Another Chance at Life

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Guest article by Leonore H. Dvorkin

In 1998, at age 52, I had breast cancer and a left-side mastectomy. That was my eighth major operation, but my first for the treatment of a life-threatening disease.

Almost immediately after the operation, I became aware that there were unexpected benefits to be reaped from this experience, benefits which ended up changing my life and many of my attitudes.
Eventually I decided to write a book detailing those many benefits and my thoughts on a variety of topics related to health, health care, self-image, and the value of courage and optimism in the face of adversity.

Surviving breast cancer left me a happier, calmer, more focused, and more appreciative person. Now my principal message to other women is that breast cancer does not have to be an entirely negative, terror-inducing experience. On the contrary, it can leave them better off than they were before, both physically and emotionally. My book is primarily the story of that physical and emotional journey.

Full details: http://www.leonoredvorkin.com/brcan/
Also available in Spanish: Una nueva oportunidad a la vida: El camino de una sobreviviente de cáncer de seno http://www.leonoredvorkin.com/brcan/index-sp.php

leonoredvorkin.com

Patricia Wellingham-Jones reviewed the book for the April 2010 edition of the quarterly magazine Recovering The Self. 

A portion of the review is reproduced here with permission of the editor.

"Synopsis: A memoir full of practical truths and healing suggestions.

"Leonore Dvorkin...writes with refreshing simplicity and lack of woe. The book reads like a novel, so engaging is her style. Her stated goal is to show readers that, with luck and hard work, they can come out on the other side of the horrific experience of cancer both healthier and happier than before...I know from my own situation that this is true.

"She takes us from discovery through biopsy and surgery (mastectomy), the relief of not needing chemotherapy or radiation, the wonders of mastectomy bras, and building her life afterwards. Along the way, she learns that cancer (or any truly traumatic event) teaches us to cherish every day, every moment of our lives.

"She ends her story with a gentle, reflective chapter of great wisdom called Aging, Accepting, and Appreciating.

"The reader gets to know Leonore Dvorkin and her loving husband, David, and I admire the active life she continues to lead as tutor of Spanish and German, translator, proofreader, and weight training instructor. This book is the epitome of healing after trauma."

"A terrific read — well-written, frank, and honest. This book's many hard-won truths make it truly special and inspiring." — Nina Romberg (a.k.a. Jane Archer), author of Shadow Walkers and The Spirit Stalker

"This book is a straightforward account of living through and beyond breast cancer. It addresses the fears of women everywhere, yet gives hope for an even better life because of the experience. It could be read more than once, as it offers insights into the various stages of dealing with and living with breast cancer no matter what the woman's age or stage in life." — Werner Baumgartner MD, Lakewood, Colorado

Excerpt from Chapter ONE:  Introduction

Every August 11th, I celebrate the anniversary of my left–side mastectomy, an operation that marked a significant and joyous turning point in my life.

This book relates some of the facts surrounding my experience with breast cancer as a disease and some details of my particular type of mastectomy. I'll tell you how I discovered the cancer, the steps that were taken to rid me of it, what kind of pain I had after the mastectomy, and what the aftereffects of the operation have been.

Then come additional musings, all with a highly personal slant, on the whole tangle of related subjects: fear of surgery and death, the inevitable "Why me?" question, femininity and body image, sex and breasts or the lack thereof, cancer as measured against other types of health problems, the tremendous value of emotional support from others in times of crisis, our wonderful 21st–century openness about illness, and more.

I want to state at the outset that I in no way intend to say to other breast cancer survivors or patients: "This is the way you should feel. This is the way you should react. This is the path of treatment you should select." Absolutely not! Your emotions and reactions and medical choices are your own.

If my words can be of help and encouragement to other women who have gone through the same experience or who are going through it now, then that will be a rich reward. However, this book is primarily for the many women who have not yet developed breast cancer but who will in the future, as well as for all the others who fear they might develop it. I've written this book to tell them that breast cancer does not have to be counted among the greatest traumas of their lives. Instead, with luck, they can go on living and doing all they did before. They can come out on the other side of the experience better than they were before, both healthier and happier.

I know this is true, because it happened to me. What follows here is the story of how.

Another Chance at Life

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Written in The Stars

Written in The Stars: The Art of Letting Go and Starting Over

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10% of the profits from the sales will be donated to 

St. Jude Cancer Research Hospital for Children

This is a great read, whether you have suffered hardships or are blessed to be without. It's entertaining and funny, yet it pulls at the heart strings. It puts life into perspective and makes me appreciate everything I have. I love this book and couldn't put it down!

~ It's a must have! Review by Sarina Taylor

Book Description:

Life is definitely not for beginners or amateurs. This is what Written in The Stars, The Art of Letting Go and Starting Over shows us.

The book is an autobiographical novel, where the author tells us, with great sensitivity, about all of the obstacles she has had to face. And there were several.

• When Milla was only ten years old her father disappeared in Africa.
• For ten years she was overweight.
• She had very a complicated relationship with her mother.
• In 2012 she was diagnosed with cancer.

After being in the legal field for over ten years Milla also decided to change careers: she was a very successful lawyer with a Master’s degree from the best law school in Brazil. She went through a marriage and a divorce in the period of 13 months and had numerous heartbreaks.

Reading about it, you might think that it’s a very sad plot, but on the contrary, it’s a demonstration of faith, determination, resilience, love and victory.

