Wellness Detective

Archive for the ‘Cancer’ Category

Wellness Detective Comments: I was first diagnosed with breast cancer on December 20th, 2011 and started Chemotherapy treatment on January 27th, 2012.  I was scheduled for 6 cycles of FEC-D over the past 3 months.  My last Chemo treatment was on May 11th, 2012.   Overall, I have tolerated the Chemo medicines well and it’s been a pretty smooth experience.    I have had visitors throughout most of my Chemo sessions and company has been really good.

During this period of time, I have listened to music and youtube videos to sooth my soul.  The power of sound has a certain impact.  I first learned about the bravery bell from some cancer survivors a few weeks ago.   The bravery bell is a bell that you ring once you have completed your last Chemo session.

On May 8th, 2012, I had my appointment with my Oncologist and then waited for the reception staff to give me my papers.  He called me to the front desk and gave me my papers and said, make sure you ring that bell loud and proud as we hear it on our floor as well.  He made me teared eyed as I realized the end was now so close.  It certainly has been quite the journey and the support of these amazing angels who work at Princess Margaret Hospital meant so much.

The big day of May 11th, 2012 came and I headed downtown by subway at Princess Margaret Hospital.  I arrived downtown early and headed to Tim Horton’s where I ran into my aunt who came down to the hospital to be there with me, so we had our morning snacks, and tea.  We then headed over to the hospital and I bought the rest of my medication, picked up my medical forms and headed to Chemo daycare on the 4th floor.  A new friend Prasad arrived promptly at 12pm and then Samita arrived at 1pm, so both of them kept me chatting and were great company.

I did not get into my Chemo chair for my last treatment til 1:30pm and I finished everything at 3pm.  We then all walked over to the Bravery Bell, and rang it with pride.  The nurse then kindly took photos of me and the bell and with my friends and the bell.   Then for some crazy reason, the phone decided to freeze on me.   It really was like a sign that this indeed was the end of this part of the journey and a new beginning for me.  The sound of the bell was powerful, as it touched my soul and the others in the hospital and they started clapping.   It was my way of the telling the universe, I am here and ready for the next chapter, so let it begin now!

Wellness Detective Comments: I signed up for Art therapy class at a Cancer Support Group in downtown Toronto as a friend Asma, had mentioned about art when she came to visit me for one Chemo session early on in my treatment.   Art was actually my strongest subject in high school and I even attended a special art program in 1988 during that time for print making.   Cartooning, doodling and painting were some of my favorite Artistic activities.   I started the Art therapy class in March and I was nervous about connecting to my creative side once again after so many years.  One class allowed me to discover that art indeed allowed me to connect to my heart and fully express my emotions.

During the class, I used paints, chalk and markers to develop my artistic creations and then we would share our thoughts and feelings about our art.  It was extremely therapeutic and we released both our good and bad emotions during the process.  One powerful activity we did was to create a piece of art of something challenging us all and that we wanted to get rid of.  So we created the piece of art, shared ourselves and then ripped up the art and put it in the centre of the table.  That activity alone, was one the most powerful actions I have ever taken to completely heal myself emotionally.

This video gives an overview of what my Art therapy experience has been like in the past few months:

Wellness Detective Comments:  It was sometime in late January 2012 that someone I’ve worked on an event with in the past, sent me a Call for Proposals about bodies for consideration in the Body Monologues upcoming show.  I submitted my proposal in a short summary and received a reply back in early February. A Skype Call for a meet and greet with the organizers was booked for February 16th, 2012.  The call was informal and I further explained what I intended to feature in my body monologue.  My second chemotherapy appointment was the next day, so it actually took me a week before I began writing my monologue.  It took me 2 days and I submitted my final copy on February 27th, 2012.   I got the news on February 28th, 2012 that I was selected as one of the individuals set to share their story and perform a body monologue.  I will be covering everything that has occurred in my body over the past 30 years.  I hope to see many people in the audience and look forward to meeting the other performers.

Please join us for:

Body Monologues On Stage, Thursday, March 15th, 2012, 8pm-10pm

@ Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1255 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, ON M2K 1E2

Body Monologues Performance Poster Winter 2012

Wellness Detective Comments: I first learned of the book “You Can Heal Your Life” book by Louise Hay while living in Japan in Fall 1997.  My friend was coming to visit me in Japan and I asked him to bring me the book.  I read the book thoroughly and implemented some of the strategies I learned in the book.  It was definitely an eye opening tool for me.  Several years later, another friend of mine shared a DVD of Louise Hay that involved self study.  I was able to watch that DVD today again.  It’s very true that our thoughts and beliefs system create our reality.  I would highly suggest checking out any products of Louise Hay wherever you are in your healing or spiritual journey.   Here’s a snapshot video to review to give you a brief glimpse.

Wellness Detective Comments: It was just over a month ago that I received a health diagnosis and a few weeks ago, was scheduled to have my first chemotherapy treatment.  I am a big advocate of natural healing, but have opted to combine both conventional and natural remedies in my strategy to re-balance my body.   I arrived at the hospital with my aunt and we got the pager, waiting patiently for a Chemo chair to be available.   It was a waiting game.  I looked around in the waiting room and observed the different expressions, body sizes, families and those to support patients.

