Yes - Breast Cancer Wellness

Transcription

Breast Cancer
Wellness
M A G A Z I N E
Empowering MIND • BODY • SPIRIT
Yes, I Can Make
a Difference!
Common Questions
about Food and
Breast Cancer
A Home for Healing
Translate Your Actions
into Powerful Help
A World of Cultural
Differences
PRSRT STANDARD
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Volume 3, Issue 3
Fall 2008
contents
Fall 2008
ON OUR COVER
Amy Abernethy, MD
Director of the Duke Cancer Care
Research Program and Faculty Member
of Duke Clinical Research Institute
18-23
49-51
Losing my breast, my hair
and my husband all within
months was enough to
knock me to my knees.
Literally. I spent hours in
my prayer closet sometimes
just sitting there quietly
meditating. My first trip there
after the diagnosis involved a
prayer where I reminded the
Lord that He said in the Bible
He had peace that surpassed
understanding. I wanted
to be free of the fear and
quaking I felt inside and if I
could find that peace, I knew
I could deal with the next
step. The experience I had
that afternoon shall never
leave my mind.
40
F E AT U R E S
A World of Cultural
Differences 7
Research is showing that within each and
every corner in the world and within the
country, when it comes to “breast cancer
awareness“, one size does not fit all.
Yes, I Can Make A
Difference 24-27
And when love is shared,
there is no greater
medicine, no greater
vision, no greater
moment.
SURVIVING AND THRIVING
34 The Nigerian Butterfly
38 Making a Nourishing Difference
40 I Love Clubbing with My Kids
A Home for Healing 46
It is our private place where we can
let down our guard and just be! It is
where we go to relax, unwind, celebrate
personal joys and yes, sadness.
I Can Make A Difference 49
Breast cancer and the path I traveled
because of it, equipped me with all I need
to be who I am and to do what I know I
was left here to do.
2
Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine
D E PA RT M E N TS
TELL IT TO THE EDITOR 8
The Perils of Red Meat 10
Research has shown beyond a scientific
doubt that eating red meat is a serious
risk factor for breast cancer.
Low-Carb for Cancer Patients 14
To maintain energy, stabilize blood sugar
levels and support healthy weight loss,
choose “mixed meals”, rich in complex
carbohydrates and lean proteins.
GIRL TALK FOR SURVIVORS 17
It is time to fund the research that will
make a difference in our lives and the
lives of our children.
Common Questions ABOUT
Food and Breast Cancer 18
Translate Your Actions
Into PoweRful HELP 28-29
What To Do When The
Jelly Fish Invade 31
Find out how to protect the beaches of
our minds and send the jellyfish of doubt,
fear and anger back into the water, never
to sting us again.
AMOENA FOR ME 44
Graceful, Delightful, Beautiful
www.breastcancerwellness.org
3
Show Me the Way Out
publisher’s letter
Show Me the Way Out
Dear Friends,
As I write this today from the scenic hills of the Ozarks, our ever changing weather has
brought us a beauty-filled day with gentle breezes, the warmth of the sun, and attitudes
that reflect that everyone here is enjoying a nearly perfect day. Yet at this same time, our
friends on the East and the Gulf coasts are continually being threatened with ravaging
hurricanes. They are evacuating their homes with the hopes and prayers of moving to
safety and yet not knowing when they return how the storms of change may lead them in
new directions.
This sounds and feels similar to the experiences of breast cancer, doesn’t it? The threats
of breast cancer makes us leave the comfort and safety of who we think we are, only
eventually to return us to something much greater than ourselves. It seems no one
escapes trauma, life threatening experiences, and high drama in one form or another.
Sometimes our life’s most challenging experiences come from marriages or divorce,
Mother Nature, work, accidents, and from the threats of disease. But for sure, these
experiences make us question our strengths, our life and our priorities.
We learn we are not our homes, not our material wealth, and not the job title we bear. We
learn we are more than our hair, and more than our breasts; we learn that our darkest
times show us the light of who we are. We learn as a nation and as a pink sisterhood to
see beyond our struggles and to connect with our core strengths. History continually
bears this revelation that the extraordinary human spirit emerges through ordinary
people and moves us toward the light of day. It is in that spirit, human and Divine, that
we move into our next greater experience with less struggle and more conviction. It is in
this spirit that we find stillness and peace, in spite of the storms, and we can be renewed.
We can even appreciate more deeply the people and the experiences that have touched and
changed our lives.
My prayer and invitation is for each of us to experience healing and wellness to the fullest.
Wellness Blessings,
Publisher / Editor
16 year breast cancer survivor
P.S. It’s not too late to sign up for the 3rd annual Breast Cancer Survivors Cruise. The
cruise is a great opportunity to share those stormy experiences in our lives and to reflect
how we are stronger because of these unexpected courses. Your deposit guarantees the
cost of your cabin before prices increase again.
P.S.S. Empowering our legislative representatives to best serve us is a minimum of a two
step process: We must express exactly what we need and WE MUST VOTE.
FALL 2008
Volume 3, Issue 3
PUBLISHER
Bevery Vote
[email protected]
Please join us...
on the 3rd Annual
Breast Cancer
Survivors Cruise!
April 16-20, 2009
Call Shelly Williams at
Great Southern Travel Agency
1-800-810-8610
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Donna St. Jean Conti
[email protected]
______________
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Bonnie Phelps
[email protected]
SALES ASSOCIATE
Diane Denton
[email protected]
417.581.3438
Fax 417.581.3498
______________
ART DIRECTOR
Stacie L. Marshall
[email protected]
The Breast Cancer Wellness
Magazine
P.O. Box 2040
Lebanon, MO 65536
breastcancerwellness.org
To order your individual free subscription,
go to www.breastcancerwellnesss.org
or see page 50 to subscribe.
To receive issues for your event, support
group, or waiting room, please email
[email protected]
Published quarterly for Breast Cancer Wellness. Reader discretion
is advised. Publisher of The Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine does
not endorse or promote any product or service of advertisers of
this publication nor does it verify the accuracy of any claims made
in the advertisements or articles. This magazine is not intended
to replace the care and advice of expert medical professionals. All
rights reserved. Reproductions of any information appearing in
this publication in whole or in part cannot be made without the
express written permission of the publisher.
4
Mary Ann thought she had everything going her way
Until breast cancer was to change her every day.
In anguish, Mary Ann cries out, her pleas full of doubt.
She was in a dark hole with no light to show her way out.
She thought she had hope when a doctor walked by.
Why didn’t he understand her tear filled cry?
He wrote her a prescription and went on his scheduled way.
But her hopes and her direction were still in dark dismay.
Again, Mary Ann cries out, her pleas full of doubt.
This time a priest nearby heard her shout.
He walked to the hole Mary Ann was in.
I hear your cries, I will pray for your sin.
Bless you my child, he had to say,
And gave three Hail Marys to anoint her way.
Once again, Mary Ann cries out, her pleas full of doubt.
Quietly a stranger responds,
I know your fears inside and out.
I know the secrets hidden within.
I know too well this hole that you are in.
The stranger jumped without hesitation
Into the hole filled with so much tribulation.
Bewildered, Mary Ann cries out, her pleas full of doubt.
What have you done, why are you here?
I appreciate your grace,
But now we are both in this dark, dark place.
Shhhsssh, says the stranger to Mary Ann.
I hear your cries, your pleas full of doubt.
I have been here myself, as a survivor showed me,
I will show you the way out.
–Beverly Vote, 16 year breast cancer survivor
“Show Me the Way Out” is the mission statement
of the Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine.
5
BCW Contributors
Amy Abernethy, MD
Ask Amy and Jane, Page 18
Dr Amy Abernethy obtained her medical degree and post
graduate training in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical
Oncology at Duke University and trained in Palliative Medicine
and Cancer Pain Clinical Trails at Flinders University in Australia.
She is Director of the Duke Cancer Care Research Program, faculty
member of Duke Clinical Research Institue and Duke Comprehensive Cancer Care Control Program and Senior Fellow of the Duke
Center for Clinical Health Policy Research. Her research focuses
on evidence-based solutions for improving the cancer patients’
experiences. http://www.cancer.duke.edu/dccrp/
Low-Carb for Cancer Patients?, Page 14
As a respected holistic health professional, Kim
developed a nutrition course for the first U.S.
Govt-funded complementary medical residency
program in Illinois. She was selected as a medical
advisor for Lifetime Television Walgreen’s Health
Corner TV show, served as spokesperson for
Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and has collaborated with Dr. John LaPuma (ChefMD) and Dr.
Andrew Weil. www.challengecancer.com.
Beth Hohl
Christine Horner, MD
Heather Jose
Ann Leach
Amoena for Me, Page 44
Beth Hohl is the Breast Forms Product Manager
at Amoena USA with over 20 years of experience
in developing personal products for consumers.
She is the liaison between conveying what women
want for their breast care needs to the corporate
managers and designers of Amoena. Her job is
to ensure value, quality, and a beautiful selection
of products for the women that Amoena serves.
www.amoena.com
The Perils of Eating Red Meat, Page 10
Christine Horner, MD is a board certified and
nationally recognized surgeon, author, expert in
natural medicine, and professional speaker. She
spearheaded legislation in the 1990s that made
it mandatory that insurance companies pay for
breast reconstruction following mastectomy. She
is the 2006 award winning author of Waking the
Warrior Goddess: Dr Christine Horner’s Program to
Protect Against and Fight Breast Cancer.
www.drchristinehorner.com
Girl Talk for Survivors, Page 17
Diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer at 26,
Heather Jose chose to fight the cancer head on
putting together a plan to battle cancer on a daily
basis. Nine years later, Heather is healthy and using
her experiences to speak to healthcare providers
and patients about how much their actions and
words can impact success. Heather is the author of
“Letters to Sydney: Every Day I am Killing Cancer”. Her
husband Larry is a high school coach; they have two
children, Sydney and Ty. www.heatherjose.com.
What To Do When the Jellyfish Invade, Page 31
Ann has been coaching caregivers to avoid burnout
and practice self-care since 1988 when she founded the
Cancer Support Network in Illinois after serving as her
mother’s caregiver through her mother’s final stages
of cancer. Now a Missouri girl, Ann continues coaching
clients and speaking around the country and writing.
Ann is a board member of the Missouri Association of
Publications. She enjoys the area’s many lakes and is expressing her creativity by designing beaded necklaces
with a water theme. www.life-preservers.org
JoAnne Lenart-Weary
Hala Moddelmog
Donna St. Jean Conti
Jane Wheeler
A Home for Healing, Page 46
JoAnne Lenart-Weary has been creating beautiful homes and
teaching others to do the same for over 30 years. She is the
founder of One Day Decorating www.onedaydecorating.com
and The Decorating Academy, www.thedecoratingacademy.com
JoAnne has been seen on HGTV’s, “Decorating Cents” as well as
a weekly TV segment for an ABC Affiliate. She is a co-founder of
The SDP, www.TheSDP.com and an ongoing instructor for CHF
Academy. www.Chfacademy.com The thing that makes her the
happiest however is spending time with her family, which includes
a supportive husband, Tom and 12 beautiful grandchildren.
Assistant Editor, Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine
Surviving and Thriving, Pages 34-43
Donna is a 7 year breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at 34. She found that writing about her cancerrelated experiences helped, and she even found joy in
the uplifting experiences that came through amazing,
real-life and serendipitous encounters. Donna is now
an award-winning professional writer and marketing
communications practitioner who specializes in public
relations. She is president of St. Conti Communications
in Mission Viejo, CA. www.stconticommunications.com
6
Kim Dalzell, Ph.D, R.D., L.D.
Translate Your Actions Into Powerful Help, Page 28
Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of Susan G.
Komen for the Cure, is responsible for all aspects
of the organization’s management including
budgets, forecasts, the Affiliate network, policies,
procedures and compliance, and the development
and successful implementation of the organization’s objectives and strategies to eradicate breast
cancer. She works closely with Komen for the Cure
volunteers, staff and the board of directors. Hala is
a 7 year breast cancer survivor.
Ask Amy and Jane, Page 18
Jane Wheeler received her undergraduate degree from
Princeton University and her master of science in public health
from Harvard University. She has studied complementary
and alternative medicine in various venues, including the
Acupressure Institute (Berkeley, CA) and McKinnon Institute
for Professional Bodywork (Oakland, CA). She formerly served
as a certified massage therapist, and has maintained an active
yoga practice for 20 years in the Iyengar, Astanga, and Anusara
traditions. She currently serves as Research Associate in the
Duke Cancer Care Research Program and Medical Instructor at
Duke University School of Medicine. [email protected].
A World of Breast Health
Cultural Differences
One Size Does Not Fit All
by Beverly Vote
Over the past few decades, America
has evolved from being a nation that
barely whispered the words “breast
cancer” to becoming the world’s
leading force for the mission of ending
breast cancer. Today, there is less
whispering going on yet there are
still serious life-affecting cultural
differences all over the world, including
within the United States. And
research is showing that within each
and every corner in the world and
within the country, when it comes to
“breast cancer awareness“, one size
does not fit all.
As the worldwide mission continues
to move toward ending breast cancer,
the cultural differences continue to
beckon attention and compassion for
the needs of all women and all men
wanting to survive from a diagnosis
of breast cancer. As they each face
the individual healing journeys
before them, they want to know that
their cultural backgrounds, religious
preferences, color of their skin, or
political viewpoints do not stand in
the way of obtaining the finest care in
the world. However for many women,
just to receive a minimum of care, the
differences in the world divides some
from others. There are many cultural
differences in the world, here is a
glimpse of just a few.
Dr. Amelia G. Ramirez, Member
of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Advisory Board and Director of
the Institute for Health Promotion
Research at the University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio,
has advised that aside from issues
related to genetics or socioeconomic
status, there are several very critical
cultural beliefs that interview with
Latinas’ approach to early detection
of cancer. These include the ideas
that mothers take care of others first,
thus denying their own screening, the
perception that cancer equates death,
and the lack of awareness that breast
Dr. Amelia G. Ramirez
cancer as a disease that in most cases
grows slowly enough to be detected
and treated on time. Dr. Ramirez’
research was the first to highlight the
fact that, across all ethnic groups,
more than one-third of all Latina
women believe that there is very little
they can do to prevent cancer.
Aside from genetic and cultural
issues, Latinas face a triple negative less education, less likely to be insured
and lower income - that presents many
barriers to accessing health care and
creating a wide disparity.
“Directly related to breast cancer
care, our research shows that Latinas
do not get a mammogram as often
as white women. In fact, only 66%
of Latinas over 40 or older had a
mammogram in the last two years,
compared to 71% of whites, according
to data from the American Cancer
Society,” said Dr. Ramirez. “This is
further complicated by the fact that
low-income Latinas and other ethnic
minority women are more likely to
delay or miss follow up appointments
after an abnormal mammogram.
“Cultural competency among
physicians is important. Barriers to
care spring up when Spanish-speaking
patients go to doctors who are not like
them. Non-Latino doctors may not be
familiar with cultural issues facing
Latinos, and linguistic appropriateness
becomes an issue, too. Another issue
is that Hispanics/Latinos sometimes
rely on alternative medicine or folk
remedies, and may be afraid to tell
their doctor. And there aren’t enough
Latino doctors and researchers either.
Just as cancer disparities exist for
Latinos/Hispanics, they also exist in
the demographics of the researchers
and scientists who work to reduce
or eliminate cancer disparities.
Specifically, there are even fewer
doctoral-level Latino students in the
health sciences than master’s-level u
Dr. Cassandra Simon
7
Tell It To The Editor
In your last issue Patty Bateson
wrote a beautiful poem about the
chemotherapy nurses. If it wasn’t for
the wonderful nurses where I had
to take chemotherapy, I don’t know
how I could have faced those months
of terror and nausea during my six
months of therapy. The only way I
can think of those days is to replace
the thoughts of how my nurses made
all the difference for me. May all
the nurses in the world know that
without them we patients could not get
through this.
right on. The chemo nurses are special
angels with gentle and strong hearts.
It has been over a year since I had my
last chemotherapy treatment, but just
the thought of those chemo treatments
makes me feel sick all over again.
Knowing that my chemo nurse Susan
was going to be there for all of my
treatments was more precious to me
than I can ever put into words.
Kendra Eidson
Orlando, FL
I was very relieved to read that
the doctor from Duke Cancer Center
believes in whole body healing. This
article made me realize something
about myself that I didn‘t want to
acknowledge and that is how afraid
I was to go back to work after being
diagnosed with breast cancer.
Julie
Brentwood, TN
Dr. Christine Horner’s article
on Dangerous Cooking was dead
on, almost literally. It is so shocking
to continue to learn about all of the
carcinogens in our world.
8
Wellness
%MPOWERING-).$s"/$9s30)2)4
Susan G. Komen
for the Cure
Cancer Crusade
Pink Goes Green
Trusting
Your Journey
Amy Abernethy, MD,
Whole-Body
Healing and
Duke Cancer Care
Sandy V. Allen
Springfield, IL
Thank you
for the piece on Duke
Cancer Care. If only all cancer centers
would understand that we are more
than our physical body.
