourself just as you are. See your beauty. Feel sexy and empowered to heal yourself and nurture yourself (before you try to nurture others). All these stimulate those endorphins and get them flowing. And that in turn will make you feel joyful and ready to enjoy good health.

Andi

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

DEB, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON YOUR ONE YEAR SURVIVAL! That's great for starters. Praying you will stay in the NED Club for another 50 yrs at least. That's my plan...

I love the idea that you become free to call yourself a Survivor even in treatment! It's an attitude. Living with a Survivor's mentality.

Andi

[dhealey]

I considered myself a survivor the day after I had my first mastectomy.
That's what all us breast cancer sisters are wariors, survivors, and thrivers. Congrats to all of us!!!!

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Dr. Christiane Northrup book WOMEN'S BODIES, WOMEN'S WISDOM begins by quoting the authors of THE PARADIGN CONSPIRACY. "...a society that builds social order on institutionalized soul denial gets progressively violent rumblings, until it looks as if civilization is coming apart at the seams". I saw our lives reflected in this bold statement.

Dr. N goes on to say "Consciousness creates the body. Ourbodies are made up of dynamic energy systems that are affected by our diets, relationships, hereditary, and culture and the interplay of all these factors..." Healing cannot occur...until we have critically examined and changed some of the beliefs and assumptions that we all unconsciously inherit and internalize from our culture. We cannot hope to reclaim our bodily wisdom and inherent ability to create health without first understanding the influence of our society on how we think about and care for our bodies.

I had goosebumps reading her words which are the very core of healing, which is what I pray each of us will learn to recognize within ourselves and claim -- empowering us to call our desired destiny to ourselves. Our innate healing abilities await...

With the help of modern medical and scientific advances, we must utilize our own often latent capabilities to bring wellness to us. We cannot assign this task to others, but must personally participate in healing.
With passion, Andi