Like this:

I’ve really been feeling fine overall, in spite of hitting menopause like a brick wall! Hot flashes have subsided, and I am sleeping through the night now. However, the Lupron and tamoxifen, both anti-estrogens, are causing some “female” side effects that are unpleasant and prompted a call to the oncologist. Fortunately there is a non-hormonal treatment to try for four weeks, and if there is no improvement, an estrogen treatment is necessary – a topical treatment. I know, I know, estrogen is the enemy when you have estrogen positive cancer, but I’m told that if I need it, the amount that is absorbed into the system is minimal. Anyway I’d rather not take the chance, so let’s hope the four week treatment works.

It will be one year next month that I found my lump and began this journey. It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed, and I am grateful that I’m still here and feeling so well. Yes I still have some numbness in my right arm and around the surgery site, and there is still some swelling after all this time, but it’s easy to live with and could be much, much worse.

On July 9 I go in for my first mammogram since this adventure began, and afterward I’ll see my surgeon for the first time since the surgery. It does make me nervous, but honestly I’m doing everything I can to prevent a recurrence. The rest just isn’t up to me.

Here’s what I’m doing:

1. After reading “The China Study” and several other books on nutrition and cancer plus a multitude of other diseases including the dreaded osteoporosis that I am threatened with from the drugs, heart disease, dementia and diabetes, Kevin and I have adopted a plant-based whole foods diet. This is going extremely well and the transisiton for Kevin and I has been easy. The food possibilites are literally endless, the health benefits are tremendous, and the food not only looks good, it tastes great. We crave our vegetables, pastas, and green smoothies! Kevin has actually lost ten pounds and reduced his blood pressure. He gave a copy of the book to our family physician who loves it (he’s about Kevin’s age) and says the science is absolutely correct, and told Kevin he’d help him get off all the blood pressure meds. Wow, is he looking buff! I haven’t lost much more weight, but having only ten pounds to lose makes it more of a challenge. This will come with increased exercise, which I am doing now. I launched a new web site for those of us who want to learn more and to make the transition to the healthiest lifestyle on the planet: Plant-Based Whole Foods Living. Please subscribe. 

2. I have been exercising regularly for one year now. What a difference in stamina, strength, flexibilty, and new muscles. Exercise is also important because if I don’t work my right arm it becomes tight, stiff and painful. My treadmill is serving me well, and I’m not just walking on it now, I do some jogging too in order to stress my hips, and keep the bones strong so that I don’t need to take Zometa, which has its own laundry list of side-effects.

3. I’m faithful to my meds and supplements: tamoxifen, Centrum Silver, Caltrate, Fish Oil, and vitamin E. And I go in form my Lupron injections every 12 weeks.

4. I think most importantly I keep things in perspective better now than in the past. Dealing with cancer is very much a “head thing”. I don’t sweat the small stuff, and I’m more aware of how I spend my precious time. I still feel that every day is a gift. I have even learned to enjoy the soothing sound of rain.

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