I was an English Education major in college and every time we had a paper to write (which was almost weekly) I never knew how to start. I would stare at the blinking cursor for a loooong time. Inevitably, I’d just start my paper half way in the introduction and then come back to the beginning. When I became a teacher, I always gave my students a very direct way or two to begin their writing. And now I am half way through the introduction, I can start. Receiving the cancer diagnosis put my world into free fall. They didn’t tell me what type specifically or stage or spread or any information. Just I have cancer. My world was spinning. My brain was spinning. Spring break at the beach? Not anymore. I just started a new part-time job at my kids’ elementary school. I am going to need to adjust those hours. How are the kids going to respond? How is this going to affect them? My marriage? Financially? Summer plans? My sister’s wedding? My brain was buzzing. 
With all these thoughts, I needed something concrete to control and I found it: nutrition. I can help give myself the best possible chance for the best possible outcome. Along with an incredibly smart and generous doctor friend I am working to “starve” cancer through a ketogenic diet: no refined sugars, no soy, no dairy, no gluten, no red meat, no alcohol. Food is medicine and research has shown that if you don’t give cancer its two main sources of energy: glutamine and glucose, you can “starve” the cancer cells to potentially shrink the tumor. That is the simplest explanation. But in the midst of the free fall, I had something to focus on, research and read. Am I still doing standard of care with radiation and chemotherapy? Yes, I am. But incorporating nutrition, stress management tactics and exercise can only help me. I just need to keep reminding my kids that Mom is working on lowering her stress so if they could stop arguing, that would be appreciated😆

Side note: if you have signed-up for a meal, thank you! Please do not feel you have to make something for my diet. I have a pretty good system and not having to think and make something for the rest of my family is a weight lifted. So thank you! 

EIM