Tuna Zucchini Cakes recipe

Yep, I went in for the TB check - the woman ran her hand over my arm and announced in a loud voice, "Good, you're clean!". I wasn't sure if she meant I was clear of TB or intravenous drugs. Honestly.

To celebrate, we ate Tuna Zucchini Cakes. They're easy AND tasty AND cheap.

Tuna Zucchini Cakes

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter
1 can (6-1/2 ounces)light water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup shredded zucchini
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, divided
2 tablespoons canola oil

In a small saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Add the tuna, zucchini, eggs, parsley, lemon juice, seasonings and 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Stir until well combined Shape into six 1/2-inch thick patties; coat with remaining bread crumbs.

In a large skillet, heat oil. Cook the patties for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Yield: 3 servings

TasteofHome special Issue dinner on a Dime 2010
Billie Blanton / Kingsport, Tennessee

Garbanzo Bean Burgers recipe

Try this veggie burger - it's one of the very best I've tasted. I think you'll like it, too.

Garbanzo Bean Burgers
These hearty burgers are a yummy alternative to meat and will help you cut back on saturated fat.

• 2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and mashed
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped *
• 1 carrot, finely chopped *
• 1/4 cup small onion, peeled and finely chopped *
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1. Mix all ingredients (except the cooking oil) together in a large bowl.
2. Divide to form 6 burger-shaped patties.
3. Fry in a lightly-oiled skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown on one side.
4. Turn and brown the other side.
5. Serve on whole wheat rolls with lettuce and tomato or your favorite condiments.

Yield: 6 burger patties

*You may choose to saute the veggies first. It adds a wonderful blend of flavors.
NOTE: Canned beans will also work well if you’re short on time. Just be sure to rinse well to remove excess salt.

With knowledge comes understanding

This morning I spoke with the public health nurse who is administering the TB medication to Mama. She suggested that Butterfly and I go to the Lanakila clinic to get TB tests - I told her I'd already had it done in Wahiawa. Now I need to get Butterfly tested.

I asked the nurse if the radiologist's decision to halt the radiation treatments was because of the possibility of infecting the staff and other patients. She said that was the most reasonable explanation. The patients undergoing radiation treatment were already immunity-depressed and would be very susceptible to contracting TB from my mother if she was contagious, even if Mama wore the required face mask. The doctors wouldn't want to expose the hospital staff to infection either. Nurse said that we'd know on Wednesday whether Mama was contagious or not. If she's not, then Nurse will contact the doctors so that the radiation treatment can begin immediately. I'm praying for a good report tomorrow.

The Nurse also explained what they were looking for on a positive TB test; a raised welt at the test site. Not red or pink color - a raised welt. Whew! I don't have a welt and the red has faded to a light pink. I think I'm in the clear.

Tonight I can sleep easy.

Doesn't make sense to a mere layman

I went to work again today. It was only for three hours and wasn't REALLY physically taxing but I came home tired again. I really hate being this tired all the time. I try to eat healthy (aside from the chocolate). I take vitamin supplements. I TRY to get enough sleep. I really shouldn't be this tired.

Before making it home I stopped to get a TB test. I was amazed at the verification that had to be done before they'd consent to give me the test. They wanted to be certain that the person I was exposed to was in the system. They called the Lanakila branch to get my mother's name and ID info. They wanted to know why I didn't get tested up there when I took my mother in (no testing is done on Thursday because the reading can't be done within the two day time frame due to Hawaii's budget-saving furlough Fridays AND I live over here, NOT over there.) Lots and lots of questions. I was beginning to feel like I was on display for shoplifting or some other ridiculous thing. FINALLY, everyone was all smiles and apologies for the crazy process and I got the syringe.

Here I am hours later and the spot doesn't look right. I hope I'm hallucinating and the spot isn't really red. It isn't supposed to be red or pink or anything other than regular skin tone. I'll check again in the morning - I really don't want to look at it anymore. I go back to the clinic on Wednesday.

I called Mama to see how her first day of radiation went. She was indignant. The van had picked her up at the appointed time and had taken her to the hospital. She waited for two hours before Dr. Yamashiro came down to tell her that he and Dr Druger had decided that since she was on TB meds for the next six to nine months that it wouldn't be good to give her radiation at this time. They thought it would be prudent to wait for at least six weeks.

Mama came unglued (you should see her in this state - it's really quite an amazing sight as long as you aren't the target.) She asked the doctor how he could wait that long while the cancer was rapidly spreading - did he think the cancer would wait while the TB medication did its job? She wanted the radiation right now to stop the spread as much as possible. (Yea, Mama!) He finally rescheduled the procedure for two weeks away.

I'm proud of my mother. She has always been a take charge, no nonsense woman. She is determined to fight these cancers and TB to the best of her ability and with all her heart. She has never been an "obedient" wife, employee, tenant, or now, patient. She's not an easy woman to be a daughter, friend, or (as I have heard) husband to, but she is someone to be admired.

Stubbornness is what might pull her through this uphill climb and stubbornness is what she has more than any other person I know.

Medicinal Mushrooms

I've been researching the healing properties of mushrooms for several weeks in order to come up with something that I could give Mama to help her body heal the cancers (and now TB).

As a young teenager I watched science movies that included info about cordyceps mushrooms. Maybe you've seen them, too? You know, the movies that show ants and catepillars that are infected with a fungus, but the insects keep moving until mushrooms pop out of their heads? I think those science movies inspired Aliens. Years later I read about the medicinal properties of those mushrooms and used cordyseps capsules to help with my own health problems.

Many species of mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. The ability of some mushrooms to inhibit tumor growth and enhance aspects of the immune system has been a subject of research for approximately 50 years. Currently, researchers are focusing on mushrooms that appear to offer anti-cancer and immune system enhancing activity, but research is being conducted in many areas including: mushroom polysaccharides and the immune system, antioxidant activity, effects on blood sugar, effects on cholesterol, anti-hormone activity, vitamin D2, anti-viral/anti-microbial properties, and of course, cancer studies.

The following list is a relatively short synopsis of the properties of medicinal mushrooms:

Reishi/Ling Chi - Several species of Reishi have been used in traditional Asian medicines for thousands of years. Researchers have noted Reishi appears to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. Animal studies have noted Reishi may protect the liver and protect against radiation. A randomized clinical study noted Reishi improved urinary tract symptoms in men.

Yun Zhi/Turkey Tail is probably the best documented medicinal mushroom. It is a mushroom which has provided the world with a leading cancer drug. The drug is known as Polysaccharide-K (Kresin, PSK, PSP) and its use is intended to counter-act the immune system depressing actions of common chemotherapeutic drugs. In Japan, the Health and Welfare Ministry (equivalent to the United States' Food and Drug Administration) approved Polysaccharide-K in the 1980s. All health care plans in Japan cover the use of Polysaccharide-K.

Used in conjunction with chemotherapy, PSK has increased the survival time of cancer patients in randomized, control studies. Large clinical trials have indicated it is useful in the treatment of stomach cancer (meta-analysis of 8,009 patients from eight randomized controlled trials),[118] colorectal cancer (randomized, controlled study of 448 patients),[119] small cell carcinoma of the lungs, and non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Maitake/Hen of the Woods is an edible mushroom commonly found on oak trees. Maitake has been researched for possible anti-cancer activity in Breast cancer, Liver cancer and Lung cancer.

In 2009, a phase I/II human trial, conducted by Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, showed Maitake could stimulate the immune systems of breast cancer patients. In vitro research has also shown Maitake can stimulate immune system cells.

Himematsutake is a species of mushroom that research has shown may stimulate the immune system and exhibit anti-cancer activity. In Japan, Himematsutake is a highly popular alternative medicine, which is used by close to 500,000 people. In Japan, Himematsutake is also the most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer patients. According to the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, the number 2 ranked cancer hospital in the US according to U.S. News, "there is some proof showing Himematsutake extract may benefit patients with certain cancers. But more studies are needed to confirm these observations."

Most published research concerning Himematsutake is focused on its potential as an anti-cancer agent of Colorectal cancer, Fibrosarcoma, Sarcoma, Gynecological cancer, Ovarian cancer, Lung cancer, Leukemia, Myeloma, Hepatocarcinoma, Stomach cancer, Prostate cancer, and Skin cancer.

Oyster mushroom naturally contains the statin drug Lovastatin. Research has also shown the oyster mushroom has anti-cancer properties. In vitro research has shown oyster mushrooms can reduce the growth of human breast and colon cancer cells. An in vivo experiment showed a beta-glucan isolated from the mushroom reduced colon cancer growths in rats. An in vivo experiment, demonstrated the mushroom's anti-cancer activity in rats with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced cancer.

The White Button, Crimini, and Portobello is the world's most popular edible mushroom, and is known by many names. Researchers at the City of Hope National Medical Center are studying whether this mushroom may inhibit breast cancer development. White button mushrooms may reduce the risk of breast cancer, because they have been shown in vitro to inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which is used by the body to create estrogen. The FDA and the National Cancer Institute have proposed to study U.S. food consumption data to explore whether mushrooms and their vitamin D-2 content may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

In vivo research conducted on mice suggests the white button mushroom may enhance aspects of the immune system. In vitro testing has shown a compound present in the white button mushroom has anti-cancer properties, inhibiting the growth of various cancer cell lines.

