As Jennifer so aptly writes below, the drugs used to combat Breast Cancer saves lives, but can be overwhelmingly toxic to the whole body. Chinese Herbal Formulas, which are customized to fit each person's particular situation, can dramatically reduce the symptoms, and, at the same time, rebuild your immune system and give you the energy needed to continue the 5 year treatment plan of Western Medicine. The core of any formula to diminish symtoms are herbs that: clear heat and toxins (which in chinese medicine, is the description of cancer of any part of the body), invigorate and/or cool blood, tonify qi, and dispel dampness. Other herbs, with other functions may be added to customize the formula for you. Thank you Jennifer, for helping to educate us.
At the age of 52, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in June of 2004. I had felt a lump in my right breast. It was very sore to the touch, although it seemed to disappear when I had my monthly period, so I waited 2 months before I had it checked out. I think that was a mistake I should have gone in as soon as I felt that lump.
It took another several months of tests and Biopsies to be completely diagnosed. Then setting up the surgery for the removal of my right breast took another 6 to 8 weeks, and all that time the tumor was growing. I was lucky that my lymph nodes were clear, however the tumor was just over 2cm so I needed to have radiation or Chemo, I choose Chemo because of the distance I would have to travel everyday for 6 weeks.
Yes, that was a very difficult time to say the least. I had a friend at the time that just started a class in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in Los Angeles. This school is associated with UCLA so she said to send my tests to her and she would have them take a look. So I sent my blood tests and the Biopsy results to the professors there and they confirmed that I should have my breast removed and start chemo. They also told me that they could help me with the side effects that the chemo would cause, I had to wait after I finished my 4 months of chemo before I went down there to get examined by the herbalist. I came home with a months supply of herbs and have been on them ever since. My herbs happened to be whole so I brew them once a week, I send my blood test to Dr. Zhang and he adjusts the tea for what I need to help my system.
When I finished Chemo I had to go on a drug called Tamoxifen, it is a hormone blocker; it will help guard my other breast from getting cancer since my cancer is estrogen related. The Tamoxifen pill has several nasty side effects; however, I really do not experience any of them because of the herbs that I take. These are some of the following side effects from Tamoxifen:
Hot Flashes
Constipation
Bone or joint pain
Eye problems , blurry vision
About 2 years ago I discovered Joanne Fanucchi, I had many acupuncture session with her, she has helped me tremendously. I would recommend this form of therapy for anyone, but especially to help overcome the side effects of the treatments. I would not wait until you finish your treatments I would suggest that you combine the treatments with your chemo or radiation for it will help to get you though that tough time. If I knew I could get such relief from having acupuncture at the time I was going for the chemo treatments I wouldn’t have waited.
Sincerely Jennifer