I'm STILL Shoutin' Ova Here!!!
Ruby Lathon, PhD, Thyroid Cancer Survivor and Donna Green-Goodman, MPH Breast Cancer Survivor #plantpowered
It’s National Minority Cancer Awareness Week and this past weekend, at my HBCU Homecoming, I had the privilege of spending some time with cancer survivor Ruby Lathon, PhD during the live stream of Lifestyle Medicine: The Science of Making Man Whole. As we talked, I realized that between the 2 of us Black women, we have 41 years of Cancer Survivorship. And, we survived by making better health choices. Ruby was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2007. And, almost 26 years ago, July 4, 1996 to be exact, I was told by my physicians that because I was 37 and Black and the breast cancer was aggressive and had spread (6 of 17 lymph nodes) that the most they could guarantee me to live was 2-5 years max. They recommended that I needed to do chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, more chemotherapy, radiation and tamoxifen-for five years, if I wanted to survive it. And, that most of the women who did that protocol died anyway. Well, of course I was devastated!!! But when I could breathe again I got to thinking……I believe in a Creator God who MADE me!!! And, it was kind of hard for me to believe that He would determine my ethnicity and date of birth and make that a Risk Factor for disease and death!!!
Soooo, I decided that I would do my due diligence in researching my options. I had spent my professional career up to that point as a public health educator teaching others how to better their lives and now it was my turn to take care of myself. The more research I did, the more I discovered that there was a whole lot I could personally do to improve my status and reduce my risk for recurrence…..via healthy lifestyle choices. And, I was affirmed in my faith over and over again as I read studies about the positive impact my prayers/faith could have on my health.
After six months I went to get results and the doctor’s news was that things were not going as well as they had hoped. I had a little talk with Jesus, threw myself a birthday party and kept doing what I was doing…….walking by faith and not by sight!! At my nine months visit, I asked to see my records and discovered that according to my records/blood tests what I was told previously was different than what my records showed. I HAD indeed improved at 6 months and the 9 months report said I was doing even better. As a matter of fact, my results exceeded what would have happened had I done everything they prescribed. And, that’s when the SHOUTIN’ started!!! Yaaaasssss!!!!
Okay, you can read the whole story in my books (story and recipes here), or on the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine website, but what I want you to get is that even if you are reading this and do NOT have breast cancer…….if you or someone you love does…..OR if you or someone you love is experiencing the ravages of another type of cancer or chronic disease…..there. is. hope. for. you. Your daily choices…..the ones you are in charge of can make a difference. My choices to treat the diagnosis of breast cancer included a course of Physician managed radiation and the following:
-Unwavering, Unrealistic Faith relationship with the Creator God through prayer, meditation, and worship!! I am not a bundle of risk factors. I am His creation and my body is His temple and I will choose to treat it as such. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made…….I will not die but live and declare the works of the Lord.”
-Removal of all things toxic/stressful that were weighing me down and stressing me out, even if I had to let go of some relationships. “Lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and run with patience the race that is before us.”
-Consuming a plant-powered diet that is free from irritating substances and full of health promoting, disease preventing and reversing properties. “Whatsoever you eat, or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
-Began a walking routine outside in the fresh air and sunlight, where there are plenty of healing properties. “And, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with Healing in His wings.”
-Started drinking pure water……and lots of it. And used it externally in hot baths, hot/cold showers, hot packs to improve circulation and my immune system. “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely…….Go and wash in the Jordan seven times.”
-Moved my bedtime back to 9:00-9:30 instead of close to midnight. Found out that its during that time that the body and brain get the best rest and repair. AND, once a week on the Sabbath I take a 24 hour break that adds up to almost 7 weeks vacation a year!!! Science is even confirming now that they notice a rest pattern throughout nature on the 7th day. “Come unto me and I will give you rest…..thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet.”
Been Shoutin’ now for almost 26 years. See, not only the breast cancer was healed…..a lot of other challenges I was facing were also healed and I wasn’t even aiming to treat them. In addition, I have seen others with a variety of health challenges receive healing and get to shoutin’ too!!! And, sometimes, while physical healing was denied…..soul healing was received and will last throughout eternity!! It’s all about your choices!! Choose a lifestyle for better health!! Celebrate Healthy Living this Minority Cancer Awareness Week. It’s the start of a new season in your life. You can course correct and get to shoutin’ too!!!
Yaaassssss!!! I’m Still Shoutin’ Ova Here!!! And, You Can Too!! Happy Wellness Wednesday!!
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