No Breast~Cancer stuff.......Reconstruction of me

Sorry my friends that are probably sick of my breast cancer stuff, but just doing a little update.

Well I haven't posted an update on what's been going on..........nothing much- yeah!
I have my next blood test July 15th  and I do get nervous as it approaches.  I'm being monitored every 6 months with a blood test and yearly with a mamo in my real breast.

Since treatment has finished I have noticed my implanted breast being very tight and at times painful.    I need to stretch it out everyday.

Anyone with an implant can get a hardening of their implant:

As it was told to me before if this gets too painful or I can't stand the looks of it I have the option of them using my own tissue to make me a new breast.  There's a lot to considered:

Pros-
Never have to swap out an implant
My breasts will be better matched
I'll have a nipple
It will not be painful
I'll feel free to have sex with no bra on

Cons-
Putting my family through the process- all this stuff affects everyone
Using my own tissue is a surgery~ do i even believe in doing that to my body?
There will be another scar on my body
If they want to use my belly - lymph nodes will be affected and I'm enjoying them at this time
Money and Time- I would most definitely go to the best surgeon for this and in my research the one I hear good things about is:
Dr. Frank Dellacroce
Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery
Male - 12 years experience
Center For Restorative Breast Surgery
1717 Saint Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA
MORE info HERE
It's a toss up-

I have to be honest if you are newly diagnosed you really need to do some research on all this.  There is no doubt in my mind my plastic surgeon did exactly what should be done- but unfortunately I had a not so rewarding outcome due to my skin taking a big hit from radiation.  What I have is great for clothing and even a bathing suit as long as I have my prosthesis- but in no way nude does it appear normal.  I have gotten more concerned as I have more pain and discomfort.  I FINALLY was able to share my photo with a woman who has a lot of knowledge on reconstruction for advice.  Through the Breastcancer.org cancer site I found a forum of women going through reconstruction who post their pictures.  This is a very guarded site and you do need to go through an approval process to access it.  Well I have had access for a while, but found it hard to look at.  It's hard to look at picture after picture of breast cancer reconstructions, but when you are wondering how normal you are compared to others it helps.  You don't feel so alone.  I finally needed to look into what it REALLY could look like to get a Tram Flap (my own tissue transplant) and not pictures you find in the doctor's office of their BEST turn outs- I need to see the real stuff that goes on.  It helped a lot and I met a woman who viewed my pictures and let me know what I should do next to fix mine if that is my intention.  I still haven't posted my picture- because it's in good faith they ask you to share if you can- to help others.  Just like you 2 breasted girls we compare our foobs to see who's got the best one..lol. 

I look to woman who got what I got- One reduced breast and one foob.  In doing so I stumbled upon this (not on the private site) woman; A 49-year-old jewellery designer posed with her mastectomy scars to give hope to other victims of the disease.


'The picture is an affirmation of life. It has restored my confidence and made me feel sexy again, says Ms Brassey.

 As a young girl she was approached to do Playboy, but turned them down.  As an adult breast cancer survivor she did agree to do a nude shot.   Sometimes I feel so rotten about my breasts and I miss them a lot, but then you see someone like this and it is inspiring.  You may look at it and feel bad or think it looks pretty bad, but to me it is beautiful.  Before going through this I would have felt very different.  I would hope that if someone would look at me they would see how hard I fought and how much I love just being here and find that beautiful.     

Here she is:

Featured at the Extraordinary Portraits exhibition held at Chelsea Arts Club in London.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1215537/Breast-cancer-survivor-spurned-Playboy-poses-nude-raise-awareness-disease.html#ixzz1QmG5rBoD

This is what I have going on - except for the tummy- I have one.

Some of my scars aren't as bad and some are worse but getting better

I continue to LOVE my bathing suit from Lands End (mastectomy suit)

Thank You Lands End for thinking of us....Uniboobs 

Summer will be a breeze because I also found a spray tan I can live with that I can spray on at home- 

Quick Tan by Body Drench.

I'm loving that after more than a year I can wear my hair back and I'm a smidge away from a baby pony tail.

I'm totally in love with my Certified Manual Lymph Drainage/CDT~  Alana at the Myers Center and CAN'T imagine that if I wouldn't have met her I would never know what I know about my lymph system.  She has taught me how to keep my arm safe as to NEVER get Lymphedema. 

