OK, 7 years ago, when I went through this the first time, they put me on chemo therapy which consisted of Taxol, Cytoxin and Adrimiacin (not sure of any of those spellings). One was called the red devil because it was red, and got "pushed." This means while you were getting saline solution they push a syringe of the red devil into another access on the tubing.
I also got Herceptin, considered adjuvant therapy, for 2 treatments less than a year.
This time around, since the Taxol apparently didn't get rid of it, they did Taxitere for the chemo therapy along with Zometa (calcium suppressor) and the Herceptin. They have always given Benidryl with my Herceptin, but after a while on it I suggested we try it without the Benidryl, since I hadn't had a reaction. Besides the Benidryl is the reason I feel bad, or at least mostly. But after a few times, I got an all over body itch, so we had to go back on it. Then I had the thick tongue feeling. So I decided to cut myself off the Herceptin. I had been taking it from mid January, 2011 until mid June, 2012, so close to a year and a half. So far it hasn't interfered with heart function, which is why I had to quit last time. But, how can something with so many side effects help? There has to be a better option.
I'm now 2 weeks (maybe slightly more, as Tuesday would be time for my next treatment) off schedule for taking the Herceptin. I've noticed an increase in my sex drive (which my husband appreciates). I had stopped sweating before being put back on Herceptin, even living in Texas. I'm still sweating, but I suppose that's good. After just 2-1/2 weeks off schedule, I think the night sweats have stopped. I was basically post menopausal, or at least not having "monthly visits" since April, 2005. The problem is, my back (the osteoarthritis part) had quit hurting until I got the Zometa shot. Now I'm in excruciating pain again. One of the side effects of Zometa is joint pain. The spot of cancer doesn't hurt, just the "degeneration" on my upper back
I see my oncologist on July 3rd, but I may see if we can stop the Zometa, too. There comes a point where I have to consider quality of life, over longivity. What difference does it make if I can eek out a couple more years, but it's spent feeling like crap and in pain? I'd rather have the energy to do things with my children. I also get a shot (hormone blocker that I forget the name of...starts with an F) on Tuesday. We'll see if I feel like crap after that one.
My diet hasn't altered dramatically so far. I try to eat an apple a day, seeds and all. If I don't eat the apple, I'll eat a few apricot kernels (the book said don't eat more kernels than you could whole fruit in a sitting, so about 4-5). I feel like my immunity is up, but who can tell, right? I'm trying to include green tea instead of coffee during the day. I like green tea with a little honey. I'm also trying to cut back on heavily processed foods, and include breakfast.
It's really hard for me to eat breakfast. I get up at about 4:45 AM to make my husband coffee and bring it to him. And before some women's libber calls my husband a slave driver, it's something I choose to do. He can't carry anything being still on crutches, and we like French Press. He doesn't know how to make it (OK, he SAYS he doesn't know how to make it), so if he did make coffee, it would be drip. But, I can't eat that early, and prefer not to eat until time to take my meds, around 7-8:00 AM. I've been trying to eat a piece of fruit with my first cup of coffee, and then fix oatmeal or some other cereal (buckwheat, or even boiled rice) later. I've been trying to eat lentils with either rice or noodles for lunch. That alone increases my B17 intake.
I'm also eating more fresh veggies. We have the cucumbers from our garden, as well as zucchini and green beans, though I'm getting tired of the last two. I'm really eying that single canteloupe, waiting for it to ripen. I've also been buying more watermelon, and making relish with the rind. At least we'll have watermelon rind relish if the appocolypse comes.
Now it's a waiting game, to see how the hormone blocker shot effects me, and to see my doctor and discuss alternatives with him.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Food For Thought
I have already written my opinion on why the FDA won't approve research on or support the claim that there has been a cure for cancer found in a food. It wouldn't be advantageous for the big Pharaceutical companies, or the medical community.
Well, I was trained in the Navy to see patterns and trends. It just sometimes takes me a while. I've been doing research into Monsanto, and a light bulb went off. Maybe the two are connected. I know this sounds like conspiracy theory, but stay with me for a moment. I'll try to make it short.
I received a story from a fellow blogger of mine about farmers having to sign agreements that they won't save seed from GMO crops (Genetically Modified Organism, I think, can't remember what the O stands for). Basically it's because they (Monsanto) have played with the genetic make up of the seed until it's no longer like the original. They are able to copyright it, because they "created" it. It becomes their intellectual property, because they've put the money of research into it. Most crops that are genetically modified are done so for specific reasons. They modified soy beans to be resistant to Round Up (which they can do because they also own Round Up, so they know the chemical makeup). They have modified other vegetables and fruits to have a longer shelf life.
Now, if you put these two ideas together, somewhere there could be someone working on research to genetically modify foods to better fight cancer. Once they modify it, they can copyright it.
They have already forced milk companies that don't use hormones and antibiotics to not put on that they don't. Now, milk says the FDA has determined there's no difference in the two milks. They have already outlawed (made it illegal) to sell raw apricot kernels (and almonds, I understand) IN the United States.
