Thermograms
2012-01-26 Shabel, Founder
In the interest of seeing if my recently metastasized breast cancer has spread to other parts of my body, I did a full body thermogram. A thermogram is an uninsured diagnostic technique in which an infrared camera is used to measure temperature variations on the surface of the body, producing images that reveal sites of abnormal tissue growth. It can cost $175 for just breast and $350 for a full body scan. It is non-invasive and non-radioactive which are major concerns to me in testing. Insurance covers a PET scan which looks at organs and tissues and injects radioactive sugar into the bloodstream. Rapidly growing cells such as cancer cells take up the sugar and can be seen on 3-dimensional imaging.
The process itself isn’t threatening with the benefits of immediate data though the report interpretation came from a company in Florida. Here’s some of the highlights from the report:
See the above are images indicating areas of red and white–these are areas of increased heat and concern.
These findings make sense to me, feeling I have a stagnant, congested liver (all that clean living for nothing!) and have been concerned about my thyroid which on the pictures comes up hot though there is no explanation for. So, what do I do? I’m considering getting a liver and gallbladder ultrasound. Ultrasound is my first choice in testing because it is covered by insurance, is non-radioactive/invasive and I’ve created a solid baseline with this tool over the years to compare my breast cancer with. I’m going to get spit and blood work for thyroid and hormone levels, tests that are not covered by insurance and pricey though I feel able to afford at this time. I’m glad to have this baseline for the thermogram though and am intrigued to compare it in a few months with a new one. Meanwhile, here’s the some treatments I’m doing:
- Diatomaceous clay and triphala for digestion, cleansing
- Sometimes I take Colosan if I’m feeling constipated or doing colemas as I have been doing once or twice a week. I feel lumps in my liver and though I don’t feel it’s cancer, I feel it’s stagnation and build up that needs to move. I’ve been experiencing some menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes during the day which can also be from a hot liver and thyroid issues.
- Infrared sauna, dry lymphatic brushing, hot baths in Epsom salt and herbs, oiling my body in the morning with coconut oil and pumpkin seed oil.
- Supplements: Isocort, Iodoral, Vitamin D, a multi-vitamin, niacin, acidopholus, enzymes, vitamin C, Chlorella and Spirulina.
- Iscador Mali by Weleda injections into the tumor area of my breast.
- I continue to do a constitutional homeopathic remedy each day. One is a derivative of Pokeweed and the other is from cancer. Please see the previous blog for details.
- Chinese Acupuncture and herbs.
- Homemade tinctures of: Burdock root, cilantro, dandelion root, tulsi.
- Essiac tea.
- Walking, skiing, Qi Gong which frequently I do these movements as I’m
- walking.
Food I’m eating
Through Sproutman.com, I’ve discovered these hemp bags that make sprouting very easy. I’ve been putting red clover and broccoli sprouts into my green smoothie which I drink in the late morning and usually have the remaining in the afternoon. In the smoothies I use leafy greens, a peeled lemon and grapefruit, stevia, my green powder mix of spirulina, wheatgrass, red rose petal powder, turmeric, cinnamon and kelp, homemade kombucha, fresh ground flax seeds or
soaked chia seeds and hemp oil.
I’ve been making a lovely kitchari with soaked quinoa and sprouted mung beans and this month’s seasonal masala which includes:
An Anjali is a cupped handful, roast all the unpowdered spices until fragrant and combine with powders.
Base: Cumin 1/2 Anjali
Ginger 1/2 Anjali
Mid-Body: Black Mustard ¼ Anjali
Garlic or 1/4 Anjali
Asafoetida 1/8 Anjali
Accent: Turmeric 1/8 Anjali
Paprika or 5-finger pinch
Chili
I’m eating apples, soaked almonds, broccoli with tempeh and onions and am trying to incorporate the spices and foods that Paul Pitchford from his book, Healing with Whole Foods recommends, see below for more details:
