Detox: Day 1

Today was a very exciting day - today was my first day of detox!! So, this morning I went in to the naturopath doctor and I did 30 minutes of my feet soaking in this mineral water, then 30 minutes in the sauna. They gave me an alkalized water to drink. The room was so relaxing, dimly lit, nice music. It's crazy that this is what treating cancer can look like! I had more questions and was able to talk in detail with them about everything. These people BELIEVE in what they do - it's amazing and encouraging! I was also able to speak with the doctor again and we set up a plan! I'll be going in weekly for 6 weeks doing this same thing, then after this 6 weeks it will be an additional 6+ weeks of more invasive detox. They gave me the container of the powder drink (Green Foods True Vitality) stuff. So, I take it for breakfast - 1 scoop + 8oz water. I can add berries and some lemon juice. Lunch - 1 scoop + 8oz water again, this time I can blend either an apple or celery with it. I can also have a small salad but no meat. Dinner is chicken, turkey, salmon, or bass with veggies. Though they recommend I stick with either chicken or salmon. They gave me a list of OK foods and foods to stay away from. Also, to keep the fruits and veggies fresh, not frozen (of course not canned but I don't buy them canned anyway). Pretty much keep it all organic. Which I pretty much do anyways. Also, I am supposed to drink half my body in water. She told me to take half my body weight, then 16oz per pound. That's a lot of water. Maybe I understood wrong? I should probably call or bring it up next week. I feel so good (confident) after today! I had my lunch drink (no salad), and chicken for dinner. Veggie wise all I have right now is kale and green beans. Dude, I was so hungry I ate soooo much vegatables! Haa! I feel so good that finally I'm doing something ... I feel like I've gained so much knowledge and I just want to share it with the world!

This is the stuff!

On top is the final product: powder + water (before I added the celery). It actually wasn't so bad.

This is the alkalized water. I'm going to look into buying some.

Mineral water feet soaking fun!

The sauna! Ahh, this I loved!

The Plan

The plan regarding my treatment. Some find it controversal, but that would keep consistent with a lot of the choices I've (we/family) made the past few years.

I declined the radioactive iodine treatment. I mean, come on people, how do you expect me to say yes to something that probably caused the thyroid cancer to begin with?! Yes, radiation exposure has been directly linked to thyroid cancer. I keep replaying all the times I've either had an x-ray done the past few years, or been in the room while someone was having one done. And never once did the nurse offer the lead apron with the neck piece. Never once! About a year ago when I found out the connection between the two, I started requesting the neck piece, but was it too late? It was only months later the nodule was found and so on and so forth.

Also, a side effect of radiation is developing another cancer. Really? Trading one for another. Look, I'm not anti modern medicine and interventions, there is a proper time and place. For me personally, this is not the time or place. I am 100% comfortable and confident in my decision for my treatment.

The more I research and learn, I see how food really is our medicine! I believe it. It's so simple. Yet we medicate, medicate, medicate. These medications and such all had unnatural side effects and don't always work themselves. If we could get to the core of the problem, and truly adopt a life style of health, of wellness, physically, mentally, and spiritually - I believe there is our cure! For me, this strengthens my relationships with God. My dependence on Him. He created our bodies, and all things natural. But it's so hard. Dude, who wants to cut out sugar and all this yummy junk food? Who wants the majority of their diet to be raw veggies? After a long busy day with 3 kids, who wants to get in the kitchen and spend time cooking a meal from scratch when you can just throw a frozen pizza in the oven? I get this. I get convinience is a big deal in our society. I see why. But I believe you will pay for it one day. And I believe we can't possibly live the best quality of life that way. Research, research, research! I will never stop pushing that! Even if you choose otherwise, at least be educated. Diet directly affects our health and quality of life. I want to be my healthiest so that I may enjoy life, so that I may be an active mother and wife, so that I may be able to serve God! I can't effectively do all those things if I feel like crud. Which I most often do.

I've neglected myself for too long. Funny, the theme for the past few years has been to start taking care of myself. I've had many people speak this into my life. And it's taken this to happen for me to start taking it really seriously. I mean, I have changed our diet in some ways, our life style, but its far from where it should be.

So, here's the treatment plan. I will be going back to the naturopath doctor next Monday the 11th and I will be doing her 6 week detox program. This program is incredibly expensive, and incredibly thorough. My hope and prayer is that I will not fall off track and return to old habits. God give me strength. So, for breakfast and lunch I will be drink a special drink provided by her. For dinner, I can only have either chicken or fish and veggies. I will be drinking half of my body weight in water, daily. Weekly I will be going into her office for more detox treatment. From things like a sauna, to soaking my feet in this special mineral water to drain toxins through my feet, to even more extensive, invasive stuff to rid my body of toxins that I won't get in to on here. This program is extremely thorough. I will be detoxed from all things bad. And my plan is not to return.

