9 Factors Cancer “Miracle” Survivors Have in Common

I started an entirely new life the day my doctor confirmed that I had Stage 3 Lobular Carcinoma! I incorporated all 9 factors during my treatment, and turned one into Heal With Dana!

After being diagnosed, I read everything I thought was legitimate about how I could help my doctors save my life from this dreaded disease. An article I came across in Health Radar on the 9 factors cancer miracle survivors have in common is one I keep close to me. The article was written by Vera Tweed based on the book, Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds, by Dr. Kelly Turner, and I would like to paraphrase. You can find the full article at healthradarnewsmax.com.

If you don’t have cancer – thank your lucky stars – many of these changes can apply to you regardless. It’s good info!

1. Radically changing diet:

Survivors eliminated chemicals and other toxins found in refined food. They also avoided ingredients that are known or thought to contribute to cancer growth. These changes fell into 4 groups, and I personally added a 5th.

• Reduce or eliminate sugar, meat, dairy and refined foods. This is tough, but it can be done!  If you aren’t threatened by a disease currently, you could start by eliminating one food group and then continue to eliminate food groups as you are ready.
• Increasing fruits and vegetables – Your mom was right. Eat your vegetables!  The intake needs to be high, up to 15 or 20 servings daily to fight the disease.  This can include raw (best), steamed, roasted or juiced vegetables.  A typical plate would be ¾ vegetables and fruits.  The remainder of the plate would be lean protein and minimal whole grains, if you can tolerate them.  Some people omitted gluten (I did) and some people juiced.  To eliminate toxins, some people occasionally did fasts or worked with a holistic health practitioner or nutritionist in this area.  I personally worked with a naturopath here in Spokane
• Drinking lots of filtered water instead of juice, sports drinks, soda or cow’s milk.
• Eating organic foods to help get rid of toxins – This is getting easier all of the time. Many stores now carry organics – even Costco!
• I found out what foods I was intolerant to.  There were many which I had eliminated but I was also intolerant to eggs (white and yellow), pineapple, bananas, cranberries, lemon and broccoli.  Once these foods were eliminated, I felt much better.

2. Taking Control:

Survivors took control of their own healthcare by educating themselves on the meaning of test results, getting and understanding their medical records, and tracking progress. I began my treatment in my hometown, but soon felt like I wasn’t being heard by my doctors. They wanted to drag me through my treatment without answering my questions. I had one nurse exclaim, “What’s the matter with you? Are you scared or angry?” Well both, thank you! So, I moved my treatment to Arizona at a cancer treatment center. They listened and gave me choices in treatment . . . and answered my million questions.

3. Follow intuition:

Acting on a gut feeling in making decisions took many forms, but was a consistent factor. I moved my treatment to Arizona because I felt I would survive under their care. My aunt had other medical problems and actually sold her home and moved because she felt it was toxic and killing her. Both of us are alive and doing well today.

4. Using herbs and supplements:

Most often, people work with a naturopathic or holistic physician trained to determine what is best for them. I work with two naturopathic physicians — one here in town, and one in Arizona. I did go through standard cancer treatment, and my naturopath had me on different supplements depending on the stage of my treatment. I continue with supplements to this day and follow doctor’s orders for taking them.

5. Releasing suppressed emotions:

Unloading emotional baggage played a key role for survivors! Emotions fell into 2 categories: past and future. You can read my blog in the Life Lessons entitled Past, Present and Future. Survivors dealt with emotions in different ways. Some worked with a therapist, while others used a journal, or took courses that helped to reduce stress. I became an Emotion Code/Body Code Practitioner. I did this to save myself, and to pay it forward to others.

6. Increasing positive emotions:

Many survivors made a point of doing something each day that made them happy, at least for a few minutes. This could be spending time with your kids, or grandkids, working in the garden, or taking a long walk. For me, it is definitely spending time with my family and grandson, Hunter! But, I also get to help people release their trapped emotions daily. This makes me happy!

7. Embracing social support:

“Everybody said ‘As soon as I was diagnosed, I had this outpouring of love and support from my family and friends that touched me so much, I know it helped me heal,” says Turner. I couldn’t agree more! I even started a blog on Caring Bridge. I would post how I was doing and then sit back and read the love pour in! This also helped me to tell my story of the day only once, and then receive the love when I was ready to receive it.

8. Deepening spiritual connection:

“According to my research, it doesn’t matter who or what you believe in,” says Turner. “What matters is if you have a spiritual practice.” Among survivors, practices took all shapes. It can be leaning in closer to your faith, meditating, a nature walk, or even getting up to see the sun come up. I personally did all of the above. A saying in our house when things are tough is, “The sun will come up tomorrow.” I got up many days to witness this. I leaned in closer to God and got on so many prayer lists it felt like the whole world was praying for me. I learned to meditate (and that was hard for me) and I walked in our Manito Park daily.

9. Having strong reasons for living:

Turner found that some people went through treatment not wanting to die. Turner also says “But the people who tend to survive say ‘I want to live, I want to live, I’ll do anything, I just want to live.’” This held true, she says, even if the medical odds of survival were only a fraction of 1 percent. Of course, reasons for living varied greatly from person to person. My will to live was to be there for my family. I was married two months before being diagnosed and the will to spend time with my new husband, watch my daughters mature into strong beautiful young women, and see my grandson grow, and to also spend time with my mother and siblings was plenty reason to live for me.

Since being diagnosed, I have incorporated all 9 of these strategies. I am strong, surviving, and living the best season of my life. I quit the job that was killing me and have a new career helping others release suppressed emotions and move to living in the present. If I can be help to you in your journey, no matter what it is, I would be honored to do so.