Shiitake is a popular culinary mushroom used in dishes around the world. Modern research has indicated that Shiitake mushroom may stimulate the immune system, possess anti-bacterial properties, reduce platelet aggregation, and possess anti-viral properties.

Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is a compound isolated from Shiitake. In Japan, AHCC is the second most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer patients.

In addition, research has shown that AHCC may increase the body's resistance to pathogens as shown in experiments with the influenza virus, west nile encephalitis virus, and bacterial infection. Research has shown AHCC may enhance immune function, may benefit patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and benefit patients with prostate cancer.

Another compound isolated from Shiitake, Lentinan, is used as an intravenous anti-cancer agent in some countries. Studies have demonstrated lentinan possesses anti-tumor properties, and human clinical studies have associated lentinan with a higher survival rate, higher quality of life, and lower re-occurrence of cancer. Clinical research with lentinan includes studies with 78 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, 32 gastric cancer patients, a multi-institutional study of lentinan and gastric cancer, a meta-analysis of lentinan and gastric cancer, 80 colorectal cancer patients, 20 gastric cancer patients, 36 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and 29 pancreatic cancer patients. The City of Hope National Medical Center is currently conducting clinical trials to determine if a select portion of the Shiitake mushroom, which includes Lentinan, can inhibit lung cancer.

Yamabusitake/Lion's Mane has been researched for possible anti-dementia activity. In vitro experiments with Yamabusitake have demonstrated its ability to stimulate rat nerve cells, stimulate nerve growth factor in human astrocytoma cells, and stimulate myelination. Additionally, a double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial showed that supplementation with Yamabusitake improved cognitive ability.

Enokitake are long, thin white mushrooms commonly used in Asian cuisines. Enokitake mushrooms contain compounds with anti-tumor activity and epidemiological studies in Japan have associated the mushroom with lower cancer rates. In vivo research showed that Proflamin, a compound isolated from Enokitake provided an 85% longer survival time in mice with cancer. Another in vivo study showed that Enokitake demonstrated anti-cancer activity in Swiss albino mice with Sarcoma 180.

Chaga mushroom has the highest ORAC rating (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of any known natural food. ORAC numbers measure the antioxidant power of foods. Though ORAC ratings will vary as much as 10 to 15 percent depending on the type of testing or the region of the food tested, chaga mushrooms are twice as high or more as the previously highest ORAC rated foods such as Acai berries or Chinese Wolfberries. And those two berries have much higher ORAC ratings then all the other antioxidant foods.

In Russia, Poland, Korea, China, Japan, and Australia, chaga teas and extracts have proven to boost the immune system, reduce hypertension, stop tumor growth and inhibit cancer, especially breast, liver, uterine and gastric cancers. When used along with conventional cancer treatments, it alleviated most of the side effects from those treatments and enhanced the immune system. One has a better chance of surviving chemo with chaga! Chaga even looks promising for treating AIDS.

Chaga mushrooms are high in betulinic acid, which inhibits tumors and cancer cells. Triterpenes that detoxify the liver and also inhibit cancer cell growth and polysaccharides that enhance the immune system and fight viral infections as well as cancer are also abundant in chaga mushrooms.

Cauliflower mushroom and King oyster mushroom contain compounds that may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.

Kanbatake/Birch bracket mushroom may possess anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-bacterial properties, and anti-viral properties.

Yanagimatsutake/Chestnut mushroom contains compounds that work against the same enzyme which is the target of Advil, Tylenol, and other NSAIDS. An in vitro experiment, revealed the mushroom may offer anti-cancer and immune-stimulating properties.

Tinder conk mushroom contains compounds with anti-cancer activity.

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus which grow out of insects it has infected. The fungus remains essentially dormant until the caterpillar dies; the fungus then replaces the caterpillar's body with its own material and grows its stalk upward and above-ground. Research has indicated Cordyceps may promote cellular health, have anti-depressant activity, as well as possible anti-cancer activity.

Mesima/Meshimakobu/Song-gen/Sang-hwang have been used for centuries in traditional Korean medicine. A paper published by Harvard Medical School, reported that Mesima is a promising anti-cancer agent.

Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti has a marvelous cross-indexed chart of medicinal mushrooms and their therapeutic uses. Here is a small sampling of the info:
Anti-tumor: Himematsutake, Cordyseps, Artist Conk, Reishi/Ling Chi, Oregon Polypore, Maitake/Hen of the Woods, Yamabusitake/Lion's Mane, Chaga, Shiitake, Zhu Ling, Suehirotaka/Split Gill, Yun Zhi/Turkey Tail
Blood Pressure: Cordyseps, Reishi/Ling Chi, Maitake/Hen of the Woods, Shiitake, Hiratake/Pearl Oyster
Immune System: Himematsutake, Cordyseps, Reishi/Ling Chi, Oregon Polypore, Maitake/Hen of the Woods, Chaga, Shiitake, Birch Polypore, Hiratake/Pearl Oyster, Zhu Ling, Yun Zhi/Turkey Tail

Fungi Perfecti sells mixed blends of medicinal mushrooms in capsule form and a few medicinal mushroom teas, too.

Cocoa Brownies recipe

We went back to the beach today. It was a beautiful, warm day - perfect for lying in the sand reading a book at Haleiwa. Butterfly spent most of her time doing handstands in the water as she gathered more "rocks" - actually worn pieces of coral and shells. She must have been a fish in a former life - she's more comfortable in the water than she is on land.

We ate homemade pizza, spam musubi, cocoa brownies, plums, bananas, tangerines and Hawaiian kettle-style chips. I consoled myself with the idea that the veggies on the pizza and the fruit were healthy.

I called Mama to check on her - she was her back-to-normal grouchy self although she DID say she was fine. I'll call tomorrow to check on her again. She starts radiation treatment on Monday. I can guess all sorts of reasons for her bad mood, but the truth of the matter is that she's normally in a bad mood when interacting with me. It's just one of those facts of life. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

I eat a lot of chocolate lately. I have several cocoa brownie recipes. This is a good one when I want something a little bit "cake-ier" than normal. I hope you like it, too.

Cocoa Brownies

2 sticks butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. plain flour
6 tbsp. cocoa (heaping tbsp. make richer brownies)
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chopped nuts, optional

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, then remaining ingredients. Bake in a 9 x 13 inch greased pan for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees. If you want more cake-like brownies, bake longer and use only level tablespoons of cocoa.

Makes 20 brownies.

Miso and Asian Greens Soup recipe

It's been a long day, folks, so there's no blogging tonight, just another soup recipe. I love this one - it's very healthy and tastes wonderful. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Miso and Asian Greens Soup

1 T peanut oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 lg carrots, peeled and sliced thinly
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
6 c water, vegetable stock, or dashi
2 (8-in) strips kombu, soaked in warm water for 1 hour
4 to 6 scallions chopped
1 (2-in) section daikon, peeled & sliced thin
2 c coarsely chopped bok choy, pat soi, or red shen choy
2 c shredded Chinese cabbage
½ tsp ground black pepper
2 to 3 T miso paste

In a large saucepan heat the oil. Add the onion, carrots, garlic, and ginger, and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the water, kombu, half of the scallions, and the daikon, and bring to a simmer. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the greens and ground pepper, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes more over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, dissolve the miso paste in 2 to 3 T warm water. At the last minute, remove the kombu and stir the miso paste into the soup. Do not boil the soup once the miso paste has been added.

Ladle the soup into large soup bowls and top with the remaining scallions.

Yield: 6 servings.

TB Clinic

We spent three hours at the TB clinic this morning while Mama was tested, informed, prodded, and treated. She has an active case of TB. We won't know until Tuesday whether she is contagious or not. Until then, she'll have to wear a face mask in public to keep from spreading the disease (just as a precaution). She was given 3 different medications to take every day for the next 6 to 9 months. These are 6 HUGE horse pills that she has to swallow each day. I gagged just watching her swallow the gargantuan tablets and capsules. Thankfully, Mama doesn't have any difficulty swallowing pills. What's interesting, is that public health nurses will go to her condo every Monday through Friday to administer her meds and watch her take them for the entire 6 to 9 months. Apparently, this is the only way to ensure the complete course of medication is finished by each TB patient. I can only think, Wow!

I have to get a TB "scratch" test on Monday to see if I've gotten the disease from her. The test is more nuisance than anything else: I have to go in to take the test, wait two days and then go back to the clinic to have the test spot read. Hopefully, I'll be free and clear of any reaction.

Mama is being tested for liver functionality and HIV at the same time. It's just hard to fathom that she could possibly be HIV positive on top of everything else. We can't even imagine where she could have been infected.

I went to work after dropping Mama off and now I'm tired both physically and emotionally. This care-taking business is a wild roller coaster ride.

I'm headed to bed.

Pleasant dreams everyone.

Minestrone with Cheese Dumplings recipe

It's been a long day of work and I have to be out the door at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow in order to get Mama to her appointment with the TB doctor, sooooo, here's one of my favorite family soups. (I guess I have a lot of family favorites in the soup category, but that's okay - they're all tried and tested and beloved.) You'll love this one!

