Sunday, August 30, 2015

10 Good reasons why everyone should take a probiotic everyday

Probiotics are valuable, living "good" bacteria that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the important benefits of this association include the prevention and treatment of vaginal yeast, eczema, food allergies, irritable bowel, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea (including antibiotic-induced) and inflammatory bowel disease not to mention the overall general health benefits. 

As a cancer survivor I can attest to the amazing way I felt and the proof of better test results in my blood when I started adding a probiotic to my daily routine.  My side effects lessoned and I felt better, I also wasn't getting sick as much when my kids got sick.  I have used echinecea for years as an immune system booster but combining echinecea with a probiotic has made a world of difference and I won't ever go back to not taking a probiotic!

Hard to believe up to 80% of our immune system, is found in our digestive tract, but it's true and makes it our central defense structure when it comes to illness.  If you are good to your body, your body will be good to you.

10 Good Reasons to add a Probiotic to your day

(1) Enhance immunity - a double-blind clinical test involving patients in intensive care proved that viable (alive) probiotics prevented multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), the number one cause of mortality among intensive care patients.

If probiotics can do this, what can they do to prevent chronic flues and colds and allergies?  A lot!  I am living proof probiotics work!

(2) The immune protection of mother's milk is enhanced if the mother takes probiotics during or before pregnancy. If breast feeding is impossible, then adding probiotics and prebiotics (what probiotic bacteria feed on) to a baby formula free from fluoridated water and sweeteners can be tried.

(3) Probiotics can reverse ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other gut inflammations that occur from a lack of sufficient probiotics.

(4) Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (GS) symptoms are handled by adding probiotics.

(5) Processed foods and low fiber diets allow the pathogenic bacteria to overwhelm the good guys and diminish colon function. It's important to add probiotics even if you drop the standard American diet (SAD).

(6) When pathogenic bacteria upset the 85/15 balance of probiotic to bad bacteria, like yeast infections can grow.

(7) A healthy gut balance helps prevent cancer by nourishing enzymes that inhibit tumor production throughout the body.

(8) Sufficient probiotic intestinal flora prevents radiation damage from X-rays and CT scans to the large and small intestines.

(9) GMOs are used in many processed foods and antibiotics are in lots of our non-organic meat and dairy products. They both destroy probiotic bacteria, making it necessary to add probiotic materials back if you've had any of those foods.

(10) There is a medical theory that a cure for autism can be had through a diet that restores probiotic levels and heal inflammatory conditions. While I am unsure as to this "cure" I do believe that this will help manage autistic symptoms we well as many other ailments.

*I am not a licensed doctor and this blog is not intended as medical advice.  I am a certified nutritionist and health coach.  Always seek medical advice if you have a medical condition.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Menopause Momma

O.K.! Menopause Sucks!  And medically induced early menopause sucks even more!  Holy cow!  Due to breast cancer I was put into early menopause because of the chemo for my type of cancer, at the ripe age of 35, and then again at 38 when my cancer had returned and moved the doctors performed emergency oophorectomy which is like a partial hysterectomy where they remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes.  I have wined and griped to my mom so many times over the past year about stupid menopause, and at least we can have a laugh but lord have mercy it sucks. 

My hubby, who I love thinks it's funny when I am miserable and breaking out my cute leopard print fan out of my purse and fan desperately at my face.  I could seriously kick him sometimes.  I don't think he thinks its funny to be mean, I think he just finds my overreaction to it as funny.  But still in the middle of a hot flash momma doesn't feel funny, and sure doesn't find anything funny about her misery. 

I will say, winter is my friend, and snow is wonderful.  We spent a family weekend up in Big Bear which is a local mountain retreat here in Southern California and I can honestly say that there are No Hot Flashes in the snow!  The only time I had one was when I was going to bed and because we rented a condo, the people below us on the first floor had their fireplace going our condo was nice and cozy and we didn't need any heat.  I slept in a tank top and pajama pants with a light blanket that's it!  Being outside in the snow was AWESOME!!! 

On the very long list of why menopause sucks is also the fact that alcohol intensifies hot flashes and will also trigger them.  UGG!!!!  So just when you are sitting down and enjoying that nice big glass of red wine and winding down from the day BAM!  Your face starts to flush, your brow begins to sweat, your body starts to heat up from tip of your toes to the top of your head and you want to start stripping down like a hooker when sailors are on leave! 

Have I mentioned I don't like menopause?  The only good thing with menopause is the lack of monthly menstrual periods and need for birth control.  I will confess that there are times that I am glad for menopause but the dislike definitely out ways the good. 

