right vs left

[my5walnuts]

Not really a question - response to others I have read...

In Chinese medicine, energy taken to nourish your body comes in through your left side and energy given out to nourish others is given out on the right side of your body…. Are you a codependent? do you give more for others than yourself? Do you take care of your body, soul and mind?  I didn't.  I had no precursors for my cancer.  I lived right, ate a healthy diet, exercised, no family history, nursed four kids, etc.  I did live in a hostile relationship and had high stress.  I took care of everyone else, but me.  I think women need to be taught to care for themselves regularily so they can care for others...with out feeling guilty about it.


This discussion is related to Breast Cancer/ Left Breast vs. Right Breast.

[katarina777]

Thanks for your interesting comment. Only yesterday I read an article on Type C personality , and it is similar to what you describe in terms of personality features, and co-dependency.
The research suggests that type C personalities have more numerous health problems and especially autoimmune disorders.
It all fit me to the core but it's also interesting what you say about the difference between left and right, and the energy thing. I had my bc in the entire right breast, and I believe that it was not a coincidence that I got it, when I got it, and the type of 'severity' I got. but I am also not complaining as I feel that the intensive therapy with surgery, chemo and radiation also helped treat the underlying causes and damages that I believe caused the cancer to begin with. be well. Katrin

[bluebutterfly2222]

Excellent posts!

Women often have the belief that they must always be kind, giving, care for others, etc., "even if it kills them"--and unfortunately it CAN!

Studies have show that women will often make sure that their kids get medical care, push other family members to get check-ups, etc., but put off their own care, esp. when time off from work or money are  concerns. Also, care-giving spouses, if they do not have outside assistance, emotional support, and opportunites for rest and relaxation, often develop immune system compromise, and die fairly soon after the sick spouse passes.

Many women think there are only TWO choices: being SELFLESS or by default, being SELFISH, but that is not actually the case. There is a THIRD, healthier alternative.

At one extreme is "selfishness," which translates as "me first and the heck with everyone else!"  At the other extreme is "self-sacrifice," which translates as "everyone else first, me last," (and by the time they get to themselves at the very bottom of the list, there is nothing left, and eventually they often become so sick or depressed they can't do for others anymore, either). In between is "healthy self-interest" which translates as "me first and others a close second, so that I will maintain the best physical, emotional, and spiritual health possible, and therefore will be able to take care of others who are important to me, when it is appropriate to do so."

Sisters, please accept that it is both your right and your duty to treat yourself gently and well!

[my5walnuts]

It so nice to hear others who believe/have learned the same thing.  It's a lesson I learned the hard way and hope I can help others learn.  I agree with the autoimmune information as well.  Between diet, self care, actions, & mental choices I think any type of healing is possible.  And, I do not mean a person is at blame for becoming ill or not being able to heal themselves...there are many factors that lead us to where we are.  I do believe there is hope and one should keep trying and looking to better oneself no matter how much time we have left  There are many alternative methods of healing available that can help western medicine and the person overcome.  I went through a double mastectomy, lymphnode removal, chemo two times, radiation, and multiple surgeries and reconstruction.  I also took herbal remedies, went on a resstrictive diet (still avoid wheat & dairy - two of the highest alergic (allergic) foods), see my regular doctor, a holistic doctor & a chiropractor, practice meditation (I try to be diligent but this is hard for me), occassional yoga, walk everyday, exercise when I can,  read self help books and take an occassional class.  Right now I am taking a codependency class offered online through a community college and am learning tons!  Thanks for the support and words!

[katarina777]

Oh, and then I have Diabetes, and the pancreas is also on the right side. I had a severe problem also with osteonecrosis, which is when a bone starts dying...again, my femur on the right side. Then I had trigger finger, and this other weird thing on my right hand for which I had surgery recently. All right side! And my lymph nodes cancerous on right side. never had anything on the left side.

So, anyway you stupid nerds. get the hell away from me!  Only ME matters. (kidding)

I also always thought, from experience, that mean people and nasty personalities tend to live the longest?

Katrin