I had the rare opportunity yesterday to chat with an old friend on the phone for well over an hour. It was day two of my chemo treatment and I decided to spend my time in the chemo chair, on the phone with a girlfriend. She asked me a question that I am sure some others may wonder about as well. She asked me if I felt contradictory (on this blog and in life) when I endorse all things natural for family life yet I am going through Chemotherapy.
Wow! Good question. I have often wondered how newbies to this blog might feel if the first or second post they see on a blog about “natural” stuff inlcuded talk of chemo and some of the nastiest chemicals you can put in your body.
Well, here is my answer. Yes, I do feel contradictory. There is nothing “natural” about chemotherapy and I would be elated if I did not have to got through it. I had a lot of big decisions I had to make when my cancer diagnosis was made and the biggest motivator in my decision to put my trust in conventional medicine was the fact that my cancer had already reached metatasis…it had already spread beyond the original site. A few weeks or months longer and the Doctors may have been telling me that Chemotherapy would not even be able to help me. That thought was very scary.
Until that point I had not really put much trust in conventional medicine except in the case of emergencies of course. BUT suddenly it seemed as though not doing chemo would be like rubbing a limb with arnica to heal a fractured bone. I needed to react quickly and in this scenario I decided conventional medicine and alternative medicine did not have to be mutually exclusive. I decided to apply both.
I am happy to say that my second week of Chemo went much better then the first, most likely thanks to several alternative and complimentary therapies. I have been drinking some wonderful herbal teas and raw milk as well. Other then being tired I felt pretty much the same as usual….a far cry from two weeks ago. All in all, I know that my choice to go through Chemo is not the most “natural” choice and some may disagree with it but considering the fact that I did not have time on my side and I have three little ones who need me I know I made the best decision for me and for my family. And this experience has taught me that living a natural life is the MOST important thing you can do for your health…if I had known years ago what I know now, it may very well be possible that I would not have found myself in this situtaion in the first place. In fact I am sure of it. But I didn’t lead a very natural life for many years and now I am back peddling. I have hit a roadblock right now but I will get past it and I look farward to other side. :)
Hi Tiffany,
You are brave to broach the subject here in complete openness and honesty. A decision like this is a difficult one to make, especially when you have 3 small children needing you and depending on you.
I applaud you for doing all the things that you do. You are not blindly following along but you have taken the initiative to search out alternatives and educate yourself while making the best choices you can for your situation.
That’s what it comes down to for me, natural living, trying to educate myself and make the best choices given the circumstances at the time. I think it’s the most we can ask of ourselves and each other, try to do the best we can without blindly following along with the conventions.
This does not mean that we do not make conventional choices. I do find at times that I get paralyzed from analysis paralysis. It seems to me if a person is working on living a ‘natrual lifestyle’ there is alot working against that in our culture and the way we live these days.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
Regards,
Erin
Thanks Erin! I have wanted to broach that subject for awhile now. Glad I got that off my chest :)
Tiffany, the words don’t come as easy for me as they do for you, you write so wonderfully – however that is not what I wanted to say – but decided to put it in also!
You are such an amazing woman. You truly are an inspiration to us! I pray that God may continue to use you to help educate all of us not only in healthy living, but to face what life gives you head on and educate us, and help us to realize that while cancer stinks, you still can experience life to its fullest.
I cannot imagine what you all must be going through with three young children, and to be able to keep up with everything you do! If there is anything I could ever do to help you, please don’t hesitate to ask! I would love to give something back to you and your family for all the wonderful things you have done for others!
Blessings!
Deb
That post was so eloquent — and very true. The natural choice is usually the best choice, but, sometimes …
You did what you felt was best for your babies. That is the right choice, always.
Nicole
Hi Tiffany, first I noticed your not very natural cows … a natural cow has horns … :-)
Getting diagnosed with cancer gets everyone to think. What do now and wondering how one got it in the first place. The best choice is to use natural, alternative and healthy treatments like you do and like so many don’ t do.
I heard that one with cancer should avoid any acid foods
and drinks (of course you know, milk is acid) because cancer lives of acid foods and drinks.
All the best to you!
Wolke
Tiffany –
I’ve said this before, but you are still in my thoughts and prayers.
You are an amazing woman and you do what is right for you and your family…let someone else worry about the rest of it!
Arika :)
Hi Tiffany,
I’m brand new to your blog and just read this post first.. I just joined MM recently and I know what a close group they are and I’m very sorry to hear about your cancer and you will be in my thoughts too.
Thank you for sharing such a personal experience so openly. All the best to you… :)
Tiffany,
I’m cheering you on Sweetie. We don’t know each other, except that we both are MM-Members :) Just wanted you to know that you are in my prayers and I have a spirit of faith — believing the unseen to manifest into the positive! Just wanted to let you know someone else in the US is praying for YOU!
Blessings :)
Tiffany,
Your #1 job now is to heal yourself. Laughter, love, and positive thoughts are the most powerful healers.
I know stories of 2 women that healed themselves of cancer.
The first one had breast cancer. And everyday in a prayerful way all day long she said, “Thank you for my healing” “And she fueled her positve energy by watching funny movies all day long. In 1 month her cancer was gone.
In the other story, the woman would stroke the affected part of her body as you would lovingly stroke a baby and say “I Love You”. The loving energy of her thoughts and the healing energy of her stroking the affected region healed her.
I also have heard great stories of success with people following an alkaline diet. Cancer and/or disease cannot survive in the body in an alkaline state.
I will keep you in my prayers. You have to believe in your heart you can beat this thing!
Now is the time to love, embrace, and nourish yourself!
Blessings.
Hi There Tiffany,
Thanks for sharing your story. I’m sure I would of done the same thing.
((HUGS))
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