 I've learned how to actually help my lymphatic system by actually doing some manual manipulation on myself. 

What I'm learning to do is to get my fluid flowing away from my (mastectomy) arm which has little to no lymph nodes left.  I direct the fluid to other/ better drainage areas.

My good breast has a very bad scar and thanks to her advice I have been massaging my scar (which is like a rope under my skin) with

100% ARNICA OIL

 and it has gotten so much better. 

GET this oil if you have scarring- LOVE IT.

Alana also told me about LympheDIVAS

I wear a compression sleeve when flying, working out or when doing stuff outside in the heat and it looks something like this:

I was professionally fitted for my sleeve and it works well.

Well at LympheDIVAS I can get a more stylish less constricting sleeve like this:

Sometimes my arm gets a heavy feeling and that's when I put on my heavy sleeve, otherwise I can wear a lighter more stylish one.  I haven't purchased one yet because there are too many to choose from, but I am liking the one above.    

Like this FB page:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/LymphedemaGuru

I found an AMAZING website concerning Organic Make-Up

The GLAMORGANIC Goddess

and she really likes make-up... LIKE really trampy eye lashes and everything!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Glamorganic-Goddess/124792960872102?ref=ts&sk=wall

My diet and exercise has been....well hasn't been.  We are eating better at home, but I need to go back to the gym and Pilates!  I noticed a big difference in my arm/implant when I go to Pilates.  My instructor is on a long vacation and I'm not liking it. 

I'm starting to go on with my life and enjoy my friends SO much.  I spent a wonderful evening with some girl friends - we had a sleep over and at one point a friend said- "now that's the old Danielle".  I realize I am sometimes quiet not sure why- I take stuff in a lot more.  Sometimes I just wanna watch ~ Sometimes I'm afraid to live like I did.  BUT I'm getting over it and I'm finding ME again!

I love you girls SOOOO much!  Thanks for being there for me. 

Girls SleepOver Deposit NY

Bat and All

ALSO must report this- Finally I feel like I look more like a woman than a man....lol. 

Funny, but true!

When a guy looks at you like a woman instead of a dude it's a good day!          

Some cancer stuff I've been reading/thinking about! 

Working out - and inflammation!  Inflammation is something we want to avoid so what about working out?
Working out can cause inflammation.
Read this:
The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of High Intesity Exercise: More Reasons To Go For The Burn

Ok- If you know me well you know I wore a bra everyday all day and felt more comfortable sleeping with a bra on than not.
Read this:

Bra wearing habits


In a study by Singer and Grismaijer in 1995, 3 out of 4 women studied who wore a bra for 24 hours a day developed breast cancer compared to 1 out of 168 who wore a bra rarely or never.

That is a huge difference, and the implication is clear. Your first line of defence in preventing breast cancer is to severely limit how many hours a day you wear a bra.

Bras do NOT cause the cancer initially but they restrict the flow of lymph within breast tissue, thereby hindering the normal cleansing process of the breast tissue. Many environmental toxins and pesticides that cause and promote cancer are "fat-loving" and so tend to reside in the breast tissue. Lymph fluid carries away waste products, dead cells, and toxins.


OK- this is an email that has circulated that is false/hoax- BUT honestly if we followed it wouldn't we be a bit better off? Some of it is TRUE- but John Hopkins didn't put it out!
Cancer Update from John Hopkins:

Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.
When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg’s aminos or sea salt.

Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.

Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.

Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering.. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Florescence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit.. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

No plastic containers in micro.

No water bottles in freezer.

No plastic wrap in microwave.

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don’t freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Cast le Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food you get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn’t bad but you don’t know what is in the paper. It’s just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons..

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.


Recently my father-in-law asked me about Vitamin D-here's all you ever needed to know about VitD....  
VITAMIN D
Originally posted at HuffingtonPost.com
Dr. Frank Lipmans
Hardly a day goes by without some groundbreaking news about Vitamin D. Originally known for it’s crucial role in maintaining calcium levels for bone health, it is rapidly becoming apparent that we have vastly underestimated Vitamin D’s significant importance for our overall health and well being. In short, judging by what I see in my practice and speaking with colleagues around the country, it’s looking very much like we’re facing an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency, with potential grave consequences. This Vitamin D FAQ will help to get you up to speed on this important topic.


