Christmas pictures

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas! We had a wonderful day together. Here are a few pictures from Christmas at my house.
Check out the rest of the Christmas Day photos on my photo website
http://gallery.me.com/gmjm0906

Merry Christmas, Sister

It's Christmas Eve and we've just finished up a HUGE dinner of shrimp creole, cornbread, salad and too way too much junk food. Everyone is here but Diane and Tony. They won't be here until tomorrow. I tried to talk her into coming tonight but they wanted to just chill - go to church, open presents together and rest. They need it. It's hard to believe how much has happened since last Christmas - good news and bad, new doctors with all sorts of new treatments, and lots of prayers to our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the friends and loved ones that have called and emailed. I can't tell you how much it means to us. I love that we have the blog now to keep everyone up to date. I really don't have any news other than she's doing very well. She is on the tamoxifin and feeling better. We are believing AS A FAMILY that God is going to heal her! She has opened my eyes to so many scriptures about healing in the Bible. As the new year starts, I want to post a scripture weekly on the blog - that way, when Diane comes to your mind, you can pray with us! I think it will be awesome for all of us to have the same scripture on our hearts and minds. That is my goal in January....be looking for it!

Diane,
I just want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Dear Lord, we need a new year, right?? Anyway, I want you to know that I love you so much. You are amazing! I always wanted to be you! So brilliant and beautiful - I was so jealous! As we got older, you drove me crazy - so bossy! I drove you crazy and you had no problem letting me know! I SO wish that I could go back and do it all over again.... I wouldn't have worn your clothes and ruined them, I wouldn't have hit you in the bathroom because we were both trying to get ready at the same time, I wouldn't have snuck in your room to use your make-up ( oops, did I ever tell you about that? ) Oh well, I guess those things have just molded us into who we are today - and you are incredible. You are so strong, wise, independent, disciplined, faithful, persevering, and most of all determined. You know God has a plan and you are ready and waiting for him to use you. You inspire me and so many others and I hope you know how much I love you.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone....new post from Diane

First, I want to thank those of you who have posted such encouraging comments on the blog. This is such a great way to keep in touch and it is so uplifting to hear your thoughts and know that you are praying and standing with us during this battle.

The Lord has shown me so much in the past few weeks. I can't begin to capture it all here so I will just highlight a few revelations of significance to me. First of all, I am now absolutely convinced that Jesus died not only for my salvation but also for my healing. Just read Isaiah 53:4-5, then read Matthew 8:16-17 and then read I Peter 2:24. It cannot be any more clear than that. Did you know that the Greek word for "save" is "sozo" and it means "to heal, preserve, save, do well or make whole"? Next time you're reading in the New Testament and you come across the word "save", translate it "save-heal" and see if that doesn't expand the meaning A LOT! It has for me! For example, read Romans 10:9-13. You will see the word "saved" in this passage several times. This will be a familiar passage to many of you but I will paraphrase...if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God rasied Him from the dead we will be saved [saved, preserved, HEALED and made whole]! This is so cool!

Second, God has shown me that He wants to be believed. Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please God...". Faith is the crux of the Christian walk. I have allowed the enemy to atatck me in this area of my life for years now and I finally realize how serious this is and I am taking charge of the situation. God expects faith from us. His Word is very clear on the subject. We cannot expect to get anything from the Lord if we do not believe and trust Him (James 1:6-8). So, how do we "get faith"? I'm so glad you asked! Romans 10:17 says that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God". I cannot tell you how powerful this simple statement is. Tony and I have started reading, speaking aloud and praying healing scriptures on a daily basis. It is so true that God's Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) because something comes alive on this inside of us as we do this and we are greatly encouraged and strengthened even in the midst of pain and frustration.

Third, I believe that God wants to and is willing to heal me. As a child of God and a believer in Jesus Christ, this is my right. God has a destiny for me and I cannot fulfill it if I am sick....so why in the world would He want me sick?? He doesn't! I believe I am already healed and that the manifestation will come in due time. The Word says by his wounds or stripes you WERE healed. Past tense. The price has already been paid. I am so grateful to Jesus for what He did on the cross. Not only did he redeem us from death and sin but He has provided for our abundant life here and now. I can tell you that a life of pain and suffering is not an abundant life....that is why I know it is not His will for us to be sick.

