Surviving Uterine Leiomyosarcoma - Naturally!

Incorporating a Healing Lifestyle 

into the Real Life of A Cancer Survivor

A Natural Approach to Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

My 55th Birthday - So Happy to Be Alive! 

Let's Talk About What a Healing Lifestyle Might Look Like

     I went for my check-up with my gynecological oncologist this week, and it's been 3 1/2 years without a recurrence of the disease. I feel healthy and strong, and in many ways much better than I ever did before. The doctor looked at my original lab report and pronounced it "remarkable" that I was sitting across from him, looking so vital. He told me to "keep doing what you are doing." There are many women who have asked if I would write down what I do on a daily basis, so this is for all of you!

     As I proceed on my journey to continually strengthen my immune system in hopes of preventing the return of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma, I face the challenge of how to fit all of the wonderful things I want to do for myself into every day life. Some of the most important things I do on a daily/weekly basis are:  juicing, meditation, guided imagery, preparing salads and raw foods, organic shopping, acupuncture, exercise, sunlight, breath-work, supplements, reading healing books, green drinks, energy work, emotional clearing, and lots of good sleep! If you are wondering how I fit it all in... the answer is YES, IT IS A FULL-TIME JOB!

     I would be remiss if I didn't first and foremost thank my husband for supporting me both emotionally and financially, allowing me to do everything that I need to do for myself. 

     When we were first informed that I had ULMS, my mother told me that I was going to be fine and immediately guided me to read books by Bernie Siegel, M.D., a pioneer in how the mind affects the body. His book, Love, Medicine and Miracles: Lessons Learned about Self-Healing from a Surgeon's Experience with Exceptional Patients, was the first in a collection of positive books about people who have been healed of cancer that I refer to on a regular basis. 

Reading List

Love, Medicine and Miracles by Bernie Siegel, MD
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle  (I also have this on mp3 and have listened to it A LOT when I go for walks. Eckhart reads his own book on tape.)
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Knockout by Susanne Somers
You Can Conquer Cancer by Ian Gawler 
The Hallelujah Diet by Rev. George Malkmus
Joy's Way by Dr. W. Brugh Joy, MD
Hope, Medicine and Healing by Francisco Contreras, MD
Chicken Soup for the Cancer Survivor's Soul  
Love, Medicine and Miracles by Bernie Siegal, MD
A Book of Miracles by Bernie Siegal, MD
The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell

Mornings

     Mornings are my time to nourish myself. I am a "morning person" so I use my best time to tend to myself rather than putting myself last. (This was an important concept to learn.)

     Upon awaking, I lie still in bed, face up with arms at sides, and mentally scan each part of my body, noting how each part feels. It's a lovely, dreamy feeling when your body first wakes up, and it's a great time to mentally memorize what relaxation feels like so you can learn to carry it with you throughout the rest of the day. Next, I imagine roots growing out of my feet going deep down into the earth, grounding me. I ask to be cleared mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually from anything that hinders my health and healing. Then, I listen for guidance. Finally, I take my hands and hold their warmth above any part of my body that needs healing. I imagine a white light from Heaven coming in through the top of my head and flowing through my hands, bringing a healing energy to any part of my body that needs it. This is part of what is called energy work.

     Upon arising, I always scrape my tongue and brush my teeth to get rid of  bacteria before consuming any food. I start the day by taking two tablespoons of Liposomal Curcumin (which stops tumor growth by preventing the formation of blood vessels which feed the tumor) and Liposomal Can-Help Complex (a liposomal nano particle blend of vitamin c, glutathione, curcumin, resveretrol, CoQ10, B1, B6 & B12 designed to replicate intravenous vitamin c results). It is extremely important to take these in liposomal form because they pass through the gut directly into the bloodstream. They are taken on an empty stomach, so I might get showered, clean the kitchen, juice vegetables, go for a walk, or check my e-mail while I wait to have breakfast.