What diseases are associated with Vitamin D deficiency?

-Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to play a role in almost every major disease, including:
-Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
-17 varieties of Cancer (including breast, prostate and colon)
-Heart disease
-High blood pressure
-Obesity
-Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes
-Autoimmune diseases
-Multiple sclerosis
-Rheumatoid arthritis
-Osteoarthritis
-Bursitis
-Gout
-Infertility and PMS
-Parkinson’s Disease
-Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder
-Alzheimer’s Disease
-Chronic fatigue syndrome
-Fibromyalgia
-Chronic Pain
-Periodontal disease
-Psoriasis

What is vitamin D?

Although it’s called a vitamin, vitamin D is really a hormone not a vitamin. Vitamins cannot be produced by your body, we get them from dietary sources, whereas hormones like vitamin D are made in your body. It’s your body’s only source of calcitrol (activated vitamin D), the most potent steroid hormone in the body.

What does vitamin D do?

Like all steroid hormones, vitamin D is involved in making hundreds of enzymes and proteins, which are crucial for preserving health and preventing disease. It has the ability to interact and affect more than 2,000 genes in the body. It enhances muscle strength and builds bone. It has anti-inflammatory effects and bolsters the immune system. It helps the action of insulin and has anti-cancer activity. This is why vitamin D deficiency has been linked with so many of the diseases of modern society. Because of its vast array of benefits, maintaining optimal levels of D is essential for your health.

Where do I get vitamin D from?

The only 2 reliable sources of vitamin D are the sun and supplements. Sunlight exposure is the only reliable way for your body to generate vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced by your skin in response to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In fact, this is such an efficient system that most of us make approx. 20,000 units of vitamin D after only 20 minutes of summer sun without suntan lotion (or clothes!) That’s 100 times more than the government recommends per day! There must be a good reason why we make so much in so little time.

You do not generate vitamin D when sitting behind a glass window, whether in your car or at home because these UV rays cannot penetrate glass to generate vitamin D in your skin. Also sunscreens, even weak ones, almost completely block your body’s ability to generate vitamin D.

The other reliable source is vitamin D3 supplements (not vitamin D2)

Only about 10% of your vitamin D comes from diet, so it is nearly impossible to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from your food.

What are the food sources of vitamin D?

1. Fish liver oils, such as cod liver oil. Fatty wild fish like mackerel, salmon, halibut, tuna, sardines and herring
2. Fortified milk, orange juice and cereal
3. Dried Shitake mushrooms
4. Egg yolks

But to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from food, you would have to eat at least 5 servings of salmon a day or drink 20 cups of fortified milk.

My Doctor told me to avoid the sun, what do you think?

There is an old Italian saying “Where the sun does not go the doctor does.”

For about the last 25 years, doctors (dermatologists in particular) have demonized sun exposure and repeatedly told us it is bad for you and causes cancer. But is that true? In the last few years, numerous studies have shown that modest exposure to sunlight may actually be good for you, helping the body produce the vitamin D it needs to keep bones healthy and protect against cancer, including skin cancer. Though repeated sunburns–in children and very fair-skinned people–have been linked to melanoma, there is no credible scientific evidence that moderate sun exposure causes it. Since it’s almost impossible to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from food alone (including fortified milk and fatty wild fish), the sun is your best source. I’m not suggesting you go bake in the sun with your suntan oil or go to tanning salons. But getting some sun without getting sunburned makes healthy sense.

We evolved in the sun; we were made to get some sun, not to live our lives indoors and slather on sunscreen every time we go outside. If the sun is shining where you are today, get out and enjoy it, talk about a free natural treatment! All you need is a little common sense when heading outdoors, do it gradually and always avoid sunburn.

Special Note: Remember to take antioxidants when you sit in the sun, as these can help prevent skin cells from sun damage.

