Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 3

Ovarian Cancer Stories - Part 3

What to do?  WHAT TO DO?

Ovarian Cancer Alternative Treatment?

For the previous 25 years or so, I had been playing with natural stones and their healing properties, was a regular recipient of therapeutic massage, studied numerology, astrology, Native American Animal Medicine, had been introduced to Louise Hay and the idea that sometimes dis-ease occurred as the result of emotional wounds left untreated.  I had a very limited understanding of the different types of alternative medicine.  I believed what little I did know regarding alternative therapies.  I was on a journey to see how all the pieces of Kim fit together, and if alternative therapies might work for me.

For the last couple of years, I had been seeing advertisements on television for different types of alternative medicine available through a cancer treatment facility. The ads said that this particular facility considered body, mind and spirit in their treatment of cancer. Their regimen included western medicine, eastern philosophies, Reiki, massage, and meditation.  Their ad said they incorporated many alternative therapies and used several different types of alternative medicine; their list went on and on!

Unfortunately for me, catastrophic student insurance does not cover such facilities and alternative medicine treatments were unavailable to me through their facility.  So, if I wanted to explore alternative health medicine options and alternative therapies I was on my own. I was no longer interested in exploring different types of alternative medicine, or in merely dabbling with alternative therapies; I now had a mission.

Well, as I said, the prognosis for stage 3c ovarian cancer is not a good one. Based on what I read about ovarian cancer, the one and only time I looked it up online, it said there was a 70% chance my cancer could come back within 5 years. I'm only 48, I'm not done with school, I'm not ready for this; YIKES! I chose to close the computer and pretend I never happened upon that little nugget of not so helpful information.

So, while I was being a mom, fighting cancer for my life, healing from my surgeries, undergoing chemo, fighting my insurance company for my medical coverage, and finishing my degree, I also started an intensive, self directed crash course on alternative health medicine.  I found myself reading and studying many types of alternative health medicine and alternative therapies.  I was searching for anything and everything that would help improve my chances.

We live in the information age, and there is no shortage of available information.  I found ‘stuff’ on alternative health medicine, alternative medicine treatments, alternative therapies and list upon list of different types of alternative medicine.

The problem I ran into was in trying to figure out the answer to all the questions that kept popping up.  Questions like: what types of alternative medicine was pertinent to my brand of cancer; where should I go to identify which alternative therapies were right for me; what is the difference between alternative health medicine and alternative therapies; if I choose to partake in alternative medicine treatments, will it negatively affect my traditional treatment; how much information do I really need; is this path the right path, the best path, or even a helpful path.

Ugh, so much information!  How do I even begin to sort and sift my way through all of this stuff?

Follow this link to read my ovarian cancer survivors story in its entirety.

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 2

Ovarian Cancer Stories - Part 2

Hi Kim, it's Dr. . . . blah, blah, blah, . . .blood results blah, blah, blah . . . CA-125 elevated . . . blah, blah, blah. . . . . . not conclusive . . blah . . . we should . . . blah, blah, . . . ovary out . . . surgery scheduled . . . blah, blah, and more blah!

There are some suspected diagnoses, that once the concern is raised you are on the AMA fast track.  For the record, ovarian cancer is one of them! I was scheduled for my first surgery the following Thursday.

Ten days later, at my surgical follow-up visit, I got the next round of blah, blah, blah!  My doctor said: "I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but the ovary that was removed did have cancer . . . . blah, blah, blah . . . radiologist says. . . blah, blah . . . pathology report . . . blah, blah, . . .

Papillary serous carcinoma . . . blah, blah, blah . . .
Ovarian cancer . . . wait, what?
Hysterectomy . . . wait when?

So, the official diagnosis is papillary serous carcinoma; stage 3c ovarian cancer.  The prognosis - well, I wouldn't suggest looking it up on the internet - it's not a happy read.

It was plain to see that my life was FOREVER CHANGED!

Follow this link to read my ovarian cancer survivors story in its entirety.

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 1

Ovarian Cancer Stories

Kim Rainer-Ovarian Cancer Survivor

In June of 2007, it had been just over two years since my Dad had died. I was 48, a single Mom and doing my best to live a conscious life. I was riding my bike 50 to 100 miles a week, making progress on becoming a nurse, feeling healthier and more alive than I had ever felt.

Then, during my 6 month check-up with my OBGYN of 22 years, he suggested a trans-vaginal ultrasound because of a couple of minor symptoms I had mentioned to him. No big deal; not the first time I've traveled that route. My ultrasound, tech of 16 years, noticed something different on the test and sent me back upstairs to see the Doctor.

Says He (the doctor): "this could be poly cystic ovarian disease or endometriosis again, or maybe it is just where you are in your cycle, or perhaps peri-menopause; worst case scenario, it could be ovarian cancer. I'd like you have a blood test called the CA-125 done today."  Says me: "No big worries - I've had other blips on the radar. I'll go get the CA-125 blood test done; will you call me when you have the results?" Says he: "of course, we'll talk soon."

So, off I go!

Follow this link to read my ovarian cancer survivors story in its entirety.

Dilution of Essential Oils

Guide to Essential Oils

When working with essential oils, knowing the dilution ratio and appropriate application are vitally important.  We have created an easy to follow essential oils guide to provide quick and easy information relating to recommended essential oils dilution.

Click here for our easy to follow, printable Essential Oils Dilution Guide.

Oral Application for Essential Oils

Oil for Toothache?

The back of the tongue is known to be the dirtiest part of the human body.  Dr. John Richter of the Richter Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Breath Disorders reports that on the back of the tongue there is "more bacteria per square inch live than on any other part of the body."

Brushing with conventional toothpaste absolutely helps to prevent cavities; but it does little to eliminate fungus, viruses or bacteria from the mouth.  Even if you brushed the back of your tongue daily, because bacteria repopulate so quickly, brushing alone is ineffective.

Scrubbing with abrasive toothpastes containing floride helps by removing placque and other pathogens which account for 30 to 60 percent of the mouths bacteria.  Unfortunately that leaves 40 to 70 percent of the microorganisms behind.  Adding the strong antiseptics found in essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, thyme and wintergreen, to your mouth care regimine may significantly increase your oral health.

Dentists frequently use gauze soaked in clove oil as a packing for dry sockets.  Clove oil has long been used in treating tooth aches.

Jean Valnet, MD used essential oils in his clinical practice for years claiming "essential oils are especially valuable as antiseptics because their aggression toward microbial germs is matched by their total harmlessness toward tissue."

In 2001, new research was released linking gingivitis to heart disease.  Porphyromonas gingivalis, the pathogen that causes gum disease, is also a contributing factor to arterial dammage and inflammation that leads to vascular disease, heart disease and strokes.

There are basically two oral applications for essential oils.  One is to gargle, the other is to apply the oil neat, or undiluted, on the tounge.

Gargle:  Mix two to three drops of essential oil with four tablespoons of purified water.  Shake or mix the water and oil vigorously - then immediately gargle with the mixture for about 30 seconds.

Tongue:  Using your finger tip or a clean cotton swab, place one drop of essential oil, neat, on the back of the tounge.  Hold the oil on your tounge for at least one minute.  This will allow time for the essential oil to mix with saliva, then swallow.  Tongue application should not be done with essential oils that require a 20:80 dilution.

A 20:80 dilution is an indication that the oil is strong and should always be diluted 1 part essential oil to 4 parts massage or vegitable oil before using internally or on the skin.