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.

1. 

   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

2. Constipation alternating with diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, itchy anus, and severe cramping,
3. Irritating rash on my eyelids that would not heal or be relieved by ointments
4. 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.

1. Mindful breathing.
   1. 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
2. Feng Shui
   1. 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.
3. Exercise
   1. I continue to walk, bike and lift weights.
   2. I refrain from running which creates inflammation
4. Continue learning to eat cleaner.
   1. 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.
   2. Stay away from the food I am sensitive to- also very difficult especially if I eat out.
   3. 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.
5. Avoiding synthetic estrogen.
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
6. Think Positive Thoughts
   1. 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 4^th time.
7. Avoiding radiation.
   1. Radiation is the only proven environmental cause of breast cancer.
   2. I have yet to find 3D ultrasound with CAD CAM to provide evaluation of my natural breast instead of radiation filled mammogram.
   3. 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.
8. Listen to soothing music.
   1. It actually allows you to breathe away inflammation
9. Future Goals
   1. Qigong-(Chi Kung) means cultivating energy, it is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality.
   2. 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.

I just posted a yesterday on utilizing acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain.  Today the New York Times published a wonderful article, Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study, by Anahad O’Connor.

The article is evaluating information published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, financed by the National Institues of Health, on over 18,000 patients suffering from osteoarthritis, migraines and chronic pain.

Dr. Andrew Vickers, researcher at Memorial Sloa-Kettering Cancer Center in New York states “We think there’s firm evidence supporting acupuncture for the treatment of chronic pain.”

The meta-analysis included studies that compared acupuncture with usual care, like over-the-counter pain relievers and other standard medicines. It also included studies that used sham acupuncture treatments, in which needles were inserted only superficially, for example, or in which patients in control groups were treated with needles that covertly retracted into handles.

Ultimately, Dr. Vickers and his colleagues found that at the end of treatment, about half of the patients treated with true acupuncture reported improvements, compared with about 30 percent of patients who did not undergo it.

“There were 30 or 40 people from all over the world involved in this research, and as a whole the sense was that this was a clinically important effect size,” Dr. Vickers said. That is especially the case, he added, given that acupuncture “is relatively noninvasive and relatively safe.”

Vibrams.  Just Do It.

I will be the first to admit that I’m not a fashionista by any means – What Not To Wear would have a field day with me.  The most recent fashion faux pas that grabs the attention of my clients, the bagger at Krogers, and the random people in line at the post office is my footwear.  I’m one of those people sporting the latest trend in athletic equipment, Vibram Five Fingers.

Dear God Why.

When training for the Austin marathon, a few years back, I was experiencing a lot of lateral ankle pain, knee pain, and hip tightness.  My IT band was rolling over my hip and creating a really loud “POP” anytime I would stand from a seated position.  I had to tape my ankle every time I ran and was popping NSAIDs and fish oils like they were going out of style.

…and then I discovered ugly shoes.

I stumbled upon Vibrams at an REI, Inc and was instantly hooked.  Let me explain how they work, why they work, and why some people think they don’t work.

I’m hesitant to jump on the latest bandwagon in the world of diet, exercise, and gimmicks, so I did some research into the Vibrams and uncovered the world of barefoot running (which also introduced me to the Paleo movement, that is another blog, another day).  The idea behind the barefoot running ideology is that our bodies evolved to be bipedal with certain caveats to protect itself in the upright position.  Namely, the strength and alignment of our feet being the most important because this is the very start of our whole kinetic chain.

Daniel Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University said, “People have been running barefoot for millions of years and it has only been since 1972 that people have been wearing shoes with thick, synthetic heels.”.  The devil’s advocate would say, “Well, we didn’t have paved roads either”.  CUE THE VIBRAMS!  There is a movement of barefoot running that includes b a r e f o o t   r u n n i n g.  This means NO SHOES.  Do you know what dying of tetanus is like?  There is no reason, in my opinion, to go militant and run around the streets of NY asking for ringworm, diseases, and injury, just so we can move in a way that is more ancestrally fit.

I digress.

For whatever reason people seem to think that the arches in our feet are some mysterious body part to be treated completely differently from every other muscle, joint and bone.  In fact, the arches of the foot are composed of tendons and ligaments connecting the tarsal and metatarsal bones.  These soft tissues need to be strengthened, stretched, and exercised just as much as your killer hamstrings or beefy biceps.  You would never start benching 200lbs when all you’ve been doing is curls of Miller Light, but you would slowly work up to it.  Slowly increasing the strength of your feet will make your WHOLE body stronger.

My feet are strong, aren’t they?

The average person wears 3 pairs of shoes a day.  (I made that up.)  Think about it though.  We wake up, put on some house slippers and walk around like a zombie until we put on our work shoes – high heels, dress shoes. Then we run over to the gym and throw on our sneakers with arch supports because when we run our feet hurt. Then because our bodies are nice and toned we switch to our fancy shoes and go out on the town.  How in the world do we expect the muscles in our feet to ever get stronger?

An Olympic high diver jumps off a platform with substantial spring.  They aren’t on a concrete slab.  Reducing the mobility of our feet, reducing the sensation of our feet to the ground, and changing the biomechanics of our stride is the same as trying to SPRING off a concrete slab.  Think of how much more explosive power, endurance, and strength your feet and legs would have if you strengthened your feet to the same powerful output of a spring board!

I have flat feet, I have high arches, my mommy didn’t hug me as a child.

Your feet will adapt.  To anything.  In fact, our poor footsies have adapted to RUNNING SHOES.  It is not normal for our foot to strike heel first in a normal stride and this is only possible with the advent of lots of padding that we can even accomplish this.  The natural motion is altered and will then change how the lower leg handles the shock – this translates to stress fractures, shin splints, tendon/ligament.meniscus tears.   Le sigh.

Don’t believe me?  Check out this video.

Barefoot Running

I firmly believe that changing your gait will normalize a lot of structural abnormalities and muscular imbalances.  Get some.  Try them.

Words of Wisdom:

Start slow.  At first continue running in whatever shoes you’ve got, slowly acclimate yourself, introduce your feet to the world of working out by walking around the house in the vibrams, then walk the dog, then go on a slow jog.  START SLOW.

5 Reasons to Wear Vibram FiveFingers:

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

1. Strengthens Muscles in the Feet and Lower Legs—Wearing Vibram FiveFingers will stimulate and strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, improving general foot health and reducing the risk of injury.

2. Improves Range of Motion in Ankles, Feet and Toes—No longer ‘cast’ in a shoe, the foot and toes move more naturally.

3. Stimulates Neural Function Important to Balance and Agility—When wearing Vibram FiveFingers, thousands of neurological receptors in the feet send valuable information to the brain, improving balance and agility.

4. Eliminate Heel Lift to Align the Spine and Improve Posture—By lowering the heel, your bodyweight becomes evenly distributed across the footbed, promoting proper posture and spinal alignment.

5. Allow the Foot and Body to Move Naturally—Which just FEELS GOOD.

*For those interested in running in Vibram FiveFingers, please go to our Running page for further information.*

Vibram FiveFingers and Barefoot Running FAQs

www.vibramfiverfingers.com

If my Vibram FiveFingers® hurt while running, should I continue using them?

Minor initial discomfort is not unusual for some individuals, depending on your foot type and running style, but you should not continue if pain persists. Transitioning slowly to build proper strength is imperative when beginning to run in Vibram FiveFingers.

I have always used motion control shoes. Should I drop down into a mid-range shoe before entering into a pair of Vibram FiveFingers®?

While some customers have transitioned successfully using this method, we’ve found that it is not the most effective way to make a transition. More minimal sneakers tend to continue enabling a heel-strike running form, whereas running in Vibram FiveFingers means learning to run on the forefoot. We recommend running first completely barefoot on a hard flat surface. This serves a dual purpose. One, it naturally forces you to run with a very light forefoot strike. Two, it allows your skin to function as a failsafe, so that you don’t push yourself too hard too soon. As you develop a solid forefoot running form you can begin transitioning to Vibram FiveFingers. Slowly building your mileage is critical as your body needs time to build the necessary lower leg strength for forefoot running.

Vibram FiveFingers® do not have a cushioned heel pad. What will that mean to my biomechanics?

In your typical running shoe, the heel is higher than the forefoot. In FiveFingers both the heel and forefoot lie on the same plane, so there is no cushioned heel. If you are a traditional heavy heel-strike runner or walker, you might have a biomechanical change to make, but this change is likely a good one. Humans are not meant to heel strike heavily, particularly when running. Try running without shoes on; you will see what we mean. Running barefoot with a strong heel strike will send you to the sofa to let your bone contusion or fracture heal. One of the goals of Vibram FiveFingers footwear is to encourage forefoot striking, meaning your forefoot will contact the ground first then engage muscles in your feet and lower legs as your heel touches down. This style of running may be safer and lead to fewer injuries, in addition to being biomechanically more sound from an energy and force distribution standpoint. Basically, it is a smarter way to ambulate.

Can I still run in my regular running shoes and use my Vibram FiveFingers® for training?

Yes. Training in Vibram FiveFingers will enhance your proprioception and foot strength and help you run better, especially if you utilize the technique adaptations you learned while using Vibram FiveFingers. That said, if you do continue to use running shoes in rotation with your Vibram FiveFingers, we recommend you seek out flat, thin-sole running shoes that allow you to maintain the good technique you will have learned using Vibram FiveFingers. Many have used Vibram FiveFingers® as a training tool at first, but often make the full switch as their form improves and feet strengthen.

How long until I see results in my training?

A change in your running style (to a more natural forefoot strike) should occur almost immediately, with lasting adaptations within a few weeks. As your form and foot strength improve you will become more adept at forefoot running and therefore be able to increase your speed and mileage. Maintaining a patient outlook is critical in transitioning to Vibram FiveFingers. Remember, you are learning to use a new athletic skill. Many runners will feel driven to regain the mileage they were used to doing in sneakers in a short period of time. Doing so can lead to overuse injuries, because muscles and tendons need sufficient time to build the strength required for running with a forefoot strike. Sticking to a slow, but steady transition will build a strength base for longterm success.

Some transitioning tips:

• Tips on correct forefoot running form can be found here
• Run no more than 10% of your typical running distance for the first 2–3 weeks
• After 2–3 weeks, gradually increase mileage by 10%–20% every couple of weeks
• If you ever start to feel pain during a run, stop! You can always try again in a couple of days
• Never run 2 days in a row for the first month
• Stretch before and after each run, focusing on calves and feet, because Vibram FiveFingers running will stimulate these muscles
• If, after several weeks of training, you are consistently very sore, you need to rest and back-off on your mileage