If you control the food supply, you control the people. What if they could get all foods that contain B17 genetically modified and under their control, they would control the only natural cure for cancer. All they have to do is come out and say that the research is valad afterall, and then raise the price of the seeds. Remember, farmers can't hold over any seeds to plant next year, so they have to buy all the seeds they need every year. If the seeds go up in price, then naturally the fruit that's harvested will be more expensive.
For a cure of anything to be possible in a guided demoracy is for the government to own it.
Well, I was trained in the Navy to see patterns and trends. It just sometimes takes me a while. I've been doing research into Monsanto, and a light bulb went off. Maybe the two are connected. I know this sounds like conspiracy theory, but stay with me for a moment. I'll try to make it short.
I received a story from a fellow blogger of mine about farmers having to sign agreements that they won't save seed from GMO crops (Genetically Modified Organism, I think, can't remember what the O stands for). Basically it's because they (Monsanto) have played with the genetic make up of the seed until it's no longer like the original. They are able to copyright it, because they "created" it. It becomes their intellectual property, because they've put the money of research into it. Most crops that are genetically modified are done so for specific reasons. They modified soy beans to be resistant to Round Up (which they can do because they also own Round Up, so they know the chemical makeup). They have modified other vegetables and fruits to have a longer shelf life.
Now, if you put these two ideas together, somewhere there could be someone working on research to genetically modify foods to better fight cancer. Once they modify it, they can copyright it.
They have already forced milk companies that don't use hormones and antibiotics to not put on that they don't. Now, milk says the FDA has determined there's no difference in the two milks. They have already outlawed (made it illegal) to sell raw apricot kernels (and almonds, I understand) IN the United States.
If you control the food supply, you control the people. What if they could get all foods that contain B17 genetically modified and under their control, they would control the only natural cure for cancer. All they have to do is come out and say that the research is valad afterall, and then raise the price of the seeds. Remember, farmers can't hold over any seeds to plant next year, so they have to buy all the seeds they need every year. If the seeds go up in price, then naturally the fruit that's harvested will be more expensive.
For a cure of anything to be possible in a guided demoracy is for the government to own it.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Update on Diet
I'm still only increasing my intake of millet, lentils and trying to remember to eat the apricot kernels. I made "flat bread" but it turned out more like a pancake. Next time I might try to not put in baking powder so it doesn't rise. What I was hoping for was something more like a tortilla or crepe. Maybe I should just make the batter thinner. The recipe called for it to be like pancake batter, and I had to double the liquid amount to reach that point.
I've been having lentils in my noodles. I usually take a quarter cup dried lentils in boiling water to cover and then drain. I don't usually spice them. I've also heard that brown rice is good for you, so I started having brown Basmati rice for breakfast. Not bad. I might have to find some ways to dress it up a bit.
I have an appointment today where I'm supposed to get my Herceptin and Zometa. The last time I got Herceptin (and Benidryl in a pill form) by the time I walked out (after the infusion) my speech was slurred. I felt like my tongue was thick. They have decided it was an allergic reaction to the Herceptin, and want to give me drip Benidryl. You know what? I'm going to listen to my body and consider it poison. I'm going to tell them that since I almost went into anaphylactic shock with the last treatment, I'm not taking anymore Herceptin. I'll take the shot hormone blocker and the Zometa (calcium blocker) but no more Herceptin. Last time I only lasted about 10 months (it's hard to keep track because the time was split in half). I remember my oncologist telling me he was stopping something like 3 treatments early because it was causing heart problems. How can something that causes heart problems be good for me? It's like chemo...shooting a cockroach with a shotgun and hoping you kill it.
I haven't gotten my book yet, but hopefully that will come today and I can bring it with me to the doctor's appointment to start reading. If I only get the Zometa, the infusion will only last 30 minutes instead of an hour. But then there's the lab work and waiting for the results of the lab work, then waiting to get hooked up. I'm not sure if I'm scheduled for the shot or not.
I've put this off a whole week (actually a bit over, but a week would be from the last one). I think I used allergies as an excuse because I'm really afraid to get the Herceptin again, since my allergic reactions are escalating. I had started out realizing it was the Benidryl that made me feel so bad, so I stopped taking it. Then I got a treatment that caused me to itch all over when I got home. So we started with the Benidryl again. I'm afraid it will escalate even more and I don't want them breaking out the Epi-pen, or having to take me to the ER right next door that doesn't take my insurance (if they would have to admit me). That would be ALL I need, having to pay off a hospital stay on payments because my health insurance (Tricare Prime) isn't accepted by that hospital.
We shall see how things go today when I tell them I'm making an informed decision to not take Herceptin any longer. I'm not scheduled to see the doctor until July 3rd.
I've been having lentils in my noodles. I usually take a quarter cup dried lentils in boiling water to cover and then drain. I don't usually spice them. I've also heard that brown rice is good for you, so I started having brown Basmati rice for breakfast. Not bad. I might have to find some ways to dress it up a bit.