Those who decide to read Milla’s book will know that she learned how to face the world and fight her demons.

You will be surprised with life and with the end.

Written in The Stars: The Art of Letting Go and Starting Over

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100 ways to Love You into Blissful Health

Cancer, a Catalyst for Consciousness? Over 100 ways to Love You into Blissful Health

Available Now on Amazon!

Guest Post by Daniel Raku  ~ Look Closer At Stuff

 

“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” ~ Albert Einstein

In this groundbreaking book, Sara Raso offers her insights into why so many of us are experiencing cancer, and how it can act as a stepping stone to our individual and collective common goal; a rise in consciousness. She shares transformative, practical advice on removing causes and maintaining factors (physical, emotional, mental and energetic) to allow healing and prevent relapses.

Topics include how to:
• Oxygenate your cells and bathe them in the perfect pH, which is too alkaline for cancer cells to survive in.
• Detoxify your system, balance your gut ecology, and address any deficiencies you have.
• Let go of any energy blockages, toxic emotions, limiting beliefs and boost your immunity.
• Reconnect to nature and harness her restorative power to raise your vibration. Practice grounding, get enough sun, eat, sleep and breathe consciously... Treat you like you are the love of your life, starting this present moment.
This is an empowering book guiding you to listen to your enlightening body. It will encourage you to recognize the true value of your life, and support you to allow your consciousness to lift you into greater and greater health, happiness and alignment.

Testimonials

"I found this book comforting, wise, above all transformational and would recommend it to anyone”

"It is packed with information and has already really helped me"

"The most inspiring book I have read in a long time”

"It is great and written with a lot of heart”

 

Cancer, a Catalyst for Consciousness? Over 100 ways to Love You into Blissful Health

Available Now on Amazon!

I Am Still a Woman: My Journey

"Life is too precious to let a disease win. You have to battle it as you battle any other event trying to overpower you: with love."~ Author Nina-Ann McCurley

Prologue - (I Am Still a Woman: My Journey (Kindle Locations 81-89)

At twenty-four, I was given eight weeks to live. I was diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic disease. After intense chemotherapy, I was given a clean bill of health. I had three beautiful sons and a wonderful life.

At forty-three, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the surgeon said to have a single mastectomy , as cancer was present in one breast. However, suspecting I had a cancer gene, as my mother and every other firstborn of my mother’s family of the past six generations had died of cancer, I decided that I would take the most aggressive life- saving decision: a double mastectomy, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy. As a mother of three boys in their teens, I felt I had no choice.

This is the story of my journey, my love of family, friends, and life. It is my wish that other women will look at breast cancer as an obstacle to life and not a death sentence, and to remember always we are still a woman no matter what!

"I know my journey has made a difference to my family and friends. Now I want to reach out to others who are facing the same terrible journey. I want to tell my story and inspire those women who are standing on the brink of their own battle with cancer."

I am Still a Woman: My Journey is available from the publisher - Balboa Press & Amazon.

Note from Seann: I would imagine it took great courage for Nina to share her story. As well it would be healing for her to express everything she went through. I think the first quote I posted here is quite powerful. She conquered cancer with love. That seems to be a reoccurring theme that I am seeing lately. Check out Nina-Ann's website to follow her blog and learn more about her life.

Dream The Answer Challenge

Ta da! This little eBook is now also available on Amazon!

I wrote it. I am the author of this blog you have stumbled upon or have come back to visit again. (Thank you!)

It's an interesting day for me so far. I managed to get this Challenge republished (Amazon & Leefing.com) but I am dragging my feet on publishing my Memoir. Why is that? Well for starters, I may have missed writing about my allergy to the cold. Seeing #Winnipeg as one of the top hashtags on Twitter lately reminded me. Why? Because if you search it, the first postings that come up are about the brutally cold weather. My husband has been lovingly referring to it as the new "Ice Age".

Okay...so back to my allergy to the cold. When I was 15 years old, my immune system was down and I went swimming in a very cold pool. The heater wasn't working that day. Hypothermia set in and I was rushed to the hospital by an Angel who was studying to be a nurse at the time. (Not sure if she wants her name mentioned or not so will refer to her as the Angel that she is)

She told me to stay awake or I wouldn't wake up. That actually kept me awake and she kept shaking me on the short drive to emergency. What happened after my survival was a visit from my distraught parents. As the days went on, if I chewed on ice cubes (I did that a lot) then my tongue would swell up. If I walked down the street in the cold rain, I would break out in white hives, become a reddish purple colour and feel very tired.

Off to the specialist I went and he diagnosed me as being one of three people in Manitoba at the time that was allergic to the cold. Imagine that? I thought he was joking and laughed and laughed. Begging my parents to move to Florida didn't work so I had to manage in my surroundings. The looks on people's faces when I would break out was amusing to say the least. I felt like a freak.

I am happy to report that age has brought about a healing from this allergy. On occasion I will get a few hives but it has to be very, very cold or my immune system has taken a back seat. When the weather is this cold - 34 Celsius with -50 windchill, I really wish we could control the weather. Order up what we want!

Anyhow...back to Dream The Answer Challenge 2009. Go check out the Table of Contents on 'My Books' Tab above.

Available for 99 cents on Amazon.

USA             UK            Canada

OR...you can get it for free if you sign up as a reader on Leefing.com