How much sunshine do I need?

l living things need sun, the key is balance. Too much sun exposure can cause melanoma and skin aging, while too little creates an inadequate production of vitamin D. The amount needed depends on the season, time of day, where you live, skin pigmentation and other factors. As a general rule, if you are not vitamin D deficient, about 20 minutes a day in the spring, summer and fall on your face and arms or legs without sunscreen is adequate. It doesn’t matter which part of the body you expose to the sun. Many people want to protect their face, so just don’t put sunscreen on the other exposed parts for those 20 minutes.
If you live north of 37 degrees latitude (approximately a line drawn horizontally connecting Norfolk, Virginia to San Francisco, California) sunlight is not sufficient to create Vitamin D in your skin in the winter months, even if you are sitting in the sun in a bathing suit on a warm January day! The further you live from the equator, the longer exposure you need to the sun in order to generate vitamin D.

How much vitamin D do I need?


How much vitamin D you need varies with age, body weight, percent of body fat, latitude, skin coloration, season of the year, use of sun block, individual variation in sun exposure, and – probably – how ill you are.

As a general rule, old people need more than young people, big people need more that little people, fat people need more than skinny people, dark-skinned people need more than fair skinned people, northern people need more than southern people, winter people need more than summer people, sun block lovers need more than sun block haters, sun-phobes need more than sun worshipers, and ill people may need more than well people.

What I and many of my colleagues around the country are finding is that even people spending what we thought was adequate amount of time in the sun, are still showing up with low blood vitamin D levels. I am not sure why at this stage but there is an easy and cheap solution…vitamin D supplementation.

How much vitamin D should I supplement with?

Most important is that you take vitamin D3, (cholecalciferol) the active form of vitamin D. Do not take vitamin D2 as it is not as biologically active nor as effective, and nor as safe as vitamin D3. And taking the right amount is crucial, most doctors tend to under dose. The current recommendations from the Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S. Institute of Medicine: from 200 to 600 IU/day depending on one’s age, are way too low. These values were originally chosen because they were found to prevent osteomalacia (bone softening) and rickets

Here are some guidelines:

If your blood level is above 45ng/ml and for maintenance, I recommend 2,000-4,000 IU daily depending on age, weight, season, how much time is spent outdoors, where one lives, skin color and obviously blood levels

In other words if you are older, larger, living in the northern latitudes during the winter, are not getting sun and have dark skin, I recommend the higher maintenance dose.

If your blood level is 30-45 ng/ml, I recommend you correct it with 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day for 3 months under a doctor’s supervision and then recheck your blood levels.

If your blood level is less than 30 ng/ml, I recommend you correct it with 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day under a doctor’s supervision and then recheck your blood levels after 3 months. It takes a good 6 months usually to optimize your vitamin D levels if you’re deficient. Once this occurs, you can lower the dose to the maintenance dose of 2,000 – 4,000 IU a day.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?

There is no clear pattern of symptoms. In fact many people remain asymptomatic despite low levels. But here are some of the more common symptoms:

-Fatigue
-General muscle pain and weakness
-Muscle cramps
-Joint pain
-Chronic pain
-Weight gain
-High blood pressure
-Restless sleep
-Poor concentration
-Headaches
-Bladder problems
-Constipation or diarrhea

What about vitamin D toxicity?

It is impossible to generate too much vitamin D in your body from sunlight exposure: your body will self-regulate and only generate what it needs. Although very rare, it is possible to overdose and become toxic with supplementation as vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and therefore stored in the body for longer periods of time. Therefore if you are taking 5,000 IU or more daily, you should have your blood levels monitored approximately every 3 months.

What blood test should I have to check my vitamin D levels?

The only blood test that can diagnose vitamin D deficiency is a 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25 OH vitamin D). Unfortunately, some doctors are still ordering the wrong test, 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D. In fact a common cause of high 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D is a low 25(OH)D or vitamin D deficiency. So when doctors see the 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D is normal or high and tell their patients that they are OK, they are often vitamin D deficient.

Your doctor should do this test for you. Unfortunately even some of the labs, in particular Qwest, have had problems with correct results, usually giving erroneously high results.

If you don’t want to go through your doctor, the ZRT lab does a blood spot test that you can order without going through a doctor.

What is the ideal blood level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D?

The current ranges for “normal” are 20 to 55 ng/ml. These are much too low! They may be fine if you want to prevent rickets or osteomalacia, but not for optimal health. The ideal range for optimal health is 50-80 ng/ml.

How often should I have a 25 hydroxy vitamin D blood test?

