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Cancer. Zen.

Orchards have shared their treasures,The fields, their yellow grain,So open wide the doorway—Thanksgiving comes again!–Old Farmer's Almanac

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Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.- George Eliot, author

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What Are Parabens And Why Are They So Bad?

What Are Parabens And Why Are They So Bad?

For over 70 years parabens have been a key ingredient in beauty products. Parabens are preservatives that halt the growth of bacteria, fungus, and microbes in makeup and creams. Though you’ve probably never heard their names (such as propylparaben, ethylparaben,...

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And time remembered is grief forgotten, And frosts are slain and flowers begotten, And in green underwood and cover Blossom by blossom the spring begins. –Algernon Charles Swinburne, British poet (1837–1909)

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Winter’s done, and April’s in the skies. Earth, look up with laughter in your eyes! –Charles G. D. Roberts (1860–1943)

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"I pray this winter be gentle and kind -- a season of rest from the wheel of the mind. " --John Geddes

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I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show. Andrew Wyeth, artist

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Are Americans the World’s Lab Rats?!

Are Americans the World’s Lab Rats?!

Food products made in the USA use ingredients that are banned or labeled as a possible concern in other countries. The same products that are made with toxins and chemicals here in the US are made in other countries with better ingredients, because those countries...

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Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it. —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, writer. 

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Setting the Baseline before I heal myself

Setting the Baseline before I heal myself

For my first 35 years I was generally healthy; I exercised and ate a strict vegetarian, often organic diet. Age 36, I'm diagnosed with Stage 3B breast cancer. Scared for my life, I endure half a dozen surgeries, dose-dense and super aggressive chemo regimen, 45+ days...

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Call for Vegan Recipes

Call for Vegan Recipes

So it is official. After 30+ years of being vegetarian, I am now on Day 2 of being vegan. I gave myself a day before I blurted out to the world because I was afraid I couldn't do it. I didn't want to put it out there and then pull it back. Day...

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My Positive Manifesto

My Positive Manifesto

Sometimes it is so hard to manage everything you need to take control of in your life. For me, I had to stop everything one day, sit down and write out my priorities. This way, I could share them with my family, so we are all understanding the same expectations. I...

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Life is mostly froth and bubble; Two things stand like stone: Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own. –Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833–70)

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Chris Wark of “Chris Beat Cancer”

Chris Wark of “Chris Beat Cancer”

Another one of my heroes - Chris Wark of "Chris Beat Cancer". He beat cancer without chemo, and it's kinda a big deal. If you haven't seen his website, stop what you're doing now, and check it out. He has a lot of great info and support on his website, including a...

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Ring the bells that still can ring,Forget your perfect offering,There is a crack in everything,That's how the light gets in.-Leonard Cohen

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Organic Food Proven to Prevent Cancer

Organic Food Proven to Prevent Cancer

Many of the horrific drugs I took were only to give me 5 or 10% better odds. And they were horrific. Organic foods taste better, are better for you, and give you a 25% better chance at avoiding cancer. You don't like vegetables? Try chemo! Veggies are so much better,...

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My First Lymphedema Arm Bandaging

My First Lymphedema Arm Bandaging

I recently had my first bandaging therapy for lymphedema. While it ultimately is not a good option for me, because my skin wouldn’t cooperate with the bandaging, I will say it definitely was helpful and soothing to have it done. I would recommend it if you can give it a try.

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Meat & Dairy Causes Cancer

Meat & Dairy Causes Cancer

Celebrated Cornell University professor T. Colin Campbell Phd, presents the overwhelming evidence showing that animal protein is one of the most potent carcinogens people are exposed to.

This is the FULL 45 MINUTE talk from Dr. Campbell’s appearance at the 2005 VegSource Healthy Lifestyle Expo.

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Butternut Squash Apple Leek Soup

Butternut Squash Apple Leek Soup

I will be the first to admit there was a time I would have refused to eat a soup if I knew it had squash in it. Or, really, any other vegetables. There is zero chance I would have tried a bite of your butternut squash, leek, and apple soup. No. Way. But...