I have an appointment today where I'm supposed to get my Herceptin and Zometa. The last time I got Herceptin (and Benidryl in a pill form) by the time I walked out (after the infusion) my speech was slurred. I felt like my tongue was thick. They have decided it was an allergic reaction to the Herceptin, and want to give me drip Benidryl. You know what? I'm going to listen to my body and consider it poison. I'm going to tell them that since I almost went into anaphylactic shock with the last treatment, I'm not taking anymore Herceptin. I'll take the shot hormone blocker and the Zometa (calcium blocker) but no more Herceptin. Last time I only lasted about 10 months (it's hard to keep track because the time was split in half). I remember my oncologist telling me he was stopping something like 3 treatments early because it was causing heart problems. How can something that causes heart problems be good for me? It's like chemo...shooting a cockroach with a shotgun and hoping you kill it.
I haven't gotten my book yet, but hopefully that will come today and I can bring it with me to the doctor's appointment to start reading. If I only get the Zometa, the infusion will only last 30 minutes instead of an hour. But then there's the lab work and waiting for the results of the lab work, then waiting to get hooked up. I'm not sure if I'm scheduled for the shot or not.
I've put this off a whole week (actually a bit over, but a week would be from the last one). I think I used allergies as an excuse because I'm really afraid to get the Herceptin again, since my allergic reactions are escalating. I had started out realizing it was the Benidryl that made me feel so bad, so I stopped taking it. Then I got a treatment that caused me to itch all over when I got home. So we started with the Benidryl again. I'm afraid it will escalate even more and I don't want them breaking out the Epi-pen, or having to take me to the ER right next door that doesn't take my insurance (if they would have to admit me). That would be ALL I need, having to pay off a hospital stay on payments because my health insurance (Tricare Prime) isn't accepted by that hospital.
We shall see how things go today when I tell them I'm making an informed decision to not take Herceptin any longer. I'm not scheduled to see the doctor until July 3rd.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Getting FDA Approval
OK, first I have to admit I am totally ignorant of this process, so I had to look it up online. I don't always trust everything I read, but this sounds about right. I actually believe it's harder than this, as a disclaimer. This is from an eHow article.
"The pre-clinical phase is the "discovery" part of the approval process and consists of three and a half years of testing in the lab. After this time has passed, an application is sent to the FDA to begin human testing. This is called an Investigational New Drug Application. The FDA will rarely grant "Fast Track Designation" to certain companies who demonstrate that their drug or biologic compound clearly addresses an unmet medical issue. All other drugs go on to the regular human trial process."
Let's put this in terms of feasibility. If you find a cure for cancer, and determine that it's a vitamin deficiency, you have to test a FOOD (that's not able to be copy righted and is free to everyone) for 3 and a half years. That means you better either have government support or very wealthy backers. Who is going to give you money for research when there is no chance of a return monetarily? There is no drug to copy right and have exclusive rights to, it's natural and you can run down to the super market and get it.
"If the FDA approves the Investigational New Drug Application, then the drug moves into Phase 1 clinical trials, where 20-80 human subjects are tested. Researchers will look at how the drug affects the human subjects, what the side effects are, and how safe the drug is. Phase I trials usually last around 1 year."
So, now you have invested 4 and a half years into a cure that you can't get any money from. I wonder why such researches write books and don't give this information out for free? Maybe they're not independently wealthy? Besides, the only people willing to do such trials would be people who are using this as a last resort. In the case of cancer, it's probably people who have been told they have a limited time left so they turn to alternatives. It's like the author of the book said, someone can be shot, have the bullet removed and still die from the damage done.
"If the Phase I results are efficacious, then the drug moves on to Phase II. During Phase II, a larger number of human subjects (100-300) is tested to see how well the drug actually works. Researchers will again look at the drug's safety profile and also what the benefits are. Phase II trials normally last around 2 years."
So, if a good number of patients weren't too far along to save, and actually do well with changing their diet (again, it's food we're talking about so it can't be copy righted), then the researcher has to put in 2 more years (we're up to 6 and a half years now) and get even more people to do this (according to the medical community) hokey cure. I think at this point, they'll probably say that the benefits don't outweigh the profit margin, because it's a FOOD and diet change.
"If a drug is proven to be safe and efficacious, then it will move along to the largest of the clinical trials in Phase III, where 1000-3000 patients are tested. During this phase, researchers take a closer look at the safety and effectiveness. They also review the "contraindications," or situations in which taking the drug would be dangerous to the person's health. Phase 3 normally takes 3 years and is the most comprehensive and stringent of the 3 phases."
So, now we're up to 9 and a half years. Who can hang around that long with no funding? Unless he's doing the research totally by himself/herself without hiring assistants, they can't afford to. And now they have to get 1,000 to 3,000 people to participate? I think it would hard enough to find 80 people who were willing to throw away conventional medicine and change their diet. That's a big risk when we've been told all our lives to trust our doctors. If they do it along side conventional medicine, it is only poisoning the system and would not get accurate results.
"If the drug passes Phase III as safe and effective, then a New Drug Application is filed with the FDA, which can take over 2 years to review. This application details all previous clinical trials and can be tens of thousands of pages long."
