One-Armed Inspiration

OK. Several people have suggested that I speak to others about overcoming cancer, the loss of use of my arm/hand. I always wondered why they thought my story would help anybody. What's the point? Well I get it, thanks to the prosthesis department at Scottsdale Nordstrom's. I needed a new prosthesis as mine had sprung a leak. The lovliest,tall blonde salesperson with a smile a mile wide stepped forward to introduce herself as the prosthesis specialist. She was so articulate and positive and beautiful - I thought she might be Mrs America. As she started to help fit my bra, I noticed that her left hand was nothing but a stump. "Looks like you're one-armed challenged as well," I commented. "Oh, I was born this way," she retorted lightly, and on she went with business at hand. I'm telling you, I was touched and inspired and felt hopeful. Why? I guess because she didn't let her handicap get in her way. It's OK to be positive!!! A handicap is not who we are! We must proceed as normally as possible. I get it. Maybe I can help someone else be stronger by sharing how I've overcome my one-armedness. We are a community. We must keep our arms around each other and stay strong, vibrant, alive.

pharmaceutical irresponsibility - Again.

Boniva and Fosomax - bad stuff says my dentist. Thank God I don't take it but my dentist warned me that either of these drugs will make oral surgery almost impossible - apparantly these drugs will prevent healing. You'll never heal from oral surgery if you take these drugs. Why does this country allow such irresponsibility? All for the almighty dollar? Pharmaceutical corporations had it made when they were issuing hormones to every menopausal woman in the world. Never mind that the drug was never properly tested. Never mind that they knew the drug caused cancer - hooray. . . pharmaceutical companies can make even more money treating women's cancers!! Isn't it obvious why so much emphasis is placed on cancer treatment - and not finding the cause???? Way too much money made to stop treating cancer. We should be outraged. I'm outraged.Is anybody out there listening???

HCG Diet Rants and Raves

What a grueling diet! It works, my friends - you lose a pound a day IF you follow the diet exactly. Big IF! Food has been my everything for the last forty pounds - I blame it on giving up men and sex! Nonetheless, food has been my entertainment, my comfort, my delight, my release from depression or boredom - you name the discomfort and I'll replace it with food.
Weeeelllll . . . the HCG diet only allows 500 calorie a day of very specific foods - few of which I like. No breakfast - only tea or coffee with a tablespoon of milk. My lunch is 3.5 oz of lean beef and asparagus. At 3:30, I'm so hungry I start seeing gray, I'm weak and grouchy so I have my fruit - 1/2 grapefruit or a small orange. At 6:30 I have another 3.5 oz meat portion and more asparagus. In the meantime, water water water. When I get home at 10:00, I have a grissini stick and my second fruit allowance which I prefer to be a sliced apple; however the apples down here in Arizona are all cold storage and mushy - yuck! So I have another 1/2 grapefruit. Really tough on the weekends when I want a martini on Friday night and Eggs Benedict for Sunday Brunch!
Easter weekend I decided to forget the diet, had fewer than 5 cocktails, small portions of carbohydrates, some eggs, cauliflower with cheese- and I gained 8.5 pounds in two days! Took me all week to get four of those pounds off!
It is a mind over matter diet and that phrase is an understatement! So for all of my Cornfield Heiress Club members who are struggling with the HCG Diet, you're not alone! Hats off to the perfect women who wear basic beige and sensible shoes - surely this group has no trouble with the diet!
I find myself testing the limitations of the diet all the time. For example, I'll try a potato vodka martini in place of my evening fruit. It doesn't work! I purchased some cigars to stave off the nighttime cravings - that doesn't work either.Why do we sabotage ourselves so? Why can't this be solved with logic? Why can't the hole in the soul get full some happy way?
I got a prescription for Ambien so I could knock myself out at night- it made me eat in my sleep! One morning I woke up to find a martini glass on my bed stand filled with peanuts and maple syrup, for Godsake! And the vodka bottle had been pulled out of my cupboard and at least 1/2 cup was gone from the bottle. In my sleep I did this! I had a terrible headache that morning and could barely get out of bed.
I've decided to try a three week plan next round instead of six - maybe that will make it easier to stay on point - tackle only 10 pounds per session.
What are your experiences? Thoughts?

Happy New Year, Cornfield Heiress fans! We made the 'Favorite Picks' list at Changing Hands Bookstore! Comments from readers are coming in. Most say that its an easy read; others comment that once they started reading, they couldn't put it down! Many readers either have breast cancer or have survived treatment. For my Lymphodema mates who have lost the use of an arm, I discovered some new tips for 'One-Armed Living': I bought an electric knife. Wow is it emancipating! Tip #2: I had trouble buttering my toast - jumped around the counter. Well guess what fixes the problem - that rubber mesh drawer liner!! #3: I found tubs of butter and cream cheese that fit perfectly in my kitchen sink drain; tub holds still while you scoop out the spread. #4: Other great finds are Screw-Pull's champagne cork extractor and an electric corkscrew - can't stop celebrating life,now, can we!!

Thanks for all your good comments

Cornfield Heiress finally debuted December 8,2008. In January, 2009,it will be featured at Changing Hands Bookstore (McClintock & Guadolupe) as a New Release. Comments from readers are pouring in - even from the husbands.Please take time to share your reactions to Cornfield Heiress here on the blog. Watch for a new Blog design with photos - stay tuned. Happy Mew Year

The books will be available for purchase before Thanksgiving!!! Cornfield Heiress is a baby boomer chic lit read. Send a copy to your friends for Christmas! Go to website, cornfieldheiress.com and click on 'Book' tab. Chapter One is available as a sneak peek. So is the Table Of Contents. Order online now. Recipes from my Iowa growing up days will be available soon on this blog. Also responses from readers and latest updates on alternative breast cancer treatments.
Can't wait to hear from all of you!
Arms around you, E

It's October, everybody! A printer has been selected, the cover is done, and the first book should be ready in a week! If proof copy is a go, you'll be able to buy Cornfield Heiress by November. Stay tuned!