| Part II Conquering the Fear, Fighting the
| |
| | chemo. This guided exercise included
|
| Cancer
| |
| | relaxation, healing messages, and
|
| Ovarian Cancer: Process and Survival
| |
| | suggestions for picturing my immune cells
|
|
| |
| | taking care of things and using the chemo
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| Post Surgery
| |
| | effectively. Before each chemo session,
|
| Read Part I for information regarding
| |
| | even before they started the IV, he would
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| diagnosis and surgery...The next few
| |
| | do a relaxation exercise with me. This
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| weeks after my discharge from the
| |
| | ritual became a very important part of
|
| hospital, were very busy. My sister,
| |
| | the process. By working on my "attitude"
|
| Nance, and my mom decorated the house and
| |
| | towards the chemo and by connecting with
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| Christmas tree. My sister Lauren visited
| |
| | these parts of myself that can be
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| from Washington and cleaned, cooked and
| |
| | powerful self-healers, I felt I was
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| lent invaluable support to all of us.
| |
| | taking back control of what was
|
| There were visits to the surgeon for
| |
| | happening. Feeling that you are part of
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| follow-up and the oncologist for the
| |
| | the healing process instead of a passive
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| initial visit. John and my sisters
| |
| | receiver of medications etc., is very
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| accompanied me. It was so very helpful to
| |
| | empowering.Rituals and routines are very
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| have someone else ask questions and write
| |
| | comforting, especially when you're
|
| down information. It can be an
| |
| | experiencing stressful times. My "chemo
|
| overwhelming experience, especially when
| |
| | ritual" evolved from the very first
|
| you're a little "spaced out" on vicodin
| |
| | session. The night before, I meditated
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| for pain management, as I was. I signed
| |
| | and did my healing visualizations at
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| on to be part of a clinical study using
| |
| | bedtime. John drove me to the oncology
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| different combinations of medications for
| |
| | center. I selected my chair and we
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| eight instead of the normal six cycles.
| |
| | settled in with his relaxation exercise.
|
| Laurie had brought a book with her that
| |
| | My sister, Nance, arrived bearing muffins
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| offered a lot of information on how to
| |
| | and silly magazines. After visiting and
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| deal with an ovarian cancer diagnosis and
| |
| | chatting, John left for work and Nance
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| subsequent treatments. One suggestion was
| |
| | and I munched muffins and laughed at the
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| to research clinical studies. There is a
| |
| | National Enquirer stories. About an hour
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| great deal of "cutting edge" research out
| |
| | before the infusion was completed, my
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| there but you may have to hunt for it, do
| |
| | brother, Tom, would arrive for a visit
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| your homework, and bring the information
| |
| | and to take me home. Somewhere in the
|
| to your doctor. My oncologist's office
| |
| | session, my sister, Laurie, would call
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| was conducting a trial, I was accepted,
| |
| | from Washington to check in and often
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| and I was scheduled to begin treatment on
| |
| | John would "pop in" in his travels. I
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| December 21.Even though I was dreading
| |
| | always had company and felt lovingly
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| the whole process, I knew I had to
| |
| | supported. Sabrina included me in her
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| approach it in much the same way I did
| |
| | meditation every morning and my mom would
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| the surgery, almost like an athletic
| |
| | stop by the day after the session for tea
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| event or a race. I wanted to go in as
| |
| | and a chat. Every three weeks from
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| strong and as prepared as possible and
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| | December 21 through May 27, we followed
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| with a better "attitude."Attitude is
| |
| | this routine. The nurses and my family
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| defined as a manner of acting, feeling or
| |
| | got to know one another and we became a
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| thinking that shows one's disposition,
| |
| | real team!Returning to work seven weeks
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| opinion and mental set. We may not be
| |
| | after surgery was another normalizing
|
| able to control a situation, but we can
| |
| | routine that made me feel like I was
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| choose our attitude about that situation-
| |
| | taking back my life. Except for the day
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| victim or fighter; passive or aggressive;
| |
| | of chemo and the following day, I've
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| depressed or striving toward joy and
| |
| | worked full time, feeling productive,
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| happiness; caught in the "why me's" or
| |
| | healthy and normal. My co-workers have
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| searching for the "what can I learn from
| |
| | been very supportive and caring. They
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| this." With the help of many people and
| |
| | even threw me a graduation party to
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| through much reading and research, my
| |
| | celebrate the completion of chemo.Even
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| "attitude-adjustment" process unfolded.A
| |
| | before my last chemo, I was researching
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| booklet entitled "Preparing for Chemo"
| |
| | what to do to prevent a recurrence of the
|
| suggests several things that I
| |
| | disease. I found information on a
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| immediately put into action.
| |
| | clinical study for Ovarex, a vaccine
|
|
| |
| | designed to prevent a recurrence of
|
| 1) Get your hair cut short so that when
| |
| | ovarian cancer. After many phone calls,
|
| your hair starts falling out, it's less
| |
| | letters and haggling with my insurance
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| traumatic and won't clog the shower's
| |
| | company, I was accepted into a study
|
| drain. (This worked for the drains but I
| |
| | being conducted at Stanford's Cancer
|
| was still traumatized.)
| |
| | Center in Palo Alto. It involved monthly
|
|
| |
| | infusions for the first three months and
|
| 2) If you plan to wear a wig, shop for
| |
| | then every twelve weeks for the rest of
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| it before starting chemo. My sisters and
| |
| | the year, with routine labs and CT scans.
|
| my dear friend and hairdresser Patty,
| |
| | I've experienced only mild side effects
|
| helped with both of these steps. Watching
| |
| | and feel fortunate to have access to one
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| my long hair fall to the floor was very
| |
| | more tool.This past year has been one of
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| hard and yet made me feel the tiniest bit
| |
| | lessons for me. I would have preferred
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| more in control of what was happening to
| |
| | the "universe" had given me a gentle tape
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| me. To my surprise, everyone loved my new
| |
| | on the shoulder instead of this Giant
|
| hairdo. The compliments boosted my ego
| |
| | Thump on the head to let me know I had
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| when I really needed it. Nance and Laurie
| |
| | things to learn about myself and how "I
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| accompanied me to the wig shop. Laughter
| |
| | am" in the world. Here are some of the
|
| is very good medicine-and we laughed a
| |
| | things I have learned from this
|
| lot as we all played with the wigs before
| |
| | experience:
|
| settling on two very nice ones. Four
| |
| |
|
| hundred dollars later I was armed with my
| |
| | 1. Pay attention - perhaps if I had
|
| hair prosthetics and a sore belly from
| |
| | agitated more forcefully with my doctor
|
| laughing. At this writing, I'm sporting
| |
| | that something was NOT right, she would
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| my own very short hair after nine months
| |
| | have responded with more attention.
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| of wigs and hats.
| |
| | LISTEN to your body and trust your
|
|
| |
| | intuition.
|
| 3) The booklet suggests having a dental
| |
| |
|
| check up and cleaning before starting
| |
| | 2. Don't take anything for granted -
|
| chemo. Also important is giving your home
| |
| | people, job, health, hair. When you face
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| a thorough cleaning and perhaps
| |
| | the loss of these things, you realize how
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| scheduling someone to come in once a week
| |
| | special people are, how the day-to-day
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| thereafter- a clean house can minimize
| |
| | routine of a job is a gift, how precious
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| exposure to infectious agents.
| |
| | good health is and even how much better a
|
|
| |
| | "bad hair" day is than NO HAIR!
|
| 4) Building up strength through exercise
| |
| |
|
| and a good diet can help minimize some of
| |
| | 3. There are a great many sources of
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| the side effects of chemo. This booklet
| |
| | invaluable information out there through
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| and other helpful literature, is
| |
| | people, libraries and the internet.
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| available through oncology offices and
| |
| | Taking advantage of these resources
|
| offers good practical information. I also
| |
| | allowed me to create a comprehensive plan
|
| found the library and the internet to be
| |
| | to restore my health and fight the
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| good resources.
| |
| | disease using a combination of Western
|
| Shortly after my homecoming, from the
| |
| | and alternative therapies.
|
| hospital, I received a telephone call
| |
| |
|
| from Lindy, a volunteer with the Cancer
| |
| | 4. We do have choices in how we deal
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| Society (set up by my husband and the
| |
| | with a crisis - probably the best choice
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| cancer support staff at the hospital.)
| |
| | for me was to reach out and ask for help.
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| She had been diagnosed and treated for
| |
| | The more people I told about my health
|
| Stage IIIc ovarian cancer seven years
| |
| | issues, the more positive energy came my
|
| ago. Hearing from her gave me a real
| |
| | way. I felt empowered rather than
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| boost and some good tips for dealing with
| |
| | vulnerable and armed with my helmet (a
|
| the upcoming chemo. She shared her
| |
| | wig, which, by the way, I got complements
|
| experiences with surgery, hair loss and
| |
| | on) and my armor (acupuncture,
|
| complete recovery! She is still cancer
| |
| | supplements, chemo, prayers and
|
| free! In addition to advice on make-up to
| |
| | visualization) I was ready to do battle.
|
| camouflage the fact that one has no
| |
| | I was "Warrior Princess" instead of
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| eyebrows or eyelashes, she told me how
| |
| | cancer patient.
|
| helpful acupuncture was for her. She felt
| |
| |
|
| that it really minimized some of the
| |
| | 5. Laughter is GOOD MEDICINE!
|
| chemo side-effects and "rebalanced" her
| |
| |
|
| body's energy. I had had a few sessions
| |
| | At this writing, my labs and CT scans
|
| of acupuncture many years ago, and I
| |
| | are completely normal. I'm back to my
|
| immediately knew that this would be right
| |
| | normal routines of work and exercise. I'm
|
| for me. I believe in its efficacy and
| |
| | sporting a "Jamie Lee Curtis" hairdo. I
|
| definitely feel the sessions have been
| |
| | am excited about decorating and shopping
|
| very beneficial.My first acupuncture
| |
| | for Thanksgiving and when we all come
|
| session was four days after the first
| |
| | together, we'll have a lot to be thankful
|
| chemo treatment. The meds they gave me to
| |
| | for! Before we dig into our feast, I'll
|
| prevent nausea worked very well. I didn't
| |
| | be asking each person to write on a piece
|
| have much of an appetite and felt a
| |
| | of paper, one thing that they are
|
| little achy and tired but the only real
| |
| | grateful for. Each of us will then
|
| side effect I experienced was a terrible,
| |
| | withdraw one of these papers from the
|
| hand-wringing itching and tingling in my
| |
| | basket and try to guess who wrote the
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| hands and feet. Amy, my acupuncturist,
| |
| | message. It will be easy to guess mine.
|
| has worked with several people undergoing
| |
| | I'm grateful for all the love and support
|
| chemo, is very knowledgeable, and had a
| |
| | from my family and friends (with a
|
| good treatment plan in place for me. I
| |
| | special thanks to my son, Matt, and my
|
| scheduled to see her 2 days before and 4
| |
| | husband for shaving their heads to
|
| days after every chemo session. After my
| |
| | support me and to my son, Mike, and his
|
| first visit with her, I did feel better,
| |
| | band for dedicating songs to me at
|
| more energized and the itching had
| |
| | concerts and their fund raising for the
|
| definitely dissipated a good deal. She
| |
| | Cancer Society.) I'm grateful for the
|
| gave me some suggestions on supplements
| |
| | prayers and best wishes that came my way
|
| and some Chinese herbs to use.The side
| |
| | from people I don't even know. I thank
|
| effect of itching, burning and tingling
| |
| | you!!! Well, of course, that's more than
|
| is called neuropathy and is fairly common
| |
| | one thing on my piece of paper but so
|
| with the types of chemo protocol I was
| |
| | what! It's time to celebrate!Happy
|
| on. After my second and third sessions,
| |
| | Thanksgiving 2004 and celebrate every day
|
| the symptoms worsened! I turned to the
| |
| | of your life.Barbara's Complete Ovarian
|
| internet to learn more about neuropathy
| |
| | Cancer Fighting Supplement List:Three
|
| and what, if anything, I could do about
| |
| | Imperial Mushroom Capsules - available
|
| it. I found an article by Cindy H.
| |
| | through acupuncture office
|
| Makencon, website: entitled "coping-Tips
| |
| |
|
| for dealing with neuropathy." She offered
| |
| | A) Reishi- Immuno stimulant: enhances
|
| a great deal of helpful information
| |
| | immune system; use is sanctioned by the
|
| including reports of studies on the
| |
| | Japanese Health Ministry as an adjunct
|
| benefits of taking fairly large doses of
| |
| | treatment for cancer; Increases activity
|
| L-Glutamine Sulfate and Chondroitin. I
| |
| | of chemotheraputic agents and reduces
|
| forwarded this information onto Carolyn,
| |
| | adverse effects such as nausea, decreased
|
| the research nurse in charge of my
| |
| | white blood cell counts; helps protect
|
| clinical study, and she shared the
| |
| | the liver against damage caused by viral,
|
| information with the oncologist. I had
| |
| | drug and environmental toxins.B) Shitaki-
|
| already started taking L-Glutamine when I
| |
| | strengthens immune system response;
|
| met with him. He had further researched
| |
| | improves survival times of cancer
|
| and developed a new treatment plan for me
| |
| | patients when used concurrently with
|
| which included large doses of
| |
| | chemo.C) Maitake- best known for cancer
|
| L-Glutamine, a change in one of the chemo
| |
| | fighting properties; many doctors in
|
| meds, and the addition of a medication
| |
| | Japan use it to lower blood pressure and
|
| called neurontin. The combination of all
| |
| | blood lipids; effective as an anti-tumor
|
| these things worked! The neuropathy
| |
| | agent and immune system
|
| gradually subsided and I've had no
| |
| | modulator.Echinacia- used in Germany
|
| further problems.I believe a few other
| |
| | along with chemo in the treatment of
|
| factors contributed to my being able to
| |
| | cancer. May enhance white blood cell
|
| handle the chemo pretty well. I continued
| |
| | counts in persons undergoing chemo.Cat's
|
| to increase my exercise regimen,
| |
| | Claw- reduces side effects of chemo; used
|
| progressing to walking everyday and then
| |
| | in clinical practice in Europe for cancer
|
| back to the gym for step-classes, albeit
| |
| | & HIV; has important immune enhancing
|
| modified, and lifting light weights.
| |
| | properties; helps increase the number of
|
| Exercise builds muscle strength,
| |
| | T-cells, the true soldiers of the immune
|
| increases oxygen and blood flow and for
| |
| | system. In Austria, it is used together
|
| me, was and is a real physical and mental
| |
| | with conventional treatment (chemo,
|
| energy boost.I came across a book
| |
| | radiation &/or surgery) to treat hundreds
|
| entitled: "Herbal Therapy & Supplements-
| |
| | of cancer patients per year.Graviola-
|
| a Scientific and Traditional Approach"
| |
| | scientists have been studying this herb
|
| written by Merrily A. Kuhn, RN, Ph.D. and
| |
| | since the 1940's - four studies were
|
| David Winston, a herbalist and
| |
| | published in 1998 re: significant
|
| ethnobiologist. The book was part of an
| |
| | anti-tumor properties and selective
|
| at-home study course that I needed to
| |
| | toxicity against various types of cancer
|
| complete for my RN Continuing Education
| |
| | cells (without harming healthy cells;
|
| Credits. The book offers a comprehensive
| |
| | Purdue University has conducted a great
|
| guide to many common and some less common
| |
| | deal of research on the Annonaceous
|
| herbs and supplements, their uses,
| |
| | acetogenins family to which graviola
|
| adverse effects, contraindications, and
| |
| | belongs) much of which has been funded by
|
| drug-herb interactions. After careful
| |
| | the National Cancer Institute or the
|
| research, I started using several herbs
| |
| | National Institute of
|
| and supplements designed to minimize
| |
| | Health.Acidophyllis- rebalances
|
| chemo side effects and boost my immune
| |
| | intestinal flora (especially important
|
| system. I was careful to use things that
| |
| | when you're taking a lot of
|
| do not stimulate estrogen in the body as
| |
| | medications.)Multivitamins with Vitamin
|
| my cancer was estrogen-receptor positive.