Minestrone with Cheese Dumplings

Dumplings
1 c skim milk
1 ½ T margarine or butter
½ c quick-cooking cream of farina (Cream of Wheat)
2 T shredded provolone cheese
1 T finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 egg

Soup
2 tsp olive oil
1 c thinly sliced leeks (white part only)
¼ c chopped celery
¼ c chopped carrots
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
2 c vegetable stock
1 ½ c vegetable-cocktail juice
2 c water
¼ c chopped, fresh basil
1 c chopped kale
¼ c orzo

1. To make the dumplings: In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, bring the milk and margarine just to the boiling point. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the farina. Then whisk in the provolone, parsley and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes or until thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the egg. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

2. Form the dumpling dough into ½-inch balls (approximately 24); cover and set aside.

3. To make the soup: In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the leeks, celery, carrots and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are just tender. Add the tomatoes, stock, juice, water and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the kale and orzo; simmer for 10 minutes longer.

4. Return the soup to a full boil; drop the dumplings into the pan. Partially cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the dumplings are firm.

Chocolate, Fruit, and Nut Clusters recipe

Yesterday was quiet. I'm really getting to like quiet, uneventful days. I spent my day researching various health topics, listening to self-improvement audio files, and watching YouTube videos on growing marijuana. (Don't be shocked - as a Hawaii state-registered cancer patient care-giver, I'm allowed to grow this stuff for my mother. I just need the know how, and boy oh boy, are there a lot of videos about the subject on the Internet! This is fascinating!)

Today, on the other hand, has brought more excitement. My mother called to say that her sputum test from several weeks ago came back positive for tuberculosis. What the heck? She has two types of cancer in three different organs AND TB on top of that? What's next? A plague of some sort?

So, instead of no doctor's appointments this week, we go to the TB clinic in Honolulu on Thursday to talk with yet another doctor to discuss more tests or treatment procedures. I get to be tested for TB, too. So now I've started psychosomatic throat-clearing - JUST SPIFFY! (Can you hear the dripping sarcasm?)

I'm upping my intake of Pepsi - it's my drug of choice and what I turn to when stressed. And, of course, chocolate.

Chocolate, Fruit, and Nut Clusters
Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 2 minutes.

Be sure to store these clusters in the fridge.

Try not to feel guilty eating these delicious, quick and easy sweets — they’re low in fat and cholesterol and have a host of nutrients packed into every bite. Dark chocolate offers stress-busting antioxidants, while cranberries may help fend off colds and fight stomach bugs. And pecans are rich in zinc, good fats, and fiber.

For more variety, try this recipe using other combinations of dried fruit and nuts (e.g., raisins and peanuts, apricots and cashews, cherries and walnuts, pineapple and coconut, you get the idea).

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup (3 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips or chopped baking bar, such as Ghirardelli (or use a bitter chocolate bar to up the antioxidant levels)
• 1/2 cup (3 ounces) milk chocolate chips or chopped milk chocolate bar
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation
1. Place the semisweet chocolate and milk chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute. Stir; microwave 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

2. Stir in the cranberries and pecans. Immediately drop by level teaspoonfuls onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
Clusters will keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

Recipe adapted from Health, DECEMBER 2006

Planting and weeding

It was a clear and sunny day for a change here in Wahiawa. (That reads like a bad first sentence in a third-rate pulp novel, but, what the heck, it was unusual and true.) As I try to think of things to do to nurture myself, today I turned to what most people might consider a chore: I pulled up weeds in my yard and garden.

I LIKE pulling out weeds. I feel strong and healthy as I clear space around the plants I love. The recent rains had softened the ground so the weeds give up their grips easily and spring out of the soil into my hands. I envision my pots of plants growing in the spaces left behind by the weeds and I feel joy slowly seeping into my heart and soul through the dirt surrounding my fingers and embedded under my nails. The early morning sun caresses my skin, warms my hair, and I feel peace.

I inspect the shoots just beginning to poke their way up into the sunlight in my garden plot; three types of peas, Swiss chard, spinach, and carrots are all up. There are more baby plants waiting in peat pots for their turn in the garden; peppers, tomatillos, eggplants, onions, thyme, oregano, tomatoes, and papayas. I shake my seed packets and realize that I'm going to have to expand my garden space if I want to get all these plants and seeds in the ground. That's more work, but it's joy-filled work.

As I work I think of the weeds in myself that aren't such fun to pull out. They don't route easily and they cause me emotional pain as I try to weed and prune myself into the person I want to be. At over a half century in age, I rather thought that was plenty of time to become more patient and understanding. How about wise? I really thought that wisdom was something that just arrived like a gift when I became 50. Here I am, 5 years later and I still don't feel particularly wise. I could certainly use wisdom when it comes to keeping my mouth closed when I'm irritated. Like weeds, my faults keep reappearing and disturbing the new habits I try to plant.

I wish I could be as patient with myself and daughter as I am with the garden plants and weeds. I don't expect my plants to grow up and bear fruit overnight. I don't expect the weeds to never reappear once I've pulled them up. Why do I expect Butterfly and me to be perfect right now?

I ponder these things as the sun pours peace on my head and the weeds continue to gleefully jump into my hands. I try to instill in my mind the idea that life is an ongoing cycle of planting and weeding and I may never see the final harvest. It takes time. Be patient with Butterfly. Be patient with myself. Allow us time to grow. Breathe...

Words and how we use them

I just watched The Twilight Saga: New Moon with my daughter. Butterfly has read and reread and then reread again the entire Twilight series so she was overjoyed to purchase this newly released DVD. Watching and being caught up in the story gave me a wonderful respite from thinking.

Yesterday's stresses had to be digested and made sense of before I could post anything about the happenings. It all has to do with how we say things.

The morning started off well. I got through Honolulu rush-hour traffic intact and with enough time to get Mama to the hospital without having to worry about being late for her appointment. We only got mildly lost as we made our way through the corridor maze and finally wound up in Imaging. I slept through the entire time Mama was having her ultrasound-guided needle aspiration of the thyroid tumor. The previous two blood tests both indicated thyroid cancer but the oncologist wanted to be certain. At least I think that was the reason for this test. We won't see the oncologist until April 4th so we won't know the results until then.

Mama said the test was painful but she survived in relatively good spirits. As I drove her back to her condo I brought up the subject of using alternative therapy on top of the regular stuff that's being ordered by her team of doctors. I reminded her that her radiologist thought that adding alternative therapy was certainly not going to hurt anything and might help. So I told her about cordyceps mushrooms and that it has been used in Chinese medicine for a millenia. She said that she could use Chinese medicine but that it worked differently for each individual; sometimes it didn't work at all. My reply, "Hell, Mama, you have stage 4 cancer, it certainly isn't going to hurt to try it!" She laughed and agreed to try. I NEVER would have said anything like that to my mother in the past but life seems to have changed with this C-word hanging over us. We talk to each other differently now; we're more open and maybe even a little more accepting.

Her entire attitude has changed with the knowledge that the cancers are incurable. She is now willing to try things she wasn't before. Things like lots of dark green and orange vegetables. And Chinese medicines. And certain varieties of green tea (you'd think that being Japanese she'd like drinking green tea, but no, my mother has never been a typical Japanese woman in more ways than otherwise.) And nicest change of all, my mother is becoming a pleasanter person to be around, at least pleasanter to me.

So I was thrown off kilter when one of my siblings called. I THINK she is trying to help amend our relationship which has been strained for several decades. We've tried several times to work it out but end up getting angry with each other over and over. I find it amazing that the very people we love are the ones that have the direct line to our hot buttons and manage to set us off at light speeds. I think it has to do with HOW things are said, perhaps even more than the WHAT.

I read an article this evening that summed it up for me:

"Words. We use them every time we talk and see them every time we read. No matter how much we use them, they never really run out nor do they go out of fashion. We are so used to them that sometimes, we don’t realize how important they are. Used badly, words cause anger, hurt feelings, cost jobs, lose sales and even incite rebellion. Used right, they touch emotions, boost confidence, win victories, encourage imagination, profess love and increase profit." Make More Live More Give More

Later last night, because I was still upset with this sister, I vented at another during instant message chatting as she passed along news that I didn't want to hear. I virtually shot the messenger. I did exactly what I didn't want to do - continue our family dysfunction. She, on the other hand, stayed calm and even conciliatory as I ranted. I'm embarrassed and ashamed of my words. Worse, I meant everything I said. I wish I could take it back. I wish I'd had the ability to stay silent, or at least say what I felt in a non-hurtful way. I had learned when I was twelve that words, once spoken, can never be taken back. They might be forgiven but are rarely forgotten. I forgot that lesson last night.

As my worries over my mother increase so do my stress levels. I'm becoming trigger-tempered at home and find that I am saying things that I would never have said beforehand. I'm becoming someone I don't like. As Mama becomes pleasanter I'm becoming more awful. I've got to get a handle on my feelings of helplessness and I definitely need to better control my words. I really don't want to say things to hurt my family.

I feel so tired and fragile.