So, with the review, we're up to 11 and a half years. And this application won't write itself, and it's tens of thousands of pages long? I know how much paper costs, as well as the ink cartridges. So now they're also investing money into something that will not produce a return. I'm beginning to see why the medical community and the pharmaceutical companies don't want a FOOD to be proven as a cure for cancer. All the money they put into research to push their cancer drugs would evaporate if someone could run down to the local grocery store and change their diet. Maybe that IS why they outlawed the sale of raw apricot kernels.
"Once the FDA reviews the New Drug Application and approves it, the drug is officially approved and can begin to be marketed to the general population."
So after a minimum of 11 and a half years, the researcher gets permission to tell everyone that a food (suppose it was B17) will cure cancer. He writes a book releasing that information. People would stop getting the expensive chemo therapy drugs, costing the big pharma lots of money. They would also cut down on trips to the doctor, as they would only need monthly visits for a follow up. According to Obamacare, follow ups are supposed to be free. That means the doctor loses money now. The surgeon loses money as the tumor goes away and he doesn't have to do surgery. All the staff in the hospital that would have been needed lose money. It's all about the money.
"The pre-clinical phase is the "discovery" part of the approval process and consists of three and a half years of testing in the lab. After this time has passed, an application is sent to the FDA to begin human testing. This is called an Investigational New Drug Application. The FDA will rarely grant "Fast Track Designation" to certain companies who demonstrate that their drug or biologic compound clearly addresses an unmet medical issue. All other drugs go on to the regular human trial process."
Let's put this in terms of feasibility. If you find a cure for cancer, and determine that it's a vitamin deficiency, you have to test a FOOD (that's not able to be copy righted and is free to everyone) for 3 and a half years. That means you better either have government support or very wealthy backers. Who is going to give you money for research when there is no chance of a return monetarily? There is no drug to copy right and have exclusive rights to, it's natural and you can run down to the super market and get it.
"If the FDA approves the Investigational New Drug Application, then the drug moves into Phase 1 clinical trials, where 20-80 human subjects are tested. Researchers will look at how the drug affects the human subjects, what the side effects are, and how safe the drug is. Phase I trials usually last around 1 year."
So, now you have invested 4 and a half years into a cure that you can't get any money from. I wonder why such researches write books and don't give this information out for free? Maybe they're not independently wealthy? Besides, the only people willing to do such trials would be people who are using this as a last resort. In the case of cancer, it's probably people who have been told they have a limited time left so they turn to alternatives. It's like the author of the book said, someone can be shot, have the bullet removed and still die from the damage done.
"If the Phase I results are efficacious, then the drug moves on to Phase II. During Phase II, a larger number of human subjects (100-300) is tested to see how well the drug actually works. Researchers will again look at the drug's safety profile and also what the benefits are. Phase II trials normally last around 2 years."
So, if a good number of patients weren't too far along to save, and actually do well with changing their diet (again, it's food we're talking about so it can't be copy righted), then the researcher has to put in 2 more years (we're up to 6 and a half years now) and get even more people to do this (according to the medical community) hokey cure. I think at this point, they'll probably say that the benefits don't outweigh the profit margin, because it's a FOOD and diet change.
"If a drug is proven to be safe and efficacious, then it will move along to the largest of the clinical trials in Phase III, where 1000-3000 patients are tested. During this phase, researchers take a closer look at the safety and effectiveness. They also review the "contraindications," or situations in which taking the drug would be dangerous to the person's health. Phase 3 normally takes 3 years and is the most comprehensive and stringent of the 3 phases."
So, now we're up to 9 and a half years. Who can hang around that long with no funding? Unless he's doing the research totally by himself/herself without hiring assistants, they can't afford to. And now they have to get 1,000 to 3,000 people to participate? I think it would hard enough to find 80 people who were willing to throw away conventional medicine and change their diet. That's a big risk when we've been told all our lives to trust our doctors. If they do it along side conventional medicine, it is only poisoning the system and would not get accurate results.
"If the drug passes Phase III as safe and effective, then a New Drug Application is filed with the FDA, which can take over 2 years to review. This application details all previous clinical trials and can be tens of thousands of pages long."
So, with the review, we're up to 11 and a half years. And this application won't write itself, and it's tens of thousands of pages long? I know how much paper costs, as well as the ink cartridges. So now they're also investing money into something that will not produce a return. I'm beginning to see why the medical community and the pharmaceutical companies don't want a FOOD to be proven as a cure for cancer. All the money they put into research to push their cancer drugs would evaporate if someone could run down to the local grocery store and change their diet. Maybe that IS why they outlawed the sale of raw apricot kernels.
"Once the FDA reviews the New Drug Application and approves it, the drug is officially approved and can begin to be marketed to the general population."
So after a minimum of 11 and a half years, the researcher gets permission to tell everyone that a food (suppose it was B17) will cure cancer. He writes a book releasing that information. People would stop getting the expensive chemo therapy drugs, costing the big pharma lots of money. They would also cut down on trips to the doctor, as they would only need monthly visits for a follow up. According to Obamacare, follow ups are supposed to be free. That means the doctor loses money now. The surgeon loses money as the tumor goes away and he doesn't have to do surgery. All the staff in the hospital that would have been needed lose money. It's all about the money.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
First Day of New Cancer Diet
So, how do I feel? Well, last night I felt a bit bad. I can't tell if it was the increased foods with B17 or not. I'm just getting over a cold that lasted 15 days. I'm so tired of a lowered immune system.