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Dr. Brynzynski Offers Cure for Cancer; Meets with FDA

Dr. Brynzynski Offers Cure for Cancer; Meets with FDA

The FDA meets Dr Burzynski from Burzynski Cancer CURE Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwLipIKDwCA This is a must see clip from the film on how cancer is completely cured with no radiation therapy or TOXIC potions from big Pharmaceutical industries at all. 100%...

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A Salt Lamp Makes Everything More Beautiful

A Salt Lamp Makes Everything More Beautiful

I put a new lightbulb in my salt lamp and set teeny buddha on top. 💫 It’s a great spot to park my water bottle and CBD oil for the night, and a salt lamp just makes everything more beautiful. 💛 Try to take a few minutes when you can to rework something in your life for the better. The returns are long lasting.

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The beach is healing.

The beach is healing.

Just before we moved to North Carolina's Outer Banks I told my husband that the beach was the place where I would heal. Almost 10 years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Whether we wake, or we sleep. Whether we carol, or weep, The Sun, with his Planets in chime, Marketh the going of Time. –Edward Fitzgerald (1809–83)

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artificially colored food & candy causes cancer

artificially colored food & candy causes cancer

Food dyes are one of the most widely used and dangerous additives, yet are openly marketed and sold in the US despite proof that they are carcinogens. ☠🍬🍭🍹☠ The three most widely used dyes, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, are contaminated with known carcinogens … ☠...

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Chlorpyrifos causes cancer

Chlorpyrifos causes cancer

Chlorpyrifos is a chemical from Dow Chemical Company. It came from the Nazis. It is a nerve agent that does irreversible brain damage. It was supposed to be banned this year, but Trump decided to let it be used on our fruits and vegetables, after Dow gave him $1...

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Pure Organic CBD Oil

Pure Organic CBD Oil

CBD oil, ancient healer. Some of you know I recently started taking CBD Oil and OMG I have had my mind blown with the results! I think just being on so many meds and having so many "treatments" - I didn't want to add anything else to the mix. And I really...

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Eternally thankful for Ginger Kombucha 

Eternally thankful for Ginger Kombucha 

Sometimes I cannot believe the many resources I have available to me.  I was told Kombucha might end the hives I was experiencing daily, due to my chemo treatments years earlier. And, it worked! Thankful for that knowledge, thankful for the acupuncturist who told me...

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Lori O’Neil

Lori O’Neil

My neighbor. Stage 4 lung cancer. 6 beautiful children. Lori Ann O’Neil, 47, of Kill Devil Hills, NC died at her home on Monday, July 24, 2017, of cancer. Born in Louisville, KY, she was the daughter of Linda Elkins Dionisio and Felimon M. Dionisio of Williamsburg,...

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Jean Sherwood

Jean Sherwood

Jean Isabel Sherwood of Southern Shores, June 9 Jean Isabel Sherwood of Southern Shores fought a short but brave battle with cancer and passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family Friday, June 9, 2017 A Real Estate Professional for Carolina Designs Realty....

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Noelle Breit

Noelle Breit

Noelle Yan Breit, 10, of Kitty Hawk passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter in Norfolk, Virginia. Born on November 9, 2005 in Hunan, China, Noelle was adopted by Barry Andrew Breit and Deborah Lynn Crandell Breit on...

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Señor Ramón Sánchez

Señor Ramón Sánchez

Ramón Edmundo Sánchez Born June 22, 1944, in Managua, Nicaragua Throat cancer, Lung Cancer. Age 72. Ramón was a graduate of James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia. He then went on to further his education at Central American Institute of Business...

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Chip Hedenburg

Chip Hedenburg

  cancer. spiritual gangster Do not live too far in the past or the future. Live now. Very happy to be living here at the beach. Thankful for my many friends. Quit his day job and opened "Shiva's Drum" yoga and spiritual shop. Died so quickly. I am so, so sorry...

