Power of Prayer

I spoke to someone today that is losing her fight with cancer. She was diagnosed with carcinomatous meningitis which is a very rare form of metastatic cancer when cancer from the primary location (breast) invades the linings of the brain and spinal cord.

I've always known that life wasn't fair. This reaffirms it. She has a family and just finished up her treatment. She should be feeling better and not dying. As many strong women I have met in my cancer journey I know she is strong. The only thing she asked for me to do was to pray for her.

There are many research out there about the power of prayer. I'm not a real religious person but having people pray, think about you, love you can only be beneficial. So today I took some time to send her positive and healing energy. If you're a random visitor please pray for her.

Again, another reminder how wonderful my life really is.

More Potassium News...I think

I posted a few post ago about my potassium. I went to see the kidney specialist and he thinks I'm expelling potassium through my urine or bowel. I had several tests done end of June and then mid July on supplements. They came back 4 and 3.9 which is in the normal range. Please see below.


My potassium stat: (Range for women should be 3.5 to 5.1)
March 2009 3.3
July 2009 3.6
November 2009 3.2
February 2010 3.0
March 2010 3.9 (On supplements)
June 2010 3.4 (On supplements)
End of June 2010 4.0 (On supplements)
Mid July 2010 3.9 (On supplements)

My test showed that I am secreting slightly more than average potassium in my urine but it's not a level that concerns him. I go back in this month to get my potassium level checked again. If it's normal he wants to try me off of the potassium supplement but to still push foods high in potassium. (I'm only on 25 units which isn't that high to begin with.) Will post more as I know more.

At this point I have 12 months of Tamoxifen left. 12! I'm so excited!

My Vitamin D3 Status

My insurance does not cover my D3. It's about $2.75 per pill.

Nov 2008 I was at a 26 I believe so I started taking 2000iu a day and tried to get as much sunshine as possible.
Nov 2009 I was at a 46 so that was much better.
Feb 2010 I was at a 45 so my doc started me on 50,000 iu weekly for six weeks
March 2010 I was at a 62 so now I'm on 50,000iu once a month
June 2010 I dipped to 44 so now they want me on 50,000iu twice a month I've also been riding a great deal so I am outside though I do wear sunscreen so that might cancel that out.

It's interesting how both my potassium and D3 went down with my last lab. Of course we know that labs can do and make mistakes but I doubt mine is a mistake. I go back in for labs and to see my oncologist early October. I'll keep you abreast.

Low Potassium: Can I blame it on my cancer treatment?

I blame a great deal of things on my cancer treatment which is really unfair because pre-cancer I never had my CBC (complete blood count) run so often. I'm on potassium supplements since my low February labs but it's still not as high as we'll like it to be. Below is the rundown of my potassium stats since last year.

My potassium stat: (Range for women should be 3.5 to 5.1)
March 2009 3.3
July 2009 3.6
November 2009 3.2
February 2010 3.0
March 2010 3.9 (On supplements)
June 2010 3.4 (On supplements)

I went to see a nephrologist (kidney specialist.) I am having two different test run. He thinks I might be expelling too much potassium when I urinate or have a bowel movement. He thinks extra supplements or medication might do the trick. I guess I don't mind taking extra supplements but I rather not take any more medication. I go in for my second lab this week and then see my nephrologist the following week.

I have 13 months (cheers!) of Tamoxifen left. Might this be the culprit or might it be from chemo? Hopefully it's an easy fix but it would be interesting to find out. I would love to be able to put this as a side effect of Tamoxifen and to be able to share with others. I'm off of Tamoxifen in 13 months and it would be wonderful if I didn't have to worry about my potassium level afterward.

I found the above drawing of the Tamoxifen bottle off of the internet and could not resist posting it. Even though I complain often about getting off to Tamoxifen I won't. A study came out a month ago that many women, mainly women younger than 40, were not diligent about taking their Tamoxifen or did not finish their 5 years. Tamoxifen is still the gold standard so why come this far to quit?