At least once a year especially at the beginning of winter. If you are supplementing, I suggest you monitor your vitamin D levels approximately every 3months until you are in the optimal range. If you are taking high doses (10,000 IU a day) your doctor must also check your calcium, phosphorous, and parathyroid hormone levels every 3 months

My doctor prescribed Drisdol, 50,000 IU per week. What is it?

Drisdol is a prescription of 50,000 IU tablets of vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol. Ergocalciferol is not vitamin D but it is similar. D2 is not normally found in humans and most studies show it does not raise 25(OH)D levels as well as (cholecalciferol or vit D3) does. If you are vitamin D deficient, the best thing to do, is to take vitamin D3.

Can I take cod liver oil to get my vitamin D?

Although Cod liver oil contains a fair amount of vitamin D, it also contains high amounts of vitamin A. Vitamin A antagonizes the action of vitamin D and can be toxic at high levels.

Why is there an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency?

It is estimated that anywhere from 30 to 100% of Americans, depending upon their age and community living environments, are deficient in Vitamin D. More than half of all American children are vitamin deficient. Supposedly almost 3/4 of pregnant women are vitamin D deficient, predisposing their unborn children to all sorts of problems. Worldwide, it is estimated that the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency affects one billion people. In my practice over 80% of patients whose vitamin D levels I check are deficient. No one is exactly sure why this is happening apart from the fact that we spend too much time indoors and when we go out into the sun, we lather sunscreen on ourselves. I think it must be more than that. But whatever the reason, the reality is we have a major epidemic on our hands.

What about the use of tanning beds to get my vitamin D?

I tend not to recommend them because we don’t really know if they are safe. Because the light sources vary with different tanning beds, it makes them unpredictable and possibly unsafe. In addition, most commercial tanning beds emit an unknown amount of EMF and because one is so close to the actual bed, it may be an unnecessary high dose. Theoretically both these problems could be overcome, but in reality they usually are not.

My Breast Cancer Tips

Because I've met a couple new girls I am re posting this today- to make it easy for them.
 I think it is better put together than before
Please pray for the newly diagnosed

Me in my favorite wig from

Paradise Wigs on Clinton Street in Binghamton NY

also bought wigs from WigSalon.com

So here are my tips just in case there is someone out there in need- I'll add to it as I go along.....

As soon as we found out we called our priest, and started calling anyone and everyone we knew who had any information on breast cancer, friends, family, doctors ans so on.

My priest gave me the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and Forgave me of all my sins- This was definitely the start of me letting go of anything bad in my life and start the spiritual healing journey which was KEY for me!

I started a notebook at the time of my diagnosis that in the beginning included all my doctor info as well as appointments, directions, cancer info and so on. In the back of my notebook I started my list of survivors, nurses- i knew and could ask questions, breast cancer experts and other breast cancer patience's addresses and phone numbers.

Remember to include pages for tips and also a page of important quotes you hear from people. It helped me to read and say a loud inspiring things people told me.

I also started a prayer packet which included scriptures I would receive from healing masses and people in general. I collected prayer cards an cards that were just plain great to read over and over again. I also had my priest number with me at all times because no matter what he would be there and remind of God. I prayed every morning and night and anytime I felt sick with fear and doubt.

I also carried with me a special little case which included a chaplet (St. Theresa prayer beads) a cross Rob made me and a guardian angle. So whenever I went to an appointment and found myself alone (which no matter how much family and friends you have you end up somewhere sitting, laying, standing alone) waiting for a test of something I could pull out my beads and pray or just plain hold my cross.

Other things like books, articles, websites, prayer:

I linked to as many things as I could for more info-anything in grey is a link to that item.  Just click on the grey words and it will take you there. 

Information concerning women and hormones:
A couple of things I would read about if you don't have breast cancer.....concerning hormone balance

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer- Dr. John R Lee, MD

Breast Cancer or Not - A Woman Owned Company with a lot of Information for women- Emerita
Products for PMS- Menopause- Hormone stuff- some of which I can not have due to my cancer being hormonal- Estrogen Positive.

Ok the stuff that helped me with my cancer and now helps me to heal myself.............

ARTICLES

Kris Carr- inspirational (stage4) cancer survivor with a book, DVD, and Blog- I love all of them.

