We’ve been watching a spot on my lung since 2007 (Cancer Again? 2010) that I had been told in 2010 was stable so nothing to worry about. We didn’t know what it was. This past year it grew from 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm. This year it became something to be concerned about. A lung needle biopsy in December showed it is metastatic breast cancer.
Even though this could be devastating news, I don’t feel devastated. I have held onto the lesson I learned several years ago — that I will be OK no matter what. Of course I am disappointed that I won’t get my celebration, and I’ve had some anxious moments, but I also feel energized by the challenge of mobilizing my healing forces once again. And I am exercising my responsibility to be the director of my treatment team. When my doctor recommended a treatment I wasn’t comfortable with, I asked for a second opinion.
January 9th I had my “second opinion” appointment with another oncologist. He came totally prepared with having read my extensive chart and knowing my 23-year history with cancer. He showed me the images on the computer of my CT scans and my PET scan, which I hadn’t seen before. I now know what the tumor looks like so I can do more effective guided imagery.
The best news is that he gave me information about my lung tumor that I hadn’t been told before. He said between August and December of 2010, it grew 2 mm. Between December 2010 and December 2011 it grew 3 mm. So in 2010 it grew 2 mm in only 4 months. In 2011 it grew only 3 mm in an entire year. That means the growth has actually slowed down. I have been working hard to create a terrain in my body that is inhospitable to cancer. This news tells me that what I have been doing seems to have made a difference. That’s very empowering news.
His recommendation is that I have a thermal ablation. This is the very treatment I had learned about through other sources that felt like my best option. He will present “me” to the lung board to determine if I am a good candidate for this treatment. The team he is presenting to is the very team I had found on the internet that is the most experienced in Sacramento with this treatment.
He said as slow-growing as this is, even if it does come back, it probably won’t be noticeable for 5 years.
I’m feeling blessed, excited, and optimistic, and committed to being more diligent with my nutrition and exercise program, my spiritual growth, and my stress reduction. I always have time to do what is important for my health (new affirmation). I’m feeling empowered that I really can make a difference, both in the quality, and the quantity of my life.
Please leave a reply, or read comments left by others. Thank you!
In the spirit of healing,
Jan Adrian, MSW
Founder and Program Director
Dear Jan
Your positive, healing attitude is to be applauded.
You are in my prayers. All the imagery, stress reduction, nutrition and exercise is paying off and I agree with your statement “I always have time to take care of my health ” Thanks for sharing, it reminds me of this too
Blessings,
Kathleen Wall
Dear Jan- I was shocked to read your news, but also exhilarated in knowing how amazingly positive you are, and remembering how powerful is your work with your body. I am confident that your healing will continue, and that you will be supported by the hundreds and even thousands who have been buoyed by you and your phenomenal conferences. Love, Eliza
Dear Jan
I too was shocked to read of the return of your cancer. You are so inspiring. How you have coped with multiple recurrences has taught me not to fear it but to do the best I can to make my body “inhospitable to cancer.”
Good luck with treatment.
Sandi
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m so glad the tumor is growing slowly enough for you to continue to get your Terrain in the best condition to keep you healthy. My best wishes and love to you. Thank you for sharing this. Now more love can come to you from far and wide and help you create health.
Jan, I echo the love and admiration so many survivors have shared for you here. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Lori
You are in my prayers.
You mentioned the things you had been doing seemed to be working because your cancer had only grown miimally in the last year.
I would be interested in knowing your protocol to see if there is something you are doing that might be something I would like to ad to mine.
Thank you
Lisa
Hello –
Your courage is commendable and healing thoughts are with you.
You mentioned how your protocol helped in keeping your cancer at a very slow growth rate last year. Can you share that protocol. I am sure many would appreciate it.
Also, Lia J emailed you and she mentioned a green nutrition drink that helped her and knowing her contact information or getting that information from her and sharing it would be appreciated. I have had a diagnosis for 1.5 years now and any help I can get I would be grateful for.
Blessings,
Sharon
hi, Jan, just informed of my 2nd recurrence, will have surgery tomorrow for diagnostic purposes. initial dx of stage 3c ovarian in 2001, lst recurrence in 2009, now again. i learned passing 5 years is no assurance. you are my inspiration that recurrences can be managed. i look forward to the conference in Spartanburg, SC this summer and hope to see you there. thanks for all you do for all of us. I, too, would be interested in your protocol. sending love, prayers and blessings.
Margie
Jan, I was so saddened by news in first few paragraphs and then by the end of your column, I am totally heartened and feel optimistic for you. As you say, just knowing that whatever happens we will be OK is so empowering. But beyond that you are doing all the right things for you. Yes! That’s such a good reminder for all of us.