My Pet-CT result just came in....IT'S OFFICIAL I AM CANCER FREE 6 MONTHS!!! Monday is one year anniversary of my diagnosis. "Don't give up! You got a reason to live"! WOO!HOO!


and eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge
 

I will admit that I fell off the wagon these past couple of weeks. Patients brought literally bags and bags of sweets to the infusion center, and I found myself eating Sees candy, cookies and cakes. It is sooo easy to fall back into old eating habits. Even at home I found myself "craving" breads and chips. My son brought home donuts this morning, including my favorite, apple fritter (a huge one probably 1,000 calories worth). Of course I ate the whole thing. A few minutes ago I was thinking about starting on one those chocolate Santas someone gave us but I said "stop!"...so I made myself a salad and kale green smoothie instead. Its esy to reach for the processed foods and junk foods....I will also admit that most of it tastes good. I bet if I research it, I will find that corporations who make all this "junk" food has people on staff whose full time job is to make sure these foods are tasty...its like a drug dealer making sure his "product" is tasty for addicts. Sugar is addicting...no doubt in mind. And on that note I'm going to research that...

 

 

http://www.fyiliving.com/diet/nutrition/food-addiction-research-why-you-get-a-sugar-high/

http://stufffreak.com/fat-salt-sugar/


Eat your fruits and veggies!   And hope you are enjoying Christmas!    xo  Inge

I see many different people with different stages of cancer at the hospital. Today I got to thinking...not everyone will survive. It made me think about my battle and even though it was at times extremely painful..I decided early on to fight like Hell. I chose to get the most aggressive treatment possible. I know not everyone does things the sameway but...I suggest for those of you dealing with cancer do whatever you have to to get through it....scream, yell, curse, pray, meditate...don't worry what others will think...this is YOUR battle and fight it anyway you can...you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

This is an affirmation that I start my day with. It is from the book "You Can Heal Your Life", by Louise L. Hay.

     "In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole and complete.

I live in harmony and balance with everyone I know. Deep at the center of my being, there is an infinite well of love. I now allow this love to flow to the surface. It fills my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being and radiates out from me in all directions and returns to me multiplied. The more love I use and give, the more I have to give. The supply is endless. The use of love makes me feel good; it is an expression of my inner joy. I love myself; therefore, I take loving care of my body. I lovingly feed it nourishing foods and beverages. I lovingly groom it and dress it, and my body lovingly responds to me with vibrant health and energy. I love myself; therefore, I provide for myself a comfortable home, one that fills all my needs and is a pleasure to be in. I fill the rooms with the vibration of love so that all who enter, myself included, will feel this love and be nourished by it. I love myself; therefore, I work at a job I truly enjoy doing, one that uses my creative talents and abilities, working with and for people I love and who love me, and earning a good income. I love myself; therefore, I behave and think in a loving way to all people for I know that which I give out returns to me multiplied. I only attract loving people in my world, for they are a mirror of what I am. I love myself; therefore, I forgive and totally release the past all past experiences and I am free. I love myself; therefore, I live totally in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright and joyous and secure, for I am a beloved child of the Universe and the Universe lovingly takes care of me now and forever more."

Dr. Connealy tells us her approach to cancer!

This doctor practices medicine at the hospital that takes care of me.
I was so excited to run across this video! and see food does make a difference in getting helathy and fighting cancer!

Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo   Inge



I had fun at the AADC Christmas Party last night. I even danced for awhile...they played a song about someone losing their booty down a well...don't know if they ever found it :D

We adopted a kitten a few weeks ago. It was an impulse adoption on my part. I was driving by Petco on a Saturday and there was a small sign advertising kitten adoption day...so I decided to check it out... maybe there would be an orange tabby that was like Austin. Actually there will never be another Austin, he was one of a kind. Anyway I did a drive by look see and something told me to park the car and look closer. I spotted Tiny Tim right away. He walked funny...his left leg kind of dragged along. I asked about him and they told me he was born with a disability...nothing major...just walks funny. They named him Tiny Tim.

I held him for a minute and I knew he was coming home with me. I haven't had a kitten in the house for about 25 years. He just turned 3 months old and his so-called disability does not stop him from running all over the house, climbing up furniture and jumping on tables. He is a normal, healthy kitten, who has tons of energy and plays all day, except when he naps and eats. It's fun to watch him explore. Everything is an adventure to him.

It's been cold down here in beautiful sunny Southern California. There are lots of people sick so when I go out in public I am wearing my mask. Today I decided to work on some collages. I have several old cds sitting around so I made magnets out of them. Hope you are staying warm...

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge



I guess I really didn't think about what I was eating in the past. I was an on again-off again vegetarian but now I realize there was no emphasis on the vegetarian part...meaning I did not eat nearly enough veggies. Pasta, potatoes and bread alone are not a healthy diet. I am also guilty of eating processed food. I was maybe getting full but I was not eating nutritious food. I wasn't getting my daily dose of phytonutrients which is what berries and veggies are full of. I guess its better late than never and almost a year ago it could have been never. I came so close to croaking...more than once. I am so fortunate to be alive and healthy that I will continue to pass on information that will help others live a healthy life.

 

Here is a link to a food chart that might interest you..

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/healthy-food-food-scoring-guide-smart-choices.html

 

 

 

I went to the cancer survivors Christmas party last night and had a nice time. It was fun dressing up for a change...I think I will do it more often even if I am just going to the grocery store :D There was about 200 hundred people there, including some cancer doctors...two of mine were there. There wasn't any dancing though which was sort of a bummer....but I have another chance a week from Saturday when I go to another Christmas party and I know there will be dancing after dinner!

