Combating Worry

If you were to ask me right now what the number one thing I've learned through my eye cancer is I would tell you this...

Be Thankful.

When I'm tempted to worry, which I am a lot of the time, I combat it through thankfulness. This is outlined in Philippians 4.

God's will for me is to....
1. Do not be anxious about anything
2. Through prayer and supplication make my requests known to God
3. Give thanks while I do this

And then the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard my heart and mind.

Sometimes I feel very depressed. I get a heavy feeling, not knowing the future. Especially when I start thinking thoughts about my possible early death and my children being raised without a mother, or even worse, a mother who doesn't love them the way I do. I have a very easy time thinking of the worst-case scenarios.

When I find myself feeling this way and thinking of all the things that might go wrong in my life this is what I do.

1. Quote Philippians 4 in my head.
2. Be thankful!

God doesn't promise that He'll do what we want, but He does promise that He will give us peace.

I don't want cancer. In fact, I pleaded with God that the spot on my eye wouldn't be cancerous. But for the most part, I have had peace throughout this time.

I may not be assured another year of life, but none of us are. What I do have right now is two lovely children asleep in their beds. Maybe I won't be able to see Josiah graduate from college or Aletheia get married. I don't know. But I do have right now.

Right now I can go look at their sleeping forms and chubby cheeks and feel awe that they are mine. I can touch my little girl's curly blonde hair, amazed at how much she looks like me. I can see Josiah, such an easy baby compared to Aletheia, curled up in a ball in his new crib. He can already roll over and scooch around in there so I have to check on him to make sure the blankets are all tucked in around him. He is going to be a strong one like his Daddy!

And right now, I have a sleeping husband in our bed. I am thankful that tonight I can go snuggle up next to him and take up his side.

It's the times when I don't feel like being thankful that I have to choose to live out my faith. I have to choose to obey the Bible and be thankful for what I have right now. And be thankful for what I'll have in the future...an eternity with God.

So to all my fellow chronic worriers out there I say, "Don't let all the possible bad things that may happen to you rob you of being thankful for the precious things you have now." God has given us so much to be thankful for, so let's enjoy each moment He has given us.

Let's live life with an attitude of thankfulness.

Health Tip #1 -- Baking Soda

With my cancer diagnosis I did lots of research. First about the cancer, but then Nathan banned me from researching b/c everything was so depressing. A smart move on his part. Sooo.....being the submissive wife that I am, I switched my research to natural ways to improve my health. We don't have loads of extra money right now, so I was mainly looking for affordable ways to improve my overall health. Now that I posses a vast knowledge of all things natural (ok, not so much) I thought I would take some time every once in a while to share my findings.

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

A simple household staple with so many health benefits. Even the Mayo Clinic has sung the benefits of taking some daily.

Now I'm never sure how much stock to put into all the health claims about things being able to cure cancer and improve your overall health, but those health gurus sure do put a lot of stock in this home remedy. They say it is good for many things, including curing cancer. The reasoning is this...

Cancer likes an acidic environment but can't survive in an alkaline environment.
Most of Americans have an acidic body due to what we eat.
If we change our pH level and create an alkaline environment, cancer won't be able to survive.
Baking soda balances your pH level, creating an alkaline environment.
Therefore........ (wait for it).....baking soda cures cancer.

I'm not expecting any miracles at my next appointment, but the health nuts are not the only people who are pro baking soda. Mayo clinic says it's good for your kidneys. People who were on kidney dialyses who took baking soda regularly didn't need dialyses as often. It is also known to be an antacid, etc.

With everyone singing its praises, I decided to give it a go. Here are some ways that I use it.

I take a teaspoon mixed in a glass of cold water two times a day (if I remember). You are supposed to take it on an empty stomach so I do it an hour or so before I eat, and before I go to bed. It doesn't even taste bad....it just has a mild salty taste.

Warning: Consuming this will result in loud burps. So if you are entering a burping contest, this will give you a sure win.

I also noticed that it was (how do I say this) detoxing me. For the first week or so after I started taking this, I did notice some changes that I think was my body cleaning itsself out. But now I don't have any problems taking it.

I also use it for....

Brushing my teeth
Deodorant (when I'm at home)
Washing my hair
Cleaning around the house (don't like all those chemical cleaners)
Laundry booster
Getting the smell out of locations where my potty-training daughter has accidents
Curing world hunger.......ok, it can't do everything.

But, its uses are almost endless! It's pretty impressive how versatile it is.

Well, now that you have heard about some of the many uses, go out and try some of them yourself. And if you find or know of any other good uses, please comment and let me know.

Happy Baking Soda-ing! :)

FYI: you can buy pH testers online just to make sure your pH stays in the desired "safe" zone.

http://www.naturalnews.com/035876_baking_soda_cancer_fungus.html
http://www.truthistreason.net/ph-levels-and-cancer-alkaline-and-acidic-foods
http://www.naturalnews.com/033385_cancer_pH_levels.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/138491-baking-soda-acid-reflux/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/340134-detox-bath-baking-soda/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/133655-baking-soda-hair-treatment/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/319954-an-alkaline-diet-baking-soda/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/omeprazole-and-sodium-bicarbonate-oral-route/description/DRG-20074550
http://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/sodium-bicarbonate-baking-soda-for-kidney-stones
http://www.azcentral.com/health/news/articles/2009/07/17/20090717baking-soda-may-be-key-ingredient-for-kidney-patients.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/026799_baking_soda.html