The paths we choose for our health

I will start by saying that the quest to conquer cancer naturally is far from an easy task. Not only is the challenge to fend off the skeptics, or stop myself becoming one, but to wade through the many choices of therapy available.  Be discerning between those that scientifically make sense and those that lack the substance.

Backtracking slightly to my initial diagnosis it was a surprise not a shock.  I was well aware of events in my life that cemented it in place.  This awareness I will expand on another time. Surreal would be the best word to describe my feelings at the time.

I was away on a work trip in North Queensland. After the phone call from my doctor I got a tear in my eye, parked the car and went into my sales appointment as scheduled. I had a flight in two hours, what else was I to do…

Being a practical person once I had the facts I could make a plan.  My wait at the airport for my next destination was spent on the phone to clinics, and more importantly to some practitioners who are experts in their field to get some sound advice.

With still another week before arriving home nights were quite sleepless as I contemplated what this 2.5cm was up to inside my breast.  Thoughts flitted between positive reinforcement that I could beat this and the how do I tell my parents and those close to me and why did I leave it so long to get the lump seen to.

Big Lesson:  Do not ignore the need to go and seek further tests when something appears abnormal.  There is no meeting, job, business on the planet that could possibly justify lack of attention to our own Health.

I had a lump for sometime. I had used thermal imaging as an alternative to a mammogram.  The heat patterns detected were presented to me with advice that ultrasound was necessary.  I did not get this for some months later due to travel and work commitments. Hence the lesson noted above.

My appointment with an Oncologist was the day after I returned home.  Had to get all the facts before telling mum and dad!  I wanted to hear the prognosis from both sides of the medical fence.  In my mind I already new that I would not be choosing what was presented.

I bounced in to the breast clinic, scans under arm, the waiting room was full.  That I was surprised at!  The fear in the waiting room was almost as palpable as the lump in my breast. I sat with my back to the waiting area nearest the door.

My turn came; and as much as I call myself pathologically optimistic it took a lot of mental resound to not completely breakdown with the information presented to me.

My case I was told is very serious. I am young to have such a diagnosis. 36 at the time!  Most definitely a lumpectomy but more likely the whole breast. And possibly the other one pending more tests, 8 months of chemo and radiation therapy.  If I still wanted to have children I must look at removing my remaining eggs as the treatment would make me infertile and due to my age most likely push me into early menopause. In addition I was told I must be sent immediately for further tests to see if it was in my liver, bones and anywhere else.

When I enquired as to other options “There aren’t any” and I should commence treatment within the next couple of weeks. I declined tests that day and said I was seeking a second opinion. I never returned. I did however and still do contemplate the fate of the other 40 odd women in that waiting room.

Being a Libran I carefully weigh my options. After coming across some interesting information pertaining to long term survival rates using conventional treatment methods in ‘Outsmart your cancer’ by Tanya Harter Pierce  M.A., MFCC I was not convinced with the odds.

The same day I walked into a doctors surgery not quite with the same bounce as I had the first.  This was to explore a Vitamin therapy which I had researched during my studies.  To my surprise I was greeted with optimism and I was able to commence this therapy at that same appointment. and continued it through until December 2010.  There are strict eating protocols to adhere to with this procedure. Vitamin therapy alone will not rid one of cancer.

It was then I went and shared this news with Mum and Dad.  Not an easy task as their only child.  They took it surprisingly well.  I left it to Mum to tell the rest of the family.  I remember going to visit my Pa in his care facility.  He is almost 95. Strange thoughts entered my head; like could he really outlive me?  And so began the mental challenge to conquer this cancer.

Thermal Imaging and Computerised Breast Imaging are available as alternatives to mammograms.  More information can be obtained at www.breastcareaustralia.com I can also provide appropriate contacts if required. You can email me at helen@kapaipuku.com

My next blog I will share with you some of the key nutrition elements vital to the success of any cancer treatment be it conventional or alternative.