Tag: cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month; My Mother’s Experience

Cue the music: “I’m a survivor”


My incredible, inspiring, beautiful mother had a huge battle with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. This was almost 5 years ago, and one of the most terrifying experiences of our lives. I’ve wanted to share her moving story but I needed time to pass to heal us all from the wounds this wretched disease created.

How “the cancer” developed

She felt a lump under her left breast for about a year. She and my dad both agreed they needed to get it checked out but both were in denial and waited as long as possible to do so. My grandmother just had a stroke so to say the least, it wasn’t exactly a calm time. My mother decided it was her role to take care of my grandparents (my grandfather was trying to figure out how to care for my grandmother, they were both in their 90′s).

She finally went to see a radiologist 2 weeks after her mother passed away. Indeed, it was a tumor and it metastasized and spread to her liver and lymph nodes. We were all floored. We didn’t know what to do. My best friend from childhood died that year as well, so I felt as though my world was falling apart.

Her biggest advice? “Don’t wait until it’s too late to get a screening. There are simple tests you can get at a young age to see if your estrogen levels could lead to tumors in the future. Get screenings and don’t wait to get questionable lumps checked out. Whether you chose to do so or not and take it seriously is up to you, I certainly didn’t.”


An Inspiration

Phyllis A. Koenig-Aaronson is an inspiration to SO many. In her profession, she has worked her way up to the top, being one of the few women in her industry to produce commercials and currently, to own a commercial production company. She has been in the world of creating commercials and film for over 20 years and does a kick-ass job.

Personally, she is a mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, step-mother, cousin and friend. She is a joy to be around, creating happiness and joy everywhere she goes. She’s kind hearted, loving and one of the most giving and generous people I’ve ever met. She’s been like this her entire life. I learned to give and not expect anything in return 100% from her and my father. The way they engage with people, every person as if they count, no matter who they are, has always inspired me. From a homeless person on the street to a waitress in a diner, they have always been giving and human to all.

My mom is so strong and beyond brave. She has been through her share of life’s curve balls and took them with ease and grace. She intentionally makes it look easy, and she does a damn good job of it.

Her Perspective in Life: How has it changed? How has it stayed the same?

My mother reported she definitely still “works hard and plays hard”but her relationship with others and how she lets (or doesn’t let) their opinions and issues affect her is with far less gravity. She prioritizes her SELF first, her needs, wants and her families and close friends as well. She has more fun than she did before “the cancer”. She “doesn’t give a damn about anyone who’s burdened with negativity or fear.” She also explained that she has a “reset button that’s set to positive that gets pushed every day.” She works incredibly hard so by the end of the day she’s exhausted. She spends time with my dad for sustenance and by the morning her “happy” reset button has been pushed again.  She has many trips planned for the future, and if the universe decides its time for her to go, she’ll “buy two plane tickets for me and my husband and I’ll fly around the world until they yell at me to get into bed to die. But I’m hoping that won’t happen for a good long time from now, if ever.” She added that she harbors “zero guilt for others who can’t get their lives together. Don’t get me wrong, I feel badly for them-but I no longer feel responsible. It’s as real as the day is bright. Zero tolerance for those that don’t take responsibility for their own lives. That’s it. It’s simple.”

How her eating habits and relationship with food has changed

Personally, I’ve noticed quite the shift in my mother’s eating habits. Although she always had awareness surrounding healthy food (she was a vegetarian when she was 14 years old, which doesn’t always mean healthy). When she met her first husband (and then again with my dad) they were both meat and potato type of eaters so she cooked like that most of the time leading up to “the cancer”.

When I began learning about raw foods,superfoods, health and nutrition, she was so happy! She felt like she had a partner in (good) crime! During her cancer treatment, she began seeing a famous Chinese Doctor in Santa Monica. He taught her all about relaxation, meditation, but mostly, how to incorporate healthy foods, Chinese Herbs and Superfoods into her diet. Every evening she would drink a special herbal tea meant to heal her body from the inside out. I was so inspired by this that I created the Cacao MagicMushroom superfood blend which includes 3 medicinal mushrooms: ReishiChaga and Cordyceps. These 3 mushrooms have been used for centuries to heal people and are known as “the ultimate herbal substances”. I began to do more research than ever during the time she had cancer to get to know the magical herbs of the world and using them myself.

She said she’s “so happy that you (me- Sophie!) created several healing powder blends you can feed your family a few times a day to get all those super nutrient dense foods in your body to stave off the creepy cancers that lurk in everyone’s bodies. They lurk. They’re there when you’re born. They say it’s only a matter of time before “they” light up. I’d love to see a world where nobody lights up in that way- ever.”

