Hi there Scott,

You may not see this, but I hope if you, or anyone else, reads this that it helps.

Your article came up as a recommendation to read — it certainly struck a chord.

About 15 years ago now (time flies) my mother was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of breast cancer — they couldn’t find a primary, and it was taking over her lymphatic system. She had a 0% chance of survival with surgery, and 30% after surgery. We’ve got a very strong cancer history in the family. Things didn’t look great.

Fast forward to now, she’s turned 61, and has been cancer free since throwing everything she has at it.

This meant a combination of both conventional therapy (surgery, the most intense chemo, radiation) and alternative therapy (apricot kernels, vitamins, the whole bang-shoot). She kept lightly active, stayed the hell away from people (immunity, as you know), and rested. She was hospitalised a few times due the the after affects of chemo, so it was a bit of a bumpy ride. She also refused her last bout of chemo after her radiation session — she listened to her body and made that clear with surgeons that she couldn’t take any more (it paid off I suppose).

That standout thing to me was her attitude — she had two philosophies:
1) She was determined to see me (her 9 year old daughter at the time) grow up, and;

2) If she was still moving, she was still alive. She got inspiration from Lance Armstrong’s book. She recommends it. One day she was so ill, but she was determined to do the ironing, repeating that mantra to herself over and over. She said it was a small win in a time of some big battles.

I don’t know if the whole ‘power of positivity’ thing rings true, but she’s a testament to it. Don’t get me wrong, there were countless tears and depression that most people couldn’t imagine — it’s exhausting to levels people can’t comprehend. However, despite the fact that you’re facing a beast, just don’t underestimate your strength and your ability to keep fighting when you do feel that way.

I won’t say the things she did works for everyone, I know all cancers are different, much the same with physiologies.

My only hope is that this provides some comfort knowing that statistics aren’t everything.

I wish you all the best and strength in the world, mate. If you every need to be in touch with a good surgeon or the like (we’re in Perth), let me know.

Take care.

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    Christie Mouritz-Beckx

    Written by

    Trying to be a decent human.