Wednesday, April 27, 2011

We saw Dr. Curley this morning and there was good news again! My blood work looked good and the scans didn't show anything!
I am blessed and blessed again. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Love you all,

Evelyn

Monday, April 18, 2011

A year has passed as of the 21 of April when I had my colon surgery for cancer and when my life changed. On April 25th of this year I will be having blood tests and a CT scan to see if I am still cancer free. I will know the results on the 27th. How do I feel? Physically I feel wonderful, it is so nice to have energy, energy to clean and work and visit. I feel like my body is in good condition and is recovering nicely from my surgeries and the chemo. Emotionally I feel emotional. Does that make sense? I get emotional when I hear or sing some music and when I talk to friends and family. I am so blessed to have had this year; I didn't know if I would survive this long a year ago. I look at Spring and rejoice in it, the warm sun, the opportunity to plant tiny seeds again and to watch them grow. To be with loved ones and enjoy working with children and parents and to have the energy to do it well.
I am happy to have time with my sweet husband, time to talk, walk,and just to be together. I think I will be getting more "good news" on the 27th. If that isn't the case the time I have had and will have is a great blessing to me as well.
I will post my test results next week. Love you all, Evelyn

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Why did I name my blog the Asparagus Diaries? I was sent this email about a year ago. I have eaten a lot of asparagus and will probably eat a lot more.

Asparagus - Who Knew?

Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style asparagus that she pureed and she took 4 tablespoons in the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did this for over a month.
She is on chemo pills for Stage 3 lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week. Her oncologist said she does not need to see him for 3 months.


THE ARTICLE:

Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of an article, entitled, Asparagus for cancer 'printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it here,just as it was shared with me: I am abiochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet to health for over 50 years.

Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that Asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project.We have accumulated a number of favorable case histories. Here are a few examples:

Case No. 1 , A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.

Case No. 2 , a successful business man 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years.After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3 , a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the Asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared..He is back at his regular business routine.

Case No. 4 , a woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions.This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of thiskidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of material medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred toexperiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates!

We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our
obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy.

For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh. I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.

Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening. Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4 weeks.It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink.This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.

As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that ��what cures can prevent.�� Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold.

For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink.

As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer.

Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called his tones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. Thataccounts for its action on cancer and in acting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good.

It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Life is so good. I just returned from Cleveland, I was there for 9 days visiting Heather, Jared and their three children, Abbie, Will and Thomas. The time passed by too quickly, as it always does when I am visiting the grand babies. I was hoping the weather would be warmer there and that I would be outside a lot. I did have 2 days that were probably in the 50's but then it rained and snowed a little and there was a cold breeze blowing and it felt like the weather from Alaska had followed me.

I slept in the family room on the futon. Every morning I would hear the patter of little feet coming down the stairs and opening the door looking for me and a movie(monie)and cuddles in my warm blankets and eventually some breakfast. Abbie 3, was usually the first, followed by Will 2, after he had cuddled with Heather for awhile, Thomas, almost 6 months came down a little later with Heather.

I juiced carrots most mornings and one day we used the carrot pulp to make a very healthy carrot cake. Abbie and Will had a great time mixing the ingredients and tasting them. They really went to town on that carrot pulp. Another morning we mixed up some carrot pancakes which we enjoyed. One morning Heather and I were watching one of her neighbor's children, 3 little boys also age 3 and under. So we had 5 very active little ones and the baby and I thought let's have playgroup. I grabbed my carrot pulp for the day and gave everyone a small pie pan full to play with on the table. Abbie and Will were old pros handling it but the visitors really didn't know what to do with it, they cautiously tasted it, then poked and patted it and enjoyed it.....that kept the group busy for about 20 minutes. After moving to the floor we read a few books and did some finger plays, then Heather put on the music and we danced around the kitchen, by then they were ready for lunch. when their mother arrived they had had an interesting play date at Heather's house.
I don't think many little ones get to have a sensory experience with carrot pulp.

While I was there Thomas had an allergic reaction to some amoxicillin he had been given for an ear infection. He was covered with red welts, from head to toe and he was a miserable little guy for several days and nights.

We went to the science center one afternoon, a museum of natural history one morning and the library another day. One day after a rain storm they put on their rubber boots and we went muddle jumping. We waded and jumped in the mud and water puddles all around the block. The kids were pretty wet and muddy by the time we got home.

My time there was a special treat. Children, grandchildren and families are the treasures of this life and the life here after. Families can be forever. I am so grateful for this knowledge.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

