Health, Cancer, Women's Health
How much do people know about it and how much attention do they pay to it? For the women, how often do you check yourself and do you know how to? Do they know we can take steps to help prevent getting cancer?
I think a lot of people have been touched by breast cancer either personally or know of some friend or family member who has gone through the journey. I call it a journey because that’s precisely what it is and I know it personally but thankfully, mine was caught really early.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago in my early thirties and have had such radical treatment, most of it preventive, and it has taken a few years of “putting me back together again”. It has been one heck of a roller coaster and this one, I would definitely not wish on anyone else. While I was going through my treatment, I heard someone who had gone through the journey say, “breast cancer was a blessing to her”. I thought, how on earth could anyone say that? I absolutely get it now – let me explain.
When you get diagnosed, you go into shock, then ask the question, “why me”? After that comes the question – what could I have done to prevent this or did I do something wrong? And then you kind of go into what I call “Warrior mode”, where you focus on the treatment to fight and get through and start looking for ways to get and keep yourself healthy. I went through all these and then some, what I write here doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the emotions you go through – that is one roller coaster ride you don’t want to be on and if you happen to get on it, you want to get off as quickly as possible.
I had asked the questions of what I needed to do to get healthy and if I needed to change my diet etc. I was told not to bother that I was fine the way I was, which in my mind, I didn’t think was right and still felt I had to do something but didn’t know what or how to begin. Then I saw an episode of the Oprah show with the actress Christina Applegate, who went through breast cancer, and her oncologist. Her oncologist said something that struck me; I guess you could say that was my light bulb, “aha” moment. She said, as well as looking for a cure, we can also try our best to prevent not just cancer but any disease. That was the information, ammunition and boost I needed – I went into full research mode to learn all about how food, diet and general lifestyle directly affects our health. This was information I needed for myself – I got through the mechanics of it and started trying out different types of foods, “superfoods”, herbs and spices, and healthy oils. By the time I was done, I had so much information that I felt the need to share this with everyone. March 2011, I welcomed the birth of my book “Healing Foods Healthy Foods” – who would have thought I could do this!
Straight after the book gets published, it gets taken on by Wholefoods and I’m in there multiple times doing book signings and juice demos – what a hoot and ermm what is going on??!! Then book signings at Revital and other interesting places.
Next thing I know, people want advice about whatever is going on with them, and I’m thinking, I’m not a doctor, I’m just little me who did a heck of a lot of research to help myself get and stay healthy – what can I do? Then I decided I needed more, I felt I had just only scratched the surface and needed to learn and do more to help all these people who are hungry to change and improve their health but don’t know how or where to begin like I didn’t. So went back to study – I studied at the Institute of integrative Nutrition based in New York to get qualified as a Holistic Health Coach, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Now I can advise and support people on their health journey and actually make a difference in their lives – wow, this just totally blows my mind. And the best thing about it is that it’s the most comfortable and at ease I’ve ever been in anything I’ve done in my life career–wise.
Seriously, now life has really begun. I’m really enjoying what I’m doing because it’s born out of a passion to help people especially women think of their health and actually do something about it. Every day brings something new and I get to meet some fabulous people along the way. It took a long time for me to get here physically and emotionally – so I want to say to those still going through the journey, there definitely is light at the end of the tunnel. You will get there eventually and come through fit and healthy like the “Warrior Queens” you all are!
I’m now also trying to advocate for disease prevention and really want to try to stop people from getting where I got to because trust me, it’s no fun at the curing stage. It is always better, easier and cheaper to prevent cancer and other diseases. You lose a heck of a lot more at the curing stage physically, emotionally, mentally and financially. Please start now by taking action with your health for the future – whatever you sow now, you will reap abundantly in the future. Changing your diet is a start and I don’t mean depriving yourself of everything – putting the right foods into your body i.e. fruits and vegetables especially greens, and exercise. There are other aspects to look into like emotional wellbeing amongst others.
One good thing I know is that if cancer is caught at the early stages, there is a very good chance of coming through it stronger that you were. I said at the beginning that I now understand the lady who said getting breast cancer is a blessing – I now understand because if I hadn’t gone through the journey, I would not be where I’m at today and doing what I’m doing right now. As part of being a health coach, I run health workshops and write articles for websites. I feel happier and more comfortable helping and supporting people, and I’m appreciative of every new day and the surprises each day brings. I’m so thankful and grateful to God for bringing me through the journey, putting me on this path to life and health, and just grateful for what I know is the beginning of an awesome journey. It’s never too late to change and improve life – we only have one body to live in, we need to take care of it!
My book Healing Foods Healthy Foods* is available at Wholefoods, Revital Health store, most book shops and on Amazon
You can contact me through my website at Rock on Divas or via email at info@milahhealth.com
Gloria Halim is our women’s health and juicing expert
*Affiliate link
