Anticancer - how you can protect yourself!

Last night mom and I joined some of my breast cancer support group members and hundreds of others at UCLA to hear David Servan-Schreiber, M.D.,PhD, speak about his book: Anticancer: A New Way of Life. We heard his personal story about brain cancer - how it was diagnosed and how it led him to conduct a meta-analysis of existing research on cancer and how to strengthen one's natural defenses against the cancer cells that exist in all of us. It was outstanding. His book is outstanding too. I hope you'll buy the book and apply the many lessons in it to your daily life so that you can benefit from the knowledge and power it offers to protect yourself from developing cancer or from a recurrence if you've had it in the past. I know that I'm applying it to my lifestyle effective immediately. Key high level points I learned last night (but please get this book and read it) -

• Sugar (high glycemic index) fuels cancer - replace with low glycemic natural alternatives including agave nectar, stevia, xylitol but NOT with artificial sweeteners (chemicals)
• Activity is critical - 30 minutes minimum (sweating) 5-6x/week
• Eat organic as much as possible (pesticides are known carcinogens), but at least find out what types of produce and other foods should be organic if you can't go fully organic - read his book on an eye opening study comparing effects on children on organic and conventional diets
• Eat tons of veggies - as in 80% of every meal should be veggies/fruit; reduce intake of meat (all types)
• Avoid parabens, phthalates, BPA, and other known toxins and endocrine disruptors
• Make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D3 - get your level checked asap by doctor b/c this is a major risk factor for most cancers
• Soy is GOOD (not bad as previously thought) but best in the traditional forms
• Omega 3's - be sure you're getting plenty -- fish, flax seed, etc.
• Turmeric, mushrooms, kale, spinach, broccoli, berries, black pepper, garlic, onions, green tea - and many others - make these common in your diet - they fight cancer cells and there are solid scientific studies to prove it (but you won't hear a lot about it because they aren't money makers for drug companies)
• There is a mind-body connection, helplessness fuels disease - stress doesn't create/fuel disease but how we RESPOND to it can.
• STOP PUTTING CELL PHONES AND CORDLESS PHONES TO YOUR EAR - use a headset - preferably not bluetooth (since that is a radio too) - or speakerphone.
• Replace chemical cleaners with natural ones (i.e., white vinegar), beware of dry cleaning chemicals - read his book to learn how to protect yourself from them

Seriously, super important information with scientific studies backing it up - get the book, read it, apply it and notice how much better you feel very quickly.

Here's a website with lots of info from and about the book: http://anticancerbook.com/ PS - want to know what I had for breakfast this morning? organic, omega-3 eggs with 2 cups of kale (very lightly sauteed with olive oil and ginger), a banana, and a glass of green tea, sweetened with 1 tsp of agave nectar.

Mom is on her way - yay!

I'm pretty excited that my mom will be here Friday night and we're planning to keep her for a whole month :). That's all (for now).

A close call - listen to those voices!

Just before heading out to the pharmacy I heard a voice warning. I know, some of you will think I'm crazy and that's fine. But the voice said simply "sulfa!". I stopped, picked up the phone and called my doc's office and asked the receptionist to check with the nurse to find out if the antibiotic they called in for me was sulfa-based. It was. I'm allergic. I reminded them and they called in a new one for me. Thankfully, I use CVS and my allergy is documented in my pharmacy record there and they would have seen a red flag (supposedly) - however, it might not have been addressed until I arrived and by that time the doctor's office would have been closed and another day would go by with my infection worsening. So...thank you, voice, for warning me. That was a close call. I'm SEVERELY allergic to sulfa meds. I found out the hard way 10 years ago and it was a brutal experience that I'm glad to have avoided tonight.

Good catch...UTI ;/

My oncology nurse friend just called to let me know one of my tests from yesterday showed that I have a urinary tract infection. I was surprised since I have no symptoms of one but it's a good thing they tested for it so I can get on an antibiotic and get it cleared before surgery - can't have surgery with an active infection. So...I'll be heading out to the pharmacy shortly to pick up that prescription and then on Monday I go in for a retest to make sure it's cleared up. Good catch! Ah the adventures! ;)

So far, so good!

My AM appointment with the oncologist went well despite a long wait to be seen (very busy post-holidays)...I gave out a gift then closed my eyes and quietly prayed and gave thanks for another day while I waited for the doctor.

My port was stubborn...didn't want to give away my blood LOL so it took a few tries but that's ok because they only stick the needle once with a port and I just try different positions and deep breaths to try to get the blood to flow. The numbing cream always ensures I don't feel that needle going in too...love that stuff!

