Healing Path » Body

Seven Steps on the Healing Path

sherri — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:47:40 +0000

I’ve tried to make a short list of the most healing activities I can do to help myself on my way to health.

Daily Walk & Rebound
Supplements & Good Oils (Flax, Fish & Coconut Oils)
No sugars except one cup of tea with maple syrup after breakfast or save to share with a friend & Smash cancer Night
Sleep and rest if needed
Sauna
Yoga-Including prayers, breathing & positive thoughts
Veggies and Fruits-seven each day

Some of these are easier than others.

I have been getting my sleep. Sometimes it is harder to convince myself that it is alright to take a nap. When you are resting completely your body can heal.

The sauna is easy. That is my reading time.

Now that leaves five I need help with. Cynthia is helping with the rebounding. Just in case, a rebounder is a small trampoline. Bouncing on a rebounder is wonderful for your lymph system. Cynthis and I have a commitment to rebound together everyday for 10 minutes. Even if I don’t feel quite like doing it I know I have to report to Cynthia “Yes, I bounced today!” Her support in this is so helpful.

Robyn is going to be my yoga partner. Carol has been walking with me ever so many days.

I sure could use some help and support on the others.

Cod liver oil, anyone?
Veggies?….I get in about five. I need some inspiration on those green veggie drinks.
No sugar! Wow! That one can be hard for me. Although I have been doing quite well. My son, Andrew is going to join me on that one. I think we could use some help there. Perhaps you might do just one day a week without sweets?

Trying to Catch up

sherri — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:47:32 +0000

I have been too busy to write. I’ll try and zip through a few pictures to let you know I am keeping busy.

Trying to keep up with 3 paddling in a canoe.

Kayaking pictures I never put in … Kayaking with Matt, Andrew and Angela on Lake Monomonac where Bonnie has her lake house. Actually they were in Dad’s canoe. I am the lone ‘kayaker’ trying to keep up.

Dave, Alayna, Taylor and Beth at the Jenny Mill Plymouth, MA

The Jenny Mill in Plymouth, MA

I visited with Dave, Beth Taylor and Alayne. I stayed at their home so we could get an early start to the Jenny Grist Mill in Plymouth, MA. It is the first mill in America if I paid attention to my tour guide.

We were able to sneak in some great ice cream the night before.

The Skyline Drive in Virginia

sherri — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:03:08 +0000

Taking a break from huffing and puffing!

The altitude was a bit higher than I’m used to in New Hampshire. Dad will have to check his map. I’m thinking we were somewhere around 3600 feet?

What a view!

What a view! Even though it was a bit hazy you could still see miles. Next time we must get Andrew in the picture.

Thanks, Dad, for the hike. I’m thinking you were in better shape this time. When you come to New Hampshire we’ll try again.

Even though I was doing a bit of huffing and puffing it was a great walk and a great talk.

Visiting Virginia to see Mom and Dad

sherri — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:58:14 +0000

We made our way to Winchester this month. Andrew took these pictures of Dad and me on the Skyline Drive. Looks like we’re on the healing path.

It’s always nice to visit Mom and let here take care of me. She does shy away from the camera (as I prefer to do).

Dad and I on the healing path

Kayaking, coffee ice cream & romantic comedies

sherri — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:07:51 +0000

Andrew stays after me to get in my exercise. I went kayaking with Carol on Sunday afternoon. I went again on Monday afternoon with Andrew C., Angela and Matt. The three of them were in the canoe. I was in the kayak. The day was sunny and peaceful.

Ann stopped by for a chat bringing her special coffee chocolate chip ice cream. Yum!

We watched on oldish (1993) romantic comedy called Benny and Joon It has a fun music video for the song 500 Miles . The movie was both funny and sad. I watched it twice.

Blueberries!

sherri — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:02:15 +0000

Deborah and I went to Monadnock Berries to pick fresh blueberries today. What fun! What a view!

Why not find a relationship between cancer and blueberries!
So here it is…Eat your blueberries and keep cancer away.

I’m going to try a blueberry smoothie made with yogurt, blueberries and a little ice…
adding a scoop of whey protein powder adds a little sweet along with the protein…
a spritz of fresh lemon brings out the taste of the blueberries.