When You’re Told
To Get Your
Affairs in Order
PRSRT STANDARD
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Volume 3, Issue 2
Summer 2008
I know in my gut she is right. I don’t
want to shoot the messenger. Perhaps
shooting the messenger would be as
irresponsible as those that think we
can continue to poison Mother Earth
without it poisoning our own physical
bodies.
by Beverly Vote
last chapter, “Say Your Name“. As for
the second copy of The Breast Cancer
Wellness Magazine, I gave it to a
young woman at my church that was
recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
M A G A Z I N E
Marsha Johnston
Overland Park, KS
The poem Caring Hearts was
Breast Cancer
A World of Breast Health Cultural Differences
Casey Jordan
Centreville, VA
My friend Georgia brought
me a copy of your magazine
and a few days later my sister in
law brought me another copy. The
magazine certainly got my attention.
It shook me up enough to get some
of my legal affairs “in order”. I was
shocked that I could get a will, my
health directive, a durable power
of attorney, and a revocable trust
for both me and my husband for
$13.50. It was so easy to do, and
I loved the tutorial video that
walked me through the process.
I guess I was afraid to get my
affairs in order because it would
be too difficult, too expensive
and that the legal system is so
overwhelming. I am glad I finally
did what I just needed to do. I
also bought Suze Orman’s book!
Every woman should read her
Carla Reynolds
Conway, AR
I love the article on Dr. Amy
Abernethy. I love how she
understands the difference between
treating a patient and treating a
disease. This sounds like a doctor who
loves her work. Wish all of us could be
so fortunate to have someone like her
on our medical team.
Sheryl Winkleman
Mesa, AZ
Tell It To The E
d
itor!
The Breast Ca
ncer Wellnes
s Magazine
is here to serv
e the needs of
breast cancer
survivorship.
These are som
e of the letters
we have
received that ha
ve told us wha
t they think
and what they
need from the
magazine.
email:
tellittotheedito
r@ breastcancer
wellness.org
write:
The Breast Ca
ncer Wellness
Magazine
P.O. Box 2040
Lebanon, MO
65536
We will print al
l le
tters that we ca
n.
students, indicated that Latinos are
not seeking health-related doctoral
education, according to recent
research. The website, http://www.
ihpr.uthscsa.edu/pub.education.
html features stories of Latinas and
how they dealt with the breast cancer
experience.
Dr. Cassandra Simon, Member
Advisory Board and African American
National Advisory Council, reports
“African American women quite often
experience the same fear of death, the
effects of treatment, (especially hair
loss), and concerns about their body
image and sexuality. Where we might
see some cultural differences is how
Black women deal with breast cancer.
The most notable difference has to do
with a focus on God and spirituality
as a support system. Religiosity has
been used as a support through the
support provided by church members
as well as their own use of their breast
cancer experience as the basis of their
ministry to help others. Also, they
rely on their faith and sense of
spirituality for healing from
God and strength“.
“Some unique concerns
to African American women
involve predisposition
for the skin to keloid
and a lack of prosthesis
in matching skin tones.
Additionally, many Black
women don’t participate in
support groups for a variety
of reasons, resulting in a
lack of support groups with
other Black women with
whom they feel they share
a common experience.
African American women
also experience a
lack of trust with the
medical systems and
racism in treatment,
both intentional and
unintentional.” reported Dr Cassandra
Simon.
“Over the last decade overall breast
cancer mortality has decreased,
unfortunately women of color have
not seen the same level of decrease in
mortality as their White counterparts.”
reported Dr Simon.
The American Cancer Society
reports that mammogram frequency
for White women was higher than for
African American women and that
{cont’d. from p. 7}
of all the breast cancers diagnosed
among African American women, 53%
are diagnosed at a localized stage,
compared with 64% among White
women.
“These disparities reflect
shortcomings of cancer control for
African American women” reported Dr.
Simon.
“Campaigns that utilize other
African Americans, especially ones
known to African Americans are
working. Other programs that are
faith based and provided through
religious organizations are working.
Other programs include that are
working are those that utilize
community leaders as health advisors,
those that utilize African American
breast cancer advisors as witnesses
and those that are culturally relevant.”
reported Dr. Simon.
Dr. Sora Park Tanjasiri, Member
Advisory Board and Asian American
and Pacific Islander Advisory Council
reports that Asian American and
Pacific Islander women experience
a range of language and
cultural differences when
it comes to their breast
health. It is rare to have
health care providers
that speak their language
and it is uncommon for
women to be provided
interpreters or translators
for the examinations. For
Asian American and Pacific
Islander women it is rare
to have a doctor speak their
individual language or to
understand their cultural
differences.
If an Asian
American or Pacific
Islander woman comes
from a rural area,
the exam process may
be even less understood
in that the woman may not know
what the exam is about, so when she
is told to take off her blouse so that
her breasts can be examined, the
experience can be viewed as shameful,
and it makes it unlikely they will see
a doctor again. In addition, many
Asian American and Pacific Islander
women do not drive and may have
lower incomes and are dependant upon
their husbands for transportation
for routine examinations or cancer
Dr. Sora Park Tanjasiri
therapy treatments. This is many
times coupled with a cultural
concern from husbands that may
not understand the need for a doctor
to have their hands on their wives’
breasts or that their wife may have
breast cancer.
Asian and Pacific Islander women
many times have as much concern
for the loss of their hair as they
have for the loss of their breasts as
many cultural regions identify their
femininity more with their hair than
their breasts.
“It is difficult to generalize cultural
groups because census studies show
more than 67 ethnic groups within the
categories of Asians. Yet, is important
that each has support where they can
feel safe, where they feel they can feel
a connection, even if it means they
are connecting with only a few breast
cancer survivors from their cultural
environment,” reported Dr. Sora Park
Tanjasiri.
Because we are a world of cultural
differences filled with women and
men that contrast with their own
individuations, races, ethnicities,
colors, nationalities, and religions,
we are never divided from the need
to be empowered by sharing our
healing experiences and our healing
differences. n
9
The Perils of Eating Red Meat
J[Y^debe]o
by Christine Horner, MD
Nothing will benefit human health
and increase chances for survival of life
on Earth as much as the evolution to a
vegetarian diet.
–Albert Einstein
Research has shown beyond a
scientific doubt that eating red meat is
a serious risk factor for breast cancer.
Many studies have shown that women
who eat the most red meat have an 88
to 330 percent increased risk of this
deadly disease. The numbers were even
higher in premenopausal women.
There are four major sources of
health dangers that have been identified
in red meat:
1: ANIMAL PROTEIN
The meat of animals is composed
primarily of muscle protein, which is
made up of smaller subunits known as
“amino acids.” It also contains creatine,
an important substance that muscles
use for energy. As you know, protein
and amino acids are essential to health,
and so is creatine. However, when
animal protein is cooked, especially at
high heat, structural changes occur in
the protein, amino acids, and creatine—
changes that create dangerous new carcinogens. A study from Uruguay found
that red-meat protein is associated with
a 220 to 770 percent increased risk of
breast cancer!
2: SATURATED ANIMAL FATS
Saturated animal fats (a type of
lipid) from red20meat and dairy products are poisonous to your body. These
lipids make the cells in your body more
resistant to insulin. As a result, your
insulin levels go up. High insulin levels
are lethal. In fact, they are one of the
biggest risk factors for breast cancer.
Research shows that women with the
highest insulin levels have a 283 percent greater risk of breast cancer.
There are two other ways that saturated animal fat can raise your risk of
breast cancer, as well. First, saturated animal fat is converted into a carcinogenic substance by the bacteria in
your colon. Second, oxygen free radicals
have a tendency to attack and damage
these types of fats, changing them into
powerful stimulators of inflammation,
and inflammation fuels the growth of
breast cancer. Worse yet, inflammation and oxygen free radicals engage in
a deadly dance with each other, each
one increasing the numbers and power
of the other. Inflammation produces
more oxygen free radicals, and oxygen
free radicals, in turn, spark the fires of
inflammation.
3: CONCENTRATED TOXINS
IN RED MEAT
Red meat is a storehouse of concentrated toxins including pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and growth stimulators. In the United States, livestock are
regularly fed and injected with growth
hormones and stimulators to make them
grow bigger and faster and to increase
their production of milk. When a cow is
injected with rBGH, its body produces
large amounts of insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1). At higher concentrations,
IGF-1 is extremely dangerous because it
becomes an extraordinarily potent stimulator of breast cancer. In fact, scientists
believe it may be the most potent stimulator of breast cancer known. Women
with the highest levels of IGF-1 in their
bodies have a 700% increased risk of
breast cancer! Eating conventionally
raised beef and dairy products is the
principal way that excessive amounts of
IGF-1 get into your body.
Environmental toxins, such20as
pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, and industrial chemicals, accumulate, concentrate and store in
animal fat. Many of these toxins have
estrogenic effects. In other words, they
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Low-Carb for Cancer Patients?
by Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD
Potatoes are poison and carbs
will kill you. These ominous sound
bites have millions of consumers
convinced that eating carbohydrates
will make them fat, tired and sick.
Cancer patients are joining the carb
craze, snacking on low-carb crackers
and dining on bunless burgers, in the
quest for wellness. As Shirley Johnson,
a 65-year old Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patient from New Berlin, Wisconsin
explains, “I ate a low-carb grilled steak
salad just the other day—not because
I wanted to lose weight, but because
it was made with spinach, red onions
and black olives and it didn’t come
with bread. Hard white rolls are my
weakness, so why tempt myself?”
No one would argue that sugar-laden desserts, candies and other refined
starches like white bread and instant
rice are poor nutritional choices. And
in fact, eating fewer carbs may actually
be good for you. Short-term research
reveals a low carbohydrate, high protein diet can jumpstart weight loss and
decrease unhealthy blood triglyceride
levels. (1) Losing weight can pay off
big for some cancer patients—studies
suggest leaner women may have fewer
treatment side effects and live longer
than heavier women. (2,3) Also, rising blood sugar levels in response to
refined carbohydrates may negatively
impact immunity by impairing white
blood cell activity. (4) White blood cells
protect us by targeting and destroying foreign bodies, like cancer cells.
Furthermore, there is an established
link between processed sugars and an
increased risk of a number of cancers.
(5) These possible health hazards, plus
the risks of diabetic complications and
tooth decay, make the choice to avoid
starches and sugars crystal clear.
If eating fewer carbohydrates is
a healthy thing to do, then why are
nutrition experts dismayed to see
consumers push away carb-packed
favorites like pasta and potatoes? As it
turns out, rather than cutting simple
carbs consumers are limiting the beneficial ones. There seems to be confusion over what makes a carbohydrate
“good” or “bad”. When complex carbohydrates like legumes, whole grains
and starchy vegetables are digested,
they are released more slowly into the
bloodstream. Blood sugar levels stay
in check. That is good. Simple carbohydrates like white sugar, flour and
refined food products containing these
ingredients, are release more quickly
into the bloodstream causing a rapid
rise in blood sugar levels. That is bad.
Some cancer patients, believing in
the basic tenet that carbohydrates are
toxic, feel they need to avoid every kind
of carbohydrate, including fruits and
cereals. This can be especially detrimental if undergoing chemotherapy or
radiation. Losing weight too quickly by
restricting food groups20may impair
immunity and elevate the risk for
malnutrition—increasing the likelihood that cancer treatment may need
to be delayed while the patient takes
time to “rebuild”. Limiting carbohydrate intake can also make it difficult
to obtain the National Cancer Institute’s recommended 25 to 30 grams of
dietary fiber per day. Without adequate
fiber from whole grains and fresh fruit
and vegetables, bowel function may
be compromised leading to constipation and a build-up of cancer-causing
bile acids in the colon. Individuals
who choose to eat low-carb products
may also experience more digestive
disturbances. Most low-carb products
contain sugar alcohols like sorbitol,
mannitol and xylitol. If consumed in
large amounts, these alcohols may
cause diarrhea. And although a new
study found that low-carb dieters lost
more weight than traditional dieters,
the researchers pointed out that lowcarb diets have high drop out rates. (7)
If you don’t stick to a diet, chances are
you will revert back to your old eating
patterns. Rather than blame carbs,
consider that life-long unbalanced dietary and lifestyle practices just might
be to blame for packing on the pounds
and weakening the body’s resistance to
illness.
Ultimately, we just don’t know if
low-carb diets are safe in the longterm. We certainly have enough
evidence to suggest that diets high in
saturated fat and animal protein may
raise the risk of many cancers and
contribute to an unhealthy, inflamed
state in the body—clogging arteries,
impairing immunity and contributing
to overall toxicity. Diets without plenty
of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
are lacking in health-promoting vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals—cancer-protective compounds
that may protect healthy cells, help the
body to detoxify and inhibit enzymes
responsible for cancer growth. Given
these insights, it makes sense to rethink the carbohydrate connection to
health. Rather than avoid all carbs, or
totally convert to low-carb foods, you
should take a sensible approach to
eating.
The American Dietetic Association, whose mission is the educate the
public about good nutrition practices,
defines a healthy eating plan as one
based on complex carbohydrates such
as whole grains, fruits and vegetables,
moderate in protein and relatively low
in fat, coupled with daily physical activity. The National Academy of Science
recommends that about half of your
calories come from carbohydrates, and
the World Health Organization suggests no more than 10 percent of total
calories come from refined sugars.
That’s about 12 teaspoons of sugar for
individuals who eat 2,000 calories per
day. The reality is, however, that most
Americans consume an average of 31
teaspoons of added sugars per day—or
about 20% of total calorie intake! (6)
Breaking bread at your next meal
doesn’t have to wreak havoc on your
body. You can control your weight,
maintain healthy blood sugar levels u
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To maintain energy, stabilize
blood sugar levels and support
healthy weight loss, choose “mixed
meals”, rich in complex carbohydrates and lean proteins:
(Adapted from: Challenge Cancer
and Win! NutriQuest Press, 2002)
u Pumpernickel bread and low-fat
cottage cheese
u Low-fat bran muffin and fruited
non-fat plain yogurt
u Fresh berries in season and soy
milk
u Bananas and raw Brazil nuts
u Goat cheese and endive and tomato slices
u Whole wheat tortilla and mashed
black beans
u Rye wafers and sesame butter
u Fresh veggies and hummus
u Rice cakes and peanut butter
u Grapefruit sections and a hardboiled egg
u Grain and nut breads and fresh
fruit cup
u String cheese and seven grain
bread
Fast rising, free falling blood
sugar levels can leave you feeling
fatigued and may create intense
cravings for carbohydrates. You
probably have a blood sugar management problem if you experience
any of the following symptoms:
u Cravings for sugar or sweets
u Dizziness or irritability if you
skip a meal
u Frequent urination
u Low energy early in the morning
u Restless sleep
u Thirst, not relieved by drinking
water
and support immunity by following
these no-fail strategies for a healthy
balanced diet:
• Always combine carbohydrates
with protein. Add lean animal proteins
or soy foods to colorful fruits and vegetables and hearty whole grains. Eating
a “mixed” meal keeps you satisfied and
you’ll be less likely to need a pick-meup snack between meals.
• Focus on fiber. Dietary fiber can
help maintain normal blood sugar
levels and allows the body to rid itself
of toxic compounds. You can easily
obtain 25 grams of fiber per day by
eating a high fiber cereal topped with
fresh fruit for breakfast, homemade
bean soup with whole wheat crackers,
a side salad and a piece of fruit for
lunch and stir-fried veggies and tofu
over brown rice for dinner. Don’t forget
to drink more water when you increase
your fiber intake.
• Have regular mealtimes. This can
be difficult given our hectic lifestyles,
but if you skip meals or have erratic
eating patterns, you may find yourself
reaching for something sweet in order
to satisfy your hunger.
• Limit sweets in your diet, such as
candy, ice cream and bakery items to
special occasions. Remember that special occasions are not defined as days
that end in the word “day”.
• Watch portion sizes. Read nutrition facts labels. You might be sur-
prised to learn that your usual plate of
spaghetti delivers four to five servings
of pasta!
• Read labels to identify hidden
sugars in processed foods and socalled healthy beverages. Sweeteners
have many names, including brown
sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose,
glucose, invert sugar, molasses, and
turbinado sugar. Sugars can be easily
recognized by the “ose” endings.
Add a never-a-quick-fix-but-alwayseffective exercise plan to these dietary
strategies and you can achieve optimal
health without going crazy over carbohydrates. As Shirley says, “ I’ve been
trying to follow a healthy diet and exercise program because I know it’s better
for me.” The results seem to have paid
off—she has been in remission for over
three years. Now that’s having your
cake (oat-raisin-walnut-carrot cake, of
course!) and eating it too! n
1. Samaha, FF, et al. A low-carbohydrate as compared with a lowfat diet in severe obesity. NEJM. 2003 May 348(21): 2074-2081.
