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Robinson's book chronicles her spiritual and emotional journey continued from p.22 Robinson explained that because western doctors work within guidelines that they must adhere to, they were concerned that if she were to do both, the treatments might interfere with each other. Also, they said they didn't have scienti c proof that the natural treatments worked. "I felt really torn, because even though you don't have proof that it works, how do you know it doesn't help?" she said, noting that she was always honest and upfront with her medical team with what she was taking and doing. In her book, she describes not only her medical experiences but also her spiritual and emotional journey. Her holistic community rallied around her with advice and worked with her to help Robinson get back to being herself. She became a yoga instructor, she went for hikes, meditated, had energy work performed and met with naturopaths to cleanse her body by changing her diet. Meanwhile, she began chemo to shrink the lump, which by this point had grown to the size of a tennis ball. In the beginning, it seemed to help ­ but then the tumour started to grow out of control and doctors had seen "suspicious" spots on her lungs and lymph nodes, which would indicate stage 4 ­ which does not have a good prognosis. What makes Robinson's story unique is that she confounded the doctors when she presented with a tumour but the mass appeared dead on the inside and yet it wouldn't shrink. "At that point, I'm like, `Well, let's just get this thing out of me," said Throughout her cancer journey, Robinson went through a myriad of emotions, but made a choice to be positive. It was the start of a life change. "I'm just going to change my mindset to that I am well," she said, noting that she always used positive language like lump or bump to refer to the mass in her chest. She also refused to use the words " ght" or "struggle." It was a journey. Her journey. With the help of her holistic mentors and caregivers, she embraced the natural world and has stuck with it. Since coming though the other side, she sees life differently and lives in each moment. "I'm still doing my supplements, meditation and yoga and mindset," she said, noting that although she believes in the power of positive thought and projecting wellness as a way to ght disease within the body, it goes deeper. "If somebody says to you, you have Stage 4 cancer... what do you do with that? "You have a choice. I heard it, it was really dif cult for me to hear that but then I'm like, `I'm not buying into that, I'm not buying into that energy." Robinson said that while her bloodwork is currently clear, she would go back to her oncologist if she felt symptoms. In the meantime, she isn't going to worry and is moving on with her life. She hopes the book that came out of her experience will help others, regardless of what they're facing. "I really believe that in the end, that is what has gotten me to where I am Advertorial 23 | Friday, October 21, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com sitting in front of you today," she said of her holistic attitude. For the book, Robinson explained that she made a choice early on that she wasn't going to edit her thoughts; she wanted the readers to know what was in her head even though there were times when she felt that she had been knocked down. "I could've stayed there but I'm like, `No, I still have choices, let's move on and dust off the dirt, let's move forward,' and that's how I presented the book." She said she is now in a more positive place and lives in the present while being joyful. Robinson explained that she handles stress in a different way and believes she would not have learned those lessons if she hadn't gone through cancer and sees the disease as a teacher. She hopes her story can inspire others. "Even if it changes one person's life, even if one person reads my book and goes, `Wow, I didn't know I had those choices'... then I've done my job." For more information, visit: jillsjourney.ca Greensville author Jill Robinson speaks to supporters at her book launch for Jill's Journey, held last Friday (Oct. 15) in Oakville at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre. The book chronicles her cancer battle journey. | Franki Ikeman photo Robinson, referring to the mass. "I need to get this out of me, even if it's from a psychological comfort zone because it just, it hurts and it aches and I can't lay on it and it bothers me and I have to hide it underneath my clothing," she added. Although Robinson's treatment held plenty of set-backs, including a broken foot, she said she focused on being well, took supplements and visualized being in a healthy body. "When we're going through something like cancer, which is potentially very devastating not just physically but mentally and emotionally, there's a lot of things we can do to decrease stress in the body and part of that might be mindfulness," said Usselman-Tod. Broadway and Disney favourites The students of Linda Fletcher, Gregory Cross, Tom Oliver and Yvonne Xhang present their Broadway and Disney Favourites concert Wednesday (Oct. 26) at Walton United Church, 2489 Lakeshore Rd., at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10, $5 for children aged 12 and younger. All proceeds go to Oakville Vocal Arts Festival. Call 905-845-5076. In the Arts... 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