     Breakfast includes fresh pressed juice. I juice once every three days and put it up in 8 ounce glass canning jars filled to the brim in the refrigerator. For practical purposes, I don't juice every day, but if you are able to, or you are fighting active disease I would recommend juicing every day. (My family juiced every day for me in the beginning.) I always juice carrot-apple-celery; carrot-apple-dandelion; cucumber-celery; and red beet-apple. In the summer I love Kale lemonade. Adding a little apple releases more nutrients in the carrots than if you do carrot alone. The nutrients in juiced carrots are cancer fighters. Dandelion is a liver detoxifier (and my mother had a dream about it healing me). Beets are also a liver cleanser. Cucumber juice is used at the Optimum Health Institute during their detoxification week.

     The other part of breakfast includes a piece of Ezekiel 100% flourless toast (made solely from sprouts) with 2 tablespoons of flax seed oil or coconut oil on it. Note that I don't consume any product made from flour. Flour products break down into sugar too quickly and are NOT consumed on the anti-cancer diet. At that time I drink a cup of organic, water processed decaf coffee with coconut milk creamer. Yum! I take supplements with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

My Supplementation Schedule 

(B = at Breakfast, L = at Lunch, D = at Dinner) 
I put my capsules and tablets in a pill divider that is marked Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bedtime. I bought a pack of seven dividers, so I load up all of my supplements once a week and I am set to go! It makes all the difference.

1. Healthy Items' Liposomal Curcumin, anti-cancer, stops tumors from establishing blood vessels - before Breakfast on empty stomach, wait 10 mins.

2. Healthy Items' Can-Help, anti-cancer, if you aren't on IV Vitamin C infusions this is the next-best treatment, before Breakfast on an empty stomach, wait 10 mins. to eat

3. Broken Cell Wall Chlorella for increasing the function of your immune system, 2 gm. divided B-L-D

4. Multi-Enzyme High Potency digestive enzymes Dr. Murray, 1 at B-L-D

5. Nature's Way DIM-plus for estrogen metabolism, important for estrogen positive tumors, 1 at L

6. Jarrow MK-7 from Natto, bone/cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation and increases cancer cell death, 1 at L

7. Integrative Lipotropic Complex supports liver  function, supports proper estrogen metaboliztion, 2 at B, 3 at D

8. Natural Factors Biosil for skin, hair, nails, bones, made of Silica that strengthens the immune system and detoxifies the liver, 6 drops at B

9. Carlson's 2000IU Liquid D3 for immune system, 2 drops at B

10. Liquid Iodine Plus, anti-cancer, 3 drops at B, 3X per week

11. Nature's Life Organic Beef Liver tablets supports muscles, 1 at B-L-D

12. New Chapter Bone Strength whole food calcium, 2 at B-L-D (1440 mg. calcium which is twice the dose on the bottle) for bones and anti-cancer

13. Whole Food multi-vitamin/mineral, I try different brands as directed B-L-D

14. Jarrow Silymarin Milk Thistle anti-inflammatory 1 at D

15. Ayurceutics Boswellia anti-inflammatory 1 at L 

16. Barlean's High Lignan Flax Seed Oil, 1 TBSP at B

17. Carlson's Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, 1 TBSP at L

18. G.T.'s Kombucha, one bottle a day, 5 X per week, anti-cancer digestive supplement, immune system, fermented raw drink

19. Sometimes - Garden of Life Primal Defense Probiotic (multiple strains and refrigerated is a must)
20. GermanZyme pancreatic enzymes, they dissolve the protein coating around cancer cells, allowing the immune system to destroy them, 2 at B-L-D
21. Chinese Mushroom formula used in Chinese Medicine from acupuncturist, enhances immune system, 2-3 B-L-D

Anti-Cancer Hormones

1.  Melatonin 25 mg. at bedtime, anti-cancer and sleep-aid. Melatonin has been proven in scientific studies to cause cancer cell death in leiomyosarcoma in particular!!

2.  Bioidentical Estriol from naturopath, hormone replacement cream  2X per week, pea-sized amount applied vaginally 

3. Sometimes - Bioidentical Progesterone capsules from naturopath for hormone balance

4. Sometimes - DHEA oral spray from naturopath for hormone balance

Note:Only use bioidentical hormones when you have had cancer, and work with a Naturopath that specializes in hormones. Replacing hormones can give you energy and a sense of well being, making you feel younger. 

