Fight Cancer in all Colors

01/30/2026

I’m excited to share that at our upcoming Cancer Support Group meeting, on February 2nd, from 6 to 7 pm, we will welcome a special guest speaker: Becky Carpenter, who will present a heartfelt topic titled “Finding Hope Through the Hard.”

She will share her personal journey of losing a loved one, walking through deep grief, and slowly rediscovering strength, resilience, and hope. Her story is honest, compassionate, and meant to remind us that even in our hardest seasons, light can still break through.

We look forward to gathering together, supporting one another, and hearing a message that we believe will uplift and encourage many.

Also remember, if you cannot be here at Paris cancer center in person, you can connect with us online via TEAMS. See online meeting link below:

Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 264 135 349 500 11
Passcode: ti7Ur32X
________________________________________
Dial in by phone
+1 469-208-1360,,717006169 # United States, Carrollton
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 717 006 169 #

01/07/2026

Do you ever feel constantly hungry—even right after finishing a meal?

This often happens when your body isn’t getting enough of the right nutrients. Hunger isn’t always about quantity—it’s about quality.

Incorporating clean, high‑quality protein into your meals is one of the best ways to keep your appetite balanced. Protein helps stabilize blood sugar, supports muscle repair, reduces cravings, and keeps you fuller for longer—preventing those sudden hunger spikes that leave you reaching for snacks.

One simple way to know if you’re eating enough protein each day is to log your meals. Look at the nutrition labels and mentally total how many grams of protein you’re getting. Most people are surprised to find they fall short.

Try to include protein at every meal—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks. When you pair protein with whole, nutrient‑dense foods like vegetables, healthy fats, and fiber, you help prevent sugar spikes that can go out of control and lead to energy crashes, cravings, and continuous hunger.

Choosing a clean, intentional diet isn’t just about feeling full—it’s about giving your body steady energy, supporting healing, reducing inflammation, and nourishing yourself in a way that promotes long‑term wellness.

The current daily value (DV) for protein is 50 grams per day and is a target meant for most people. Most beans provide between 29-36% of the DV for protein per cup cooked. Boiled soybeans (or edamame) provide a whopping 63% DV.

01/05/2026

For today meeting if you cannot attend in person please use this link:

Microsoft Teams Need help?
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_M2MyYmEzNWItM2IwZC00YWY2LTlmMmItYmIyZDNiNmE1YjJj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22fab256c8-500c-4e45-ae52-bd766c1ba7ef%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%220b8a386e-2e37-4bef-b1fa-0bdead9dc057%22%7d
Meeting ID: 264 135 349 500 11
Passcode: ti7Ur32X
________________________________________
Dial in by phone
+1 469-208-1360,,717006169 # United States, Carrollton
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 717 006 169 #

01/05/2026

12/23/2025

With the holiday season just around the corner, you might be planning your festive menu...

And if you're like a lot of people, you might be wondering: should I go gluten-free for the celebrations?

Maybe you've heard friends or family swear by cutting out gluten.

Or perhaps you're one of the 20% in the industrialised world already avoiding it.

The gluten-free trend has absolutely skyrocketed in recent years — and it seems to peak during the holidays when we're all thinking about what we're putting on our plates.

But here's the question worth asking before you swap out your traditional holiday pudding or stuffing:

Is going gluten-free truly beneficial for YOUR health?

Many people assume that staying away from gluten is a healthy choice, even for those who don’t have celiac disease. In fact, a recent study that surveyed 3,000 people discovered that 20% had followed a gluten free diet, even though they had not been diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitiv...

12/23/2025

Holiday Wish

"Beautiful things do not happen because someone wishes for it. Beautiful things happen because someone makes them happen. Are you that someone…" — Sadhguru

This holiday season is more than lights and gifts—it’s a reminder of the incredible power we hold in shaping our lives and influencing the world around us. Beautiful things don’t simply appear because we hope for them; they bloom when we choose to act with intention. Every decision—what we eat, how we move, the words we speak—becomes a brushstroke on the canvas of our future.

Will we choose habits that harm, foods that poison, and routines that drain our vitality? Or will we rise each morning with courage, seeing the day as a fresh start, a sacred opportunity to nurture health, kindness, and purpose?

Though tomorrow is uncertain, today is a gift—a chance to create beauty, to make a difference, to live fully. Let this season ignite your resolve to be that someone who turns hope into reality.

Merry Christmas!

12/05/2025

What happens when we eat a Christmas cookie? - by Dr. Kevin Conner

So how much does eating sugar actually affect your immune system?

Sugar doesn’t nuke your immune system, but it does blunt its edge in a measurable, short-term way, and if you’re hitting it hard every day, the effect stacks up.

Here’s how it all works:

The short-term hit.

