Finding Health

We are headed off this week to Sedrow-Woolley for Steve to receive the first of four chemotherapy treatments. Last Fall we went off-island five days a week for six weeks in a row. Steve received radiation five days a week, and chemotherapy once a week. The chemo he received last Fall was to accompany the radiation and was not as strong as the therapy he will be receiving now. It will be three times as strong, and will only take one hour to administer instead of four. Steve was incredible in his countenance to endure the previous chemo, and did not lose hair, vomit, and only experienced a small amount of nausea. In a way it is all exciting. We landed a new oncologist, as our previous one left the hospital, and this doctor is very confident that with this treatment we may be able to rid Steve’s body of all cancer. He also believes the tumor in his lung was smaller than previously diagnosed, making Steve’s diagnosis stage one or two instead of two or three as they had said.

Cancer is no small thing. I have many friends that have undergone various forms of cancer and treatment. My mother herself had radiation and a lumpectomy for breast cancer when she was just over sixty. Both of my grandmas, paternal and maternal had breast cancer, one multiple times and severe enough it spread to her lungs and brain and she eventually died from it. My Aunt on my father’s side also has dealt with breast cancer. Recently, I was in for my mammograms and all looks well thankfully. I also have scheduled a colonoscopy, a procedure where they put you under and check your entire large intestine for polyps using a scope. I also scheduled my pap smear that must be done every five years. It feels good and responsible to be taking care of these important screening measures now that I am 45.

Recently I began drinking a Mushroom Chicory tea 2-3 times a day. The tea, called RYZE, was initially developed as a coffee substitute, but they eventually came out with the Mushroom Chicory, which is a completely caffeine free option. It is delicious and I have it with a little maple syrup and half and half. The Mushrooms it contains are: Cordyceps for stamina, fatigue and lung health; Lion’s Mane for focus, memory and neuron growth; Shiitake for inflammation, tumor prevention and bone density; Turkey Tail for gut health, fighting cancer and chronic fatigue; Reishi for the liver, thwarting tumor development, stress and restful sleep; and finally King Trumpet for inflammation, heart health, prevents stroke and reduces cholesterol. The flavor I take, Mushroom Chicory, also has chicory which is packed with prebiotic fibers, improves blood sugar control, and boosts metabolism. I love that the chicory has these added benefits, as high blood sugar and weight gain are things that I struggle regularly with. I also struggle with high cholesterol and am treated for that as well as my high blood sugar. I recently turned Steve onto the tea, and he will be taking the Mushroom Coffee once it arrives on Tuesday. It has all six of these mushrooms plus some coffee, though one cup has less than half of the caffeine as a normal cup of coffee. Obviously, he will benefit from the cancer and tumor prevention, but he also will greatly benefit from some of the other effects such as neuron growth since his major spinal surgery, lung health for his COPD, and from increased stamina, fighting fatigue and less inflammation. I can’t say enough how grateful I am for this RYZE mushroom tea and coffee that has come into our lives. It feels amazing to be doing something so proactive for our health.

There are other things I could do to improve my health. I am constantly working at eating healthier and fighting off food cravings, perhaps a side effect of my high blood sugar. I exercise regularly to combat high cholesterol, weight gain, and high blood sugar. I have managed to avoid diabetes thus far, but my levels are what they call “pre-diabetic” so I take medication. I have given up caffeine and alcohol, and my blood pressure is incredibly good. I still take tobacco/nicotine, but am working regularly to cut back on this addiction. I believe my time spent in recovery meetings keeps me focused on my ability to combat this bad habit. I have made progress, and will continue to try to cut back and eventually quit. Obviously smoking has me thinking about cancer, and wanting to prevent this in my life. It is amazing, the treatment that they have now-a-days, and it is incredible to hear the many stories of survival and healing from folks that have suffered with the disease. We have come a long way with our medicine and knowledge of how to diagnose and treat cancer.

So much is involved with our physical health, but mental health and attitude have a lot to do with it. It is important that we do not burn out or experience too much stress. Being in love, having beautiful pets who love and support me with my disability, and working through my emotional trauma and issues helps my physical health immensely. There is always something that I can choose to do in this moment to take the next right action for my health. I can eat fruit, avoid smoking, drink more water, take vitamins, cut out chemicals like caffeine, breath deeply, go for a walk, smile and laugh. Having a good attitude is extremely important, and Steve who has so many struggles these days, is my constant teacher. He reminds me not to worry, and talks me out of difficult feelings and emotions. Having a partner that helps me in these ways is a huge gift. He reminds me regularly that mental health and quality of life are extremely important for a happy and healthy life.