Don't Let the Winter Blues Get You Down

Aloha,

Wish you were on a nice, warm beach soaking up the sun during these winter days? If you live in a place that is overcast, gloomy, rainy, and snowy during this time of year how can you beat these ‘winter blues’? Even though ‘winter blues’ isn’t a clinical depression diagnoses, seasonal depression tends to be an issue for many people.

Recently, I visited friends who struggle during winter and thought it may help to discuss some of my favorite ways to feel better.

• Get Up and Move - Set an exercise routine such as running, lifting weights, yoga, swimming. The endorphins produced will improve your happiness and sense of well-being.

• Vitamin D & Supplements – Vitamin D can help when we aren’t soaking up the sun. Keep following your program of other vitamins and supplements.

• Netflix & YouTube Videos – A good comedy list of movies and TV shows can keep you laughing. Use those cute animal YouTube videos to help brighten your day.

• Hot Chocolate, Tea, or Coffee – A perk to the chilly weather is the unlimited amount of warm drinks with flavors of pumpkin, gingerbread, peppermint, etc.

• Mini Vacation - Book a short vacation to treat yourself with a spa, hot tub, and room service.

• Hit the Slopes - If you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing is a great exercise while enjoying the view.

• Throw a Party - Plan a get-together to socialize with friends and family.

• Read a Book - Nothing like grabbing a hot chocolate and blanket to cozy up on the couch with a good book on a stormy night.

• Keep Your Routine - Don’t let yourself sleep longer than you should. Keep your routine of when you go to bed and when you get up.

• Write Often - Journal writing is a great way to focus where to improve. Your future self and children will love to read it as well!

• Create Art - This is a great time to dive back into some artistic hobbies and share with others such as painting, ceramics, pastels, crocheting, and knitting. Personally, I love to crochet and give them as gifts.

• Bake – Nothing is better than having a fresh warm treat to fill the air. Drop off your baked goods as a surprise for friends and family.

Try something you have never done before and maybe you will find a new hobby or passion! I hope that this list will help you avoid or improve your ‘winter blues’ and enjoy this season. If you do not see improvement, do not hesitate to see a therapist. These healthcare professionals may be the solution you are looking for to feel better.

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Leading Causes of Death in 2018

Aloha,

This week I researched the top medical issues of the United States. A few surprised me as over the years many causes repeated several years in a row. I believe knowledge is power and understanding what runs in your family, along with symptoms, may help you find the needed treatment now. Below are ten of the leading causes of death in the United States.

1. Heart Disease

2. Cancer

3. Chronic Lung Disease

4. Stroke

5. Alzheimer's

6. Diabetes

7. Pneumonia

8. Kidney Disease

9. Accidents

10. Suicide

It was eye opening while compiling this list of how many of these causes could have been addressed with the recent advances in medicine. A great option to learn if you are predisposed to any of these conditions is through a genetic test. Personally, I used 23andMe, but several genetic companies can help you find answers. Your primary care physician doctor can look at the results and discuss preventative treatment. These preventative treatments can help prevent serious health risks and help control symptoms that follow. Along with these preventative measures, regular use of vitamins, exercise, healthy diet, and reduced alcohol consumption can help in avoiding problems.

Now is a great time to start preventative treatments as they align well with New Year’s Resolutions. Have the mindset to live your best life through a healthier lifestyle by resuming your program and meeting with your doctor regularly. It is better to learn more about your body rather than waiting to have a chronic issue emerge. Be sure to look into getting a genetic test performed to understand where you can start your preventative self-care now.

Keep smiling and live your best life!

Melissa

Testosterone in Men and Women

Aloha,

Have you thought about the possibility of having low in testosterone? Yes, both men and women suffer from low testosterone. Understanding the signs and symptoms, in men and women, can help dramatically and improve testosterone levels.

Since I was 30 years old, I forced my body through menopause with a lupron shot prior to starting chemotherapy in order to prevent my estrogen-positive cancer from spreading. Unfortunately, I had the same side-effects women go through during menopause including hot and cold flashes, dryness, and low libido. Have you considered the changes your body is going through and the hormones it could be lacking? It may be your body is needing more testosterone.

Dr. Purser talks about how women needs testosterone and understanding what testosterone does for your body. Testosterone increase muscle mass, improves joints, and increases libido going. Personally, I use a testosterone cream and it has helped rejuvenate my body’s hormones to help its healing process. Be sure to watch Dr. Purser’s videos WOMEN: Testosterone Natural Options and Low Testosterone in Women for more information.

