Yesterday, I had the pleasure of catching up with my friend “J” who has thyroid cancer. She is an amazing woman. She works full time, has two children, and just started taking two classes this week. For a healthy person, this would be a lot (I know I couldn’t do all that!).
We talked about how she was doing, and about other women who have or have had cancer. I made an observation that all these women have something in common – they are all extremely independent, capable, self-sufficient women (“J” being a prime example), and…they are fighters. Maybe that’s why people with cancer are called “warriors.”
Having undergone surgery and radiation, she is hopeful she will beat this cancer. However, in the meantime, she is still suffering the side effects, including fatigue, and an occasional feeling that she can’t breathe and is having a heart attack (this feeling actually came upon her while she belted out a beautiful song at church one morning, unbeknownst to the audience — “J” has an amazing voice). The survival rate for someone with the type of thyroid cancer “J” has is very high, so I pray she will make a full recovery.
“J” and I had planned to go out for lunch, but since she’s a vegetarian, I had trouble coming up with a place nearby that offered good vegetarian choices. So, before I left my house to meet her, I quickly threw a few things together for our lunch.
In my refrigerator were some caramelized onions from a quiche I had just made, oven-roasted tomatoes, and baby Asian greens from the farmer’s market. I also had some lentils and spinach from an earlier meal, so I added some broth and herbes de provence, and voila, I had a soup we could enjoy, along with some Manna bread (organic, sprouted, yeast free bread) that I picked up from Whole Foods the other day.
Unfortunately, in my rush to get the kids out the door to school, and off to see “J,” I left the bag of salad in my refrigerator. But, we were still able to have a healthy, light lunch, and more importantly, some great conversation and company.
Must Read:
Susan Niebur’s amazing blog Toddler Planet to get a glimpse into the life of a cancer survivor. I heard this “warrior” speak at the BlogHer ’10 conference and was brought to tears.
More Healthy Lunch Ideas:
A Weight Lifted’s Quick Bean Salad, served on a bed of greens
My Baking Advetures’ Barley Salad with Chicken, Corn and Arugula
that’s fit’s Curry Lime Bean and Grain Salad
Anticancer Ingredients: Tomatoes, Onions, Whole Grains, Lentils, Spinach
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