I had increased my intake of lentils and added apricot kernels. I think I need to draw back a bit on the apricot kernels. I haven't gotten my World Without Cancer book yet, but I do know that the author said not to eat more kernels in a sitting than you would whole apricots. I've been eating a handful, so I guess I need to dial it back to about 5-7. I can easily eat 6 dried apricots in a sitting. I seem to get a slight headache right afterwards, but then feel fantastic.
Yesterday, I ate an apple for breakfast, including most of the core and the 3 seeds that were in it. For lunch I had noodles and Italian dressing and about a quarter cup lentils (before cooking). Then for supper I ate zucchini with the seeds. It was cooked, though so the seeds weren't as beneficial.
I have had benign cysts in my left temporal region (of my brain) for at least 7 years. I also have a seizure disorder and migraines. So I don't know which caused the headaches. Also, if I get less coffee than my normal, I'll get a headache. I only had one cup yesterday, compared to my normal 2-1/2 to 3. But, we'll err on the side of caution and dial it back a little.
My back (where the cancer is) hurts less this morning. I have the cancer at about the bra strap area, but osteoarthritis at the neck and lower back. It hurts about the same. I want off the calcium suppressors because I'm almost 50. I need the calcium for my bones. At least that's what the medical community keeps telling me.
This will be a short update, because I need to get ready for church.
I had increased my intake of lentils and added apricot kernels. I think I need to draw back a bit on the apricot kernels. I haven't gotten my World Without Cancer book yet, but I do know that the author said not to eat more kernels in a sitting than you would whole apricots. I've been eating a handful, so I guess I need to dial it back to about 5-7. I can easily eat 6 dried apricots in a sitting. I seem to get a slight headache right afterwards, but then feel fantastic.
Yesterday, I ate an apple for breakfast, including most of the core and the 3 seeds that were in it. For lunch I had noodles and Italian dressing and about a quarter cup lentils (before cooking). Then for supper I ate zucchini with the seeds. It was cooked, though so the seeds weren't as beneficial.
I have had benign cysts in my left temporal region (of my brain) for at least 7 years. I also have a seizure disorder and migraines. So I don't know which caused the headaches. Also, if I get less coffee than my normal, I'll get a headache. I only had one cup yesterday, compared to my normal 2-1/2 to 3. But, we'll err on the side of caution and dial it back a little.
My back (where the cancer is) hurts less this morning. I have the cancer at about the bra strap area, but osteoarthritis at the neck and lower back. It hurts about the same. I want off the calcium suppressors because I'm almost 50. I need the calcium for my bones. At least that's what the medical community keeps telling me.
This will be a short update, because I need to get ready for church.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Where I Start
I recently posted an update on myself on a blog that I'm a member of. I had someone respond and suggest an alternative therapy. I'm totally open to dietary changes, etc. The first time I went through cancer back in 2005, I had lost all of my iron. Lucky for me, my oldest son had already been diagnosed with celiac disease. I asked my doctor if the reason I kept losing iron (even after an infusion) was due to celiac disease becoming active. He said, "It's only a diet, give it a try." That's been my opinion since.
I was introduced to the possiblity that B17 could be a cure for cancer. I firmly believe that the medical community will not endorse anything that is as simple as a dietary change. Why would they? It would not only take money out of the pockets of doctors, but also the pharmaceutical companies. Do you know how expensive chemo drugs are?
I have ordered the book World Without Cancer, by G. Edward Griffin, after watching this video. The video is a bit over 55 minutes, but well worth watching. In a nut shell, B17 has been found to fight cancer cells. There are natural sources of B17, which is not really a vitamin. It occurs naturally in apricot pits. Funny thing though, the United States has banned the sell of raw apricot pits. Funny, huh?
I found a list of foods containing B17 and I'm going to try to increase my intake. The highest amounts are found in seeds. Like I said, they've banned the sale of most raw seeds in the US. Makes me wonder why? I have a garden currently, and I'm raising zucchini. Squash seeds are on the list for containing high amounts of B17. B17 is not really a B vitamin. It's a molecule that has cyanide locked inside. The way I understand it, normal cells don't have the ability to unlock the cyanide within these cells. Cancer cells do, plus they don't have the protective coating that protects them from the effects, so they die.
I am currently under treatment for stage IV breast cancer. I have not been determined to be in remission yet, and as a matter of fact there is a possibility that it's spreading. I was diagnosed with cancer in my left lung and on the left flange of T5 on my spine (about bra band level). I'm waiting for a PET scan to see if I'm in remission again (see my first blog). I'm currently on Herceptin, Zometa and a shot that I can't remember the name of. The Herceptin has started causing an allergic reaction, so I have to take Benidryl with it. The last time I had it, I almost went into anaphalactic shock, so now they're going to start a drip of Benidryl. This means someone else will have to drive me to my treatments, because it makes me sleepy. How can that be good for me? I don't like to second guess doctors, that's how we're all wired, but I may insist on stopping the Herceptin. I want to get a good start on the foods that contain B17 to help arrest the development of more cancer cells.