Generally, for men three causes contribute to low testosterone. These are trauma (pituitary or testicular) nutrition, and/or genetic. Finding the root reason of low testosterone and increasing levels naturally is critical. Using testosterone shots or creams should be your last result. Dr. Purser sees many who suffer from head trauma, such as concussions, have low levels of testosterone. Vitamin deficiencies, nutritionally and genetically, have negative affects in your body’s ability to naturally produce testosterone. Low Testosterone in Men, Five Things About Testosterone Your Doctor Has Wrong, and Dr. Purser’s book Improving Male Sexuality, Fertility and Testosterone cover solutions and natural treatment plans to improve low testosterone.

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

New Year, New Beginnings

Aloha,

A new year has started, giving us a fresh start. When reflecting on 2018, what lifestyle choices do you want to improve? For many working out more, eating healthier, and getting back on their program are common goals. What I love so much about the beginning of the year is the renewed energy we have. Of course, we can restart at any time in the year, but the beginning of the new year has an extra motivating feeling in life.

I find in my life there is always room for improvement. When we become stagnant in growth, it begins to weigh heavily on the self-confidence and energy we exude. This year I want to focus on three areas of my health including mind, body, and spirit. Within these areas, I want to be mindful of my everyday choices in what I eat, my exercise routine, filling my spirit with yoga, meditation, church, and scriptures.

When I follow my program and resolutions, I notice my attitude and mindset change. I can feel an improvement in my body and my energy level goes up significantly along with my happiness. Unfortunately, it is hard to stay with our program and resolutions even though it is the best thing for our health. This year I am going to make a better effort to follow my program and improve how my body feels.

Make sure to check out the other blog posts (Glutathione, Vitamin D, CoQ10, GABA, Fasting, and Water) to learn about the program I follow. If you are interested or have any questions, be sure to leave a comment below!

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Listen to Your Body

Aloha,

I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season! It seems every year I tend to have some surgery or illness around this time, and this year has been no different. Last week I had a surgery which reminded me how important listening to your body and staying in tune with what happens in order to live your best life.

Have you felt something was wrong and later learn you were right? You know your body best and can sense when something is not right. Had I not listened to my body, I would not have known I had cancer and infections. So much happens internally, it is hard to know what exactly is going on from the outside.

Your body needs the basics including food, water, and air to survive. Have you ever had your body crave anything in particular? For instance, my body will crave protein or water if I haven’t had enough throughout the day. If you have any cravings, including unhealthy foods, listen to your body as it is needs something!

Recently, I listen closely how much my body can do after surgery. The recovery process is always brutal needing to slow down and heal. If your body is in any type of recovery (i.e. surgery, illness, etc.), listen to your body. You must rest and avoid pushing yourself too much while the road to recovery. It is a process and if you don't listen to your body it will make the process even longer.

As you pay attention to your body, you can stay in tune with something that may be wrong and ultimately save your life. I believe I have saved my own life a few times knowing something is not right and requesting doctors to look further. You know your body better than anyone else so listen and live your best life!

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Holidays and Diabetes

Aloha,

I thought a lot this week about what to write and researched several great topics. However, I kept coming back to the holiday season and all the delicious foods we eat during this time. I know it can be difficult to control eating everything at the office, at home, or the amazing feasts from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

During this time, I try to be mindful of portion control and remember it is fine to sample a little of everything. I also tend to worry about loved ones who suffer from diabetes and wonder how they control their urge to eat sweets during the holiday season.

My father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a few years ago and follows a strict program to keep his sugar levels low to avoid insulin shots. He takes Metformin to help control his sugar cravings, exercises regularly, and watches what he eats. He does a good job following his program by cutting out sodas and avoiding the sweets he used to indulge on.

I visited him to see his progress with his new lifestyle to be healthier and avoid the daily blood checks and insulin shots. I was concerned as the holiday season is when I can go into a sugar coma and I am not diabetic. I asked how he manages to get through this time of year and he responded, “You know it's discipline in watching what you eat and making sure you are exercising.” He loves his cookies, so finding sugar-free cookies, to satisfy his cravings, helped with his weight loss and keeping his sugar levels under control. As for the other holiday dishes, he can have a little of something sweet as long as he doesn’t go overboard.

