I've been asked what I mean when I say that I'm focusing on healing. How does that work, and what are “healing rituals?” It's true that much of my energy is devoted to taking the best care of myself that I possibly can. In the process I've developed a shift in priorities and perspective. I no longer consider my healing rituals – which are the therapies and practices that have helped me rebuild my health - as necessary burdens that prevent me from doing other important things. What could be more important than reclaiming my health and strengthening my spirit? The daily practice of my rituals no longer has an "expiration date" that coincides with remission, and I look forward to a long, productive and healthy life enhanced by them. Aside from my plant-based diet and food preparation, here are some of my ritualistic highlights:
• 20 minutes of stretching, which releases toxins from bodily tissues.
• 5-10 minutes of daily vigorous skin brushing to remove dead skin cells and stimulate my lymphatic system.
• 20-30 minutes of rebound exercise on a mini trampoline, plus 2-minute sessions throughout the day. (Check back for my report on lymphatic cleansing with rebound exercise).
• 40 minute daily session in infrared sauna for whole body detoxification. (Check back for my report on sauna use).
• Daily affirmations and introspection (or prayer, if you will).
• Daily journal writing.
• Daily meditation.
• Deep breathing exercises several times throughout the day.
To read my report on holistic healing follow this link:
A Holistic Strategy Against Cancer
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Cancer 101
To anyone reading this who has just been diagnosed with cancer, I’d first like to say two words: “Don’t panic!” Cancer is not a death sentence and as long as you are breathing you still have a functioning immune system that can be strengthened, allowing your resilient body to heal itself. Believe it!
And by the way, don't ever claim ownership of the cancer by calling it "my cancer", unless you want to keep it.
Many people have asked me what I’ve done to reverse my Stage IV metastatic breast cancer without orthodox treatments. The short answer is that I’ve done many things, beginning with educating myself about how to provide the body, mind and spirit what it needs to heal naturally.
I’ve used many, many natural therapies and supplements, but what I believe to be the single most important aspect of any healing regimen is diet. Proper nutrition will enhance all the other treatments, whereas a poor diet will delay or prevent healing.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or any other chronic illness, you would do yourself a great favor by considering the role your diet plays in helping or hindering your healing efforts. It’s not likely that your doctor will advise you on nutrition because s/he has not been trained in that area.
We’ve been accustomed and conditioned in our society to expect quick fixes in the form of prescription drugs or toxic therapies; however, these treatments address only the symptoms (tumors and metastasis) while ignoring the underlying imbalances and needs of the body. In order to heal, toxins must come out of the body. Ingesting toxins will never allow the body to heal itself.
Here are just a few suggestions to begin cleansing your body:
If you are addicted to the Standard American Diet (SAD) you should immediately eliminate the worse offenders, including sugar, refined grains, hydrogenated oils and trans-fatty acids. If you drink alcohol, use recreational drugs or smoke cigarettes, quit.
Avoid drinking tap water, carbonated beverages and caffeine. Instead drink filtered water, herbal teas and fresh, organic juices.
Some important foods that should be added to the diet include fresh vegetables, especially the leafy greens like spinach and kale, fruit, raw and unsalted seeds and nuts, unheated olive oil and flax oil, as well as coconut oil for cooking.
Try to add more raw foods as you reduce your intake of cooked and processed foods.
These are just a few tips to get you started. For more information and inspiration visit the following websites:
http://www.hippocratesinst.org/Home.aspx
http://livingfoodsinstitute.com/index.htm
http://www.crazysexycancer.com/home.php
http://www.rawfamily.com/index.htm
And by the way, don't ever claim ownership of the cancer by calling it "my cancer", unless you want to keep it.
Many people have asked me what I’ve done to reverse my Stage IV metastatic breast cancer without orthodox treatments. The short answer is that I’ve done many things, beginning with educating myself about how to provide the body, mind and spirit what it needs to heal naturally.
I’ve used many, many natural therapies and supplements, but what I believe to be the single most important aspect of any healing regimen is diet. Proper nutrition will enhance all the other treatments, whereas a poor diet will delay or prevent healing.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or any other chronic illness, you would do yourself a great favor by considering the role your diet plays in helping or hindering your healing efforts. It’s not likely that your doctor will advise you on nutrition because s/he has not been trained in that area.
We’ve been accustomed and conditioned in our society to expect quick fixes in the form of prescription drugs or toxic therapies; however, these treatments address only the symptoms (tumors and metastasis) while ignoring the underlying imbalances and needs of the body. In order to heal, toxins must come out of the body. Ingesting toxins will never allow the body to heal itself.
Here are just a few suggestions to begin cleansing your body:
If you are addicted to the Standard American Diet (SAD) you should immediately eliminate the worse offenders, including sugar, refined grains, hydrogenated oils and trans-fatty acids. If you drink alcohol, use recreational drugs or smoke cigarettes, quit.
