My Story

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Her2 positive breast cancer Dec. 27th, 2011. I had three large tumors in my left breast, I also had two positive lymph nodes and so with 5 positive biopsies I started my journey. In the beginning, it was a whirlwind and within a week, I was getting a port and preparing for chemo and the rush to save my life was on. Eight months later (August 20th) after stopping chemo (12 sessions) and not having surgery (a suggested double mastectomy) or radiation like my doctors wanted me to, I sat at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Illinois and heard the results of a mammogram, MRI, Pet Scan and blood tests were that they could find no cancer in my body. The nurses and doctors were baffled and no one could explain how I could have had this terrible cancer and it was now gone, except for me. I said the Lord healed me through prayers, education, diet and supplements. I started this blog when I was first diagnosed, it is not just about on cancer, but my life and day-to-day thoughts and activities. There are suggested websites, blogs, videos and more here that I believe can benefit those dealing with cancer and those who want to be preventative. My hope is that you and yours will learn, be encouraged and healed. My family prays every night for those with cancer and that you will be not only be healed but that you will live long and happy lives.
Please check out the right side and scroll down to "This blog" for highlights.
Love and Blessings on your journey.
Karri

Monday, December 10, 2012

A Quick Breast Cancer Overview - December 10,2012

Quick Breast Cancer Overview

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in the western world affecting 1 in 8 women over their lifetime. *Read the China Study to learn why they do not get cancer as much as we do.

About 215,000 women develop breast cancer every year in the U.S.

Most breast cancer in Europe and America is caught early due to increased awareness and testing.
Genetics, lifestyle, and diet can all be the root cause for cancer. Each person is different and their situation unique.


Risk factors:
1.       Increasing age - Uncommon in women under 40.

2.       Family history – There is a tests called the BRCA1 and BRCA2 that can determine whether a child is likely to get cancer. I tested negative for the gene that passes it on meaning that my girls are not at the same risk.

3.       Those with autoimmune disorders – I have had psoriasis since I was a child.

4.       Drinking alcohol – 2 or more drinks per day

5.       Diet high in fat  and sugars – lacking vegetables

6.       Lack of exercise and general good healthy habits.

7.       Long term usage of drugs – legal or illegal.

 The list could probably go on but those are the biggest factors. 

Common signs and symptoms: 

1.       Breast lump (hard) usual found by the person – Yes, men can get breast cancer too.

2.      Pain associated with cancer. Only 5 – 10% of cancer is found this way. Many doctors think that there is no pain associated with cancer. I felt pain when I tightly hugged my son.

3.       There may be enlarged lymph glands; these are in your armpit.

4.      Discharge from the nipple of only one breast. I had this and just thought it was still breast milk from nursing since it was minimal.

5.      Retracting of the nipple – I had this a small bit, but thought it was from breast feeding six different times for a close to a year or more with each. It never crossed my mind that this could be a sign of cancer.

6.       In some people a redness in the skin can be a sign 

Treatments:

Usual treatment from the medical community is the standard poison, cut and burn plan of care. I hate to state it this way but that is what it is. Poison is the chemo, cutting is the lumpectomy or mastectomy and burn is the radiation.  Then of course, there is breast reconstruction that tends to follow, especially if you are young. America is much more aggressive when it comes to using these treatments in order to kill and prevent further cancer spreading than that any other country.  

There are also wide varieties of holistic and alternative treatments, but most medical doctors will tell you that these are ineffective and not proven. My take on that is that the of course there is less data and information on holistic treatments.  The doctors, government, medical companies, organizations and such research only their types of treatment. You cannot get statistics on holistic treatments because they do not exist for the most part. Some places in Europe and Canada and others are now starting to research holistic, alternative and integrative therapies and their effects, but it will be many more years before real data and a change happens, if ever it does.

Metastases

Most common metastasis is in the bone, brain, lung and liver. When your cancer spreads it is still breast cancer, it’s just now in a different part of your body. If cancer symptoms arise and it means it has already spread and so there is no cure , just treatment plans.

Throughout this blog, I have written about many different books and websites and many of them can be found on the sidebar. However, for those newly diagnosed here is a quick list of what is on my shelf. Some of these books need to be taken with a grain of salt, and the realization that everyone has an agenda should be remembered and considered as well.  Pray and discernment for each individual is my best advice. No one should tell you want is best for you. You need to be your own advocate and do what you believe is the best for you. That may mean spending some time researching and praying, getting an oncologist and doing whatever they want you do, or going with a holistic doctor and heading that way as far as treatment. Perhaps or it could be a combination or if you have money you can go to a specialist like Burzynski. Whatever you do decide please take the time to think, learn and pray. I was under so much fear and pressure I did things that I wish I hadn’t done, but it was a learning process.

Being Cancer Free

Doctors can’t agree on this, but usually these days they say you have to go for 5 - 10 years without reoccurrence to be considered cancer free. Usually, after patient has gone through treatment and when cancer is no longer detected, the patient will be monitored for years to come.  The typical plan is similar to this: Follow up visits with mammograms or other tests every 2 – 3 months for the first year. The second to fifth year- follow-ups every 4 – 6 months and then after that 1 -2 times per year.
Books only in my order of suggestion

1.       The Moss Report for Breast Cancer – This is my favorite – 1-800-980-1234

2.       Anti – Cancer A new way of life (Everyone has cancer cells  in their body, but not all of us develop cancer. Why? Well this book discusses it all.)

3.      Crazy Sexy Cancer (On this and other books - type in the book under my search bar to find out more about it)

4.       The Bible Cure – Reginald Cherry (This not a cancer book - Bible’s hidden health secrets)

5.       Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Therapy ( this is written from a medical doctors but most of the  general information is very good)

6.       The China Study – (Why they are healthier and how we can be)

7.       Finding the “Can” in Cancer (Personal stories of those that did traditional treatment.)

8.       The PH Miracle Balance your diet and reclaim your health (This is pretty intense.)

9.       Wheat Belly – (Why wheat is so bad for us)

Okay, that’s it for now I have a big day ahead. If you have any questions please post them.
Have a great day!
Blessings,
Karri

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