Live & Eat Simply To Avoid Cancer August 22, 2008
Posted by Health Mama in : Cancer , add a comment
On 19th of August, my beloved uncle left us. My aunt told me that my uncle passed on at 1.10 am.
My uncle is now with God. May he rest in peace and may God take care of him.
I am sad with the departure of my uncle. But I am also relieved that he doesn’t have to be in pains anymore. Do you know the pains that the cancer patients have to endure? You and I don’t know how painful it is.
Having seen how awful and powerful cancer can be, hubby and I have decided to live simply from now on. Simple life and meals. Try to avoid oily food, fried food and processed food.
I am now collecting some recipes on how to cook meals without putting oil or meat.
A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Fight With Cancer Increases A Stomach Cancer Patient’s Confidence July 8, 2008
Posted by Health Mama in : Cancer , 1 comment so farMy uncle who was recently diagnosed with fourth-stage stomach cancer is fighting for his life now. He hasn’t started his chemotherapy yet because his immune system is not strong enough.
I managed to dig out a breast cancer survivor’s story and showed it to my uncle. He was so moved after reading Esther Khaw’s successful fight with cancer, marriage and money woes that he would do his best to fight too. Esther Khaw could win over cancer, so could he.
I told my uncle that I would buy him a cool Indiana Jones hat once his hair starts to fall off.
Cancer Survivors Sew Handmade Breast Prostheses For Other Survivors October 8, 2007
Posted by Health Mama in : Cancer, News / Education , add a comment
When I read that this group of cancer survivors get together every Tuesday to sew handmade breast prostheses for other survivors , I felt touched. They are called Thimble Thumb Team, and they love to sew. Almost all of them are breast cancer survivors (with the exception of one).
They are volunteers at the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) who get together every week to sew handmade breast prostheses for women who have survived breast cancer. According to the team leader, Tammy Tam, the demand for prostheses is growing. This is alarming as it means that there are more breast cancer patients now.
The normal prosthesis cost RM25 a piece, and can last about a year with proper care. They are washable by hand or by machine, and even come in several different sizes, ranging from size 30-40.
If the survivors can’t afford the prosthesis, even at RM25, they can give whatever they can afford. Let’s support the Thimble Thumb Team and the Breast Cancer Welfare Associations by spreading the word around.
To find out more about the Thimble Thumb Team and the Breast Cancer Welfare Association’s activities, please contact the BCWA at 03-79540133, or e-mail inquiries to bcwa@tm.net.my.
Eat A Rainbow Of Fruits & Vegetables? August 14, 2007
Posted by Health Mama in : Cancer, Health Tips / Matters , add a comment
My job this week is to really push my antioxidant intake with fresh berries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, carrots, avocado, onions, grapes and citrus fruits. Well, getting these fruits and vegetables is easy as I live in Cameron Highlands which is leading producer of vegetables.
I read that eating something green, yellow, orange, red and blue every day can help fight off cancer.This is because of the antioxidants in fruits and vegetables which fight cancer-causing free radicals.
Top 6 Food & Herbs To Protect Against Cancer August 9, 2007
Posted by Health Mama in : Cancer, Health Food & Products, Health Tips / Matters , add a comment
Food and herbs can be strong and effective medicine, a fact that the medical establishment is finally acknowledging. Recent findings in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association say that food and various herbs have the ability to protect against diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.
Women face unique health problems, right from our childhood to puberty years to menopausal age, so we need special care to guard our reproductive system free from serious illnesses and diseases. Changing our eating habits can actually reduce our risk of developing cancer by more than one third. Many experts believe this is a conservative estimate and the number may be nearer to 50% !
The following is a list of food and herbs to fight against cancer.
1. Barberry. This herb has a deep tradition for fighting cancer. Barberry is one of the ingredients found in the highly popular and well-known Hoxsey Cancer Formula. The anti-cancer property of this herb could be due to its ability to stimulate the body’s natural defense system.
Please note that this is Barberry, not Bayberry. Many people have mistaken Bayberry for Barberry.
In traditional medicine, Bayberry is used for colds, flu, diarrhea, fever, bleeding gums, and sore throat. Since Bayberry effectively fights bacteria, it is also used as a mouthwash or gargle that prevents bad breath.