2. Kopanski, Z, et al. Influence of some anthropometric parameters on the risk of development of distal complications after
mastectomy carried out because of breast carcinoma. Am J
Human Biol. 2003 May-Jun 15(3): 433-9.
3. Petrelli, JM, et al. Body mass index, height and postmenopausal breast cancer mortality in a prospective cohort of US women.
Cancer Causes Control. 2002 May 13(4): 325-32.
4. Sanchez, A, et al. Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis. Am J Clin Nutr 1973 Nov 26(11): 1180-4.
5. Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, 1997 WCRF/AICR Publication, pg 382-3.
6. How Much Sugar is Right? Less, June 2004 Tufts University
Health & Nutrition Letter, pg 3.
7. Yancy, WS, et al. A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus
a low-fat diet to treat obesity and hyperlipidemia. Annals of
Internal Med 2004 May 18(10): 769 -777.
Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD
Often, combining carbohydrates
and proteins at every meal or snack
will decrease the severity or number
of these symptoms.
Dr. Kim Dalzell is a doctor of holistic nutrition and registered dietitian who has helped
thousands of cancer patients with her “inside-out” nature-based healing approach
to cancer control. She is a sought after speaker, author of Challenge Cancer and Win!,
industry spokesperson and founder of cancerbusters.org. To learn more about how
you can control cancer with nutrition, please visit: www.naturesanswertocancer.com.
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Girl Talk for Survivors
Take a long look at the last ten
years of your life. Think about your
daughter’s life, or your mom’s. Now
think about the next ten. What are
your hopes? Your dreams? What
would it feel like to be part of something bigger than yourself that would
affect the next decade of your life and
of the lives of others facing breast
cancer?
You may know my story by now.
Ten years ago I was told that I had
stage IV breast cancer. In fact, at the
age of 26 I was also told to ‘get my affairs in order’ by the first doctor that I
met. Fortunately I found Dr. Merajver
at the University of Michigan the very
next day. It is with her help I am here
ten years later. Happy, healthy, and
ready to give back. You see, in those
ten years I have experienced more
depths of life than I ever imagined. I
have been sick and bald. I have been
healthy and fit. I have learned to appreciate each day and what it brings.
In ten years time I have survived
terminal breast cancer, written a book,
adopted a son, built a new house, and
found my passion in speaking and
writing. So what is that worth? Life
is not something to put a price tag on.
But in a world where people will pay
for a trip to the moon or to experience
a day at a dude ranch, I believe that
most would agree that ten years of life
is worth at least a million dollars.
Last fall, at a routine appointment I asked my oncologist Dr. Sofia
Merajver what she needed. Her reply
was simple. ‘I need a million dollars’
she told me. Exploring a bit deeper I
found that she has three drugs that
she is working on but funding oncology research is always a challenge.
These drugs have possibilities not only
for breast cancer but for other cancers
as well. I knew upon leaving that this
was my calling, because ten years ago
when I had huge odds stacked against
me she didn’t quit on me. She gave me
hope and empowered me to fight. It is
my goal and desire to provide the same
momentum to her.
Dr. Merajver is one of our country’s leading researchers in the field
of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. She
has been at the University of Michigan since 1984. Her research truly
can make a difference. You can learn
more about the work that she is doing
at www.med.umich.edu/merajverlab.
While it is encouraging to see that the
rates of death for breast cancer are decreasing overall, the life expectancy for
young women has not improved over
time. But this could change that.
Though a million may sound
daunting I believe it can be done. It
is because of this that I am launching
the Power of Ten campaign. I intend to
help raise one million dollars. I am rich
because of life experiences, but I am
not wealthy. That is why I need your
help. I have learned that living an enriched life over the past ten years also
means working with others to make a
real difference for all of us.
A million dollars is ten $100,000
donations, or one hundred $10,000
donations. It is a thousand people
with $1000 each. If you and I committed $1000 and found ten others to do
the same look at how quickly it could
grow. If ten law firms, ten physicians
practices, and ten insurance companies
all challenged each other the results
could be fantastic. If ten corporations
matched the donations of the survivors
who worked for them we could be done
in no time. What if ten professional
athletes took the challenge as well?
It is possible, and the time is now. It
takes my breath away thinking about it.
So what can you do? First, decide how much money you can give
and then find ten more people who
can give that much as well. That way
$100 becomes $1000 in no time. The
important thing is to find the people
to commit to finding 10 more, to tap in
to the power of ten. It is exciting and
refreshing to me to think that 100% of
the money raised could go to Dr. Merajver’s lab, there will be no costs off the
top. If you would like to be even more
involved with this project I would love
by Heather Jose
to work with you. You can reach me at
[email protected]. If
you would like to make a donation here
is the link: http://www.giving.umich.
edu/give/cancer-power10.
It is time to fund the research
that will make a difference in our
lives and the lives of our children.
It is an exciting time to be part of
making a tangible difference with
the research that is available NOW
for breast cancer. Will you join me
by being part of The Power of Ten? n
Heather Jose
Diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer at 26, Heather Jose chose to fight the cancer
head on putting together a plan to battle cancer on a daily basis. Eight years later,
Heather is healthy and using her experiences to speak to healthcare providers and
patients about how much their actions and words can impact success. Heather is the
author of “Letters to Sydney: Every Day I am Killing Cancer”. www.heatherjose.com.
17
Ask Amy and Jane:
Common Questions About Food
and Breast Cancer
by Amy Abernethy, MD and Jane Wheeler, MSPH
In our last issue of Breast Cancer Wellness, we introduced Dr. Amy Abernethy,
Director of the Duke Cancer Care Research Program and a leading national figure
in the development of whole-person, patient-centered, cancer care. We are delighted to announce a new regular column contributed by Dr. Abernethy and Ms. Jane
Wheeler, a close colleague working with Dr. Abernethy whose background in public
health, spirituality, and holistic health approaches complements Dr. Abernethy’s
clinical expertise.
Amy Abernethy, MD
Q
A
I’ve heard that sugar fuels
the growth and division of
cancer cells. Is this true?
Should I try to avoid all
sugar now that I have breast cancer?
And what about after my treatment
ends?
Amy: This is a hot question at the
present time. We do know that diets
high in simple sugars (most snack
foods and baked goods, for instance)
cause insulin levels in the blood to rise
sharply. Some data seem to suggest
that continued high insulin levels may
contribute to cancer. People who eat
diets high in simple carbohydrates have
higher levels of a substance called insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which can
increase cell proliferation and thus elevate one’s risk of certain tumors such
as breast and colon cancers. Once a
cancer has set in, however, IGF-1 does
not play any role in stimulating growth
of the cancer. Because the data in this
18
Amy: In my view, an important
issue is that diets high in sugar tend to
be low in other nutrients – which your
body desperately needs when fighting cancer. I suggest that you opt for
healthy foods such as vegetables, proteins, fruits, whole grains, or minimally
processed carbohydrates rather than
simple carbohydrates and sweets.
Jane: Many women seek comfort
by reaching for sweets, say, a good
chocolate chip cookie. It’s common, too,
to look to sugar for an energy pick-meup when you feel fatigued. This boost,
however, is short-lived and often leaves
you feeling worse an hour or two later.
You can certainly treat yourself to a
sweet – just do so infrequently and consciously, so that you really enjoy it. For
the majority of the time, there are many
healthy alternatives that satisfy a craving for sweets. Fruit is a good option.
Some energy bars are fortified with
many vitamins and minerals – look for
ones that are marked “low glycemic” or
that list grams of carbohydrate equal to
or lower than grams of protein. You can
Dear Readers,
As contributors to Breast Cancer Wellness, we wish to address issues that have
true importance to you, as breast cancer patients, survivors, and women interested in optimizing your health and wellness. This first column uses a conversational
question-and-answer format to introduce you to the way we think, our basic philosophy and approach. Subsequent columns will delve more deeply into particular
areas of interest or concern. We invite you, the Reader, to send us suggestions for
future columns by using the email addresses listed at the bottom of this article.
Your recommendations and feedback will be most appreciated, and will help us
serve you better. After all, this column is for you!
Amy
the link between sugar and cancer, you
may want to take better care of yourself
by moderating your sugar intake.
Jane
sweeten your coffee or tea with stevia, a
non-nutritive, calorie-free, plant-derived
sweetener that does not impact blood
sugar in the way that white sugar,
brown sugar, and even honey, do. In
general, veer away from processed foods
and steer yourself toward pure, simple,
wholesome options. A good meal includes protein, vegetable, whole-grain
carbohydrate (such as brown rice or
barley), and healthy fat (such as olive oil
or high-quality butter). As you improve
your diet and nourish yourself in this
healthy way, your interest in sweets will
naturally diminish.
Q
A
I used to think that soy
was a healthy addition to
my diet, but now I’ve heard
that it might aggravate my
breast cancer. What’s the real story
with soy?
Amy: For a while, soy-based foods
were promoted as a health panacea for
women. Soy is an excellent source of
protein, fiber, and various nutrients,
and it may have a protective effect
against cancer in women. A 2006 analysis of data from 18 published studies
concluded that among women without
cancer, soy consumption was associ-
ated with a 14% reduction in breast
cancer risk – a small, but statistically
significant difference.
Now it seems that the tables have
turned, and soy is being vilified for
several reasons. Without getting into
the fray, I want to point out that the
soy issue is different for breast cancer
patients than for other women. Soybeans contain isoflavones, which are
substances similar in structure to
estrogen. In our bodies, isoflavones can
interfere with our own estrogen production and function by binding to the
same cell surface receptors as does estrogen. If you have hormone-dependent
breast cancer, even if you have completed treatment and are enjoying longterm survivorship, you might be wise
to limit yourself to a few servings of soy
per week. If you are taking tamoxifen
or aromatase inhibitor medications,
please discuss the issue with your doctor, who will probably suggest avoiding
all soy foods until more definitive research provides solid answers about the
effects of soy on cancer recurrence.
For other breast cancer patients, I
advise including only a modest amount
of soy foods as part of a healthy diet.
Enjoy no more than one serving per
day of foods such as tofu, tempeh, u
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area are far from perfect, your concern
is certainly legitimate.
Jane: A cancer diagnosis and
treatment takes you on quite a journey! Hopefully your ride has been
relatively smooth, but for virtually all
cancer patients, the journey involves
many searing inquiries into one’s life,
achievements, purpose, and meaning.
At this time, many women also review
their behavior, often very critically.
Please be kind to yourself. This is not
the time for self-criticism. Consuming sugar has not created your cancer
nor can you blame yourself for making
your cancer progress further by eating
sugar. Instead of using your sweet
tooth as ammunition against yourself,
capitalize upon this time to re-evaluate
your diet out of a desire to take loving,
best care of your precious self. Regular
and excessive consumption of sugar is
not healthy for your body and so, despite the lack of conclusive data about
Jane Wheeler, MSPH
19
soy milk, soy ice cream, soy sauce, and
edamame. Please avoid concentrated
sources of soy such as soy-containing
pills or powders, or supplements containing high amounts of isoflavones.
The health benefit of these highly
processed forms of soy is controversial,
and some nutritionists warn that the
vital components may be damaged or
rendered indigestible in the processing.
The high quantities of phytoestrogens
in these products interfere with endocrine function in ways that, though
poorly understood, are likely not in
your best interest.
Jane: The soy question is an especially important one for breast cancer
survivors who are vegetarian or who eat
limited amounts of animal protein. As
a breast cancer survivor, you will need
to ensure that you consume an adequate amount of protein to meet your
body’s needs, and to maintain your
energy level. Insufficient protein intake
can further deplete already scarce energy resources. Many vegetarians rely
on soy foods for protein. If you are one
of these, and especially if your cancer is
hormone-dependent, please review your
diet and switch to other protein sources
such as eggs, yogurt, and cheese, if you
are not a vegan, or nuts, seeds, quinoa,
lentils, and black beans if you follow a
vegan diet.
Amy: I agree – protein is so important. Good nutrition is one of the
best ways to complement your medical treatment with good self-care. By
nourishing your body well, you can
make it better prepared to respond to
treatment, heal, and stay well posttreatment. So, if you are relying heavily
on soy, make sure to replace it with
other high-quality proteins rather than
to simply eliminate the food group from
your diet.
Q
A
Will green tea help prevent
my cancer from returning
once I’ve finished treatment?
Amy: Green tea contains antioxidants which may provide various
health benefits. Among these, experts
are excited to report a growing body of
evidence that green tea has preventive
effects against cancer. Cell culture,
animal, and epidemiologic studies form
the basis of these preliminary claims,
and clinical trials are currently underway to explore the impact of green tea
in humans.
Jane: One cautionary consideration is that the “dose” required to
reap the benefits of green tea may be
unrealistically large. Epidemiologic
studies indicate that you would need to
drink eight to ten cups of green tea per
day to benefit. Remember that green
tea contains caffeine, although in lesser
quantity than coffee or black tea. A 6-8
ounce cup of green tea contains from
30 to 60 mg of caffeine, depending on
how fresh and young the leaves are and
on how you brew it. If you are feeling
fatigued, the caffeine boost from a cup
of green tea may help improve your
energy level. This is fine in moderation,
but eight cups per day will deliver as
much as 480 mg of caffeine – equivalent
to 4 cups of strong coffee or 14 Cokes.
One strategy for minimizing the caf-
feine in your green tea is to throw away
the first infusion. Caffeine dissolves
in hot water more quickly than do the
other compounds in tea; up to 70% of
the caffeine is released in the first five
minutes. If you brew your green tea for
a few minutes, then throw away that
cup and use the same leaves or tea bag
for a second cup, you will take in considerably less caffeine. This will allow
you to drink green tea – and hopefully
to benefit from any potential anti-cancer properties – without suffering the
yo-yo’ing energy swings associated with
heavy caffeine consumption.
Amy: I’d suggest drinking one or
two cups of green tea per day if you enjoy it. We simply don’t have enough research data at present to know whether
this practice will actually help prevent
cancer recurrence, but it seems likely
that you may derive some benefit from
the antioxidants in the tea, as well as
pleasure from the warmth and comfort.
Q
A
I’ve heard that patients on
medication for heart conditions should stay away from
grapefruit and grapefruit
juice. Is this also true of cancer
patients receiving chemotherapy?
Amy: Grapefruit contains a compound (bergamottin) which interacts
with certain enzyme systems in the
body. If you drink grapefruit juice
close to the time when you take certain
drugs, components in the grapefruit
juice prevent enzymes from breaking
down the drug. This causes the drug
to accumulate in high amounts in the
body, and can become quite dangerous. Classes of drugs that interact
with grapefruit in this way include
statins, immunosuppressants, sedatives, calcium channel blockers, and
phosphodiesterase inhibitors. u
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that promote tumor growth. This sort
of research is still in its infancy or early
childhood, and we simply don’t yet have
good answers to questions about what
herbal and plant-based products are
truly effective in preventing or treating
cancer.
Many cancer patients manage other
medical conditions in addition to their
cancer, and may be taking one or more
of these medications. Without knowing the specifics of your case, I would
therefore advise that you stay away
from grapefruit until your doctor can
evaluate your full medical picture and
determine that grapefruit would present no risk to you.
Jane: Grapefruit has numerous
strong points: It’s high in vitamin C,
beta carotene, potassium, and folate,
iron, calcium, and other minerals. It is
low in calories. And it contains various
plant chemicals that may play a role in
protecting against cancer.
Amy: Multiple studies have explored the association between lycopene, which is found in pink and red
grapefruit as well as tomatoes, and
lower risk of prostate cancer. Unfortunately, studies have reported differing
results. Other potentially protective
plant chemicals found in grapefruit
include phenolic acid, which may
inhibit the formation of carcinogenic
nitrosamines; limonoids, terpenes,
and monoterpenes, which induce the
production of enzymes that may help
prevent cancer; and bioflavonoids,
which inhibit the action of hormones
Yes!
Jane: Your concern about grapefruit/drug interaction is real. By all
means, check with your doctor if you
are a grapefruit lover or even if you like
to pour yourself a glass of grapefruit
juice every now and then. Although
you can go online to find lists of dangerous drug/grapefruit combinations, it is
still best to ask a medical professional;
internet sources are not necessarily a
source of reliable medical information.
Amy: Thanks for mentioning the
issue of online medical advice. The
web can be a wonderful resource for
patients seeking to educate themselves
about various health issues – but it can
also be overwhelming, and worse, misleading. I’m all for internet searches,
but try to use reputable sources such
as www.cancer.gov, PubMed or WebMD,
and remember that this information is
no substitute for discussion with your
doctor who, unlike the web, knows
you as an individual, your history, and
unique considerations in your case.
Q
A
I feel so tired all the time.
Could my diet be part of the
problem? I know I should
eat, but I don’t want to gain
any more weight.
Amy: I’m guessing that you are
in the middle of your chemotherapy.
