Her Story

Irene L
More From This Member

VIDEO - HERSTORY: Irene Shares The Integrative-Response Practices She Engages In

Irene explains the integrative-response health practices she participates in at CTCA.

Irene:
When I came here for my assessment, I met with a naturopath and a mind-body person. I guess I didn’t tell you that I am a massage therapist so that’s really important to me, but the naturopath gave me some recommendations for supplements to take in preparation for any kind of treatment. And I believe my level of B-level vitamin, B-level was low and she gave me some medication to take and I cannot believe that in 8 weeks my level came up to normal based on her recommendation.

I really want to say this, my sister, who is a nurse, had told me when I told that I was on this vitamin B supplement, she said, “I have never seen a vitamin B oral supplement bring your levels up. Generally, there has to be an infusion in order to bring your level up.” And I said, well they told me to do it for 8 weeks and then get retested. And I went from, and I don’t know if the numbers are correct, I think I went from 21 to 56 in 8 weeks.

So yes, I am taking several supplements. That is important to me because I do not like drugs. I know that drugs have their place in therapy but I don’t like to say, “I have a pain, just give me a painkiller and let me cover it up.” It is so nice to know that the naturopath help us to help our bodies do what they are supposed to do. That’s important.

I went up and had a massage and being a massage therapist, I am pretty critical of massage therapists. But it was a nice, gentle, relaxing massage and I haven’t tried Reiki or acupuncture, but at least they are available for people who want to do that. So that is really important. In the dining room, there is always something organic on the menu. That is really important to me.

At home, I live down the street from an organic farm and that’s where I purchase most of my produce. So it’s really important to have access to that. And, if it’s not on the salad bar, I went in one day and flaxseed wasn’t on the salad bar and of course I was disappointed and I went to the gentleman and said, “Are you out of flaxseed?” And he said, “We just forgot to put it out there.” Bring over a container of flaxseed and I get my little flaxseed to sprinkle over my salad. I think that is important. It makes me feel at home and I was talking to another patient who said she asks for a glass of carrot juice every morning and they make that for her and that is incredible.

For More Information On Cancer And CTCA Visit:
www.cancercenter.com

CONNECT with Women Interested inBreast Cancer

Pat Elliott

Breast Cancer Guide