3 plus Essential Oils Following Breast Surgery and Skin Cancer Biopsies
December 18, 2019 was the day of my breast conservation treatment a.k.a. lumpectomy. While I was not pleased with needing to have this surgery, I had reached a sense of peace and understanding as to why this was happening to me. Although, I felt victimized at first, I quickly got over it as I have uncovered some amazingly beneficial information as a result.
In the meantime, however, needing to ‘go under’ was not on my list of ‘favorite things to do’. To me, it’s the most vulnerable position to be in …. naked and in a coma surrounded by a room full of strangers. You could argue I knew my surgeon and that was just one appointment prior to this day …
Fast forward to the next day, I was home and happy to be alive! My bottom lip was fat and SORE because, according to the anesthesiologist, I clench when I sleep; therefore, when they inserted the intubation tube he knew I was anxious about, I bit down on it pinching it between my upper teeth and lower lip. I know, this has nothing to do with the purpose of the post … I just wanted a moment to vent … so, thank you for getting this far!
Nevertheless, I was super excited to be in my bed and recovering. Honestly, all I did was visit with my son’s girlfriend and kick it around the house that day because basically, I felt horrible. It wasn’t pain due to pain; it was the anesthesia stupor. I felt so dense and lifeless, and made the decision to get outside the next day. I craved the fresh air and sunshine and knew that movement would help flush this shit from my system. Well that and some choice oils. Therefore, I began using, I believe, lemon, lemongrass, and cypress to not only move the lymph but my blood as well. Between these steps and drinking GLASSES of water, things became increasingly clearer …
I say, ‘I believe’ because I was pretty stoned for the first 24 hours or so …. apparently I even recorded some videos that I have absolutely no recollection of doing .. gulp! As I ‘came too’, I switched to using the oils laurel leaf and bitter orange along with the lemongrass.
Lymphoedema is a potential concern following breast surgery, especially if they remove a node for biopsy purposes. Using these particular oils benefits nitric oxide synthase ‘function’ which includes cardiovascular, lymph, nerve and digestive health.
Why was this important? Because the days following my surgery, I began to notice that the outer edge of my underarm was feeling numb and painful, plus my digestion had become super sluggish with all the operative medications. That said, I wasn’t interested in taking their post-op medications; although, I did take an Ibu 800 mg from time to time … but you know what, they did little, if anything, for the inflammation. I seemed to be responding far better to the hiking, water and essential oils!
At my post-op exam, the surgeon suggested I start massaging arnica OR the oils of my choice onto my breast and underarm to help further with the inflammation. That said, she was pleased with the way things were healing and gave me the ok to move ahead with further recovery steps. With that, I chose, german chamomile for the anti-inflammatory constituents of bisabolol, yarrow white because it, life german chamomile, contains chamazulene which is an incredibly potent anti-oxidant .. more so than vitamins C and E. Yarrow also contains 1,8 cineole (a.k.a. eucalyptol), supporting nitric oxide synthase making it very beneficial for the hormonal system; not to mention, it also comes with limonene, a constituent known for its effectiveness against tumors. The combination of chemistry from these two oils alone offered immediate results!
The day after my doctor’s appointment was a cold morning. After taking a shower, I experienced a lot of throbbing pain; so, I grabbed these oils and was remarkably relieved. I know this may sound strange given my experience and understanding of essential oils … I know they are amazing … yet, to live it and so rapidly, even impressed me!
The following day, I continued with the laurel leaf for the 1,8 cineole, methyleugenol and synergy known to support the liver as well as DNA repair (see the previous post ‘the psychology & chemistry of wellbeing), bitter orange for the combination of limonene and myrcene as it soothes the system, relieves both pain and inflammation as well as moves the lymph; lemongrass for the gerianol and citral as these in conjunction with the other constituents, relieve the stress response as well as support circulation and lymph. Keep in mind, none of these oils work with medications, including antidepressants and meds for diabetes.. For additional pharmaceutical warnings .. please contact me directly.
While this may be upsetting to some, it’s a valid fact that requires attention. Essential oils are concentrated doses of lipophilic signaling molecules. Therefore, if you are taking medications, caution must be observed; yet, there are always options .. maybe not a lot; although, several is better than none.
Why better? Because the constituents found in essential oils are the result of the stress response in the plant. While this may seem counter-intuitive, Newton’s law states: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, while these chemicals are used to protect the plant from harm, they have the exact opposite reaction in the human body. What’s more, they are not chemicals ordinarily produced in the human body which makes them complimentary rather than a message to stop functioning. What this means is when we give the body something it’s designed to generate, we’re essentially telling it that that function is no longer required, further disrupting the system and creating an even greater level of instability.
Another oil added along the way is elemi due to the 1,8 cineole, methyleugenol and syngergy of support. Methyleugenol is important and discussed in greater detail in the post ‘the psychology & chemistry of wellbeing’.
I am also addressing the skin cancer lesions. While the ones on my forehead, if you didn’t know that this is an issue for me, it is …I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on my forehead and chest (over my sternum). The forehead is due to be removed in March with MOH’s surgery while the one on my chest was ‘burned’ off on New Years eve day. Nevertheless, the one on my chest is treated twice a day with a salve I make that contains callophyllum, beeswax, shea butter, benzoin, and olive oil as well as copaiba once a day, due to the beta-caryophyllene content. (again, this is discussed in ‘the psychology & chemistry of wellbeing’ What’s the purpose of the salve .. moisture as well as both skin protective AND healing qualities. In addition to the fact that it regulates the immune response.
Why didn’t I just go with the arnica the doctor recommended? It sounds like a good idea, right? Let’s face it, a doctor made the suggestion?! Wrong .. just because a doctor mentioned it doesn’t make it the right choice. First of all, I didn’t have arnica at the house. Secondly, helenalin is the predominant constituent in arnica, and while it’s recognized in helping to minimize bruising, this chemical is so much more than that. Yes, it is anti-inflammatory. It also has analgesic benefits; however, it also blocks lipogenesis .. an important pathway for synthesizing fatty acids from non-lipid sources. In other words, it is an energy converting pathway and arnica inhibits this process. While there may be an argument for why this is good .. not in my world. Aromagenomics is all about getting the body to optimally perform .. not control it. That said, if you have a high-carb diet and looking to control your triglyceride levels, then use arnica, keeping in mind that the more you inhibit this function, the more unstable your body becomes with the potential for bigger health issues in the future.
If I were going to use arnica once, then this isn’t a problem; however, injuries albeit accidental or surgical involve a higher use which brings me to my last thought on arnica … it is on the DO NOT USE list when taking blood thinners or approaching a surgery.
In closing, are you living with cancer and wondering if and what might work for you? Email me … $75 and receive questions as well as in-depth feedback PLUS suggestions for how and what to do in order to have the best treatment outcome as possible.
Walking this path of cancer and more has influenced my work to such a degree now focus serving people living with cancer and / or pain or both …..