Why I Don't "Fight" Cancer - Part 1

Why I Don't "Fight" Cancer - Part 1

I don't know about you, but I don't identify with much of the militaristic language surrounding cancer, most especially The *War* on Cancer.  That being said, I totally get that we're all so different. If being a fighter and kicking cancer's ass works for you, great! Keep it up! Disregard this post.

If, on the other hand, you haven't really found yourself embracing the imagery of a life on a battlefield, I just want to say, "You're not alone. Me neither." I like using the term "cancer thriver" and the image of being on a "journey" instead...

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If I Gave a TED Talk... take 1

If I Gave a TED Talk... take 1

We all fear it. The C word. And then on June 1, 2015 when I was 35 years old the C word happened to me: aggressive breast cancer. Then it began... the chaotic, confusing, panic-filled storm of decision-making. How do we make these decisions? What’s the best way to discover the path we're meant to take? I want to share the ideas that have worked for me and what I’ve learned along the way. I feel that our society and most doctors do not give us the tools to confidently make quick, life-altering decisions when we are drowning in fear.

I courageously looked fear in the face...

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How My Body Talks to Me

How My Body Talks to Me

When I tell people that my body talks to me and tells me things, most of the time they get a gleam in their eye that feels like they're thinking, "Oh, you're a little bit on the crazy side. Okay." But Carsten, my friend at Hufeland Klinik in Germany that I wrote about here, was very intrigued and asked me, "How do you do this?" with what felt like the implication of how he could also hear what his body says. I explained that my body does it a few different ways...

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First, Do No Harm

First, Do No Harm

UGH. Why??? Why was I put through this pointless emotional down and up yet again yesterday? Why??? What purpose does it serve me or the medical establishment to make each step start with PANIC instead of PEACE?! Let's assume everything is healthy and benign until proven otherwise... not -- let's assume there is scary cancer everywhere all of the time and cross our fingers you luck out and we don't find anything.....

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How to Make Blood Draws Go Easier...

This morning I had my blood drawn. Prior to a mastectomy and removal of 5 lymph nodes after being given a diagnosis of cancer, I never had ANY problems with blood draws. Now... it's often a bit tricky.

Because the lymph nodes were removed from my right armpit, it's highly recommended that I never have a blood draw, IV, or even blood pressure taken on my right arm. There's other things too... 

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I'm back from my 2nd treatment in Germany...

I'm back from my 2nd treatment in Germany...

Wow. Where do I even begin? So much has happened in the 6 weeks since I last wrote an update; therefore, this will probably end up being a bit on the very long-ish side (…like almost 2,800 words on the long-ish side). The weeks I spent at Hufeland Klinik in Germany were just as magical as they were last year. Before I left I thought, “Am I hyping this place up too much? Am I going to be disappointed?” Not.In.The.Least! I flew back to Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 22, 2016 and... 

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This time next week...

I'll be in Germany!

In case you haven't heard it through the grapevine... this time next week I'll be at the Hufeland Klinik in Germany for another 4 weeks of alternative cancer treatment. I'm really excited to go!

I most recently met with my oncologist in April and all of my lab work continues to look good. Based on that, my all-clear PET/CT scan results, and alternative cancer testing results, the doctors I work with at Hufeland recommended that I come back for 4 weeks of treatment... so I'm following their advice. I'll be receiving treatment there from...

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Art that I Made that Made Itself

Art that I Made that Made Itself

It was the Fall of 2013 and I just felt FRANTIC. The church that we go to, Highlands Church, has a Be Still contemplative prayer service most Wednesday evenings. This evening, we had the opportunity to do art. I took a piece of paper and scribbled with watercolor crayons. Then I sprayed it. Then I thought, "Crap! There's too much water!" So I took another piece of paper, ...

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Useful Websites About Cancer

Useful Websites About Cancer

Maybe you've already found great online resources. These are some of my favorites.

Cancer Tutor

Their information is well-organized. My favorite part is their "Dirt Cheap" protocol. This includes free or very inexpensive ways to natural help your body deal with cancer. https://www.cancertutor.com/

Kris Carr of Crazy Sexy Cancer 

Kris has been living with Stage 4 cancer for over 10 years. http://kriscarr.com/meet-kris/

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We're back!