Healing Power of Pilates Article- Good for Bone Density

Weight Gain During Chemo Article

In Sickness and In Health- article for married couples dealing with diagnosis.

Weak Body Strong Bond- an inspiring article from a couple dealing with chronic illness. This couples love will blow you away. Thinking about them got me through more than a couple hard days.

My Journey through Breast Cancer by Pin Cevallos-Schnabel- this beautiful Surgeon talks about her journey
This was sent to me early on by my Best Friend Leann- huge help to me!


WEBSITES

I was so lucky to be a patient at Sloan Kettering in NY- I honestly don't know how I could have gone anywhere else.  It is one of the top Hospitals in the world for Breast Cancer- there were people from all over the world and all different ages.
All the breast cancer Patient Information Booklet at Sloan Kettering
they have great patient booklets on caring for yourself during treatment, surgery, and so on.
Sloan Kettering Website has a lot of information on Breast Cancer and not the least bit scary. Don't forget they have a section that will tell you about herbs interacting with your treatment.

Herb listings and information- check any herbs you are using

BreastCancer.org- Awesome woman forums to help you along the way for support and they always have the lastest Breast Cancer update- on their 1st page.

American Cancer Society Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

Dr. Susan Love's Website- love it!- this website is great- it can answer a lot of questions and has sections
for the different types of breast cancer- super easy.

No Surrender Breast Cancer Foundations (founded by Gina—triple negative survivor)

CURE today website- you can get their magazine as well.

Dr. Wayne Dyer- wonderful man....I need to get one of his books- his website is wonderful.

Products for Breast Cancer Girls especially us mastectomy girls- Amoena
God Bless this Company!

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER- Tips on wigs and make-up during treatment. You can also sign up for a class in your area.

The National Lymphedema Network - For Lymphedema- Lastest news


Myers Center- Massage & Lymphedema- Alana McKercher Myers is a wonderful practioner and educator of all things Lymphedema related!  Wonderful
Crazy Sexy Life- Kris Carr's website- She is living with Stage 4- untreatable cancer.
My Crazy Sexy Life- a holistic network of great people

Society of the Little Flower- this is where you can learn about St. Therese and purchase mass cards and other items of St. Therese items. They have the Chaplet I used at my appointments.


Eat Organic- check out Environmental Working Groups list of the least pesticide fruits/veggies- so if you can't buy organic- these are safer than others.

BOOKS / I bought some in CDS for in the car

Anti-Cancer- David Servan-Schreiber

The China Study- T. Colin Campbell, Thomas M Campbell II, Howard Lyman and John Robbins

Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips- Kris Carr

The Only Answer to Cancer- Dr. Leonard Coldwell

The Power of Positive Thinking- Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Story of a Soul- Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux- she is the greatest saint of modern times.

Intimacy after Breast Cancer- Gina M. Maisano (triple negative survivor)

Getting Well Again- Carl Simonton

Breaking the Food Seduction – Neal Barnard

Daily Word for Women- Zuck, Wright, and Meyer

Chemotherapy Survival Guide- McKay and Schacher- a MUST READ before Chemo

The Cancer Lifeline Cookbook- Marthai and Smith

The Cancer Fighting Kitchen- Rebecca Katz
CLEAN- Alejandro Junger MD

The PH Miracle- Robert Young Phd. and Sheley Redford Young

Catholic Book of Prayers- this is great if you are Catholic - it has all the prayers, mysteries, stations of the cross, mass information.

Staying Abreast- a book with exercises for breast surgery patients- also includes information on lymphedema (this is something women like me have to watch for-our lymph nodes were taken out of our arm so we need to take precautions)

Remember the following books are old, but I enjoyed reading them- Dr. Ann Wigmore does have more books and she does have an energy soup that wasn't yet around at the time of Eydie Mae's journey.

How I Conquered Cancer Naturally- a woman's journey through breast cancer
by Eydie Mae

Be Your Own Doctor- A positive guide to natural living
by Ann Wigmore


Audio Books

Getting Ready by Dr. Bernie Siegel- helps you prepare for surgery or treatment. Dr. Siegel has many wonderful books.

I also purchase the Power of Positive Thinking for my Car and also the China Study- because sometimes that's the only time I have free to get a book down is driving!

