I’ve been home from my pilgrimage for a little over two weeks. Most of that time I’ve been in bed. I got a painful lung infection over a month ago and the cold and exertion of being on the mountain were quite challenging. I’ve been to a couple doctors, and one of my greatest fears has been pretty well confirmed.
I need to have more tests, but most likely, the breast cancer that I was diagnosed with two and a half years ago has metastasized (spread) to my lungs. It’s a huge blow to my family and me. I’ve done so much to take care of myself; body, mind and spirit, that this is quite shocking. The oncologist (cancer specialist) has scheduled me for a brain MRI (to see if it has spread there too) and a PET scan. The PET scan looks at the metabolic activity of cells. Cancer cells metabolize sugars quickly, so using a radioactive dye (yippee), they will be able to tell if the lumps showing up on my lungs are cancer and how far it has spread. It also looks at the rest of the torso to see if any other organs could be affected.
I have a few amazing health practitioners to support and guide me, and loving family and friends, as well as a few different treatment options available. Western medicine is going to suggest Tamoxifen (an estrogen inhibitor) and some sort of chemotherapy concoction. There are many many chemo drugs, so they have to decide what they think would be most effective.
From a complementary perspective, I am using some wonderfully powerful theraputic essential oils, I have a fantastic chiropractor/energy worker, and another energy worker that has been with me through a lot of hard stuff. I am also looking into starting to take injections of Iscador, which is derived from mistletoe and comes from Europe. There have been very positive case studies that show it’s effectiveness.
So, we have hope and our mantra has become “one day at a time”. I don’t know how Figs with Bri will really fit into all this stuff since I don’t have any energy for cooking right now. The nature of the blog may shift as my focus does. I’d love to keep writing about food, but I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to write posts and we’ll just have to see how everything goes.
One last thing, my Figs with Bri email account is down right now, so if you need to email me, please just leave me a comment, and I’ll contact you from my personal email in the meantime.
60 thoughts on “You May Be Wondering Where I Am…”
I will be sending prayers your way.
Bri, I’ll have you in my prayers as well. Wherever you decide to take this blog, I’ll always be reading and supporting you.
Bri, I wanted to add my prayers and good wishes as well. I’ve only been reading for a few months, but have been incredibly inspired by your writings and recipes.
Here are more good wishes. I only just started reading your blog a few weeks ago, but I really enjoy it. Thank you for the inspiration 🙂
You will be in my prayers most definitely. First time here, and am sure I will come back for more – whether I drop in a line or not.
You are in my prayers as well!Take care of your health!
Best of luck! Inspiring to see your positive attitude.
oh, Bri… I am so sorry to hear of your setback. You have such a strong and vibrant spirit; I know this will see you through the challenges ahead.
We’ll keep you and Marc in our thoughts, and send positive wishes your way. And please let us know if there’s anything you need from The City that we can bring your way.
Like A-kay, first time here … and still very supportive of whatever you need to do. No, you probably won’t feel like cooking for a while, and blogging should be the least of your concerns. Sure, at some point blogging may be something therapuetic and you may end up posting about what others have made for you or a restaurant you’ve gone to. But your health is by far more important in all respects.
You have my prayers, Bri.
Hey wish u speedy recovery
Bri, you are always in my heart! All the love and hugs and blessings I can possibly muster up are headed your way… and if there’s anything I can do for you and Marc, let me know. I know we’re not neighbors geographically, but you know I’m here for you.
i am so sorry to hear of your setback. i am sending you all my best wishes and good health your way – stay positive and strong.
bri, my dear bri, i send you all my thoughts, prayers and heartfelt hopes. look after you. i sent you a couple of mails, but looks like you didn’t get them. do get in touch with me. lots of hugs to you and marc.
Bri,
I am sending my prayers and best wishes your way.
Take care of yourself and stay strong.
Bri, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and know that you have this support group out here that you have never met. Let us know how we can help you.
I shall keep you in my thoughts and send as much positive energy as I can in your direction – I hope the doc’s diagnosis is a good one and that your treatment is quick and successful. xox
Dear Bri,
Be sure that you’ll be in my prayers, on a daily basis. There are 10 small Brazilian fingers here crossed for you, my friend.
Take care.
Dear Bri,
Though we don’t know each other too well from blogging, I was stunned and saddened when I read this post. You will be in my thoughts.
Sincerely,
Susan
Our thoughts are with you always. I loved reading your blog and all of the nice comments from your supporters. you have build a wonderful community. love una wodie
We love you Bri. We send all our thoughts and healing energies to you.
I really missed this blog while you were away, so I kept checking back until this page just wouldn’t open. I got a little worried then, but I didn’t expect this to happen to you. I am so sorry and I really hope that you do get better. I hope that you post whenever you can to let us know how you’re doing.
Keeping you in my thoughts Bri. Hope the treatment goes well.
Take care,
Nic
Bri, my thoughts are with you. I wish you all the best.
Oh Bri, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Such a tough journey to be on but I am so glad to hear you have so much support. If there is anything we can do to make things any easier, please just say.
Jxx
Dear Bri,
I am so concern about you. I too had had a breast tumor when I was young and fortunately it was found earlier before it grew bigger. My grandmother died of lungs cancer and my mother had got breast tumors twice. There’s obvious that we have this disease genetically, and it is hard to avoid unless we’re keeping a healthy lifestyle. My thought is for you at the very moment. Stay strong!
ab
My mother was also young, like you, when diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. She was a survivor. My heart goes out to you, your family, everyone around you who’s worried and scared. Be thee well …
My pryaers are with you and your family. I too am a breast cancer survivor. Its been 1 year and I understand how you feel about taking extreme caution to make sure you do everything so you don’t get sick. Please stay strong and have a positive outlook because you need to keep your spirits up to get through this and I have faith that you will. God bless and again my prayers and thoughts are with you
My prayers are good wishes are with you..don’t lose your spirit girl!!! God bless!!
hi
god bless
kindly do ck out the following they seem to be helping a lot of people and hope it helps u too in ur healing process
http://www.christinacooks.com/mystory.html
http://www.megwolff.com
http://www.kushiinstitute.org/
once again god bless u and ur family. sending prayers your way.
luv
sangeetha
My thoughts are with you and your family. Wishing you all the best in your treatment. Will pray for you.
Sending lots of positive energy and prayers your way. Take care of yourself and remember to let others take care of you, too.
Best wishes.
Hi Bri! I don’t know you well, but I have seen you around. I am so sorry to hear about what is happening to you! I am not sure where you are located, but I have another wonderful holistic health practitioner to recommend to you that I worked with for 5 wonderful years.
He uses homeopathics that work at the genetic energetic level of cells and DNA. If you are looking for another perspective, it might be worth looking into.He may be able to help you.
Please contact me if you want more information.
Bri,
My Best wishes & prayers to you for a speedy recovery. Things will go fine & you’ll be back to blogging! Be bold & strong all will be fine.
I’m new to the Blogosphere, but am moved to respond to your posts, Bri. It’s great to know you are using integrative Medicine for your healing – best of both worlds.
Here in Australia, there is a famous healer called Ian Gawler… you might have heard of him? Over 25 years ago, Ian had secondary metastasis of bone cancer (I’ve seen pictures of the walnut sized lumps he used to have on his chest) and he explored and developed meditation and other integrative medicine practices to enable him to survive and thrive, and go on to now help others learn what he uses in his own healing.
I know you are based in the US, but you might enjoy reading his books, learning more of his story, etc. Here’s his website address: http://www.gawler.org/html/s01_home/home.asp
Kindest regards and healing prayers, Kyle