This conversation with my father made me realize how we can make healthier lifestyle changes by limiting our sugar intake. I started watching the amount of sugar I eat or drink. I gave up my normal Dr. Pepper for a Cherry Coke Zero instead. My new favorite treat is sea salted dark chocolate covered almonds that curb my chocolate craving. Through these changes, I am making choices that will benefit my health, even if they are baby steps! 

There are many choices we can make during the holiday season. You do not need to deprive yourself of your favorite holiday treats as long as it is in moderation. Keep to your exercise routine and drink lots of water. Do not make a healthier lifestyle a New Year’s Resolution, but a habit! This year, make your New Year’s Resolution a bucket list item instead!

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Natural Progesterone

Aloha,

In a previous blog, I talked about the ‘Sunshine’ vitamin, and today I want to share a little bit about the ‘Feel Good’ hormone. Natural progesterone is an incredible hormone that helps women with many benefits women. Take a look at some of these benefits:

• Stops or reduces hot flashes

• Stops or reduces night- or day-sweats

• Reduces risk of breast cancer

• Kills breast cancer cells (causes apoptosis)

• Reduces or reverses fibrocystic breast tissue

• Reduces the risk of heart attacks (reduces coronary artery disease)

• Causes somnolence (sleepiness) and aids in sleep

• Causes weight loss

• Causes increase muscle

• Gets rid of migraines and menstrual headaches in women (not men)

• Shuts down endometriosis

• Halts abnormal uterine bleeding

• Causes hair regrowth (thicker hair)

I can imagine almost every woman has at least one thing on the above list they would like to reduce or stop. The women in my family that take the compounded progesterone version, that dissolve under the tongue, rave about the benefits! Since monthly cycles are less painful, or nonexistent, they do not need to plan for ‘that time’ of month.  

I sat down with a woman who started to use progesterone in her 40s. She would suffer from horrible monthly cycles including heavy flow, clotting, and cramps. When she started progesterone, she had “an overall feeling of wellness, slept better, and felt an improvement in sex-drive.” The progesterone changed her monthly cycles into a much gentler experience along with clearer skin.

Another woman in her 20s says, “Progesterone is the ultimate woman's feel good hormone! I’ve taken it since I was 17 and I cannot not live without. It always keeps my cramps and emotions steady and helps me sleep fully. Progesterone just makes me feel better overall!”

As you can see the benefits of this natural hormone help women of all ages. If you are interested to learn more about progesterone, speak with your doctor and check out Dr. Purser’s book PROGESTERONE: The Ultimate Woman’s Feel Good Hormone.

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Essential Oils & Menopause

Aloha!

 One of the most dreaded words for women is menopause. Many women embrace this natural change; however, other women are shocked when it happens to them. Personally, my body is going through menopause as a result of my cancer treatment. Unfortunately, I am very familiar with the constant hot and cold flashes women face during this difficult time.

 Have you realized what happens to your body besides the hot and cold flashes, or the joyous stop of your monthly cycle? What other changes take place within your body that cause these symptoms? Can you do anything to help compensate for what your body is losing? Dr. Dan Purser’s Essential Oils and Healthy Menopause: History and Research Secrets is a great resource to understand more about menopause. Below I will cover several main points, but I would recommend reading his book for a deeper look into menopause.

 In menopause, your ovaries begin to fail, if they haven’t failed already. From their failure, you will no longer produce at least five hormones including Progesterone, Testosterone, Estradiol, DHEA, and Pregnenolone. These hormones not only make us beautiful women, but protect us from aging. Fortunately, essential oils can help substantially. Below are oils and vitamins that are life-savers for replenishing these hormones:  

• Progesterone Supporting Essential

• Testosterone: Mountain Savory Blue Spruce Essential Oil

• Estrogen: Lavender oil and Clary sage

• Thyroid: Myrtle

• Jasmine

• Evening primrose essential oil

• Chaste Tree Berry Leaf

• Zinc tablets

• Glutathione

• Vitamin D

I would highly recommend learning more of how these oils benefit the loss of these hormones during menopause with Dr. Purser’s book. Hopefully using essential oils is possible solution to help you feel better and healthier!

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Twelve Traits of a Good Doctor

Aloha!

Each of us have experiences with good and bad doctors. Having a good doctor in your corner, aligned with your needs and preferences, is key in a long-lasting relationship to make health a priority and to stay healthy. A good experience is not only with the doctor, but with all staff (reception, nurse, etc.). Careful consideration will help you avoid wasting time and energy.