I am practising walking without my walker... not outside much yet... but I am determined to get rid of this stinking walker! I plan to check out how much a gym membership will cost in January...I figure that's when they have sales. I miss working out and lifting weights.

Tomorrow I meet the orthopedic surgeon...we will discuss a possible future surgery. I really don't want it and I will try to get out of it. I am hoping my pelvic bone will heal itself.

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge

It's that time of year again....shopping for that perfect for someone special or yourself! You already know I am a huge advocate to buy American made and especially from local business. I also turned vegan this year because of my health and yes...because I found out what horrible conditions our animal friends live and die in. There are two links I am featuring today who I think you will like and you will be supporting American artists and animal lovers.

The first is   Daisey Wares  http://www.etsy.com/shop/daisywares   the owner sells and makes handmade jewlery and vegan body products. She also rescues farm animals and works with the Harvest Home Sanctuary.
http://www.harvesthomeanimal.org/

The second is The Qi papers    http://www.etsy.com/shop/qipapers?ref=em  the owner sells and makes handmade postcards and cards. She uses the Japanese art of woodblock printing called Moku Hanga. She also rescues bunnies and fosters lots of them.

Please check out both of these sites and support small business!


By the way I am going to a Christmas party tommorrow at the Double Tree Hotel. It's for cancer survivors and is sponsored by UC Irvine Medical Center. Woo! Hoo!


Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge

SB810 California Healthcare Bill

http://ca.lwv.org/lwvc/action/call/2010-01-19sb810.html

January 19, 2010
The renewed push to pass Senator Mark Leno’s SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act, begins with deadlines that must be met this month. SB 810 must be voted on by the Senate Appropriations Committee by January 22 and by the full senate by the end of January.
SB 810 is nearly identical to former Senator Sheila Kuehl’s landmark bill (SB 840) to establish a single payer health insurance system for California. It would provide fiscally sound, affordable health care to all Californians, provide every Californian the right to choose his or her own physician, and control health care cost inflation.
SB 810 was passed by the Senate Health Committee last April but was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s “suspense file” last May, along with a majority of other Senate bills that had a fiscal impact. Further action was postponed to this month. And now it’s time to act! Tell your state senator to vote YES on SB 810 when it comes up for a vote.

SB 810 will not only provide high quality, affordable, guaranteed health care to all Californians, it will save the state billions of dollars in health care costs. At a time when the state budget deficit threatens to exceed $20 billion, and millions of Californians are without jobs and healthcare, the need to pass real health care reform in our state is greater than ever.

Action Needed: Contact Your State Senators

First step: Take action with the Senate Appropriations Committee.
If your senator is on the Appropriations Committee (Senators Kehoe [chair], Cox [vice chair], Alquist, Corbett, Denham, Leno, Liu, Price, Walters, Wyland and Yee), contact him or her NOW by phone, fax, or e-mail. Urge him/her to vote SB 810 out of committee.
Next step: Contact all other senators.
Assuming that SB 810 will be taken from the suspense file and passed out of the Appropriations Committee, we need to lobby all remaining senators to pass this crucial bill.
Find contact information for your state senator at www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html.
Local League and ILO presidents: Please send an official letter from your League to the senators in your League’s jurisdiction. Forward this alert to your members and colleagues and urge them to take action.

League members and others: Please call, fax, or e-mail your senator, acting as an individual. Share this e-mail with your friends and colleagues to encourage them to take action.
Use the points to make and/or the sample letter below to send the message that SB 810 is a critical reform California’s people need. While the nation is mired in the health care reform debate, California can lead the way with a system of affordable, quality care accessible to all
Californians.

Action Needed: Contact Your State Senators

First step: Take action with the Senate Appropriations Committee.
If your senator is on the Appropriations Committee (Senators Kehoe [chair], Cox [vice chair], Alquist, Corbett, Denham, Leno, Liu, Price, Walters, Wyland and Yee), contact him or her NOW by phone, fax, or e-mail. Urge him/her to vote SB 810 out of committee.
Next step: Contact all other senators.
Assuming that SB 810 will be taken from the suspense file and passed out of the Appropriations Committee, we need to lobby all remaining senators to pass this crucial bill.
Find contact information for your state senator at www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html.
Local League and ILO presidents: Please send an official letter from your League to the senators in your League’s jurisdiction. Forward this alert to your members and colleagues and urge them to take action.
League members and others: Please call, fax, or e-mail your senator, acting as an individual. Share this e-mail with your friends and colleagues to encourage them to take action.

Sample Letter (personalize this letter if you can)

The Honorable [first name, last name]
California State Senate
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator [last name]:
I urge you to vote YES on SB 810 (Leno) when it comes before you for a vote this month.
SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act, will provide every Californian the security of comprehensive, quality health care benefits in a system that gives everyone the right to choose his or her own physician and controls health care cost inflation.
SB 810 makes good fiscal sense. It combines the federal, state and local funds already spent on health care with affordable insurance premiums that replace all the premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket payments and co-pays now paid by employers and consumers. It limits the amount that can go to administrative overhead to five percent of our health care dollars, avoiding the huge waste in our current system.