I feel a bit like a broken record, but thank you for all of the prayers and many ways of support you all continue to give to Josh and me. (And no, it’s not “Josh and I,” in case you were wondering… I graduated with an English degree… which does come in handy, Dad! See?!) 

Here are answers to the Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we’ve gotten since we returned:

1. Are you happy to be home?

Yes… and no. Of course we love seeing our family and friends, but reverse culture shock and other things have made it difficult...

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A Day in the Life...

A Day in the Life...

A typical day here looks like me going down to the basement to get Kneipp Therapy... very warm water on my legs, then very cold water on my legs... it's supposed to stimulate and support the immune system. Then we have breakfast and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I go to the Infusion Room for an IV (detoxification or liver support or vitamins) and on Mondays and Fridays I also get Ozone Therapy (they take 100ml of blood, add ozone, and then give it back to me). On Tuesday mornings I've been getting the Fever Therapy IV and on Thursday mornings (and the rest of the afternoons) I have relaxing treatments in the basement such as Biofeedback, Brain Light, AHT (Auto Hormone Therapy), Lymphatic Massage, Magnet Therapy, Liver & Spleen Electrotherapy, and Reflexology... 

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The "Whatever" Prayer

The "Whatever" Prayer

If you would like to join us in starting the prayer this week, we will be praying for Colleen’s bodily systems that have been“fearfully and wonderfully made.” Obviously you can use your own words, but this may give you an idea...

Lord Jesus, we lift your daughter Colleen and her body up to You and we ask that, in the best possible way, You will orchestrate whatever changes need to take place within her DNA, cells, tissues, organs, immune system, digestive system, lymphatic system, cardiovascular system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, respiratory system, endocrine system, reproductive system, chakras, energy fields, mind, heart, soul, and spirit. We ask this in your Holy name. Amen...

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We're in Germany!

We're in Germany!

Our favorite thing so far is being able to amble across the road from the Klinik into a park that has every fabulous thing that we have ever seen at a park before, all in one big tree-filled park: river complete with paddle boat rentals (check), life size chess boards complete with old men serious about the game (check), fountains and water show choreographed to music (check), music stage (check), apple and pear trees (check), beautiful rose garden (check), exercise circuit with some strange thing that makes you "moon walk" (check), built in playground musical instruments (check) and our favorite a simple walking labyrinth (check). And just past the park you walk through an old castle gate into a fantastic little town with cobble stone streets, old churches, and lots of boutiques and cafes...

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More Details...

Thank you for the overwhelming support since my last journal entry!
Here are some answers to your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. When are you leaving?

Normally, I wouldn't put this information on a public forum... but God is Jehovah-Jireh which means "The LORD Will Provide" (Genesis 22:14). A family friend from Josh's childhood will be staying at our home with his family while they look for work and relocate to Denver. This answers their prayer as well as ours! So... 

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Thank You!

I realize that it has been 4 weeks since the last journal entry here and I'm sorry about that. The news we received post-surgery was harder than expected and not knowing what our next step in this journey was going to be, made it difficult to write a journal entry. Thank you, thank you, thank you for each and every prayer along the way. I have needed all of them... 

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Home & Continuing to Heal

Home & Continuing to Heal

Throughout her whole time in the hospital post-surgery, the nurses and other providers who stopped by to check on Colleen kept expressing how impressed they were with her as she was recovering and how well she was able to manage the tasks they encouraged her to do: lung exercises, walking the hall, eating, drinking fluids, etc. She was assertive in getting to it and...

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Surgery Blessingway Prayer Circle

Surgery Blessingway Prayer Circle

My friend Jenah reminded me about the "circles"... have you read this? I've purposely let this news out slowly because I don't want people to barge into my life telling me negative stories or contradictory advice and the like... I really like these 2 articles about the circles or rings of people surrounding me: http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/07/opinion/la-oe-0407-silk-ring-theory-20130407 and http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2015/06/02/our-family-cancer-manifesto

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