Belinda Emmett says: You’re welcome.

Guide_OC_amicus in NineMSN_Events says: Belinda we will go to the questions from our chat guests who have been eagerly awaiting your arrival.

Guest_LorenJayde in NineMSN_Events2 asks: Belinda, who taught you to have so much courage in yourself?

Belinda Emmett says: I guess my parents brought me up to believe in myself and to believe that anything is possible. I think I’ve always just had a very strong sense of self and more so over the past few years.

Guest_Sarah in NineMSN_Events1 asks: Belinda, thanks for your time. Firstly, you are a very strong, courageous woman and a great role model for those with cancer. I wish you all the best with everything. What led you to the alternative healing track?

Belinda Emmett says: I found that conventional medicine didn't really offer me a lot of hope and so I investigated alternative therapies and a whole new world opened up to me that I never really knew existed.

Guest_belinda_inspirer in NineMSN_Events2 asks: Belinda, your strength, courage and optimism are inspiring, thank you. I was just wondering if you could name a few of the 'alternative' therapies that you have tried or are going to try?

Belinda Emmett says: I've been to naturopaths, mora therapists (working with homeopathics), meditation, I’ve had vitamin injections, I take lots of supplements and things like that, exercise.

Guest_Cini07 in NineMSN_Events3 asks: Belinda, I am a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and I would like to ask if you have considered this type of alternative therapy, acupuncture? I have had some results and it is something worth looking at. Good luck and my prayers are with you.

Belinda Emmett says: I did acupuncture and was taking Chinese herbs while I was having chemotherapy and I found it to be extremely beneficial and definitely would like to pursue it further.

Guest_SG in NineMSN_Events1 asks: Belinda, you said that your eyes have changed colour, obviously indicating the (hopefully) complete elimination of toxins in your body. Has the cancer been reduced? Do you feel healthier within yourself? How long have you used natural therapies?

Belinda Emmett says: Yes, with bones it's difficult to tell how much, but it's definitely reduced. I absolutely feel better within myself and I’ve only been using natural therapies over the last 12 months.

Guest_sue in NineMSN_Events1 asks: Hi Belinda. What was that cake you and Charles were eating?

Belinda Emmett says: It was at an organic cafe called Soul Food in Fitzroy, Victoria, and it was a chocolate cake and it was very rich.

Guest_Schuey in NineMSN_Events7 asks: Hi Belinda. I'm a med student and found your story very interesting. Is there anything you would have liked changed about the way doctors treated you?

Belinda Emmett says: Yes, although I’ve been fortunate enough to have found very supportive doctors also, however, I feel the attitude of a lot of doctors is if they don't know about something it can't possibly help you.

Guest_SUSAN in NineMSN_Events2 asks: Hello Belinda. First I wish you well. I had BC, a rare sarcoma in 1992 ... I wanted to know specifically what sort of cancer yours was. Sarcoma or carcinoma?

Belinda Emmett says: It's breast cancer that’s spread to bones.

Guest_wommmm in NineMSN_Events3 asks: Has the natural treatment been a positive in other parts of your life as well as helping to beat the cancer?

Belinda Emmett says: Absolutely, I'm a different person physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally for the better.

Guest_markcavanough in NineMSN_Events1 asks: My mother was told she had 12 months to live ... 30 years later she is still here. Hang in there Belinda.

Belinda Emmett says: Thank you so much. I need to hear stories like that too.

Guest_Danielle in NineMSN_Events6 asks: Do you believe in God? Are you a very spiritual person?

Belinda Emmett says: Yes, I believe in God and yes I am a very spiritual person. I've found that over the last 12 months I’ve definitely built a relationship with a higher power.

Guest_Amber in NineMSN_Events5 asks: Did you know there is a hospital in Melbourne that specialises in offering western medicine and complementary medicine?

Belinda Emmett says: No, which hospital?

Guide_OC_amicus in NineMSN_Events says: Hopefully we will get an answer to that, Belinda.

Guest_Markus in NineMSN_Events3 asks: Belinda, you are such an inspiration to us all. Can you recommend a particular author on natural alternatives?

Belinda Emmett says: I found Ian Gawler’s "You Can Conquer Cancer" incredibly inspiring and informative.

Guest_Panther in NineMSN_Events1 asks: Dear Belinda , keep it up girl, I’ve got a 19-year-old son with cancer (in his spine) and you have helped inspire him (I’m sure) and tell Rove that I’m extremely jealous (only kidding) ... all my love to the both of you.

