Eating a cancer free diet . . . Jeanna what are you doing?

This morning I went out to breakfast with my girlfriend, Tami, and she treated me to a "Goddess of Green" juice at Mothers Market.  We did some shopping where I had the chance to find some more options to eat.  I have been eating a very limited diet - a detox diet.  After surgery, I went on "the maintenance lifestyle diet" and that is where I intend to stay to that I will not become a "happy" environment for cancer to grow.  I learned all of this at the Optimum Health Institute and through much research.  I believe that God is glorified and will continued to be glorified as I eat the wonderful food that He gave us to eat in the first place.

Many of you have asked what and how I am eating.  So in this blog, I will briefly describe my eating habits for those of you that are health challenged, for those of you who want to be more healthy and for those of you who are curious.  I know that it will seem extreme for those of you who are not health challenged.  But when you here the "C" word, you just might do it.  Especially if you have four sweet kids loving on you that you want to see grow up!

Basically I am eating a RAW diet with proper food combining with proper transit time for digestion.  There is a focus on my body being the temple of the Lord where I am balance in all areas.

Detox diet

When I learned I had cancer, this was my protocol right away.

1. 2 oz. of whetgrass twice daily.

2.  I drank water based on my weight (ex. 140 pounds divided in half = 70 ounces of water a day)  We have Mountain Valley Spring Water delivered to our house.

3.  I ate a diet of only organic sprout, fresh vegetable, fruits, buckwheat, sunflower greens, sauerkraut (raw), seed sauces, sprouted grains, sprouted seeds and foods dehydrated at 105 degrees. (I ate no fruit or starchy veggies - i.e. carrots, beets, jicama, etc.)

4.  I went on a liquid diet one day a week. (Juicing once per week keeps toxins from building up)

5. TMI for some of you - I did enemas and colonics daily to flush out toxins.

They say it takes three months to detox complete.  Detox is complete when you have no body odor, no coating on the tongue, a feeling of well-being, mental clarity, increased energy, consistent elimination of the last meal that was eaten (at least 2 times a day) and all conditions are clear (if there was a health challenge).

Supplements

I incorporated into my diet a variety of supplements to aid against cancer.  They included:  Vitamin C (Lemon extract capful in water), Vitamin D, a probiotic (Tru Flora), Vitamin B and Bee pollen, Jason Winters Tea, Hemp Oil  and Ezzeac Plus and Cats Claw.

Maintenance Diet

Now, I have added in some fruit, some grains, beans, and a few items that are cooked.  I eat at least 80% raw and 20% cooked per day.  I only have 2 oz. of wheatgrass a day.  Colonics or enemas rarely.

The 5 Rules of Food Combining:

1.  Liquids Alone (juice, water, etc.) takes 0 - 30 minutes to digest

2.  Melons Alone (takes 1 hour to digest)

3.  Fruits Alone (takes 1 hour to digest)

4.  Do not combine acid fruits and sweet fruits

5.  The most important one:  Do not combine dense proteins (nuts, avocados, seeds, for some of you, meat, dairy, etc) with dense starches (corn artichokes, squash, potatoes, grains, beans - also pasta, rice, bread, etc)  At OHI, we learned to say "Starch and Protein - NO, NO, NO"

Here are all the things I avoid:

No Sugar (sweetners, etc.)

No microwaved foods and water

No Pasteurized juices

No carbonated drinks

No meat, fish, chicken or dairy

No Mayo products, flour products, white foods or soy

No peanuts (they have terrible mold that is linked to cancer)

No caffeine

No pepper

I do allow myself oil, vinegar and salt which are on the list to avoid but in small quantities and I think it is okay.

My typical day looks like this:

Breakfast:  Vegetable juice that we make at home

About 1/2 later, I have 2 oz. of wheatgrass that we juice at home too (wait 1 hour for digestion)

Lunch:  Salad with homemade dressing - lots of sprouts, kelp flakes, etc. (wait 2 hours for digestion and then drink water)

Snack:  Rice cakes with seaweed

Dinner:  Lentil salad with avocado  and nuts (wait 2 hours for digestion and then dates for desert)

I know it seems crazy, but God has honored my new lifestyle change.  I wish that all of the food we eat in America was not so filled with toxins.  If I could go back to the days of old, I probably could eat meat, grains, etc. off the land, but unfortunately times are different and for me and my cancer, this is what God used.