Tomato Bisque recipe

Tonight was a night of leftovers. Plus soup. I've been making this recipe for over thirty years now and it's still a family favorite. The lycopene in the soup makes it good for you in spite of the cube of butter. The curry powder adds a touch of curcumin, another good for you antioxidant. Best of all, the soup just tastes really good.

Tomato Bisque Soup

¼ lb (1 stick) butter or margarine
1 c chopped celery
1 c chopped onion
½ c chopped carrots
1/3 c flour
2 (1-lb 12-oz) cans whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
½ tsp curry powder
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp basil
1 tsp marjoram
1 bay leaf
4 c chicken broth
1 pint whipping cream (2cups)
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp white pepper
Salt to taste

Melt butter or margarine in a large saucepan. Sauté celery, onion and carrots until tender. Stir in flour. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add tomatoes, sugar, basil, marjoram, bay leaf and chicken broth. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf. Puree 1/3 of the mixture at a time in blender. Add cream, paprika, curry powder and pepper. Stir to blend. Add salt to taste. Serve hot or cold. Makes 8 servings.

Tomato bisque garnished with green onions

Wikipedia has this to say about lycopene: "Given its antioxidant properties, substantial scientific and clinical research has been devoted to a possible correlation between lycopene consumption and general health. Early research suggested some amelioration of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and even male infertility.

There have been several studies produced that analyze the anti-cancer properties of lycopene, although research has been primarily inconclusive. Evidence for lycopene’s benefit was strongest for cancers of the lung, stomach, and prostate gland.

Lycopene is not modified to vitamin A in the body so can be accessible for other benefits such as antioxidation. The absence of the beta-ionone ring structure for lycopene increases its antioxidant action. Lycopene is also the most efficient oxygen and free radicals quencher and is the prime carotenoid in plasma and other tissues. Lycopene is also found in lung tissue and is valuable in protecting lymphocytes from NO2 damage found in lung cancer. Lycopene also may help decrease the impact of oxidative load from pylori infections in the stomach. The tomato-derived carotenoid lycopene may reduce risk of cancer by activating special cancer preventive enzymes such as phase II detoxification enzymes, which remove harmful carcinogens from cells and the body.

In one study of lycopene as a inhibitor of human cancer cell proliferation, it was found that unlike cancer cells, human fibroblasts were less sensitive to lycopene, and the cells gradually escaped growth inhibition over time. In addition to its inhibitory effect on basal endometrial cancer cell proliferation, lycopene also was found to suppress insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated growth. Insulin-like growth factors are major autocrine/paracrine regulators of mammary and endometrial cancer cell growth. Therefore, lycopene interference in this major autocrine/paracrine system may open new avenues for research on the role of lycopene in the regulation of endometrial cancer and other tumors.

In different studies however, lycopene was even found to have an inhibitory effect on cataract development and several different kinds of cancer cells including breast and endometrial cancer cells, prostrate carcinoma cells, and colon cancer cells."

Sloane-Kettering has this to say: "A natural pigment synthesized by plants and microorganisms, lycopene is used primarily as an antioxidant and also to prevent and treat cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration. Lycopene has antioxidant activity and is classified as a nonprovitamin A carotenoid, other examples being lutein and zeaxanthin. Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin are classified as provitamin A carotenoids because they can be converted into retinol. Small clinical trials suggest possible benefit against exercise-induced asthma, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and cancer, but no optimal dosage has been established.

Epidemiologic studies suggest an inverse relationship between lycopene consumption and risk of cancer, particularly lung, stomach, and prostate and estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive breast cancers."

Functions of Lycopene

* Lycopene increases gap-junctional intercellular communication, and this action is believed to be responsible for enabling the transfer of growth-regulatory signals.
* Lycopene has been hypothesized to prevent carcinogenesis and atherogenesis by protecting critical cellular biomolecules, lipids, lipoproteins, proteins, and DNA. Though the exact mechanism of action has not been defined, researchers have found that patients with prostate cancer were found to have low levels of lycopene and high levels of oxidation of serum lipids and proteins.
* Strong evidence exists from numerous studies which associate high serum or plasma lycopene with decreased risks of cancer of the lung, stomach, gastrointestinal tract and cancers of the colorectum.
* Recent studies have also reported a decrease in the risk of total cardiovascular disease with higher concentrations of plasma lycopene.
* Other studies have shown an inverse association between plasma lycopene and mortality in patients with prior cancers particularly in Oral, Pharynx, or Larynx Cancers.

Foods high in lycopene:
Tomatoes; Apricots; Pink grapefruit; Watermelon; Guava, rosehips.

Curcumin
As of 2008, clinical trials in humans were underway, studying the effect of curcumin on numerous diseases including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, colon cancer, psoriasis, and Alzheimer's disease.

The Linus Pauling Institute gives information regarding promising studies of curcumin on Alzheimer's Disease, colorectal cancers, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Curcumin is found in the spice turmeric. Turmeric is found in varying amounts in curry powder.

Zinc deficiency

Three years ago, while in school at the Hypnotherapy Academy of America, I suddenly lost my sense of taste and smell. The entire school was stricken with a virus that sent several of my classmates to local emergency rooms and had the rest of the school hacking and sniffling. At first I thought I'd just come down with the same nasty virus as the rest of the class, but while the rest of the class got over the illness, I continued coughing. I didn't feel sick, I just coughed and couldn't smell or taste anything.

I took over-the-counter allergy cold meds and eventually saw the doctor after I graduated and returned home. I was prescribed allergy medications but nothing cleared up the coughing or stuffy nose. I figured the loss of smell and taste was the result of the congestion.

Fast forward three years. I still couldn't breathe through my nose despite netti pots, over-the-counter medicines, and prescribed steroid nose sprays; nothing worked. AND I still couldn't smell or taste properly. I was frustrated beyond belief.

The coughing finally cleared up leaving behind the eternal stuffy nose. Congestion really wasn't the problem; my nasal passages were almost completely swollen shut most of the time so I couldn't breathe. Taste and smell were long gone, too.

Then I came across a health article that stated that loss of taste was caused by a severe zinc deficiency. It also stated that it would take at least six months for the body to recover from the deficiency. So I began taking zinc supplements. I was amazed to find that my stuffy nose cleared up for a few hours after taking the supplement.

It's been 3 months since I began my zinc supplementation. I'm slowly regaining my sense of smell and taste. I can breathe normally for several hours at a time now before my nasal passages begin swelling closed again.

Since reading that initial article I've read many more detailing the importance of zinc. Zinc deficiency is implicated in acne, macular degeneration, anorexia, cancer, smell and taste irregularities, hair loss, tinnitus, memory and learning problems, menstrual cramping (which I wrote about a few days ago), diarrhea, malarial susceptibility, colds and flu, difficult and prolonged labor, hemorrhage, uterine dystocia and placental abruption, low sodium/low zinc levels increase hunger and high sodium/low zinc levels decrease hunger. The list continues on and on.

Zinc Deficiences A Global Concern

Wikipedia states, "One-third of the world population is at risk of zinc deficiency, ranging from 4 to 73% depending on the country. Zinc deficiency is the fifth leading risk factor for disease in the developing world. Providing micronutrients, including zinc, to humans is one of the four quick-win solutions to major global problems identified in the Copenhagen Consensus from an international panel of distinguished economists.

Conservative estimates suggest that 25% of the world's population is at risk of zinc deficiency."

The Multiple Sclerosis Research Center has this to say: "Zinc is an essential trace element. It is one of the most important of the trace elements needed by the body. Of the many hundreds of protein enzymes present in the body, which allow its chemistry to work, zinc is required by over two hundred of them. It can thus be seen how a deficiency of zinc can affect so many different functions.

Zinc is also important in the production of prostaglandins (PGs). PGs are vital to numerous body functions including, for example: the function of the immune system; the expression and control of inflammation; skin and wound healing; function of the heart and cardiovascular system; absorption of various minerals; body temperature control and the important functions of fertility, conception, and delivery of the infant.

The way in which zinc influences PG production is by potentiating (or supporting the function of) the enzymes which permit the conversion of the polyunsaturated fatty acids into PGs. Zinc thus has a very direct action in stimulating the normal production of PGs thereby maintaining or restoring normal health and fitness.

Zinc deficiency can result in many symptoms, including: loss of appetite, growth retardation, diarrhoea, tremor, hair loss, dandruff, a dry skin rash, white lines on fingernails, increased allergic sensitivity, disturbance of menstrual periods, pre-menstrual syndrome, delay of wound healing, loss of taste or smell sensation, dyslexia, poor night vision, photophobia (sensitivity to light), depression, sleep disturbance, hyperactivity, reduced fertility, loss of sex drive, pre-eclampsia (toxaemia) of pregnancy and post-natal depression.

It has been observed that those suffering with any of the auto-immune diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis); atopic problems (allergy, eczema, asthma or migraine); or many of the inflammatory diseases (such as osteo-arthritis, ME or irritable bowel syndrome), have a consistent, and often severe, zinc deficiency, which is greatly benefited by a programme of zinc replacement therapy."

Zinc deficiency is linked to esophageal cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast, and head and neck cancers.

There are also concerns that too much zinc can CAUSE problems. Some sources suggest that women should take 8 mg per day and men 11 mg per day. Other sources suggest 150 mg per day for severe deficiency, 100 mg per day for moderate deficiency, and 50 mg per day for mild deficiency.

