The mind will help the body

1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY Help women harness the healing powers of their minds.

1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY Help women harness the healing powers of their minds.

I HAVE EMOTIONALLY STRUGGLED.

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THE SECOND CHAPTER

WHY ME ?

THE FIRST CHAPTER

PROLOGUE

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ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, MORE THAN 230,000 WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES LEARN THAT THEY HAVE BREAST CANCER EACH YEAR. BECAUSE MANY OF THEM HAVE NO FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER OR OTHER KNOWN RISK FACTORS, THE DIAGNOSIS OF TEN COMES AS A DEVASTATING SURPRISE. THE EMOTIONAL TURMOIL THAT RESULTS CAN AFFECT WOMEN’S PHYSICAL HEALTH AS WELL AS THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING.

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THIS QUESTION AND ANSWER FACT SHEET EXPLAINS HOW PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT CAN HELP THESE WOMEN HARNESS THE HEALING POWERS OF THEIR OWN MINDS.

THE TIMELINE THOUGH THE PATIENT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER TO THE PATIENT RECOVERED.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(SURVIVORS QOUTES)

WE ARE FIGHTERS.

THE FINAL CHAPTER

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THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

PROLOGUE THIS BOOK IS A TRUE STORY ABOUT MY MOTHER AND HER FIGHT WITH BREAST CANCER. IT ALSO INCLUDES STORIES OF SOME AMERICAN SURVIVORS. I FOUND OUT THAT THE EMOTION STATE OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTS IS VERY POOR. I HOPE THIS PROJECT CAN HELP MOVE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS FIGHTING WITH CANCER ON A PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL. IT WILL HELP THEM CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE AND HELP THE BODY RECOVER.

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DISTRESS TYPICALLY CONTINUES EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK OF DIAGNOSIS HAS PASSED. AS WOMEN BEGIN WHAT IS OFTEN A LENGTHY TREATMENT PROCESS, THEY MAY FIND THEMSELVES FACED WITH NEW PROBLEMS. THEY MAY FIND THEIR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN TURMOIL, FOR INSTANCE. THEY MAY FEEL TIRED ALL THE TIME. THEY MAY BE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THEIR SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT AND MORTALITY. THEY MAY FACE DISCRIMINATION FROM EMPLOYERS OR INSURANCE COMPANIES. FACTORS LIKE THESE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CHRONIC STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

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THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

BY SCARLETT LIU

PHOTO BY ALLEN SHIRE

This book is a true story about my mother and her fight with breast cancer. It also includes stories of some american survivors. I found out that the emotion state of breast cancer patients is very poor. I hope this project can help move breast cancer patients fighting with cancer on a psychological level. It will help them change their attitude and help the body recover.

In my family’s case, because of a biogenetic predispostion, the breast cancer gene is in our female family members’ body. My grandmother

1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. had breast cancer 24 years ago. She was diagnosed with cancer in the very first stage.

After going for surgery to remove cancer, she was able to live without breast cancer for over 20 years. However, the whole of her right breast and lymphatic tissue was removed in that surgery. The surgery saved my grandmother’s life and also resulted in the removal of some of her body parts.

She lived for 24 years without a right breast, and she lost more than a breast, which is her beauty. I was too young, so i barely have memory during her surgery and how to fight with cancer mentally. I only remember for a long time that she had some pain from her neck and right arm.

Her spine was deformed due to the weight loss caused by the removal of her right breast which resulted in the imbalance of her body system.

It made her had a severe cervical intervertebral disc. She felt her underarm numb all the time because she lost a part of the lymphatic system.

The good part of the story is that my grandma was recovered, but unfortunately, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 6/18/2016.

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

PROLOGUE

FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer can be one of the most distressing events a women can ever experience. And women may not know where to turn for help.

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THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

THE FRIST CHAPTER WHY ME?

I AM A HAPPY WOMAN. DUE TO THE BIOGENETIC GENES IN MY MOTHER’S FAMILY THAT HAS THIS DISEASE, MY MOTHER HAD THE BREAST CANCER 24 YEARS AGO, AND SHE RECOVERED. I KNOW I HAVE A HIGH RISK OF GETTING BREAST CANCER, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS COMING.