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God"  2 Cor. 7:1

Here are a couple tips I recently read on a friends facebook page as she was giving awareness for Breast Cancer.  These are the food related tips.  Thought you would like them:

Tip #1: Avoid ALL types of Sugar.  Try to eliminate Sugar or artificial sweeteners, MSG, or any kind of excitotoxic chemicals and glutamates. These have been found to be enormously powerful stimulants for cancer growth and invasion. It is vitally important for cancer patients to limit sugar intake, as cancer cells create energy to grow and spread by fermenting sugar. 


Tip #2 Eat Organic.  It is significantly hight in its content of vitamins and minerals.  It does not contain the meriad of toxins from pesticide.  In an analysis done over two years by John Robbins (The Food Revolution), the mineral content of organic vs. conventional.  Here are the stats:  63% hight in calcium, 60% higher in Zinc, 73% higher in Iodine, 59% higher in Iron, 138% higher in Magnesium, 125% higher in potassium, 390% higher in selenium, and 78% gigher in chromium.

Tip #3: Neutralize and eliminate toxins in the body.   The key organs to do that are the liver, kidneys, and the lymphatic systems. For a simple detox for the liver, take a fresh lemon every morning, cut it in half, squeeze the juice out of both halves, and pour it into six to eight ounces of water.  For an intense detox, enroll at the Optimum Health Institute in San Diego for a week.  

Tip #4: Incorporate Turmeric (the spice) into your diet.  It is one of the most powerful cancer inhibitors. Try cooking with it or you can take it in a form of a supplement.

Tip #5: Natural folic acid (found in leafy green vegetables, broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, cauliflower) boosts the body's natural defenses against cancer.

Tip #6: Pay attention to how many carbohydrates you consume at one time, as eating too many will increase your blood glucose level. Sugar fuels cancer and precancerous cells and produces excess insulin, which acts as a second stimulating factor for cell growth, cell division, and ultimately multiplication of these "bad" cells. Most carbohydrates contain Omega 6. Cut back on omega-6 fats and increase omega-3 fat intake to reduce inflammation.


Tip #7: Aspartame, also known as Nutrasweet, is an artificial sweetener used in more than 6,000 products. Experiments conducted on rats have already shown that it is capable of inducing cancer in multiple body regions, and its carcinogenic effects are increased when exposure begins in the womb. Aspartame is metabolized inside your body into wood alcohol, methanol, which is a poison, and formaldehyde, which is used to embalm tissue. Since it is not eliminated from your body through the normal waste filtering done by your liver and kidneys it can increase your risk of cancer.


Tip #8: If you eat meat, avoid: meats grilled or broiled at high temperatures. It is the manner in which the meat is prepared that determines whether it is carcinogenic. When broiled or grilled at high temperatures, meat forms many potent carcinogens, including toxic lipid peroxides and heterocyclic amines (HCAs). These compounds are extremely harmful to breast tissue. Research has shown that women who ate a lot of grilled, barbecued, and smoked meats and very few fruits and vegetables had a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who didn't eat a lot of grilled meats.

Steps you can take:
- Choose lean cuts of meat and trim the fat to avoid PAHs.
- Grill at lower temperatures.
- Consider precooking (roasting or baking) meat before grilling to cook off fat.
- Don't use recipes for "blackened" foods.
- Trim off any charred or burned parts of food.
- Avoid overcooking (and undercooking) by using a meat thermometer to cook meat to the correct temperature indicated on the thermometer.
- Marinade meats in herb mixtures to reduce HCAs. Research shows the herbs in marinades reduce HCAs.
- Not cooking food directly over the flame, because fat or marinade dripping on briquettes or gas flames can create flare-ups that contribute to HCAs and form other potential carcinogens.

A Harvest of Blessings

I am grateful today for so many things . . .

. . . for a day where I feel kind of "normal" after having a bad five day stretch.  Feels amazing to be out and not laying down every minute.

 . . . for a uterine sonogram that shows I shrunk my benign tumor by .5 cm.  Still have to have it removed as it causes many problems, but fun to know tumors are shrinking.

. . .  for another cancer free scan from Claudia, my holistic scientist and an amazing boost of energy after treatment.