So the results...my hemoglobin is up to 10.1 which is great and explains why I'm not short of breath so often now...I suspected that based on feeling better this past week. How wonderful that I was able to avoid a blood transfusion...prayers answered!

My white blood cell count is on the low end of normal but normal range nonetheless. Yay!

My platelets are back to normal too which I also suspected because late last week I accidentally hit my forehead with the car door while getting Cooper out of the car and was expecting a big bruise (I hit it pretty hard) but no bruise appeared. :)

Dr.B cleared me for surgery and now I just need to have an EKG today after I'm done here at the plastic surgeon's (Dr.C) office for my pre-op exam and review of blood work results. I'm in an exam room waiting for Dr.McHotty. Its cold in here, no thanks to the highly fashionable (NOT) gown I'm sporting.

So, its a great day. Its overcast and cool outside but in my world the sun is shining bright and gratitude overfloweth. We are moving right along! :)
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

January - a big month ahead!

2010 is starting with a real bang for me already with January being chock full of milestone events in this journey. Tomorrow I will have blood work done to determine if my levels are adequate to proceed with my scheduled swap-out surgery on the 14th (to replace the tissue expanders for implants). I feel MUCH better this past week - only have had a few minor incidents where I've been short of breath in spite of going on walks that I wasn't able to do for weeks because of the anemia effects. I take that as a sign that my numbers are on their way up :). But we'll find out for sure in the morning. I will also need to get an EKG and an exam and have Dr. B provide pre-op sign-off - all within the next couple of days. My awesome mom, Janet, is flying in from Connecticut on Friday to spend a month with us. Besides the obvious bonus of having my mommy here for the same moral support she provided when I had my major surgery in June, but she'll be helping me out with Cooper at night when Bob is away since I won't be able to lift Cooper into/out of his crib or anywhere for that matter for 2+ weeks. I'm excited for her to be here. On the 10th, I am rededicating myself to God at my church, and we are dedicating Cooper as well. I was baptized as a baby but I want to rededicate my life to Him now as an adult. Bob, me, Cooper, my mom, my sister- and brother-in-law, and my mother-in-law will be joining us for the dedication. I'm really looking forward to this important event and I know it will help me ensure I stay focused throughout the year on God's will and purpose for me. Surgery is on the 14th and then two weeks later, if the swelling is gone enough, I'll have my radiation simulation appointment the last week of January to finish out the month of January. The first week of February brings the next and final big chapter of my treatment - I will begin my 7 weeks of daily radiation treatments from Monday through Friday each week. I start back to work this week following the holiday break with increased hours so I'll be working half-time through the rest of my treatment. Getting closer and closer to my "new normal" :). Oh, and my hair is growing back! I look like a chia-pet haha. I'll post some pics later. I'm working on a slide show of pics of me during this journey and hope to have it up soon. It will be a great month, and I know it will be a great year too. Bring it on, 2010! Thank you, so very much, for your love, support and kindness toward me and my family through 2009 and going forward. The encouragement and hope you offer me every day is priceless and I consider myself incredibly blessed to have you in my life.

Olsen family Christmas and New Years Update

We had a wonderful family Christmas celebration once the three of us were finally all together. Cooper had a blast with his fun new toys. His favorite of all so far is the new play guitar which he won't put down. I posted pics on Cooper's blog if you'd like to see. For New Year's eve we had a wonderful dinner out with several of our neighborhood friends at the local Buca di Beppos (yum!). After dinner we came home and put Cooper to bed and then I headed down the block to have a glass of organic wine with a few of my neighbor friends and then came home to cuddle on the couch and watch the ball drop with Bob. Last night was enjoyed attending some friends' annual New Year open house which is always so much fun. Cooper was amazed by their fabulous intricate train village under their Christmas tree. He also played with the other kids non stop for over two hours. He completely conked out in the car on the way home and when we took him up to bed he didn't even wake up while I changed his diaper and put his PJs on. ;) Thank you, Tony and Kathleen, for including us again this year - it was great fun and we love you both. 2009 was filled with a great many blessings and challenges. I've learned and grown so much in such a short time frame, thanks to God's will and guidance. I am excited about 2010. I just know it will bring more beautiful blessings into our life and allow us to continue to learn from apply our learnings in ways to help ourselves and others who face similar challenges that we were fortunate to overcome in 2009. May we all find 2010 filled with great health, peace, happiness, and prosperity! Love, Julie