Your post is very encouraging to me. Late Dec. 2010 I was diagnosed with stage 1, colloid (invasive) ductal carcinoma and DCIS. Both are small, very close together, slow growing, estrogen/progesterone receptive, HR2-. My BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing is negative-YEA! I also have recently diagnosed low-grade Lyme disease, which symptoms my MD's have said for 23 years were just "all in your head", or only "the way your body is".
My lumpectomy is scheduled for 2/17. My surgeon really wants me to have 6 weeks of radiation followed by hormone therapy; however, I'm choosing not to follow that path at this time. I see 2 naturopaths, and am quite certain that radiation and hormone therapy are not what my body can handle now, and will cause me more harm than good at this stage in my journey.
This isn't a decision that has come easily or lightly and has included a lot of tears, research, soul-searching, and conversation. I'm relatively certain that my surgeon will have a tough time accepting my decision. I'm not a statistic-I am an individual who hasn't really fit any particular mold with any other condition I've ever had. I believe that my cancer is a combination of environmental and stress-related issues over a long period of time. Everyday there are new advances in care that are less invasive to the entire person, and I'm willing to take the risk to do what I need to do naturally to minimize recurring cancer elsewhere in my body. It's wonderful to hear of other women being their own advocates, and owning their own power in dealing with cancer care.
This is a great forum, and I look forward to hearing from other women on this same, challenging path, since it will be ongoing the rest of our lives.
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Your post is very encouraging to me. Late Dec. 2010 I was diagnosed with stage 1, colloid (invasive) ductal carcinoma and DCIS. Both are small, very close together, slow growing, estrogen/progesterone receptive, HR2-. My BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing is negative-YEA! I also have recently diagnosed low-grade Lyme disease, which symptoms my MD's have said for 23 years were just "all in your head", or only "the way your body is".
My lumpectomy is scheduled for 2/17. My surgeon really wants me to have 6 weeks of radiation followed by hormone therapy; however, I'm choosing not to follow that path at this time. I see 2 naturopaths, and am quite certain that radiation and hormone therapy are not what my body can handle now, and will cause me more harm than good at this stage in my journey.
This isn't a decision that has come easily or lightly and has included a lot of tears, research, soul-searching, and conversation. I'm relatively certain that my surgeon will have a tough time accepting my decision. I'm not a statistic-I am an individual who hasn't really fit any particular mold with any other condition I've ever had. I believe that my cancer is a combination of environmental and stress-related issues over a long period of time. Everyday there are new advances in care that are less invasive to the entire person, and I'm willing to take the risk to do what I need to do naturally to minimize recurring cancer elsewhere in my body. It's wonderful to hear of other women being their own advocates, and owning their own power in dealing with cancer care.
February 10, 2011 - 3:28pmThis is a great forum, and I look forward to hearing from other women on this same, challenging path, since it will be ongoing the rest of our lives.
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