I read somewhere long ago that every cell in my body is listening to my thoughts. I sure don’t know how the mind/body connection works in the healing process but I am beginning a running list of “Cancer Fightin’ Words” , that I will be adding to sometimes. If anyone reading this has more postive affirmations to add, feel free. Feelings and circumstances are not in charge of my life. God is. Out with all defeated, negative thinking in with positive “self talk”. I do not have room in my mind and life for negativity.
– Cancer does not stand a chance with My Daddy, who is my personal Great Physician in charge. If God wants to heal me, I will be healed in His perfect timing. It’s an effortless snap for Him. If that is not His very best for me, than He has something even better.
– My body is strong and resilient and to the best of my knowledge I am beating cancer and getting healthier every day. I have every reason to be full of hope.
– In Christ I am an over comer. I am a victorious child of God. Nothing is too hard for God and I am His.
-. I nourish myself with wholesome foods that build my body up and make it stronger.
– Paula Oliver is not a giver-upper. She is a warrior. She is a fighter. She is a soldier for the Lord, on His mission in life.
-. Paula Is a breast cancer survivor, that’s what she is.
– Paula is busy living an abundant life in Christ.
– You, Paula Girl are FULL of courage. You are brave because the same God who was in the lion’s den with Daniel is with you every moment. The same God who walked through the flames with Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendigo is holding YOUR hand in your fire , Paula. Take heart. Take courage. God is with you all the way. He will never, ever leave or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 is a promise.
Pilgrim's Pathway 
Good attitude of faith, Paula. I read things that sound like New Age, but there is something to the positive affirmations!!
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We take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. If it’s not what Christ would want me/us to think, then FLEE.
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I don’t need to defend myself before you, oh cancer cells. My God, whom I serve, is able to deliver me from your hand. And even if He does not, I will not worship and serve you! (Paraphrase from Daniel 2 – the answer Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego gave to the king who was threatening to throw them into the blazing funace. )
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Psalm 139:5. You hem Paula in – behind and before; You laid your hand upon her.
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with Paula, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in Paula, he will quiet Paula with His love, He will rejoice over Paula with singing. ( it’s amazing to think that the Lord sings over us!)
Psalm 32:7 You are Paula’s hiding place; You will protect her from trouble and surround her with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 121:5. The LORD watches over Paula – the Lord is Paula’s shade at her right hand; the sun will not harm her by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep Paula from all harm – He will watch over her life; the LORD will watch over her coming and going both now and forever more.
Sending you lots of prayers, hugs, and love!
Pam
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I have found that I use even more positive words as possible and as far as positive affirmations go — they work because your MIND and your BODY are listening to what we instruct it to do.
So… I try to not even use the C word in an affirmation (thats giving the little bugger power) I do talk about cancer in the past tense — and I do acknowledge the Her2 as an enemy as we have to know what we are fighting. However I try to use phrases like this…
My body and mind are strong and I am healthy, happy and free able to live to be 100.
I give my system the right foods to enpower it to live completely fulfilled and healthy!
I read in Marianne Williamsons book -A Return to Prayer —- some amazing words of advice that we need to learn how to pray. That many times God (or the universe or the big Guy, Budda, Mohamad…. Elivs??? or what ever you pray to) gives you exactly what you ask for or maybe we are not clear enough. Also I believe that we need to make sure that when we say something that we don’t say it in a negative contects. Example in our case ….. I really “don’t want” to have the cancer come back. It is better to say I expect that I am healthy and whole. Leave the want and cancer out of the sentence as our minds or bodies could hear “want cancer” and the rest delete. See how that works.
Anyway – we need to be very careful what we pray for, how we pray and how we pick our personal affirmations. I personally think it is very powerful.
Okay – thats my 2 cents….. 🙂
Karen
3 year survivor this month….
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Paula,
Your affermations are right on target. Keep thinking the good thoughts with God at the head and all will be well. We are in His Will and that is just where you and I should be.
God Bless. Kathy
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Thanks for all the ideas, guys! 🙂
More positive “Self Talk”:
“I will live a hope-filled life every day. I will handle my problems as opportunities in a different, more effective manner, based on the power of advanced mathematics; “You + God = Enough”
–Zig Ziglar
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Love this!
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Adding to my list of “Cancer Fightin’ Words”:
Personalizing Zig Ziglar quotes by putting them in the “First Person” for myself:
“I cannot tailor-make the situations in my life but I can tailor-make my attitudes to fit those situations.”
–My take-away: I choose to have a great attitude and grow and learn and change for the good through challenges. God will give me all the grace and help I need to respond positively to these opportunities for growth.
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”
–My take-away: I will motivate myself daily to promote vibrant health by living a healthy lifestyle. It does make a difference and it does matter. It feels really good to take excellent care of myself. I can take better care of my family and have a greater ability to reach out and be a blessing to other people when I am taking good care of myself.