 . . . for my dad going home today from the hospital.  Wow!  He has 15 lives . . . Seriously though, he has such a survivor, fighter spirit.  I love him and am grateful for the holidays with him.  Thank you for praying for him!

. . .  for a wonderful Feldenkrais class that stretched my chest muscle and loosened my spine.  I have been having a hard time standing up straight, but it is easier today.

. . . for my loving friends and neighbors who drive me to appointments, take me shopping and to lunch.  Who doesn't love girl time with good friends?  Thanks Christina, Lisa, Marilu, Dyanne and Sandra!

. . .  for Dawn, our helper at home, who schools my kids, keeps the house clean, makes the meals (and juice for me), takes the kids to practices and fun outings, who has stepped in to keep the Young household moving!

. . . for my kids who are just wonderful during all of this.  They are growing and learning so much.  As we thank God for times of difficultly, I know that the kids will take it into their lives to help others.

. . . for a husband who serves me and makes me rest.  One who slept in the hospital, who encourages me and loves me.  This trial has been good for our marriage.

. . . for the scale that read my first year wedding weight this morning.  I have lost 31 pounds.  Unbelievable!  I even had a carob/date shake today.  I am not starving.  I just love how God is allowing me to eat in the way that my body likes, but that cancer doesn't like.  I wonder where the scale will stop.

 . . . for being able to take a shower by myself in record time without crying.  Yes, that is something to be grateful for!

. . . for my birthday weekend coming up!  Looking forward to dinner at 118 degrees with friends and a movie.  I didn't think I would feel up to it, but looks like its all a "go"!

. . . for the Princess Parables series that is moving forward.  Zondervan has trademarked our brand and given us the green light for the Christmas and Easter stories to write.  The I Can Read series is being branded and covered this week.  They are thinking of doing an activity and doodle book.  I am overjoyed!

. . . for all of you for praying for me and supporting me!  Thank you for all of the love, calls, cards and meals!  Please contine to pray for the OncoDX test to come back LOW RISK.  I don't have to take the test, only my tumors do.  They are doing it next week.  I am glad it's them and not me!

"He provides for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor"  Isaiah 6:13

Testing the "mystery"

I do not believe that things happen by accident . . .  I do believe each circumstance in our life is orchestrated by the Living God.

I also believe, sadly that there are so many people who don't believe in Him and reject His miracles.

But there is always that unexplainable silence . . . disbelief that comes with a miracle.  I know I experience it now often.

Just so you know, when you become a "medical mystery" they really aren't sure what to do with you.

Currently, the oncologists are requesting a test that costs us $835 to test the possible "recurrence" of the cancer elsewhere in my body.  Based on that test, I would get a rating 1-4:  1 being low risk (no chemo needed) and 4 being high risk (chemo needed).  I know that they are all covering their basis so that I won't sue anyone for being a "medical mystery" and them not knowing what to do with me.  Because in their words, "the cancer was so widespread (the four tumors and in situ/ invasive) that it should have been in the lymph nodes"  This would have made me a much high stage of cancer demanding that I have chemo.

Just when I was thinking I was off the hook . . .

 So my prayer warrior friends, please pray again.  Please pray that we make the right decision whether or not to take the test (doctor bills are piling up on my desk).  Please pray if I do take the test that it would come back at LOW RISK.  Thank you in advance!  While you are at it, please pray for my dad too in the hospital with pneumonia in ICU.  I can't get out there to see him . . .

Isaiah 26:3-4  "You keep him in the perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock"

"Medical Mystery" . . . God's MIRACLE!

Our pathology tests have been delayed.  Many of you were asking for the report, but there was none to give.  So Bruce and I went to the surgeon today to learn again that they have not been officially released . . .

The doctor walks in with a funny look on her face saying "I've never seen this before . . . it's a medical mystery . . . we have discussed your case in three different tumor reviews . . . it's going to take a while to figure it out . . "  While she is talking, Bruce looks at me and winks.  Thank you Lord - it is only YOU!

Here's the scoop:  the surgical pathology report showed only 4 cancerous tumors instead of 8 and smaller than originally measured.  My original biopsy showed two types of cancer - one slow growing and one fast moving (HER2).  I saw the three HER2 tumors (grouped together) that they biopsied on the screen, myself.  My pathology report AFTER surgery shows only one cancer - the fast moving HR2 cancer is NOT there at all!!!  Lord you are too good to me!