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Danielle James

Danielle James

High School teacher, wife, mother of four young girls. We shared a breast-cancer-sisterhood hug just days before she passed away. She was my neighbor; I used to see her going for walks in our neighborhood. When she was in treatment, she was not walking. She had...

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Magic Mike

Magic Mike

Longtime OBX entertainer ‘Magic Mike’ Stoffel pictured here with my daughter Giana. He made so many children smile. Liver Cancer. After nearly three decades of bringing joy to generations of children on the Outer Banks, “Magic Mike” Stoffel...

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A little bit at a time

A little bit at a time

Some periods of time are just too stressful or painful to keep track of. Just keep going. Pause, then keep going. It will get better.

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The Fruit Salad Guy

The Fruit Salad Guy

There was this kind man who had undergone treatment for cancer at the same oncologist as me. I suppose he noticed that the food that was available for us to snack on during treatments was not at all healthy.  So once he was better and recovered...

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April, the Lab Receptionist

April, the Lab Receptionist

Receptionist at my Bloodwork Lab during my treatments. Ovarian Cancer. I knew April as the warm and friendly lady at the front desk of the lab where I had my bloodwork drawn for my own cancer treatments. One say, she told me a secret. She was...

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Dr. Keith Amos

Dr. Keith Amos

A caring a selfless man. Husband, and father of three girls. One of my surgeons. A Cowboys fan. Dr. Amos did not die of cancer, but he lived his entire adult life fighting it on behalf of others. Like me.   View his memorial on UNC website....

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Markie Cocsa

Markie Cocsa

It is with great sadness to announce that our beloved Markie passed away peacefully yesterday morning. At the time of his passing he was surrounded by his loving family. Our beautiful, perfect boy will always live on in our hearts and we take comfort in...

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Alex Lassiter

Alex Lassiter

Alex was a sage and thoughtful person, wise beyond his years. Artistic in nature, his life on the Outer Banks was reflected in his music, surfing and most of all his painting. Alexander A. "Alex" Lassiter, born October 2, 1989, was an Outer Banks native and graduate...

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Thankful Thanksgiving

Thankful Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving all. I am so very thankful to be alive today. I am thankful also for my loving family who carried me through this past year. And my fabulous extended family and friends. This last year has been hard but the blessings that...

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Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey Gupta

Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey Gupta

OCTOBER 27, 1980 – NOVEMBER 6, 2011 In January 2010, Sarah began having mysterious medical problems that were diagnosed in April of that same year as Stage IV Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma. She underwent a seven-hour surgery at Duke Medical Center and returned to...

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Stayin’ Alive!

Stayin’ Alive!

Third Place Winner at SOS contest at the Baum Center. Made by my friend Nancy Proctor's sister Michele while visiting last week. And dedicated to me! as I posted today that I am cancer-free. Ah Ah Ah, Staying Alive! Staying Alive. It is made up of mirror...

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In a Pickle turned Pink

In a Pickle turned Pink

So my husband's cousin owns (the best) breakfast spot in Boston, In a Pickle. This year he had his staff paint his restaurant pink! What an honor to be included. Thanks, Tim! Hi Susan We recently painted the walls of 'The Pickle' pink to help raise...

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Outer Banks Community Supports Us

Outer Banks Community Supports Us

I had the most wonderful day ever today! Family, friends and Rubber Pants! Good times!! Thank you so much to everyone who came out. We are humbled and overwhelmed. ... now for a much needed nap...

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Start with Today

Start with Today

I have in all honesty been either focusing on the very core elements of battling cancer (pain management, symptom control, simply keeping myself alive by breathing in and out and sometimes nothing more) or... When the chemo fog begins to lift ... Getting myself back I...

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Long Haired Scott

Long Haired Scott

This sweet husband of mine. My family offered to shave their heads as support for me while I went through chemo. My thoughts were "That's Crazy! I HATE bald heads right now. I don't want to see you or anyone with a bald head. No... in fact., I've always...

