I have a patient that I see every week or so as we work together to bring her body back to balance. She has had a long road recovering from breast cancer and has been a wonderful patient. She is empowered in her health and committed to recovering.
And funny.
C.B., for anonymity, is one of those patients that physicians love to see on the schedule – well, I do anyway. She is informed, passionate, and driven. I asked her to write a piece about her experience with breast cancer because her perspective in complete wellness and care is amazing. This is her journey.
The Diagnosis
I got the call from my doctor’s office telling me I had breast cancer on a warm day in December. When I saw that the call was from the breast specialist’s office I excused myself from a class full of adults that I was teaching and stepped outside. The woman on the other end of the phone said, “Has anyone told you about the result of the biopsy?” I said simply, “no”. “Oh”, she said, “you have cancer: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS). Call later to make an appointment with the doctor about your options.”
I became acutely aware of the warmth of the sun on my skin and the gentle movement of my hair in the soft breeze. I was imagining my left breast being removed by a knife: the cutting, the loss of my areola/nipple, the changing of my body from whole to ….. less than whole. I was calm and quiet. I texted close friends the news and then finished out my teaching day. That night I called my best friend who had received the same diagnosis four months earlier. I walked with her through all of the decisions she had to make. She decided on mastectomy with reconstruction and then tamoxifen every day for five years. I knew what I was going to do the moment I was told. I would also have a mastectomy and reconstruction and then tamoxifen every day for five years.
It was difficult to imagine why I would have cancer. I considered myself very healthy:
Weight: 105 lbs
Height: 5’ 2”
Exercise: running, biking, kayaking, weight lifting, walking
Food: green smoothies daily, red wine on occasion, organic vegetables and fruit, meat/fish 2 times a week
Surgeries and treatment
- The first surgery was to remove my breast and then another doctor stepped in to do the reconstruction: insertion of an expander. Once the incision healed the expander would have a needle inserted to fill the expander with 60 cc’s of fluid each visit to stretch the skin. This would allow the use of a silicone implant once the mound was big enough.
- The second surgery was for incision revision because the original incision kept opening and not healing well.
- The third surgery was for expander removal and implant inserted. At the same time I also had my natural breast enhanced to match the shape of the breast reconstruction.
- I began to take tamoxifen 6 months after the initial surgery. I was only able to tolerate it for 11 days because it created a very toxic reaction in my body.
Looking for Answers
I began to explore reasons why I would get cancer. After reading many books and online resources I found that inflammation could cause many ailments including cancer. I had many signs of inflammation besides getting cancer.
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Geographic Tongue Geographic tongue: my tongue had a thick white coating and at times I had “hot spots”, round and tender areas that would come and go. I also had wavy ridges on the side of my tongue
- Constipation alternating with diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, itchy anus, and severe cramping,
- Irritating rash on my eyelids that would not heal or be relieved by ointments
- Hair loss: 3 inch patch above both ears and peak of hairline
Beginning of healing
A friend recommended I see Sheila Dean, a local Dietician, who did blood testing for food sensitivities. Since my gut was such a mess I thought that would be a good start.
She ordered blood and stool analysis. It was very expensive but I felt that I needed some answers.
Results:
Food sensitivity tests (Mediator Release Test) showed that I was highly sensitive to cow’s milk, cinnamon, soy, almonds, wheat, caffeine, sulfites, MSG and 20 other fruits and vegetables. Once I removed these items from my diet my gut calmed down dramatically.
Stool analysis: highly sensitive to gluten, not digesting food (lacking enzymes), parasite (Blastocystis Hominis). I took medication to kill the parasite and eliminated gluten from my diet.
I still had a ridged, while filmy tongue, rash on my eyelids and now a new symptom arrived: Lichen Planus. Just after my last surgery I found a white growth on my tongue. After seeing a dentist then on to an ear nose and throat specialist and finally a biopsy by an oral surgeon I found out I now had the autoimmune condition.
Chinese medicine
I knew I needed help. I read somewhere that Chinese medicine helped heal gut issues. Our intestines provide 80 percent of our immunity. Even though the severe symptoms of diarrhea and bloating were resolved my tongue revealed there were still problems. I was disenchanted with western medicine and was ready to explore alternatives. I looked online to find the best doctor that was prepared to help me with my specific issues. After an online search I narrowed it down to Dr. Holly Johantgen. I talked with Elise and shared a bit of my background. She encouraged me to drop off recent blood and stool test results and any other information I was willing to provide. I gave her an inch worth of paper work. Holly took the time to talk with me for thirty minutes by phone about all of my questions and concerns. I was convinced she was the one. I started treatment in January of 2013.
Holly suggested I retake the stool test (it had been 6 months since I had last taken it). It revealed the parasite was gone. But, now I had a 2+ YEAST issue and the gluten sensitivity was as severe as someone with crohns disease. The tests also showed a congested liver and spleen.
Even More inflammation!
