Just wanted to give you all an update on my condition -  I am doing REALLY
GOOD and finally feeling like my old self again. I found a solution to my
nausea/pain control situation - liquid Roxicet, and some Tigan occasionally
if my homeopathic remedy doesn't do the trick for the occasional nausea.
Thanks for all the tips you all sent to me - I tried several, and am still
looking for the right acupuncturist. I was about ready to look at breastmilk
for awhile  ;-)  but managed to find a more mainstream solution.

I started chemo a few weeks ago, and much to my surprise, I have had next to
no side effects at all. No exhaustion, no hair falling out, nothing - a
little liver pain when we do the liver chemo, and a little hyper for a few
days with the steroid they give to prevent liver inflammation, and that's
about it. The worst has been the ups and downs with fear, depression and
anxiety unrelated to the chemo - which are brought on by a lack of hope.

I have hope now, and have been able to keep myself out of the pit of
depression that is so easy to fall into. Part of this is believing my team
of doctors - my surgical oncologist, who went 'in' there and really saw the
situation, told me to thank him in five years - and he didn't mean from the
casket, mind you! He told me before that there was a 25-45% CURE rate for
the technology and procedures they are using on me, and I know that colon
cancer is rapidly becoming one of those cancers that can be cured, even at
the advanced stages. New meds are coming out all the time. He also told me
he that the worst scenario is to just keep me alive for a few years and by
then with new advances in medicine cancer will be able to be cured.  And, I
am doing all sorts of fun alternatives - from homeopathy (which I really
believe in), to Reiki and Cranial Massage (so relaxing and fun), to imagery,
learning mediation, and other relaxation techniques, to finding my spiritual
side. Note that prior to all of this there was NO relaxation, slowing down,
looking inward, trusting my inner wisdom AT ALL IN MY LIFE.  Life feels so
much better - even with starting to work again - cause after some working, I
am relaxing and getting in touch with myself, rather than just driving
myself endlessly. I have learned how to ask for things, to nurture myself,
and to make my recovery and health a priority.

So, I have learned not to listen to the nay sayers, and to stop reading
things that are not really positive. And I truly believe that I AM going to
make it, become a survivor, and help other people in my shoes. I now have
another passion and mission in life.... helping people with Stage 4
cancers - if there was a 'meant to be' in my getting this, this is it.

Have no fear, I still love and have my passion for helping breastfeeding
mothers. I have just added another passion to my life. When someone is
diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and I don't care what kind it is, they are
bombarded with information that there is no cure possible, that once it
metastasized there is no hope for more than a few months or years of life.
So many MDs think they are doing the right thing to tell people this -
dashing any hope they have of making it. I personally have had two competent
oncologists tell me this, as well as numerous other MDs who learned of my
condition. One asked my husband only one question ...  "Did it metastasize?"
and when my husband said yes, his only answer was "Sorry".  Add to that is
the fact that 99 out of 100 things that people will read (from internet to
books) will confirm the same thing - Stage 4, pick out your casket.

Now hope may not necessarily cure someone (although it can, and there are so
many experts that believe this and cases where it has happened), no hope
WILL likely kill them. How many people who don't have the incredible support
system that I have, or the determination and will to move mountains believe
all this stuff that they hear and just give up? Live up to their doctor's
predictions?  I approached my cancer treatment center, and offered to donate
Bernie Siegel's book "Love, Medicine and Miracles" to any patient that has
given up hope after learning of a very competent oncologist that tells
people that they can never beat cancer once it metastasized.  They told me
that so many come from his office in tears (I was one of them, mind you...)
I thought they would turn me down (how legally could they do this???) but
they said YES. I am also in the process of writing to this doctor, will give
him Siegel's book, urge him to rethink this practice, and cc the letter to
the heads of the departments to let them know what is happening under their
noses.  I am determined to make a difference in this world - and once I can
call myself a 'survivor' you can bet you will hear me from one end of this
earth to the other - helping people to keep their faith, and not give up.

Sorry this is so long, but I wanted you all to know where I am at, and how
much I appreciate your support and prayers - I am going to beat this, and
follow my blueprint for life - to be at least 96 before I leave this world.

Love to you all.

Liz Baldwin

Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq.
2020 N.E. 163rd Street, Suite 300
North Miami Beach, Fla. 33162
305-944-9100

www.lalecheleague.org/LawMain.html
www.compromisesolutions.com

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