Tag: integrative care

The Plan

The Plan

by bridewitt ♥ 6 Comments

It feels like maybe it’s been 5 years since I’ve been diagnosed, but really it’s only been 3 weeks. Today, I was finally able to meet with my oncologist, who I really appreciated. She was smart, answered all my questions before I could ask, and could write out my plan upside down and left-handed!

So after reviewing my history and doing an exam, we got down to the plan. The plan. The plan my brain’s been craving, and the reason I keep waking up at 5am (probably). Who wakes up at 5am without an alarm, anyway?

Although she does agree that my tumor is very likely stage I, we will do a CT scan to confirm that it has not spread anywhere else.

We’ll also get my genetic testing done. The genetic testing is done to determine if there are mutations in the BRCA1/BRCA2 gene/s. Normally, these genes help to suppress tumor growth, but if there is a mutation, then the risk of developing breast cancer is about 70% over someone’s lifetime. For someone without the gene, the risk is about 12%.1 It also increases the risk of developing cancer in the other breast later on.

I’ll also begin the process of freezing my eggs. I know I pretend I don’t, but I actually do want to make some cute hapa babies some day! Better to be safe than sorry.

After all of that, I’ll have a port inserted and will hopefully start chemo in about 4 weeks. My regimen will initially be 12 weeks of a nice little cocktail of taxol and carboplatin. Then, we plan to re-assess, and dependent on tumor size and genetic outcomes, I may need another 8 weeks of a different type of chemo, but could potentially go to surgery after that. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

In the meantime, some of the things I’ve been doing to boost my immunity and fight off these dang cancer cells naturally include:

  • Dietary changes – vegetarian, no meat / dairy / sugar / alcohol
  • Acupuncture – I loveeee my acupuncturist!
  • Visualization
  • EFT Tapping – get this app!
  • Resting ❤

Anyway, today I’m thankful for Facetime so Justin could come with me to my appointment *virtually.* Stupid, COVID.

Me & the hubs…aka future hapa baby daddy…

xo

Sources:
1. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet

Angel Cards

Angel Cards

by bridewitt ♥ 1 Comment

Last week, I asked my sister-in-law, Marisa, to do an angel card reading for me. For those of you who don’t know, angel cards are like tarot cards & she pulls cards intuitively from a deck that are representative of my life at the moment. She interprets them in the way she feels it is relative to your current situations.

She ended up pulling four cards for me….

#1 – Eight of Fire
Events moving at a fast pace. Delays are over. Many things happening at once.

If this card doesn’t resonate with my current situation, I’m not sure what would. Marisa told me that she feels that although all parts of my life are shifting quickly, this period will be a breakthrough or catalyst to level up. Because I was attracted to the red color on the card, she related it to my root chakra. The root chakra is your center of safety and grounding which explains why I’ve been craving so much time outdoors walking or with my feet in the sand/water/grass. With everything up in the air, I need to stay balanced.

#2 – Renewal
Review and evaluate. A favorable assessment of the facts. Time to move in a new direction.

The angel pictured on this card is the angel of life review – someone to help you make appropriate changes for your life. Marisa felt that this time will be a time of major transition for me. A time to grow, learn, and take action. A time to recognize what works and what holds me back in my life.

#3 – Eight of Air
An illusion of being trapped. A lack of self-confidence. Afraid to take action.

Again, this is a time for inner work and letting go of old fears. She recommended that I journal and work with a therapist to break free of some of my old mentalities that are holding me back. She recommended I pray for guidance during this time, because my angels (who are all around me, by the way) will help guide me to what needs the most change.

#4 – Solutions
Success that comes from objective compromise. Self-control and patience. Forgiving and healing energy.

The angel pictured on this card is the angel of memory. I felt this card brought everything full circle and is another indicator for the need of a balance point of view during this time. I hope to dig deep on this journey and find self-forgiveness and forgive others for things that I’ve been holding onto for years and years.

I really felt that these cards were validating for me as I begin this cancer journey. I know that the diagnosis serves a greater purpose for myself, but also for those closest to me.

If you’d like to have an angel card reading for yourself, reach out to Marisa on instagram @shopmaninimoon or check out her website here.

xo

Welcome

Welcome

by bridewitt ♥ 1 Comment

Today, I’m out on my lanai drinking my favorite Yogi tea, and sitting down to write out some of what’s been going on in my life over the past month.

To give you a little background, I grew up in Butte, Montana, attended college at University of Montana and achieved my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Eastern Washington University. Since then, I moved with my husband to Honolulu, Hawaii. In the past 5 years, I’ve grown in my practice as a pelvic health physical therapist. I’ve also learned the true meaning of ALOHA which I hope to carry with me through all life’s adventures.

I wanted to start this blog for multiple reasons. Primarily, so my family and friends can stay updated on my medical journey, but also so I could share my knowledge with others.

As a pelvic health physical therapist, I’ve had the unique privilege of working with breast cancer patients to help them maintain independence and wellness during their treatments. I have more to give than to just tell my story and leave it at that, so this blog will contain updates on my personal journey as well as physical therapy tips for patients with breast cancer, pelvic floor concerns, and orthopedic conditions.

I hope that my perspective will be unique and helpful. Thanks for following along!