Hello my lovelies

It was Mother’s Day in Australia and the US (UK is a different month/day) on Sunday just gone.

I have a tradition whereby I run a 5km fun run that is a fundraiser for breast cancer research. I have entered the fun run for several years now as I’ve always believed it’s a good cause and I have had a number of friends impacted by breast cancer and one friend died last year after contracting it for the third time (plus it had spread throughout her body). She refused any further treatments as she wanted to go out on her own terms. Full respect for her and her decision. She was a beautiful soul.

Last year my daughter joined me for the run (usually we’d catch up for lunch after I completed the run). It was fantastic to have her with me and little did we know that a year later the run would have far more significance for us.

(The main image photo is my daughter and I after we finished the run – the love and bond between us is clear to see. She is the best human I have ever had the honour to know and love and I am so grateful to her for all the support she has given me, plus her quirky humour and kind and generous nature.)

Now I am the 1 in 7 women who has been directly affected by breast cancer. Read about the stats at the link here understanding breast cancer.  My diagnosis was less than two months ago, my surgery (lumpectomy and 5 lymph nodes removed) 8 weeks ago.

I have healed really well and I have returned to all my former pursuits. Running, dancing, gym workouts, hiking and walking my dog. I’m also back at work, I never really stopped, but some of my specialist appointments and my surgery and recovery days were during working days (I work part-time, 3 days/week). My workplace has been super supportive and my boss has said I can take as much time as I need, even if it means I suddenly need to leave work – which actually did happen when I first saw the surgeon and had surgery the following day.

I have also made some changes to my health and wellness routines. I quit alcohol completely, the minute I got the diagnosis, I’m like “I’m done…” alcohol is toxic and my body was unwell and now healing and there is no place for toxins. There is a direct correlation between alcohol consumption and cancer. Studies show that alcohol increases the likelihood of certain cancers, but there is no clear indication that it impacts one after a cancer diagnosis, but the recommendation is to steer clear – see this link for further information alcohol & cancer.

I am currently dealing with two separate cancers (got a diagnosis of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma a couple of weeks after the breast cancer diagnosis). So basically, for me, alcohol is off the menu – permanently and I don’t really care, it’s not something I will miss.  Whether alcohol played any role in my cancers is irrelevant really, my aim is to have optimal health and only consume things that have a positive impact at the cellular level and help with my healing journey.

I truly believe that the lymphoma was stress related. There is research that has found a link with chronic stress and speeding up the spread of cancer. Chronic stress also weakens the immune system – you can read more about it here connection between chronic stress and cancer. There is no direct evidence stress causes cancer (however a weakened immune system due to chronic stress may be a trigger), but it sure as heck makes it grow and spread like wildfire.

Therefore, in addition to rejigging my health and wellness routines, I have eliminated all forms of stress from my life. People who aim to cause me stress are no longer a part of my life, I literally cannot afford to have drama queens/kings causing me distress or trauma. I am meditating daily (it really, really does help in creating an inner peace) and focusing on the positives in my life, of which there are many.

I also decided at the beginning of last week to alter my diet to being entirely plant-based. For years now I have tried to eat only fresh food, mostly plants – but in addition I did eat meat and fish, eggs and some dairy. I feel that this is the right decision for me and my health, wellness and recovery/healing journey. I love finding veggie recipes and already had a bunch of go-to recipes that are plant based. I love chickpeas, hummus is life! So far, I am not missing or craving meat and I am increasing my nutrient intake with more veggies, legumes, nuts and pulses. And yes I am aware that I need to ensure sufficient Vitamin B12 (nutritional yeast for the win!); calcium and iron. I’m good at ensuring I get the right mix of food each day. Plus two tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily. There is evidence to suggest that the lignans in flaxseed have a beneficial effect, particularly in relation to breast cancer. Read about it here: 3 nutrients cancer survivors should know.

I have also eliminated refined sugars, the processed kind, not the sugars that you obtain from fresh fruit. There are different types of sugars and it’s the refined ones that cause damage at the cellular level. There is no direct evidence linking sugar and cancer. However, there is “…accumulating evidence that sugar consumption is associated with increased cancer risk, recurrence, and mortality.” (Reference link Sugar & Cancer UCSF.)

I’ll keep you all updated on my health and wellness journey, particularly with my tweaked nutritional regimen. In the meantime, stay well, stay healthy, stay strong!