We need a menopause momma support group, that meets in a big commercial freezer, especially during summer.  There should also be prizes awarded to the menopause momma who didn't lose her mind for the month, or didn't scream at her kids, and especially for the momma who didn't give her husband a cold for needing to sleep with the a/c on in March! 


Menopause Mommas Unite!!!

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Dealing with anger and cancer as a Christian

Anger is a common emotion with cancer, and it is often understood and accepted as cancer is not something anyone would purposely ask for.  We know that anger is a normal human emotion, but as a Christian I know not to hold onto anger, but to give it to God.  This is easier said than done.  It is so easy to feel angry and especially angry at or about ourselves. 
  For the first 3 years of dealing with my cancer diagnosis and treatments I could not help but look at my cancer as a foe, a mortal enemy that I would triumphantly vanquish with all the fury in the world.  Cancer was my arch enemy and I vowed to be my own super hero.  This works for me, I am a big Wonder Woman fan ever since I was 3 years old watching it on T.V.  I am a fighter at heart and I honestly don't know how to be anything else when faced with a protagonist.  This is a good thing to be as a cancer patient, but not so good as a Christian.  I needed to cut back some of my fighting instincts and increase my faith, acceptance and peace. 

"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil."  Romans 37:8 NIV

I am a little embarrassed to confess that I found this verse months after being diagnosed with my cancer reoccurrence and metastasis.  I was so very angry.  You know that term "so angry they could spit nails" ya that was me.  I was devastated when I found out the cancer had come back, and not only come back but move and eat a hole in my iliac bone.  I was scared and angry.  Angry that the doctor's had failed me, angry that chemo didn't work, radiation didn't work, surgery hadn't worked, the medicines didn't work.  I was so very angry, livid even at the cancer itself.  Thankfully I was not angry at God.  But oh how angry I was at the cancer, I cussed the cancer out the entire drive home from the doctor's office.  Not a long way, but still, crying and cursing the cancer for filth!!  I kept calling it f***ing cancer.  Not very Christian like at all.  I wish I had handled it better, that I had the spiritual maturity to handle the devastating news better.  I know I could have done far worse, but also far better and I regret it.  However, it triggers my fighting instincts and led me to conduct more of my own research and lit a fire to learn more about cancer and nutrition, organic alternatives, biblical healing and encouraged in me a desire for spiritual maturity.  I can't be angry at that. 

Once I got past the anger that the cancer had returned (this took about 6 months) I started to see the good, and positive aspects of my cancer returning.  This is not an easy thing to do, it is so easy to get sucked into the depression and festering anger.  I had been walking the edge of a Grand Canyon sized cliff with depression looming before me as I tip toe along the edge trying not to fall.  I didn't want this, I didn't want to feel that way, it has been long enough I'm over being so tightly wound up with the anger and resentment of my cancer returning.  It's time to deal with it and move on, get back on the horse so to speak.  It was seriously to the point that I couldn't recognize myself anymore, I couldn't see or feel my inner Wonder Woman, my fighting spirit and show no mercy to cancer attitude. 
I cannot tell you when it happened, only that one day about 6 months later after I was told I was incurable that I didn't have the anger anymore, it simply vanished.  That doesn't mean I can't bring it back up, because if you get me talking about it I will get aggravated.  But I don't feel it all the time, carry it with me every day or feel it with the intensity that I did before, and I am so relieved and thankful for that. 
My cancer has a purpose, I have always known that I have or will go through the ups and downs in my journey with cancer for a reason and to be able to identify with other patients and help them with their journey as well.  I can say that the Christian in me overcame the anger in me.  God is Good!!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The Cancer Cutie Cookbook

Proper nutrition is essential in the fight for life for a cancer patient.  This is why I wrote the Cancer Cutie Cookbook.

