2017 Update

I had my annual mammogram in August. The technician was the same gal who scared me silly when I had the questionable mammogram results in 2012. I'm sure my blood pressure skyrocketed when I first saw her - like the 160/90 reading I got in the doctor's office a few weeks later. I'm now also tracking my blood pressure, trying to lose a few pounds with a low-carb diet, and have a follow-up blood pressure check next week.

This year's mammogram results came back with a clear report, thank God. But this technician, used so much force with the mammogram machine that I was speechless.  She was talking the whole time and I was more focused on the conversation than the pain. The gal last year did not apply as much pressure and those results were clear. The thought crossed my mind she was using excessive force that was uncalled for, and trying to create a problem. Mayo Clinic research I read years ago how breast cells that are crushed, even with seat belts can mutate into cancer - but sometimes are just crushed cells and nothing to worry about. The same goes with old age. The report also stated mammograms themselves are suspect of causing cancer.  I would think this technician would have this same information, or she doesn't agree with it.

After the third of four pictures, I said it was too much. I feel bad for saying this, but I find something deeply sinister about this particular technician - that is, a lack of genuine compassion. She was in the middle of bragging about the 30-years she had worked there when I interrupted her.

The 4th picture? I barely felt any pressure and thought I would be called in for a retake. Surprisingly, I wasn't. I told my husband about the excessive force and how I asked her to back off. He said women he works with complain about the same technician.  Hopefully, my concerns related to the Mayo Clinic information will not turn into anything startling later on.

I still don't eat red meat, only have an occasional glass of red wine and no more than 2 per week. I revisit my ph-balancing book and consume things that keep my body balanced - like, less acidic foods that fuel diseases. I was eating a lot of fruit, but my physician pointed me in the direction of more vegetables and low-fat meats to lose a few pounds - and perhaps for other reasons. I probably only need to lose 10-15 pounds, but it's getting harder as I age. I try to stick with organics when I can afford them and it makes sense to.

I thank God and feel happy I have this positive report. I keep up my good eating and exercise, because I know it could change. If you are going through a cancer-scare, I hope you find something in my blog that works for you.

Vitamin Addition

I had a white mole removed 2 years ago from my arm. My doctor was concerned, but to ease my anxiety said it wasn't serious and it hadn't spread - and to go back if more grow like that. The white bump on my forearm grew from a pin size rough patch to the size of a pencil eraser in about a week. I was also drinking 2 beers a-day with my husband, but quit after recalling how my grandmother and uncle both drank a lot and died of cancer. They also smoked, and I don't.

My pathology report said the mole contained squamous cells, but looked nothing like google images. It just looked like dry skin. Anyway, I read about Astaxanathin and how it's made naturally from krill, which makes the skin pink in salmon and other fish. It's been shown to reduce cancer risk. So, I started taking a variety from the whole foods nearest me. So far, the recommended 4 mg. per day has shrunken the few small rough dots that I am concerned about. Astaxanathin is also good for vision, and my husband takes something like it for his eyes. You have to be careful where and how the krill is harvested, and only buy from a store that considers that.

The Do-Over - movie comment

A funny movie with a strong message about oncology and Western medicine. Netflix gives it 5, full stars and my husband and I do, too!

Cancer Free!!

Two weeks ago I had my yearly mammogram at Warren General Hospital. The radiologist informed me my results would be mailed to me. About 5 days later the letter came in the mail and I was called back for diagnostic mammogram, because my breast tissue is at a level 2 density.

Being called back for another mammogram is worrisome. I set up another screening with my doctor's office who calls the order into the hospital, and had a 10-day wait....

My husband met me at the hospital yesterday, and proceeded with me to the three waiting areas (two signature stations, and one changing room). The radiologist allowed Paul in the screening room. He stood behind the leaded, plate-glass patrician with the radiologist. She took only two pictures this time of one side. We waited and prayed. Finally she came back and said all was clear and we could go home!

PRACTICING FAITH:

I had seen a Facebook posting earlier in the week claiming Ch. 4 in Matthew's Gospel of the King James version of the Bible (p. 859) cures cancer. I read this passage two times before having the 2nd screening done, believing it would clear up any problem. Also, every night before bedtime and every morning before we rise out of bed, my husband and I pray together for our health and my clear x-rays. We also attended Adoration during Lent at St. Joseph Church with the same prayer intentions, among others.

