The docs said a year and I said 6 months....
 

So when this whole iron over load in my liver started, the doctor told me it cold take a year or more of weekly phlebotomy to get my numbers down to normal. I mumbled under my breath that I would do it in 6 months. I asked if there were any thing I could take or eat that might help and being docs they said no. Of course a doc thinks med's, but they don't want to give me anything that may be toxic to my liver.

so I went home, jumped on the internet and read everything I could possibly think of. I threw out all my pots and wok (I love my wok), went shopping and bought a new wok and a beautiful new set of pots. I bought spinach. Even though it is high in iron, it is in plant form and is actually good for the liver (as is dandelion). I drink lots of water and green tea (unsweetened). Tea leaves have tatins that are also good for the liver. I have been taking milk thistle. I changed my diet, even though it was already a good diet. Fresh herb, lots of spices, fish, chicken, turkey - NO READ MEAT: it's very high in iron! I have to be careful on grains. Oatmeal and cereals are fortified with iron. Now besides the liver problem, the high dose steroids have made me temporarily diabetic, so I have to watch my sugar intake - which is down to a minimum and under control. I started physical therapy and have been targeting my problem areas too.

I had my treatment yesterday and all my count are very good. Platelets are rising, white is normal, hemoblogibin is good enough for them to take blood for me (which they did). They did a ferratin test (reads the iron in the liver), and the number is HALF of what the highest reading was!!! And this is TWO MONTHS TIME!! Everyone is amazed at my progress.

So who says diet doesn't work?? I truly believe complementary treatments added to conventional treatment are the best way to go. My docs know about the supplements I take, but I will be putting together something for all three of my treatment centers for people with iron overload. This seems to be a fairly new problem with bone marrow transplants patients. My kids, mom and I are totally enjoying the fresh, and tasty meals that they don't realize are extremely healthy. My son dropped a pants size and I have to take all his jeans in. My daughter joined a gym and is definetly losing inches galore....

I honestly 100% believe that food is medicine. It can also be poison as well. It all depends on what you injest.

I believe this to be so and you are a case in point.

I remember when I first was investigating diet and supplements in the first weeks. Then I read a book by Vicki ----- (can't remember her last name) but it is called "There's no Place Like Hope). Her dietician (who was a PhD, MD) said that the human body is 63% water not 63% diet coke. I think that says it all.

You are doing great Madame Dubois! Your strength, resilience, wisdom and tenacity is an inspiration to all of us!

Have a great weekend.

Maryann, Sounds like you have it under control and are doing really good! Best, Joan

Maryann,

I'm not at all amazed at your progress because YOU are AMAZING, STRONG AND DETERMINED. You set your mind to something - do your research and off you go. Good for you.

Keep up the good work..............once again.....YOU dear sister are amazing and I'm so proud of you and how hard you work at what you believe in.

Mary Jo
The name of the author to the book Becky mentioned is ...Vickie Girard....thanks Becky....I looked it up and am going to purchase it.

Maryann I admire your gusto. I am so lazy after work I hardly feel like cooking half the time. I need to hire you to prepare some yummy meals here LOL. I will say though, I absolutely hate , hate spinach. Popeye I am not!

Good for you!

Thanks for sharing the good tips.

Can I come live with you?
 

Dear Maryann,

I love your attitude and I think I would love your cooking - can I just come live with you?

Love, Donna

diet
 

Hi Maryann,

I agree 100% with Becky. Food and drink are such simple things that they are sort of taken for granted. The metabolic process is part of the endocrine system, and breast cancer is an endocrine disease. I'm so happy your efforts are paying off. I just wish we each could have an endocrinologist who is trained in breast cancer sitting on each of our tumor boards to have a real say in the analysis and recommendations for our treatments. Even though I don't understand all aspects of what RB has tried so hard to explain to us, there is much more to the effects of foods than we have realized.

AlaskaAngel

Oh Maryann,
As I read your post I had a huge smile and was humming the song "Shake rattle and roll" ....get in the kitchen and shake those pots and pans.

But of course diet is the number one power punch!
Glad to hear your actions are rewarding you with postive results.

Wishing you the best!
Jean

Maryann, you rule!

Best of continued luck to you with your diet and treatments.

Hopeful

The docs said a year and I said 6 months
 

Fantastic !!!! Please write a book or a blog about your experience with food. I believe what we put in our bodies affects our health so much !!

Maryann -- I agree with Elaine. Can you put some of your "findings" in an easy to read (maybe bullet-points) paper. Your post was a teaching moment. Keep up the good work -- for yourself and for us all.

OK, talk about inspiration. I pay attention and eat really healthy, but I have gotten a tad bit (more than that, really) lazy about my discipline, and you have proven to me that I need to get back on the wagon. Thanks for your update!

Maryanne, you need to be on T.V.!!!

We don't want Rachel Ray, get Maryanne on there!!!!

What a Champ you are! I would watch it every day!!

Why thanks guys!! Yes, I am putting something together for my docs and will post - give me a few days. Some of the stuff I already knew, just kind of put on the back burner and some of the stuff I learned is all brand new to me. I am also putting together an anti-inflammatory diet and natural cream for my best friend who has a severe case of lymphadema. More to come soon...promise!!!!

Maryanne
Can I have some of your energy????? This is a perfect time of year to eat healthy with all the fresh fruits and vegetables in season....unlike the gas chamber veggies that have been forced to mature....
You are such an inspiration.....never quit teaching us....could you maybe do a "tour" and visit each of us ...your food sounds delicious!

Dear Maryann -
I am very glad to hear that you are working so hard on your body these days, to good effect. I know you have a high ability to keenly focus and this trait has done much toward your survival.

When given a challenge, you will definitely rise to the occasion!

Getting off the steriods would give me a push as well. I could barely cope with how they made me feel.

Keep showing your doc that YOU are in charge of YOUR body.

P.S. Kudos to dear daughter for her good routine. Young people can develop SUCH bad habits that are the bane of parent's existence ... hope she is a role model for her friends.

Maryann...You get 'em!!! Sounds like you are on the right track!! Keep it up Ms. Fireball!!
Love you!
Maryanne

Maryanne
 

My husband has iron overload. I found liquid chlorophyl helps with building your hemoglobin back up after phlebotomy. I had been taking it after my Taxotere, but was skipped it this week and my hemglobin dropped below 12 for the first time.

We spend a lot of time reading cereal boxes to find some that are low in iron.