Escalating health care costs are a burden to all Californians personally as well as to state and local governments that are major employers and safety net providers. With our state budget facing another $20 billion-plus deficit, and with millions of Californians without jobs and health care, we must take the important step of passing REAL health care reform. Please support SB 810.
Sincerely,
[your signature]

I have been doing ok with my ostomy bags as far as wearing one for at least 4 days which is how long they are supposed to last but these last couple of days has been a pain-in-my-ass (parden the pun). My bag broke twice this morning and the second time I was away from home. That really got me upset. My stoma is also unhappy...I have some red bumps around it that almost looks like blisters and it s...tings. I think the problem is once again my diet. I am having trouble figuring out what to eat that will make my stool just the right consistency; so it won't clog up which breaks the bag where it is attatched to my skin. I have 13 bags left, which seems like alot but I don't know when I get my next order of supplies. I am feeling a bit emotional today as well. I think I need to get myself back on schedule of journaling and meditating...

 

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo Inge

PLEASE SIGN PETITION AND SHARE ON YOUR FB PAGE!! EMAIL TO YOUR CONTACTS AND TWEET THIS. I WANT OBAMA TO GET 20,000 signatures at the very least. If you knew how much of our food is already gmo you would gag! I want to beat Monsanto like the people protesting the XL Pipeline!!!

Petition Ban GMOS in United States

www.ipetitions.com

This is petition for Ban GMOS in United States. Join the movement! Sign now!

xo  Inge

A friend of mine told me that he is cautious about what he posts on facebook or other public social media. He is concerned about his employer finding out. That got me thinking...There was a time that I made "fear based" decisions, and I didn't always say what I really thought. My cancer diagnosis changed all of that. For the first time in my life I am NOT fearful. Sooo what I am getting at is I don't care who reads my posts on social media. My political and social beliefs are out there on my facebook, my twitter and my blog. If someone doesn't like me because of my beliefs I don't care. I wouldn't work for someone that would fire me for my beliefs anyway.
Eat your fruits and veggies!  xo Inge
Did you sign my petition to ban gmos in the USA yet? Here's the link
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bangmosinunitedstates/

I am feeling good and getting back into my groove so to speak...which means activisim. Please read and sign this petition  http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bangmosinunitedstates/

This so important because it is our food source and you know how I feel about food contamination.
Please post on your blog, email, tweet, facebook'

Thanks!  and eat your fruit & veggies!   xo Inge

"President Obama and the USDA have chosen to override and ignore decisions and injunctions made by the U.S. Supreme Court that banned planting of genetically engineered alfalfa and sugar beets without consideration of the Environmental Impact Assessments, which showed high risks to organic and conventional (chemical) farmers.Sugar beets provide over 50 percent of the sugar Americans use in their coffee, cereals, and desserts.
Alfalfa reaches our tables within milk, cream, butter, and meat, as it is used as a major animal feed in the dairy industry.
Obama’s push for deregulation potentially also means the end of the organic meat and organic dairy industries as we presently know them. Essentially, he is choosing to favor the profits of big agribusiness over the survival of America’s family farmers, and especially America’s organic farmers.
Our democracy has to work for farmers and consumers and not just for multinational biotech corporations. It makes absolutely no sense that the economic risks to farmers are not considered before genetically engineered crops are put on the market. It is farmers who pay the costs of genetic contamination, not the biotech companies." excerpted from Autumn of Hope editorial.
Please sign this petition to tell Obama to receverse his decision and ban gmos for at least 10 years like Peru's Congress just did.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bangmosinunitedstates/

There is also a button on right sidebar that will take you to petition.
Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo  Inge

My first day volunteering at the infusion center, UCI was a success. I talked with a couple of people and told them my story...they told me theirs. I also served them coffee, juice and brought heated blankets....once a waitress always a waitress! I go back Wednesday.
Eat your fruit & veggies!   xo Inge

I drank my first cup of coffee in eleven months yesterday. Yum! I stayed away from it before so my intestines could heal. Before I got sick I had been drinking coffee forever. It's nice to have some of my "normal" routine back.

Monday I start at UC Irvine Medical Center as a volunteer. I will report to the infusion center. Got my badge and uniform :)

Eat your fruit & veggies!    xo    Inge

If you have to be hospitalized for something catastrophic like cancer always designate someone to be your spokesperson. Put them on your Advance Directives paperwork, BUT that paperwork is not enough. It says they are in charge of your medical care, BUT it is so much more than that. When you are in the hospital you will probably be on lots of pain meds...doctors will come in to see you when you are half asleep and ask you questions that you won't remember later. Try to always have someone staying in your room, especially when the doctors show up. When you are 1st admitted to the hospital is the most critical time. Lots of doctors come and go...insurance papers need to be dealt with, especially if you are applying for Medical. I recommend you put your important papers in 1 folder now so you or the person you choose to handle these things can find it fast. I'm talking about, rent stubs, mortage statements, marriage license, pay stubs, bank statements, etc. The faster these things are turned the faster you get approved and treated. When I got sick and went to the emergency room, I was admitted because I was bleeding out and was high risk for stroke or heart attack. I was given blood and loads of tests to find out why I was bleeding. Then I was kept in because I needed liver surgery, the cancer has spread but I was lucky and only lost 10%. While this was going on my son, James had to learn the "system" in order to get my insurance approved quickly. We were first told it could take a minimum of 6 months to get approval. I did not have 6 months to wait. James had to be persistant and literally beg to have things move faster to save my life. What I am saying is be careful who you choose to make decisions for you. Hospitals and insurance are complicated, but there are always loopholes. Choose someone who has the patience and determination to get things done. There will always be some clerk who says no. They need to go over her head and push things through. You know the saying about the squeaky wheel? It's true. Your life depends on it.

