i took my finger out yesterday...
it was time to stop procrastinating...
so i picked a radiologist
and organized the referral from my surgeon
i chose him based on his reputation for being the bEsT
and his clinic having the latest medical equipment
This decision was difficult for me as it means LOT's of traveling
as his clinic is an hours traveling time away (x 2hrs there and back)
(radiation course will be 5 days a week for a month)
and relying on others for help (which has always been difficult for me)
BUT this choice of doctor will hopefully limit or greatly reduce my chances of lung and heart damage/scarring...
which are the common side effects of radiation on the left breast area
THEN i sent the cheque away for hormone tests ($455!!!)
and phoned a natropath that has been recommended to me
who knows her stuff when it comes to hormones and she will also do a 'live blood analysis'
and help me with a 'hormone profile'...
i am doing all this as my surgeon would like me to do hormone therapy (after radiation) using the drug Herceptin
AND i am NOT keen as this goes against my idea of working WITH my body's immune system and besides the side effects are NASTY (like chemo)
i have decided against a second round of chemo
...and all of this is because the cancer cells that i have are ER+ which means that they feed off the estrogen that i apparently have an excess of... but we shall see and make decisions on those steps, once i have more info on the current state of my hormonal system...
Funny that mainstream medicine doesn't seem to consider that this is important info?
but my surgeon is wonderful and open minded enough to support what i feel i need to do to heal
(he has to 'sign off' on all the tests)
i have also, with the help of my beautiful natropath (who has been with me since the beginning of my ill health) begun again my regime of daily juicing (carrot, beetroot & ginger) and meditation
i THEN i phoned a lovely lady who is going to help me on my emotional journey with illness
based on the Brandon Bays body of 'journey work'...
i have used this information before via her book
but this time i have chosen to have one-on-one support
(again, another LEAP for me!)
i have also contacted my guru for his unwavering spiritual guidance
well actually THAT was the FIRST thing i did and taking this step in my mind helped make the rest of these decisions easier... i believe it also opened the door for the financial help that ~beautifully~ just fell into my lap...
~Thankyou God~
SO it was a lot of decision making for one day
but i feel better now
as i have stepped onto my new pathway
at last
xox
8 comments:
I am so proud of you. Look at all of those huge decisions you have accomplished, big hurdles, and you have gracefully gotten over every single one of them. You are so strong...even if you think you are not, which is fine, we are allowed moments where we need to lean on others....but know this...you are strong. I am so proud of you.
Love me xxxoooxxxooo
~Thankyou YOU~ X:-)
funny how you popped in just when i was a chattin to myself again! lol!
Love ya xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
I am SO happy to read this Vicki. Thank you for sharing what is happening.
This sounds great. I really encourage you to practice accepting others help as this is part of the learning. Very important and is very nourishing. Of course breast is all about that.
Can I suggest asking your naturopath about foods that might help you recover from the radiation? I think I remember seaweed and bee pollen, but you would need to check - and find out when you could take them as you don't want to work against the treatment.
I am sure you can do lots with the naturopath about the hormones.
This is so great. The path to heal! Yeah!
I too ma glad to read this. I have been wondering what was next and what you were going to do, but figured you'd post about it when you were ready.
I know that 5 days a week for a month may start to be a bit challenging around day 13 --and a two hour drive per day too! But if seeing this doc can minimize or prevent damage to lung and heart (and he actually honors your desire to include the hormone therapy) it seems so completely worth it!!
The hour's ride will get shorter as you drive it, as it becomes familiar territory... and maybe it can be a time to meditate, to vision, to sing, to listen to books on tape, to catch up on a long call with a friend, to nap (if on a day here or there you might take someone with you for company, who will take the wheel so you CAN get a break from driving yourself).
Sounds like you will be getting the hormone tests and levels worked out before you start radiation?
Sending you applause and a big hug!
I am so glad you have decided to make some tough decisions and are feeling good about them. It sounds like the drive will be a little bit of a challenge, but it sounds like you will be in the best hands!! Stay strong girlie!!!
XOXO
Thanks chickies xox
Funny you should mention 'bee pollen' DeeDee as i found myself staring at a jar of it in the health food store the other day and i wondered to myself... Now what tha heck's that for!?! Lol! ("There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio!") x
Dear Vicki,
I am so proud of you too. Those are huge decisions, and I admire your bravery and confidence to move forward.
Thank you for sharing all of your journey with us. We are there with you....I sing like crazy when I'm in the car! On those long drives--picture me in the passanger seat bolting out a tune off key!
Plus, that painting you posted at the end....that sparked tears. That painting hung above my bed my entire childhood. Anytime I was scared, I stared at that painting...and somwhow I could feel arms around me.
Lots of love to you!!
Peace & Love.
wOw! Connie! X:-o!
just love that 'ol Universe's syncronistic dancin' X:-)
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