THE KNOWING

Sometimes I skip to the end when the suspense is just too much to bear. Then I go back, page by page, and read all the juicy word-by-word detail.

It’s always been easier for me. The knowing, that is.  In it, I can center in and settle down. I can fall into the story with abandon, joining every word in its own moment without underlying urgency that I mustn’t linger there.

It’s curious how the story takes on new meaning when we are acquainted with the end. We experience the subtly of every tiny detail with full revelation that what may seem insignificant at the time, is in fact the subtle unfolding of everything.

What if life were lived with the end of each day in sight—
Would I have given more time to the friend whose voice was uneasy on the other end of the line?
Would I have reveled in the serenity of the way the snow laid heavy on the branches of the pine?
The end, it seems, is not scripted in ink but movable, yielding, rewritable by the way we chose to live.

I am the author. You are too.

When asked about my sources for living [and saving] my life with cancer, I am fond of replying, “The first place I always look is inside.” Our bodies are secret keepers, places where no one else has ventured or dwelled. Why is it, then, that we cling to the confusion of "everything else?"

The harm is not in seeking outside information but in running from myself.

To learn who I am,
To allow the difficult parts to be revealed,
To be empowered by the knowing,
To agree to make the shift—

This is the book I recommend, the one we ought not only to read but write...
The one most-often neglected,
The one most-easily ignored,
The one most-prized in all the collection,
The one that lays the foundation for everything else.

You know what I'm saying is true because you've been sensing it for a very long time.
There is no hiding from what your body is trying to tell you. The only thing missing is your willingness to listen.

Notes:

When we are concerned about something, our first tendency is to seek information outside of ourselves. 
If you are interested in learning more about your body, I encourage you to seek out a medical partner that, above all else, has your best interest at heart—
~Someone who understands the inner workings of the body on a cellular level. 
~Someone who is eager to explore what resides within your body and to share this knowledge with you.

The key to everything is what I call the TWO I's:

INFLAMATION
IMMUNITY

Ironically, most of what our bodies fight against is what we are doing to ourselves. It should be encouraging to know that, despite having cancer, I have never felt better. That’s because of the major shift over the last two years in how I listen to what my body is saying and how I respond.   

Today, we drew another 17 tubes of blood to gauge the progress I'm making and determine how I can do better/more.  I do not take lightly that we [every one of us] have this miracle at our fingertips—the mystery of life contained in every cell.

Many of you have expressed an interest in knowing about the specific labs we run for me. That’s why I am sharing my recent 17 here with you.

As you read, remember that the information derived from [your personal] labs is designed not discourage but EMPOWER YOU!  We should never be afraid of knowledge that sets us free!

MY MOST RECENT LABS

ESR—Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate—A measurement of non-specific inflammation in the body that can result from recent surgery, infection, compromised immune system, foods that cause inflammation. This lab also assists in determining where the inflammation might be coming from.

Glycosylated Hgb [A1C]—This marker reveals how well your sugar is metabolizing and balancing over the last three months. We know that 95% of all cancers love sugar. This marker is typically used for those who may or do have diabetes but is also useful to determine your risk for cancer.

Ca-125—Known as “the” marker for cancer activity. The biggest mistake we make is becoming reactive over one lab alone. The key is being mindful that there are many things to consider when evaluating what may [or may not] be going on in you.

I call the Ca-125 “my lab” because it was instrumental in discovering my cancer.
I love that labs not only track areas of concern but PROGRESS!

Remember, there are many reasons why Ca-125 may be elevated including an indication that the battle is being won.

Fibrinogen—These are protein molecules floating around in the blood that help us to clot. Too much of it can lead to what is known as “sticky blood,” and abnormal clotting. When you have cancer, you have more opportunity to form clots. This lab helps to identify clot risks. When you think of healthy blood think “smooth” not “sticky.”

Homocysteine—This is the marker for Methylation Metabolism. If you have too much homocysteine this essential process gets “stuck” which can cause inflammatory changes. This lab is a sort of checks and balances for proper cell growth. It also helps determine if cells have adequate B vitamins.

Human Epididymis Protein [HE4]—Recent research demonstrates that this screening biomarker seems to be more commonly elevated with woman who have gynecologic cancers such as ovarian, endometrial, and uterine.

TSH—This is a thyroid marker. We track this in me because I have Hashimoto’s Disease and have a small, non-active nodule on my thyroid that we have been watching for some time.

Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase AB—This Hashimoto’s marker allows us to see how active my autoimmune process is.

Zinc—An essential mineral for proper immune functions. 

Cortisol—This is the main hormone that our adrenals release. Cortisol gives us the fight or flight response. If we have too much or too little it negatively impacts our immune system. The most important weapon against cancer is having a healthy immune system.

Ceruloplasmin—Copper storage marker. We need a proper balance between copper and zinc to ensure healthy immune function.

Galectin—This is a marker in the blood to determine whether or not we have increased angiogenesis [cancer cells active and reproducing].

CEA Tumor [Carcinoembryonic Antigen]  A cancer biomarker most commonly expressed with people who have colon cancer.

C-Peptide—This marker reveals how much insulin the pancreas is making. Too much can be a growth factor for cancer or for people who have a tendency to have diabetes.

Ferratin—This lab helps determine our iron storage number. We don’t want it to be too high in me because cancer can use iron to its benefit.

Lactate Dehydrogenase [LDH]—A marker of anaerobic metabolism. A higher-than-normal result can indicate that my cancer is more active. Cancer uses anaerobic metabolism to make energy.

High Sensitivity CRP [C-Reactive Protein]—This protein is made in the liver as a response to inflammatory changes in the body. Some of these changes can be appropriate [to injury, surgery, etc.].  The concern comes when these levels are elevated for no specific reason. In the case of cancer, unwanted inflammation can cause or grow cancer in the body.