 

Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo Inge

I ordered some business cards that I can leave with patients when I visit them in the hospital.

I went to the Day of the Dead celebration in Santa Ana Art District. The last one I went to was in San Francisco several years ago. The celebration was different as far as layout but the theme was the same. I really enjoy going to this because I think its important to remember and honor those loved who crossed over. I will definitely make this a yearly event. 

http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/science-a-environmental/28204-new-report-highlights-gmos-false-promises-and-failed-technologies.html



I found some new info regarding GMOS. There will be a measure on the California ballot 2012 that requires GMOS to be labeled as such, but I don't think it goes far enough. It needs to be banned!

I saw an oncology orthopedist today. I was referred to him because I had an MRI about a week before my ostomy surgery and it showed I have chronic fractures in my pelvic bone. How did this happen? The prime suspect is radiation. I didn't know what chronic fractures were until today. My doctor said its like a cracked windshield, it will continue to crack unless its fixed. Bummer. He gave me a refe...rral to an orthopedic surgeon. I asked if this would fix my walking problem and he said probably not but it should keep my pelvic bone from cracking anymore. So for now at least I have to use a walker when I go outside the house. Without it I walk like I'm drunk....maybe if I started drinking I would walk normal :D

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge

Juicing Carrots, Apples, and Cucumbers Oh My!

I am still having problems with my bag leaking. I did have 4 days where my bag was intact, but today I saw my stoma nurse and she helped me put a new one on. It lasted 12 hours and then it breached. I will have to keep trying. My abdoman is still healing and shrinking so I have dimples where I didn't a couple of weeks ago.

I get my tb test checked tomorrow. This is the second one in a row. The hospital is quite thorough with that. Then I take my paperwork to the volunteer office and hopefully start within a couple of weeks :)

Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo   Inge

Olive and Me

DSC01725, a photo by junkstylediva on Flickr.

I miss Olive everyday. We were together for 5 years and went everywhere together.

Cooper, Charlie and I went to the Annual Halloween Costume party at our condo complex. The weather was great! And my Cooper wom first place!!!

eat your fruits and veggies  and some Halloween candy :)  xo  Inge

 

 

I was having trouble with my stoma bag yesterday. It is  was leaking AGAIN. It leaked Wednesday so I changed it and then Thursday afternoon it leaked again in the same place, so I called the home healthcare agency to get some advice. I guess its hard to troubleshoot that sort of problem over the phone, but the nurse told me she would get me some help. I had only one bag left and my supplies won't be here for at least one more week, so I thought I might have to use a ziplock baggie and duct tape for awhile. About an hour later my  home healthcare nurse called and told me she would come over Friday morning. Then a friend dropped off some extra stoma bags a few minutes later. Whew!

 

 

My nurse came over this morning to help me with my leaky bag. I was up most of the night checking it and putting more tape on it. I didn't want to change it though because I wanted my nurse to see where it was leaking. I'm glad I didn't because she had to take pictures of the area. When I did take off the bag I noticed my abdomen around the stoma had changed. I think it was swollen from surgery and now it's returning to normal, so I now have "dimple" near the stoma and exactly where my bag leaks. The ring used to sit flush on my skin but now there is an area where there is a very small space that stool can seep through. I called my doctor's nurse and she gave me a some paste that will fill in that area. Good thing because I was going to go visit the hardware store and buy some plumbers putty :O

Eat your fruits & veggies    xo Inge

Do you know there are videos on youtube that show how to change  colostomy bag? Neither did I...my home health nurse told me about it. I had a busy day today. I must have changed my bag 8 times. There were times it really hurt because my stool was too hard. I will have to find out what kinds of food I can eat that will make that easier. I have not changed my bag yet...I'm waiting for the nurse to come back to help me.  My incision is feeling better though.
Eat your fruits & veggies!   Inge

I swiped this off facebook. We have to learn to be consumer savy, since our government refuses to protect us and plays games with how they give information. Please repost this!

ALWAYS READ THE LABELS ON THE FOODS YOU BUY--NO MATTER WHAT THE FRONT OF THE BOX OR PACKAGE SAYS, TURN IT OVER AND READ THE BACK---CAREFULLY!

With all the food and pet products now coming from China , it is best to make sure you read label at the grocery store and especially Walmart when buying food products.
Many products no longer show where they were made, only give where the distributor is located.
It is important to read the bar code to track it's origin.
How to read Bar Codes .... interesting!
This may be useful to know when grocery shopping, if it's a concern to you.
GREAT WAY TO "BUY USA & CANADA " AND NOT FROM CHINA!!
The whole world is concerned about China-made "black hearted goods".
Can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or China ?
If the first 3 digits of the barcode are 690 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN CHINA.
471 is Made in Taiwan .
This is our right to know, but the government and related departments never educate the
public, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves.
Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products "MADE IN CHINA ", so they don't show from which country it is made.
However, you may now refer to the barcode - remember if the first 3 digits are:

690-692 ... then it is MADE IN CHINA

 00 - 09 ... USA & CANADA

30 - 37 FRANCE
40 - 44 GERMANY

 471 .... Taiwan49 ... JAPAN

50 ... UK

BUY USA & CANADIAN MADE by watching for "0" at the beginning of the number.

 We need every boost we can get! Pass this on to everybody on your E-Mail Contact List!!