Someone recently asked me where I might have "missed God" along the way with respect to the treatment options I chose. I thought for a moment and it came to me that I didn't miss God in the sense that I heard Him wrong or thought I heard Him and didn't hear Him at all or whatever. Where I went wrong was putting my all my energy, faith and hope in the treatments, food, supplements, etc... I couldn't wrap my brain around God using those things to heal me, although I felt Him whisper to me last year not to get caught up in all of this but to look to Him. I knew better in my mind but for some reason, I couldn't see how they (God and the treatments) worked together. It was like it was either Him or the treatments and because of the deception of the enemy, I unconciously chose the treatments. To put it simply, I wasn't exercising my faith. Now that I know what the Word of God says about healing, I realize that God can use anything He wants (or nothing at all) to heal me. The key is putting our trust in Him completely, relying on Him to lead us to do what He wants us to do and believing for healing. I continue to eat healthy (most of the time...although my Mom's Thanksgiving dressing WITH turkey gravy was off the rack!!) and take my supplements and even the tamoxifen but I no longer look to those things for my healing. I cannot explain it other than to say that the Word of God is powerful and the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes and heart to many things.

I'm not sure if this blog has a character limitation but anyone who knows me well enough, knows I'll hit it one of these days. Love you all. In closing, here are few more scriptures that we are clinging to.....

Psalm 103:3
Mark 11:23-24
Mark 16:17-18
Romans 4:17-21
Hebrews 13:8
James 5:14-15
I John 3:21-22

Weekend at Lake Lure

We had the most wonderful family weekend in Lake Lure, NC...which is now my favorite mountain spot! It's absolutely beautiful. We stayed in a cabin on the mountain and had a breathtaking view. The trees were gorgeous and it was sunny and chilly every day! Perfect fall weather! We really enjoyed spending time together. We played cards, watched movies, cooked, ate, drank wine, ate, did manicures, ate, and even did a little shopping. What more could you ask for????

We did get a report from the PET scan that Diane had last Wednesday and there is more cancer on her ribcage, pelvis and the base of her skull. The good news is that there was no cancer on her brain or any other organs - Praise the Lord! That was the biggest concern from this scan and we were glad to get that report. She wasn't able to talk to her doctor so I'm sure she will be meeting with her this week. She did a lot of praying and reading and studying scriptures on healing while we were there - she is truly speaking the Word and we are believing God for a healing. My parents were going to pray with her tonight and have Communion with her. I know there are some scriptures that have special significance to her as she is praying specifically for this healing and I want to find out what they are so that I can post them and you all can be praying too! I think she would love that. I am going to post some pictures of our weekend together.

Jennifer

New info

Well, I told you that I would have more info after Diane's testing so here it what I know as of this morning. She had a meeting on Monday with her doctor to discuss the results of that MRI she had last week. They did find more cancer and it was on her vertebra. They actually found more spots than the preliminary results showed. After thoughtful consideration and much prayer, she has decided to go on a drug called tamoxifen. This is a drug that will block or interfere with the estrogen and new cells that are spreading this cancer through her bloodstream. Since her cancer is hormone related ( estrogen related ), this is the drug that works best to keep it from spreading to other parts of her body. There are side effects, as with any drug, but right now the risk of this spreading outweighs the risk of the side effects of the drug. Once she's on this for a length of time, they will discuss radiation to try and shrink the tumors that are already there and control some of the pain. Some of the studies show that this tamoxifen will help with the pain, too so I pray that is the case. She has been been in so much pain lately that it is interfering with her everyday life. She told me last week that she just wants a life back again. I know she just wants to exercise again and get back to her normal routine. Right now, that's just not possible. She had a PET scan last night and hopefully we will get those results by tomorrow. We will be in the mountains together and I pray that it is good news. She actually called me last night while they were "shooting radioactive dye into her veins" and discussed the grocery list for the mountains! It was kinda comical. Anyway, I looked up what a PET scan actually does and it shows blood flow to organs and it can pin point localized areas that they already know exist. So, as well as looking at the entire body, it can look at the previous areas to see if they are bigger, smaller, etc. It is considered more extensive than a previous CAT scan.
We are leaving today to go to the mountains for the weekend with my family and I can't wait! We haven't spent any time together like this in over a year. I will update while I'm there and hopefully have some beautiful pics with my new camera!
Thanks for all of the wonderful feedback on my blog - glad you are all enjoying it!

Love,
Jenn

Info on Diane's Story

I posted an email that Diane sent me a couple of weeks ago. I'm still new to this so I couldn't figure out how to get it all on my blog - Greg did it in about 30 seconds. Why do I always try to do things myself without asking him to help me???? Anyway, there has been a more recent update on her condition as of Friday. She received results from another MRI and has an appointment with her radiologist on Monday. I will update as I hear more but there are definitely some big decisions for her to make. They found more places and also found out that it's spreading through her bloodstream. I don't know all of the details but I do know that she is considering taking a drug now - before she was completely opposed. Her and Tony are praying and really seeking the Lord about what she should do - I know she will make the right decision!

Diane's Story

Where to begin….? I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September, 2007 at the age of 37. That day, my husband and I began a journey that would forever change our lives. While I did have a lumpectomy, we elected not to go down the traditional path of radiation, chemotherapy and drugs. Instead, I chose a more natural route, which included a radical change in diet, juicing, supplements and various IV therapies. We felt God was pointing us in this direction. He put several people in my path to help guide and encourage me along the way. Unfortunately, within about 10 weeks of my surgery, I began experiencing pain in my chest area. Later, it was confirmed that the cancer had spread to my sternum. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me!

People hear the word “CANCER” and it’s like you’re dead already! I couldn’t believe the pity I was getting from people. “I’m soooooo sorry” and stuff like that. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate their concern….but I made a decision early on that I would not feel sorry for myself! I was going to make the most of the situation. I believed and still believe that attitude is half the battle. It’s not to say that I never get down but when I do, it is short-lived. My husband just won’t let me stay there…nor do I want to be there!

I don’t think I even had a clue what I’d be up against when I decided to go down this alternative path. My parents and in-laws really struggled with my decision initially. This made for some tense conversations and was emotionally draining for me at times. They wanted to be supportive but didn’t really know how. They prayed….that they knew how to do…and I know their prayers sustained us during this time. They have since learned to accept my decisions and have made an effort to educate themselves some about the various therapies and treatments I’ve done….although they’d all love it if I’d sign up for radiation tomorrow! My sisters were a little less vocal but still very concerned. They have both been extremely supportive. My sister-in-law has been a huge cheerleader for me since day one…not to mention she gives THE BEST MASSAGE IN TOWN! Although my friends and co-workers said they really “admired” me for what I was doing, I knew they didn’t really get it either.

What is so amazing is that Tony and I have been on the same page from the beginning. I felt that was another sign that we were going down the right path. It was extremely important to me that we be in agreement on my treatment path and we have always made decisions about my treatments together. He is the most amazing man I know and I thank God for him. Not only is he my soul mate; he encourages me, gives me strength, prays over me at night before bed and reads the Psalms to me when I am short on hope. You really see someone’s true colors in a crisis situation like this. I am more blessed than I ever realized….and way more than I deserve.

Many people ask why I didn’t go the traditional route. The “war on cancer” was declared by Nixon back in the 70s and we are not much further along than we were then. Chemotherapy destroys your immune system along with the cancer, making you vulnerable to future “attacks”. Radiation is also harmful, can cause secondary cancers and other health problems. The drugs they offer also have serious side effects including cancer. I have come a long way over the past year or so in my opinions on these treatments. While I initially was so opposed to any of these treatments, I have come to realize that they have and do save lives. What I take issue with is that the traditional medical community for the most part, fails to recognize and promote the importance of nutrition and supplementation in fighting cancer. Cancer’s primary food source is glucose, yet most cancer patients on chemo are fed things like pudding, candy and ice cream “just to get some food in them”! They are feeding the very thing they are trying to kill! I don’t think chemo should always be the first choice. Even though my cancer has spread, I do not regret my decision to forego chemo. I believe I am healthier today than I would be had I gone that route.