After an hour wait, the pager went off, and I was directed to go to an area of the hospital, and a specific room number for my treatment.  As soon as I sat down, luckily a friend arrived at the same time to bring me a Journal to document my journey.    The nurse prepped my treatment and luckily, my friend engaged me in conversation as soon as the treatment began.  At the same time, my aunt had left to bring me a soup for lunch and returned with the soup.  I began to simultaneously drink the soup, as they were injecting the drugs into my veins.  I was told a side effect is a metal taste in the mouth, but I didn’t experience any, as the soup washed out any other tastes.

As soon as my treatment ended I got up to walk out, and my aunt had gone for lunch, and in arrived Tanya.  We walked over to the Chemo waiting area where they have a sitting area and tables.  Tanya pulled out plates, cutlery and a deliciously healthy green salad.  It was so refreshing to enjoy a lunch with another.   I went home after and made sure that I had wheat grass juice and green juices to assist with my recovery from chemo treatment.  It worked well, I experienced no nausea.  I am very grateful, my first chemo treatment went well.   People and greens made the difference for me!

Wellness Detective Comments: In the past week, two people have sent me messages suggesting I watch the documentary “Food Matters” which highlights fighting cancer with nutrition.  Since my recent diagnosis, my plan of action is to increase my greens intake and wheatgrass juice.  Juicing and salads will be my main food regime.  Alkalinity in my body is the desired state in my journey back to wellness.  Watch this video clip from the documentary “Food Matters” and let me know your thoughts.

Wellness Detective Comments: I just returned from 1 week overseas in Jerusalem, Israel, otherwise known as the Holy Land to many.  I departed on December 28th, just 1 week ago and it has been a phenomenal experience.  To be in the land where Jesus was born, I got a renewed sense of faith for my healing journey.  I was given the news of a health diagnosis on December 20th, 2011 and 8 days later I flew out to Israel.  Each place I visited, gave me energy and a spark in my eyes and my soul.  I came home to receive a package in the mail from a friend who I stay connected through on facebook.  She had a CD titled “Healing Scriptures” by Kenneth E. Hagin and a small booklet titled “How to Keep YOur Healing” by Kenneth E. Hagin sent me me in the mail.  I am listening to it now.  It’s fabulous and refreshing.  The time of healing starts firstly with faith.   With faith, all healing begins.  This certainly is going to be one upcoming spiritual journey for me.  My relationship with God will become stronger.  I have tears in my eyes writing this at this moment in time.  A healer who I met via skype based in the Holy Land on Christmas Eve said, after the end of this process, there will be a GIFT.  Every challenge is a GIFT and a learning experience.  What a wonderful way to look at things?  Begin to give thanks for every GIFT you receive—both good and bad—and you all fear will diminish.  Have a wonderful week everyone!

Wellness Detective Comments: Do you believe cancer is curable?  What are your thoughts?  I have had cancer once before and beat it.  There are many natural ways of healing cancer and people just don’t realize it, and often give in to conventional medicine.  I suggest both natural and conventional medicine combined, is sometimes the best way to go.  This is a video a Facebook friend sent over to me to watch.  Please comment on the video and let me know what you think?

Wellness Detective Comments: I had my appointment with the surgeon and another doctor yesterday morning at Princess Margaret Hospital at 9am.  My aunt accompanied me to my appointment.  We first met with Doctor Moses and then Dr. McCready.  Doctor Moses explained the size of the 2 tumours and my options.  Lumpectomy was performed on me before, but this time around with the size of the tumours and location, it would prove to be difficult.  Mastectomy is one option they recommended and then chemotherapy.  The other option is to start with chemotherapy with an aim to reduce the tumours, and focus on breast conservation.  Thank god my aunt was with me, it was so overwhelming to hear all this information at once.  For the past 3 days, I have been watching youtube videos of Giuliana Rancic, Christina Applegate and Lisa Ray.  Lisa Ray calls herself a cancer graduate, and now I know what Lisa means.  When I left the hospital, they gave me a big binder to read.  It’s like going to Cancer University or something like that.

Right after the hospital, we went to Gilda’s Club for their holiday party.  It was nice brunch and we got pjs and a t-shirt as  gifts.  It made my day, and just what I needed.  After that, we went to the Eaton Centre and landed up at Chapters-Indigo, I wanted to buy 2 books, but they lines were so big, so we gave up that option for the day.  We then headed to St. Michael’s Cathedral and I lit a candle.  I then walked up the central aisle in the church and lay down on the ground and started to cry.  My aunt watched me cry my eyes out.

What’s been freaking me out the past 24 hours, is with regards to fertility.  In this short span of time, before I start chemotherapy, I need to think about and decide on freezing my eggs to keep the option of family planning open.  It’s a little overwhelming.   I have much to do and also, I leave for a holiday soon overseas.  My life has certainly been one rollercoaster ride the past 2 weeks.  I created this blog, wellness detective, to share all the secrets I have learned about health and wellness, but I still have more to learn.

Wellness Detective Comments: My aunt stayed over at my mom’s house and my other aunt drove us to my family doctor for an appointment to discuss the findings of my test results from last week.  The doctor brought me in, sat me down and said, “you know it isn’t good when I call you in”.  I replied yes, I know.  She told me that it’s cancer—no this came out of nowhere and not what I expected.  I had been eating raw food lifestyle  (2 x times) per day for the past 3.5 years, with cooked food for dinner.  I actually didn’t cry about it—I took some time for me to process and I told my boss when I went to work.  I then posted it on Facebook to get the support I really needed.  Just when I was about to make plans for my life and start living—I was thrown this curveball.