Lisa Reiter
My name is Lisa and in 2000, aged 34, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer (Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma) and given less than 6 months to live. After floundering around getting my head around cancer not being as curable as the adverts of the time were suggesting, I delved into an unknown and for me, a then uncomfortable world of 'alternative' therapies.
Fifteen years on, I'm still here. As my oncologist said at one point, I'm an 'experiment of one' which means no scientist would like to draw conclusions! However, I am far from alone in getting success from looking to diet and mind-body techniques to help my body to do its own healing.
It was several years before I was out of the woods and in 2008, I went 'down' with post traumatic stress disorder related to the trauma of facing death and leaving my young son, motherless. Having been through successful treatment for that, my interest in psychology was rekindled and I went on to do an MSc in Memory and Its Disorders.
I was just getting going pursuing coaching psychology when the loss of three friends to cancer way, way before their time, shook me to the core once again. It reminded me that every second needs to count. After many requests and much support from friends, family, my ever tolerant husband and now, a publisher, I am finally getting my story down on paper.
I aim to tell it honestly but to focus on the positive and what I have learned along the way. I'm using this blog to keep me company as well as discuss the challenges of writing about it all. I also hope to check my understanding of what others might want to hear about.
If I manage to inspire just one person to feel a bit more in control of their own battle, the writing will all have been worth while.
June 17, 2014 at 4:21 am
My dogs bring me “babies” which are stuffing-less toys as if to show me how tough they are, shaking the cloth critters. It is attention getting. I see the feral cats hunting the horse pastures and I’m sure my dogs would love to join in, only I think they’d bring me back a cat! The animal kingdom pecking order.
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June 17, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Maybe you’ve never seen cat v dog ! Feral cat v dog ? My money’s on the cat!!
I do love dogs and their toys! We had one when I was growing up, who had a log basket full of them – sometimes she would empty the whole lot knowing a certain one was in there somewhere! (A squeaky, plastic cheeseburger was favourite for a while)
However much we have domesticated them, these lovely idiosyncrasies do remind us they come from packs of hunters! Do they not sort rats and other unwanted critters in your stables?
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June 16, 2014 at 3:17 am
I always used to make a big deal when my huntress would come home with a goodie, then take it and dispose of it. I’ve heard that cats worry because they don’t see us hunting and worry that we’ll starve.
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June 16, 2014 at 8:06 am
Aw, that’s a lovely idea John. I’ve noticed it’s about attention and jealousy here. I’ve got 2 other cats and several hens (yes, this cat get jealous when I’m talking to my hens..bounds through them just to see the look on my face) and if I’m busy as well, I get more presents. Thanks for popping by, Lisa
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June 15, 2014 at 10:12 pm
My cat has been missing for a day. I am anxious. The chaffinch family seem unconcerned. The risks we take in our relationships with life!
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June 15, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Olwen I’m hoping he or she is like ours and just feasting on baby-kill somewhere – terrors!
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June 15, 2014 at 7:05 pm
Ahhh, the necessary reminder that cats are wild creatures. Still so sad.
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June 15, 2014 at 11:07 pm
Yes, that bitter-sweet dichotomy of his desire to please.
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June 15, 2014 at 4:19 pm
He seems to have mixed feelings 😉
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June 15, 2014 at 6:13 pm
You’re right of course. He came through the cat-flap announcing his delight and after some admonishment came outside with me, looking a bit embarrassed. He did understand I wasn’t as thrilled with it as he’d hoped! 😼
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June 15, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Oh dear, how sad Hope you are feeling better and Simon too Love Sheilaxxx
Sent from my iPad
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June 15, 2014 at 4:07 pm
He looks guilty, doesn’t he!
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