Nutrition is a big part of my therapy and although I went radical in the beginning, I’ve found my way to the middle now. Although, I eat fish on occasion, I am otherwise a vegetarian now. I also eat a lot of raw food. I try to eat two salads each day. I used to drink 24 oz. of carrot juice everyday but after learning that the spot on my sternum had grown in spite of my orange-toned skin, I gave up the carrot juice. Too much glucose. If I’m going to eat that much sugar everyday, it should have some dark chocolate mixed in with it! I drink several green drinks each day – powdered vegetable and grass juices. They resemble swamp water….but hey, they’re loaded with nutrients! I eat a little dairy, although, most would say I shouldn’t. I just can’t give up my cheese! I have pretty much given up cow’s milk anything and stick more to goat’s milk products. Here’s why….when a calf is born, it weighs about the size of a grown human. The milk is “structured” for a 100+ pound animal. Baby goats on the other hand are about the size of a human newborn. The milk is more suitable to a human than cow’s milk. In fact, many babies whose mothers could not nurse them would do just fine on goat’s milk….before baby formula, of course (most of which is toxic, but we will not go there now!). Did you know we humans are the only species that even drink milk or consume other milk products after weaning? Think about it. I’m still not willing to give up my cheese; however, I limit myself to about an ounce a day. Diets containing even moderate amounts of animal protein have been shown to promote cancer. Just read “The China Study”. If you’re not a vegetarian, you might be when you finish the book. Although I’ve made a lot of other changes, the most significant changes would be cutting out meat, sugar (cancer feeds on it) and dairy products containing hormones. Don’t even get me started! I have switched to organic wine and drink only a few glasses per week. I’m hooked on “kombucha” (more on that later) and sauerkraut. Both are full of enzymes and probioitics….living foods. They’re wonderful for you.

As far as treatments, I’ve tried about everything. I’m on about 15 different supplements right now, in addition to my main therapy. I swallow about 50 capsules a day…no kidding! My main therapy is cesium chloride. It’s a 2 month protocol, which will end in early December. Cesium is a very alkaline mineral. Cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment. Cesium is one of the few substances that can enter a cancer cell (in addition to glucose and a few others). It creates an alkaline environment, oxygenates the cell (cancer cannot live on oxygen like the rest of our cells can) and basically starves it. It has a few side effects…most of which I am experiencing. Chemo would have been much worse, I’m sure! I am also using a machine called the Photon Genie. It emits frequencies that help every cell in your body to function in a balanced state. It boosts your immune system and helps the lymphatic fluid to move. It helps with pain, rebuilds tissue and relaxes you. We will reevaluate my situation in early January and go from there.

I would like to thank my sister, Jennifer and her husband, Greg….the “think tanks” behind this site. I look forward to communicating with my family and friends through this wonderful tool. I would also like to thank the many people who have been faithful to pray for us while we are on this journey. I realize there are people all over this country praying for me….many of whom I don’t even know. Prayer is the most special thing anyone can do for a person. It is a gift given to us by God that we sometimes take for granted. I am so very grateful for your prayers.

I will attempt to keep you all updated along the way. Please let me hear from you!

My mom shared the following Ralph Waldo Emerson quote with me some time back and I think it describes my journey better than anything I could say….“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Love,
Diane

New to Blogging

O.K... I am new to the whole blogging thing and actually used to make fun of people who did it! But, yesterday, as Diane and I played phone tag for the afternoon, I realized if I was having a hard time getting in touch with her, imagine how all of her friends, co-workers, workout buddies, and church friends must feel. She is so busy with work, and treatments that she rarely has time for anything else. I decided to take it upon myself to BLOG for her! Ha! There isn't much I can do for her these days...cooking is my thing and since butter and cheese are out of the question for her, I truly feel useless! I hope this serves the purpose for all of us that love Diane and want to track her progress. She is getting together a  little "bio" for me to post so that those of you that are new to her story will be instantly in the loop. 

Her husband and best friend Tony is truly amazing. He's supported her from the very second she was diagnosed. When she decided not to do the chemotherapy and radiation recommended, he stood by her decision and did everything he could to help her research treaments and find the best holistic doctors in NC. Their search has led them from one end of the state to the next and he's been with her for every mile - he even bought her a spiffy little convertible to cruise up and down the interstate in style. He is wonderful and we love him so much. 

I hope to get lots of new info on here soon so we can all get up to speed. This should be fun!