Surgery? Question Everything

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Lumpectomy vs. mastectomy has always been such a big debate scientifically and personally. I too, have mixed feelings about it. Each person has a different cancer journey and ultimately, it is the patient's choice, whatever she feels is best. My advice: QUESTION EVERYTHING. Gather all the facts. Pray hard. Do not stop to question until you are absolutely comfortable with your decision. Now, here's a good New York Times article on lumpectomy and repeat breast cancer surgery that's a bit enlightening: Repeat Breast Cancer Surgery Guidelines Are Unclear. While it does raise questions like "Why (the heck) are there still no clear guidelines on CA surgery at this day and age?!", it also takes you through the decision process in breast CA surgeries on an academic approach.

Blessings to everyone in your unique cancer journeys :)

Qi Gong

If you've ever been to China, you will notice that early in the morning, large groups of the elderly gather in parks and perform slow, soothing movements in unison. It's so beautiful to watch, and quite a wonderful thing to experience. Qi gong, also known as shibashi, is widely practiced in Asia for proper breathing, meditation, healing and exercise. We've been taught how to do this since middle school, and after my mom's surgery in 2008, it was the most appropriate kind of exercise for her. Qi gong is a great stress reliever, and it can also be done at home.  You can even buy one of those Chinese meditations CD to feel more authentic :) Try these steps from everyday-taichi.com

Soul Food: Champorado

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My mom got a craving for champorado during her recent chemotherapy sessions. Champorado is a chocolate rice pudding from Spanish influence, topped with condensed milk and usually paired with "tuyo" or dried, salty fish. What makes champorado perfect for chemo patients like my mom is that it's sweet, hearty and warm to the stomach. It soothes the throat and isn't as heavy as a meal of rice and viand. Try out this recipe and other Filipino dishes from workwithray.net. Have a hearty day! :)

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Sticky Rice
3 cups water (keep adding more if needed)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (add more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Evaporated Milk (you may use HALF & HALF or you may use condensed milk)
Sugar to taste

COOKING DIRECTIONS:
Place a medium casserole over medium heat.
Add water and sticky rice.
Keep stirring until rice become translucent
depending on the brand of sticky rice, you may need to keep adding water until you achieve rice’s translucency.
Once rice is cooked, stir in cocoa, and vanilla.
Keep stirring until rice become brown in color.
Add sugar to taste.
Top with milk.

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Random Story of Hope and Survival

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I was reading a nice bit on Yahoo News this morning (Read:New Lung Cancer Test Predicts Survival ) when I chanced upon one of the comments of someone who goes by the name 4me2knw:

"I wish they had this test when I got my lung cancer. I had Hairy Cell Leukemia and the doc's did a cat scan on my lymph nodes to see if they were involved, during the test they found the lung cancer. Stage zero! About as big as a marble. That was 8 years ago. My surgeon said "if you're still alive in 10 years give me a call and let me know." This comment is making me think I've got about 2 years left. If I had been able to do this test maybe I wouldn't be thinking this way? Not a comforting feeling thinking you've got 2 years at most. BTW, the leukemia never started to grow. Had my blood drawn every 3 to 4 months for 5 years and it never grew. I had thousands praying for me, worked in 10 prisons and everyone knew. So, had all of them backing me then got a blessing from the Mormon church and an American Indian healing done. I swear, something here worked! This is why the leukemia never grew and I was stage zero. I now believe in the power of prayer!"

No doctor can really predict how long you'll live. In this day and age, "life sentences" for cancer patients are really a thing of the past. Not only are there new medicines and treatments, but also everyday miracles. Happy Monday everyone! :)

Healing Prayer

View from Kennon Road

Good evening Philippines and hello to the rest of the world! To celebrate this blessed Sunday, let me share with you a beautiful healing prayer, which I learned in Monte Maria:

"Lord, look upon me with eyes of mercy. May Your healing spirit rest upon me. It is through Your powers that I was created. Since you created me from nothing, You can certainly recreate me. Fill me with healing power of Your spirit. May Your life-giving powers flow into every cell of my body and into the depths of my soul. Mend what is broken. Cast out anything that should not be within me. Rebuild my brokenness. Restore my strength for service in Your kingdom. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others. Touch my heart with Your courage and infinite love for all. Touch my mind with Your wisdom that my mouth may always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You, and help me to lead others to You by Your example. Most loving heart of Jesus, bring me health in mind, body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Amen."

About Monte Maria: Monte Maria is a place of worship founded by Father Fernando Suarez, a well-known healing priest in the Philippines and around the world. Thousands of people go there during Sundays to hear the 10:00AM mass and receive healing from Father Suarez. To know more about his mass schedules, directions to Monte Maria, etc. visit their website: http://www.ourladyofmontemaria.org/

Happy Sunday everyone! :)

An Excellent Piece of Advice

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Here's an excellent piece of advice from my mom's good friend, who is an oncology nurse at Cedars Sinai Hospital in LA: If your doctors aren't giving up on you, why should you?

Don't give up cancer sisters. You are not alone in this battle. Fight Fight Fight! :) :) :)