Many doctors tell their patients to eat whatever appeals to them when they are going through surgery or treatments as the nausea can be quite difficult.  This approach is wrong!  While eating something that sounds appealing may minimize the chance of vomiting it is important to stay within good nutritional lines.  Now don't get me wrong I have had my share of fast food hamburgers and I regret it, but I try to focus on the present.  You can instead eat what appeals to your appetite AND help fight cancer or side effects.  After learning how to do this I wanted to share the info and help others.  I saw patients wasting away to mere shadows of themselves, and this only strengthens the cancer and weakens the patient making them more likely to die of their disease.  I have also seen doctors advise drinking high sugar, high soy pre-made meal supplements that have known cancer causing ingredients! (shocking)  No no no!  I'm sorry you are either going to help me fight my cancer or you are helping to kill me with it and that's all there is to it.
I chose to fight, and to help others fight as well which is why I wrote The Cancer Cutie Cookbook.  This is an inspirational cookbook with not only yummy recipes but advice and tips from female cancer patients, survivors or caregivers who know first hand what it is like to go through cancer as a female.  I supplied some of my own tried and true tips, advice and recipes and the nutritional information.  During the past 4 years I have had the pleasure of meeting and befriending some wonderful women many of which provided recipes, tips and quotes for this book.  The 1st of it's kind a book for cancer patients written by cancer patients who are there in the cancer trenches with us.

Please take a moment to check out The Cancer Cutie Cookbook and let me know what you think.
Proudly available at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/dp/1508443750/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_T4Y.ub1BXYAT3

or through my website www.cancercutie.com

xoxoxoxox Kat http://www.amazon.com/dp/1508443750/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_T4Y.ub1BXYAT3

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Cancer and Exercise


Exercise for Cancer Patients: Longer Life, Less Recurrence

There's abundant evidence that exercise and eating right can help prevent people from getting cancer. The latest information shows that exercise for cancer patients can also keep cancer from recurring.

Several recent studies suggest that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of the cancer coming back, and a longer survival after a cancer diagnosis.

In studies of several different cancers, being overweight after completing treatment was associated with shorter survival times and higher risk of cancer recurrence.

Women who exercise after completing breast cancer treatment live longer and have less recurrence, according to recent evidence. Colorectal cancer survivors who exercised lived longer than those who didn't, two recent clinical trials showed.

What experts suspected has now been proven. As a cancer survivor, exercising could help you live a longer life -- free from cancer.

Exercise for Cancer Patients: What's In It For Me?

The benefits of exercise for the general population are well-publicized. But what if you're a cancer patient?

Exercise has many of the same benefits for cancer survivors as it does for other adults.. Some of these benefits include an increased level of fitness, greater muscle strength, leaner body mass, and less weight gain.

In other words, exercise for cancer patients can make you fitter, stronger, and thinner -- like anyone else who exercises.

Exercise can also:

·         Improve mood.

·         Boost self-confidence.

·         Reduce fatigue.

·         Lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

When should you start exercising after cancer diagnosis and treatment? As soon as possible!

Studies show that after a cancer diagnosis, people slow down. Stress, depression, and feeling sick or fatigued from cancer or its treatment all tend to make people less active.

The problem is, most people stay sedentary after treatment

As a long-term solution to the problem of fatigue, taking it easy and avoiding activity is not a good solution. It is important for cancer survivors to get back to exercising to help their recovery.

In other words: if you've down-shifted your activity level since your cancer diagnosis, now is the time to rev back up.

The following types of exercise can help cancer patients - and everyone else - get back in shape:

·         Flexibility exercises (stretching). Virtually everyone can do flexibility exercises. Stretching is important to keep moving, to maintain mobility. If you're not yet ready for more vigorous exercise, you should at least stay flexible.

·         Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, and swimming. This kind of exercise burns calories and helps you lose weight. Aerobic exercise also builds cardiovascular fitness, which lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

·         Resistance training (Iifting weights or isometric exercise), which builds muscle. Many people lose muscle, but gain fat, through cancer treatment. For those with a high fat-to-lean mass ratio, resistance training can be especially helpful.

"Ideally, cancer survivors should do aerobic exercises and weight training," says Courneya. "Both types of exercise are critical to the overall health and well-being of cancer survivors."

Exercise for Cancer Patients: How Much and How Hard?

For the general population, the American Cancer Society recommends "at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 5 days a week."

This amount of exercise is proven to reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Experts say it that it should also be beneficial for cancer patients

 

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Riding the Cancer Roller Coaster with God on my side

As a cancer patient myself since 2011 I have had the typical cancer treatments, chemo, radiation, surgery, more chemo and radiation, adverse reactions to chemo meds, adverse reactions from surgical wash and glue, popped stitches, biopsies, pain management, horrible blistering, incapacitating nausea, abdominal and intestinal cramping, hair loss, blinding fatigue, pain, all the fun issues associated with cancer treatments.  But through it all God's grace carried me through it, I have NO doubt.