Fatigue is the most commonly reported
symptom that plagues cancer patients
during treatment, especially chemotherapy. Survivors as well can suffer
bouts of fatigue for months, sometimes
Jane: Many breast cancer patients
are afraid of gaining weight, especially
when receiving hormone-based treatments. And it’s true, many women do
gain weight on these treatments. However, irrespective of your weight, it is
still critically important to nourish your
body well during the course of your
cancer and, truly, for the rest of your
life. Even without cancer, your energy
level will flag if you do not eat appropriately. But now, as your body works
hard to become well again, it has very
valid needs for energy – and this energy
is primarily derived through food.
Amy: At Duke, we have been
studying a psychosocial support program called Pathfinders. We’ve been piloting the program among breast cancer
patients, and one of the very interesting findings was that, when a social
worker asked many of the participants
in this study what they were eating, the
women reported consuming very few
calories – some as little as 500 calories per day. These same women were
reporting high levels of fatigue, as well
as other distressing symptoms. When
the social worker convinced them to
increase their caloric intake to a more
healthy 1,500 to 2,000 calories per day,
with a good balance of nutrients, the
fatigue improved considerably.
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Jane: We can all empathize with
these women. They were trying so hard
to do what they thought was best – to
stay trim or even lose weight – but
their efforts were largely misguided.
It’s more important, at this juncture,
to treat your body compassionately by
providing it with a healthy amount of
wholesome, nourishing food. And be
kind to yourself by focusing on good,
wellness-focused nutrition, rather than
on your weight, during this time.
If you have a health-related question
which you believe may be of interest to
other readers as well, please feel free to
send your question to us at the following email addresses: amy.abernethy@
duke.edu, [email protected]. We
look forward to your feedback and suggestions! n
1 Trock BJ, Hilakivi-Clarke L, Clarke R. Meta-analysis of soy intake
and breast cancer risk Journal of the National Cancer Institute
2006;98(7):459-71.
Amy Abernethy, MD
Dr. Amy Abernethy obtained her medical degree and post graduate training
in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology at Duke
University and trained in Palliative Medicine and Cancer Pain Clinical
Trails at Flinders University in Australia. She is Director of the Duke
Cancer Care Research Program, faculty member of Duke Clinical Research
Institue and Duke Comprehensive Cancer Care Control Program and Senior
Fellow of the Duke Center for Clinical Health Policy Research. Her
research focuses on evidence-based solutions for improving the cancer
patients’ experiences. http://www.cancer.duke.edu/dccrp/
NAME:________________________________________________________________
Jane Wheeler, MSPH
ADDRESS:_ ____________________________________________________________
Jane Wheeler received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University
and her master of science in public health from Harvard University. She
has studied complementary and alternative medicine in various venues,
including the Acupressure Institute (Berkeley, CA) and McKinnon
Institute for Professional Bodywork (Oakland, CA). She formerly served
as a certified massage therapist, and has maintained an active yoga
practice for 20 years in the Iyengar, Astanga, and Anusara traditions.
She currently serves as Research Associate in the Duke Cancer Care
Research Program and Medical Instructor at Duke University School of
Medicine. She can be reached by email at [email protected].
EMAIL_ _______________________________________________________________
Send to: The Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine, P. O. Box 2040, Lebanon, MO 65536
Jane: And remember that this fatigue won’t last forever. In most cases,
your energy level will steadily improve
after conclusion of active treatment. So
if you can’t seem to get the better of it,
simply take it easier on yourself – you
deserve to rest and to nurture yourself!
Sign up online at www.breastcancerwellness.org or use this form.
CITY, STATE, ZIP:_ _______________________________________________________
22
Amy: Unfortunately, cancer-related
fatigue is an inescapable part of the
picture for many of our patients. There
are certain strategies, however, that
help to manage it. Avoid highly processed foods or empty calories, as these
can take the place of nourishing foods
and deplete your energy. Spread your
food intake across multiple balanced
mini-meals across the day, so that your
body receives a steady supply of energy.
Pace your activities across the day, that
is, plan for down-time between energydemanding activities. Decide which
tasks are not essential, and forego
them. Allow neighbors and friends to
help with necessary activities that can
be “delegated” to others.
even years, after treatment ends.
Cancer-related fatigue isn’t like other
types of fatigue; it often interferes with
daily activities and does not get better with rest. Your diet could well be
exacerbating this symptom. As a first
step, I’d suggest talking with your doctor to make sure that you are consuming enough calories, and that your food
sources are high quality so that they
provide you with sufficient quantities of
all vital nutrients. A good nutritionist
can be a very helpful ally as well.
23
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love”
–Mother Teresa
Yes, I Can Make
a Difference!
Out of the horrendous experiences of breast cancer came a very
beautiful
and very grand multi dimensional
pink tapestry that is deeply women within our hearts. At the very core of its fiber is everything that is pieced together with love.
And when love is
shared, there is no greater medicine, no greater vision, no greater moment.
Yes, we do make a difference,
person to person, moment by moment, hug by hug, and from this, we become both the comforter and the comforted.
Karen Conroy
Mary Sullivan
Allison Stanley
The news that my sister had
breast cancer motivated me to
get involved by participating in the
Susan G Komen 3 day walk. After
seeing how many people struggled
to raise their $2,200, I knew I had
to do something. This year I left
my corporate job and started a
business devoted to helping people raise money for breast
cancer. Fundraising for a Cause, Inc. (www.fundraisingforacause.com) offers breast cancer fundraising merchandise in
bulk at wholesale prices that can be resold to raise money.
The best part is interacting with the hundreds of people
throughout the country who now have a way to raise money
when they have exhausted asking family and friends for cash
donations. If I can help just 10 people in the 14 cities that
the Susan G Komen walk is in this year raise their $2,200,
I will have helped raise over $300,000 for breast cancer.
www.fundraisingforacause.com
My name is Mary T. Sullivan and
I’m almost a five-year survivor of
breast cancer. Cancer changed my
life forever and I am determined
that this change will be for the better. One thing I did was to host a
candle party in my home with the
profits going to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Our support group
has also participated in the Sacramento Komen Race for the
Cure where we raised over $600 in donations and entry fees.
Earlier this year, my friend and I attended a rally at the state
capitol in Sacramento where we showed support for legislation aimed at providing medical care for underserved individuals facing breast cancer. Each and every one of us can
help, whether politically or with support of a cause you feel
passionately about. Every time you reach out to others, you
become a stronger person who is making a difference.
My 15 minutes of fame came
through a reality show called “Starting Over.” Diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer at 37, I was
so determined to start over, I forgot
all about the cameras that followed
my every move. Even when I found
out I have the BRCA-1 gene and
when I decided to have another mastectomy, tram flap reconstruction and full hysterectomy to reduce my cancer risks.
You think surgery is tough on a normal day – try having it on
camera. But it turned into a blessing for me and for many others. Thousands of emails later, I found out how many people
faced the same battles with cancer, body image and dating I
did. It inspired me to speak at events in my hometown. Now I
am launching a motivational website, AllisonStanley.com, and
connecting with hundreds of singles who have cancer on Facebook. Together we are making a difference!
Hannah Craig
Sheryl Hertain
Seven year old Hannah Craig may
be one of cancers biggest champions. When her grandmother received the breast cancer diagnosis
Hannah was spurred into action. It
all started with selling handmade
paper bag puppets at fundraisers
and a roadside stand. The last
three years it has grown to a plethora of handcrafted item
and a lemonade stand style table at the end of the driveway.
Sacrificing her playtime she spends hours at the craft table
restocking her wares for her annual sale. “We can beat this
Grandma, I know we can!” is her motto. Her last sale netted
over $400.00 for a local cancer support agency. The dark
cloud of cancer for this family has parted; spilling an inspirational rainbow of hope to all who hear of Hannah’s great
plight. Mom, Trina Craig says “if more were like Hannah, we
just might have a cure”. [email protected]
In October 2002, I was diagnosed
with breast cancer. I had the
recommended treatment; and at
the same time found information
on becoming a Certified Tumor
Registrar, (a person who captures
and records information on every
cancer patient, and submits this
information for use in cancer research, prevention, and treatment.). Recently I have been able to pursue this plan of becoming a registrar, although unseen and unknown by many
but still making a difference. So far in 2008 I have been given
the opportunity to work as a Hospital Cancer Registrar and
am learning from a woman considered to be an expert in the
field. I am also completing my studies in Cancer Registry and
plan to take the certification exam in September. Without
personal experience with cancer, I’m not sure that my career would be associated with cancer. But talk about making
lemonade out of lemons!
24
Linda
Plowman Fikes
God has made it very clear to me
that my difference is to be made
by being an encourager to others amidst adversity, particularly
breast cancer sisters and grieving
parents. Part of my “difference” is
my positive reaction to trust God,
expecting blessings and purpose amidst the tears, hoping
others will do the same. I believe with all of my heart that
as we continuously choose to trust God, He will enable us
to endure and persevere to make our special difference for
Him. My gospel CD titled “Could You Make A Difference”
says, “And what have you done today to make the world a
better place/People make the difference every time/Something that you do or say, just a smile along the way/Could
you make a difference today?” www.lindaplowmanfikes.com
©2004 Jimmie Hyche / Matlin Music, Used by permission.
Laura
Pachterrezk
In small ways and large, my mother instructed me in the gentle art of
paying it forward since childhood.
In my shopping center the retirees often wait an hour or more for
a bus to take them home. I offer
a ride in my car when I can, particularly in the searing Florida heat and heavy rains. Holding
doors for people of all ages and abilities, smiling and using
‘please’ and ‘thank you’ at all times. Donating to vicitims of
natural disasters (as my shop was devastated in Hurricane
Wilma, I understand firsthand the need to reach out to those
in similar circumstances). Volunteering my help to a family
of my friends - they run a restaurant and I often hostess and
manage the front of the business for them on busy nights.
Of course, I get a terrific Greek meal in return! Doing complimentary fittings for breast prostheses and bras to women
without insurance, nor the means to pay for these items
or services. Sometimes I use gently worn donated items,
sometimes brand new. Believe me, the paybacks are wonderful! Particulary when I see my children exhibit the same
enjoyment in sharing their blessings with others.
Beth Hohl
As Amoena’s Product Manager,
I work with breast cancer survivors. Every day Amoena products
positively impact survivors’ lives
by helping to restore a woman’s
positive body image and renew
her confidence and self-esteem.
I make a difference in a woman’s
healing journey, from listening and being present as a survivor talks, to making recommendations of the best products
to help her regain a ‘new normal’ lifestyle. I love connecting
with the inner strength and beauty of breast cancer survivors
and supporting them on their journey to health by helping
them to regain their ‘external look’, which then in turn supports their internal healing.
Lauren Zimmer
Patients at St. John’s-Lebanon
Curry Cancer Center find more
than medical treatments; they find
Lauren Zimmer, coordinator of the
Patient Education Resource Center (PERC). “We provide patients
with resources and programs
including Look Good Feel Better,
Reach for Recovery, Road to Recovery and Cancer Support
Group,” says Lauren. Lauren offers literature, videos and
books; provides wigs, hats and turbans; helps with advance
directives and dispenses endless hugs, tissues and smiles.
“Currently the center is open monthly on the second and
fourth Wednesdays,” says Lauren. “But I’m available about
everyday a patient needs me. I enjoy helping patients with
resources to make their cancer experiences less difficult. It’s
rewarding watching women leave sessions dolled up, feeling
good about their appearance or helping find wigs that match
their natural hair so they feel more like themselves. Connecting survivors with patients provides reassurance there is life
after cancer.”
Yes, YOU Can
Make a
Difference!
Renee Thomas
Janet Cockburn
I am a breast cancer survivor who
was fortunate to have a good support system. I had insurance, dedicated friends, a wonderfully supportive and committed husband,
a very helpful and compassionate
mother and a beautiful little girl
who kept me smiling. Unfortunately, I am vividly aware that not everyone has such resources. I am now the Executive Director of Breast Friends,
an Atlanta based, nonprofit breast cancer support network.
Breast Friends provides 24/7 telephone support staffed entirely by breast cancer survivors. We receive calls nationwide
and offer a listening ear to all who have been touched by
breast cancer. Breast Friends provides local transportation to breast cancer patients who would otherwise not be
able to make it to appointments. I am blessed everyday
by the individuals we serve. They express great appreciation for what we do for them, but their courage, perseverance, positive attitude and hope strengthen us everyday!
www.breastfriends.org
In 1995, a routine breast selfexamination started me on a
journey that continues today. My
GP scheduled a mammogram
and ultrasound to investigate the
odd dimpling on the side of my
left breast which led to a stunning diagnosis of Breast Cancer. A
lumpectomy was followed by a mastectomy and five years
on Tamoxifin. In 1998 I joined Knot-a-Breast Dragon Boat
Team for Breast Cancer Survivors. I subsequently designed
a sportsbra for a woman with a mastectomy and hence created Janac Sportswear. Although the bra was fabulous, I
realized I also need to design a Prosthesis to mimic a natural breast in the sportsbra, I called it the Been-a-Boob. It
is a pocket made of a special quick-drying material and
filled with small pellets which molds into the shape of a
breast when put in the pocket of the sports bra or any mastectomy bra or swimsuit. In 2007 I participated in a CBC
TV business reality show called Dragons’ Den where I had
the opportunity to show the products to five of Canada’s
most successful business leaders. I interested 2 of the
Dragons, and with their help I will be able to give every
woman who needs a breast prosthesis the opportunity of
acquiring a Been-a-Boob. As women we’re all fighters
and survivors, so get out there, laugh most of the time, cry
some of the time, but exercise, stay healthy and be positive
all of the time and you can face anything that life brings.
www.janacsportswear.ca
Donna Creighton
As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I found a way to make a difference in the lives of other survivors.
I am the director and organizer of
a foundation that provides monthly
retreats for women who have
faced the devastating diagnosis of
breast cancer. Over the weekend,
women are encouraged to reclaim their sense of personal
power and support each other in their own unique paths to
healing. The coming together of women and the power of
shared experiences are celebrated in a serene mountain setting with new friends who share similar life situations. This
is the most rewarding job of my life. I meet women every
month who are seeking solace and understanding and I can
provide that for them. At the conclusion of our retreats, the
women always express such profound gratitude for the wonderful, often life-changing weekend that we spent together.
It is I though, who is indebted to them; so grateful for the
chance to make a positive difference in the lives of other
survivors and grateful that I can give them the opportunity
for a better life beyond breast cancer. I am truly blessed and
would much rather light candles than curse the darkness.
www.imagerebornfoundation.org
Judy Morrison
Surviving breast cancer was such
a relief. Even with one breast
missing, it felt amazing to be alive.
I could not contain this zest for life
that was just bursting out of me. I
decided to find a way to pass on
some of this joy. In every city there
are so many people who need help
– where do you start? After looking around, I thought I would begin with the Vancouver Food
Bank. So, for the past year and a half, every Wednesday I get
up early, go to a church hall downtown where I work with a
team of bighearted volunteers to stack food and other household goods to give out to this great community of people who,
mostly for health reasons, cannot afford to buy enough food
for the week. I know almost all of the recipients now, and
we talk about health, the weather and recipes for cooking
some of the food items. I am by nature full of curiosity so I
always notice a new cap, a haircut, or how much a toddler
has grown. The clients, in turn, will notice if we look especially cheery or if one of the volunteers is away. I really look
forward to Wednesdays. This has become the highlight of my
week. I’ve found that joy grows when you give it away.
Geri Bonnevier
I am the mid-west Amoena Regional Sales Manager and a 25
year breast cancer survivor. One
of my first experiences returning
to work after my breast surgery
involved me bending over and my
breast form falling on the floor –
my fitter had not told me about
pocketed bras! My passion is to inform and motivate certified mastectomy fitters to make smart business choices
with a solid philosophy and vision that carries through to
the survivor. Every day I empower and train mastectomy fitters and shop owners to fit the right products for the breast
cancer survivor’s needs.
Martin Lehner
At Amoena our philosophy is to
provide a better quality of life for
women following breast surgery.
We wish to fulfil their need for
feminity to restore a positive body
image and renew confidence and
self esteem. We are day-by-day
closely working with breast-operated women in development, design, presentations and
within various breast-cancer congresses worldwide. To
many survivors this integration within the Amoena family
has become an integral and enriched part of their life. For
us, at Amoena, we have always understood that we are developing much more than a product. Finally, it is the smile
and the tears on the faces of survivors that keep all of us
passionately working hard every single day. As the CEO of
the global Amoena company, I take great pride in my assignment to balance management processes tightly with
our philosophy. Prior of joining Amoena I have been working for a skiing company, where we designed products for
“conquering the useless”. It is a great change to “conquer
people’s heart”.
25
Mary Kay
Rogers
Donna Gaus
Sullivan
Shortly after I completed my
chemo, my mom told me about
a brochure for an adult cancer
camp called Camp Bluebird she
had seen in the doctor’s office.
