The best medicine of all ...

I've had so much going on lately that I've managed not to think about my own health issues till just a couple days ago. Then yesterday my partner reminded me it was time for me to call my surgeon and schedule my breast MRI. I had two lumpectomies in 2009 ... the first revealed one site of atypical ductal hyperplasia (pre-cancer cells) and the second surgery in December 2009 revealed two sites and a pathology report indicating I was now borderline DCIS. I've also been losing weight again, but am guessing it's due to the stress of caring for my mom who has recently been diagnosed with alzheimer's. Since taking pancreatic enzymes my weight loss has come to a standstill, until just recently.

I guess there is a part of me that is worried, as much as I try not to ... I've known for a year now that there are cells in my body that have started going awry. I have chosen the path of close surveillance for now and have been working with natural, holistic healers (in conjunction with my western doctors). I watch my diet closely and have been eating foods that I have been told fight cancer ... lots of berries -- strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. I also have a good reason to eat dark chocolate (and love it!). In my mind, I have been telling myself that I will starve any cancer cells trying to multiply in my body .... i limit intake of sugar as I understand cancer cells love sugar. In the back of my mind I hear the voice of my GI doctor as he responds to my question of, "Why did my pancreas shut down and stop producing lipase (enzymes that digest fat)? Is it something I should be concerned about, or now that the enzymes appear to be working, not worry about it?" His response, "it's good the enzymes are working, however, we need to closely monitor you since we don't know or understand what has caused your pancreatic insufficiency."

I have continued to watch my diet, ensuring that what I put in my body will prevent cancer cells from growing. Interestingly, I stumbled upon a TED video this morning by William Li, the founder of the Angiogenesis Foundation ... his talk "Can we eat to starve cancer?". A wonderful and informative video .. also very affirming to learn that what i've been doing is probably the best preventative medicine. So ... I will continue doing what I am doing, and as I schedule my MRI I will also pray that the results will come back showing no cancer. And I also pray that whatever is going on in my pancreas can be reversed.