A concern when taking large amounts of zinc is that zinc can bind copper and iron. Taking a low dose supplement of copper is recommended.

Food Sources of Zinc:

Black-eyed peas, cooked; Brazil nuts(also a good source of selenium, eat 3 per day); Brewer’s yeast; Cashews; Cheddar cheese; Chicken; Chick-peas, cooked; Dulse; Eggs; Fish; Kelp; Lamb; Legumes; Lentils, cooked; Lima beans; Liver; Meats; Mushrooms; Oats, rolled; Organ meats; Oysters; Peanuts, roasted; Pecans; Peas, cooked; Poultry; Pumpkin seeds; Sardines; Seafood; Soy lecithin; Soybeans, cooked; Sunflower seeds; Swiss cheese; Tofu; Torula yeast; Turkey; Wheat germ & bran; Whole grains.

Herb Sources of Zinc:

Alfalfa; Burdock root; Cayenne; Chamomile; Chickweed; Dandelion; Eyebright; Fennel seed; Hops; Milk thistle; Mullein; Nettle; Parsley; Rose hips; Sage; Sarsaparilla; Skullcap; Wild yam.

Also see the Health Professional Fact Sheet on Zinc

Stage IV diagnosis

Mama had a thyroid ultrasound this morning. They rescheduled the needle aspiration for Friday. Right afterward we wandered the hospital corridors until we found the radiation treatment wing (prominently labeled, "Cancer Center"). That's where her appointment with the radiologist was located.

The Queen's Hospital was built in 1867 by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma to bring modern medical help to all Hawaiians. It's a beautiful hospital. Over the years it's been added onto wing by wing. Now it's an incredible maze of wings, elevators, and corridors that require a map to navigate. The best course of action is to ask one of the hospital staff, who initially begin to give instructions but always end up simply leading the way to the destination. I'm sure the maze keeps staff cognitively alert. The twisting navigation has got to increase IQ points in all patients. It felt like a local version of "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego".

We finally found ourselves in the hospital basement. The radiation warning tapes and signs on doors were ominous reminders of the materials that are used to kill out of control cells. I wondered if the place glowed when the lights were out.

After check-in, we sat in the waiting room listening to live ukulele music by hospital staff that apparently strolled through just to cheer us up. We needed the cheering; the other patients were grim reminders of what was in store ahead. Scarves, canes, hobbling, and gaunt faces filled the room and I wondered exactly what each of us was waiting for.

Eventually it was Mama's turn to be ushered into an exam room.

The nurse was cheerful, kind and patient. She asked Mama question after question and ended with taking vital signs and having Mama change into an examination gown. Thankfully, she brought a warm blanket to cover Mama. All that expensive equipment has to stay cool; people get to leave the building to warm up again. Nurse left saying that the doctor would soon be in and that he was wonderful.

Dr. Yamashiro was indeed a warm and caring doctor with a marvelous bedside manner. He examined Mama and then had her dress. We met him in the consultation room where he sat studying her stack of test results.

He took out a set of papers titled "Lung Staging Form" and carefully explained how the test results mapped to the form. He wrote the pertinent info from the tests on the form as he circled letters and numbers. He ended up with Stage IV M1b diagnosis. He told Mama that it meant the cancer wasn't curable but that they would use radiation and chemotherapy to control the growth and spread of what was there. He likened that approach to diabetes -- it's controlled, not cured.

I watched Mama out of the corner of my eye as the doctor outlined the diagnosis. I watched her shoulders slump as the full realization of what he was saying sunk in. She finally interrupted him to ask how long she had to live. He said that only God knew that. She said that she wanted to know so she could attend to her dogs.

As I listened to her explain that she loved her dogs more than her children I was grateful to not feel any bitterness. Those dogs have kept her alive and happy for over 30 years. She has lavished attention on them that she was never able to provide for her human children. Funny how that works: the high maintenance, tiny show dogs are so much easier for her to understand and love than the children that she bore (or adopted in my case) and raised. I'm trying to love this difficult woman just the way she is and on her terms. Maybe, sometimes, just trying is good enough.

Mama goes back for a preliminary scan tomorrow. They'll place markers on her chest for where the radiation will be aimed. We've been given a card with a name and number to call to arrange for transportation to and from the hospital while Mama has her daily treatment over a two week period. I'm grateful because I can work during this time and Mama can feel independent. I'll still go to her weekly consultation with Dr. Yamashiro, but Mama will manage the daily treatments by herself.

We're looking at chemo after the radiation. I'm grateful that Mama has the two weeks of independence. We're not sure how much longer she'll get to stay independent. Every day of normal routine is a triumph.

Cuban Black Bean Soup recipe

Tonight both Butterfly and I are sick. I think we have some icky virus. This black bean soup is a great comfort food that has lots of nourishing qualities like zinc, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, and inositol pentakisphosphate (a tumor inhibitor). Check out the links at the bottom of this post for info on the health benefits of beans and lentils.

As good as this soup is, I don't think it will cure the common cold, but it sure makes us feel warm, comfy, and loved. Not bad for a cheap, easy meal!

2 cups dried black beans, washed and picked over
2 1/2 qts any well-flavored vegetable stock or water
2 bay leaves
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped with seeds
1/4 to 3/4 cup (if conscience allows it) olive oil
3 large onions, chopped
2 green bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
4 to 6 cloves garlic, peeled and put through a garlic press or finely chopped,
salt to taste
1 1 /2 to 2 cups cooked white rice for serving
1 onion, chopped for serving

1. In a large, heavy soup pot, soak the beans in stock or water to cover overnight

2. The next day add enough of the stock or water to cover the beans by 1 inch. Add the bay leaves and jalapeno, cover the pot, and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low and let simmer, partially covered, until the beans are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

3. Meanwhile, in an 8- or 9-inch skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and stir a few seconds more.

4. When the beans are tender, add the onion mixture to them and season with salt. Let simmer another 20 minutes. Serve at once, or even better, serve the next day. Pass the rice and chopped onion at the table.

Serves 6 to 8 as an entree

Health Benefits of Beans and Lentils
The Health Benefits of Eating Beans
Superfood Profile: Beans
6 reasons to eat more beans and lentils
'Eat more beans' to stop cancer
Black Beans

Being female can be a pain

This week is spring break for Butterfly. I came home from the doctor appointment to find Butterfly huddled in bed in pain. She appeared to be suffering from menstrual cramps. She hasn't actually started her period yet (all females in the family have started after age 13) but IS experiencing the awful cramping that occasionally hits almost every woman.

She's in bed sleeping after taking a fish oil capsule, a 250 mg tablet of magnesium, and two ibuprophen. Tomorrow she'll start on chamomile tea alternating with ginger tea, along with pumpkin seed snacks and hopefully, will begin to feel better. This growing up stuff can be rough on the body.

I'm so glad that the Internet allows me to easily research almost any subject. I found that menstrual cramping isn't really well understood but it appears that the pain and inflammation are caused by naturally produced hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. The prostaglandins help the muscles in the uterus to contract, expelling tissue as well as fluids from the uterus during the menstruation cycle. Sometimes those contractions are experienced as cramps.

For unknown reasons, younger women tend to experience more severe cramps than older women. Thankfully, severe cramping tends to decrease in intensity with age, and often disappears after pregnancy. I was fortunate; cramping completely stopped after becoming pregnant with my first child over 30 years ago.

Other factors that are known to lead to menstrual cramps include stress, depression, anxiety, and smoking. Therefore, reducing or eliminating these risk factors may help to reduce the severity of cramping during menstruation.

Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Menstrual Cramps Treatment
Heating Pads
Many women have found that a heating pad placed on your lower back or abdomen helps to ease the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps. If you don't have a heating pad, one can be easily made by filling a sock with flaxseeds or uncooked rice and heating it in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

Chamomile
Chamomile is widely used to treat gynecologic complaints such as menstrual cramps and discomfort related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Add 2 teaspoons of dried Chamomile flowers to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for at least 5 minutes. If you are using a package of Chamomile tea bags, then follow the directions as stated on the box. Honey or sugar can be added for taste. A good preventive measure is to start drinking Chamomile tea a couple of days before you are expecting your period, and then drink at least 2 cups everyday during your period. It also feels great if you use your hot mug as a hot compress for your lower abdomen while you are drinking it.

Ginger Root Tea
Ginger root has been found to help relieve the pain associated with menstrual cramps. Therefore, a simple soothing herbal tea can made from Ginger as follows:

* Slice a handful of ginger root
* Let the pieces simmer in boiling water for 15 minutes
* Using a strainer, pour the tea into a drinking cup or mug
* Add some honey as a natural sweetener if desired

Vitamins and Minerals
Foods and supplements that are rich in B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and zinc have been found to reduce the pain, bloating and other symptoms of menstrual cramps.

In particular, calcium is known to help maintain muscle tone as well as prevent cramps and pain. For most women, a daily intake of 800 mg of calcium is recommended, which can be found in 3 cups of milk.

