My Shadow

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, 

And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. 

He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head; 

And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed. 

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow-

Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow; 

For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball, 

And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all. 

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play, 

And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way. 

He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see; 

I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me! 

One morning, very early, before the sun was up, 

I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup; 

But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head, 

Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed. 

By Robert Louis Stevenson

From The Golden Book of Poetry (1974)

Image: Portrait of a Child, 1922

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Pink October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pink October! By the end of the first week, at the latest, everybody must have noticed that we are celebrating the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink ribbons, pink ribbon marathons, pink ribbon rallies, pink ribbon merchandise everywhere you go. 

 

Breast cancer is a cancer that affects the breast tissues. It usually forms in the ducts that carry milk to the nipples and in the glands that make milk (lobules). This life-threatening disease affects mostly women, but also more and more men.  

 

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world. It is a deadly disease that claims countless lives every year and yet, till this day there is no efficient cure for it. The currently offered therapy leaves breast cancer survivors scarred for life - if not physically than at least mentally.   

Breast cancer diagnosis comes as a shock even to those who have a breast cancer history in their families. To many people breast cancer certainly seems like a death sentence. And yet, breast cancer, like many other cancers, is a symptom of wrong choices we make daily.  Breast cancer can be prevented! Prevention means a conscious, drastic change of a lifestyle - a step that more and more people are willing to take.  

The importance of early detection of breast cancer cannot be underestimated. It takes only a few minutes a day to perform self-examination.  

Physical activity, stress control and healthy nutrition are absolutely vital in prevention of any disease and cancer is no exception.  

Research shows that many foods and nutrients have very high anti-tumor potential. By adding them to your daily nutritional plan you may be able to increase your survival chances. 
The anti breast-cancer diet should include high doses of:

• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• vitamin C
• calcium D-glucarate
• omega-3 fatty acids
• oleic acid
• power foods such as pomegranate and raspberries
• cruciferous vegetables rich in the cancer fighting indole-3-carbinole
• DIM (diindolylmethane) - a metabolite of indole-3-carbinole
  
• curcumin found in Indian curry (turmeric)
• green tea
• graviola leaf extract
• soy isoflavones
• flax seeds rich in lingans
• medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake and maitake

Currently, even Cannabis is considered to be a potential cure for many cancers, including the breast cancer. Although by federal law possession of cannabis (marijuana) is illegal in the United States, a growing number of states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to legalize its use for medical purposes. 

Research shows that cannabinoids (compounds of Cannabis) activate specific receptors throughout the body to produce healing effects, especially in the nervous system and in the immune system. 

The FDA does not approve Cannabis as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. However, commercially available cannabinoids, such as nabilone, are approved for the treatment of cancer-related side effects. 

Advanced breast cancer does not respond well to therapy. This fact makes prevention more important than ever. Knowledge may save lives.

By Dominique Allmon

Dominique Allmon©2015

* This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure a disease. 

Quote of the Day

Things never go the way you expect them to. That's both the joy and frustration in life. I'm finding as I get older that I don't mind, though. It's the surprises that tickle me the most, the things you don't see coming. - Michael Stuhlbarg

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