mesothelioma survivor Mary Lyons flew to Paris earlier this month with her two most valuable assets -. A centrifuge and a Border Collie named Kailani
Together they will keep her safe.
Lyon, 68, completed his fifth cycle of chemotherapy, closed his door, put his business on hold and left for Europe, where she spent eight weeks of travel the countryside.
"I feel good right now. I put my cancer in a box on the shelf for the next two months and say goodbye, "she said excitedly to his home near San Francisco before heading to the airport." It is my way not mesothelioma think for a while. I have it. "
She will go on day hikes in the chain of the Pyrenees mountains, attend a religious pilgrimage to Lourdes Catholic shrine in southwestern France and then she will join a friend who ends a 45 -day walk through the Basque country to Saint Jacques de Compostela in Spain.
Lyons will travel to Ireland to Kailani can keep the sheep where his ancestors did.
"I am a little unusual, I suppose. I still have a real taste of life, and I still do not do very well or very long. I can not imagine what it'll be like, "she said." I know it will not work forever, but I've always believed if you take care of your body, it will take care of you. "
Always Daily hike
In the fall of 2015, Lyon was said she had pleural mesothelioma, a surprising diagnosis for someone who looks so healthy. a long time technician veterinarian, it operates the life of a Marine dog, a dog-walking business highly respected in Sausalito, California.
she still walks 4-5 miles a day over rough terrain with leash, the dog clients. She now lives with his nonstop Border Collie, one of the most intelligent, high-energy breed of dog in the world.
neither Lyon nor Kailani never stop moving.
"You would not believe that I am 68 right now. A friend told me that I have a body of someone 15-20 years younger, "she said." My doctor told me, whatever I do, to continue to do so because it walking now. I teach him to think outside the box a little more. "
Before she was diagnosed, she was a believer, a healthy outdoor lifestyle. Once diagnosed, his diet has changed significantly. She cut all sugars and processed foods, focusing on an alkaline diet that discourages the growth of cancer cells.
She uses his trusty blender to make a daily juice with spinach, carrots, beets, kale, ginger, cucumbers and a variety of other vegetables available. Lyon also takes a hit of wheatgrass every other day.
Gone rum and Cokes she loved, give way to a dry red wine.
"You must help the doctor to care for you. It is a joint effort. I'll do everything I can for myself help. Find out what the cancer likes, and cut it," said -she. "I know I have something [mesothelioma], but I do not give into it. Of course, it scares the hell out of me - and I have my dark moments -. But I will not insist on it "
Prayer and life helps Survive
Lyons was hiking hills and the outdoors magnet since the age of 3 when his father began to take him on walks in the countryside. it has never stopped. she was born in California, but she lived for 20 years in Hawaii, rollerblading 5-10 miles per day. she worked as international travel agent, allowing him to tour much of the world.
"I love the city, but I'm still a country girl at heart," she said. "I like being outdoors, hiking every day with the dogs, to see what God has done. the birds, eagles, coyotes God has been good to me I know I have two convents of nuns who pray for.. me now. And I've seen studies that show people getting prayers do better. prayer works. I know he does. "
His last scan showed the removal of considerable tumor of chemotherapy. His doctors at the University of California, San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center were delighted. She was lucky to be diagnosed at an early stage when it is more treatable.
The surgery was discussed but rejected the idea at first, uncomfortable to be its feet too long. She hopes to start a clinical trial of immunotherapy when she gets home.
"This thing [cancer] changed my life and my way of thinking. It made me see the world a more compassionate eye, made me enjoy things a little more," says -it. "Initially, I was blown away by the diagnosis, but I get a lot of care, and I take care of myself."
It seems more worried now about the future of Kailani than his. Border Collie requires daily long walks and runs. They are high maintenance, which does not match the typical mesothelioma survivor profile.
This is his third Border Collie, and much like his previous animals, and Kailani Lyon are a perfect match. Kailani is seven and Lyon expects the dog has more years of operation of the hills in northern California.
"I do not have children," said Lyons. "She is my life, and I worry about what might happen, and who will be there to give her the exercise and love she needs. I hope me. "
