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So I have learned a lot actually through my long battle here with that stage 4 colon cancer.
I think the most that I learned in a period of time in which I learned the most was during
my 10-month leave of absence from my firm. I did not want to go on a leave, I did not
want to let go off my cases, I did not want to stop my lifestyle of working extremely
hard for my clients and for my firm, but I also knew that I needed to take care of myself
and focus on my health and knew that in terms of long term that will be what would get me
back into the firm and get me back into the job that I love doing and so during those
10 months, you know, I really learned how to take care of myself. I read a bunch of
books and kind of really just want to throw everything, but the kitchen sink a cancer
and so I found very early on that the connection between consuming animal protein and cancer
growth and proliferation was too strong for me to ignore and now it is hard for me because
I was one of those warriors who would have a steak and a cheese, playing the Johnnie
Walker Black at the end of the day and I knew that all that had to go and so, by January,
I was diagnosed in September, by January 2, so right after New Years', I stopped eating
all animal protein called turkey. No meat, no dairy, no nothing and I think it has been
very instrumental in my survival, I think it kind of choked off the disease and not
given it what it needs to proliferate and to kind of get out of control. My disease
is extremely aggressive and I kept this puppy in check and I think that the diet is a big
part of that. Also, you know fitness became something very central, keeping myself strong
and healthy in all ways, you know, besides cancer, was important to be strong, to be
fit, help me get through treatment better, help me get through each chemo session better,
help me bounce back from surgery better. So, weightlifting, basketball and swimming are
things that I love to do, I continued to do and made very central, not something I could
just fit in when I had time, but something that I will do everybody. Also, I looked into
alternative methods of healing, not to take the place of conventional treatment because,
you know, I know that I need that, but to enhance things and to help the healing the
long way. So, I did five element acupuncture, Reiki, kind of meditation and other ways of
kind of getting my mind and body and spirit together and finally, I just think my attitude
has been really instrumental in my survival and something that I have learned is extremely
important when you are fighting a battle like this and so, my optimism, my confidence has
carried me through. I have had it since the beginning, but as time progresses, I realized
that it is a gift and to not be afraid is a gift because most people are and I know
that that has been very instrumental for me and has allowed me to help other people through
writing my blog, through running my nonprofit, you know, if I was crippled by fear and worried
about my life, how could I have the time or the ability or the capacity to help others,
so you know, I think that attitude has been again very instrumental and along with the
other things that I mentioned are those of the major things that I have learned a long
way.
For an interactive tool to learn more about your colon cancer and your personalized treatment
options, go to MyColonCancerCoach.org.