Magnesium
Increasing magnesium is also recommended, since it helps the body absorb calcium. Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, tofu, salmon, shrimp, nuts, and seeds. It is also available as nutritional supplements. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels and is needed for normal muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, immune function, blood pressure, and for bone health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies.

At least eight studies involving a total of 1,097 women have investigated the relationship between diet and menstrual cramps and have found that fish oil intake seemed to have a positive effect on menstrual cramps.

Animal studies suggest that the two compounds in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may decrease prostaglandin levels.

Acupressure
Acupressure is a traditional healing practice that is based on the same principles as acupuncture. Instead of applying needles to acupuncture points, pressure is applied.

A point that is often recommended by acupuncturists for menstrual cramps is called Spleen 6. Although there are only preliminary studies on acupressure for menstrual cramps, it is a simple home remedy that is often recommended by alternative practitioners.

To find the point, acupuncturists suggest feeling the bony point of the inner ankle. From that point, draw an imaginary line up the lower calf from the inner ankle. The point is approximately four finger widths from the inner ankle. It isn't on the shin bone, but just beside it towards the back of the calf.

With your thumb or middle finger at a 90 degree angle to the skin, apply gradually increasing pressure. Hold for three minutes. The pressure should not be painful or uncomfortable.

New diagnosis

I took Mama back to the oncologist today. It's confirmed, she has a small cancer in her pancreas. The doctor thinks it spread from the lung cancer.

She has an appointment with the radiologist on Wednesday to discuss radiation treatment of the larger tumor in her left lung. Chemotherapy doesn't work well on lung cancer so the next step is to shrink the larger mass to buy her more time. After that she'll have chemo to treat the other cancers.

Mama didn't, apparently, hear the doctor say that neither radiation or chemo will cure any of the cancers. She also didn't appear to hear the doctor, after he asked her about the pain that she's experiencing, say that it was going to get worse. She seemed happy about the upcoming radiation treatment saying that she was happy that the diagnosis wasn't bad news. I just smiled and nodded my head.

I have more compassion for the oncologist. He said what he said while glancing at me to see if I understood. I could see that he was trying to find the best news to give Mama to give her hope. That's what she needs most of all; the hope of living life as normally as possible for as long as possible.

I'm left wondering how long she is going to feel okay. I'm wondering if the 6 weeks of radiation on the left lung mass will mean the right lung mass and the pancreatic mass will spread. I'm wishing she were closer so I could cook nutritional meals for her every day since she's not eating well on her own. I'm feeling pretty helpless.

Wednesday will also bring another test: an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration of the thyroid cancer. I'm not sure what this is supposed to prove. Maybe just proof for what the blood tests already show? Mama seems to view more diagnostics as the possibility that she might not have thyroid cancer.

I feel numb.

Vitamin D deficiency

This morning I read an article entitled, "Epidemic of Vitamin D Deficiency Sweeping the World"

A new study published in the March, 2010 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that a jaw-dropping 59 percent of the population is vitamin D deficient. In addition, nearly 25 percent of the study subjects were found to have extremely low levels of vitamin D.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Richard Kremer at the McGill University Health Center, said "Abnormal levels of vitamin D are associated with a whole spectrum of diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders."

Go read the article. Then go out and frolick in the sunshine.

Strawberries dipped in chocolate

I WAS going to post a recipe for Halibut with Ginger and Scallions, but none of us thought it was a spectacular dish and it's DEFINITELY NOT one that I will repeat. BUT we ate strawberries dipped in chocolate for dessert tonight. So, here's info about the health benefits of strawberries* and chocolate - besides brightening the soul and bringing smiles to our faces.

*The strawberry is nutritious as well as delicious. In a nutrient density analysis done by the American college of Nutrition, strawberries placed in the top three fruits. The ranking was based on each fruit's ability to provide recommended amounts of 9 nutrients deemed essential.

Strawberries are a fantastic source of Vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and dietary fiber. And of course they're fat, sodium and cholesterol-free plus the strawberry is one of nature's most powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer substances. What a beautiful food. . . .

Counting calories?
Would you rather have one chocolate covered peanut candy or 18 strawberries? Eighteen strawberries have a similar calorie count to a single coated peanut candy they're fat free and pack a wallop of nutitional value.

Adding strawberries to your breakfast cereal may help you fight cancer, heart disease and other ills, new findings suggest.

That's because strawberries have as much ability to counteract damaging oxygen-free radicals in the body as a large dose of vitamin C, according to researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Chocolate is rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and feel good chemicals.

A different saturated fat
Chocolate contains cocoa butter, which is high in saturated fat, yet one-third of chocolate's fat comes from stearic acid. Although it's a saturated fat, stearic acid does not raise LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) as do most other saturated fats. Stearic acid is converted in the liver to oleic acid, a heart-healthy, monounsaturated fat.

Another one-third of chocolate's total fat comes from oleic acid itself. In a recent study, volunteers followed a diet with the majority of their fat calories coming from either chocolate or from butter. The volunteers who consumed chocolate fat did not show an increase in their cholesterol levels, but those who ate butterfat developed elevated LDL cholesterol levels.

Chocolate contains antioxidants
Over 300 naturally occurring chemicals are found in chocolate. In a study conducted by Andrew Waterhouse, chocolate was found to have potent antioxidants called phenols. These antioxidants are the same types found in red wine. Cocoa phenols were found to prevent the bad cholesterol from causing plaque buildup in the arteries. In another study cocoa inhibited LDL oxidation two hours after consumption.

Less caffeine than you might think
Other more commonly known nutrients and substances are found in chocolate. Chocolate is a rich source of magnesium and phosphorus. Also, contrary to popular belief, chocolate contains only a limited amount of caffeine. An average chocolate contains about 10 mg of caffeine, while one cup of coffee contains 100 mg.

Craving chocolate
Some substances in chocolate are predicted to make us crave it. A substance called phenylethylamine is found in chocolate and seems to trigger feelings similar to “falling in love.” There is also a compound in chocolate called anadamide that stimulates brain receptors in a manner similar to that of other addictive substances. Chocolate cravings may also be triggered when the taste buds tingle with the taste of chocolate. This sensation occurs because chocolate's melting point is 97 degrees, just below body temperature. When the taste buds are excited, endorphins are released from the brain. These endorphins are the body's “feel good” chemical. There is also a link between hormonal fluctuations in women and chocolate cravings.

Chasing the sun

Today was a furlough Friday for young Butterfly, so we decided it was a good day to chase the sun. It's been raining for close to two weeks with only a few patches of intermittent sunshine. It was definitely time for the beach and some warmth so off we headed.

Haleiwa was a good place for lunch. We sat and watched the rain as we consumed Waialua brewed sodas and munched sandwiches.

We continued around the island in our quest for the elusive non-rain. We finally found some sun in Pupukea. Young Butterfly waded in the tidal pools (water temps in the low 60's) and finally decided that we would try to find a little more sun. (Besides, my rear end was getting mighty sore sitting on the old Aa lava bed. That stuff is pretty sharp and poky.)

We made several more short stops; Butterfly to wade in the water and pick up more rocks for her collection, and me to just lie in the sun. I'd been feeling sun-starved and it was luscious to feel the rays on my skin even if it was only on my face and hands since the rest of me was bundled up in an effort to stay warm.

I wondered how I could get Mama out in the sun to collect more vitamin D. Japanese culture has always revered white, white skin - hats and parasols were used to keep skin as bleach-white as possible. Consequently, she's vitamin D deficient and must take a supplement. I've been reading how most Americans are vitamin D deficient* these days because of the overuse of sunblock. That deficiency is showing up in the form of larger percentages of diabetes, cancer, skin disorders and more. Seems to me that here in Hawaii we shouldn't be having these diseases since we are blessed with sun and warmth (okay, at least we are most of the year.)

We finally made it back home 6 hours after setting out. Butterfly had two large handfuls of colorful rocks and I had a little bit of vitamin D from the rays.

It's been a lovely day. We need more days like today.

*Optimizing your vitamin D levels can also help you to prevent as many as 16 different types of cancer including pancreatic, lung, breast, ovarian, prostate, and colon cancers.

But perhaps most important to note is that vitamin D can lower your risk of dying from any cause, according to a new European meta-analysis published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2007.

Another group of researchers have calculated that simply increasing levels of vitamin D3 could prevent diseases that claim nearly 1 million lives throughout the world each year, as the widespread vitamin D deficiency seen today is now thought to fuel an astonishingly diverse array of common chronic diseases, such as:

Cancer, Hypertension, Heart disease, Autism, Obesity, Rheumatoid arthritis, Diabetes 1 and 2, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Cold & Flu, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Tuberculosis, Septicemia, Signs of aging, Dementia, Eczema & Psoriasis, Insomnia, Hearing loss, Muscle pain, Cavities, Periodontal disease, Osteoporosis, Macular degeneration, Reduced C-section risk, Pre eclampsia, Seizures, Infertility, Asthma, Cystic fibrosis, Migraines, Depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia

Lemon Clam Spaghetti recipe

Here is one of our favorite family recipes. The aroma from the butter and lemon is heavenly -- it's definitely comfort food to the max. The antioxidants provided by the lemon in this recipe are probably minimal, but it's a fine enough excuse to feel good about this yummy, easy dinner.
This recipe was found in Managing Your Meals: A Year's Worth of Menus, Shopping Lists, and Recipes for Delicious, Nutritious, and Economical Meals

Lemon Clam Spaghetti

• 1 pound spaghetti
• ½ c (1 stick butter) butter, divided
• 3 T olive oil
• 2 T chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Clam liquid, drained from clams
• 3 T lemon juice
• 1 T chopped parsley
• 2 tsp grated lemon peel
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cans (6 ½ oz each) minced clams, drained
• 1 c grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 lemon wedges

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and keep warm while making sauce. Heat 3 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons oil in heavy pan. Sauté onion and garlic until tender. Add clam liquid, lemon juice, parsley, lemon peel, pepper, and bay leaf. Simmer until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup. Remove bay leaf. Stir in clams; add remaining butter; heat and stir until melted. Pour sauce over spaghetti. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; serve with lemon wedges. Makes 8 servings.