FOOD:

Following are the foods my diet includes. I start by reading food labels, and try to only buy products with:

No preservatives (like BHT)

No Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

No Modified Food Starch

No artificial coloring and artificial additives

No high fructose corn syrup

No alum

No glycol (which is a type of antifreeze)

No (or few) monoglycerides and diglycerides

No sulphites

low in fats and cholesterol

low in sodium

low in calories

high in fiber / multigrains

organically grown (USDA)

fresh fruits and vegetables (or frozen, then canned, when first two are not available)

legumes (not canned)

Earth Balance butter (for cooking and flavoring)

real butter (sparingly, for toast and rolls)

organic green tea (and occasionally black teas)

little or no pop (Diet Pepsi about twice-a-year) Lipton Diet Green Tea (in summer) * I pile on the onions, garlic, peppers, and Portobello mushrooms. We eat Portobello mushrooms, twice-a-week, on top of spaghetti and on pizza.

* We bought local beef from a reputable dealer and butcher and stocked our freezer. However, the doctor said we should only eat red meat once-a-week.

* I do eat fish and chicken, more than once-a-week as a main meal.

* We try to buy fresh eggs from local ranchers, and are looking into fresh poultry at Barry's Barnyard. http://barrysbarnyard.com/

* We also have our own garden, and raid our Uncle Pete and Cousin Davey's gardens in the fall, since they grow big and have abundance to share.

We bake sweets from scratch, including: cakes, pies, and cookies. But I limit these to only a few times a week.

Use glass containers, instead of plastic, for food storage and especially for cooking.

I was drinking two beers-a-day with my husband after work until I had the basal-cell carcinoma on my arm show up in October of 2013. (They removed it all successfully.) I gave up the beer because of that, and I was starting to gain weight. It was fun, but probably not a good idea. I do have a beer or glass of organic red wine on occasion.

EXERCISE:

My husband and I joined SNAP Fitness and we went religiously two times per week during the trial offer. We rejoined, a month later, and will go randomly but will start two times per week again after Easter.

OTHER:

I avoid lotions with preservatives and glycol, and only buy lotions at reputable wellness shops; such as, Whole Foods Co-op in Erie, PA and Herbs 4 U in Warren, PA. http://www.wholefoodscoop.org/home/

SUNSHINE:

I have fair skin and burn easy. So, I wear long sleeves and a hat when gardening and try and avoid long sun exposure without a sunscreen. The sunscreen I use can be purchased at Whole Foods Co-op in Erie, PA.

CONCLUSION: I like to think if there was or is any cancer lurking in my body, our way of life is cleaning it up. I still wish I could do more to find answers.

Updates

Last year about this time, I had a clear mammogram.  So, now I only have to go once-a-year.
I continue to eat well, but stopped pH readings after discussing it with my doctor.  He pointed out that the readings reflect activity from 4-6 hours prior to the test. I haven't checked my pH for over a year.


In October of 2013, I found a tiny bump on my arm.  It's the part that receives the most sunlight when riding in a car.  My doctor excised it and I got 3 stitches b/c it was quite large and grew really fast in 2 months time.  He thought it was Basal Cell Carcinoma.  The pathology report states it was Squamous.  The latter is a bit more serious, but in the same family.  The pathology said there was no indication of spreading and all of it was removed.  This news was quite saddening to me, because it's telling me my body is not dealing well with cancer cells and can't get rid of them.


I had promised to do some research and found a grant to apply for.  My research will involve the poetry writing of cancer survivors and specifically, an aging population.  If you meet these requirements and would like to participate, you can email me a letter of interest to rogus2006@verizon.net.

6 Month Diagnostic Mammogram

I had my 6 month diagnostic today and nothing new was spotted.  The marker and two lead stickers show that the problem area had a couple tiny round calcifications (that may have been on other xrays), which are harmless and non-cancerous.  Krista, the technician of 31 years, assured me there was nothing alarming as we looked at the slides together.  She checked with the doctor and he agreed it was all clear.  So, this is great news! 

Celebrating by texting my two lovely daughters, calling my husband at work, and enjoying a small, Iced-Cappiciano with my daughter, Gabby was fun.  We enjoyed chatting and allowing her bunny to freely run-around her room.  Bun enjoyed fluffing a bag of spent cedar, to our amazement and laughter, and she also chilled for us to pet her.

Maintaining a diet complete with fruits and vegies, avoiding preservatives and artificial coloring/flavors is still in order.  Remaining stress-free as much as possible, is also a plan.  I will one day conduct research to find out more about why cancer grows in the first place; and especially, find concrete reasons why some people develop cancer, while others (who are often times smokers and carcinogen carnivores) don't get cancer at all.  My pH has still never been in the middle range of 7.0, but runs much lower than that (too acidic). I continue to occassionally check it and continue eating low-acid forming foods as much as possible. 

Thank you, God!

Cancer Fighting Strategies Website Contains Interesting Information, Especically the pH References (I would like to see Research on the products before trying anything...not FDA approved.)

http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/ph-and-cancer.html