I got an email when I was in the hospital telling me there was a volunteer orientation meeting Monday at UC Irvine Medical Center. At the time I did not know if I would be well enough to attend, but I was and I went...John drove me since I can't drive. Long story short, I got a tb test today and then in about 2 weeks I will be seeing patients in the infusion center...in case you don't know what that is - it's a place in the hospital where patient's spend one to six hours a day receiving chemo. I will provide emotional support. I am excited about it!
Eat your fruits & veggies!     xo   Inge

I just made myself a smoothie:  added frozen spinach, frozen mixed berries, yogurt ( I always use the one with lacto bacteria stuff - yoplait is crap), 2 tblsps. chocolate hemp powder, orange juice, soy milk, 1/2 banana....then I added the vitamins (I broke open capsule) B Complex, crushed Iron; herbs, Milk Thistle (to heal my liver, Vicadin is not good for the liver); Aloe Vera (to heal my intestines); 1 tsp. Organic Green Super Food by Amazing Grass. I am waiting for the vitamin D3 to come in the mail. Of course I drank a shot of Noni juice.

I am back in my own bed...I was released yesterday afternoon. I feel so much better than I did a few days ago. I haven't had a real bowel movement yet. I'm taking Vicadin for pain and that will constipate people. It's nice to be home. My critters were so happy to see me, especially Jinx...he must have meowed for 10 straight minutes. I can eat most foods now, but I have to stay away from gas causing ones for a while though. I plan to make lots of smoothies and juicing. I have to change the way I take meds and vitamins now. Did you know alot of these pills are digested in the intestines? I thought they were in the stomach. The vitamins and herbs I take now are in capsules so I will break them open and add them to my smoothies. If I need antibiotics I will need them in liquid form. This change will be forever. I will also need to eat smaller more frequent meals and drink more water.
I had a small scare this morning at 6am. I woke up and went to the bathroom to pee and my pullup had diarrhea mixed with blood in it. I thought at first that my stoma bag leaked, but that was secure. It definitely came out of my rectum and small fresh drops of blood continued to come out. I also had cramping and pain all over my abdomen, not just my incisions, so I called the emergency room nurse to see if I should come in, she told me they were slammed with trauma patients....its Saturday night and lots of shootings (my personal comment) but that I could come in to get checked out. I decided to wait for the "rush" to get over and go back to sleep.  I got up 3 hours later, nothing in my pullup now and my abdomen feels better. I will wait and see. If there is something wrong it should leak out of my rectum again. If it does I will go to emergency and get it looked at.
It will take practise to get this changing my stoma bag down. There are lots of steps. I can only change it 2-3 times a week...I will only get enough supplies for that amount.  The supplies will run total about $300 a month! Emptying the bag will be ok. I will rinse it out with my squirt bottle to keep any odors to a minimum. I have to admit my stoma looks weird...it is actually my intestine sticking out of my skin, luckily it does not have nerves. It looks like a fat tongue and sticks out about 1/4 of an inch. Look it up on google image under colostomy and stoma if you are curious. I was going to post a photo of it on my blog but I figured it might gross some people out. It sure will be nice to have the freedom to leave my house earlier and not poop my pants anymore.

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge

I dreamed about food last night...when I was sleeping...I am drinking lots of liquids and hooked up to saline drip...so that means lots of bathroom trips. Actually my bathroom is a portable potty by my bed. I still need help getting out of bed, but today I walked outside my room with the help of my occupational therapist. I also washed up and brushed my teeth. yay!

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo   Inge

Well, I made it through surgery. I was in recovery sleeping quite nicely when I woke up to someone hooking me up to the ekg machine, apparently my heart rate was too slow. I guess its better than too fast. They must have cleared up the problem because I am here typing. I spent the rest of the evening dry heaving. The anesthesia did not agree with me and retching after colon surgery is not fun. I was up most of the night, I was either trying to find a comfortable way to sleep...I like sleeping on my side but it was too painful so I used lots of pillows...and the rest of the time the nurse came in to draw blood or take my vitals.
I need help getting out of bed and I have a portable potty next to me. I can't walk because it is too painful, but I can sit in bed with lots of pillows to support my back. I haven't eaten since and Sunday night. Monday I only drank clear liquids and sat on the toilet all night. Today I am back to clear liquids but only after bugging my doctors for hours. Hopefully I can eat solid food tomorrow.
You know whats weird? I feel like I need to poop but the urge is down by my rectum. I guess my brain doesn't know I had my plumbing changed yet. I wonder if it is like ghost pains, like when someone has their leg amputated. I was just informed that my diet will change...it will be a low residue, whatever that means. I can still drink my smoothies and juice still.

Eat your fruits & veggies     xo Inge

Tomorrow is D day for me. Today I am packing the things I will be taking to the hospital. I also dyed my hair...I figure I should look my best for surgery :) I cannot eat solid food today...only clear liquids. My stomach is growling :(   At least I was able to gain 5 pounds, so I won't lose much more weight.  I am glad to be getting this colostomy bag sooner than later...I had so many "accidents" in my pullups while I was away from home the last two weeks I lost count. It will be nice to stop worrying where the bathrooms are and will I make it in time. I will be in the hospital for 4 days and I can't drive for 2 weeks. James will be coming over sometime today...he drove down from Oakland last night to be with me.

I just took 2 oral dlucolax gel pills (can someone explain to me why I had to get a store clerk to help me because the laxatives are locked up? Are the bulimics stealing this stuff???)  After an hour I have to drink a gallon of Gatorade mixed with Draino. You probably know how I will be spending my evening!
Oh, well...my tush will get one hell of a work out before it retires!

Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo   Inge

I turned on the tv yesterday morning and there was a story about a cancer survivor was being interviewed by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. He had quite a story to tell... he is known as the chef with no stomach
http://hansrue.blogspot.com/

Eat your fruit & veggies!    xo  Inge


p.s.    We qualified for food stamps. We are soooooo blessed. Thats one less thing to worry about.
Tomorrow we go and stock up on food...only 3 days before my surgery.

p.s.s.   I almost forgot to tell you...the other day I was talking to someone and all of a sudden I started farting....outloud! I was so embarressed...there was nothing I could do...remember I cannot control myself becasue my sphincter muscles are shot. This person though apparently did not hear a thing because he just kept talking. I decided if it...wait not if but when it happens again I will tell the other person to pull my finger!  ha!

I found a website called the Non GMO Project  that you might want to check out
http://www.nongmoproject.org/

Natural Foods Added to the Wall of Shame

http://www.naturalnews.com/033838_breakfast_cereals_GMOs.html

I buy Kashi products, but you better believe no more! The box of granola bars in my pantry are going back tomorow. Shame on YOU Kashi!

Here is a contact number where you can voice your opinion...to a REAL person.
Kashi Co. Private Company, Headquarters Location PO Box 8557, La Jolla, CA 92038-8557, United States (877)747-2467, (858)274-8870

There is so much to do before surgery that is only eight days away. Tomorrow I go to my surgeons nurse to get "marked." I have to bring a pair of jeans and a skirt. I want to make sure the colostomy bag won't rub against the waistbands. I have had several "accidents" this week so I will be happy to have that problem taken care of. I had my MRI yesterday, with the help of my happy pill. I was in that machine for 30 minutes but I was so loopy it felt like 5 minutes.

I was recently contacted by someone else who has cancer. They wanted to know what I was doing to get better. That got me thinking...maybe I should write an e-book to help others get through this illness. What do you think? I am already planning to speak at local churches and hospitals to encourage others who have cancer or people who have loved ones with cancer. Maybe that will be my new profession.

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo Inge

What a busy week this is! I had my MRI today and it went well. This week I have to get blood work down, get tattooed where my bag will be, and stock up on groceries. I went to the beach on Sunday and there was group of people drumming. They show up every week and all are welcome. I had fun watching them and even danced a bit with aid of my walker. How lucky I am to live in Southern California! The weather is always great :) Eat your fruits & veggies! Inge http://youtu.be/c2PK56N8EIw

I saw my surgeon yesterday and I am scheduled to have surgery October 18th. He will install a colostomy bag for me. I have mixed feelings about that but I really do not have a choice. My body is pretty much healed and my sphincter muscles are shot. There is no reconstructive surgery for that. At least I will not be stranded at home in the mornings anymore. I will be in the hospital for about 4 days and healing for 6 weeks. I will not have to lose my colon, and the surgery will be done laparoscopically.

Tomorrow I see my oncologist, hopefully she has some information from the nerve testing I did a few days ago. Then I go back to the food stamp office and see if I qualify for help. I am not happy going to these agencies and I know I blogged about that before. I guess sometimes we have to do things we don't like in order to get where we want to go.

Eat your fruit& veggies!   xo  Inge

Well, I feel better today than yesterday. I did some thinking and came to the conclusion that my depression came from losing my power. When I became sick earlier this year my life was controlled by doctors, social service, and family. I literally slept from January to May. I was only awake to eat, use the bathroom, trips to doctors, and radiation treatments. I knew I was getting better when I wanted to go outside the house and for short car rides. I worked hard to be able to drive myself around. Fast forward to now and I want to get out of the house more. I want a job, a purpose. When I saw myself sitting in the social security office yesterday, I felt sick to my stomach. The more I talked with the social worker, the sicker I felt. My life was now going to be controlled by the government. They would decide how much money I would live on for the rest of my life. This was not going to work for me. I have always been active and working. Soooo, last night I told James about my fears and he told me "Mom, the perfect job for you might be staring you right in the face and you don't see it. You have been an inspiration to others who have followed your story since your diagnosis. Go out to colleges, churches, etc. and ask them if you can speak about your journey. There are people who want to hear it. They need hope."

So I decided to look at my situation as temporary. For now I can offer my services for free or donation and see where it takes me. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. So I will put together an outline for a speech and practise on my pets. I have my POWER back!!!
Eat your fruit & veggies!   xo  Inge

This has been a rough week for me...family squabbles...money issues...I am definitely not in the vortex. I got a letter from disability informing me that my funds are...as they put it... exhausted. I didn't know that they could get exhausted. Apparently, everyone is paid different amounts, depending on how much they put in. It's like a piggy bank. I put a certain amount in each month, which is determined by "them" and when I need to use it, I get a certain amount a month which is determined  by "them". When the money runs out...its gone.  I have been putting money in for 37 years and all I get is $13,300?? I get a better return saving through the Christmas Club. Remember when banks offered that service? When I return to work, I put money back into the piggy bank. My piggy bank at the moment is empty. Sooooo...I had to apply for social security. I went to the local office and was given a pamphlet and told to apply online. I went home, went online and 3 hours later I was done! 3 hours???? And I had the information they wanted at my fingertips, and I am not a slow typist. I had to give information about my past 5 jobs, W2s from 2010, names of all my doctors - with phone numbers, addresses, dates of tests and office visits, medications and on and on. My brain was exhausted just like my disability payments. Then on the last page it read "average time to get a decision is 120 days" WTF!!!