Kabocha Pumpkin Soup recipe

This soup is velvety delicious. It's slightly sweet and nutty and contains beta carotene*.
This recipe comes from About.com/Japanese Foods

Ingredients:
• 1 lb kabocha pumpkin, seeds removed
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 2 tsp chicken bouillon powder
• 2 cups water
• 1 2/3 cup milk
• salt and pepper to season
Preparation:
Place kabocha on a plate and heat in microwave for a minute to make it easier to cut up. Cut kabocha into small pieces. Saute onion slices with butter in a medium pan until softened. Add kabocha and saute together. Pour water and add chicken bouillon powder in the pan. Simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until kabocha is softened. Blend the mixture in blender and put it back in the pan. Add milk and bring to a boil, stirring the soup. Stop the heat and season with salt and pepper. (I added 1 tsp Kaiulani Spices: Hawaiian Cajun Rub & Seasoning mix)
Makes 4 servings

*Beta carotene. Beta carotene fights against cancer by both boosting the immune system and releasing a specific chemical called tumor necrosis factor. Beta carotene can block the growth of potentially cancerous cells. The recommended cancer prevention dose of beta carotene is 15 to 25 mg. per day (around 30,000 IU). This is about ten times the amount in the average American diet, but it's actually easy to get enough beta carotene in your diet without taking supplements. Best sources of beta carotene are sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkins, butternut and other types of winter squash, spinach, broccoli, mango, and papaya. Eating pink grapefruit (which contains beta carotene) instead of white grapefruit gives you a beta carotene boost. You could get enough protective beta carotene each day by eating: half a sweet potato, half a cup of pumpkin, two medium-size carrots, 1.5 cups of cooked spinach, or two medium-size mangos. Best sources of beta carotene are these:
• carrots - 1 carrot contains 4.4 milligrams
• sweet potatoes - 1 medium contains 12 milligrams
• butternut and other types of winter hard-shell squash - 1/2 cup contains 2.4 milligrams

Trying to understand another point of view

It's been raining cats and dogs here in Wahiawa for the past week and a half. We ended up with an electrical outage last night that put an end to my blogging and messing around on the computer. Consequently I went to bed early and got a full 8 hours of sleep. I felt wonderful this morning. (light bulb goes off in her head) Maybe I should just go to bed earlier so I can wake up feeling good every morning? Wow! What an idea!

I've spent the last several weeks crying on my friend's shoulder about Mama's condition. I've also complained bitterly concerning my feelings about Mama's oncologist. Friend is a medical doctor himself and has this to say to explain Oncologist's behavior:

"Your mom is still ambulatory, breathing, eating, will probably live past the end of the week, and therefore is on the "UP" side of HIS equation. He is dealing with at least 2 or more cases that won't see Monday of next week, the families are gathered, he has heard the good, the horrible, and seen the unthinkable, both in death and the attempt to keep people alive for a little bit longer. He hides behind a gruff, business like exterior, refuses to have his thoughts or protocols challenged, and refuses to fall into the 'trap' of being compassionate, because if he does, he will be unable to do his job. The vast majority of his patients won't be alive a year after he meets them, and only a handful of those that walk in the door for treatment will be around for a five year recheck. His lack of 'bedside manner' is his only protection for his soul that allows him to do what he does, and he is damn good at TREATING cancer."

So now I intellectually understand why Oncologist behaves the way he does but does that make me like him any better? No. My emotional side demands compassion from this doctor even while knowing that he will do his best to prolong my mother's life. Without compassion the man is a technician oiling another machine and attempting to keep the motor running for just a little longer. Sorry, maybe with time I can at least respect this doctor, but for now I thoroughly dislike the man.

I took Mama to her CannaMed appointment this afternoon. She was extremely grumpy when I picked her up. I finally asked her if she was mad at me. First a long silence, then a chopped statement: she didn't agree with using dope. I asked if she had spoken with anyone about medical marijuana. No. I asked if she knew anything about it. No, only that it is dope. I tried to explain what it would be used for. I explained that no one has died from a reaction and there are very few side effects. She said that she was very familiar with nasty side effects from the medications that had been prescribed to her (she'd had several bad reactions) but THEY weren't dope. I finally said that medical marijuana was legal because it was recognized that the stuff worked for pain, nausea, and appetite stimulation.

The drive to the office was very quiet.

She was reluctant to get out of the car to go into the building, but eventually gritted her teeth and pushed herself out. Unfortunately, the office staff was dressed VERY casually - this seemed to verify Mama's opinion that marijuana was only used by dope heads. She muttered under her breath as I filled out the paperwork and paid the consultation fees and state certificate monies.

As we waited for the doctor, she suggested that we leave several times. I calmly said that we'd wait to see the doctor. I think she had doubts that there would be a legitimate doctor on the premises. I studiously stared out the window wondering if this effort was worth the irritation.

After what seemed like an eternity (but was probably only 10 or 15 minutes), we were ushered into the doctor's office. Dr. Christensen was disheveled and looked like he needed a vacation. I thought the situation was quickly going to hell in a handbasket. But then he started to talk to Mama. He asked her about her health. He asked about her diagnosis (metastasized lung cancer, thyroid cancer and the possibility of pancreatic cancer). He listened to her heart. He explained what conditions marijuana would help. He told her that her daughter (me) was trying to help but that the final decision to use marijuana would be hers. He told her that she was going to have a very rough next several months. Mama listened and sighed.

I was so impressed. This messy looking man was incredibly kind to my mother as he made his explanations. He then asked Mama about her past work and current hobbies. Mama's champion Yorkshire terriers are her pride and joy. They've kept her active and socially involved for the last 25 years so, of course, Mama fell in love with this doctor as he chatted with her about her "children".

As we left the office, we noticed an older Asian couple in the waiting room. The woman had extremely short hair and had obviously been through chemotherapy. I mentioned the woman to Mama as we walked to the car. She seemed to mull over the idea that other older Asian women also went to that office to get registered as medical marijuana users.

Mama is now willing to try the brownies to help her with her pain.

I wanted to cheer! I'm so grateful to all the doctors that treat my mother with kindness and respect. I'm glad that most of them fall into this category. I'm grateful to Heavenly Father and the entire universe for putting that Asian couple in the waiting room at the right moment. I wish them a cure for their troubles. I'm grateful to have another tool to help my mother with what is lying ahead.

I'm just grateful.

Mama was in a cheerful mood again when I dropped her off at her condo. It's been a good day.

Sunflower Kale recipe

This is a delicious, nutritious side dish that even young Butterfly likes (although she DOES eye every new dish I prepare suspiciously as if I was trying to poison her.) Kale is a cruciferous vegetable*.

Recipe adapted from The Healer's Way

Sun­flower Kale Recipe
What you need…
5 cloves of gar­lic, chopped (more or less, again depend­ing on taste)
1 bunch of organic Kale (washed, sliced, and placed in large bowl)
1 cup raw, organic sun­flower seeds (more or less as you like)
8 table­spoons olive oil (divided)
2 table­spoons sesame oil (approx­i­mately, to taste)
Sea salt (Himalayan preferred)

Kale
Saute garlic in olive oil till golden.
Add kale and stir-fry till cooked. Note that less cook­ing time is bet­ter, but if you pre­fer your veg­gies softer, then you can go ahead and cook till it soft­ens to your liking.
Set aside while you toast the sunflower seeds.

Sunflower seeds
Heat the oils in a fry­ing pan
Throw in the sun­flower seeds
Sprin­kle the seeds with salt
Toast seeds till brown, but be care­ful not to burn (medium flame is good, depends on your stove)
Pour seeds over kale... It makes a really fun siz­zling noise, but watch for spatters!!

*The vegetables most important to reducing the risk of cancer are the cruciferous vegetables : broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, mustard greens, kale, and cauliflower. These vegetables contain three cancer-protective biochemicals: sulforaphane, which not only boosts immunity but blocks enzymes that draw carcinogens into healthy cells; compounds that prevent the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in the intestines; and indoles, which lessen the risk of breast cancer.

It's beginning to feel like a typical Monday

We learned today that Mama probably has thyroid cancer.  Her blood test showed extremely elevated levels of a thyroid protein that is a tumor marker. Normal would be less than 35.  Hers was over 150.  Not good.  On the up side: thyroid cancer is very slow growing.  The lung cancer is still the problem child.