I've found out that cancer lives off sugar. Sugar is in so much of our food - previously I didn't realize just how much. A friend even pointed out how her shampoo has sugar - really?! Shampoo?! After detox, I plan on eating as raw as possible. I do like the Paleo approach, but I won't really call myself Paleo, though my diet will favor that for sure. I plan on mostly eating raw veggies and fruits and some meat. I plan on staying away from grain, sugar, processed foods. I would love for my entire family to adopt this diet, but I know it will take time, especially for my kids. I will not be as strict with them as I am with myself, but I think it is important for my kids to learn now so it becomes habit, way of life for them so that it isn't such a struggle in the future. Plus, since I've had an auto immune disease (Hashimoto), my kids are now more likely to have one. So healthy eating is very important.

I need to find a workout that works for me. I've looked into Crossfit and it seems so cool. But really, we're not looking to add to our current bills, and Crossfit is expensive. I've considered joining a gym...but again, I really don't want to sign a contract and we're trying to cut back and be debt free - not add to our bills. We have a treadmill. It's hard for me to get into that. I'm not a runner, nor have I ever been. I can walk and talk all day long, though :) I like weights. I like squats and machines. I'm not big into cardio. This is why I thought joining a gym to attend classes would be a good idea. I just don't know, though. So yes, this is my current struggle; finding a work out that I enjoy doing. It's also hard with the kids...I enjoy going places and walking and hiking, but the kids are less than thrilled about that (understandably so) and so it cuts my time short or makes it difficult. I just need to find something that works for me.

I am beyond excited to start detox. I want to feel better, to lose weight, to gain confidence, health and better quality of life. For two weeks I was hot flash free, but this week they've returned. My body is completely out of whack and I can tell, lacking in deficiencies. I know it's going to be hard, especially the first week. But I know it will be worth it in the end. I am hopeful that any cancer that may still be in my body will be killed by this route. I've read so many stories just of people cutting sugar and processed food out of their diet - people who were given a death sentence - and months later were cancer free! I've also read stories of people who did that, and later returned to their old ways and it returned. So I know keeping this new life style is also key. And more than just sugar, cancer lives in an acidic state. So it's important to keep my body in an alkaline state. I have a list of such foods.

This is me surrounding to God. I know myself, and I know if I went radiation route I would put my faith and trust in these doctors when they are NOT my healer! The path I am choosing to take has no negative side affects on me or my family unlike the other treatment did. I will change my diet and life style naturally, eat the raw and natural food God himself created, take care of my body to the best of my ability and trust God with the rest. It's in His hands. I can only do so much. I trust Him with my healing. For me, doing all this research, choicing to live this way, just grows my faith and trust in Him. I've prayed about this, and I feel so confident this is His will. With all that being said, I am ecstatic for treatment next week! I can't wait to update with how progress goes!

Zeke's Turning 9!!!

My baby turned 9 years old today. Nine. I still can't believe it. Time has flown by...so fast...too fast. I really have got to learn to slow down and enjoy today and all that entails.

 

This morning Zeke woke up between 6-6:30am and opened one present early. Daddy went and bought him breakfast somewhere special. Zeke and I ended up staying home from church as he had a headache and since Perry serves at church, he went ahold and went and took the little ones with him.

 

Zeke had a wonderful birthday party. Aunt Cindy made his soccer cake. Zeke loves, loves, loves some soccer! Papa Dane made him a huge toy chest that he simply adores! Zeke was surrounded by all his closests friends; the Isbells, Seymours, Tallants, Davis', and Otts. My brother, Caleb, even stopped by for a bit. Papa Dane also brought a huge ball thingie that kids can fit inside and run around in. And Zeke cut his cake for the first time, per his request (my big man). The day was filled with laughter, joy, and pure fun!

 

Zeke, my sweet son, you are so loved. You are so adored. You are so special. Never doubt these things.

 

Happy "90th" Birthday! ;)

Proud Mom Moment: Shining Star Award

Zeke was awarded one of five third graders the Shining Star award for the month of February! This morning the school had a special ceremony for all the shining star kiddos; they received free breakfast, a certificate and a free free meal at Chili's! Zeke won something similar to this at his first school way back in kindergarten. His teacher wrote that he is always helping other kids in the classroom and he finishes his work on time. Perry and I are very proud of him! This has been a special month for Zeke; he was the star student one week earlier this month for his class, now this, and his birthday is this month! Way to go, Zeke!