I do have raw apricot pits, or kernels, that I bought on line. No, sorry, since they can't sell it in the US, I'm not saying where I got them, just in case. But they can be gotten. The video suggests that you don't eat more kernels than you could whole fruits, in one sitting. I know I can eat 7 dried apricots, so that's what I'm starting with. I may start also adding zucchini seeds (squash), but I've never had them raw, only toasted. They say the toasting gets rid of the benefits because it kills the enzymes.
I've also increased my intake of lentils, and plan on making mung bean sprouts. I'm not sure how to eat mung beans by themselves, so I'm going the sprout route.
I also have to wonder: why are berries so high in price at the supermarkets? These are also high in cancer fighting qualities. I'm afraid that buying frozen ones won't help, just like roasting the seeds. I guess I'll be going to Aldi's for my berries. I am still on a budget. My brother in law did give me 2 blackberry bushes and a blueberry bush. I just planted this year, and didn't get more than my youngest son could eat. He always seems to get out there before me. Hopefully next year will be a better harvest.They're domestic, so a low source. I wonder where I could get a wild blackberry bush?
The funny thing about all this? Even before I was lead to B17, I had a craving for lentils. My son will one day turn into a noodle (his favorite food). Every day for lunch we have noodles of some kind. His favorite is noodles with Italian dressing on it. I've been adding a quarter cup of lentils, boiled by themselves for about 20 minutes. So now I've started looking up different ways to prepare lentils. In one article I found out about the Hoxsey Legend. In a nut shell, a Quaker farmer cured his horse of a malignant growth by putting him out to pasture. The horse just naturally knew what to eat. It's sort of like a sick dog will eat grasses, and certain grasses only, when it doesn't feel well. Animals know how to heal themselves. Modern man has gotten away from being close to nature. Believe me, it's really hard to eat an apple down to the core and then eat the core. That first bite you fight everything you've been told...apple seeds will kill you. Ever wondered where the saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away came from?
The problem with conventional therapies is it kills all cells. It's a bit like killing a mosquito with a shot gun. You pump chemicals into the body and hope it kills the cancerous cells before it kills too many healthy cells. I know, because I've been through it twice and still have cancer. I've been told that once cancer moves from the primary location to other parts of the body, it's a chronic disease, meaning you never cure it. We shall see.
I was introduced to the possiblity that B17 could be a cure for cancer. I firmly believe that the medical community will not endorse anything that is as simple as a dietary change. Why would they? It would not only take money out of the pockets of doctors, but also the pharmaceutical companies. Do you know how expensive chemo drugs are?
I have ordered the book World Without Cancer, by G. Edward Griffin, after watching this video. The video is a bit over 55 minutes, but well worth watching. In a nut shell, B17 has been found to fight cancer cells. There are natural sources of B17, which is not really a vitamin. It occurs naturally in apricot pits. Funny thing though, the United States has banned the sell of raw apricot pits. Funny, huh?
I found a list of foods containing B17 and I'm going to try to increase my intake. The highest amounts are found in seeds. Like I said, they've banned the sale of most raw seeds in the US. Makes me wonder why? I have a garden currently, and I'm raising zucchini. Squash seeds are on the list for containing high amounts of B17. B17 is not really a B vitamin. It's a molecule that has cyanide locked inside. The way I understand it, normal cells don't have the ability to unlock the cyanide within these cells. Cancer cells do, plus they don't have the protective coating that protects them from the effects, so they die.
I am currently under treatment for stage IV breast cancer. I have not been determined to be in remission yet, and as a matter of fact there is a possibility that it's spreading. I was diagnosed with cancer in my left lung and on the left flange of T5 on my spine (about bra band level). I'm waiting for a PET scan to see if I'm in remission again (see my first blog). I'm currently on Herceptin, Zometa and a shot that I can't remember the name of. The Herceptin has started causing an allergic reaction, so I have to take Benidryl with it. The last time I had it, I almost went into anaphalactic shock, so now they're going to start a drip of Benidryl. This means someone else will have to drive me to my treatments, because it makes me sleepy. How can that be good for me? I don't like to second guess doctors, that's how we're all wired, but I may insist on stopping the Herceptin. I want to get a good start on the foods that contain B17 to help arrest the development of more cancer cells.
I do have raw apricot pits, or kernels, that I bought on line. No, sorry, since they can't sell it in the US, I'm not saying where I got them, just in case. But they can be gotten. The video suggests that you don't eat more kernels than you could whole fruits, in one sitting. I know I can eat 7 dried apricots, so that's what I'm starting with. I may start also adding zucchini seeds (squash), but I've never had them raw, only toasted. They say the toasting gets rid of the benefits because it kills the enzymes.
I've also increased my intake of lentils, and plan on making mung bean sprouts. I'm not sure how to eat mung beans by themselves, so I'm going the sprout route.
