Triumph Over The ‘Big C’ W
by Lisa Marshall
hen Sandy Messonnier was diagnosed with breast cancer, she faced scary treatment deci- sions as doctors pressured her to consider all means available. “I was more afraid of the treat- ment than the cancer itself,” says Messonnier, 52, of Plano, Texas. “I kept feeling like I was being lumped into one big category of all women that got breast cancer, rather than treated as an individual.” With the help of her holistic vet- erinarian husband Shawn Messonnier, Sandy took a more measured approach, blending conventional and comple- mentary medicine in an individual- ized protocol the couple describes in their book, Breast Choices for the Best Chances: Your Breasts, Your Life, and How You Can Win the Battle! After careful consideration, Sandy
opted for two lumpectomies three weeks apart, instead of a mastectomy, to remove
the small tumor. The second one was done to clear up a few remaining cells indicated by a biopsy. Meanwhile, she took supplements includ- ing green tea and corio- lus mushrooms to impede
the spread of the cancer cells. Several tests helped determine if she needed chemotherapy and the optimum dose for some of her supplements. The results prompted her to decline chemotherapy and opt for a brief stint of radiation while taking the supplements quercetin and curcumin to help combat the fatigue and other side effects. Afterward, she cleansed her body with homeopathic mistletoe, herbal milk thistle and other detoxifying supplements. Then she began the work of keeping cancer at bay. “A lot of doctors never talk to you
about what you are going to do after the poisoning [chemo], the burning and surgery,” she says. “Rather than taking a
cancer-fighting drug, I chose to be more mindful of what I do with my body.” Her regimen called for committing to keeping up with the healthy diet, plus regular walks, yoga and Pilates that she believes helped keep the cancer relatively mild to begin with. But she also made some life changes to address the one thing she believes may have driven the outbreak in the first place—stress. She made peace with her mother, which re- duced a lot of stress, began to cultivate a spiritual life and now takes time to medi- tate or walk when she feels even lightly stressed. She also vowed to keep the fear of recurrence from overwhelming her. “Many women never stop worrying about it,” she observes. “That is toxic energy you are putting back into your body.” As of this October, Messonnier
will be five years cancer-free. Her ad- vice for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: “Chemotherapy, radia- tion and mastectomy are not among the right choices for all women. There are other options, depending on the type of cancer. Don’t be so fearful that you make hasty decisions you don’t need to make.”
natural awakenings
May 2015
23
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