Busy Easter Break!

Ohhhh what a great Easter break we had!  It was filled with family, friends, great food, and lots of  naps!

Several of the days during break I continued to educate myself by watching some podcasts called "The Truth About Cancer: A Quest for the Cure."  I know my life has been extended due to my faith and being in the hands of some excellent oncologists along with lots of prayers.  In these eleven episodes many of these holistic doctors tend to tell how they began as
physicians.  After seeing many patients never really being cured but rather medicated,  which poisons the body more, they started to study nutrition and curing those with cancer, depression, fibromyalgia, and many other diseases by eating from natue's pharmacy, detoxing the body using coffee enemas, keeping the body more alkaline rather than acidic, heating the body core up to 103 degrees and sweating out toxins, kelation therapy to remove metals from the body, etc.  Well, I decided that I would continue my journey by trying to eat more like the hunters and gatherers.

Over the past year and a half I no longer drink pop of any
kind, artificial sweeteners, wheat, or dairy (most of the
time.)  I participated in Dr. Krauza's 58 Day Challenge that
got me started eating better.  It's surprising how our food can
make us feel so sluggish, bloated, and full of inflammation.
I believe it is the right thing to a do for ME.  The hardest thing I struggle with is giving up sugar completely.  I'll do well for several weeks and then fall of the wagon for a few days.  When I have foods with sugar or carbs, my body craves it like an addict craves that next cigarette.

So after listening to these podcasts, this is what the repeated messages were:  Cancer cells feed on sugar!  It is actually sugar water they put in your veins for the PET scans so the cancer cells will light up.   I may have to buy this podcast
and play it over in my head at least once a week to keep reminding myself why I am not eating it!   They continued to
repeat how we should be eating God made food, not man made (aka processed).  If you read a label
you should buy the one that has the smallest list, and be able to know and pronounce all that is in it.  We should also watch the added sugar they dump into everything we eat so our bodies will crave more of it.

These Holistic physicians recommended eating mostly vegetables with a little lean, hormone free, grass fed animal meat.  They said to stay away from wheat.  It is another one of those products that cause inflammation. This was interesting; the male doctors said eat fruits and veggies.  The women doctors said eat any of the berries, but not  too much fruit because they are high in natural sugars which will make your body crave sugar.  I am eliminating those things that are "bad" for me.  Fruit isn't bad for me!  I just won't go overboard with it so my glycemic index doesn't hit the roof!   They spoke quite highly of the cruciferous veggies.  The spice that was brought up a lot was turmeric, or cucermin, which is in the turmeric.  One doctor referred to the Bible stating the three Kings brought gold, frankinsence and mryhh to Jesus.  They actually believe the "gold" was turmeric!  How about that.  I'm glad I've been popping my turmeric/curcumin capsules!   So I look forward to continue to eat healthier and learning more.

We received great news about my CA125 tumor numbers!  It was at 196 six weeks ago and now it is
 65!!!!  It dropped 131 points in six weeks!  I'll take that!  My scan is scheduled for the end of this
month (with sugar water, I would imagine, but how else will we know what's going on in there?!) and before I head down to Pittsburgh to see Dr. Krivak mid May, they will check it again.  We
are so relieved that the parp inhibitors are working.

Mel, Linda, and Melinda busy decorating their bonnets.

                                             Lots of supplies and two of the hats.

To prepare for all the Easter festivities, I knew I needed to see my dear  friend and retired colleague, Melanie.  Sadly, her Mom Betty passed away in the fall.  Mel and Betty's favorite holiday is Easter.  My colleagues knew this would be a difficult holiday for her.  So to get Mel into the holiday mood, a few of us were able to get together and decorate bonnets!  This was a tradition her and her Mom had done for years, so we knew we needed to continue to uphold the tradition!  It was a lot of fun and a new tradition we plan to continue with her each year.   

We had a great Easter celebrating Saturday and Sunday.  I love spending time with my great nieces.  Aubree is really starting to come out of her shell these days.  Great Grandma and Great Grandpa 

Pakela had placed bunny footprints all over the  kitchen.  My brother Bobby is an amazing Grandpa!  

I can't get over how much he loves his granddaughters.  He stuffed plastic eggs with surprises in 

them and we all chipped in hiding them around the house at Aubree's eye level.  Of course, Morgan, her sister, who is 14 months made her own fun collecting eggs as well.  

Aubree on the search for eggs!

Family visiting and me attempting at photography

Morgan so happy with her stuffed Peep!

Morgan collecting eggs near the bunny prints.  I see Aunt Gerry!

Cousins Shannon and Danielle with Morgan.

On Sunday we headed to Grandpa Chase's and JoAnn's house.  We were all able to be together except for Kian, Scott, and Michelle.  Kian came down with that awful stomach virus that is going around.  He even had to go to the hospital for several hours and have an IV for fluids.  Unfortunately, he is still not feeling well.  It seems to take quite a while to get back to feeling yourself.  Lots of fluids and rest is the best. 

Lilly checking out the family Easter basket!

Pretty Liddy! 

Ethan and Lydia

So the rest of us enjoyed watching Ethan and Lydia find their baskets and enjoy a great meal while we watched the Pittsburgh Penguins LOSE.  I'm hoping they pull out a big WIN tonight, or they won't make the playoffs this year. . .sigh.   Anyway, we saved the Easter egg hunting for another day when Kian can join us.  

All good things must come to an end!  Have a great week and continue to look for things that make you happy and bring you joy!  I am enjoying the time I take to fill my Joy Journal as often as possible.  It really does make you think happier thoughts.  Oh, one more thing:  I need to give the Lady Husky Softball team kudos on their first region win of the season!  Way to go ladies!  You made Mama Chase proud!  

Next weekend we have Lydia's birthday.  She will turn 1 year old!  I will also be getting together with my college room mates in Pittsburgh.  We try to do this twice a year.  So much to look forward to!  Have a great short week!