Another issue began to show up: I was having a problem keeping liquid down. It would seep back into my mouth. An endoscopic test revealed I had inflammation in my esophagus, antrum of the stomach, and proximal duodenum. They called it early Barritt’s syndrome, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.
The Treatment Plan
Chinese herbs for
- Congested liver and spleen
- Yeast fighter
- Digestive enzymes
- Inflammation reducer
Diet:
- no sugar (whew! This was hard to do!!); organic, clean whole vegetables; chlorophyll, aloe,
Acupuncture
- With each visit I have the opportunity to lay quietly with the needles inserted
In August 2013 I met Dr. Carrie Graves during the transition time when Holly was preparing for her move to Maine. She has continued with the original treatment plan and has added some of her own techniques. 
- I have enjoyed acupuncture. Once the needles are placed and I am left alone to “soak” I breathe deeply to relax and eventually either fall asleep or drift into a dreamy state, which I enjoy. There have been benefits I did not expect. There was a very stiff area in my neck for years. Carrie placed some needles in the area and now that stiffness is gone.
- Cupping. Both Holly and Carrie have used cupping, which has created powerful emotional release every time. It helps clear out strong negative emotions.
- Tinctures. Because my esophagus has not allowed food and water to pass easily to the stomach, tinctures (liquid herbal formulas or supplements) are much easier to get down than pills. I have become accustomed to the taste and really enjoy them.
On My Own
I have felt a need to continue doing as much as I can on my own to help relieve the inflammation. By reading books and researching online I have found many ways to decrease inflammation and help prevent cancer from forming again.
- Mindful breathing.
Holly shared a book with me called ANGER by Thich Nhat Hanh. It teaches how to handle intense emotions including anger. The method he used is mindful breathing. Reading this book and practicing mindful breathing has been life changing in a positive way. My goal is reduce the stress I feel thereby reducing inflammation
- Feng Shui
- I had read that the energy around you could impact your own healing. Holly recommended a Feng Shui specialist. Diane Gallin came into my home and made many positive suggestions, which I have followed.
- Exercise
- I continue to walk, bike and lift weights.
- I refrain from running which creates inflammation
- Continue learning to eat cleaner.
- Not eating sugar is very challenging. Yeast is fed by sugar and after 3-4 days without sugar my body craves it. I have broken down and eaten sugar like a mad women- rooting and frantically eating it. I know NOT eating it is what I need to do. It is a HUGE challenge.
- Stay away from the food I am sensitive to- also very difficult especially if I eat out.
- Dr Essylton’s research on diet describes a vegan diet of vegetable, fruit and grains can reverse cancer and coronary artery disease. I continue to improve my diet. I watched his interview on Netflix Forks over Knives recently which reignited my passion for eating cleaner.
- Avoiding synthetic estrogen.
- The cancer I had was fed by estrogen. After reading the book Breasts: a Natural and Unnatural History by Florence Williams, I found out that I was fueling my cancer by using bottled water. The plastic that holds water is made from synthetic estrogen. Also, the tubing that brings water from your house, into the refrigerator and into your ice cube maker and water dispenser is made with synthetic estrogen.
- I now have a Berkley Water Filter which is made of stainless steel to provide clean, uncontaminated water; carry water in a stainless steel water bottle and BPA free Tervis tumblers, use BPA free ice cube trays and keep the cubes in a glass container in the freezer.
- Certain Spanish Red wines can help remove estrogen from the body. But most red wines lead to production of estrogen. I have reduced the intake to wine although when I am with good friends I will drink USDA organic red wine.
- Think Positive Thoughts
- You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay is filled with positive affirmations and “homework” to reprogram the negative thinking. I have had so many negative thoughts that I know I need to continue reading her book, writing out the affirmations and create new positive neural pathways to my thinking. Currently, I am back in the book again… for the 4th time.
- Avoiding radiation.
- Radiation is the only proven environmental cause of breast cancer.
- I have yet to find 3D ultrasound with CAD CAM to provide evaluation of my natural breast instead of radiation filled mammogram.
- I chose not to have a lumpectomy with radiation because the cancer was on the left breast. I am a cardiac sonographer. I have seen hearts that have been damaged by radiation. It changes the character of the cardiac muscle cells and within 10 years it can cause heart disease.
- Listen to soothing music.
- It actually allows you to breathe away inflammation
- Future Goals
- Qigong-(Chi Kung) means cultivating energy, it is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality.
- Yoga-It will be great to get back into all the stretching, strengthening and opening up blocked Qi pathways.
The more I read about the causes of breast cancer the more I realize it is a life long journey of numerous environmental factors and a few genetic factors that contribute to the making of cancer. My goal, with Dr. Carrie, is to remove inflammation that I can control in my life. I cannot change the density of my breasts or stop aging but I can address environmental factors like the food I eat and the water I drink and the preventative treatment I pursue. I believe I am in the right place at the right time.
If you have questions or comments and would like to contact the author, C.B., please email the clinic with your contact information and you will be put in touch with her.