I went back to the ss office today and it was packed...yesterday, there was a handful of people. I wanted to bring my medical release paper in person so I could maybe expedite the process. I also brought my W2s, proof of citizenship, the disability letter stating I am done with them... oh, Hell! I brought everything with me in case they asked and they did. The social worker said that I maybe qualified but I will have to see their social security doctor as well. I qualified for social security benefits early due to my disability to the tune $848 a month.

I was then sent over to another social worker to see if I qualified for ssi benefits ( I thought that is
what I was asking for anyways, but who can keep track.) I did not qualify because I own 2 cars and the 2 of them combined are worth more than $3,000. Apparently that makes me rich! I do have a chance at the $848 a month...my disability checks were $1400 a month. That is quite a hit in the pocketbook. I was given the name of an agency that is in charge of food stamps. Food stamps? That hit me like a ton of bricks! I did not bust my ass all my life to end up like this. I refuse to spend the rest of my life in the poorhouse. I am also very independent...ambitious and not used to "handouts". For me it's all about the quality of life and I do not want to spend it watching tv. I want to experience new places, open my thrift shop, mix it up in protest marches. I want to feel alive! And I can't do that on $848 and food stamps, while some government agency makes sure I don't earn anymore money than I am allotted. I am starting to sound like Ron Paul and I don't want to be like him either.

I want to stay positive because if I get on the pity train I will get sick again...negative energy = stress and stress = equals sickness. I have to find a way to get myself out of this...but for now I cannot walk right, my balance is shit and I poop my pants. I cannot work like that and no one will hire me in this condition. I am good at not letting people know when I don't feel good but I am not that good! I will have to look at this a a temporary thing or I will get myself into a depression. I don't like feeling bad...I want to be happy.

Then I went to the neurological center to get the nerves in my legs tested. That was soooo painful!! At one point I asked if Dick Cheney created this test...whats next water boarding?... and then I cried. I couldn't help it...the doctor needed to get the shock to a 10 but I couldn't take more than a 6. It hurt the worst behind my knee caps. Then she stuck needles in me connected to the shock machine and as if that was not enough she twisted the needle in my leg. I almost went through the roof. I know people could hear me yell at times. When I was done, I had to have help walking...my left leg was too weak. I knew I would fall down. Luckily, James went with me...I had planned to drive myself but I could never have driven home. About 40 minutes later I felt better.

So here I am now...back home...blogging. I think I am really getting everything out and hope that I can snap out of it and come up with a plan to make my life better. I am grateful to be alive...I just want to LIVE while I am alive. Well, enough of that! I want a green smoothie...
Eat your fruit & veggies!   xo   Inge

We went dancing for my birthday. I danced my ass off and had a great time!  After that we went to Ihop for pancakes! Yum   :)  I haven't been out until 2am for years. It felt great!
Eat your fruit & veggies!   xo Inge

Today is my birthday! How blessed and lucky I am! I want to thank all the people who prayed for me, my doctors, my nurses, social workers, friends and family. I was thinking about what Hillary Clinton said when she was talking about children....it takes a village. Well, the same idea works with taking care of a sick person. It isn't just one person who heals the patient...there are countless people involved from the ones who implement the health care to the ones who carry the plan out. I am grateful to all of them. When I was in the hospital, there were a couple of nurses who nurtured me and made me feel loved. I believe that is not taught in nursing school, it comes naturally.

I believe I have been given a second chance and I do not want to take that for granted. I am not the same person I was before I got sick. I am actually the person I was over 20 years ago. Back then I was politically active, and opinionated, so now that I find myself with more time on my hands I am naturally drawn back into  that. I want to make this place a better place for future generations and for now exposing companies that are doing harm in the name of profits is where I will focus my attention. I want to follow in the footsteps of Ralph Nader, Mario Savio, Keith Oberman, Anderson Cooper (Keeping them honest), and my college professor, Jim Higgs. It takes a village to make change...

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge

I found a group based in Southern California working to ban gmos from our food.  They ae called GMO Free Southern California. They are on facebook and are planning events all over so-cal. Here is their link   https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155664254517322#!/pages/GMO-Free-Southern-California/103825439710440?sk=events

I am going to the event in Tustin Sept. 29th.

I have thinking about ways to get word out about gmos to as many people as possible, so i am posting on facebook and twitter. I found a website that lists countries and some states in North America that either ban gmos or are working on it... http://www.purezing.com/living/toxins/living_toxins_gmofoods.html
They also list how much of our food already has gmos AND THEY ARE NOT LABELED!!! I don't want labeling because what good does that do? It will already be in the food supply so the damage will be done. I want an all out ban!  Here is a link to Gov. Jerry Brown's office so you can call, email or snail mail hin with your thoughts on the subject.   http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php 

Here is a link from the Food for Justice rally.  I want to organize something like this in Southern California. Anyone down here interested in participating?
https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.269180783103129.66752.195319573822584

My doctor just emailed me. The pet/ct scan came back clear! NO SIGN OF CANCER!!! I am sooooo grateful! This is me with my happy face!

Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo Inge

I swear everyday I read another horror story about what is in our food and has the blessing of our government officials. Now it's wood? and they do not have to disclose it's in the food!

http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/15-food-companies-that-serve-you-wood/...you

The article lists the companies that are doing it...you will SHIT! you really will, apparently wood is not digested by humans so of course that means fiber.