For the first 2 1/2 years I was a raw Vegan, following the Hallelujah Acres Diet. But in the past year I have had to add a small amount of organic, free-range animal protein back into my diet to build up my muscle tissue. Nuts and lentils just weren't doing it for me! Once a week I eat a couple of organic, cage-free, free-range eggs for breakfast. Locally grown is best. Once every week or two I will enjoy Wild-Caught Salmon. I never eat dairy because the protein found in dairy, known as casein, was used in numerous laboratory studies to turn on and off cancerous tumors on in mice (The China Study). I don't eat chicken, pork or beef. I don't eat products made from flour; instead I eat organic, sprouted, flourless products from Ezekiel or Oasis bakeries, but no more than one slice per day. Corn and soy are notorious genetically modified foods - I never eat them unless they say organic and non-GMO. I also avoid sweets with the exception of organic, dark chocolate. For the most part, you are better off to eat a piece of fruit as your "treat." I don't use Agave - from my research it is no better than high fructose corn syrup. When my sweet tooth calls, I look for the lowest grams of sugar in organic dark chocolate. :)

 

Mid-Morning

The middle of the morning is a very productive time for me. My original tendency was to work hard at this time. But I have changed that! Now I use that time to make sure I get done the things I need to do for myself first. So I may juice, go shopping at my favorite organic store, prepare my salads, read a healing book, exercise or get out in the sunlight at this time. I never tire myself out! A wise holistic MD once told me that you should SAVE YOUR ENERGY FOR HEALING. If you are in the early stages of recovery, sit outdoors and read a book. Relax! Allow your body to use the energy it has to heal you. Don't use up all of your energy doing things until you feel tired. Now I get a lot done each day without getting tired. But I make sure to only do one or two big things a day and always STOP before I feel worn out. I always take along my green drink or drink it right before I go.

 

Lunch Time

For Lunch I sit down and have a big, organic salad with spinach, arugala, 2 kinds of sprouts (pea sprouts or sunflower sprouts and broccoli sprouts), raw broccoli, tomatoes, red onions, strawberries or blueberries (in season), cucumber, red bell pepper, and purple cabbage. That is my standard salad. I make other salads with fewer ingredients, but my standard salad ensures that I have dark greens, calciferous veggies and sprouts that I must consume daily. I enjoy an ak-mak organic cracker with soup or salad. I love to drink a Kombucha with my lunch and perhaps another juice at this time. In the colder months, I make soup from a base of organic broth with carrots, leeks,tomatoes, zucchini, yellow onions, red lentils, split peas, garlic and seasonings. I also enjoy  tomato-basil soup, vegetable soup, broccoli soup, carrot-ginger soup all made from scratch with organic ingredients.
 

Snacks

Organic Apple Slices with Raw Almond Butter
Organic Celery and Organic Peanut Butter
Half Banana with Organic Peanut Butter
Green Smoothie (Barley Max Berry, 1/3 Frozen Banana, Small Bunch Kale, Ice and Water, Blended in Vitamix Blender)
Humus  *   Kale Chips  *  Fruit  *  Raw Organic Nuts *  Berries
 

Afternoons

After taking care of my own needs in the morning, I work from home professionally, but no more than 10 hours per week. I also do paperwork, errands, and cooking for my family in the afternoon. If I ever feel like my energy is running low, I will relax and watch movies, or even take a nap after a meditation. Another juice, Kombucha, or green drink should be consumed every two or three hours.

 

Dinner and Evening Time

Dinner consists of another serving of salad with a small portion of something cooked. It might be a steamed vegetable, an occasional sweet potato, or a small portion of a vegetarian dish. Another favorite is Raw Nut Burgers made from organic, raw, ground walnuts, almonds and sesame seeds mixed with minced red bell peppers, garlic, onions, Nama Shoyu and cayenne pepper.

The evening is spent helping my son with homework and catching up on shows I like to watch. I try to drink one more green drink in the evening.

Bedtime

When I have time, I love to go to my sanctuary and do a short meditation before going to bed. It is sooo relaxing and gets my body ready for the most healing time of day - when I am asleep. I sleep for 10 hours a night. Sleep is vital if you want to heal from disease.

Descriptions of Things I  Do Daily or Weekly

1. Juicing - I juice vegetables and put up jars to drink over the next day or two. I do this every third day. I drink at least 2 glasses of fresh pressed vegetable juice and 2 Barley Max or green drinks every day. When I was first diagnosed I drank one 8 ounce glass of juice every hour of the day. It is an essential part of healing from cancer. Juice provides nutrients that go directly into the bloodstream without having to be digested.