I also have to wonder: why are berries so high in price at the supermarkets? These are also high in cancer fighting qualities. I'm afraid that buying frozen ones won't help, just like roasting the seeds. I guess I'll be going to Aldi's for my berries. I am still on a budget. My brother in law did give me 2 blackberry bushes and a blueberry bush. I just planted this year, and didn't get more than my youngest son could eat. He always seems to get out there before me. Hopefully next year will be a better harvest.They're domestic, so a low source. I wonder where I could get a wild blackberry bush?
The funny thing about all this? Even before I was lead to B17, I had a craving for lentils. My son will one day turn into a noodle (his favorite food). Every day for lunch we have noodles of some kind. His favorite is noodles with Italian dressing on it. I've been adding a quarter cup of lentils, boiled by themselves for about 20 minutes. So now I've started looking up different ways to prepare lentils. In one article I found out about the Hoxsey Legend. In a nut shell, a Quaker farmer cured his horse of a malignant growth by putting him out to pasture. The horse just naturally knew what to eat. It's sort of like a sick dog will eat grasses, and certain grasses only, when it doesn't feel well. Animals know how to heal themselves. Modern man has gotten away from being close to nature. Believe me, it's really hard to eat an apple down to the core and then eat the core. That first bite you fight everything you've been told...apple seeds will kill you. Ever wondered where the saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away came from?
The problem with conventional therapies is it kills all cells. It's a bit like killing a mosquito with a shot gun. You pump chemicals into the body and hope it kills the cancerous cells before it kills too many healthy cells. I know, because I've been through it twice and still have cancer. I've been told that once cancer moves from the primary location to other parts of the body, it's a chronic disease, meaning you never cure it. We shall see.
First, A History
How did I come up with the title? I am currently in stage IV Breast Cancer treatment, thus the Pink Ribbons. I have also been diagnosed with Epilepsy, thus the Purple and Lace just seemed to go with Ribbons.
I was going to give all the gory details, but decided on a shortened version instead. I was diagnosed with high stage Breast Cancer December 13, 2004. I had surgery January 11, 2005 and six weeks later started Chemotherapy. After 8 treatments of dose dense chemo (every 2 weeks, so 16 weeks) I had 35 radiation treatments. Sometime during the radiation treatments, towards the beginning, I also started Herceptin. I think they had said my 5 year survival rate was something like 24% without, and double that with. I took it. I had been on the Hallelujah Acres diet before being diagnosed. That's Vegan with 70-80% raw and only eating cooked potatoes or noodles at dinner and lots of juiced carrots. The church started giving us food on my treatment day and the following 2 days, so we fell away from the diet. Right after my radiation treatments were over, we moved from Illinois to Texas.
We bought a house with my in-laws. Never do that. The stress caused seizures. Not going into more detail than that. My neurologist wanted me off the second floor and onto carpet. Not gonna happen where we were, and MIL wouldn't sell. We forced her hand by just moving out and buying another house. We were now paying 2 mortgages. This was the beginning of 2009, right as the housing market was crashing. Our other house wouldn't sell until this year. That's over 3 years of 2 mortgages.
In June of 2010 I started having a dry cough. I'm allergic to Texas in the summer, so I passed it off as allergies. It didn't go away. In January, 2011 I was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast cancer in my left lung and on my spine (T5). I started chemo again, along side Herceptin (hormone blocker) and a calcium blocker. In about July I was told I was in remission. But, chemo had knocked me on my butt. I still felt weak and decimated. My husband was doing everything for me, as well as my children (then 11 and 20). My youngest is extremely ADHD and my oldest is Down Syndrome and autistic. Not a lot of help. I had just cooked 5 meals in a row in the beginning of September, 2011 when my husband had a really bad scooter accident. He had to have 2 surgeries close together, and is still (in July, 2012) not allowed weight bearing. Like I said, a really bad break. In January, 2012, they told me it was back. They determined not to do chemo again, but they did do radiation on my spine. The first time around I received 35 treatments, which is the lifetime max for the breast area. This time I got 10 treatments, which was the lifetime max for my spine. I was told that since chemo didn't work, they wouldn't do that again. They added another hormone blocker in the form of a shot.
I have decided to turn to alternative therapies. Since the other house has sold now, I'm going to increase our intake of vegetables and fruits (natural, not canned). I've also been reading about B17.
Where will this blog go? I can tell you right now that it will have political elements to it. My husband has been a right winger since I met him, very into talk radio. I was never really political, rolling my eyes when he went on his rants. I was raised Democrat, and at the time, I figured there wasn't that much difference between Democrat and Republican except the Democrats wanted slightly more government spending and were pro-abortion. I became a Republican during my military service (1984-88). I became politically active in 2009 when the health care bill was being debated. I had joined a Facebook gaming site and they encouraged you to participate in discussions. My husband suggested a current events/hot topics forum. They were debating the health care bill, and being very analytical, I wanted to read it before I started making comments. It scared me into politics. So, part of this blog will be about the effects of Obamacare on my treatments. I've already lost doctors and had medication problems. But that's for later.
