CANCER WITH QUITE A SURPRISE ENDING!

This woman knows: there are many ways to "clear/cleanse/build" and when done properly, such a protocol works with any body be it canine, feline, human, etc.

Bodies are created to maintain vibrant health. When they are overloaded with toxins from processed foods and the chemical soup most of us live in from laundry products, air fresheners, cosmetics, flea control products, cleaners and perfumes to name a few- there ends up being too many battles for the body to win the war.

No one, including a pet, catches cancer. It develops in a body that is toxic and out of balance. It is a symptom. Addressing the cause enables the body to HEAL ITSELF.

I learned this the hard way and you can read my story here.

In the meantime, enjoy this woman's demonstration of how dramatically a body can heal itself!

TOXINS IN THE HOME?

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by yet another wonderful pet parent: Debbie Guardian, founder of OPIE & DOXIE/Wholesome Pet Solutions. Here is a little bit about her and our conversation together. Enjoy!

"Like many of you and your own pets, my life revolves around my girls, Opal (Opie) and Dixie. They are the first ones I see each morning when I rise to take them to the park, and the last ones I see each night as I crawl under the covers, wondering if there’s a chance they won’t hog the bed. They bring nothing but the best to my life and it’s only fitting that I would want nothing but the best for theirs. This is why I’ve created Opie & Dixie® Healthy Pet Solutions… All-natural nutritional products and grooming treatments made right here in the U.S.A. for the well-being of both your pets and mine."

Mon 09.07.09

"If you’ve read between the lines of a few of my blogs, you’ve already gathered that I have a profound interest in the care of senior animals, special needs animals, and animals with cancer. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Nadine M. Rosin, pet parent and author of “The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood.

Nadine’s beloved 8-year-old dog, Buttons, was diagnosed with cancer in 1992. She was told that without amputation, chemotherapy and radiation within 48 hours of having received the diagnosis, Buttons would only have weeks to live. Deciding to bypass that path in favor of holistic care, Nadine set out on her mission, making simple changes to Buttons’ diet and environment, and healing her with herbs, tinctures and homeopathic remedies. Cancer-free, Buttons passed away peacefully of old age, in Nadine’s arms, a week before her 19^th birthday.

Here, I share with you Nadine and Buttons’ amazing story.

Hi, Nadine,
Thanks so much for speaking with me about your heartwarming journey through Buttons’ cancer, healing, passing, and, lastly, your continued, spiritual connection to her.Thank you, Debbie, it’s great to talk with you, thanks for having me!

Buttons reminds me of Opal in so many ways! I don’t think I have to tell you how much I cried as I watched the video; not only tears of sadness, mind you, but tears of joy for the love and happiness that Buttons brought to your life, reminding me of the love and happiness that Opal and Dixie bring to mine.

How was Buttons' cancer discovered?
One day I found a hideously ugly, red, horn-rimmed tumor at the base of her tail. It was terrifying. I rushed her to the vet and had him do a biopsy.

What were the symptoms that alerted you to the fact that there might be something wrong?I was caught completely by surprise. However, in retrospect I saw that there were some telling signs like loss of energy and lethargy. One of the reasons I wrote the book was to document ALL my 20/20 hindsight in the hopes of helping other pet parents avoid the same mistakes and oversights I made.

When Buttons was diagnosed with cancer, what gave you both the determination and the confidence to bypass the traditional, prescribed “medical” treatments in favor of holistic care?
I had the advantage of having been raised in a family that practiced some alternative health care methods. I was already well-versed in the difference between Western/allopathic medicine’s way of focusing, squelching and treating the symptom versus the holistic method of removing all toxins from the body and environment, cleansing the body of all residual toxins, and strengthening the body nutritionally so it could heal itself. The EMOTIONAL turmoil I faced and overcame prior to my choice of treatment is described in detail in the story (it’s a good one- don’t want to ruin it for anyone here :).

Did you put her through any of the prescribed protocols at all, or did you stick to holistic-only?
The vet was insistent that without amputation, chemotherapy, and radiation within 48 hours of receiving the (twice done) lab results, Buttons would be dead in 6 weeks. However, I knew that wasn’t the route for us, and instead, I enlisted the help of several alternative practitioners. Combined with my own knowledge and experience of treating the cause (emotional and physical toxicity placing an unmanageable burden on the immune system) rather than the symptom (cancer), proceeded to implement a purely holistic, cleansing regimen.