It is not a mystery to me at all - God healed me through your prayers and through the diet/ cancer cleanse that I have been on for two months.  Plain and simple.  God performed a miracle!  God says "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds" Jer. 30:17

So what does it all mean.  I saw three medical oncologists prior to surgery that told me I would most likely have to do 4 months of two different types of chemo: Andromiaxin and Carboplatin where my hair and nails will fall out, etc. and then I would have to do one year of Herceptin.  NOW with the "medical mystery" as it currently stands, no chemo is necessary.  Isn't that amazing?  All of you praying . . . thank you, thank you!  God, our sovereign, amazing God, answered YOUR prayers and mine.  It's awesome!

I do believe that God took my body, the body that He made, His temple and He has made it so it wants to heal itself.  Then he got MY attention (yes much harder to do at times but a cancer shock will do it).  Next, He used the good organic (not sprayed with chemicals) vegetables He created as the tools to help me rid my body of cancer.  He used other holistic people to speak truth and help me cleanse my body of toxins.  Lastly, He used the surgeons to take out the final pieces.  God does not make junk - our bodies are amazing and by the grace of God, they want to heal.

Before we went to my surgeons office for the "good news",  I was at my holistic scientist doctor.  She said that my body does not show any cancer degeneration, even in the smallest form.  My cells were rebuilding normally and my energy flows were perfect (has not happened ever in the last three months with my visits with her).  So I was already excited before we hit the surgeon's place.

Some of you may be thinking that I should have waited to see if I could have rid the cancer completely on my own and not have had the surgery.  No, I heard the small still voice that said to do the surgery and I will not doubt it now.  I also believe God provided very sound and wise counsel.  I believe God has me just where he wants me; there are so many opportunities to give Him glory!  I know that I am right in His will.  Plus the blessings which are too numerous to count tonight have definitely made it worth it!

My surgery is healing and I am up getting around.  I still can't drive and do alot of things, but who cares??? I am cancer free and feel great (except for the pain in my chest :)  You can pray for healing on my right breast so that I will not have to do another surgery.  It seems like such a minor prayer for all you incredible prayer warriors, but lift that one up for me.

My husband (and father-in-law) want to thank everyone for bringing the delicious meals.  Also thank you to my in-laws have been a God-send this week too.

Thank you all again for praying - daily, hourly, every time you thought of me . . . our God listens and answers.  Thank you Lord Jesus "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me."  Ps 63:7

Just hours before the knife . . .

Whew!  Everything is done . . . all the things on the list are crossed off . . .

Well almost.  I have one person I was trying to track down to clear my conscience with.  I felt God convict me of something that happened 4 years ago.  I tried hard to get a hold of her and she had moved, but it will just have to wait for a little bit.  God knows that I tried to make it happen, but she didn't return the call.

I have a peace about tomorrow - maybe not the days ahead, the pain, etc.  But the good thing about me is that I live one day at a time.  Tomorrow morning, say 4:30 a.m. I may not be so jolly, but tonight life is good.  We had a wonderful dinner and a pillow fight with the kids.  I gave tickles to the kids at bedtime and told them all how special they were.  I made lunches for Elements tomorrow (the kids will go to class without me).  A normal night . . .

Today I took all of my verses that you all have texted me, written me in cards, emailed me, facebooked me and all the verses God has given me and put them on index cards to take to the hospital.  I asked for more today on facebook and 39 people sent verses.  I have close to 100 index cards that God will use to speak truth to me.  Truly a gift of his word accessible in a time of need.  Thanks God for the inspiration this morning.  I knew my Bible would stay in the bag.  It is too heavy and I won't be able to hold it after tomorrow, but the index cards will have what I need, when I need it.

I actually feel perfectly normal today.  I feel the best I have felt in years because of the diet.  I don't feel sick in the least bit.  I definitely don't FEEL like I have cancer.  So the thought of waking up at 4:30 a.m. to go and have surgery for something I don't feel like I have is a bit surreal.  Really incredible actually!