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My Dad

My Dad

My daddy died tonight. At home, surrounded by love. He’s really missed. Bob Ridley. My Dad. Lung Cancer.   7 years later  

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I missed the call from the Doctor by a SECOND

I missed the call from the Doctor by a SECOND

I actually missed the call from the Dr. by a SECOND and when we called back no answer as it was already after hours. Crazy how it's just a small task in a doctors day and conversely it was the biggest part of my day as I had held one hand on the phone all day awaiting...

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The Cancer Has Spread

The Cancer Has Spread

You may have heard we did not have good news in that the cancer has spread beyond the breast and so I had to have the lymph nodes yanked as well. Still do not know what "Stage" it is but we'll prolly know Tuesday. This morning was very painful but the home health...

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Cancer Pathology Reports Deciphered

Diagnosis:Breast Cancer: Invasive Ductal CarcinomaTumor Size:1.4 cm (spoiler alert: we'll later learn it is really over 11 cm large!)Nottingham Score:Grade IINottingham Tubule Formation Score = 3On a score of 1 to 3, this measures how mean and nasty the...

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Let’s DO this!

Let’s DO this!

Alright. I'm going to go pack my bag and get to bed. I've got cancer's ass to kick very early in the morning and I don't wanna be late. Thanks everyone for your love and prayers. It's been humbling. Let's DO THIS!

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Thank You All!

Thank You All!

Just a note to say Thank You to everyone who has been reaching out to us lately. I finally went public and posted the news on Facebook and the outpouring of love and wishes and prayers has been humbling! Between Facebook and here, I have heard from childhood friends...

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The News

The News

The scariest thing for me right now is the sad and untimely passing of Elizabeth Edwards. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer just 6 years ago. Her death was the top story online when I first sat down to research my new diagnosis. Six years is simply not...

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Elizabeth Edwards

Elizabeth Edwards

The top story online when I sit to research my new diagnosis. Elizabeth Edwards died of Breast Cancer this morning at her home in North Carolina. She was passionate about health care reform. She only lived 6 years past her first diagnosis. I need more than 6 more years.

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Cathey Clawson

Cathey Clawson

Catherine "Cathey" Grey Carrington Clawson, 48, died Thursday, June 17, 2010, at her home in Manteo only six months after the discovery of a primary brain tumor. Mary Blanch and Boyce Harwell's daughter. Such good people. Cathey was born July 7, 1961 in...

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Averi Valdivieso

Averi Valdivieso

A sweet child. Only 16 years here on earth. I never met her. Her mother graciously and selflessly worked reiki miracles on me during my treatment. From her mother's facebook wall on the 5th anniversary of her passing: 6 years ago I had to tell my first born good-bye...

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Art Thibodeau

Art Thibodeau

Captain Art Thibodeau Carolina Designs Captain of Carolina Designs, one of my first and largest clients. Father & Husband Businessman Genius Private Plane Pilot Cancer.

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Taylor Harrison

Taylor Harrison

OBX Boat Builder. Cancer. Founding force behind the Carolina Boat Builder's Association A wonderful boat builder, an advocate for continual education in the boat building community, and a friend to everyone. From his daughter Mallory: Perhaps the biggest way he taught...

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Doris Claire Ridley Bergas

Doris Claire Ridley Bergas

My Aunt Doris, my Dad's sister. She is on the left. All three of my grandmother's children (pictured, my father in the middle) have died of cancer. BIRTH 15 FEB 1935 • New York City, New York DEATH 11 NOV 1984 • Dunstable, Massachusetts Mother of Joel and...

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Bob Marley

Bob Marley

  Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley died on 11 May 1981 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami (now University of Miami Hospital), aged 36. The spread of melanoma to his lungs and brain caused his death. His final words to his son Ziggy were "Money can't buy life." In...

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Joan Ridley Wasmuth

Joan Ridley Wasmuth

My Aunt Joan, my Dad's sister. She is on the right.  All three of my grandmother's children (pictured, my father in the middle) have died of cancer. Aunt Joan was my cousin Mary Susan's mom. (Mary Susan if you are reading this please contact me! I have...

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