After 24 Years of Recovery From Ovarian Cancer

It was my birthday on April 4th this month of April.

I spent the most ordinary, beautiful birthday at my favorite place in the world: the beach.

Watching a beautiful sunset and a full moon at the same time touched my soul so much.

Now I am 62 years old.

I had ovarian cancer when I was 38 years old. It has been 24 years I am very proud that I almost never got sick after I recovered from cancer and have been living a happy life.

 

650 Sanae with Oro on 04-04-17

Photo: On my birthday with Kula’s sister, Oro who is my new service dog at the beach

There were two incidents that led me to get sick last 24 years:

One was when I had a serious car crash in 2001 and had a blood transfusion. I found out I got hepatitis C virus ((HCV primarily affects the liver) from the blood transfusion. I was able to manage with macrobiotics and a natural lifestyle, so I did not have to take any medication.

The second incident was when I got Helicobacter pylori (bacteria infection in the stomach) while I was traveling 3.5 years ago. It was very challenging to recover from this bacteria, but I again used all-holistic methods—macrobiotics, homeopathic medicine, and other natural healing remedies. It took more than three months to see positive results.

Hepatitis C virus and Helicobacter pylori bacteria are types of conditions that you can manage, but once you get them, your body never gets rid of them completely. Also, they can lead to cancer, so I have been careful.

 

650 Sunset with seagul

Photo: Sunset and seagulls

 

But sometimes we face unexpected disaster, misfortune, accidents, trouble, sadness, grief, pain and suffering. I faced the loss of my beloved dog daughter, who was also my service dog for 13 years, as well as the closing of our restaurant Seed Kitchen after 8 years—both of which were very painful and challenging times last year. I was not feeling 100 percent last 6 months. I have been feeling weak and extremely fatigued without doing much, so I knew there was something going on. I decided to go see my doctor and take tests since I did not have any complete tests for a few years.

I was shocked to find out the hepatitis C virus had flared up, but I knew my emotional state was very fragile with grieving so much since last Aug.

Now I know why I was feeling so exhausted, so even though I was shocked to find out, I know what to do. To see if everything is all right, I will have some more tests to take soon. In the meantime, I need to rest a lot. I have started to make special healing food and remedies that work for me so I am able to get up and move around.

I also decided to take a leave of absence from most of my work and not take any new clients. I would like to focus on healing my mind, body and spirit.

I made a decision to live my life preciously when I had cancer, so I want to respect “Sanae” and her feeling and continue my life preciously and slowly.

 

650 Full moon 04-04-17

Photo: Full moon on my birthday

 

I love to express myself by writing, so I still want to write when I am feeling all right here and there like today. I will not be able to reply to you, so please understand.

I look forward to announcing my recovery and my new adventure.

 

Love, Sanae 💖

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10 Comments

  1. 1

    さなえちゃん、ハグ~。
    良く書いたね!
    さあ、焦らず、少しずつ、回復に向かって進もう!
    今週末、さなえちゃんに、会えます様に!
    Love,
    みちよ

    • 2

      みちよさん、
      ありがとう!
      一生懸命書いたので良く書けたと思っていただけて嬉しいです。
      今週末は会えなかったけど
      また、会えるのを楽しみにしてます。Sanae

  2. 3
    Julie Southwell

    I am sorry that you once again have to go through such a difficult period, Sanae, but I’m also glad that you know what is causing it and how to treat it. I wish you all the best.

    By the way, I was just in your city for my nephews wedding on Friday. I didn’t realize you were in Santa Monica, but we were at Calamigas Ranch on N9 for the reception and drove down to Zuma Beach one afternoon. We were so busy with 3 different wedding events, but the family time was wonderful and I enjoyed CA.

    Wishing you, Eric and the pooches the very best!

    Julie Southwell

    • 4

      Julie,
      Thank you for your comment!
      Your encouragement means so much to me.
      I saw your FB page and knew you were in California.
      I am so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time.
      I will write time to time to connect with you and other friends.
      Thank you for thinking of me!
      Love, Sanae

  3. 5

    Thank you for sharing yourself and your challenges (and your beautiful pictures!). Sending you love and healing from Phoenix. ♥️♥️

    • 6

      Nicole,
      You are welcome!
      I thank you for your comment.
      Appreciate your thoughts for me!
      Love, Sanae

  4. 7

    dearest Sanae, praying you will be completely healed

    • 8

      Ann,
      Thank you for you to pray for me.
      I take my each day as a gift and take a one step at a time for my healing journey.
      Love, Sanae

  5. 9

    Thinking of you often and sending love and healing thoughts to you.. Remember many lovely and fun times with you and with Eric.. Peace…

    • 10

      Mark,
      I was just thinking of you the other day!
      Thank you for sending me your love and healing thoughts for me.
      I do remember so much fun and lovely time we had!
      Love, Sanae

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