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Building a Trustworthy Team
– Finding Support

Building a Trustworthy Team
– Finding Support

Facing breast cancer is undeniably challenging. Whether you are newly diagnosed, or managing survivorship, who helps and supports you can make a difference in your quality of life. Assembling a team you can trust is pivotal. But how do you know who to trust? How do you ensure that your medical providers truly listen to […]

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Acknowledging the Stress Cycle
– Noticing and Releasing Stress

In January, my local area suffered an unusual weather event that included 12” of snow followed by rapidly warming temperatures and rain. I live in the broad lowlands of where the Fraser River Valley meets the tributaries of mountain run-off from Mount Baker. Large areas of land, mostly along the Nooksack River, flooded catastrophically in […]

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EmPOWERment:
Let’s Turn The Light on Breast Cancer

When I was about 10, my mom gave me a copy of Our Bodies, Our Selves, the first book of its kind cobbled together by the Boston Women’s Health Collective in 1970 and an underground hit by 1971. This book was revolutionary at the time it hit bookstores in those early years of the ERA, […]

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With Gratitude

Dear Valued Patient, After 22 years of practice, over 17 of which have been dedicated to integrative oncology, I am stepping away from one to one patient care. I will be closing my practice at Bellingham Naturopathic Clinic on March 20th, 2024. If you are in active cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation), you will […]

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Do You Hear Me?
How Deep Listening Leads to Meaningful Support

W​e’re talking about “deep listening” this month because feeling seen/heard in your life leads to greater personal satisfaction. In addition to facing a range of feelings in October (breast cancer awareness month), those of us in the Pacific Northwest also face the shift to shorter days and rainy weather, which affects our health. Being aware […]

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Estrogen & Menopause:
How Your Body Changes

“Not now!” You say, as you remove a sweater, feeling the instantaneous rush of heat, dry everything, brain fog and fatigue, and know that another day is derailed for you. Menopause has been trending in the news and social media recently, as a new generation finds themselves on the hormonal roller coaster and wants better […]

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A Reading List for Challenging Times

A stack of books recommended for patients diagnosed with breast cancer by naturopathic oncologist Dr. Laura James, ND, FABNO. The overlay text says "Reading List: for acceptance, connection, and transformation."

Acceptance can be difficult when you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. You may feel angry, scared, or even hopeless. It is hard to find connection and understanding, because although women may have a breast cancer diagnosis in common, no two women process their diagnosis in the same way. Allowing yourself to feel your feelings […]

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Caring for Your Sexual Health After Breast Cancer

breast cancer survivor with text overlay "Caring for your sexual health after breast cancer"

Surviving breast cancer can leave your body feeling war-ravaged. Not only do you have to learn a new way to mentally live in the world but you must also find a way to live physically. And part of your physical health is taking care of your sexual organs – which we don’t talk about enough. […]

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Exercise and the Prevention of Disease

a path in the woods representing a trail for exercise as well as a journey with breast cancer. Overlay text reads " Exercise: Preventing Recurrence of Breast Cancer"

Planning and implementing a long hike can be similar to what a patient goes through when they have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It can be a daunting task. Recently I challenged myself to travel across Scotland via the West Highland Way. There is so much to consider including, but not limited to, gear, nourishment, […]

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Breast Cancer: Four Ways to Move Through Your Diagnosis

a person twirling to represent movement through breast cancer diagnosis with the text "Breast Cancer: four ways to move through your diagnosis" is overlaid on the image

If you are a woman with breast cancer, the notion of body betrayal can be all too real. The self you once knew and felt comfortable with now looks and acts different. It’s difficult – the sense that your own body is under attack and feeling unwell. All of this ties into body image and […]

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