** My pet/ct scan went off without a hitch. I took an Adavan an hour before and I was laughing like Fran Drescher from "The Nanny". I had a different tech who was terrific which really helped. Now we wait for the results...


Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge

John had the day off today so we took Cooper and Charlie to the dog park. They always have a great time there... lot's of butt sniffing and running. Well, Cooper prefers to sniff and pee, but will tolerate others dogs wanting to sniff him. Then we went for a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. The tourists are gone, so the traffic is quite nice. We got hungry and decided to stop in what seemed a local hangout called Taco Surf. They had a live calypso band and the food was great! 

Tomorrow I get scanned. I will take an anti-anxiety pill before I go so I won't get claustrophobic this
time.  The results won't be ready for a few days.
Eat your fruits & veggies!    xo  Inge

There is link to sign petition on this site

http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2011/09/14/organic-growers-sue-monsanto/

BOULDER COUNTY COLORADO TAKES STAND AGAINST GMOs

Watch this video to find out more... I want to do this in California
http://newhope360.com/non-gmo/alex-bogusky-if-boulder-stops-gmos-others-will-follow?cid=nl_nfm_iu

Update about my doctor visit last Friday... I have to get this off my chest first....and a disclaimer....I love my doctors and I am grateful they take such good care of me...BUT that day I observed an intern/resident sitting on the floor looking through a patients file. I am wildly aware of germs since I got sick because my immune system has been compromised andd still is not normal. Seeing that doctor sitting on the dirty floor bothered me. Then a resident came in my patient room and wanted to shake my hand...she did not wash her hands when she came in. I remember when all doctors did this and when I was in the hospital they applied antibacterial gel when they came and when they left. The resident was visibly offended when I declined her handshake..that got us off to a rough start, but I believe it is up to me to watch out for myself so if I offend someone then you know what they say in Russia "Tough shitskies". I know it isn't called Russia anymore...
Anyway after some tests, the teaching doctor came in and banged around my kneecaps with a rubber mallot thingy. The right leg gave a slight response; the left one nothing. He agreed with my physical therapist...I can't feel my feet...the suspected culprit...5FU chemo. I have to have an MRI of my spine to get a better look...then they will hook up electrodes to my legs. There are days I feel like I am turning into  my grandmother. I don't want to see all these doctors...I want to go dancing, walk without a walker, go to the gym and lift weights, be a part of a protest, ride a motorcycle...live life! I added motorcycle because in 1999 I was a waitress at Mels Drive In in San Francisco (talk about feeling alive!I loved every crazy minute at that restaurant) One day this motorcycle drove up and parked... the person riding it took off HER helmet..she was dressed in full leathers and came in the diner right by my station.  She looked fantastic and I told her so... she replied "I'm 67 years young!"
I want to be just like her when I grow up...no, forget that I don't want to grow up...that's boring!
Eat your fruit & veggies!   xo Inge

Since I got sick I watch Dr. Oz quite a bit. Today his topic was arsenic & apple juice concentrate. The FDA allows arsenic levels in our drinking water to be 10 parts to billion. It does not have standard for apple juice. Here is list of co. that exceed this level: Gerber-36; Juicy Juice-22; Motts-16. Arsenic is found in most products that contain apple juice as sweetener; they usually come from China. Organic does not. Minute Maid & Apple & Eve are  the only ones who came in under 10. Less than 2% food imports are inspected. It is up to us to force change at the cash register. You can watch Dr. Oz online 9/14/2011 to see show.
http://www.doctoroz.com/

I had a headache the past four days. It started as a sinus headache and then turned into a migraine. I feel better today, but I feel tired. I hate it when I am stuck at home because I like to stay active. I am very aware about time and how precious it is. I don't like wasting any of it.

I am making a new green smoothie though. Here is the recipe:

Throw in blender...

1 handful organic broccoli sprouts
1 handful organic frozen raspberries
1 cup mixed baby lettuce ( I keep the bag in the freezer so it lasts longer. It will be added to smoothie so its ok if its frozen. I got this idea from the Green Smoothie Girl)
1/2 avocado
1/2 cup  Mountain High wholefat vanilla yogurt (you can use another brand but make sure it contains probiotics....Yoplait does not!)
1/4 cup soymilk
2 tblsps. Trader Joe's Organic Hemp Protein Powder   Chocolate flavor

Enjoy!

Eat your fruits and veggies!   xo Inge

One of my doctors called today. She is my gp and gave me the pap test...twice. She could not get healthy cells from my cervix again because as she put it "my cervix is fried" Well, that isn't a selling point for me. Since my cervix has a lot of scar tissue it will never return to normal. I can get my yearly check ups but the only way to tell if I have any issues down there will be from visible inspection or if I start bleeding. Oh, well. I knew I would have a laundry list of side effects. Its  still worth the price to be alive today.  Tomorrow I see my neurologist to talk about my balance and neuropathy.

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo Inge

 

I got a response today from Whole Foods today. I must retract my statements I made against the company. The email I got was to long to repost , so I am linking part of it here. I did look up Snopes to see if the info was true & nothing was on that site pro or con. Its a good lesson for me to always contact the company accused to get their story. Even though Whole Foods is not in bed with Monsanto it appears our government is! So once again its up to us to stay informed about what our so called representatives are up to.  http://www.nongmoproject.org/2011/01/29/team-organic-will-never-surrender-to-monsanto-now-we-continue-the-fight-together/