It was my birthday this week! Yes, I am still here and I am so grateful for another birthday. A year ago in May I was wondering how much longer I would be here. It was a wonderful day. Phone calls came from all of my children, when Will, my two year old grand son wished me "Happy Birthday" he just continued with "to you" and Abbie joined in and they sang the Birthday song to me in their sweet little voices. My brothers, Randy and Stephen called and so did my sisters Marilyn, Suzanne and Patty and of course my mom. At work they spoiled me with cupcakes,flowers, cards, banners and the traditional Purple cape, magic wand and tiera. I heard from friends on Facebook, on my email account and by cell phone. Brian and I spent part of the evening with the missionaries teaching Roger and Lisa who we knew when they had a store in the old Cottonwood Mall here in Wasilla. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to me when we arrived.
Waiting at home was a special gift from Brian---a Kindle,,,He really surprised me! I didn't even think I would necessarily want one but I am excited to download some of my favorite books and my scriptures. It will be so nice to take with me when I travel because it is light weight and compact.
Life if precious, I know that and I am grateful to have a little more time to enjoy the love and friendships of so many choice people. Thank you, again for your prayers. I know they are heard and that they have been answered. I love you all.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Time flies when you are feeling good. The most significant thing that has happened in my life related to my cancer experience is getting my groshean ( a more or less permanent pic line used during chemo) taken out. My body is now my own and it feels good.
I am getting stronger and stronger each day and I can feel my energy returning. My mind is also beginning to function better, I seem to be able to compose my thoughts better. They say it takes a year for some of the chemo side effects to show up and for others to leave, some side effects can be permanent. It also takes longer than the 6 weeks the doctors give you to recover to fully recover from major surgeries. Like my mother said to me, "Evelyn, give yourself sometime, at least a year to recover from what you have experienced." I guess I have to agree that two major surgeries and 5 chemo treatments is pretty heavy. I was filling out a health survey for work and they wanted to know what stresses I had experienced during the past year.I marked that I had had cancer this past year and also that my father had died. When I looked at the results of the survey they had marked my stress level as high as it could go which was a surprise to me. I personally think how stress affects you depends on your view of life; where we came from, why we are here and what happens after we leave. I know I lived with my Heavenly Father before this life as one of His children, He sent me here on earth by faith to live His plan, which was to follow the example of His Son Jesus Christ, and to grow and progress go through experiences which will help me know how to help others and have a better understanding of what my Savior did for me and that families can be eternal. Knowing that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me and that life doesn't end here brings much peace when your life is in turmoil.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Hello Friends and Family,

I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to my blog. Having one lobe of your liver removed and part of the other as well as your gall bladder at the same time takes a while to recover from and it is exhausting.
Dr. Curley said the primary side effect of the surgery would be fatigue and he certainly was right about that. After I returned home from my surgery I spent a lot of time resting and not doing anything as I had no energy. It isn't like me to just sit on the couch and not do anything but I found myself there frequently. I would get up in the morning and shower and then go back to bed for a while. Sometimes I would fix breakfast and then sit down and rest for a while. I began working four hours a day the third week after the surgery, usually visiting one of my little ones and then I would come home and take a long nap. So growing your liver back does take lots of rest and also lots of protein. I needed to eat at least 80- 120 grams of protein a day with a low fat,low sugar, good quality diet.That is a lot of protein. I usually ate an egg for breakfast with an almond butter and banana open face sandwich, sometimes adding Greek yogurt. I often had yogurt or cottage cheese for snacks as well as a protein smoothie once a day. Fish and chicken were also part of my diet with salads and veggies and fruit. My husband fixed carrot juice in the morning for me, still does. I also received some good information about Vitamin C and some other supplements that are effective in healing and also fighting cancer.
I took 4,000-6,000 mg. a day of C a day and I do think it helped me grow a healthy liver.
During this recovery time I decided that I would not even consider more Chemo until after I had my first post operative checkup at the end of December. By the middle of October I was back to working full time, having enough energy to handle a 7 hour day and still resting a lot at home. During that time Jared,our son-in-law, came across some research on the chemo drug Avastin, which I had been opposed to from the very beginning because of it's horrible side effects,it was found to have no effect statistically, on colon cancer that first year. I thank my Heavenly Father for guiding my efforts to know what course to follow and the efforts of Brian and Jared and their research. Another interesting bit of research that Brian came upon is that taking a baby aspirin once a day is very effective in the prevention of gastrointestinal cancers.

Because we were scheduled for tests on Dec. 27th in Houston and because all of our children would all be in Utah for Christmas we decided spend our holidays with them.I treasure the time we had with them and with our grandchildren.

I think everyone was feeling a little stressed when we headed for Houston. We spent one pretty full doing blood tests, x-rays and a CT scan. The next day we relaxed and went to several of Houston's museums, and visited the LDS Temple outside of Houston. As we ate dinner and talked I think we were both overwhelmed by what we might hear in the morning. It was a pretty emotional time as we talked about what decisions we might need to make in the morning.
Our appointment was at 8:00 AM, thank goodness, I don't know what we would have done if it had been later in the day. We just wanted to get this visit over with, although I felt at peace about it. Brian on the other hand had doubled his high blood pressure medication for the day and his blood pressure was still not low. Short story short----The good news was they found no cancer with their tests!!!My liver looked great and was back to it's normal size. No mention of getting more chemo either! They will follow up with more tests every four months for the next 2 years,as they want to keep a close eye on things. We cried as we left the office and headed back to our family. We also took the time to thank our Heavenly Father for this wonderful blessing. There were lots of tears as we shared the news with family and friends. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers on our behalf, I have felt the power of them as I have gone through this experience, and I have been blessed and strengthened by them.
I feel like I have been given a new lease on life, time to focus on somethings I need to, want to, accomplish. I am grateful for some more time, life is precious.

Love you all, Evelyn