The Dairy Debate

To drink or not to drink? That is the question. There’s always debate on whether dairy is good for you and I seem to flip flop back and forth on it as much as I do with caffeine.

The reasoning I found not to consume:

1. Even organic milk have hormones

2. We’re the only species that drink milk after being an infant

3. There are more allergies or intolerances to dairy

4. It can cause mucus

The reasoning to consume:

1. Great calcium to help with bone

2. Protein to help you feel full and to lose weight

What I’ve decided is to buy mainly raw cheeses (preferably organic.) I’ll switch back and forth between coconut kefir and regular dairy kefir. I found almond, rice, hemp and regular coconut milk to make my morning cuppa joe taste unsatisfying. I typically have only one cup so I figured I mind as well enjoy it. I finally discovered coconut creamer and I’m now hooked on the hazelnut flavor. I enjoy vanilla unsweetened almond milk in my green drink in the mornings to give it extra substance. (Be sure to read the labels and check the ingredients for added sugar and sweeteners.) I still buy milk on occasion but I only buy organic. I’m sure I’ll read more research and change my thinking again but it’s also fun to try new things. The dairy alternatives keep things interesting so I encourage friends that are interested to give it a try.

Danskin Relay June 6, 2010

Relay team #166: Gloria swam half a mile at 28:13, I biked 12 miles at 49:18 and Kelly ran a 5k in 29:02.



Capital of Texas Team Survivor is a the local affiliate that empowers women with cancer to exercise and take control of their body. Some of these ladies just finished treatment and did the entire triathlon. I'm very proud of them.

I was supposed to do the bike and run but my knee was bothering me early May. I needed to make a decision whether or not I would run it or even if I would be able to bike it at all. Luckily taking it easy in May but mainly biking really helped it feel okay. All I heard all training long was about those hills. I practiced and practiced and learning how to shift finally made the difference. I made it up all the hills at the Danskin on my mountain bike! Training for this ride made me realize I enjoy biking more than running. An hour or two on the bike doesn't feel so long. Riding up South Congress was pretty cool. Flying down the hills off of Balcones is very exhilarating.

My focus is now on the Mamma Jamma Ride. Please consider donating, volunteering or riding. Any amount is appreciated. I've done 5k's. I did one just one week after my final Taxol. (I'll never forget that day. It was super hot and I wanted to give up. I had two angels along the way that made me push myself. I completed the 5k relay in 33:12 minutes on July 4, 2006.) I've done a hilly 12 mile bike ride. I'm now set for either 40, 60 or 70 miles September 25, 2010.

Clean Drinking & Eating

BPA is all over the news lately. BPA stands for Bisphenol A and it is widely used in plastic products. BPA can leach from the plastics that we use and into our water or food. There are great links that it can cause cancer by disrupting our hormones.

Small easy steps towards being proactive with your drinking:

I now carry around stainless steel water bottles. Stainless steel seems like on the most durable and cleanest options. I love Klean Kanteen. It's the furthest water bottle to the right. It's large so I can easily keep track of how much water I drink at my work at it helps me to be green.

Glass is probably the cleanest but not necessarily the most durable when it comes to water bottles. I usually keep my green drinks in glass jars if I have left overs or when I take it to work.

Aluminum is a good alternative but it's also been known to be linked to other potential health concerns. I have a few and Sigg is a popular brand. I like it because it's lighter so I usually use it on the weekends when I stick it in my purse.

Clean eating options are just as easy:

If I choose to purchase frozen meals, which I rarely do, I stick it on a plate before sticking it preferably in an oven or a microwave. Amy's have changed their containers from plastic to a type of paper.

I purchased Pyrex or you can find equivalent ones to it if they are glass. I love them because you can oven, microwave or freeze them.

Do I still drink out of a plastic water bottle? Yes. Do I still use sandwich bags? Yes. I stick to my stainless steel and glass for the majority of time. Life is about balance and doing what you can do without feeling guilty.