Recently, I have been in search for a primary care doctor. I reached out to my oncologist office for recommendations to fill prescriptions and annual exams. When I scheduled an appointment, I requested a female physician for the visit. However, when I arrived a male physician was scheduled for my annual checkup among other topics of discussion. Unfortunately, this was the beginning of the complications during this visit.

We need to remember choosing a physician is our choice. What should we look for when deciding? Below are twelve traits I learned from Habits of a Great Physician  by Dr. Purser to look for in a physician when considering my options:

1. Affability – My physician needs to be easy to approach

2. Affordability – I look for physicians who bring the most value while staying in my budget

3. Availability – If I have complications, I need easy access to advice

4. Kind - Gentle in nature and desire to help others is an important characteristic

5. Listener – Taking the time to understand one’s situation, feelings, and symptoms is crucial

6. Compassionate - Feeling or showing someone is there who cares for you

7. Empathetic - Understands and shares experiences and emotions

8. Long-Suffering – Extremely patient during difficult times

9. Energetic – Will never stop to find a solution for your symptoms or diagnosis

10. Brave – Thinking and acting clearly in the face of difficult situations

11. Curious - Desire to learn or know more and not satisfied with simple answers

12. Persistent - Lasting perseverance through the good and bad times

Fortunately, my oncologist exemplifies these twelve traits. When I went through my difficult stretches during cancer treatment, he didn’t allow me to give up. Many times, he convinced me to keep fighting and to give it one more chance. He was at the hospital each time I was admitted, always checking in throughout my stays. He listened to my concerns and discussed them with me. By having someone who was a listener, available, compassionate, empathetic, long-suffering, brave, and persistent made him the best doctor. He is a huge part as to why I am cancer-free today.

Do not be afraid to be selective when choosing a doctor. Always remember it is okay to walk away if you are not comfortable with the doctor you visit as it is your health and life you need to protect. There are many other doctors who embody these twelve traits and can help you in more ways than you can imagine.

Keep Smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!

Breast Cancer Awareness - Part 2

Aloha,

It was pleasure being able to give you a sneak peak into my story about breast cancer during the Facebook Live Event last month. As promised in my previous blog, this is part two which I am excited to share testimonials of two significant women in my life. Let me share a little background with you.

I was diagnosed at age 30 with stage 3 breast cancer. My mother passed at age 42 of stage 4 breast cancer. Many of my siblings and cousins - at young ages - have had to discuss with spouses this same topic of selective mastectomy, to lower their chances for breast cancer. These women are making life altering decisions with their body at the young age of 18 all the way to 37. Breast cancer has become an inescapable reality in my family. With my diagnoses being the first in my generation, I think it shocked my entire family to wake up to the real possibilities of it happening to more.

I had the opportunity to interview two amazingly strong women in my life that are tremendous examples to me. These two women have never been diagnosed with breast cancer but chose to have preventive (prophylactic) mastectomies. They made the choice to be proactive in decreasing their risks of getting breast cancer while increasing the longevity of their life. They decided to take control of their health and life. As I share their touching story of their thoughts and experience of why they chose this path, I will also share some of my experience of what happens when you are diagnosed and have treatment to go through, as is the goal to be the path to never have to walk down.

Meet my sister Jena, she has been my sister since she was 2 and I was 5. But technically, and to help with any confusion, she is my step-sister with no blood relation. Her mother passed away from breast cancer at the age of 46. She passed away 1 year and 1 month after my mother (Jena’s stepmother). I can’t imagine losing two mother figures 1 year apart at the age of 19. Jena’s mother was positive for the BRCA gene. After thinking about it she decided after having her second child she wanted to know if she carried the BRCA gene or not. She was ready to know what her life would hold, and at the age of 27 her results came back positive and her immediate response to her doctor was “when is the surgery?”. I love how strong my little sister was in her decision making and her strength helped me with my own decision of treatments when I was diagnosed around 6 months after she went through her first surgery. My response to my surgeon was “I want a bilateral mastectomy”, she was thrilled she didn’t need to talk me into such an radical surgery as lumpectomies still have a risk of cancer coming back.

