Okay, so I had my 5th out of 6th treatment this round. Its been going okay, but there have been lots of new changes to my life, so here we go!!
I started seeing a Natural Physician. Im taking multiple (like 50 a day or more) supplements, Im now going to be on a diet called the Body Ecology Diet and Ill also be taking a non FDA approved supplement called Poly-MVA. So far the supplements have given me alittle more energy, less hot flashes and I can sleep alittle better. The diet im really excited about, there are many people who have had very long remissions due to the diet. Scott & I are headed to Atlanta on Tuesday next week. Scott will be going to get certified in this diet while I hang out and hopefully meet people I can talk to at the clinic. Ill go get a colonic to probably!! That will clear me out!! Veggies, meat, cultured veggies.. NO SUGAR, No lots of stuff, rice, wheat, bread, nothing processed, pasturized, so on...I truley believe that I have found my way to a healthier life and a possibility of a cure. I will be continuing to see my oncologist and continue the treatments that he prescribes as well as what the Natural Physician prescribes. The DIET and the Poly-MVA which has so many good qualities as well. So my plate will be full, but so will my life! Im really excited, WISH ME LUCK. Im racing to find my own cure!! Ill do another post when I get back from Atlanta. I hope everyone is well and the Passover and Easter season was great for all!!
Love you all! Melissa Stanley Cohen
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Stanley et al......
I got your email and here's what I sent the fabulous "Oprah". I love her. And you....Love, Kerry
It's not me, it's my dear friend, 35 year old Melissa Cohen. I have never met a spirit like hers. Breast cancer everywhere in her body. Lymph nodes, liver, bone..she never waivers. The most steadfast person. A doer - even now. She would be a worthy person for anyone to hear. I am humbled to be part of her journey. And she truly looks at this like a journey. Although meds have limited her physical stamina, her down days are few and far between. Her network of friends and supporters know that if anyone can beat this, it's her. She's participated in the Komen walk since her diagnosis in June of 2004. She's raised money and awareness among her circle including all of her fellow filmmaking colleagues. Melissa defines strength and determination and more importantly is a REAL representative of early detection. It's not common for a young woman her age to have such advanced breast cancer. But woman in their early 30's and late 20's (even teens) are at risk for early cancers. I've had radiologists tell me that they know 30 is too young, but 40 is often too late...No matter what, Melissa doesn't look at this as the end. Traditional and Alternative therapies can often result in turning points of great signifigance. Melissa is a true testament of fighting with all you have and never giving up. I, of course, love her, but don't know anyone who doesn't. Please consider her journey part of yours - down this path that 1 in 7 women travel. Truly,
Kerry Craven
The following are excerpts paraphrased from an article that appeared in a Baltimore magaziine about my niece, Melissa “Stanley” Cohen.
Melissa, a direct and self-confident person, grew up in Ellicott City, Maryland. At 18 she headed to Los Angeles, landing production work in the film industry.
Out West, she told people her name was “Stanley.” It was her way of setting herself apart, and honoring the memory of her deceased dad, Stanley. Finding a
lump in her breast was the start of a long journey for 35-year-old Melissa, whose father died of cancer when she was 10 years old. Her grandparents
(dad’s parents), her aunt (dad’s sister) and her cousin (dad’s nephew) all died of cancer within several years. After her cancer diagnosis, Ms. Cohen
learned that she was pregnant. Because she was determined to have the baby, she chose a mastectomy over lumpectomy since it wouldn’t involve radiation.
Although she miscarried prior to the surgery, she went ahead with the mastectomy. The roller coaster ride was just beginning. The first biopsy revealed
a non-invasive tumor, the second an invasive tumor. The cancer metastasized and Melissa was in stage 4, average life span 18 to 36 months. It had spread
to her lymph nodes, hip, sternum, and shoulder. Doctors removed her femur and put a rod in her leg to stabilize it. For someone who was physically active
(at one time a whitewater rafting guide) and so full of enthusiasm, the ordeal has forced her to look at life’s tough issues. According to Melissa “I just look at things
differently now. I don’t get depressed anymore. I can’t . Why bring yourself down?” She has amazing strength and resilancy despite the prognosis. In her own words,
I wrote to Oprah show in hopes that I could appear on the show to demonstrate that even with a Stage IV diagnosis, it is not a death sentence nor a reason to give up.
Love,
Aunt Carol
=
“Funny, I always thought my life would begin at 35”. The words hung in the air as we both thought about it. No uncomfortable pause, just two friends thinking. I’m not sure what Stanley was thinking. Usually, she said whatever was in her head, but this time I didn’t ask, and she didn’t offer. We were planning her 35th Birthday Party, an event, like she said, that was to start her life. And I wanted to believe with all my heart that that was exactly what was happening. I wasn’t clear on the hows and whys, but if that’s what she wanted, in Stanley’s world, that had to be what she was going to get.
Melissa “Stanley” Cohen and I met in 1994 while working on a movie in D.C. In the film business, Stanley had a reputation as the kid who could do anything. Her energy, punch, and drive were astounding. As was her stubbornness. That was why, when she told me she had found a lump (June 2004), I knew it couldn’t be anything. Stan was just too ornery for cancer. After many tests, the doctors found it was in her breast, sternum, lymph nodes, and hips. And it was stage IV. I remember her saying stage IV is terminal. I listened, but didn’t understand much of what she said. Stan was the type of person who gets things (like how to work a home digital thermostat), and she had all the terminology – and understanding of what she was explaining – down pat. I knew the conversation was hard for her. I remember I hoped she didn’t have that many more calls like this to make.
Since that time, Stanley had undergone a mastectomy, had a rod put in her femur, been through rigorous physical therapy, radiation, chemo, and been put in forced menopause. The fact that she is so involved with her treatment amazes me. She understands so much I’m pretty sure she’s a genius. So is there hope for someone in Stanley’s position? I say yes. She’ll continue to find ways to deal with the disease, and she wishes to pass that hope on to others. I hope Oprah’s show can help her do just that.
Post a Comment