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ACCORDING TO ONE ANALYSIS , MORTALITY RATES WERE AS MUCH AS 26 TIMES HIGHER IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND 39 TIMES HIGHER IN PATIENTS WHO HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION.

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WHY ME I AM JINGHANG JIA. I AM 59 YEARS OLD, A WIFE, AND A MOTHER.

I am a happy woman. Due to the biogenetic genes in my mother’s family that has this disease, my mother had the breast cancer 24 years ago, and she recovered. I know I have a high risk of getting breast cancer, but I never thought it was coming. The family history of breast cancer made me check my breast by touching it at regular intervals. This time, I found something unusual.

I thought I was wrong, so I ask my husband to touch it again for me. We both found a phyma as a small egg size in my right breast.I thought that’s it that the breast cancer is finally coming to me.

I didn’t go to a hospital immediately. It has two reasons: one of the reasons was that it was the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, and Chinese had

three days off in the festival. Also, the outpatient services were taking a break from those three days. On the other hand, my sister-in-law was coming from Beijing to visit us. I wanted to use those three day holidays to hang out with her and get some air from the fear of cancer. I knew the big battle between me and the breast cancer was coming. Hence, I wanted to be mentally prepared.

The second day after Dragon Boat Festival break, I went to two hospitals in my city with my husband.

We got some answers, and the Doctors suggest I stay in the hospital to have an operation immediately. The X-Ray shows there are two

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

body. I do not want myself to look like that. This is my body, so I made the decision myself.My husband and I decided to make it a secret for my daughter at first. She was in San Francisco taking her master’s degree in Graphic Design. We do not want her to worry too much about me. Because of the holiday, she has been calling a lot in that time. She is very sensitive. After my operation, she knew everything and said she wanted to face the challenge with me. She changed her 4 years program to 3 years and booked the flight ticket to visit and take care of me very soon.

It wasn’t easy for her. She gave up a better degree on her career. I know graphic design is her dream, but at this time, she wants to support me.

WHY ME

phymas in my right breast. One has the small egg size, and the other is a little one at the top of the “small egg.”

It looks like a small version of Chinese sugarcoated haws on a stick.

We chose a hospital that has more experience in breast cancer.

They have a department for breast cancer and with experienced doctors. I think I will be taken good care of in this hospital. On the 20th of June, I have been arranged in the first operation on that day. I chose to maintain the good part tissue of my breast.I made this decision myself as I am a self-confident woman, and I need the right breast.

The second reason was that I saw what my mother faced after the removal of her whole breast which resulted in some other issues in her

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You know when you are really happy. There is large party just want to stay happy.

Then you start to think what is more important than this?

You know lots of people cruise happily though their life. Why can’t I.

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THE SECOND CHAPTER I HAVE EMOTIONALLY STRUGGLED.

I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I HEARD FROM MY FATHER THAT MY MOTHER HAS THE BREAST CANCER. I KNOW WE HAVE THE FAMILY HISTORY OF THE BREAST CANCER, BUT I NEVER THINK IT WILL COME TO MY MOTHER AT THAT TIME.

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ABSOLUTELY. TAKE THE NAUSEA AND VOMITING THAT OFTEN ACCOMPANY CHEMOTHERAPY, FOR EXAMPLE. FOR SOME WOMEN, THESE SIDE EFFECTS CAN BE SEVERE ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM REJECT FURTHER TREATMENT EFFORTS. PSYCHOLOGISTS CAN TEACH WOMEN RELAXATION EXERCISES, MEDITATION, SELF-HYPNOSIS, IMAGERY OR OTHER SKILLS THAT CAN EFFECTIVELY RELIEVE NAUSEA WITHOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL APPROACHES. PSYCHOLOGISTS CAN ALSO EMPOWER WOMEN TO MAKE MORE INFORMED CHOICES IN THE FACE OF OFTEN-CONFLICTING ADVICE AND CAN HELP THEM COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

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I HAVE EMOTIONALLY STRUGGLED. I AM SCARLETT LIU.

I AM JINGHANG JIA’S ONLY CHILD.