My young sister opting for this surgery as a young mother of a 3 ½ and 1 year old at home had a different experience and perspective of her surgery process. And I hope those of you that may have children at home can relate to her story. With Jena’s experience of losing her own mother at a young age and then testing positive at a young age she told me there was no decision to make, she wanted to see her children grow and be a grandmother, it was just about setting the date for her surgery.

Jena went on to tell me how she didn’t know what she was in for with her surgeries, but no one really can. She said it was “a lot better than expected”. The hardest part was not driving and not being able to pick up her 1 year old son. For her fat grafting she didn’t have enough stomach fat (I offered to donate some of mine!) and had to have lipo in her thighs which was extremely painful during the recovery process, it took 2 months to recover. She also had to go through physical therapy, which is something else I did not have to experience. She informed me she was scared to push herself in recovery and got stiff and needed to improve her range of motion. I’m the opposite and probably push myself too hard too quickly.

Jena’s advice for those that test positive for the BRCA gene is “the sooner you have it (mastectomy) the easier it is… especially before you get older and get cancer.” She goes on to say, “you will have peace of mind, if you get cancer you will have to have the surgery anyways and you get a new set of boobs! It is an easier road to get through than all the cancer treatments and the surgery.”

I asked about her kids and the counsel she will give them since they have the possibility of caring the BRCA gene. She said she has always been an advocate to each their own, everyone reacts differently. All she can do is share her story of how she felt in control of her own body and decisions rather than having to get tested every 6 months. She doesn’t feel like a ticking time bomb, “once you know you can’t unknow …  you can come for me and can’t have me”. What a powerful outlook on making the decision to control her own fate as much as she canNext I was able to visit with my aunt, she has been my rock through my entire treatment.  We come from a strong background of women who have fought and lost the battle of cancer. My mother, aunt, and great-aunt. So far I am the only survivor. Once I was diagnosed, it became a wake up call to the women in my family. The next generation has now been affected, it didn’t end with my mom and aunt, it showed any of us could be at risk. Fortunately with my family none of us test positive for the BRCA gene. However, COMT seems to be a common factor in our family genetics. This makes it a little more scary as to who could possibly be diagnosed next, as we have no basis to go off on.

My aunt didn’t want to be a walking bomb, she didn’t want breast cancer to control her life. However, she was 49 when she had a breast infection and after seeing three different specialist they all encouraged her to start the process for a mastectomy. She also said she didn’t want me to go through this alone… meaning my treatment and surgeries. I never knew this was one reason she chose to have her mastectomy so quickly. As I am typing this I have tears in my eyes with how much that meant to me. At the time I was living in a different state completely alone, I finished up my treatments and quickly moved to be close to my family. My aunt and I went to the same plastic surgeon for our reconstructive surgery and we both finished our reconstructive surgeries this year. During her mastectomy surgery there was a mass found that did come back benign, this confirmed even more that this was the right decision for her.

I asked about her surgery process, she in turn said the unknown is always frightening… wondering at her age how she would do under anesthesia. But she was desperate to have it done and wasn’t concerned with how she looked. The hardest part was waiting for her infection to clear to be able to start the surgery process,  a process that would take multiple surgeries. She mentioned how pleased she was and was so blessed to have minimal suffering. She said the tubes were annoying, and awkward and truly hated them but are critical for draining.

She also mentions she would do it in a heartbeat all over again and is so thankful. Her husband said “how shockingly less fatalistic she was” I can't imagine having that mindset of what could cause fear all the time, to be in the clear and less fatalistic for your family to have comfort that it most likely won’t be cancer that will take you down. My aunt said she was living a life of “when, not if” and she no longer is living her life that way.

Her advice to women that are in a similar situation, “What are you waiting for? Live your life with no regrets, why not when you are a target”. She has said to me on multiple occasions how it was a perk for her to have a breast reduction, she is enjoying her results and they look better than ever. She is also thoroughly enjoying not wearing a bra.

I was told in this interview that I was an inspiration to her for my bravery through my treatment and surgery and it has tremendously impacted her and her daughters. I do know the majority of her daughters, after my diagnoses, are planning to have selective mastectomy surgery because of how real this diagnoses has become within our family. And with us paving the way for other women in our family to follow suit, I hope to see more of all the amazingly strong women in my family live past their 50’s. To take control of their lives and health, just as I wish the same for all of you. Whatever your decision may be, the impact you will make can pave the way for others, your family, loved ones and even strangers. Be the example you wish them to have, just as these two women have done for their families.

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!