Blueberry Muffins, of course.
1 cup of Spelt flour       1 egg
1/3 c. sugar                1/3 c. yogurt (lemon is nice)
1/2 tsp. Baking soda       1 T. melted butter
1/4 tsp. Salt             1 tsp. Vanilla
Preheat oven 375 degrees
Combine wet ingredients in a large bowl.
Combine dry in small bowl. Stir together until just moist.
Add 1 c. Blueberries. Spoon into greased muffin tin.
Bake 12-15 min. in 375 degree oven. Makes 6 muffins.

Nutrition Links

sherri — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:11:18 +0000

Eat your Veggies!

I have always loved learning about cooking and nutrition. Now it is even more inportant than ever.
The Inner Cook-One Bite at a Time This is a great cookbook by Rebecca Katz. She makes cooking for cancer fun and delicious!

Nutrition Journal-Anti Cancer Diet Research

Walk with Me!

sherri — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:53:56 +0000

Walking 30 minutes a day five days a week gives a boost to your immune system. When friends and family offer their help I always say “Walk with me!” I’m not needing help so much with cooking or cleaning but a walk would be perfect. I have been having the best of times visiting and chatting with everyone as we walk.

My favorite walk…hike really is Gap Mountain, right here in Fitzwilliam. I’ve hiked it with my sister, Bonnie, my boys, Matt, Dan & Andrew, my Dad, my brother and our B&B friends, Rob & Paula. I have even coerced Andrew into a hike up Gap Mountain. In fact, our walk with Rob and Paula ended in a run to the car in an attempt to beat a thunder storm. My lungs were truly tested. We did not out run the storm. We did arrive home safe and well exercised.

The view of Mt. Monadnock from Gap Mountain.

I’ve walked around Fitzwilliam with Carol; on the Rail Trail with Lisa, Ann, Betty and Ray; and Bonnie and I found a new Mountain trail. We hiked 1/2 hour straight up to the top of Mt. Watatic. What a hike!

Dr. Belanger’s Plan

sherri — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:22:16 +0000

https://www.labcorp.com/wps/portal/

Dr. Belanger uses LabCorp to do regular blood tests not usually done by traditional oncologists. The tests are expensive. Thankfully, so far, my insurance is covering them.

Based on these tests, typical cancer supplementation and the traditional treatment being used Dr. Belanger works out my supplement plan.
Because everyone’s plan would be different based on the above I will only list the supplements and eventually what they do.

My Plan in January 1/2/09
Arginine complementary to carboplatin chemo
Theanine complementary to carboplatin chemo
Super Biocurcumin #1 supplement
Genistein
Fish Oil
Glutamine Powder complementary to Alimta chemo
Selenium complementary to carboplatin chemo
Caffeinated Tea complementary to carboplatin chemo

Based on results from extensive blood test my plan changed in February and more supplements were added

Resveratrol- Extra lower CD25
Cordyceps- Lowers MMP-9 decreases BCL2 may inc. NK cell activity
Lumbrokinase- lower fibrinogen
Serraflazym- lower D-dimer

Based on results for more blood test my plan changed again in March. Dr. Belanger added a few more supplements

Andrographis- lower IL6 & TNF-alpha
Pomegranite Plus- lower FGF’s & other blood vessel growth factors
Wobenzym 800- lowerTNF-alpha, IL1-beta

On May 26 it was determined by CT scan that the cancer was growing a tiny bit so the chemo would be stopped.
The plan with the oncologist was to try a daily pill called Tarceva. Dr. Belanger had me drop the supplements complementary to the chemo and we added the following.

Turmeric FSE- lower fibrinogen
Dan Shen (Chinese Herb)- lower thrombin antithrombin
Pycnogenal- lower interleukin-1 beta
Moducare- lower IL4
Huang Lian (Chinese Herb)-loer IL6
Quercetin- lower mcp-1 & TNF-alpha
Melatonin- to enhance Tarceva
American Ginseng- increase IL 12 and help NK cells
Zi Su Ye (Chinese Herb)- lower TNF-alpha

Dr. James T. Belanger of Lexington Natural Health

sherri — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:38:44 +0000

Not long after my diagnosis I was introduced to Dr. Belanger of Lexington Natural Health www.lexingtonnaturalhealth.com After speaking with one of his patients and researching the many possible supplements I chose to put the supplement complement to my health in Dr. Belanger’s hands. The information on the possible supplements is overwelming. I still read and research on my own but I let Dr. Belanger do what he does best.

Two books that compliment Dr. Belanger’s Plan:

Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.
Beating Cancer with Nutrition by Patrick Quillin PhD, RD, CNS