“Positive thinking will let me do everything better than negative thinking will.”
–My take-away: I am a happy, joyful, creative, positive thinker and doer. God has blessed me in countless ways and He is a wonderful, personal, forgiving, loving, life-changing Savior who wants His very best for me. No wonder I have so much to be praising and thanking the Lord about!
“A goal properly set is halfway reached.”
–I will set do-able short term and long term goals within my control that will positively influence my health: like what I choose to eat, what exercise I do each day, getting daily fresh air and sunshine, plenty of water, doing my best to promote adequate rest/sleep. I will carry through healthy outlets for stress like praying, reading the Bible and growing closer to the Lord, fast walking, rebounding, writing, doing things I find enjoyable like gardening, listening to music, reaching out to others, spending fun time with family and friends.
“If you want to reach a goal, you must “see the reaching” in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal.”
I can picture myself strong, fit, energetic, athletic, healthy, back at my slim and trim goal weight, looking younger than my years with a great big genuine smile on my face and feeling my best. There are many, many things in my control. I have everything I need and I can make the most of what I’ve got.
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Adding to my list of “Cancer Fightin’ Words”:
–”Every day I beat my previous record for number of consecutive days I’ve stayed alive.” (Andi)
–”NED” (NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE) is my 2nd middle name: Paula Victoria NED Oliver, that’s me.
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–I love being a Mom to three precious kids now and I’m going to love being a grandma in years to come and watch them grow up too. Maybe I’ll even get to play with my great grand babies some day!
– The mastectomy, chemo, and radiation wiped out the majority of unwanted, unhealthy cells–evicting them from my body forever. If there are any left, Herceptin is putting Her2 cells to sleep for good and hormone blockers will put them in absolute starvation mode, wasting away to nothingness.
–My body is loaded with thriving, bursting-with-vitality cells that energize me. I am able to recover beautifully from the pro-active measures I needed to take to be strong and healthy again.
–What a blessing my God-given, robust immune system is; fighting for me every single moment.
–I’ve got great Polish longevity genes in my favor
–I am fighting to win
–My future is bright because God is in control
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NED and I are life long bosom buddies. (HA! Just thought that one up and love it!) “NED” is the medical terminology for “No evidence of disease”.
“Don’t tell God how big your cancer is, instead tell your cancer how big your God is” (Unknown author)
“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass it’s about learning to dance in the rain!” (Unknown author)
I am an active and proactive participant in my own, well thought out health and wellness plan. After consulting with expert health care professionals, I get to make the decisions that are best for me.
“Yes is a world and in this world of yes I live.” (e.e. cummings)
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–HER2 cells are easy for HIM2 abolish into oblivion: God will do what is best for me.
–The Lord has designed my body in amazing ways to recover. So far so good: as far as I can tell, I am getting healthier and stronger and am overcoming cancer.
–Every day of my life is a precious gift for me to unwrap and enjoy.
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More cancer fightin’ words that help me line up a positive body/mind connection for my optimal healing:
“Self limiting beliefs create their own realities. Our minds filter out any evidence contrary to our beliefs.”
–(Unknown)
The Herceptin is doing it’s job marvelously, specifically targeting Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 cells: blocking and binding them up completely, rendering them totally inactive just as it was intended. My body will continue to tolerate and respond to the medication with no resistence whatsoever. The medication zooms directly and exclusively to the Her2 positive cells, leaving all healthy cells alone and intact to function at their peak performance. My heart and lungs are strong and will stay strong and so will the rest of me. The Her2 componnent will go from overexpressing itself to underexpressing itself, becoming ”Her2: a powerless wimpy wimp”. I am a warrior against cancer and my body melts away cells that harm and multiplies healthy cells that thrive and flourish. I am healing. My body is designed to render harmful substances as harmless, flushing them far, far away from me, getting them out of my system completely.
The chemotherapy and radiation were tools that God used for my good. Those therapeutic agents hunted down cancer cells which were hiding, exposed them, and knocked them off so they could be thouroughly eliminated. My body is in full blast repair and restore mode. My strong immune system and every cell in my body is on a mission to bring me to optimal health, even better than before.
I am fortunate that I can use hormone therapy. It is to my advantage that I can use Tamoxifen to target my estrogen and progesterone recepter positive status so that I can block hormones that would feed the cancer and instead I can mercilessly make cancer die of starvation. Although I might wish that I did not have to resort to hormone altering medication or the other measures that I took, it is Ok. I can get beyond that. God can protect me from side effects and give me grace should He allow me to experience any of them. Serious side effects apparently are rare with Tamoxifen and I will be in the majority of women who take this drug without a problem.
I choose to reject fear and doubt and embrace hope, gratefulness, and full enjoyment of every day that God blesses me with. God is in charge and I have every reason to be overflowing with joy because of His kindness towards me personally.