Macie's 2nd Birthday

 

These pictures are all over the place. The first few are from Chantell's house yesterday. She was unable to make Macie's birthday party at my house, so she put together a small one for her after small group. The ladies pitched in and bought Macie a princess canopy bed - Macie girl loves it!

 

Today is Macie's actual birthday. I love when my kids birthdays fall on the weekend! My computer is acting weird so I wasn't able to post as many pictures as I would have liked. Macie is such a social butterfly that she really enjoyed having all her friends there at the same time with her! It was so fun watching her tear through her presents - she was literally throwing wrapping everywhere! Perry's mom had bought her a pair of boots and right then and there she starts taking off her own shoes to put on the boots! And she got a potty training seat to put over the regular toilet, and she wanted to try that out immediately! She cracks me up! I made grain free strawberry short cake cup cakes. THEY WERE SOOOO GOOD! No sugar! Totally healthy; almond flour, raw honey, eggs, baking soda, sea salt, strawberries, lemon juice and zest...sooo good! I tried making the frosting too but that didn't work out so well so Sheree picked up some frosting on her way here! We had Trader Joe's ice cream for the first time and that was yummy too!

 

I love my baby girl so much! It's hard to believe she is 2 now!!! My babies are 8, 4 and 2  --- they're truly growing up too fast!

 

Macie had a great day and was blessed with gifts and the company of those who love her dearly! Thank You Jesus for blessing our family with our dear, sweet Macie!!! Happy birthday, princess!

Jesus saves [insert here]

Not only does Jesus save lives, but He saves families/marriages/hopes/you name the situation. Saving; it's what He does!

I personally have witnessed it and experienced it. This week alone He has saved my heart, my choices. He can make beautiful out of ugly.

I reached my breaking point, so much that I was left speechless. But He saved me. He saved the situation; redeemed it. I don't doubt that all the help from my prayer warriors were part of it. I'm thankful for their faithfulness to seek Him, while I was too distraught to care to react productively.

I write this feeling such a sense of renewal in my heart. Hope, once more, coming alive inside of me. Just that extra bit of strength I needed, I've received.

And onward I shall go. The road is long...parts of it are bumpy...I see some mountains approaching...but I know now I don't face this road alone; He walks with me, beside me, He's been there, before me.

Thank You, Jesus, for saving _________________ ;-)

Happy Valentine's, folks!

More doctor appointments and possible treatment

Monday I had an appointment with my endocrinologist. We discussed the radioactive iodine treatment. She said no contact with my kids for 5 days, side effects are dry mouth, and possible cancer such a leukemia and bone marrow cancer. She recommends this treatment. We went over a bunch of different stuff but honestly, I'm just tired of talking about this.

So they called the hospital to set this up and the hospital called me Tuesday. I'm scheduled to come in on the 27th for blood work to make sure my TSH level is 30+. I've got to be "thyroid hungry". Two weeks prior, I must go on a low iodine diet (which is pretty much Paleo). Say my levels are good, I go back the next morning where I will take the radioactive iodine orally. Then I go home where I cannot be in contact with adults for 3-5 days, and children for 10. Yes, you read that correctly. I cannot see my kids for 10 flipping days.

I am not at peace with this decision. I have an appointment for next Wednesday at doctor's office about 40 minutes away who have all different kinds of doctors on staff, including a naturopath doctor. They also specialize in all things thyroid. I'm hoping to find a natural alternative. And for more involved care. If I just go with this radioactive iodine treatment, I'm sent home, to be kept in a room by myself for almost two weeks. No doctor or nurse supervision. What if something happens? I don't know what to expect - I've never done this before! And the amount of cleaning I must do before my family can return home is just unreal. It would be so much better if I could just stay in a hospital. My endocrinologist also said how the hospital is bad about getting the information back to her, after my body scan a week after the treatment. So what does that mean?! I just don't feel like this route I'm getting good, quality, involved care. And I don't like the side effects associated with this treatment route. I mean, my gosh, it's so possible radiation is what gave me this cancer to begin with - now I'm trading it for another kind??!! I'm not saying I won't go through with this treatment, but I am saying I really want to find out what my options are and hopefully find a better, more natural, less harmful route.

I also came across a cancer hospital that really focuses on the patient as a whole being. They have a naturopathic approach. I've been in touch with them and am supposed to hear back this afternoon. Fingers crossed for some good news.

I am still praying and talking with others, but more importantly will take Perry's opinion into the most consideration. I will update once I hear back from the hospital. Depending how that option goes, I think I will just continue to look for a naturopathic doctor.