At a crossroads

It appears I’m at a crossroads. I've been anemic about a year now, and my Dr has wanted me to use iron supplementation to bring my ferritin levels up. However, I've read extensively on iron supplementation and learned how it effects tumour growth which has influenced my decision to not partake of them. Studies have found that iron feeds tumour cells. Tumour cells and bacteria need iron to grow, and your body tries to starve them of iron by diverting the iron from the blood to storage sites deep within the tissues. It is well known, biochemically, that if you add iron to tumour cells in cultures, they grow at a much faster rate and that breast cancer cells thrive on iron. In fact, a true anti-cancer diet that is suggested while going through cancer treatment calls for a patient to cut out red meats and animal products entirely. Iron rich foods should be avoided, as the excess iron creates cancer-causing free radicals. 

 

Today, however, my Dr informed me that my blood cells are now taking a hit. They are shrinking and brittle due to the damage being caused by my low ferritin levels. Okay, I know what you’re thinking: Back away from the kool-aid, Tara, and take the damn iron. I wish it were that easy. It’s really hard being faced with what are literally life altering decisions, that for so many reading this is nothing more than adding a pill to their morning routine without thought. Sure, I can take the supplements and boost my iron, but I’m gambling with feeding an already present tumour if I do that. Or, I could ignore supplementation and “try to bring my iron up on its own,” but we see how well that’s worked for me. The problem is that if it gets too much lower I will more than likely be forced to have iron via IV and that would be worse on so many levels. Not to mention a hell of a lot more dangerous. 

*This photo reflects how I feel with every decision I have to make along this journey.

~Tara