I dwell in God’s goodness and love and ALL the things I am going through are working together for my good.
Cancer was with me for a reason and a season. It’s a great time for that season to be all wrapped up and finished, never to return again. I have learned many valuable lessons that will stay with me and serve me well as I let go of every negative aspect of cancer including unpleasant memories. I put them all behind me with a renewed appreciation for my many blessings, moving forward stronger and in health that is improving every day.
I can take all the time I need to rest,rejuevenate, and renew.
When my body is uncomfortable, I can relax, breathe deeply, release any tensions and modify my reactions as needed. It is within my control to make myself much more comfortable.
I will accept the things that I can’t change with the grace God supplies me with and I will change the things that I can with His help and strength. I will have the wisdom to know the difference.
Any and all positive lifestyle choices and changes I make all add up to significantly contribute to my healing.
Worry has no place in my life: confident expectation in my great big God does.
I have every reason to believe all the treatments I went through in 2011 were totally worth it and extremely effective. I am alive and still have a lot of happy living ahead of me.
Paula the cancer-fightin’ warrior
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Combatting and putting “stinkin’ thinkin”” in it’s place and coming up with more “Cancer Fightin’ Words”:
My left breast is gone and I miss it but it is a small price to pay to being alive and healthy.
I would have found it much more difficult had I lost one of my eyes, or legs, or arms or ability to speak. I am so fortunate, so blessed. My God and my husband and children and other family and friends love me exactly as I am and I can equate the removal of my breast with the choice to do all I needed to do to LIVE and get healthy again. Others don’t even know any difference. I can deal with this loss with self-acceptance and God’s abundant grace. If I ever choose to do reconstructive surgery, that is an option for me at any time. Right now a breast prosthesis is a perfect match for me and I can remain this way for good or change my mind any time I feel like it if I want to. I have all the time I need to make careful, well-thought out decisions that are a custom fit for me personally. I understand why some women do reconstructive surgery and why some women don’t and there is no wrong choice.
My B cells and T cells and Killer Cells, my entire army of white blood cells along with my entire immune system is fighting hard and tirelessly for me every second of every day. My bone marrow is thriving. I have all sorts of strong defenses working on my behalf. I will fortify them by taking excellent care of myself, nourishing myself with excellent fuel, soaking up ideal amounts of fresh air, clean water, and sunshine, moving my body with invigorating activity and exercise. I will do as I am able. I am on my way to becoming strong, healthy, and physically fit. I did it before and I can do it again.
I read about a lady who read in a medical journal that “A cancer cell is, in fact, a weak and confused cell.” Yep…and getting weaker and more confused all the time, floundering against the arsenal of weapons that we let loose to overpower any stray weak and confused Her 2 positive cells…adios forever!
With God’s help, I will beat Her2 positive cells, they will not beat me.
I am a more than a “survivor” of Her2 positive breast cancer, I am a “thriver”, living an abundant, full life. I am “more than a conquerer”. I am a victorious overcomer through Christ who strengthens me.
I am energized and running, full-blast ahead, on the road to full recovery. I had to run some sprints in my race and now I am in it for the long haul–steady, with my eye on the goal . God has a most wonderful prize for me at the end of my journey and the beginning of the next. I can keep going, keep going, keep going with my eyes on the Author and finisher of my faith, enjoying every day I run my race.
I am a “Strong Polish, Amazon Woman, a regular Cancer-Fightin’ Warrior” that’s what I am (!) and my quiver is full of sharp arrows that pierce and destroy cancer: arrows like prayer, like resting in the fact that God will always do what is best for me and He is WAY stronger than the most aggressive cancer out there. I have used arrows like smart/skilled doctors, surgery, chemo, radiation, Herceptin, and hormone blockers. These have accurately targeted cancer cells, like finely tuned missles, pinning them down and rendering them harmless.
I can picture Her2 cells shrinking smaller, and smaller, and smaller then poof—ALL gone–not even a super powered ultra magnification microscope can detect any trace because there are none left to detect.
I am Grateful to be His,
Paula, the Strong Polish Amazon Woman, a regular Cancer-Fightin’ Warrior” that’s what I am (!) and my quiver is full of sharp arrows that pierce and destroy cancer!!!
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This morning I am putting on my classy, bright pink boxing gloves by getting my port hooked up to my every 21 day dose of intravenous Vit H. Herceptin is mercilessly knocking the daylights out of cancer for me. Thank You God, for the gift of Herceptin on my side of the boxing ring! Go get ’em Herceptin! Knock ’em dead Herceptin, so that I can live! Thank You Lord, that no matter the physical outcome of this match that I am fighting so hard in and rooting so much for, I am a winner BECAUSE OF YOU! Thank You for the assurance of the final outcome.