2. Meditation and Guided Imagery - I do this every day. Sometimes I listen to Guided Imagery when I take a walk outside. Other times I sit in a special place that I have made for myself where I meditate with incense, candles and music. Another way to meditate is to read one of the healing books and allow the thoughts to bring healing to the mind. Many of the Guided Imagery CD's also include energy work. 

Click here to learn more about the Guided Imagery I use to reduce stress hormones and tap into the mind-body connection with the immune system.

Deuter - a great artist who makes music for meditation - Buddha Nature and Reiki Hands of Light are favorites
Native American Flute Music for Meditation

3. Exercise and Sunlight - I try to do some form of exercise and get out in the sunlight 3-4 times a week. Sometimes it means eating a meal outside on my deck, or going for a walk on the trail. I also enjoy Jazzercise, Zumba, and a circuit at the gym. My goal for this summer is to exercise a lot more! Exercise boosts the immune system by stimulating the lymphatic system which eliminates toxins. In order to get the lymph fluid flowing, you must MOVE your body. It doesn't have a pump like the heart does to move the blood. Aerobic activity is the best way to do this.

4. Shopping and Preparing Salads - I shop at an organic co-op that has the freshest, organic produce possible. I make one or two huge salads that will last me for  5 to 7 days. This way I just grab of big portion of my salad for lunch and dinner, without the constant preparation. 

5. Emotional Clearing and Healing - I found it imperative to go through the Cancer Self-Healing Guide. It took me many months to journal through all of the questions, but it allowed me to clear myself of all old wounds which some cancer experts believe can cause a recurrence of the disease. Now I do a daily clearing, asking the Heavens to clear me of anything that binds me emotionally. I pay close attention to my heart and my gut, so I don't allow anger or resentment to take root in my pain body.

6. Acupuncture - At least once a week I go for acupuncture. I found a practitioner that creates a great space with music and candles. She teaches me about energy work and energy healing as well as doing my acupuncture sessions. Acupuncture is an absolute MUST for my well-being, healing, and physical comfort. 

 

7. Non-Toxic Environment and Non-Toxic Beauty - In the beginning I worked with a naturopath who used lab tests and homeopathic remedies to help detoxify my system. Now I use all non-toxic products to clean my home. Everything that touches my body, face, and scalp are always non-toxic, free of parabens, SLS and unwanted chemicals. (I'll do a page on beauty in upcoming months)

 

Here is a sample of my most recent grocery receipt to give you an idea of what I buy:

Everything I Buy is Organic! 

Salsa

Low Sodium Broth

Salad Dressings - lots of variety 

Raw Almond Butter

Unprocessed Coconut Oil

Red and Yellow Onions

Cherry Tomatoes

Strawberries
Blueberries

Red Lettuce X2

Romaine Lettuce X2

Baby Spinach - huge box
Arugala

Pea Greens
Sunflower Greens

Broccoli Sprouts

Cucumbers

Large Slicing Tomatoes
Kale

Broccoli Crowns

Leeks

Zucchini Squash

Dry Red Lentils

Dry Split Peas

Ezekiel Spouted Flourless Bread

Carrots

Dandelion Greens

Loose Red Beets

Pink Lady Apples

Mineolas or Oranges

A little stone fruit in the summer like Peaches, Plums & Nectarines

Lemons and Limes

Ginger Root

Raw Almonds

Raw Walnuts

Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar 

Ak-Mak Crackers

Kombucha

Dark Chocolate Bar, 70% or higher

Age 64 in 2020, Grateful and Positive about Life! 

Now that I am 12 years post diagnosis, I include organic, pastured beef and chicken and eggs in my program. I was vegan for four years at the beginning of my recovery but found that my muscles were wasting away. I need a lot of protein as I am older to maintain a good muscle mass. Organic, pastured meats and eggs provide important sources of nutrients and do not create the need for insulin like grains, sugars and starchy carbohydrates, which are at the heart of foods that create disease. I believe organic meats and eggs are much healthier than protein powders. I continue to consume raw juices, salads, lots of low glycemic vegetables, etc. but just added in better protein sources for my body.