I am Scarlett Liu. I am Jinghang Jia’s only child. I was shocked when I heard from my father that my mother has the breast cancer. I know we have the family history of the breast cancer, but I never think it will come to my mother at that time. After taking care of things in San Francisco, I traveled back to China on July 10.

That time, she was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. When I got back home, it was after the surgery and the first chemotherapy.

EMOTIONALLY

EMOTIONALLY STRUGGLED

She has the warmest smiles in the world. She keeps telling me she will be recovered after those therapies.

She said she is keeping positive emotion, and that this emotion is helping her recover. She is so proud of herself, she said. You see, now I am a fighter. I am not afraid of cancer.

I had the smallest side effects after chemotherapy. I am still hungry for food and keeping normal levels of White blood cells. I also have good

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THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

mood because you came to me and I will win this battle of cancer.

Actually, I feel glad my mother is taking good care of her mind.

And she did a good job on it. I think I can make her happier.

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I AM SCARLETT LIU. I AM JINGHANG JIA’S ONLY CHILD.

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

Understandably, some effects of chemotherapy changes, such that my mom’s hair were only temporary.

But it still affected my mom’s mood.

I knew that it was changing my mom’s mood. I asked my father to take photos for three of us. It was a historical timing, and it also recorded the mood for my family.

We were taking a big challenge, but we were still happy because we were facing it together. My mother was still beautiful, although she has the disease. My mom was happy.

I bought 5 different colors and style caps and picked an expensive wig for her. She likes them a lot. It was a gift to make her beautiful. The wig looks very real, and she can walk on the street like usual. I also told her that putting some makeup on her face every day is another way to feel confident and happy.

Two weeks later, she went to the hospital to have the second time chemotherapy. My father and I look

after her every day, during her second, the third, and the fourth times’ chemotherapy. She was happy to see my father and me around her. It made her feel at ease.

I feel the time to be there for my family. She was keeping the positive mind and sharing her fight cancer story with the friends she made in the hospital. I am so proud of the fact that she has good mood every day, and she uses her story to inspire others to fight with the destiny of their life.I went back to America after the summer break, but keep calling her very frequently. During one of my calls, my mother told me the mental care system for breast cancer

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

I HAVE EMOTIONALLY STRUGGLED.

in China is very poor. There is barely an organization that is trying to help patients. A lot of patients were afraid of cancer, but they did nothing about it. Doctors can only do a little to help patients’ mind. I am in America and I saw the gap between the medical and mental care in China and the difference between an American organization to a Chinese organization.

I want more patients to learn from my mother, not only by doing research

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for breast cancer, but also to take good care of their mind.

Right now, my mother just finished her last chemotherapy. She will do her third time’s targeted therapy and the first time radiotherapy two weeks later. She is keeping a good mood every day. She is doing well.

I believe the mind is helping her body.

She will recover very soon.

Absolutely. Take the nausea and vomiting that often accompany chemotherapy.

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THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

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THE FINAL CHAPTER WE ARE FIGHTERS.

THERE’S A LOT TO BE SAID FOR READING SOMEONE’S STORY IN HIS OR HER OWN WORDS. IT’S AS IF YOU CAN HEAR IN THOSE WORDS THE INNER STRENGTH THEY ’VE GAINED FROM THEIR STRUGGLES. TAKE A LOOK AT A FEW AND WE PROMISE, YOU WON’T GO AWAY UNMOVED. OR YOU CAN SHARE YOUR OWN STORY TO INSPIRE, MOTIVATE OR COMFORT OTHERS.

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A COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TREATMENT SOMETIMES WORKS BEST. INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS WITH A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST TYPICALLY EMPHASIZE THE UNDERSTANDING AND MODIFICATION OF PATTERNS OF THINKING AND BEHAVIOR. GROUP PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE BREAST CANCER GIVES WOMEN A CHANCE TO GIVE AND RECEIVE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS. TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE, GROUPS SHOULD BE MADE UP OF WOMEN AT SIMILAR STAGES OF THE DISEASE AND LED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS OR OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH EXPERIENCE IN BREAST CANCER TREATMENT.

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TIANA HINES 34 YEARS OLD.

I AM A WIFE AND MOTHER FROM SAN FRANCISCO, BORN AND RAISED IN PALO ALTO.