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More Cancer Fightin’ Words:
Ha! This is what I think of YOU, Mr Cancer! ”
Paula with her Herceptin boots on, hanging on tight to Jesus, squashing any Her2 remnants that dare bare their ugly heads
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When I am handed lemons with any aspect of this cancer diagnosis and treatment, I will make lemonade. The healthy sweetener will be my attitude as I draw from God’s strength.
When I am dealt a round of lousy cards I will play my hand to the best of my ability with grace and dignity. The game’s not over ’till God says so.
I can clearly picture Herceptin in my arsenal of weapons against breast cancer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48VSU4AZ-L0. I have an effective, multimodal approach to target and attack with a vengeance EVERY single Her2 positive breast cancer cell that might dare to linger. It is beautifully dealing with all Her2 protein over expression for me. This monoclonal antibody is like a well designed missile: specifically targeting Her2 receptors. It’s extended half life is allowing for CONSTANT exposure to tumor cells and in the unlikely event that there are any left after the mastectomy and all those rounds of chemo and radiation I’m knockin’ ‘em dead every 21 days, both on the intracellular and extracellular level. It’s BINDING to Her2 cells, flagging each and every one for total destruction by my own God-given immune system which is fighting hard on my behalf. It is inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells so that my healthy cells can thrive and flourish. Thank You Lord, for Herceptin! Please make it work on my behalf. I am Yours and my hope is in YOU, God.
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Paula (and friends),
Thank you so much for all these affirmations!
I had chills while reading some of them!
And smiles from all of them!
Denise
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Denise,
I’m glad you enjoyed them, fellow Her2 Positive fightin’ sista! 🙂 Paula
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More “Cancer Fightin’ Words” to Add to my Running List:
I am very happy to be alive and thriving and every day I am on this earth is a gift from God. Heaven is an even bigger free gift waiting for me at the perfect time of His choosing. My Father has numbered my days and I will joyfully see Him face to face when HE says so.
Because of all God has promised in His Word, I have a positive, hopeful outlook on life and a positive expectancy for each day I am blessed with. What would you like me to do today, Lord? I want to fit into YOUR plans. Please guide and direct me and help me not to waste the precious resource of time.
My constitution is strong with an amazing resiliency for overcoming sickness and recuperating from cancer and the treatments of cancer that I’ve done to heal.
I am grateful for all the tools that God has used and continues to use to make me strong and well.
I have all the reserves I need to heal from the inside out and without complications.
I have a great big resolve to proactively take excellent care of my body and my body is responding well to my healthy lifestyle by getting stronger every day.
I appreciate my many blessings more than ever.
The Herceptin I took every 21 days for a year was like a laser beam, specifically elimnating Her2 positive cells with precision.
I have been blessed with an awesome immune system that is a powerful source of defending my good health.
I am firmly resolved to do whatever it takes to get healthy, be healthy, and stay healthy the rest of my life. It’s fun and fulfilling to take measures that build my body and spirit up.
I have healthy, positive ways of dealing with stress and overcoming challenges that come my way for a season.
I make no space in my thought life for negativity: I only have room for positivity. I reject emotions and attitudes that do not line up with what God says in the Bible about how I should be thinking, my thoughts will dwell on His “whatsoevers”. God is in full control of my life and will give me all the help and grace I need for all He allows.
Perseverance and tenacity are my middle names (besides Victoria .
I have a strong will to live life fully as my Saviour intends.
I can leave my future in God’s Lap and rest in Him, full of joy and peace.
My spirit soars with the freedom I have in Christ. My thoughts hum with satisfaction and contentment because God makes no mistakes and is wise in what He allows in my life–He has a purpose and a plan for everything and He could not love me more than He already does. When I lack wisdom, I will ask HIM for wisdom.
Emotions and circumstances do not rule my life: God does.
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Truth in various versions for me to ponder for my running “Cancer Fightin’ Words” List
Posted on August 29, 2012
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (New King James Version )
I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (The Message)
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. (Amplified Bible )
I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. (Common English Bible)
Christ gives me the strength to face anything. (Contempory English Version)
I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (Good News Translation)
I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me. (J.B. Philips Translation)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (New International Version)
For I can do everything through Christ,who gives me strength. (New Living Translation)
Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do. (Easy To Read Version)
I am able to do all things by the one who strengthens me. (Lexham English Bible)
I can do all things through him who gives me power. (Complete Jewish Bible)
I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength. (New Life Version)
Yes I can…
Do ALL things…
Through Christ
Who gives me strength!
Paula
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“Choose joy, moment by moment, Paula…the kind that has nothing to do with circumstances and emotion and everything to do with God and His goodness. Because the joy of the Lord is my strength: I can choose joy like my weather, like my very own sky. Like my very own oxygen.” (adapted quote from aholyexperience.com)
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