Did you consult with a holistic vet prior to embarking on your treatment plan for Buttons? Or did you create your own treatment plan based upon your extensive knowledge of alternative and holistic healing?
Buttons’ diagnosis was in 1992. At that time there were no holistic vets in Tucson where we were living.

What did Button’s diet consist of prior to her becoming ill?
A dry kibble prescribed by her vet.

What changes did you make to her diet after she was diagnosed?
I immediately began home cooking organic food and treats. Eventually what in my opinion became the best diet for her was home cooked organic ground turkey, organic quinoa and millet, grated raw veggies and sea meal.

What were some of the things you did to clear her environment of toxins?I stopped using commercial flea products, air fresheners, and any cleaning products other than vinegar or lemon juice. I switched to an all-natural laundry detergent and stopped using all fabric softener and dryer sheets. I made sure her bowls were nowhere near an electrical outlet and gave away my microwave."

Please stay tuned for part 2! In the meantime-

what are some things you've done to clear YOUR home environment of toxins?

SCENTS: Pleasant or Potentially Deadly?

The following are research studies I've found along my journey towards a more pure way of living; in order to exercise some control over what chemicals my immune system and the immune systems of my loved ones are exposed to in our highly toxic world.
I encourage you to continue your OWN research on the road towards more vibrant health and well-being for you, your children, and your animals.

Making Sense of Scents
Compiled by the late Julia Kendall, Co-Chair, Citizens for a Toxic-Free Marin, borrowing from Irene Wilkenfeld's "Fragrance Facts," and from research contributed by Karen Stevens, Carol Kuczora, Milan Param, Richard Conrad PhD, Susan Nordmark, Susan Springer, Mary Ann Handrus, Susan Molloy, and Sandy Ross PhD.

"Perfumes are increasingly used in an ever wider variety of fields, including perfumes proper, cosmetic products, hygenic products, drugs, detergents and other household products, plastics, industrial greases, oils and solvents, foods, etc. Their composition is usually complex - it involves numerous natural and synthetic sweet-smelling constituents, more than 5,000 of which are known. Perfumes may produce toxic and more often allergic respiratory disorders (asthma), as well as neurological and cutaneous disorders." from the French toxicology journal, Ann Dermatol Vernereol, Vol 113, ISS 1, 1986, P.31-41
84% of these ingredients have never been tested for human toxicity, or have been tested only minimally. N. Ashford, Phd and C. Miller, M.D. Chemcial Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes 1991, p. 61

In 1986 the National Academy of Sciences targeted fragrances as one of the six categories of chemicals that should be given high priority for neurotoxicity testing. The other groups include insecticides, heavy metals, solvents, food additives and certain air pollutants. The report states that 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxics and sensitizers - capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. "Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace" (Report by the Committee on Science and Technology. U.S. House of Representatives, Sept, 16, 1986) [Report 99-827]
A few chemicals found in fragrances known to be neurotoxic: hexachlorophene; acetyl-ethyl-tetramethyl-tetralin; zinc-pyridinethione; 2,4,dinitro-3-methyl-6-tert-butylanisole; 1-Butanol; 2-butanol; tert-Butanol; Isobutanol; t-Butyl Toluene. Neurotoxic properties of chemicals found in fragrances have caused testicular atrophy in lab animals as well as myelin disease. The myelin sheath protects the nerves and does not regenerate. (Compiled from TOXLINE database of fragrances industry and medical journals.)

Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Lupus, and Alzheimer's are all neurological disorders. Dyslexia is a neurological dysfunction. Could any of these neurological dysfunctions be caused by exposure to neurotoxic chemicals? Symptoms are often identical to chemical hypersensitivity. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is also a neurological dysfunction. Could fragrant fabric softeners or detergents emitting neurotoxic chemicals cause the neurological breakdown?
A few chemicals found in fragrances known to cause cancer and birth defects: methylene chloride; toluene; methyl ethyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; tert Butyl; sec Butyl; benzyl chloride. (Compiled by comparing a list of 120 fragrance chemicals from the EPA obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and California's Prop 65 List of Chemicals).