Cancer is a roller coaster, like life it has it's ups and downs, it's good days and bad, but when you are the patient who is on this ride, the ups and downs are far more extreme than regular life ups and downs.  A cancer patient straps in, buckles up, holds on tight and even some scream on this ride, it is scary as heck, there are dark tunnels and curves and hills and if you are lucky you have a big crowd cheering you on.  Most say a prayer waiting to shoot out of the gate, some pray the whole way through the ride, and most are so relieved when it is over and they are still alive they can barely walk away from the coaster.  Those of us who are like me, metastatic feel like this ride lasts forever, because it is.

  I can never get off the cancer coaster because I can never be cured, I will never again be declared "cancer free" unless it is by miracle and our detection machinery has become more advanced and accurate, but for now I cannot.  I have to change my "normal".  Luckily I am in remission for the 2nd time, but the 1st being stage 4 metastatic.  What that means in my case is that I am living with a deadly disease, although my counts are low and in some cases so low it counts as non-existent.  The best comparison my doctors like to give is that of a diabetic who has complications.  They can live for a long time with their disease, as long as they take necessary precautions, medication, are closely monitored by their medical team and take their condition seriously.  Same thing here for me.  However, I have a couple other things up my sleeve that allow me to stand out from the norm.  I am a Christian, I have faith that God will see me through this, and that I can be used to bring help to others and glory to Him.  I am good at being obstinate and stubborn, dare I say "Brat"  ok I really want to say the other word, but I'm trying to reduce my swearing.  Cancer is a brat, no way around it, cancer treatment is no picnic, no way around it, I am really good at being a brat, no way around it in this case.  I'm a tough cookie, a fighter and I have taken that trait and focus it on the battle in my body with this cancer.  I will not be defeated, I have children to live for, and I will play dirty with the cancer if I have to, this is serious war and I'm not here to play around. 

I have relied on my faith, bible verses, and counseling while on this roller coaster.  There have been times where I asked God to hold my hand as I squeeze my eyes shut and hang on tight while the world goes upside down for a minute.  I have cried begging that He not make me go through this anymore, I want the ride to stop and let me get off.  I have also glowed in pride that I made it through with God beside me even though I was scared to death and never want to go on the ride again, I made it through without peeing in my pants from fear! 

The cancer coaster can seem very isolating, like you are the only passenger in the car.  But you aren't, there are plenty, too many people who are going through a similar if not same roller coaster as you, and that offers some comfort.  There is also the fact that you aren't alone because you have Jesus, and this offers comfort as well, but as much as you "know" these things in your head, it's normal to still feel this way in your heart at times because it is happening to YOU in YOUR BODY and there is no way around that.  Cancer affects everyone around you in your inner circle, whether you want it to or not, some ride the coaster with you, others are cheering for you in the crowd, and some may even be waiting for you while they wait in line to go on another ride. 

There were plenty of times where I visualized myself curled up in God's hands or with an angel completely surrounding me with big beautiful white wings protecting me.  I even got a tattoo of angel wings on my left shoulder, not to symbolize my angel wings but to remind me that I have an angel who has my back.  I also have a cross with a pink breast cancer ribbon entwined to remind me I am covered in faith and with God all things are possible.  Sure I still get scared, and stressed that my cancer might return, or that I could take a turn for the worse, but deep in my heart I know I am carried by grace, and God won't let me down, He is carrying me whether I can see or feel Him doing it. 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Why me?

Why me?  This has probably crossed the mind of every cancer patient.  Why me, why now, why this? 

At the age of 20 I believed that I had already survived more than a lifetime of bad things.  A troubled childhood, molestation, suicide attempt, bulimia, being bullied, a car accident and severe case of mono.

It's not that I thought the rest of my life would be easy, I just though that I had already passed the test of survival and inner strength.  Nope.  Not a chance.

By 30 I had survived more, including another car accident and a psycho fiancé who tried to strangle me to death.  I had achieved the Wonder Woman badge of honor. 

"We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

Well if according to Acts 14:22 then I am good to go, and could probably go and come back a few times with all I have been through!

Why is it that we have to experience bad things? There are a lot of theories out there about this, my personal belief is 1) all experiences are learning experiences whether good or bad, 2) we have to experience the bad to truly appreciate the good.  But that doesn't stop us from questioning why me, why now, why this, why, why, why?

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 at the age of 35 I was devastated, absolutely destroyed.  But I knew there would be something good to come out of it.  That in my heart it would be used for God's glory.  Believing in this gave me some comfort and strength, but my cancer journey was still very difficult and I still found myself questioning why at times.