As my dad had been diagnosed
with prostate cancer six months before I was diagnosed with
breast cancer, she was strongly suggesting we go to this
camp. My first thought was, “I just can’t bear the thought
of spending time with a bunch of people suffering from cancer. This would only add to my depression.” Mom felt like
this would be a good opportunity for Dad, but she knew he
wouldn’t even consider it if I wasn’t going. For the sake of
Dad, I reluctantly agreed to go. Little did I know, what a life
changing experience this would be for me and Dad. This cancer camp made me realize, “Cancer does not have to control
my life” and gave me a new, more positive outlook on my
future. It has given me the opportunity to belong to a new
community that shares a unique bond, as well as, building
many new friendships. Dad and I have now attended eleven
camps and we’ve not missed one since our first. I’m so glad
I followed Mom’s suggestion. Camp Bluebird is a 3-day,
2-night retreat sponsored by health care professionals from
St. John’s Cancer Center and members of the AT&T Telecom
Pioneers. It is held each spring and fall for adults at any point
in their cancer journey. It provides a time for rest, relaxation,
listening, learning, sharing, and spiritual renewal. It’s an opportunity to restore a sense of balance and harmony, connect
with one’s inner strength, and to discover new sources of
personal power. It focuses on coping and making the most
of life and allows you to make it what you’re needing at that
particular time. Camp Bluebird has truly been a blessing in
my life since it flew in with Angel wings and I invite you to
take the opportunity to let it make a difference in your life
too. For more information, please contact Connie Zimmerman, Camp Bluebird Director at St. John’s Cancer Center.
We all search for that which completes us or fulfills a need within
us. For me it was wanting to help
others, particularly those with breast cancer. No, I am not a
survivor. However, I have encountered many survivors and after
hearing their stories of strength and perseverance, my heart has
been touched. I connected with each one and knew I wanted to
do something to help beyond the general monetary donation. I
wanted to help in a more personal manner that reaffirms that
we as women are all in this fight together. Through my prayer
blanket ministry at church, a member expressed what a help
one of my blankets would have been for her when she was undergoing chemotherapy for her breast cancer treatment. “The
treatment rooms are rather cool and a nice warm blanket, such
as the ones I make, would have helped greatly to keep the chill
off and making the experience a little easier to bare.” Bingo! My
method of helping in a more personal way had been revealed.
By providing women with something beautiful, soft and made
from the heart, this would be my way of helping women in a
direct and personal way. Thus, last September, with the help of
two long-time friends, we formed a non-profit called All Shades
of Pink, Incorporated. The mission of all Shades of Pink is to
help women, and their families, diagnosed with breast cancer
to lessen their stress and improve their healing progress by
providing resource referrals, non-medical advice and emergency financial assistance during their treatment period. The
first program we launched was the Comfort Blanket program.
Since that first donation, several recipients of the blankets have
contacted All Shades of Pink to let us know just how thankful
they are that there is an organization out there that cares about
them and reached out to them first. That something so beautiful
as our blanket has been a help to their spirit and a comfort to
their body. The daughter of the first recipient expressed it this
way “I wanted you to know how much my mother and I appreciate and cherish the beautiful Afghan that she received from
All Shades of Pink as a result of her surgery and stay at Doctors
Community Hospital in Lanham, MD. It was a wonderful surprise. My mother is using the Afghan. ... We always let people
know that it was a gift from your organization. Your kindness
and concern during such a difficult time were very much appreciated. Please know that the work you do is very important.
It’s a constant reminder that in this fight against breast cancer,
no one is ever alone.” We believe that such a small act of kindness can help in the healing process of the individual -- and
family -- as they battle breast cancer. It is our vision that any
woman facing breast cancer may receive one of our blankets
as a sign of unity in this fight to eradicate breast cancer. To
expand our mission, we welcome others who would like to volunteer and donate a blanket to our Blanket Comfort Program.
As our volunteers grow, we will be able to expand to other area
hospitals to help women and families in the Washington Metro
area. Please visit our website at: www.allshadesofpink.org to
learn more.
Paula Ziddais
I am making a difference by helping Breast Cancer patients with
hair loss. Losing my hair due to
chemotherapy was devastating. I
didn’t care for hats or wigs. My
mother, a seamstress for many
years, made me a scarf for almost
every outfit I owned. Wearing the
scarves made me feel good and brought many compliments.
People encouraged us to make and sell the scarves to the
public. Seeing there was a need, Survivor Scarfs, Etc. was
launched in March of 2007. Because of this business I have
met and helped many wonderful people through their journey and in turn they have greatly helped me. Through Breast
Cancer, I have made lemonade out of lemons.
Lesley
Pfitzenmayer
As the Manager of Amoena’s
Textiles Design Team, I lead the
research of new technology and
elegant fabric trends for Amoena’s
mastectomy bras and swimwear.
I am surrounded with beautiful
fabrics and enjoy designing swimwear that meets the special needs of women that have lost
a breast to cancer. I love the opportunity we have to create
garments that truly reflect a woman’s inner beauty. We care
for women’s needs during every stage of breast cancer by
offering bras and swimwear in fabrics and designs that are
fashionable and also provide exclusive support. Women who
wear the garments we design transform from being selfconscious about their bodies to self confident.
26
Miguel Perez
Miguel has a rich history of caring for his family members,
one that was enriched upon moving from Cuba to the United
States before Miguel was born with just $250 and two suitcases of belongings. Miguel was the baby of the family and
his older sister, Vicki Speakman, passed away from breast
cancer after fighting the disease for 11 years. During those
years Miguel never missed a chemotherapy treatment and
was there to handle all of her requests. The most important
thing Vicki asked for was for Miguel to remember the happy
times of her life and turn her death into a celebration of
not only her life, but life in general. Miguel promised Vicki
he would honor her request and used his promise to form
“Gather for the Cure’ a theatre/cabaret show were Miguel
pulls together his friends in the entertainment industry to
perform and raise money for breast cancer. Miguel has also
formed his own Vicki Speakman Memorial Fund that raises
money for the Columbus, OH Race for the Cure. Miguel truly
understands the power of a promise and strives everyday to
end breast cancer forever.
Connie Pombo
Have you ever received a gift
that changed your life? I mean
really changed your life. I did,
and it took me by surprise!
About six weeks after my diagnosis of breast cancer, the
doorbell rang and on the steps
leading up to our home was
a basket with a note attached that read: “Hope this basket
makes your day.” The contents included a book on healing,
note cards that were blank inside, a scented candle, a packet
of sunflower seeds, luscious smelling body lotions, a breast
cancer ribbon pin, and a mug filled with herbal teas. The
sender of the gift remained anonymous, but that “basket of
healing” gave me hope that I would not only survive breast
cancer, but I would thrive. Today, I have continued that healing tradition with “Baskets Full of Hope” and a line of cards,
“Cards by Connie.” What began as a kind gesture from an
anonymous giver has become a blessing beyond words. I
gave up my career in the field of health information management and now speak to cancer groups across the country on
“writing to heal.” The healing power of our words and the
random acts of kindness received by others are more powerful than any medicine used to treat cancer. Now twelve years
later, I have chronicled my journey in the book, Trading Ashes
for Roses and continue to write and speak full time. “Baskets
Full of Hope” travel with me as a symbol of the difference
one person can make in the life of another. I will never be
able to appropriately thank the person who started me on my
journey of healing, but I hope they will be as touched as I was
by a gift that made a difference and changed my life! www.
basketsfullofhope.com
Life Mel Honey
Yes, we can a make a difference in
our own small ways. We don’t have
the cure now but we can do other
things in the meantime. Our small
contributions go a long way to help
those who need it now. Life Mel
Honey is a clinically tested product
that doesn’t offer any cure. It’s an innovative groundbreaking
product for the support of patients suffering from the side
effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. An already
weakened immune system is further compromised by the
chemo treatment which sometimes causes further treatment
to be discontinued. In a clinical study appearing in Medical
Oncology, Life Mel was effective in decreasing the incidence
of anemia in 64% of the patients, decreasing the incidence of
severe neutropenia and lowering the incidence of potentially
fatal thrombocytopenia.” No, it’s not a cure or an attempt to
cure. It’s just a little bit to make a difference. For more information please visit the web site at www.lifemelusa.com.
Baton Rouge
General’s Pennington
Cancer Center
In a state where the overall cancer mortality rate is continuously rising, Baton Rouge General’s Pennington Cancer Center is dedicated to bringing innovative cancer
care to the people of Louisiana. With comprehensive inpatient
and outpatient services, Pennington offers an array of unique
programs for early detection, treatment and survivorship.
One of our newest survivorship programs is Lebed, a fun and
energizing fitness program that helps breast cancer patients
heal, both physically and mentally. The Lebed method is
based on a series of gentle movements, dance and relaxation
techniques that improve circulation, reduce pain, and warm
the soul. With the incorporation of 60’s dance music and fun
props, like hot pink boas, survivors are finding Pennington’s
new Lebed program refreshing and fun! Pennington is the first
and only certified Lebed program in Louisiana and it’s classes
are free, thanks to a grant from the Baton Rouge Area Susan
G. Komen Foundation. www.brgeneral.org
Dr. Ernie
Bodai
Alicia
McVannel
Wendy
McCoole
As we entered the
room to interview
Dr. Ernie Bodai,
both Cheri and I
felt totally comfortable and welcome.
Dr. Bodai was very
eager to share his personal venture to get the breast cancer
stamp made a reality. So here is our 35-minute discussion
with one of the greatest surgeons in the west. As he was
looking at his Christmas cards, Dr. Ernie Bodai came up
with what he thought was a crazy idea. “Why not have a
stamp that would raise funds for breast cancer research?”
He wrote to the US Postal Service and was promptly turned
down. He then wrote to all the female legislators in Congress
and did not receive one reply. Dr. Bodai decided to travel
to Washington, D.C. and personally call on the members of
Congress to whom he had written. After calling on the legislators and speaking to first their aides and then getting the
support of the legislature, he found that his personal appearance at the offices had made a difference. He was serious
and did not want any money for himself or redistricting to
elect a candidate. The only thing that mattered was to have
a colorful stamp to help fund research for breast cancer. Dr.
Bodai became a lobbyist, and decided he better brush up on
how a Bill becomes a Law. In early 1996, after several selffunded trips to Washington, D.C., Representative Vic Fazio
introduced the first House Bill, and Senator Diane Feinstein
introduced the Senate Bill. As this was an election year, all
Bills introduced but not discussed on the floor, were null. A
plan was made to petition Congress and signatures were
gathered from numerous and prestigious organizations. Finally on July 28th, the bill passed the House. The next day,
the Senate followed suit. The USPS undertook the task of
stamp design and it was unveiled at the Revlon Run/Walk
for Breast/Ovarian Cancer to a crowd of 60,000. To date, the
stamp has raised over $63 million for breast cancer research,
with over 900 million stamps sold. Dr. Ernie Bodai, born in
Budapest, Hungary, has dreamed of being a doctor since he
was eleven years old. He was fascinated by his Mother’s
pregnancy and when he viewed his brother being wheeled
to the nursery after his birth, he decided then and there to
become an obstetrician. After moving to southern California,
where his rocket-scientist father would struggle to maintain his job in an industry distrustful of foreign nationals,
he attended UCLA as a pre-med student. In his third year of
medical school, he switched to medical/surgery graduating
from UC Davis in 1983. In honor his father, he presented his
diploma to his father. He became chief of surgery at Kaiser
primarily dealing with second opinions. Since the patients
were primarily cancer patients, he focused on cancer surgery, and since 1995 has performed breast cancer surgery
exclusively. He and his wife have raised two sons to young
adulthood. Due to his tenacity, his sons, although not in the
surgical field, are both employed in some form of medical
service. This brings much pleasure to their father. A prostrate
cancer survivor himself, Dr. Ernie Bodai has worked tirelessly to promote his stamp worldwide. The newest stamp
adopted is in Kenya, and he is currently working with 70-80
additional countries. He has written five books helping those
who are coping with a cancer diagnosis. He is dismayed
that 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and
attributes this to our toxic environment. When asked how
he gets away from the stress of his career, he said he plays
racket-ball five times a week and relaxes at home. During
his tenure at Kaiser, Dr. Bodai has treated between four and
five thousand patients. Those who have been blessed to
have him as their physician will tell you of his calm, steady,
and supportive nature. When asked how to help his cause,
he replied, “Buy the stamp and use it!” Currently, every two
years the law has to be re-introduced to continue the Breast
Cancer Research Stamp. The ultimate goal is to adequately
fund the cure for breast cancer. Who better at the head of
this venture than Dr. Ernie Bodai.
I am a hard working wife
and mother of two daughters, who was dealt the
hard blow of being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. I had
always been the caregiver in my daily life as a Paramedic/
Nurse, Mother and Wife. I quickly became the patient and
the one getting all of the care from my family. For my family it was a sting in a raw wound, for you see, we had lost
my mother-in-law to breast cancer one year earlier. Even
though the path was extremely difficult, we made it through
stronger than ever. We are now an active part of a great
organization called Pink Ribbon Riders. Pink Ribbon Riders
is a nonprofit group based in Michigan that raises money
and awareness through Snowmobile, ATV and Golf events.
The money raised is used to support breast cancer patients
with their own individual needs. We heard of the organization through a friend and have been part of the snowmobile
event in Michigan for the past 3 years, next year we will be
running the Michigan event and look forward to helping with
the others. What a great group of individuals, making a difference everyday in the lives of multiple men and women.
www.pinkribbonriders.com
I never realized that sharing my story on a website called “Bald Wendy”
would ultimately change
the course of my life —
and my career. But after
documenting my diagnosis, treatments and emotions online for a year, the
tremendous response I
received from other breast
cancer patients made me
realize how important it
was to create a community where anyone could write, read
and share with loved ones … and with other breast cancer patients. I quit my corporate job in 2005 and founded
BreastCancerStories.com – a NH-based non-profit organization. We provide an outlet for patients to stay connected with
loved ones while going through treatment – an easy way to
keep them updated without having to relive each experience
with each telling. What makes this community different from
a typical blog site is that visitors can search and read other
people’s stories by age, location, type of breast cancer and
treatment, find someone going through a similar experience,
and even connect directly through email.
Spirited Sisters
The amazing bond between sisters
Peg Feodoroff, Claire Goodhue and
Patty O’Brien was what comforted
them most when Peg and Claire
were simultaneously diagnosed
with cancer – stage 3 melanoma
for Peg, and stage 4 colon cancer
for Claire. The three close-knit
sisters held each other; laughed,
cried and prayed together; always
knowing that in sickness and
health, they were not alone on
their respective cancer journeys.
Their experience inspired the three
highly spirited sisters to create The
Original Healing Threads, a line
of soft, comfortable, stylish and
truly elegant patient garments for women to wear during
cancer treatments and recovery. “Our mission at Spirited
Sisters, Inc. is to help women approach their cancer journeys
with dignity, style and a sense of personal empowerment,”
says Spirited Sisters, Inc. President, Peg Feodoroff. “Patty
and I are grateful for this opportunity to continue to make
a difference in the lives of other women in memory of our
dear sister, Claire who passed away in January of 2006.”
www.healingthreads.com
Phillip Sporidis
After 22 years of working in high
end sporting goods businesses, I
knew I wanted to be involved with
something much bigger and more
meaningful on a personal level.
After seeing my mother’s struggles
with illness, and watching good
friends loose their battle with cancer, I knew I wanted to be involved with a business that has
lasting meaning and adds value to peoples’ lives. As General
Manager for Amoena US, I look at my role as not just a job,
but a mission. My purpose is to make a difference in the lives
of people affected by breast cancer by providing the very
best products and services that add value to their lives, and
that help them. Every morning when I get out of bed I know
that my work and efforts are helping women and keeping
families together.
Stephanie
Martinson
When St. John’s Hospital-Lebanon Mammographer Stephanie
Martinson talks about advantages of regular mammograms
and early detection, she knows
what she’s talking about. Not just
because it’s her job; it’s her life.
Stephanie is a breast cancer survivor. An outspoken advocate
of early detection, Stephanie, a registered radiology technician, doesn’t hesitate to tell women how early detection
saved her life. As a breast cancer survivor, she had a double
mastectomy in 2005 at the age of 35. She speaks personally
to women as well as publicly as a part of the St. John’sLebanon Breast Cancer Awareness efforts sharing her own
personal experience with breast cancer plus information
about early detection and what to expect with a mammogram. “Stephanie has an important story to share,” says St.
John’s-Lebanon Vice President of Nursing Judy O’ConnorSnyder. “She’s one of our own and we’re proud of her. She’s
an inspiration as all breast cancer survivors are.”
Sand Lake
Cancer Center
The Sand Lake Cancer Center definitely makes a difference. The friendly staff
makes you feel at home the
minute you walk through the
door and you get the feeling
that everyone truly cares
about you, making your journey a little easier. Dr. Vincinio
Hernandez is more than an oncologist; he is also a friend.