A few chemicals found in fragrances designated as hazardous waste disposal chemicals: methylene chloride; toluene; meythl ethyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; ethanol; benzal chloride. These chemicals are listed in the EPA's Code 40 of Federal Regulations, Ch 1, Section 261.33.
884 toxic substances were identified in a list (partial) of 2,983 chemicals used in the fragrance industry: "Many of these substances are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, breathing and allergic reactions and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities." (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health report.)
In a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health study conducted by Syracuse Research Corporation, Report No. SRC TR 81-521, 1981, benzoin is named as a chemical used in fragrances found to cause enlarged lymph nodes in both male and female mice and enlarged spleens in males. Liver damage is also cited.
AMICUS journal, Winter '89, Board of Environmental Studies and Toxicology of the National Research Counsel, the research branch of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that "15% of the population experiences hypersensitivity to chemicals found in common household products".

National Institutes of Health, "Issues and Challenges in Environmental Health," NIH Pub. #87-861..."Allergic reactions and hypersensitivity diseases, for instance, are among the most costly of U.S. health problems afflicting at least 35,000,000 Americans."

Article "One Woman's Perfume-Another Woman's Poison", in "Let's Live": "The chief reactions we see are those that affect the nervous system - headaches, anxiety, depression. But anything can be affected, even diet and a personal intolerance for different foods. There are two major ways in which cosmetics and their chemical constituents can affect the body. One is through direct contact. Inhalation is the other major route for molecules of an active substance to enter the blood stream. "There is a route from the nasal passage into the nervous system," says Mandell... "It is the way, for instance, that inhaled cocaine has an effect on the brain."

PREVENTING CANCER IN PETS

Holistic treatment is all about prevention. Start listing the chemicals many of us use in our homes, and it's easy to see see how dramatically we may be adding to the toxic overload of our beloved pets' immune systems.

The following is a short list of things I made sure were not in Buttons' environment. We stopped the cancer she was diagnosed with at age 8 and she lived to be a vibrant 19.

A Quick & Easy Home Toxin ✔list :

• Pet or human bedding or cloth toys washed in non natural laundry detergent or non natural fabric softener

• Pet or human bedding or cloth toys dried in chemical-laden dryer sheets

• Monthly flea products

• Chemical lawn fertilizer

• Non natural rug and floor cleaners

• Secondhand cigarette smoke
  

• Plastic food or water bowls

• Most plug-in or spray air fresheners and non-naturally scented candles

• Negatively focused, dramatically-inclined people (Don't laugh-or actually, DO! Animals are highly sensitive and tend to act as emotional shunts for the people they love and are devoted to.)

COMMENT QUESTION: Which, if any of these things are you currently using around your pet?

Please stop back for my next post: NON TOXIC REPLACEMENTS

Toxic To Your Pet #3- aka: In My Opinion

When my adopted daughter Buttons was 8 years old, she was diagnosed with deadly carcinoma and given 6 weeks to live. It was then that I launched a massive personal research campaign into the world of holistic medicine.

I soon came to learn that “holistic” DIDN'T mean symptom treating with natural remedies or herbs in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs. Instead, it meant clearing my home environment of all possible toxins, detoxifying Buttons’ entire system physically and emotionally, and then giving her the proper nutritional support so that Buttons’ body could do what an unburdened, nontoxic body does best: HEAL ITSELF.

The story of that journey is part of what The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood is all about. Here are some of the finer details not mentioned in the book:

Your Pet’s Dishes-

Personally, I would only use glass or stainless steel bowls for food and water. Plastics are known to leach and leak chemicals and some pottery glazes can do the same.

Electrical Outlets-
Everyday, there is more and more published about the ill-effects of EMF (electrical magnetic field) on the immune system. I always made sure Buttons’ bedding and bowls were placed at least 4 feet away from any electrical outlet or live appliance.

For "Toxic To Your Pet" #1 and #2, just scroll down :)

Wishing you vibrant health
and precious moments
Nadine (and Buttons)