| |
| | ECalcium SupplementIP-6 with Insositol-
|
| I started taking these supplements one or
| |
| | has been studied extensively for over 20
|
| two things at a time in smaller doses in
| |
| | years; has powerful effects on the immune
|
| order to monitor any unfavorable
| |
| | system.Wheat Grass Juice- increases
|
| reactions, before adding more. Most
| |
| | hemoglobin; rebuilds the blood; improves
|
| importantly, I notified my doctor that I
| |
| | body's ability to heal wounds; washes
|
| was taking supplements and having
| |
| | drug deposits from the body; neutralizes
|
| acupuncture.At the end of this article, I
| |
| | toxins and carcinogens in the body.Green
|
| will offer a complete list of the
| |
| | and White Tea- Chinese believe green tea
|
| supplements and herbs that I have been
| |
| | is a cure for cancer and a longevity
|
| using and some information regarding the
| |
| | tonic; boosts immune system function;
|
| rationale for each of these additions.For
| |
| | research being done all over the world
|
| several months, our kitchen counter
| |
| | and in the US by the National Cancer
|
| resembled a drug and supplement store. I
| |
| | Institute re: anti-tumor activity. Both
|
| had to write up a daily schedule of what
| |
| | green and white tea are excellent
|
| to take when. It was worth it! Once the
| |
| | antioxidants.Website for researching
|
| neuropathy was under control, I tolerated
| |
| | herbs- Plant Database Raintree NutritionI
|
| the remainder of the chemo treatments
| |
| | used the guided relaxations
|
| pretty well. I was able to work full time
| |
| | visualizations CD's from the Stress
|
| and exercise, and my appetite and energy
| |
| | Education 1. #209 Stress Management for
|
| levels were good. Physically,
| |
| | Pre and Post-op Survival
|
| acupuncture, exercise, diet, and
| |
| | 2. #208 Stress Management for
|
| supplements were, and still are, valuable
| |
| | HealingReference:
|
| tools which helped me deal with the chemo
| |
| | Health Update from SELF Magazine by
|
| and recover from its serious effects.On
| |
| | Jennifer Nelson November, 2004
|
| another level, the emotional and
| |
| | Ovarian cancer: a not-so-silent
|
| spiritual aids were an even more powerful
| |
| | killer"Early diagnosis is crucial. When
|
| part of the healing process. Previously,
| |
| | disease is caught before it spreads, 80
|
| I mentioned my visualizations regarding
| |
| | percent of women will survive."by Barbara
|
| pre and post operative healing and seeing
| |
| | Ehlers-Mason, RN and L. John Mason,
|
| myself healthy and cancer free. Now, it
| |
| | Ph.D.Written in November, 2004, one year
|
| was time to take it a step further and
| |
| | after the Surgery for Ovarian Cancer, in
|
| include it as a powerful adjunct to the
| |
| | November, 2003Stress Education Center
|
| chemo medications. Rather than seeing the
| |
| | (707) 795-2228 website: John Mason,
|
| meds as a poison, I started to visualize
| |
| | Ph.D. is the author of the best selling
|
| it as "nectar from the gods," washing
| |
| | "Guide to Stress Reduction." Since 1977,
|
| through me and being taken up by my
| |
| | he has offered Executive Coaching and
|
| immune cells as a potion to destroy
| |
| | Training. His wife, Barbara Ehlers-Mason,
|
| cancer cells. A few weeks before my first
| |
| | RN, was diagnosed in October, 2003 with
|
| treatment, I read an article about a
| |
| | Stage III Ovarian Cancer.Learn everything
|
| young local girl who had battled cancer
| |
| | that you can if you think you or someone
|
| at age 16. She wrote a book about her
| |
| | you know has Ovarian Cancer. Be prepared
|
| experience and included her thoughts on
| |
| | to fight.Please visit the Stress
|
| seeing her chemo as "nectar from the
| |
| | Education Center's website at for
|
| gods." I admired her outlook and
| |
| | articles, free ezine signup, and learn
|
| incorporated it into my work. My husband,
| |
| | about the new telecourses that are
|
| John, created a special tape for me to
| |
| | available.Please take good care of
|
| listen to while receiving the infusion of
| |
| | yourself!
|