Why did I have to go through another big ordeal?  Why did I have to survive something else?  Haven't I been through enough?  Haven't I proven myself as a Christian yet?  If this sounds familiar then I completely understand and you are not alone.  We are never alone when we have Christ and when we have fellow cancer survivors who are struggling just as we are.  Going through cancer it is easy to feel alone, even when you have family and friends who love and support you and you have faith it is still easy to feel alone when dealing with a life or death situation.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Boobs...a love-hate relationship

Boobs, breasts, tits, jugs, etc.  so many names for the same balloon of fat body part.  The infatuation with breasts has been around since Adam and Eve.  Hollywood has made millions, trillions even, doctors have made millions, Victoria Secrets is considered the guru in the bra industry. 

I have always had a love-hate relationship with my breasts.  In my twenty's I did some modeling and tried to get into acting, but because my bra size was 38DD most of the work that my agency was getting for me was too risqué for my comfort zone and I didn't want to be defined by my breasts. Don't get me wrong, I am not a prude, and I didn't hide my breasts, they were a fact of my life and my grandmother always said, "If you got it, flaunt it" so I dressed my breasts in a way that I was comfortable, just right to get me out of any speeding ticket that I may happen upon, but covered enough so I didn't look like a prostitute. 

Growing up and living in Orange County, California about an hour and a half from Hollywood I was proud that my DD's were real.  In a time when it seemed everyone was getting implants for bigger breasts every day and going to high school with girls whose graduation gifts were either a new BMW or implants I was quite proud of my all natural girls.  However finding clothes that fit right was a pain.  I have to have button down shirts altered because of my breasts, or put up with always having to wear a tank top or camisole under button down shirts and never being able to button them all the way up, but having to leave an open shirt.  I have tank tops in just about every color to go under button down shirts.

When I lost my right breast to breast cancer the thought of karma catching up to me did cross my mind, more than once.  Losing my right breast was a necessity, I had no other option, believe me I tried convincing the doctor otherwise, but in the end chopping it off was better for my survival.

 I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 at the age of 35 and by this time my breasts were an E or DDD.  Happily married with 2 beautiful children my world crashed down when I heard the words, "You have cancer."  And after dealing with breast cancer for 4 years now, all I have to say is, "boobs are more trouble then they are worth!"  Seriously!  I have had 3 reconstructive surgeries trying to get my body back to a "normal" state with my breasts.  Pain in the butt!!  And I am STILL lopsided and have to have at least one more operation to even out my breasts.  I haven't been able to wear a regular wire cupped bra in almost 4 years, but have been living in bra tops, sports bras and the like because of my physical irregularity.  Such a pain.  I know I shouldn't complain, but then again I have every right.  For about 18 months I had to live with one breast and at an E this was VERY noticeable and made me feel like a circus freak.  I was specially fitted for a prosthetic breast, and can I just say that is a whole different experience that feels very weird and surreal when you are going through it.  I tried to make light of this new and weird experience as part of my way of coping with it, but in my heart I was bothered by it all and had a hard time getting past the "Frankenstein" feeling and way of looking at myself.  Because of the pain and scaring from radiation on my right side of my chest I rarely wore the prosthetic breast and most of the time I would just stuff the "pillow" breast into my bra or top when going out in public as it was much more comfortable.  By the end of the 18 months I would go to the store without using any stuffing or prosthesis.  But I am much happier now that I have two breasts again, I feel more "normal".  My breast reconstruction surgery to build me a new breast was 10 hours long, and required 4-5 days in the hospital.  There was the same worry of rejection similar to organ transplant, as my surgery consisted of taking belly fat and skin and creating a new breast, what was special about this was my doctor transplanted blood vessels from my belly into the new breast and connecting through the chest into blood vessels in my sternum.  This was a crazy surgery and only 100 doctors in the country are able to do this, I was lucky mine was one of them and we were incredibly successful.  The key to this blood vessel and breast transplant working is in the acceptance of both the tissue and blood flow.  There was risk that my body would reject this and we would have to either start all over again or go another route.  The weirdest thing was having my doctor and his team stand around my bed every single hour to place a Doppler on the transplant and listen for heart beats.  Yes that's right I said heart beats, there were 3 major sites where the blood vessel transplants were that the doctor would listen for the heart beats which indicated successful blood flow.  If there wasn't blood flow then the new breast would die.  It was so weird hearing "heart beats" coming from my breast, like having triplets in the womb and I would crack a joke about my alien breast and it's heart beats.  I don't know if it was the morphine or my off beat sense of humor but I got through it and I have a real boob now that jiggles and everything. 
That was over a year ago and since then I have had two more surgeries trying to achieve "normal" alignment and I am still about 1/2 a cup size in difference and I still find myself stuffing my bra to achieve "normal" breasts.  When will this end?  I just want to be normal, what ever that means, and what ever "normal" can be for me living with breast cancer.  After all the scars, all the damage, all the pain and the suffering from cancer treatments and medications I have had to endure over the past 4 years I think a decent body is not too much to ask for.

