My journey with cancer

Submitted by a Wawatay reader
The word “cancer” invokes fear in a lot of people. I am no different. I wondered for awhile how I would tell my loved ones. “Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth.” (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/cancer-oncology/)
Since I have told my family, I now face this part of my life journey with learning. There is no cure for cancer but it is treatable. How do I get more informed about breast cancer?
Cancer rates are increasing for Aboriginal people. But this may be due to inaccessibility of resources; and unavailability of healthy foods for those living in the north. I also understand that during the past hundred years, we have gone through massive changes that have affected our lifestyle: we now eat more processed foods and we lead increased sedentary lifestyles.
I view this part of my journey with challenge. I need to learn more about cancer and how I can stop and eliminate cancer cells from my body spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. It is yet another journey around the wheel of life. Will cutting out these cancer cells or shrinking these cells ensure my survival?
I know cutting out the cancerous portions of my body will affect my spirit: that is my life force energy. At this point in my life because I am getting older I cannot contemplate the removal of my whole breast. I know my chances of survival are excellent if my cancer is in the early stage; and if I agree to surgery that will not suck up too much of my energy. When it comes to treatment options, it means taking into consideration the wishes of my loved ones. I had cancer about 35 years ago that required removal of my uterus: it meant I could no longer have children. Removal of that organ has worked well for me at that time in my life because I have been cancer free for over 35 years. At the time I had young children that depended on me. Desperation required desperate measures.
There is a wealth of information on the internet. It is up to me to decide what the right fit is for me. Sometimes I have to go by instinct.
What do I now do to combat cancer physically? Physically I have to change the way I eat and the way I live my life. There may be certain breast cancer-fighting foods and I have no idea how compatible these foods will be to my body. Because I am unable to access traditional foods of my ancestors like fish and moose meat, I rely on store-bought food. A Reader’s Digest article lists the following foods to eat: broccoli, foods rich in vitamin B and D, grain foods, foods rich in omega 3 like fatty fish, low fat dairy products, extra virgin olive oil and flaxseed. I have to eliminate dairy products from this list because I cannot eat dairy products. I will take baby steps in changing the way I eat. Breast cancer is also known as “vitamin D deficiency syndrome.” It affects people living in the north that do not get enough sunlight. It means ensuring I have enough vitamin D in my body that come from fatty fish, sunlight or vitamin supplements. Foods laden with sugar affect cancer growth.
Eating too many sugar-laden foods calories lead to obesity and high insulin levels, which would lead to increased cancer risk. I have diabetes. Cutting back on foods such as soda pop and cookies lead towards a better chance of recovery.
It has been a lifelong struggle for me to get more active. I enjoy my couch potato status. It means taking baby steps by starting to walk. If I follow my father’s teachings and his love of walking, I could do it, and need his spiritual guidance.
Herbal medicines and teas are also good for helping with my healing process. Because my body knows what is compatible to my own healing, it means offering tobacco for healing from traditional helpers. They work with the spiritual essence of all life. Drinking traditional plant medicines helps in my healing. In addition, I will drink green tea that contains polyphenols that researchers believe help kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing.
What do I do now to heal spiritually? I have to face this part of my life with embracing the healing ways of my ancestors. It means having the ability to work with our traditional people. It may mean going to ceremonies and offering my tobacco for healing. I have attended Sundance ceremony because these are places of healing. I have gone to sweat lodge and will continue because these ceremonies help in the cleansing. Whatever it takes, I will surrender to this spiritual journey. With discipline I pray and give thanks for mino-bimadizenwin.
Going to these ceremonies help in balancing my body to remove any energy blocks so my body is synchronized for healing.
My father believed in the power of the mind. He believed that the mind had the ability to heal. He had the conviction that if we truly learned to harness the powers of our mind, people could heal themselves from ailments. I practice with discipline, visualization and affirmation exercises to evoke healing potential of my body from this cancer. I must learn to face this journey with optimism and hope: exercises will aid in bringing forward this hope.
Emotional healing requires going back to my past. I am like most Anishinabeg. I have faced trauma starting with the induction into the Indian residential school system at a young age and facing numerous losses over the years. The most recent loss has been the death of my grandson when he was 18 years old. It means going back to my people and continuing to use the ceremonies as well as getting help from the trauma helpers. Crying and laughing are ways of healing. I watch shows that make me laugh. I have learned to laugh at myself as I seek ways that could eradicate cancer cells. Whenever I read up on success of what works, I try it out.
One such article is the use of curcumin. Curcumin is found in the spice turmeric. But turmeric is also in tablet form. ”Specifically, curcumin appears to be able to prevent the uncontrolled growth of breast tumor cells, to restore the normal mechanism by which cells die and to prevent cancer spread (metastasis) through the blood stream and lymphatic system (Clin Cancer Res 2005; 11: 7490-7498).” For a while, I tried to find innovative ways to lace my food with turmeric. Yellow powder covered my kitchen counters and my face, but I have laid off it because it does eventually come out my skin pores.
Healing is a lifelong journey. No one has the cure from this type of cancer. A bigger part of my journey has forced me to go back to my roots and work with traditional people. I do not know the outcome. Life is about uncertainty. It may mean more spiritual work to understand myself better. It may mean finding new ways of handling my emotions: excessive worry and sadness. Each new challenge we face is always about spiritual growth. I embrace my loved ones. I embrace my clan. I embrace my spirit helpers. For now while my energy is still up, I face my journey with hope, optimism and courage because I know my ancestors are with me every step of the way. Only the Creator knows my future.
Eh-ko-say!
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