I truly believe that although she did get chemo and radiation, that the healing food (she now gets more vegan food and superfoods into her daily diet than ever before)meditation and mindfulness is what cured her and will KEEP her cured. This shift inmindfulness–knowing the connection of what you put into your body affecting what happens to your body–is everything. We truly are what we eat, what we feel and what we do. And til the day I die, I’d like to be a Yogi Kale Leaf or Goji Berry, please! Right alongside my mother, and soon enough hopefully alongside the rest of our family as they continue to learn more about putting healthy, healing foods into their bodies.
You can read more about my lovely momma in a recent interview with Shoot Magazine

Do you have a loved one that you are remembering this month (alive or no longer) that suffered from “the cancer”? Please share a little something if you’re comfortable. Remembering and sharing is so important!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month & My Mother’s Experience

 

Cue the music: “I’m a survivor”


My incredible, inspiring, beautiful mother had a huge battle with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. This was almost 5 years ago, and one of the most terrifying experiences of our lives. I’ve wanted to share her moving story but I needed time to pass to heal us all from the wounds this wretched disease created.

How “the cancer” developed

She felt a lump under her left breast for about a year. She and my dad both agreed they needed to get it checked out but both were in denial and waited as long as possible to do so. My grandmother just had a stroke so to say the least, it wasn’t exactly a calm time. My mother decided it was her role to take care of my grandparents (my grandfather was trying to figure out how to care for my grandmother, they were both in their 90′s).

She finally went to see a radiologist 2 weeks after her mother passed away. Indeed, it was a tumor and it metastasized and spread to her liver and lymph nodes. We were all floored. We didn’t know what to do. My best friend from childhood died that year as well, so I felt as though my world was falling apart.

Her biggest advice? “Don’t wait until it’s too late to get a screening. There are simple tests you can get at a young age to see if your estrogen levels could lead to tumors in the future. Get screenings and don’t wait to get questionable lumps checked out. Whether you chose to do so or not and take it seriously is up to you, I certainly didn’t.”


An Inspiration

Phyllis A. Koenig-Aaronson is an inspiration to SO many. In her profession, she has worked her way up to the top, being one of the few women in her industry to produce commercials and currently, to own a commercial production company. She has been in the world of creating commercials and film for over 20 years and does a kick-ass job.

Personally, she is a mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, step-mother, cousin and friend. She is a joy to be around, creating happiness and joy everywhere she goes. She’s kind hearted, loving and one of the most giving and generous people I’ve ever met. She’s been like this her entire life. I learned to give and not expect anything in return 100% from her and my father. The way they engage with people, every person as if they count, no matter who they are, has always inspired me. From a homeless person on the street to a waitress in a diner, they have always been giving and human to all.

My mom is so strong and beyond brave. She has been through her share of life’s curve balls and took them with ease and grace. She intentionally makes it look easy, and she does a damn good job of it.

Her Perspective in Life: How has it changed? How has it stayed the same?

My mother reported she definitely still “works hard and plays hard”but her relationship with others and how she lets (or doesn’t let) their opinions and issues affect her is with far less gravity. She prioritizes her SELF first, her needs, wants and her families and close friends as well. She has more fun than she did before “the cancer”. She “doesn’t give a damn about anyone who’s burdened with negativity or fear.” She also explained that she has a “reset button that’s set to positive that gets pushed every day.” She works incredibly hard so by the end of the day she’s exhausted. She spends time with my dad for sustenance and by the morning her “happy” reset button has been pushed again.  She has many trips planned for the future, and if the universe decides its time for her to go, she’ll “buy two plane tickets for me and my husband and I’ll fly around the world until they yell at me to get into bed to die. But I’m hoping that won’t happen for a good long time from now, if ever.” She added that she harbors “zero guilt for others who can’t get their lives together. Don’t get me wrong, I feel badly for them-but I no longer feel responsible. It’s as real as the day is bright. Zero tolerance for those that don’t take responsibility for their own lives. That’s it. It’s simple.”

How her eating habits and relationship with food has changed

Personally, I’ve noticed quite the shift in my mother’s eating habits. Although she always had awareness surrounding healthy food (she was a vegetarian when she was 14 years old, which doesn’t always mean healthy). When she met her first husband (and then again with my dad) they were both meat and potato type of eaters so she cooked like that most of the time leading up to “the cancer”.