Sometimes I just want to tell young girls not to put so much effort into their breasts on display and making a big deal about implants and push-up bras, that boobs are more trouble then they are worth and take care of them, because one day they might just turn on you!

Friday, January 9, 2015

How I've survived Cancer

I survive cancer by being tough.  Cancer is not fun and it is not pretty, it is tough, the key is choosing to be tougher than the cancer.

People look at me and are shocked that I have been dealing with cancer for 4 years.  I do not look like a typical cancer patient.  Well that is because I am metastatic and most mets do have their hair and look somewhat "normal".  But we deal with cancer every single day and are in constant treatment and monitoring by our doctors, just trying to lead a new "normal" life.  I have survived thanks to God, without a doubt it was through His grace.  In that grace I listened to my body and what it needed to heal, I researched how to make myself stronger to fight the disease and survive the side effects.  I ate cancer fighting foods, I drank green tea like it was going out of style, I am a soy Nazi and stay far away from it.  I significantly reduced soda, and sugar, and other chemical foods.  I reduced my fast food intake and when I do eat it I make healthier choices.  I do yoga and meditation, I have been learning herbal medicine and I stayed in school and worked.  (not totally because I wanted to financially I had to) I tried to keep my life full of goals and ambitions as if the cancer wasn't an issue partly to keep me focused on life and as a coping mechanism and also for my children.  They were and are young to have to deal with mommy having cancer.  It is bad enough I lost my hair and was horribly fatigued and sick from chemo, but luckily I was strong enough to put on a brave face and try to minimize my side effects to give them more "normal" days then not. 

My key to surviving cancer is in complimentary treatments along with traditional medicine.  I truly believe it is through faith, nutrition, yoga, meditation and herbal medicine that I have been able to be as strong as I have been and will continue to be.

I am strong because I am a fighter.  I do not know how to be anything else.  We don't have control over who gets cancer or when or if it will happen to you, but we do have control over what we put into our mouths.  I choose to put strength in, I choose to put what will help my body protect me from my cancer, what will help it defeat my cancer.  I do yoga to help me with my stress and to help the blood flow in my body, I had 22 lymph nodes removed and that puts me at risk with a compromised immune system on top of the cancer and so I have to help my circulation do it's job since a chunk is missing forever there is also the benefit of yoga that improves the immune system and helps in the muscle aches from chemo, radiation and surgery.  I am lucky to have 100% mobility in my mastectomy arm.  That is almost unheard of, the norm is most women only retain up to 75% mobility and I regained it both times after surgery and radiation. 

I survived cancer, and you can too.  Which is why I created www.thrivecancer.org  and became a certified nutritionist, yoga instructor, personal trainer.  I want to help others survive too, that is why I survived.  God carried me through my cancer with His grace so that I can help others do the same.  That is my purpose.  All you need is the desire to fight to start to survive your cancer.  Good luck and God Bless.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Berry Banana Pancakes :)


Berry Banana Pancakes

You can use fresh, canned or frozen fruit or compote for these, we have done this as a treat and have a variety of toppings for top your own pancakes.

Serves 4

Prep time: 15 min, cook time: 20 min

Ingredients

1 large banana, peeled and sliced

1 cup complete pancake mix

½ cup water

Nonstick cooking spay

1 cup unsweetened frozen strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, thawed and sliced

2 tablespoons orange juice

Preparation

  1. Place bananas in a medium bowl and mash with a fork
  2. Add pancake mix and water, stir until blended
  3. Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat.
  4. Pour ¼ cup batter for each pancake into hot skillet.  Cook pancakes for about 2 minutes per side until fully cooked.

Topping

  1. Spray a pan with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat
  2. Cook berries and orange juice for 3 minutes or until the berries are soft
  3. Spoon topping over pancakes and serve
****Very yummy and a great way to get kids to eat fruit, load up on vitamin C to boost the immune system, also mild enough if you are feeling nauseated from chemo.

Taken from the Cancer Cutie Cookbook available to buy on amazon.com or directly from our site, www.cancercutie.com