My family and I currently reside in the East Bay Area, and to say I’m grateful we are together would be a gross understatement. This is my story, the one God gave me to share, but it wouldn’t be complete without first telling you our story. On our 4th wedding anniversary, 09/04/14, my 34 year old husband had a hemorrhagic stroke which caused a brain bleed and an AVM rupture.

He flat-lined, was in a coma for 2

weeks, and wore a medical helmet for 6 months because he had no left bone flap on the left side of his skull. I assisted with in-home infusion treatments, helped bathe, feed and clothe him. I watched him learn to read and walk again. In Feb. 2015, he had his last brain surgery to replace his skull. He made a full recovery by our 5th wedding anniversary and his one year stroke memorial day on 09/04/15.

Two weeks later I found a lump.

On October 1, 2015, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer.

I began my first of 6 chemo rounds on October 1, 2015. I had bronchitis, pneumonia and a blood transfusion.

On December 17, 2015, two days before my 34th birthday, I learned that the chemo worked and upon physical examination the tumor shrunk. A breast MRI in February 2016 revealed no tumor. On Feb.24, I had a double mastectomy and BSO (removal of both Fallopian tubes and

ovaries), and the pathology results from that surgery confirmed no evidence of cancer. Praise God I was CANCER free!!! However, I still had a road ahead of me. I have the BRCA-1 breast cancer gene, therefore, I had to finish out my treatment plan: 25 treatments of radiation every weekday for 5 weeks in May 2016. I am to receive herceptin infusions every 3 weeks until November 2016, and have two more major reconstruction surgeries to go. After what we’ve been through the last couple of years, we’ve both kicked our faith into high gear. We’ve leaned into the Lord and grabbed a hold of His Word more than ever before.

I’ve prayed and cried and cried out to Him more times than I can count, yet even in my darkest hour He brings me back to His truth. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

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ELISE GRAMZA 33 YEARS OLD.

I AM A WIFE AND A MOTHER OF 3 YOUNG CHILDREN FROM SAN FRANCISCO.

WE ARE FIGHTERS.

I have cried many tears. I have screamed and prayed and begged and plead. Will the cancer return?

Is it really actually gone? Will the side effects of surgery, chemo and hormone therapy haunt me the rest of my days? The future is still uncertain at best.

When I had breast cancer.

I lost everything. I had a stable life, stable love, family and future. And I lost my old life but I have gained new one. And I am incredible fortune. I think the great freedom for my life which I gained is in fact I am not longer worry about what happens tomorrow.

Because I have today.

But I have also enjoyed my children and husband more deeply. I pushed past any pain or exhaustion to make memories capturing as much as I could. I didn’t know I could love more strongly than I did, but here I am holding on to every second as if it will be the last. My husband and I have always had a great relationship, but cancer has made our bond an unspeakable strength. My children have always been the center of my universe, but cancer has made

my desire to be their mother (always) so deep that it’s often my only driving force when the thought of defeat seeps in. There is so much “bad” in cancer, but there is “good” that can be found and it’s that good that will move you forward.

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” So, here I am with my “why” ready to take on any “how” for as long as God gives me.

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THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

Copyright Š2016 Scarlett Liu All content for The Mind Will Help The Body was conceived, written, designed and produced by Scarlett Liu.

Design Consultation Stanley Zienka, GR 613 Type Experiments, Academy of Art University

Some of the photographs and image were downloaded from flicker.com and are used in accordance with the Creative Commons License. The book is a non-commercial work produced as a student project for educational purposes, and as such as considered a derivative work under the Fair Use Clause of U.S. Copyright law.

Manufactured in the USA

THE MIND WILL HELP THE BODY

SUSAN G KOMEN SF

FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

Komen San Francisco Bay Area is fighting breast cancer.

How? By funding programs that support those in the fight to save lives and by educating individuals about breast cancer risk factors, the importance of early detection, and the resources that are available to them.

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US $36.00 / $46.92 CAN ISBN 978-0-385-50422

KOMEN SAN FRANCISCO www.komensf.org

KNOPF DOUBLEDAY PUBLISHING GROUP www.knopfdoubleday.com