2. Cat’s Claw. Studies to date have validated its traditional uses in the treatment of infections, inflammation and certain types of cancer.
3. Ginseng. The name “Ginseng” refers not to one but four herbs ! Korean (Panax Ginseng), American (Panax quinquefolius), Siberian and Indian Ginseng. Ginseng features prominently as a healing herb valuable for many health conditions, including serious ones such as cancer and diabetes.
4. Green Tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidant compounds that help keep our heart healthy. A recent study also noted that green tea may protect against cancer.
5. Tofu. Tofu is high in protein, cholesterol-free and low in calories. Like other soya bean products, tofu is rich in isoflavones. Studies show that women who take tofu regularly have lower rates of breast cancer than those who don’t.
6. Celery. Though its potential for reducing high blood pressure has long been recognized by Chinese medicine practitioners, the anti-oxidant properties of vitamin C in celery are said to protect against many types of cancer.
My Fight With Cancer, Marriage And Money Woes May 11, 2007
Posted by Health Mama in : Cancer, Love & Marriage , 6commentsI felt the urge to share with you Esther’s true life story that I read this afternoon. I broke down halfway reading through the article. This is a real life story.
It’s hard to believe that this radiant-looking woman suffers from fourth-stage breast cancer and in April 2005 was given only six months to live.
But at the time of our interview Esther Khaw, 44, a mother of two, is still savoring life. She says,” I have learnt to cherish my life. Don’t take your time and people for granted, that’s my humble advice.This illness and other crises in my life have made me a stronger person.”
Money and Marriage Woes
Esther’s problems began in 1995 when she set up a garment shop with a friend. Although she was doing well as an insurance agent, she had to borrow large sums of money for the business. But it didn’t take off, and she found herself owing money to several banks.
At the same time, her 10-year-marriage, which she describes as loving until the, began to turn sour and by the end of 2001, the couple separated. Esther fell into depression.She found herself at a loss with her kids, then five and nine years old. Fortunately, her husband continued to visit the children regularly and a capable maid helped to take care of the boys.
For 18 months, Esther often thought of suicide, but then she picked herself up.”I realized I had to continue to live for myself and my children.” With emotional, financial and spiritual support from friends, her life started changing for the better. She wound up her garment business and returned to what she knew best - selling insurance.”Getting out of depression was the turning point in my life,” she says.
Wanting to help those in the same situation as herself, she began reaching out to single parents and women with failed marriages, offering financial advice. At the same time,to enrich herself spiritually, she enrolled into bible school. Life had new meaning and she felt ready to face whatever challenges would arise.
Cancer and Then Hope
In March 2005, plagued by a persistent cough, rashes, joint aches and lethargy, Esther went for a medical checkup. Results showed she had fourth-stage breast cancer and that it had spread to her liver and bones.”I felt I’d been given a death sentence,”she says.
She refused treatment until one day, while changing, she felt a piece of flesh from her left breast fall off -it was her nipple. It had rotten away and there was a cavity in her left breast, exposing breast tissue. This time she agreed to chemotherapy. Thankfully, her body responded well to it. After the first round, the tumor began to shrink. After three rounds, the cancer cells in her liver and bones shrank to almost undetectable levels. By October 2005,her left nipple had grown back.”I think it’s a miracle,” she says.
Esther completed her sixth and final round of chemo in November and while she’s not out of danger yet,she’s also determined to savor every moment she has. She’s thankful for her faith, good friends and new people she’s met, like the medical social worker who encouraged her from the time she was diagnosed.”They showed me that life is worth living.”
Today, despite the possibility of a relapse, Esther looks nothing at all like a sick people. Her skin is rosy, her eyes are sparkle and her loss of hair is hidden by a lovely wig. She tells us that by sharing her story with us, she hopes to inspire others that no matter how bad things are, life is worth living.
“I almost gave up on myself and my life a long time ago,but I have my faith now and I believe things will get better. Life’s lessons are better learnt through coming out of dealing with sorrows in your life,” she says.
From Esther’s fight with cancer and money woes, I learnt that no matter how bad things are, life is worth living.
How do you feel after reading her story ? I would like to hear from you.
