I had felt the lump for two years. The mammograms were clear- even my OB thought the lump was nothing. We finally saw it with the ultrasound. Finding out the results of my biopsy hit me with titanic force. SO began my journey. I thought I was a healthy person. I come from a big Italian family with a huge sampling of many aunts and cousins and second cousins. At the point of my own diagnosis, I didn’t know any in my family who had breast cancer except me. My own mother is 90. My two daughters, my sister my nieces – all of us were shaken. I was the healthy one! Oh so we thought.
I was diagnosed with stage 2, ES+ PR+ HER- Ductal and Lobular carcinoma = breast cancer. For years, I was the one that had walked in all the cancer walks, raised funds, organized teams… for everyone else.
My mind would not get off the WHY???? and the HOW??? It took a long time for me to move beyond those two questions.
After getting over the shock, I immediately had two surgeries in the following six months. The oncologist and my surgeon wanted me on a Armoatase inhibitors… but I started reading at that point and decided I could suppress my estrogen and began researching what makes us healthy and what makes things go wrong. I did try the chemicals for a few months because my surgeon begged me and he was chief of surgery at Emory. It was hard to go against him, but after studying the web, books, articles, talking to alternative doctors…and lots of prayer, I slowly began changing the way I ate, and the way that I think.
Best thing so far:
- Having some incredible people come into my life.
- Having great mentors, and especially those people who have prayed.
I was nourished because of the diagnosis. I have watched so many family members change their life habits for the better. Today, I feel better than I have in years.
What have I learned?
- Forgive quickly
- Slow down
- Smell the roses on your walk
- Don’t let the little stuff bother you… and most important- love everyone.
What did I change: After reading extensively….I realize that even though I had a fairly good diet….I was a sugar nut. I took hormones for years, including birth control pills, used pesticides…used chemicals daily on my body, ate processed and sprayed food, had lots of mercury in my teeth fillings, and harbored resentments for long periods of time. It was time to change.
Today, I now avoid genetically modified, chemically sprayed, and processed foods. I eat as fresh and clean as I can. I take some supplements, especially enzymes and probiotics. I juice regularly, make lots of green smoothies and sprout. I believe that we can block or increase our own energy and healing by what we eat, think, or say. I have also taken up YOGA. It helps me quiet myself.. be still… and know HE is there! I am also volunteering with HealingStrong, helping to lead the first patient to patient advocacy and support group in North metro Atlanta area to help others learn about natural methods to support healing. If you would like more information about the support group, please email Christine at: christine@healingstrong.org
This blog was originally published in 2014. Christine’s full story and how she helped start the very first HealingStrong group with others can be read in the HealingStrong Aha book.
Books or Resources that Most Inspired my Healing Strong Journey:
Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr
The Makers Diet by Jordan Rubin
Empty Harvest By Dr. Bernard Jenson
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics by Kenneth Bock
Healing the Gerson Way by Charlotte Gerson
You can Beat the Odds by Brenda Stockdale
Evaluating Alternative Cancer therapies by David Hess
Spontaneous Remission by Brendan O’Regan and Hirshberg
Cellular Awakening by Barbara Wren
Favorite Quote:
Healing is a return to Love
-Marianne Williamson
Favorite Verse:
My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. 1 John 3:1
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