He is loved by every patient and family member and he is
committed to giving every patient hope. Valerie, the oncology nurse, is the sweetest and most compassionate person
around and knows how to relax you when it’s time for that
first chemotherapy treatment. Krystyna, the physician’s assistant, is so considerate toward the patients that she started
a support group at the center, which helps lift everyone’s
spirits. The Sand Lake Cancer Center makes a difference in
my life everyday!
Translate Your
Actions Into
Powerful Help
by Hala Moddelmog
Dear Friends,
Discussions about cancer generally tend to evolve into
discussions about numbers: this many diagnosed, this many
survivors, this many genes, genomes, doses and clinical
trials. What tends to get left by the wayside in the sea of
statistics is that this disease affects people – what we should
always hold in the forefront of these discussions is you.
Twenty-six years ago, what is now the global Susan G.
Komen for the Cure® movement was, believe it or not, just
one person – Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker – bent on fulfilling a promise to her dying sister to do everything in her
power to end this disease.
Using a shoebox full of names and an idea dreamed up in
her living room, Ambassador Brinker organized the first marathon race to raise money for what would become the Susan
G. Komen for the Cure worldwide breast cancer movement.
This one promise by one woman has grown over the years
to hundreds of thousands of women and men doing everything they can to wipe out this disease forever. Whether
they’ve run a race or bought pink socks, individuals have
help translate their actions into powerful help for the breast
cancer movement.
Since we began, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has
28
invested more than $1 billion in research. We’ve committed another $2 billion for research, community health and
education programs during the next 10 years. And thanks
to your steadfast support along the way, we can proudly say
that every major advance in breast cancer treatment in the
past two decades has been touched by a Komen for the Cure
grant.
Together we’ve brought breast cancer out of the shadows
and into the public discussion. Did you know that at one
time, newspapers wouldn’t print the words, ‘breast cancer?’
Today, women are educated about breast health and empowered to do something about it. As a result, early screenings
and five-year survivor rates are both up in the United States,
and today more than 2.5 million Americans are breast cancer survivors. That’s the largest group of cancer survivors in
the United States.
Even with all of these successes, there is much more to
be done: more research, more and better treatment options,
more education, and more access to health care for millions of under-served women. Despite our gains, more than
1 million women worldwide will be diagnosed with breast
cancer this year. For many of them – without knowledge,
insurance, or access to a health system - that diagnosis will
come too late.
You may not be able to start your own breast cancer
movement, but there’s a lot you can do to keep the movement
going. There are lots of ideas on our web site (www.komen.
org). Let me touch on just a few here:
I Vote for the Cure™
Great cancer programs start with strong public policy.
That’s why the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy
Alliance has launched “I Vote for the Cure,” to educate voters
and challenge the presidential candidates to make breast
cancer a priority—in their platforms, and for our country.
We are doing this by challenging candidates to support three
achievable goals that will save lives and help end breast cancer forever:
q increase investment in translational research (that is,
research that translates into treatments for breast cancer
patients). This is essential to ensuring that scientific discoveries made in the laboratory reach cancer patients as quickly
as possible,
q provide every low-income, uninsured, and underinsured
woman in America access to early detection by fully funding the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
program by 2012, and
q ensure that all women diagnosed with breast cancer have
access to high quality treatment.
q Invite your girlfriends, mothers, sisters, daughters and
co-workers to join the Circle of Promise. Tell them you want
them to join you in the fight against breast cancer’s attack on
the African American community before it’s too late.
q And be active in your commitment. Continue to fight with
us by supporting public policy efforts, helping us to raise
funds for research, and by making sure that the Circle of
Promise is alive in your community.
Passionately Pink for the Cure®
Many people I meet as president and CEO of Susan G.
Komen for the Cure show me they are passionate about this
cause. But the question is, are you Passionately Pink for
the Cure? This program allows you and your co-workers to
have some fun, let your passion (and creativity) for the cause
shine and make a difference.
Here’s how:
q form a group with friends and family,
q pick any day in October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) to wear pink—the more pink the better, and
Women of Color -- Circle of Promise
Breast cancer affects people of all backgrounds, but there
are significant differences in mortality rates among racial
groups. From 2000-2003, for example, African American
women had the highest death rate and poorest survival rate
of any other racial or ethnic group for breast cancer.
We have pledged to do our part with Komen for the Cure’s
Circle of Promise, to ensure that African American women
have the information and tools they need to take charge of
their own health and serve as ambassadors in their local
communities.
q make a $5 (or more) personal donation to Susan G. Komen
for the Cure.
This is a great way to inspire and educate others about
breast health and breast cancer and help us reach our 2008
program goal of raising $4.5 million. Ready to get started?
Register Today.
At Susan G. Komen for Cure, we are literally making
a life or death difference for millions of people around the
globe. With your help, we can have a world without breast
cancer. Imagine life without breast cancer.
Sincerest Regards,
Hala Moddelmog
President and CEO,
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
So what are your action steps?
q Register today and make your promise to take care of yourself first and then become an ambassador to your community. (Susan G. Komen for the Cure will provide you with all
of the resources and tools you need to make changes in your
own life and to share lifesaving messages with others.)
29
What To Do When
the Jellyfish Invade
Carry on the Cause.
™
by Ann Leach
Being a water lover, I was quick to
notice the article on Yahoo! Yesterday.
It seems that large numbers of jellyfish
are making their way on to popular
beaches up and down the eastern coast
and even appearing in countries that
haven’t normally had so many in the
past.
The article attributed the increase
in these creatures to global warming, pollution and the run off from
chemicals we use on a regular basis to
preserve our lawns. The reporter also
mentioned the overall declining health
of our waterways.
This news both depressed and
inspired me. I personally don’t like the
state of the earth right now and am
constantly seeking ways to do my part
to preserve it.
But I was inspired to think of these
poisonous creatures as a part of our
everyday lives, whether we live by water
or not.
What if these invading jellyfish were
the negative thoughts we allow to ‘sting’
us on a regular basis? You know what
I mean; thoughts like “I am so tired of
worrying about her, I don’t know what I
am going to do” or “Everybody’s always
thinking about her that I get ignored
but this cancer stuff is tough on me,
too” or even “I think the doctor is purposely making her sick with all these
drugs she has to take.” Ouch!
So how do we protect the beaches
of our mind and send the jellyfish of
doubt, fear and anger back in to the
water, never to sting us again?
Our fashionable lunch bags are back
in a big way! Featuring stylish new designs and a
roomier inside—perfect for any LEAN CUISINE®
entrée—this year’s bags are made to help you
Carry on the Cause in style.
With your help, we’ve donated more than
$2 million in the past six years toward fighting
breast cancer and helping to find a cure.
Purchase yours for only $9.95,†
and we’ll donate $5* to Susan G. Komen
for the Cure®.
Order today at
LeanCuisine.com
Do something good for yourself.®
5
$
*
of
every purchase
goes to
First, ask yourself “does this
thought support my life and health?”
Do you really want to believe that a
doctor would purposely harm a patient
or that you don’t have the support you
need to move through your caregiving
experience with ease? Of course not.
So what do you want to believe about
this experience?
Second, create a mantra for yourself
that you can repeat when those slimey
fish start to swim in to your mind. The
recently-deceased Randy Pausch’s
wife did this: whenever she would get
overwhelmed with caring or heard information that upset her, she would tell
herself “not helpful” and re-focus her
energy and attention on her ill husband. What message can you create
for yourself that will help you avoid the
sting of a negative thought?
Third, create a realistic picture of
what you do want. You’re not in denial
that your loved one is ill, but you can
create the experience to be the most optimal one possible. You might want to
see your loved one resting comfortably
†Includes shipping and handling. *Minimum guaranteed donation of $50,000. LEAN CUISINE® also will make a donation of $150,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in addition to
our designer lunch bag donation. The Running Ribbon is a registered trademark of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. For more information on Susan G. Komen for the Cure please visit
www.komen.org. Unless otherwise noted, all trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.
Ann Leach
Not quite sure how to follow these tips on a regular basis? Contact Ann at ann@
annleach.net for further support.
Helping caregivers chart their course
through the waves of change
Visit
Hurry, quantities are limited!
or living without pain for one hour or
imagine the two of you having an enjoyable and peaceful visit about something
other than cancer. Whatever it is, picture it in detail, add how you feel about
it and focus on that when a negative
thought comes to call.
We all have a choice in how we
respond to the thoughts we think. Just
like the water lovers, we decide if we
just want to float along or if we’re ready
to swim laps or surf through the waves
of stress and negativity. By making a
decision to release negative thoughts,
you’ll create a life worth loving.
And that’s something to care about. n
www.life-preservers.org to purchase your copy of
101 Tips for Caregiver Coping & 101 Tips for Caregiver Grieving
By Ann Leach, The Caregiver Coach
Need coaching support or a conference speaker?
Contact Ann at 417.624.3377
Breast Cancer Wellness Readers –
Take
$1 off the purchase price!
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Surviving & Thriving
The Nigerian Butterfly
Lucy McCarthy is a human butterfly. By this, I am referring to the effect
she has had directly and indirectly on
hundreds, potentially even thousands
of people; you know, the Butterfly Effect. Without a doubt, Lucy embodies
the “Yes, I can make a difference!” ideal.
She does it without even trying. It is
simply the way she lives her life.
The term, Butterfly Effect, refers to
the theory that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings lead to major change. The
flapping wings create small changes in
the immediate weather system, which
causes a chain of events leading to
large-scale alterations of larger weather20systems. The concept of the Butterfly Effect is frequently referred to in
popular culture as a way of explaining
how a minor changes in circumstances
cause large-scale chains of events.
In living her life, Lucy creates
changes in circumstances that cause
large-scale changes for good in peoples’
lives, even on other continents.
“It is true. I have touched many
lives and I have known so many people.
God has blessed me richly,” says Lucy.
Lucy’s impact on the lives of breast
cancer survivors can never be measured. She is the owner of The Natural Woman shop in Geneva, Ill. Lucy
opened the store in 1981 to provide
helpful products and caring service to
women recovering from breast cancer. Natural Woman now provides
prostheses, swimwear, lingerie, herbal
34
supplements, and cosmetics. All of the
products are designed to help cancer
patients live life more comfortably.
Specialty products include moisturizing shampoo and body lotion for skin
injured by radiation and chemotherapy
as well as estrogen free makeup.
“Natural Woman came about as a
result of the shameful way that I was
treated when I bought my first postmastectomy bra 28 years ago,” Lucy
relates. “I knew the owner of a local
boutique, so I thought I would be treated with sensitivity. However, the two
saleswomen were engaged in their own
conversation at the back of the store.
They were not interested in helping me;
they wouldn’t even come in the dressing
room with me.”
Lucy describes how she was virtually ignored, having to call out, “hello,
to get some help. One saleswoman
asked gruffly what Lucy wanted. Then,
when Lucy explained that she’d had
a mastectomy and needed to see bras
and prostheses, Lucy was directed to
another corner of the shop—by herself.
“I picked out some bras but wasn’t
sure how to fit myself, so I asked for
help. The woman grudgingly came to
the dressing room and fastened the
bra I was trying without saying a word
and while standing in the doorway!”
says Lucy. “I’m not even sure how she
reached that far. I finally said to her,
‘I did take a bath this morning, and
I’ve never had leprosy.’ The woman did
not respond, and she never said a word
about prostheses.”
Lucy was so disappointed at her
treatment that she left. Later, thinking
that maybe she had just been oversensitive to start, she went back with two
of her friends, and they were treated the
same way.
“That was when I decided to start
my own business,” Lucy says. “People
shouldn’t be treated that way.”
It took some time before Lucy
opened The Natural Woman, but the
boutique now has been open for 27
years. Because she’s certain her cancer
was brought on by exposure to pesticides as a child and other harmful ingredients in products that make up our
daily lives, Lucy insists on offering only
all-natural products to her customers.
Lucy made it a point to receive
training in how to properly fit her customers for bras and prostheses. You
can be sure she does it with sensitivity.
by Donna St. Jean Conti
Dorcas Kadangs & Lucy McCarthy
Dee Rapinchuk & Husband, Deborah
Kadangs, Dorcas Kadangs, Beatrice
Kadangs
Natural Woman has done well, helping many women in need of comfort,
but Lucy’s efforts don’t stop at selling products and giving good service.
She donates products and time to her
community, especially women in need,
and she’s an outspoken breast cancer
awareness advocate. She has been
nominated four times as a Hometown
Hero for the Fox Valley Chapter of the
American Red Cross.
Lucy’s generosity and selfless support of others started long before she
opened The Natural Woman. During
the 40 years of her marriage to her late
husband, Jack, he and Lucy raised or
helped raise many young people.
“I have 51 children who either call
me Mother or Aunt Lucy,” she says,
though she’s never had children of her
own. “Jack was a Lutheran pastor.
There were children in our congregation
who got in trouble. Not long after my
husband became pastor, we stepped u
spiration
In
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cer Journey
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Are you ready to go Beyond Treatment?
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Heather Jose is a nine year survivor of
stage IV breast cancer. Diagnosed at 26,
Heather chose to go beyond treatment to kill cancer.
Heather is a dynamic speaker and writer,
inspiring action in survivors and the heathcare
providers that they encounter. She will empower your
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It’s time to go beyond treatment!
Contact Heather today.
[email protected]
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35
in to help an 11-year-old boy whose
mother had died. His father hired a
cruel woman to care for the boy and his
siblings. In time he got into trouble,
and the boy s father was going to send
him away. My husband and I took him
in and later his seven-year-old brother.
We eventually adopted them.”
“We also adopted a boy from Belgium. Then a young girl in one of my
religious classes told me she was going
to run away from home, so I told her to
run to my house,” Lucy adds.
“Over the years, we welcomed dozens of troubled children into our home,”
Lucy says.
Those children have grown and
moved away to many far-off locations.
In 2004, Lucy received a call at
the st ore from a woman named Dee
Rapinchuk, who was calling after seeing a Natural Woman advertisement.
The woman said she was sending over
a young Nigerian breast cancer survivor. Dee instructed Lucy to provide
the Nigerian woman with whatever she
needed. Dee added that she would pay
for everything and instructed Lucy to
send her the bill. Lucy agreed. Little
did she know the turn of events that
this small action would cause in the
greater world community.
The Nigerian woman, Beatrice
Kadangs, came to the store as Dee had
said she would. Lucy assisted her,
helping Beatrice choose some bras,
prosthetic(s) and natural supplements.
Lucy is a friendly, outgoing woman, and
she and Beatrice began sharing their
experiences with each other. Beatrice
shared that Nigerian breast cancer survivors often committed suicide, because
there was no support and much rejection. They often were and are abandoned by their husbands, shunned by
their families and provided little-to-no
assistance by their governments. Lucy
was appalled.
Thankfully, Beatrice, who lived in
Illinois and was studying for a doctorate
in biblical medical studies at the time,
has a loving and supportive husband.
He is now a professor at a local seminary.
Lucy and Beatrice stayed in touch,
and a year later, Beatrice told Lucy
that she was going back to Nigeria on a
mission to help the people there. Lucy,
recalling the plight of many Nigerian
breast cancer survivors, got an idea.
Lucy gave Beatrice two big suitcases
full of items, one with prostheses and
the other one full of mastectomy bras,
with instructions to distribute them
however she might. Beatrice agreed
but was stopped at the airport due to
Celebrating a 25 year breast cancer
survivor on her 106th Birthday
Left to Right: Bobbie Cherry and Lucy
McCarthy.
Diane Stacy, Rick Stacy, Bobbie Cherry,
Lucy McCarthy.
Lucy McCarthy
having too much luggage. She had to
call Lucy and tell her that she would
have to leave the mastectomy supplies
at the airport. Not ready to give up,
Lucy called the man at the airport who
stopped Beatrice and explained what
she and Lucy were trying to do. Lucy
asked what would be the least expensive way to ship the items. The man
replied that it would take $167 to ship
the items and promised to personally
ensure they got through.
Beatrice made her way to an audience with the first lady of the province
of Kaduna in Nigeria, whose brother,
a doctor, also was present. The doctor
was so impressed with Beatrice, her
story and the idea of helping breast
cancer patients and other orphans and
widows in the region (HIV/AIDS also
has ravaged the area) that he offered to
Costs less than bandaging!
help, too.
Today, Beatrice Kadangs is best
known for her involvement with the
Gwaimen Center located in Kwoi, Nigeria, established to empower widows and
orphans through holistic sustainable
development.
However, now there also are 30 different cancer support groups throughout Nigeria and Africa, many of them
named for Lucy. Recently, the decision was made and funding provided
to build a women’s care facility there.
Lucy and Beatrice designed it together.
It is under construction.
“I will have to get over there one day
to see it,” says Lucy.
One need not subscribe to the
theory of the Butterfly Effect. But,
it is plain to see that Lucy McCarthy
impacts her world in very positive ways.
She spreads sunshine and hope.