When I began learning about raw foods,superfoods, health and nutrition, she was so happy! She felt like she had a partner in (good) crime! During her cancer treatment, she began seeing a famous Chinese Doctor in Santa Monica. He taught her all about relaxation, meditation, but mostly, how to incorporate healthy foods, Chinese Herbs and Superfoods into her diet. Every evening she would drink a special herbal tea meant to heal her body from the inside out. I was so inspired by this that I created the Cacao MagicMushroom superfood blend which includes 3 medicinal mushrooms: ReishiChaga and Cordyceps. These 3 mushrooms have been used for centuries to heal people and are known as “the ultimate herbal substances”. I began to do more research than ever during the time she had cancer to get to know the magical herbs of the world and using them myself.

She said she’s “so happy that you (me- Sophie!) created several healing powder blends you can feed your family a few times a day to get all those super nutrient dense foods in your body to stave off the creepy cancers that lurk in everyone’s bodies. They lurk. They’re there when you’re born. They say it’s only a matter of time before “they” light up. I’d love to see a world where nobody lights up in that way- ever.”

I truly believe that although she did get chemo and radiation, that the healing food (she now gets more vegan food and superfoods into her daily diet than ever before)meditation and mindfulness is what cured her and will KEEP her cured. This shift inmindfulness–knowing the connection of what you put into your body affecting what happens to your body–is everything. We truly are what we eat, what we feel and what we do. And til the day I die, I’d like to be a Yogi Kale Leaf or Goji Berry, please! Right alongside my mother, and soon enough hopefully alongside the rest of our family as they continue to learn more about putting healthy, healing foods into their bodies.
You can read more about my lovely momma in a recent interview with Shoot Magazine

Do you have a loved one that you are remembering this month (alive or no longer) that suffered from “the cancer”? Please share a little something if you’re comfortable. Remembering and sharing is so important!

Medicinal Mushrooms-Magic and Healing

Medicinal mushrooms have amazing healing benefits.


Modern scientific research examining the Ganoderma (Reishi) mushrooms has revealed a variety of potential health benefits:

* anti-cancer properties

* immune system up-regulation

* liver-protecting properties

* antibacterial properties, antiviral properties and antifungal properties

* reducing radiation-induced damage

* reducing lower urinary tract symptoms

* increasing exercise endurance

* inhibitory effect on high blood pressure, due to ACE inhibitor properties.

* inhibitory effects on angiogenesis (via inhibition of VEGF), blood platelet creation, and fibrosis.

Healing Benefits of Maitake (from Wikipedia):

In 2009, a phase I/II human trial, conducted by Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, showed Maitake could stimulate the immune systems of breast cancer patients.

In vitro research has also shown Maitake can stimulate immune system cells. An in vivo experiment showed that Maitake could stimulate both the innate immune system and adaptive immune system.

In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an Investigational New Drug Application for a portion of the mushroom.

Ways to get medicinal mushrooms into your daily regime:

  • put the mushroom powder into a smoothie (my fave is inside a chocolate smoothie)
  • put the mushroom powder into a dish that has mushrooms into it anyway (sneak it into a gravy or dressing)
  • make a tea out of the powder

    CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO ON MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS BY DAVID WOLFE!


     

    Healthy Tips for Cancer Treatment and How to Stay Grounded

    After watching my mother go through her fight with Stage 4 breast cancer last year, I learned quite a bit. Reflecting on the past 12 months, I have created a way to stay grounded through one's cancer treatment (or any difficult journey).

    Calm your Breath

    Become more aware of your breathing in general. Notice when you hold your breath, when you hold onto tension. Make an effort to focus on your inhalation and exhalation. Try and lengthen each breath, especially in stressful moments.

     

    Meditation

    Find some time to meditate. This can mean something different to everyone. Maybe it means you take 5 minutes in the morning or before bed to lay down and close your eyes and focus on nothingness. Maybe you take 20 minutes to have a "proper" seated meditation. Either way, take some quiet time for yourself each day to help calm your body and mind.

    Create a Posse 

    Think of your team of doctors, nutritionists, yoga teachers, massage therapists, acupuncturist, friends and family members as an invaluable wellness support group.  Looking back on my mom's chemo and healing process, I see the faces of each and every person that helped make the process easier for her (and all of us).

    Make Food a Loving Expression

    Think of preparing your own food as an expression of self-love and appreciation. Every time I visit the farmers market or prepare a fresh juice or dish, I really take deep breaths with appreciation and love. When I'm preparing a cleanse, I turn my cell phone off to connect & fill the food with all the love in my heart. It makes a huge difference!

    Plan for the Future, but Live in The Now

    No one can give you permission to live the way you want to, except you.

    Find your healer within and tap in!

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