Avoid drinking tap water, carbonated beverages and caffeine. Instead drink filtered water, herbal teas and fresh, organic juices.
Some important foods that should be added to the diet include fresh vegetables, especially the leafy greens like spinach and kale, fruit, raw and unsalted seeds and nuts, unheated olive oil and flax oil, as well as coconut oil for cooking.
Try to add more raw foods as you reduce your intake of cooked and processed foods.
These are just a few tips to get you started. For more information and inspiration visit the following websites:
http://www.hippocratesinst.org/Home.aspx
http://livingfoodsinstitute.com/index.htm
http://www.crazysexycancer.com/home.php
http://www.rawfamily.com/index.htm
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Cancer Free!
Really great news today. I had a PET Scan last week & saw my doctor for the results today. There were NO findings of any cancer in my body! No big surprise to me but it sure was good to hear the confirmation.
I still have these nodules, but they are diminishing & are actually dead cancer cells. Now my body has the task of dissolving and eliminating them. My oncologist is still cautious about using the word "remission" & instead says I'm doing remarkably well. I don't want to use that word either because it implies that the cancer is still lurking somewhere in my body, waiting to show itself again. Instead, I will declare now that I am cancer-free!
I will continue with my regimen that has allowed my body to heal, & with that there's no chance of a recurrence. In three months I'll have another blood test to check the tumor marker, which is now in the normal range. I think my doctor secretly expects it will go up again because he doesn't fully understand my regimen. I, on the other hand, expect the number to continually drop to zero.
I still have these nodules, but they are diminishing & are actually dead cancer cells. Now my body has the task of dissolving and eliminating them. My oncologist is still cautious about using the word "remission" & instead says I'm doing remarkably well. I don't want to use that word either because it implies that the cancer is still lurking somewhere in my body, waiting to show itself again. Instead, I will declare now that I am cancer-free!
I will continue with my regimen that has allowed my body to heal, & with that there's no chance of a recurrence. In three months I'll have another blood test to check the tumor marker, which is now in the normal range. I think my doctor secretly expects it will go up again because he doesn't fully understand my regimen. I, on the other hand, expect the number to continually drop to zero.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Update to "My Story in a Nutshell"
On January 16, 2008 I received the good news that my tumor marker is now within normal range. This wonderful news may mean that I'm in remission, although my open-minded oncologist - who has been monitoring me even though I'm receiving no orthodox treatments whatsoever - hesitates to make that declaration just yet because I still have skin nodules on my upper body. In two weeks I'll receive a P.E.T.-scan to determine whether or not these nodules contain active cancer or just dead cells. I suspect the latter. If they're made of dead cells my body will do its job of gradually digesting and eliminating them, which I believe is already taking place. I've been on this long road for 5 1/2 years and finally I can see not just a glimmer of light - it's more like a beacon - leading me out and onto the next leg of my journey.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
My Fundraisers: Dance of Life/Cell Sensation
In February 2006 I was diagnosed with a stage-4 metastasized recurrence of breast cancer. (Follow link to "MY Story in a Nutshell" for info on initial diagnosis in 2002). When I got this news I resumed my nutritional therapy but knew I needed help. A hospital in Tijuana, Mexico offered alternative therapies that I had been researching, including intraveneous ozone, chelation, intraveneous laetrile, among others, as well as nutritional support and organic juices. I was determined to find the resources to go for treatments. My partner Vito Valdez and other friends quickly organized two fundraisers for me entitled Dance of Life/Cell Sensation that were held in May 2006. The Detroit artist community generously donated work for auction, poets read their work, musicians and flamenco dancers performed, and off I went to the Oasis of Hope Hospital for 18 days of treatments. I'm eternally grateful for their outpouring of love, kindness, support and generosity.
Here I am at one of the two fundraisers with my AMAZING nephew TJ.
Here I am at one of the two fundraisers with my AMAZING nephew TJ.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Humor Therapy
"YOU TALKIN' TO ME?"
My partner Vito and I rescued a litter of kittens almost 5 months ago. They have become a part of my therapy, providing an abundance of joy and laughter every day. Here are 2 of the 4 rascals we kept: Braveheart and Senor.
My partner Vito and I rescued a litter of kittens almost 5 months ago. They have become a part of my therapy, providing an abundance of joy and laughter every day. Here are 2 of the 4 rascals we kept: Braveheart and Senor.
Images of recent work, 2007
My sculpture and assemblages reveal an underlying interest in form and object-making and much of it serves as metaphor for the healing body.
"Bound"
"Resolute"
"Seed"
"Safe"
"Vessel"
"Sustenance"
These images were taken by Vito Valdez.
"Bound"
"Resolute"
"Seed"
"Safe"
"Vessel"
"Sustenance"These images were taken by Vito Valdez.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