Women in Nigeria, should they learn
how their women’s center came to be,
just might think of Lucy McCarthy as
their very special butterfly. n
www.naturalwomangeneva.com
Lucy McCarthy
Made in U.S.A.
Learn more & Find a dealer - visit our website or call: 1.866.931.0876
36
37
Making a Nourishing Difference
When Paula Eakins, vice president
of Health Seminars Unlimited, Inc. and
co-host of the Abundant Living cooking show on the international Three
Angels Broadcasting Network was diagnosed with breast cancer, this longtime vegetarian and healthful living
advocate opted to pursue alternative
cancer treatments rather than accept
conventional ones. Still monitored
closely by her medical oncologist for
any signs of change, Paula is cancerfree and reaching out to share her
story and her dietetic expertise with
fellow breast cancer patients. Paula,
also known as “The Tofu Lady,” holds
a Master of Science degree in food
and nutrition from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.
She volunteers her time speaking to
many community groups, including
the American Cancer Society and the
Clearview Cancer Institute and Christian Cancer Support Group. Paula
has published two cookbooks entitled:
Vegetarian Cooking Made EZ and
Global Vegetarian Cooking Made EZ.
Here are a few of Paula’s favorite
recipes chosen for their cancer-fighting qualities, according to American
Cancer Society guidelines. They will
add fruits and vegetables to one’s diet
without adding refined sugars:
SUGAR-LESS APPLE PIE
HEARTY LENTIL STEW
splits with knife to allow steam to escape. Seal the edges of pie shell with
fork. Bake for 45 minutes. Serves 8.
*Use frozen, unsweetened apple juice.
6 cups apples, tart, peeled and sliced
1 (12-ounce) can frozen apple juice*
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1/8 tsp. coriander
2 whole wheat pie crust
WHOLE WHEAT PIE CRUST II
1 ½ cups unbleached flour, with germ
½ cup whole wheat flour
¾ cup soy margarine
½ tsp. sea salt
1. Preheat oven 350 degrees. In a
4-quart Dutch oven, pour apple juice,
sliced apples and coriander. Cook on
low, about 5 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, add cornstarch
to 2 tablespoons of cold water. Mix
well to make a smooth paste. Stir the
cornstarch mixture into hot cooking
apples. Stir in well to thicken. Let
cool before putting into whole wheat
pie crust (see other recipe).
3. Spoon the apple mixture into the
whole wheat pie crust. Top the apple
mixture with the top pie crust. Make
38
In a blender, add pineapple juice and
sliced peaches, blend until smooth.
Continue blending, and add the medium frozen banana. Once the mixture
is smooth, pour it into 2 tall glasses
and serve. Serves 2.
1. Sift both flours and sea salt together in bowl.
PINEAPPLE PEACH BANANA SHAKE
1/2 cup pineapple juice, unsweetened
1 medium peach, sliced (or ½ cup
frozen peaches)
1 medium banana, frozen
2. Using a pastry cutter mash soy
margarine into flour mixture until
flour resembles cornmeal texture.
Add warm water and mix lightly (crust
will be sticky). Let set for 15 minutes.
3. Divide dough into two equal size
balls. Roll out each dough ball on a
floured board to make top and bottom
crust. Makes 2 crusts.
2 cups dry lentils
2 quarts water
2 medium potatoes, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
2 cups celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp. chicken-style seasoning*
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. basil leaves
3 tbsp. smoked soy baco bits
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1. Sort lentils, and wash in cold water.
2. Bring the water to boil, and add
the following: lentils, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions and garlic. Stir
well.
3. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer
for about 45 minutes or until peas
and other vegetables are tender.
4. Add seasoning one at a time, and
stir in the tomato sauce. Let simmer
for 5 more minutes. Serves 8 to 10.
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39
Left: Jane Sussman and her family have
inspired hundreds to reach out to teens
about breast cancer. (Left to Right) Mallory, Jane, Megan and Scott Sussman.
“I Love Clubbing with My Kids”
Before her breast cancer diagnosis,
Jane Sussman was a happy woman
with a great marriage to her college
sweetheart and two great kids. So,
imagine her pride when her teenage
daughters, in response to her having breast cancer, helped lift Jane’s
heart and spirit beyond all expectations while also showing her a new life
purpose. Her daughters, Megan and
Mallory, reached out to their peers to
create a teen support network, and the
action energized Jane to become a new
and improved version of herself.
“I like to think I’ve become a better person through my breast cancer
experience,” Jane says. “I’m certainly
more confident and self assured. I’ve
become more connected with my com-
40
munity, both where I live and to the
breast cancer community. I am so
much more aware of making it a point
to live every day and enjoy every experience.”
Jane shares this story:
When I was diagnosed with Stage
IIIB invasive breast cancer in April
2002, my daughters were then a
sophomore in high school and an 8thgrader, not a good time for their worlds
to be turned upside down.
That summer, while I was still
undergoing treatment, the girls made
their annual trip from our Southern
California home to Ohio for a visit
with extended family. My husband,
Scott, and I were consumed with my
treatments, so it was good for Megan
and Mallory to have fun and have
loving family support. While there,
Megan and Mallory looked for ways
they could make a difference in the
fight against breast cancer, but their
research turned up few resources that
targeted the teen community. They
wanted to involve and educate their
peers about this disease that had so
quickly and dramatically impacted
their lives, so they came up with a new
idea.
When they returned from Ohio, I
was bald from chemotherapy treatments and was definitely suffering
from chemo brain. I was so overwhelmed with all the treatments,
doctors’ appointments, tests, etc., that
it was difficult to keep all the details
straight. Yet, I was touched by and
impressed with Megan and Mallory’s
idea; Of course I would be part of it.
The girls needed to be extra patient
with me as my energy levels were low,
but they did not let that stop them.
As for me, working together with my
girls was the silver lining of my cancer
diagnosis.
When school resumed, the girls
sprung into action, approaching their
high school administrators about
starting a Pink Ribbon Club. With the
help of the school’s student activities
advisor, they created a club structure
and recruited their first members.
Their goals were: increasing teen
awareness, providing community service opportunities, and raising funds
in the fight against breast cancer.
Soon, our club included over 20 high
school students.
That fall, our kitchen was a buzz
with me and Club members baking
pink ribbon cookies, brainstorming
ideas and discussing creative ways to
accomplish their goals. I supervised as
they organized car washes and trackmeet snack bars, created and distributed educational fliers, and purchased
smoothies to sell at their campus-wide
“Clubpoluzza Day.” We arranged for
speakers to educate the students after
a 16-year-old volleyball player from a
neighboring school passed away from
inflammatory breast cancer. Ten students accompanied me on a field trip to
one of my daily radiation treatments,
so they could see firsthand what
radiation was like. The students were
anxious for information, resources,
and a meaningful way to be involved
and learn about breast cancer.
Having involvement in the Club
totally energized me. It gave me
strength. I was so proud of my daughters for taking action and turning
something negative into a positive that
impacted so many.
The following year, one Club member moved to another school district
where she started a new Pink Ribbon Club, expanding our outreach to
another community and over 100 new
members.
Several students were already
active in the Pink Ribbon Club when
their own mothers were diagnosed
with breast cancer. I was glad that we
could provide these students with an
immediate connection to resources,
friends with knowledge about breast
cancer, and a place to take action.
In 2005, we established the Pink
Ribbon Club Foundation, a non-profit
organization, to mentor and guide the
clubs, provide resources and imagination, and establish new clubs. Before
long, the network of members grew to
include students at 20 different schools
in three states.
This experience has been a family
affair. My husband helps with organization finances and accounting, strategic planning, and board activities.
Megan now serves on Susan G. Komen
for the Cure’s National Young Women’s
Advisory Council. Mallory is on the
Pink Ribbon Club Foundation Board of
Directors and is starting our new college Pink Ribbon Club program at the
University of Southern California.
I am employed full time as a
resource deployment manager for a
large technology company. My nights
and weekends are busy with Club u
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Breast Cancer Wellness
1/4 vertical ad - 2.3” x 9.625”
up Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s
informational brochure for the Race
for the Cure. Upon seeing a photo in
the brochure of 18 Pink Ribbon Club
members at the previous year’s Race, I
excitedly exclaimed to the postal clerk,
“Those are my kids!”
He asked in amazement, “Those
are all your kids?”
Proudly, I replied, “Yes, they are all
my kids, and I wouldn’t trade a single
one of them.”
Inspired by their drive and enthusiasm, I am an active breast cancer
advocate and survivor. I wouldn’t be
here today without my kids.
I would tell other women facing
breast cancer a few things. First, be
kind to yourself while you are in treatment. Embrace every moment and
every challenge with the attitude that
you will overcome it. Rest, and allow
others to help. Also, connect with
other women going through breast
cancer. I have met the most amazing women through my breast cancer
work, but that fills my time now that
our daughters have gone out on their
own. My days are filled, yet I continue
to walk daily, and I do small things for
myself (a nice bath, reading for a few
minutes, gardening, communicating
with my daughters and my sisters, etc).
It is amazing how much energy you feel
when you have the right motivation,
and when you are passionate about
what you are doing, not to mention
that working with young people has a
tendency to keep you young. Each day,
I am inspired by the commitment I see
with these young kids. Their enthusiasm fuels my energy!
Prior to having breast cancer, I was
not really involved in causes, though I
volunteered through lots of our daugh-
ters’ activities, i.e. PTA, water polo,
Girl Scouts, etc. With the Pink Ribbon
Club, I found a cause, and learned
many new skills, including public
speaking, grant writing, marketing,
motivating teens, teaching skills, event
planning, and more. I have learned
to appreciate life more and have more
empathy toward others. I continue
to grow and change daily even as the
Pink Ribbon Clubs grow and flourish.
I am happier overall as I have something to be passionate about. I see
myself as a strong leader, a person who
can overcome anything and motivate
others to take action.
Now, six years after starting with
just my own two amazing daughters,
I now call hundreds of students “my
experience. Many of them would never
have crossed my path had it not been
for our common diagnosis. Several
are now my best friends. My life is so
much richer for having known them.
Then, after you are well, and you
have your strength and energy back,
find a passion and follow it. You never
know where it will take you.
Jane likes a quote by Angela
Schwindt that goes, “While we try to
teach our children all about life, our
children teach us what life is about.”
Many of us who have children can
attest to this statement. In Jane’s
case, the truth of it is tied up in pink
ribbons.
To learn how to find or form a Pink
Ribbon Club in your area, please go to
the Pink Ribbon Foundation link on
the Breast Cancer Wellness magazine
website.
The Pink Ribbon Foundation website is at www.prc-foundation.org. n
Chemo Support
Members of the Laguna Hills, Calif., Pink
Ribbon Club at a local event.
kids.” Several members of the first
club have graduated from college,
while we have bright-eyed junior-high
students enthusiastically starting new
clubs. My kids now include boys and
girls of all ages, diverse ethic backgrounds, and a multitude of interests
and talents, but they all have a common goal: making a difference in the
fight against breast cancer.
One day last September, as I was
mailing a package to one of our outof-state Pink Ribbon Clubs, I picked
Donna St. Jean Conti, Assistant Editor
Are you thriving despite your challenges? Do you know a breast cancer survivor who
is your personal inspiration or hero? Tell Donna, and the story might appear in a future
column. Send to: [email protected].
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43
for me
Graceful, Delightful, Beautiful
by Beth Hohl
Amoena philosophy! And Amoena has
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woman’s healing process – from post
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I envision a world where every newly
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and to then be able to live her life fully.
From compassionately understanding a
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What you should know about
Lymphedema and Breast Cancer
Early clinical assessment and early
treatment means better quality of life.
New data from a five year study conducted by the National Institutes of Health demonstrate that
it is possible to prevent the progression of lymphedema in breast cancer patients at risk. In this
study, the women identified with subclinical lymphedema all returned to their pre-surgical
arm volume after a brief intervention with an off-the-shelf compression garment. None (0%)
progressed to a Stage 2 or Stage 3 lymphedema.1
Stage 0 Left Unilateral Arm
Stage I Left Unilateral Arm
Stage II Left Unilateral arm
Stage III Left Unilateral arm
An FDA-cleared medical device is now available to aid doctors in the clinical assessment of
the earliest stages of lymphedema. L-Dex™ devices quickly and painlessly measure fluid volume
differences between the arms which can assist in identifying the onset of lymphedema—in some
cases, even before the woman senses feelings of heaviness or visible swelling.
Following the medical model, emerging new solutions now demonstrate that early assessment,
diagnosis and intervention prevents progression and helps protect your quality of life.
Visit www.L-Dex.com for more information. ImpediMed, Inc. 1.877.247.0111 www.impedimed.com
1. Gergich N, Pfalzer L, Soballe P, Washington F. and McGarvey C: Preoperative Assessment Enables the Early Diagnosis and Successful
Treatment of Lymphedema. Cancer, Vol. 112, June 15 2008, pp 2809-2819.
*This device is not intended to diagnose or predict lymphedema of an extremity.
Photographs of lymphedema stages provided for use by Dr. Charles McGarvey and Guenter Klose.
HEALING
MAGES
Have you ever heard a word or a
name and wondered what the original
meaning was? When I joined Amoena a
few years ago, I was wondering exactly
that – as well as how to pronounce it
correctly (ah-mo-nah).
The name Amoena comes from the
Latin “amoenus” which means graceful, delightful, and beautiful. While you
may not initially associate anything
connected with breast cancer to be
described with these adjectives, the
return to graceful, delightful, and beautiful is exactly how Amoena’s products
help a woman feel as she progresses in
her healing journey.
Amoena is an amazing synergistic
name for a company whose philosophy
is “to provide a better quality of life for
women following breast surgery. And
to fulfill breast operated women’s need
for femininity, to restore a positive body
44
image and renew confidence, self-esteem, and beauty.”
I feel privileged to see this philosophy in action every day. From our
partnership with retailers to supply the
best products and our involvement in
special promotional fit days at retailer
locations, to our customer service
teams and production teams, Amoena employees really do embody the
SPECIAL NOTICE FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
HEALING IMAGES™ ACROSS AMERICA PROJECT
IMAGINING THE POSSIBILITIES FOR BETTER HEALTH
Do you believe that the MIND can affect a person’s health?
Are you a medical professional who has patients with a fearful, anxious, yet wanting-to-heal mindset? Do you wish you
knew more about how to help them through the roller-coaster ride of emotions during cancer treatment?
Become certified through Healing Images™ so that you too can offer various research-documented integrative tools, like
guided imagery and journaling, to help YOUR patients add the power of the mind with an intention to heal!
Thanks to the “Healing Images™ Across America Project” of ONE Health Institute, we are now going to be able to increase
the number of trained professionals in the arts of integrative healthcare. You too can receive a $400 scholarship toward the
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For just $800, receive 16 hours of classroom training, 4 hours of private training, and over $350 in published materials ... all
to make it even EASIER to introduce guided imagery and other integrative techniques to your clients!
NORMALLY $1200 FOR 20 HOURS OF TRAINING ... NOW ONLY $800!
Beth Hohl
Product Manager, Amoena USA
Beth Hohl is the Breast Forms Product Manager at Amoena USA with over 20 years of
experience in developing personal products for consumers. She is the liason between
conveying what women want for their breast care needs to the corporate managers
and designers of Amoena. Beth enjoys being part of the creation and development of
the new products that breast cancer survivors wear. Her job is to ensure value, quality,
and a beautiful selection of products for the women that Amoena serves. Beth has
been part of the Amoena family for 2 years.
$400 scholarships available
through
ONE Health Institute
a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
Appl y online at www.HealingIma ges.com
Professional Certification
in Guided Imagery for Health!
www.HealingImages.com
636-273-9032
45
A Home for Healing
by JoAnne Lenart-Weary
“It is so much more than decorating.”
Hi, my name is JoAnne Lenart-Weary
and I am Addicted to Decorating. For
over 30 years, I have had the pleasure of
helping people create a “Home.” Many
may regard my career as “fluff” but the
desire to have a place to call home is
powerful. It is our private place where we
can let down our guard and just be! It is
where we go to relax, unwind, celebrate
personal joys and yes, sadness. Many
of my clients have “important” jobs and
hired me because they thought it would
be fun or they simply didn’t have time. I
would come into a space and add color to
the room, do some shopping, or perhaps
make whatever they already have, the
best it could be. These same clients were
amazed how transforming the decorating process actually was. Clients have
told me that after years of living in a
house, they finally felt they were home.
When you watch HGTV and see the client cry, it isn’t just good TV, it happens
on a quite regular basis. The vase from
Grandma that has been in the cupboard
and now has a place of honor on the coffee table, or maybe it is the family photo
that reminds them of a great vacation,
all can bring a client to tears. A good
decorator knows this isn’t just about the
aesthetics, but the emotion. Transforming a home into a healing haven doesn’t
require a lot of money or even time. It
just requires a bit of planning and a little
effort from you or the dear friend or family member who is eager to help you heal
and recover. Create your healing haven
with these five simple steps.