I think I am going to mourn these breasts that are part of my identity.  When I was in Jr. High all over my yearbook you can't find my name.  Only nicknames:  "Dolly" "Jugs" "Boobs" "JJ" and more.  I was a very early bloomer.  I have spent half of my life hiding them and the other half connecting with them in breastfeeding.  What a gift from the Lord to connect with my kids!  So trying to look on the bright side . . . I will get new perky ones that I won't be able to feel.  Some say I can even slam them in door and I would never know.  Not a pretty picture if you ask me.  But the years of breastfeeding did take their toll so they will be lifted, reshaped and reborn.  Ah, the blessing of modern medicine!

I ask those of you to pray for me from 7:30 a.m. - noon tomorrow -Oct 7th. for:

1.  For courage and boldness in the hospital.
2.  For the surgeons as they perform their jobs and for my body to respond properly.
3.  For all those who care for me, grant them wisdom to know what is needed and how to help.
4.  For my family and friends comfort as they wait for news.
5.  For the surgery to be successful and that nothing has spread to tissue or lymphnodes.
6.  For a quick recovery at home and the ablity to detox soon.

Thank you for standing with me, friends!  For praying for me and encouraging me!

See you on the other side of surgery . . . Blessings!

What Cancer Cannot Do

This was sent to me by my sister - in- law, Amy:

What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited . . .
It cannot cripple Love.
It cannot shatter Hope.
It cannot corrode Faith.
It cannot kill Friendship.
It cannot suppress Memories.
It cannot silence Courage.
It cannot invade the Soul.
It cannot steal Eternal Life.
It cannot conquer the Spirit.

For all of my friends battling these nasty things, remember how limited cancer is.

The steps of a man are established by the Lord;
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he sall not be hurled head long;
because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.  Psalm 37:23-24

God is the great Healer!

There is such a satisfaction in working really hard and then seeing results, isn't there?


I wonder if God ever feels that way about us? . . . He works really hard in His sovereign, holy way at helping us become more Christ-like.  I wonder if He gets satisfaction from seeing results in us . . . 


For the last 6 weeks, I have been going to a holistic scientist who does a scan of my body with radio frequencies.  She tells me what is going on and then she administers treatments.  I love that she is the only person who was able to explain ALL of my 13 crazy symptoms I had (without ever seeing the list).  She has amazed me and I continue to believe that God is working through her.  Every time I see her she is always moving quickly and telling me that the cancer cells are metastasizing to other parts of my body.  This of course has not alway delighted me, but I know that these suckers do fight harder once you change their environment so I was not shocked.


Today is the first time that they are NOT active!!!! Whatever I am doing and God is doing in me (through so many of your prayers) is working!  Of course it is, right?  Why do I ever doubt that?  Today we actually got to work on the tumors present in my body and got to deal with things at hand without putting out fires elsewhere.  Yes, God is healing me.  He is good all the time!


Also another praise is that I met an oncologist who doesn't want to throw me on chemo right away.  She said she will even see me and be a lifelong friend and doctor to me, even if I reject traditional methods and stay my holistic route after surgery.  Wow!!  I was so excited to meet her that I could have kissed her!


As I am meeting all the doctors and so many people along this cancer road I am on,  I am reminded of the sermon at church on Sunday that Kenton Beshore, our pastor gave on Acts 3 and 4.  A quick summary:  John and Peter healed a lame man and got thrown into jail for it.  The leaders at the time did not know what to do with them because they gave Jesus all the glory and people were praising His name everywhere.  They let them go but told them don't ever speak the name of Jesus again.  HA!  Here is the prayer that they gave back at their home church:


“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David. . . Indeed, Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.  They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus"  Act. 4:24-30


This prayer has stuck with me ALL week!  First, they told God he was Sovereign and in charge basically.  I copy this prayer by agreeing with them.  God is sovereign and completely in charge of my journey.  I am grateful to be in His very capable hands.  Second, they asked for GREAT boldness!  They didn't pray for safety or comfort, but boldness.  Lord, let me have GREAT boldness with all the doctors, nurses, people I meet along this journey and bring you glory through it.  Lastly, they asked for God to perform miracles - not for them, but for others.  So Lord, I pray that you heal and perform miracles in others lives, not mine, but others so that they might know you!!!

Just to clarify though, it would be okay with me God if you did choose to heal me in a miraculous way too. . . that would be kind of fun.  But if not, I'll take the normal healing path and give you ALL the glory along the way because ultimately YOU are the Healer!