Decisions, decisions...

There has been a lot on my plate this week. New information is in...I can take Tamoxifen if I also take Coumadin. Therefore, there is another option that exists. I am not restricted to taking Lupron shots (chemically induced menopause) and Arimadex, or oopherectomy (surgical menopause) and Arimadex, only. This new option doesn't involve shots or surgery. Sounds pretty good. The best part is that it lowers my risk for osteoporosis...something that would seriously interfere with the active old lady I plan on being some day. (The only problem is that it continues to medicalize my life. Weekly blood tests while on the Coumadin are essential to make sure I am taking the correct dose, which can vary based on the foods I eat and some other elements. This would go on for 5 years.) Why wasn't this mentioned to me before? My oncologist is away due to a family emergency and I saw another oncologist in the same office. He suggested this new option. Especially if I am not ready to make a final decision. I can even choose to do this for months or years, change my mind and choose another option. Only problem with the surgical menopause is that it is PERMANENT! Who knows what Lupron will make me into...more chemicals scare me. This whole decision is just a series of questions about which side-effects are the lesser of the evils. I guess a positive way to think of it is that all of this is to keep the cancer from coming back. It is just difficult to keep this perspective when you are trading problems for problems. Or rather, unknowns. Only 2%-3% of breast cancer victors are premenopausal, thus making it difficult to find conclusive clinical research on any of the long term effects of these treatments. All the research in the world some doesn't shore up any answers. So, then how do you make an informed decision? My only option is take action based on what little is known at this time...It is frightening to reach the end of a doctor's knowledge on a subject and be at the mercy of the "latest" research, most of which has not been concluded in this particular area. This is another place I never thought I'd find myself. Another reason to WALK each year, supporting research.

Looking into diet and lifestyle changes is more fun, but not necessarily less confusing. I had no idea there was a small war going on between the juicing community and the blender folks. The question is, which has more usable enzymes, nutrients, anti-oxidants, etc. Some of the back and forth goes something like this. "Fiber is good, therefore blending is beneficial." "Fiber is hard to digest and creates intestinal problems, doesn't concentrate the nutrients like juice, can heat and destroy enzymes." "Enzymes in the plants are different than the enzymes we use to digest our food, so blending is not an issue..." UGGG! I am just trying to get healthy and energetic here people! Yesterday I thought that blending was best. I was convinced of it actually, so much so that I went to Sur La Table and bought a Vita-mix blender. This is no ordinary blender! It could puree a tennis ball if desired! I thought, I am getting the juice and the fiber, what could be better? I just had to read more...didn't I? Cons: it can heat up and destroy nutrients; it whips in air, distressing the stomach; fiber is harder to digest, thus decreasing the absorption of nutrients. Pros: You get the fiber, which IS good for you... I am so confused.

Then, reading about the ph of foods and how to have a properly balanced acid/alkaline diet is a major mind bender. I'm leave it at that right now. My intuition is getting cloudy. Not good. Must back off the topic, find clarity. In the mean time, the Vita-mix remains in the box.