Another aspect will be big Pharma/big medicine. I've had my eyes opened to so many issues through research and they will never be able to be closed again. Sometimes I miss the ignorance, it truly is bliss. I am firmly convinced that there will NEVER be a cure for cancer. It's too much of a money maker for big Pharma. Do you know how much they charge for chemo drugs? Do you know how much doctors charge for all the tests? If they cure you, all that income goes away. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my Oncologist, but he's been brainwashed from medical school that chemo is the only way. I'll be doing research on different therapies and journaling my experience with them. I'll also be updating on my status and wondering if my therapies are working or modern medicine.
I'll also be keeping this blog up to date on my diet interventions or anything else I try. There may be days I don't feel like sitting at the computer and typing, so there may be long gaps between posts.
That's my initial blog, with the history and focus of this blog. Comments are welcome, but keep it civil. Just remember, I'll have my fire proof panties on, so your flames won't bother me. I accept fights with facts, but not name-calling or emotions. No chear leading our current POTUS just for the fact that he holds that office. Remember, November isn't that far away.
I was going to give all the gory details, but decided on a shortened version instead. I was diagnosed with high stage Breast Cancer December 13, 2004. I had surgery January 11, 2005 and six weeks later started Chemotherapy. After 8 treatments of dose dense chemo (every 2 weeks, so 16 weeks) I had 35 radiation treatments. Sometime during the radiation treatments, towards the beginning, I also started Herceptin. I think they had said my 5 year survival rate was something like 24% without, and double that with. I took it. I had been on the Hallelujah Acres diet before being diagnosed. That's Vegan with 70-80% raw and only eating cooked potatoes or noodles at dinner and lots of juiced carrots. The church started giving us food on my treatment day and the following 2 days, so we fell away from the diet. Right after my radiation treatments were over, we moved from Illinois to Texas.
We bought a house with my in-laws. Never do that. The stress caused seizures. Not going into more detail than that. My neurologist wanted me off the second floor and onto carpet. Not gonna happen where we were, and MIL wouldn't sell. We forced her hand by just moving out and buying another house. We were now paying 2 mortgages. This was the beginning of 2009, right as the housing market was crashing. Our other house wouldn't sell until this year. That's over 3 years of 2 mortgages.
In June of 2010 I started having a dry cough. I'm allergic to Texas in the summer, so I passed it off as allergies. It didn't go away. In January, 2011 I was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast cancer in my left lung and on my spine (T5). I started chemo again, along side Herceptin (hormone blocker) and a calcium blocker. In about July I was told I was in remission. But, chemo had knocked me on my butt. I still felt weak and decimated. My husband was doing everything for me, as well as my children (then 11 and 20). My youngest is extremely ADHD and my oldest is Down Syndrome and autistic. Not a lot of help. I had just cooked 5 meals in a row in the beginning of September, 2011 when my husband had a really bad scooter accident. He had to have 2 surgeries close together, and is still (in July, 2012) not allowed weight bearing. Like I said, a really bad break. In January, 2012, they told me it was back. They determined not to do chemo again, but they did do radiation on my spine. The first time around I received 35 treatments, which is the lifetime max for the breast area. This time I got 10 treatments, which was the lifetime max for my spine. I was told that since chemo didn't work, they wouldn't do that again. They added another hormone blocker in the form of a shot.
I have decided to turn to alternative therapies. Since the other house has sold now, I'm going to increase our intake of vegetables and fruits (natural, not canned). I've also been reading about B17.
Where will this blog go? I can tell you right now that it will have political elements to it. My husband has been a right winger since I met him, very into talk radio. I was never really political, rolling my eyes when he went on his rants. I was raised Democrat, and at the time, I figured there wasn't that much difference between Democrat and Republican except the Democrats wanted slightly more government spending and were pro-abortion. I became a Republican during my military service (1984-88). I became politically active in 2009 when the health care bill was being debated. I had joined a Facebook gaming site and they encouraged you to participate in discussions. My husband suggested a current events/hot topics forum. They were debating the health care bill, and being very analytical, I wanted to read it before I started making comments. It scared me into politics. So, part of this blog will be about the effects of Obamacare on my treatments. I've already lost doctors and had medication problems. But that's for later.
Another aspect will be big Pharma/big medicine. I've had my eyes opened to so many issues through research and they will never be able to be closed again. Sometimes I miss the ignorance, it truly is bliss. I am firmly convinced that there will NEVER be a cure for cancer. It's too much of a money maker for big Pharma. Do you know how much they charge for chemo drugs? Do you know how much doctors charge for all the tests? If they cure you, all that income goes away. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my Oncologist, but he's been brainwashed from medical school that chemo is the only way. I'll be doing research on different therapies and journaling my experience with them. I'll also be updating on my status and wondering if my therapies are working or modern medicine.
I'll also be keeping this blog up to date on my diet interventions or anything else I try. There may be days I don't feel like sitting at the computer and typing, so there may be long gaps between posts.
That's my initial blog, with the history and focus of this blog. Comments are welcome, but keep it civil. Just remember, I'll have my fire proof panties on, so your flames won't bother me. I accept fights with facts, but not name-calling or emotions. No chear leading our current POTUS just for the fact that he holds that office. Remember, November isn't that far away.
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