1
46
Surround yourself with things
you love - Create a healing
atmosphere by surrounding
yourself with things that bring you moments of joy. Use your favorite colors in
accessories. Display family photos where
you can see and enjoy on a daily basis,
not that old archaic decorating rule
that they should be relegated to private
spaces. Add unscented candles to give
you visual warmth without the odors
that may bother you. Bring out special
heirlooms that you are saving and enjoy
them everyday. Eat your meal, no matter how simple, on dishes that make you
happy. Music is another element that
can add ambiance to your home and
your day. A good movie generally has a
great soundtrack. Create the soundtrack
of your life. The music will change with
your mood of the day; it may be happy,
mellow, or peaceful or rocking!
Declutter and Eliminate Our homes tend to evolve over
time and are an accumulation of where life has taken
us. Magazines and books that you will
never touch again, dried floral arrangements that no longer catch the eye, but
only catch dust, the junk mail on the
counter you have been meaning to sort,
and so on. Begin today and take five
things out of your home that no longer
speak to you. Tomorrow, remove 5 more,
and continue until you start to see the
beauty of the room again. You will not
believe how great you are going to feel
once you begin the process of purging.
Perhaps you are not feeling quite up to it
that yet? Remember all those friends who
have said, “Please call me for anything.”
Call them and ask if they could help you
to get started on reclaiming your life and
your home. Only keep the things that
make you happy and are meaningful.
2
4
The Power of Placement Rearrange a room to take
advantage of the view or any
other focal point that makes you
happy to look at. Right now, you may
be watching more TV or spending more
time on your sofa recuperating, which
makes it even more important for you to
arrange things in a way that “feel” good.
Bring your furniture a bit closer to create
a conversation area that only spans 8-10’
to encourage conversation and interaction. While you are at, find a private
corner for you to retreat to when you
need or want to be alone. Comfy pillows,
high thread count sheets, soft duvets
that are lightweight yet warm, are just a
few things to envelop your self.
5
Live in your House - Don’t wait
until your room is perfect before
you have guests. Your home
should be a place of fellowship
and joy. Are you feeling up to company
today? It doesn’t matter if you don’t have
enough matching dishes; invite company
for dinner, and share that wonderful casserole that someone dropped off. It is the
experience of being together that matters. We have all been in the house that
is simply a showplace and you hope you
don’t break anything, that my friend is a
HOUSE. You deserve a HOME, a place to
heal and be good to yourself.
But most of all have a joyful day, surrounded by comfort and beauty. n
JoAnne Lenart-Weary
Color - My dear friend, Nancy,
lived with white walls for years.
I kept encouraging her to add
some color to highlight the high
ceilings and beautiful moldings, but she
was comfortable with the ways things
were. She became ill and had to stay
home more and suddenly realized that
her home seemed stark. We selected a
warm golden tan that enhanced everything in the room, including Nancy!
After the room was done, she couldn’t
believe that she had lived so long without
color. It also helped her to gain a new
appreciation for her home while she was
recuperating. This may be the time to
do that daring color you never had the
courage to use before. The Tansy Green
from Sherwin Williams gave this room
a whole new personality. Perhaps you
are not feeling up to painting or the odor
that even so called “odorless” paints may
have. Add color in other ways such as
wall graphics that are available everywhere. The powder room shown here
was created by talented decorator, Josi
Underhill of Decors by Josi, in Oregon.
She wanted to kick it up a notch and
added great poppy graphics from IKEA
to her client’s room. A little color, a lot of
pizzazz! The wall graphics could also be
a motivational message or a bible verse
that provides comfort. Place it on the
wall or in a frame and hang it where you
can enjoy it often.
3
JoAnne Lenart-Weary has been creating beautiful homes and teaching others to
do the same for over 30 years. She is the founder of One Day Decorating www.onedaydecorating.com and The Decorating Academy, www.thedecoratingacademy.com
JoAnne has been seen on HGTV’s, “Decorating Cents” as well as a weekly TV segment
for an ABC Affiliate. She is a co-founder of The SDP, www.TheSDP.com and an ongoing instructor for CHF Academy. www.Chfacademy.com The thing that makes her
the happiest however is spending time with her family, which includes a supportive
husband, Tom and 12 beautiful grandchildren.
Where A Healthy Lifestyle
Is Affordable.
Now Two Convenient
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1727 S. Campbell
Phone: 831-5229
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Mon — Fri: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Sun: 11 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Laurie Seligman
Wellness Coach
www.transformationconsultinginc.com
In this inspiring memoir of spiritual transformation, Laurie
learns to take control of her destiny, rising from a series of
physical challenges and loss; three surgeries in three years,
death of her mother to cancer, and the sudden end to her
lifestyle, finances, health care and pension as a result of
disablement. She experiences a complete life makeover,
and with the assistance of free swimming dolphins,
overcomes her perception of diminished self worth
as a woman and a human being, and emerges
with new purpose and life direction.
Laurie serves as Wellness Coach for
The Three Women on Their Healing Journey.
To contact Laurie for her professional wellness services
for your healing journey, phone 323-782-1001.
47
Yes, I Can Make a Difference
by Evelyn Stafford-Daniels
I am Evelyn Stafford-Daniels, a
survivor of Breast Cancer, nine years
out. I was diagnosed with Inflammatory
breast cancer in June of 1999. I had
never heard about this type of breast
cancer but knew I was in trouble when
an Internet search described it as a very
aggressive type of cancer with a fiveyear survival rate of only 16 percent.
Annual mammograms had been
taken since I was 40 and although it
had not been taken for that year yet,
no lump showed up when it was tested.
With inflammatory breast cancer there
is no lump; it can show as a rash with
the skin taking on the appearance of an
orange peel.
A mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and twenty-six rounds of
radiation was the path planned for
treatment. Cancer had spread to nine
of twelve lymph nodes removed during
surgery in July. By September, inflammatory breast cancer was proving how
aggressive it really was when I found a
new lump in the incision site. More surgery and a rush to start radiation right
away held it at bay.
My life seemed to be spiraling out
of control, not knowing from day to
day what new test I would be needing or what I would need to depend on
someone else to do for me next. Fiercely
independent all my life, to have to start
depending on others at 54 years of
age, was one of the biggest challenges I
faced.
Losing my breast, my hair and my
48
husband all within months was enough
to knock me to my knees. Literally. I
spent hours in my prayer closet sometimes just sitting there quietly meditating. My first trip there after the diagnosis involved a prayer where I reminded
the Lord that He said in the Bible He
had peace that surpassed understanding. I wanted to be free of the fear and
quaking I felt inside and if I could find
that peace, I knew I could deal with the
next step. The experience I had that afternoon shall never leave my mind. After
being there in prayer for some time, I felt
a warmth starting at the top of my head
move all the way down through my body
and out through my toes. As it moved
down a calmness rested upon me and
quaking ceased to be. I could then think
rationally and digest what the doctor
had said to me. Only after this place of
peace was found was I able to pray for
healing.
Standing one morning in front of
the mirror naked and looking full into
my eyes until I could see beyond the
eyes staring at me, I saw a strength and
beauty there never before known. A love
started to flicker for the broken, scarred
and tattered being I was. God had made
me beautiful from the inside out and
although the outside no longer had the
trappings of what society calls beauty, I
could see a beauty that was more than
skin-deep. The soul and spirit were alive
and well and flourishing just beneath
the surface, and waiting for me to notice. When I came back to myself that
morning, tears were streaming down
my face. Not for sadness, but for the
new appreciation of who I had become.
I embraced the new me. The one with
no hair, and a very badly burned radiated chest. Society would not see the
beauty that I saw that day, but I knew
right then that I had to share with other
women the beauty that can be found
in us when we look inside and love the
person we find there. How we strive to
make others happy and push ourselves
aside. How we sacrifice to see that we
give of ourselves to everyone else. How
little time we take to even know who we
are or what we really want. How often
we allow others to treat us in dishonoring ways and continue to hold on to
relationships that are already dead.
For thirty-three years I held on to
such a relationship, quietly suffering the
humiliation and lack of love I deserved.
Having married my childhood sweetheart at twenty-one, I held on through
his countless affairs out of which were
born a number of outside children. I
would have a two-parent home for our
two beautiful children at all cost. When
illness came and death seemed immanent, my spouse found it impossible to
give the loving emotional support I so
badly needed. I determined in my heart
that if I made it, I would divorce him. I
made it. I divorced him in August 2000.
It was time to love myself. Today,
I spent time traveling, reading, writing and sharing my story with women
who are going through some of what I
experienced. There are so many hurting
women in bad relationships who feel
encouraged when they hear a portion of
my story. Looking back over my experiences, I believe that holding all the pain
inside and not talking with anyone, not
even my dear sister, about what was eating me alive, allowed it to express itself
as cancer in my body. Many feel that to
talk about personal issues relating to
relationships is a sign of weakness and
there is shame in acknowledging that
a spouse is hurtful, either physically,
emotionally, or both. Who wants to tell
someone that their husband is seeing
someone else and God forbid, that he
has a child or children with some other
woman. If it is not spoken maybe it will
not be true after all. If it is, maybe no
one else knows about it. These are foolish ideas or attempts to sooth a broken
spirit but only allow or even teach someone how to treat you badly. I’ve come to
49
Dear Reader,
Two years ago, The Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine was launched as a free
subscription for breast cancer patients and survivors. Its subscription base has
grown more than we expected, and we appreciate the compliments and words of
gratitude that we have received about the magazine.
It is a great honor to work for this cause and to meet breast cancer survivors
and to share their amazing survivor stories. Our mission is to continue to bring
you more breast cancer survivor stories, and ideas that empower mind, body, and
spirit for healing. At this time we are asking for your help to defray some of the
costs to mail the magazine. As you know, postal costs have recently went up, and
the requests to receive the magazine continues to grow as well. That is why we are
asking readers to help us out through a voluntary donation. This contribution is
only for those who choose to, at whatever amount is comfortable. By using this
‘pay it forward’ principle, this helps provide the magazine to other breast cancer
patients and survivors.
Thank you very much in advance for helping to publish and deliver the
magazine, so that we can continue to bring you inspirational messages for healing.
hope
inspiration
Kindest regards,
support
50
50
Breast
Breast Cancer
Cancer Wellness
Wellness Magazine
Magazine
Beverly Vote
Publisher
#
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Send me a FREE subscription!
NAME:________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:_ ____________________________________________________________
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EMAIL_ _______________________________________________________________
Please make your tax deductible
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Lebanon, MO 65536
2)4
).$s"/$9s30)
%MPOWERING-
Doing More
Than Talking
the Talk
Thank YOU!
Writing in Search
of Wellness
Someone
Had to Help
The Medicine
of Movement
A Tribute to
Motherhood
know that allowing shabby treatment
the first time teaches that it is acceptable.
At times the women I meet have just
heard the dreaded sentence, “You have
breast cancer.” Like most of us, what
they hear instead is, “You are going to
die.” I guess the word has gotten around
because in the middle of the night
sometimes, calls come from ladies I am
only acquainted with who have a friend
diagnosed with breast cancer. “Would
you talk with her, please?” “May I come
over and would you mind sharing with
me what you know about breast cancer?” “I need you to pray with me that
I’ll be OK. I have breast cancer.” “What
happens when you go for chemo?” These
and so many other questions haunt the
minds of those starting this journey
and I am so blessed to be here to help in
some small way.
I mentioned earlier that the survival
rate for the type of breast cancer I had
was only 16% at five years. I am up to
nine years and counting and I know for
certain that I was spared and blessed to
be here to make a difference in the lives
of other women who are now traveling
this way and for those who will some
day come along. When my troubles
seemed to be stacking up on top of each
other, I wondered if I could keep standing. What, with the cancer recurrence,
the severe radiation burn, the hurtful
words and disrespectful treatment from
my spouse, and subsequent divorce all
in a year’s span, I knew there must be a
cause for which I was spared.
I find great joy in accompanying
newly made friends to the hospital
when they check-in for their surgeries.
Walking them through each step and
being there to support them through the
journey has given me as much satisfaction as they say it has been a blessing
to them.
I am making a difference one hurting or frightened woman at a time. I
give back each time I accept a call from
a woman needing a shoulder to cry on
or a knowing ear to listen or someone
to spend time together with over tea to
share a story of how I made it.
I am 63 years of age now, and for
the past eight years I have shared with
countless women starting the journey I
am blessed to have made. Breast cancer
and the path I traveled because of it,
equipped me with all I need to be who I
am and to do what I know I was left here
to do. At the time of my diagnosis, only
sixteen percent survived for five years.
I not only have survived for nine years,
I am thriving and growing each day as
I share and give back what God has so
graciously given to me. n
Evelyn Stafford-Daniels
Born in Tallahassee, Florida in 1945
Graduated from Florida A & M University
Retired in 2000 from Pinellas County School System - Bay
Point Middle School in St. Petersburg, FL
Served 331/2 years as Librarian/ Library Media Specialist
Member of Christ Gospel Church of Pinellas Park, FL
Youth Worker • Regional Bible Quiz Director
Two children - Yolanda Daniels Andeson;
William Hardy Daniels, Jr.
9 year survivor of Breast Cancer
[email protected]
Coming Soon... The Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine
Breast
ancer
WellnCe
M A
ss
Susan G. Kom
en
for the Cur
Cancer Cru e
sade
Pink Goes Gre
en
G A Z
I N E
).$s"/
$9s
%MPOWERING-
30)2)4
Trusting
Your Journe
y
Amy Aberne
Whole-Bo thy, MD,
dy
Healing and
Duke Cancer
Care
When You
To Get You’re Told
r
Affairs in Ord
er
PRSRT STANDAR
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US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT 205
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IL
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IL
BOLINGBROOK,
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Volume 3, Issue
1
Spring 2008
Volume 3, Issue
presents the newest Fall feature...
Our Gratitude Journal
For details on how
to be included, go to
2
Summer 2008
51
Pink Pages
Breast Cancer Wellness Pink Pages and Website
provides you the easiest and most convenient
wellness resource directory at your fingertips.
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52
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53
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“Our Grateful Journal”
There comes a point in your
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Who matters,
Who never did,
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And who always will.
So, don’t worry about people
from your past,
There’s a reason why they
didn’t make it to your future.
Be kinder than necessary
because everyone you meet is
fighting some kind of battle.
– author unknown
54
Advertiser Directory
American Breast Care.................................................................52
Amoena..........................................................................................21
Anita International Corp...........................................................53
ANOKHI...........................................................................................54
Arizona Intregrative Medical...................................................15
Bachs Medical Supply................................................................52
Beaubeau Scarves.......................................................................52
Betty Schwartzs Mastectomy..................................................52
BiaCare Medical............................................................................37
Brightlife Direct............................................................................16
Butterfly Boutique.......................................................................36
Challenge Cancer........................................................................14
Citizens Memorial Healthcare.................................................52
Emotional Freedom Technique..............................................42
Gentle Touch Medical Products.............................................41
Chemo Savvy................................................................................52
CNCA................................................................................................13
Daiwa Health Development...................................................... 2
Emeria..............................................................................................52
Fundraising For A Cause...........................................................12
Go Beyond Treatment................................................................35
Hulston Cancer Center..............................................................37
ImpediMed....................................................................................45
Janac Sportswear........................................................................54
Laurie Seligman, Wellness Coach..........................................47
Lean Cuisine..................................................................................30
Life Preservers...............................................................................31
LindiSkin.........................................................................................13
MaMa Jeans Natural Market....................................................47
MediUsa..........................................................................................11
Name Brand Wigs........................................................................19
Nearly you......................................................................................52
New Horizons LLC Life Mel.......................................................43
North American Nutrition........................................................51
Oakworks........................................................................................52
ONE Health Institute..................................................................45
Project 11.......................................................................................35
Rhythm of Life..............................................................................10
Real Purity......................................................................................41
Sicel Technology Inc...................................................................11
Slumbercap...................................................................................52
Softee USA.....................................................................................15
Susan G. Komen for the Cure..................................................56
The Wig Salon Ltd and Mastectomy Boutique.................20
Totally Organic.............................................................................52
University Medical Center........................................................39
United Breast Cancer Foundation.........................................23
Waking the Warrior Goddess..................................................48
Woman Wellness Consulting...................................................52
Young Survival Coalition..........................................................55
Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is
the premier international, non-profit
network of breast cancer survivors and
supporters dedicated to the concerns
and issues that are unique to young
women and breast cancer.
YSC strives to improve the quality and
quantity of life of all young women
affected by breast cancer.
If you are a young woman affected by
breast cancer, Young Survival Coalition
is here for you!
Asha, diagnosed at age 24.
Youngwomen
CANandDO
getbreastcancer.
For more information about
Young Survival Coalition,
please visit: www.youngsurvival.org
or call 877-YSC-1011
Celebrating 10 years of Action,Advocacy,Awareness
1998-2008
www.youngsurvival.org
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Yes - Breast Cancer Wellness

Transcription

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