DVD

Kris Carr's Documentary


CDs

Stress Relief Through Guided Imagery- Martin L. Rossman, MD- I used this right from the start to deal with stress- LOVE IT.

Ison Pain Management System - David Ison- I used this in the hospital the night after my mastectomy for help with pain (which wasn't really bad).


Movies

The Doctor- if you have cancer experience you will relate- great movie!


Support
Doorways to Healing- This helped me more than just about anything! Healing emotionally from cancer was hard for me and this helped me so much.
I fear this organization will be out of funds and out of business as it is a not for profit.  If you can you should really try to go.  Nothing will do what this does- it's a weekend- a free and it is the most amazing healing.

Doorways To Healing
4 Coleman Ave
Elmira, NY 14905 tel 607 734-1751
Meredith Whitney – Pres/CEO
Provides educational workshops
I have attended the 1st Workshop and the Couples with Rob and it helped us so much as a couple!
Breast Cancer.Org

Network of Strength- 1-800-221-2141
You can talk to a survivor- I called them when I was going for a 2nd opinion for radiation and they helped me come up with some questions and sent me info on radiation.

Great People- Reach for Recovery- I signed up and was matched up with someone similar to my situation, this person can also give you a ton of information on the American Cancer Society and what they can do to help you.

Prayer

Prayer has played an enormous role in my fight and recovery- so many have prayed for me and I love Prayer as I was granted many blessings along my journey.

My Favorite Healing Prayer:

I believe this was written by Father Hess in Pennsylvania


Heavenly Father

Heavenly Father, I call on you right now in a special way. It is through your power that I was created. Every breath I take, every morning I wake, and every moment of every hour, I live under your power.

Father, I ask you now to touch me with that same power. For if you created me from nothing,you can certainly recreate me. Fill me with the healing power of your spirit. Cast out anything that should not be in me. Mend what is broken. Root out any unproductive cells. Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild any damaged areas. Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection.

Let warmth of your healing love pass through my body to make new any unhealthy areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function.

And Father, restore me to full health in mind and body so that I may serve you the rest of my life.

I ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Attending healing mass also helped me. My church has one every week and another church has one once a month. Healing masses are good because they teach you how to deal with pain and suffering. Anyone can attend a healing mass. The priest will have experience with pain and suffering and it will be comforting- to see there are others out there dealing with pain.

For women taking Tamoxifen
LIST OF DRUGS THAT INTERFERE WITH TAMOXIFEN-CLICK HERE
Also no Grapefruit!

Radiation Stuff CLICK HERE

Reconstruction Stuff CLICK HERE
I wish I was better about organizing my Reconstruction info- you will have to click on my blog the label reconstruction and it will give you all posts that include talk of my reconstruction. It starts with the newest post and goes back unless you click on SHOW OLDER POSTS
I will say this- I have 1 breast removed and a tissue expander inserted to inflation of 600ccs
I had my implant put in after chemo- before radiation
I have the The Natrelle 410  implant also know as the Gummie Bear  which you can only get in certain hospitals because it's brand new and I'm in a trial.  It has been used for years in Europe.
I will have a nipple constructed with what I have (no skin graft) and then I will have my nipple tattooed for color.
Tissue expander were VERY uncomfortable for me and my Gummie Bear so comfortable- I think anything would be better than the expander.
And my good breast.....had to be reduced and that was nice - I loved that they did a pathology on it and everything was good.
No my breasts don't match- with clothes on no one knows and I have cleavage- I am happy I kept my breast- I wasn't ready to give all my girly stuff away yet.
My implant will have to be replaced in 10 years.

List of my doctors CLICK HERE

My list of supplements CLICK HERE

I know I've included a bunch of information-
If I had to choose only a couple of things to take on a Deserted Island- It would be:

My Crucifix and Bible, Healing Prayer, and St. Theresa Chaplet Case
AntiCancer Book
The Story of a Soul Book
The Power of Positive Thinking
Ipod with my Stress Relief through Guided Imagery and Christian Music along with Dance Music!
Father Caruso and Father G.- HEALERS of Faith and Health
Dr. Meredith Whitney (Emotional Healer)  and Dr. Monica Morrow (Surgeon)
 :)

I will try and get all tips on this one post. Meaning I will keep adding/updating it.