There’s an old but still relevant finding that said within about 30-60 minutes of eating a high-sugar load, your neutrophils (the first-responders of your immune system) slow down. They don’t chase and engulf pathogens as effectively for several hours afterward. It’s not catastrophic, but the drop is real. Think of it like your body showing up to a fight a little groggy.

But blood sugar swings matter more than the sugar itself.

When your blood glucose jumps, your body pumps out insulin. Big swings lead to:

More inflammation signaling
Higher oxidative stress
and a reduced ability of immune cells to communicate clearly
This is why one donut won’t break you, but chronic spikes keep your immune system in a stressed, distracted state.

Chronic intake sets the stage for long-term issues.

If sugar is a daily heavy hitter:

Your gut barrier weakens
Your microbiome shifts toward the “troublemaker” species
Your body pumps out more inflammatory cytokines
You get less stable white blood cell activity
Your sleep quality dips (which is a monster hit to your immunity)
So again, it’s the daily assault that really creates immune dysfunction.

The surprising part? Sugar competes with vitamin C!

This one gets tossed around online a lot and is often misquoted, but the core idea has truth to it. Glucose and vitamin C use similar pathways to get into cells. So when glucose is high, vitamin C uptake drops. That matters because vitamin C is fuel for phagocytes. Less fuel, slower cleanup of invaders.

What actually fixes the sugar impact?

Well if you are going to eat something sweet, here’s how to blunt the immune dip:

Eat protein or fat with it
Take a 10-15 minute walk afterward
Avoid eating sugar on an empty stomach
Keep overall daily sugar intake low
Your immune system cares far more about the pattern than the event.

What does this mean for holiday treats?

Grab some salami from the charcuterie board before you hit the cookie tray, and then head out for a walk around the block. Breathe some fresh air and reflect on God's goodness ☺️

To your health and healing,

Dr. Conners

11/25/2025

For our next cancer support meeting we will be talking about:

Making Sense of Sugar: Practical Tips for Survivors

December 1st from 6 pm to 7 pm online or in person

We will be joined by board-certified specialists in oncology nutrition, Karen Smith, MS, RD, CSO, LD/LDN, and Nicole Hodac, MS, RDN, CSO, LD.
We will:
• Understand the role of sugar in overall health and cancer survivorship
• Learn how to identify hidden sugars in common foods and beverages
• Discover practical label-reading tips to make informed choices
• Share simple, actionable strategies to reduce added sugars without compromising enjoyment of food
Please register for zoom meeting here:

Hybrid Paris TX, open to anyone who is impacted by cancer.

11/25/2025

A Thanksgiving Reflection

In the quiet of November’s glow,
We gather close, hearts soft and slow.
Though life may weave its trials and pain,
Within our souls, the light remains.

Cancer came, a storm, a test,
Yet in its wake, we’ve found what’s best—
The ties that bind, the love that grows,
The strength within that always shows.

This day of thanks, let gratitude pour,
For simple joys, for hearts that soar.
For every breath, for hope’s embrace,
For peace we find in life’s own space.

The power lives inside our core,
To change, inspire, and seek much more.
No matter what the world may send,
Our spirit shines—it will not bend.

Happy Thanksgiving. 🌻
May your soul be filled with peace, love, and endless gratitude.
Dana

11/17/2025

The importance of incorporating gentle Qi-gong in your daily routine has been praised by so many. Please take a minute and read and follow a simple daily routine described in the link below:

A Qigong Guide to Boosting Your ImmunityAs we move through a season of gratitude and reflection, it’s a perfect time to turn inward and focus on our well-being. In a recent Healing Connection, Master Chunyi Lin shared profound wisdom on boosting immunity, rooted in the simple yet powerful principl...

11/07/2025

Most people don’t think twice about pouring hot coffee into a to-go cup, heating tea in a travel mug, or sipping from a plastic lid. But here’s the problem: When heat meets plastic—or even certain “paper” cups—it can trigger the release of microplastics, endocrine disruptors, and other chemicals you don’t want in your system. See what Dr. Hyman recommends:

Hot beverages can release unhealthy chemicals from plastic cups. Here’s what to use instead: the safest containers for hot drinks like coffee and tea.

11/04/2025

We invite you to be a part of this inspiring event that bridges the gap between cancer treatment and survivorship. Survive & Thrive Conference 2025 will feature sessions tailored to attendees based on where they are in the cancer experience. New for 2025, follow a session track that helps you READY for the cancer experience and into survivorship, gather the tools to help SET you up to conquer the myriad of challenges cancer brings, and fill your cup with inspiration to GO forth with confidence and renewed energy.
• Survivorship Skills
• Wellness Programs
• Health Discussions

The Survive & Thrive Conference brings cancer patients, caregivers, and experts together in a relaxed, one-day event near you.