The MRI of the abdomen from Friday wasn't ready yet.  Oncologist will contact Mama when he receives the test results.

The bad news is that Mama is experiencing sharp pains that last all day.  It starts in her back, radiates around to the front and up her chest making it difficult for her to breathe.  Not good. Oncologist made a note of it but that was all.

Oncologist sharply rebuked my request for help with a medical marijuana certificate.  He stated that it wasn't what was used for pain control.  I still feel that he has the bedside manner of a dead fish.  I realize that most of his patients die and that he needs to emotionally protect himself, but I AM emotionally involved and care about any pain or difficulty that my mother has.  I had some pretty uncharitable thoughts about the man.

That's okay.  We have a Wednesday appointment with CannaMed.

I called both my sisters to update them on Mama's test results.  Middle sister just wants to be kept updated.  Younger sister never answers the phone so I normally just leave a message on her answering machine. Today, as I was leaving the update, she picked up the phone listened for a moment and then hung up. I spent an hour being very upset but the more I think about it the less I care about what she might be thinking.  I'm going to continue to leave updates - she can erase them if she wants to.  I want to make certain that she knows what's going on so she will never be able to say that she didn't know what was happening with Mama.

My family's dynamics leave much to be desired.

The anti-cancer diet food list

I've been interested in nutrition since my now 28 year old son was 6. Back then Son became allergic to an incredible number of different foods. After 6 months of working with a doctor specializing in alternative medicine, using sub-lingual drops to desensitize him, modifying Son's diet, and reading everything I could get my hands on about nutrition, we were able to successfully reintroduce normal foods back into his life.  His illness was a life-changing event for all of us. So researching foods that are anti-cancer is a no-brainer.

Here's an interesting article at AskDrSears.com about an Anti-Cancer diet.  I've taken the top anti-cancer foods list from their site to list here:

Anti-cancer vegetables:

• broccoli
• brussel sprouts
• cabbage
• carrots
• cauliflower
• eggplant
• green beans
• kale
• onions (red)
• peppers
• radishes
• soy
• squash
• sweet potatoes
• tomatoes
• yams

Anti-cancer fruits:

• apricots
• blueberries
• grapefruit
• grapes
• lemons
• mangoes
• oranges
• papayas
• peaches
• persimmons
• strawberries, organic
• tangerines 

I'm going to add recipes to this blog as I include them in our family meals.  I've known that I've needed to increase the number of vegetables and fruits in our daily diet but haven't taken the necessary time and effort to get them included.  It's so much easier to eat pre-prepared stuff or eat at fast "food" establishments but if Mama is going to join our household I need to get a good grip on a healthy diet both for her and for my young daughter, Butterfly, and me.

I really want to make us all healthier and tasty, nourishing food is a good place to start.

A birthday to remember

Today is my 55th birthday. It's been wonderful.

I had planned on spending it at the hospital with Mama for her MRI but, since the test was canceled, I had the day free. I slept in and was greeted with breakfast in bed courtesy of my twelve year old daughter. I lazed around and didn't even get showered and dressed until 3 p.m.  Skyping with my grandchildren, birthday phone calls from my other children, Facebook wishes from friends - I had a marvelous, relaxing, absolutely mindless day. There probably won't be many of these types of days in the near future so I'm incredibly grateful for this one.

Thank you everyone for making today glorious!

Publish Post

Cancer and Marijuana

Here is a brochure from the  Americans for Safe Access Foundation about Cancer and Marijuana.  It gives an overview of scientific research on medical cannabis, comparisons of medications, history of cannabis as medicine, testimonials, and scientific and legal references.

For those people that object to medical marijuana because they believe that it leads kids to harder drugs: we are talking about the medical usage of marijuana for serious medical conditions.  Please don't allow this blog to be sidetracked into some other topic.  Thanks for your cooperation. 

Another MRI

I took Mama for an abdominal MRI with dye contrast today.  We were informed at the desk that her chest MRI scheduled for tomorrow was canceled.  We were told that the doctor wanted to concentrate on her abdomen.  After thinking about it, I remember that Surgeon told us that thyroid cancer was extremely slow-growing and the lung cancer was what we would worry about. I was alarmed when the nurse said the Oncologist asked for the results immediately.

SO, I'm not going to speculate.  I already have suspicions that nag at the back of my head but I'm pushing them away as much as I can.

After the test I drove Mama back to her condo.  We talked about various things.  She brought up her divorce from my father all those years ago.  I said that she and Daddy had used us kids as a way of getting back at each other. She apologized.  I was amazed that she did so. She so rarely says she's sorry for anything that I was speechless. I finally said that I appreciated her apology.  She looked thoughtful for several minutes.  Perhaps this horrible experience will be a way for us to heal the past hurts that have plagued our relationship over the decades.  I wish we could have done this years ago. As it is, it feels like we have so little time left.

We'll know the test results on Monday.

Major disappointment!

I am confused.  The Surgeon's office nurse called today informing me that Surgeon elected to not participate in the medical marijuana program and that I would need to find another doctor to help me obtain the certificate.  But I was thanked for sending the information since it would help Surgeon give information to his other patients that requested medical marijuana.

I was dumbfounded.  Why would he express interest in getting knowledge about the program and then say that he wouldn't help me?  Did he read the information?  It plainly states that physicians that prescribe marijuana for their qualified patients were immune from any prosecution.  Surgeon's nurse said that I should speak with the doctor from San Francisco that comes to Hawaii once each month to prescribe.  I told the nurse that the law states that any doctor may legally prescribe.  That didn't seem to matter.

I'm not sure what is happening.  It might be that Hawaii's medical marijuana laws are pretty new and perhaps most doctors aren't familiar with them (although medical marijuana has been legal here since 2000).  There might be a lot of prejudice against the program or misinformation. Perhaps the doctors are afraid of losing their federal licenses to prescribe narcotics not realizing that the laws have changed to protect them from such prosecution. Whatever it is, it's crazy-making.

Why is it that I, who have never used any recreational drugs, never drank alcohol, never smoked anything, am the person that is desperately wanting a medical marijuana certificate so I can grow the stuff for my ill mother?  You'd think that my younger siblings, who HAVE used a variety of drugs, would be the ones to work on this.  I'm finding it beyond ironic.

I called Mama's PCP's office to ask for help.  PCP is out of the office through next week.  Tomorrow I'll call the Pulmonologist's office.  Perhaps I can get help there.  If not, I'll ask the Oncologist again on Monday.

I found a website for CannaMed, with doctors in California and Oahu, that will consult and prescribe medical marijuana for a fee of $99.  The consultation is free if you don't qualify.  There's an additional state fee of $25 for the patient and $25 for the caretaker in order to get the medical marijuana certificate.  I made an appointment for Wednesday.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get one of Mama's personal doctors to prescribe, then I'll cancel the CannaMed appointment.

I'm crossing my fingers again.

Visit with the surgeon

Today we saw the surgeon again.  I like this guy. He has a wonderful bedside manner, treats my mother with respect, explains everything so she understands, and acts as if he really cares about her. I wish all doctors were like this man.

Oncologist hadn't talked with Surgeon yet, so I filled him in with what happened at Oncologist's office.  Surgeon reread all the notes and looked grave.  He asked me if Oncologist was looking at the possibility of two cancers.  Mama asked him if it looked bad.  This sweet guy told her that yes, her case DOES look bad. Mama just sighed. After explaining all the options that had been available and all the variables, he then told her that she probably wouldn't be a good candidate for surgery.  He also told her that if they were looking at multiple cancers then it wouldn't do any good to scope her lymph nodes.  The available options are dwindling. We'll know more after the additional MRIs this weekend. Surgeon told Mama that he was now going to sit in the backseat with us and let the other doctors make the decisions of what to do next.

I asked him about medical marijuana.  He didn't know anything about it but thought it would be a good idea for Mama later when she needs it.  I think my mother is curious about using it.  I'm glad that she has an open mind about this subject.  Surgeon asked her if she'd ever used marijuana.  She replied that she had no idea what it even looked like. He then looked at me.  I told him that he was looking at someone that had never used recreational drugs and that all my knowledge came because of my research on behalf of my mother.  He's willing to help us but doesn't know how.

So I researched for him. This site, Americans for Safe Access gave me the info that I needed.  All he has to do is call their number and ask for the paperwork for his patient to obtain a certificate for medical marijuana.  They send him the paperwork, he sits with us to explain what we can and can't do, he helps us fill it out, he collects the check for the fees (here in Hawaii it's $25 for the patient and another $25 for the caretaker), and then sends it all back in.  The office person said that it would take about a month for me to receive the official certificate but they'd immediately send me a temporary one so I could begin the growing process legally.  I have to find my own source for the seeds. It takes about 5 months from seed to bloom when I can harvest so I need to start as soon as possible.  Mama quietly told me that she might already be gone by then. I strongly willed myself to not cry.

Mama is very concerned about her younger sister.  She wants me to take Auntie to her doctors appointments.  Auntie wants me to sign the HIPAA papers so that I can be privy to her medical records and doctors. Of course I'll care for this tiny little woman that has always been so kind to me.

What am I getting myself into?