Belinda Emmett says: That’s beautiful, thank you. Chin up and everything will be fine.

Guest_Matty in NineMSN_Events5 asks: Belinda, is it hard being in the public eye and having the media scrutinise your battle with this illness? How do you cope with it?

Belinda Emmett says: It's a blessing and a curse. It's difficult, because my private life is open slather, but it's also wonderful to have a platform on which to stand and hopefully encourage and inspire other people in similar situations.

Guest_sasha in NineMSN_Events7 asks: Hi Belinda, did you have a mastectomy or lumpectomy? I wish you all the luck in the world. I was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Take care.

Belinda Emmett says: I had a lumpectomy.

Guest_Dawn in NineMSN_Events1 asks: Do you think you will ever write a book, your answer to cancer? Support and love, good luck.

Belinda Emmett says: Maybe, once all the pieces of the puzzle are there.

Guide_OC_amicus in NineMSN_Events says: Belinda, we have been told it is the Swinburne University Hospital in Hawthorne.

Belinda Emmett says: Great, thank you. I have heard of it.

Guest_tony52 in NineMSN_Events7 asks: Over the last few years, you must have pondered the meaning of life. What do you think it is?

Belinda Emmett says: I really don't know how to answer that in a sentence. I think it is what you believe it is.

Guest_nkats in NineMSN_Events4 asks: Do you think this happened for a reason and, if so, why?

Belinda Emmett says: Yes I do believe that this is something that had to happen, I'm not exactly sure why, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

Guest_Asra in NineMSN_Events5 asks: Belinda, do you still have the fear of the disease taking over your life?

Belinda Emmett says: From to time, yes, I'm only human after all.

Guest_MMM in NineMSN_Events8 asks: Hi Belinda! What do you think has been the most significant change in your life since being diagnosed with cancer? Hang in there! Warm wishes, Marcie.

Belinda Emmett says: There’s been too many significant changes to pinpoint one.

Guest_MMM in NineMSN_Events8 asks: Do you contribute your getting better to mainly change in diet?

Belinda Emmett says: I think that diet has played a big part in me doing as well as I have.

Guest_Matthew in NineMSN_Events8 asks: Belinda, you have gone through life-altering changes, are you glad you have had the opportunity to experience them? I know this is a weird question.

Belinda Emmett says: Strangely enough, yes. I've grown and learnt so much from this experience and I’m actually grateful for it.

Guest_Amanda37 in NineMSN_Events5 asks: Belinda, I was diagnosed at 28 with stage 4 cancer and two years on am still doing well. Just know that you are not alone in your quest to beat the statistics! Remember, that's all they are!

Belinda Emmett says: Thank you Amanda, that’s just what I needed to hear.

Guest_gail in NineMSN_Events2 asks: I'm really glad you’re doing natural and conventional, there's room to blend the two. Do many people you talk to say that?

Belinda Emmett says: In the circles that I move in they do, but there’s definitely people that aren't so broadminded.

Guest_Annabelle in NineMSN_Events2 asks: Belinda, will you be speaking in Sydney any time soon?

Belinda Emmett says: I'm going there for my mother’s birthday, but I don't think I’ll be speaking at any public forums.

Guest_Jacq in NineMSN_Events2 asks: Did you find in the beginning that the doctors just treated you like a statistic and underestimated your willpower?

Belinda Emmett says: I was lucky enough to have a good oncologist initially, but still think perhaps she did underestimate my willpower.

Guest_M_A_T_T in NineMSN_Events2 asks: You have shown that above all life is about having a journey to aim towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end. Should we all learn from this, that we make a choice to sit back and contemplate life or live it?

Belinda Emmett says: These are pretty heavy questions,
but my personal belief is yes, it is a journey that matters and I choose to live my life.

Guide_OC_amicus in NineMSN_Events says: Belinda so many of our guests are asking if there is an address where they can send messages of support or information.

Belinda Emmett says: They can be sent to PO Box 212, Richmond, Victoria, 3121.

Guide_OC_amicus in NineMSN_Events says: Belinda, once again, thank you for joining us tonight, unfortunately we are out of time. There are so many messages and questions we have not had time. Do you have any last words for our many guests who have joined us tonight?

Belinda Emmett says: I just want to thank everybody for their support, it's overwhelming and touching. I feel like I have my own cheer squad.

Guide_OC_amicus in NineMSN_Events says: Belinda, thank you and good night.
This concludes our Live Chat with Belinda Emmett, September 29, 2002. Produced by ninemsn.com.au in Sydney, Australia. ninemsn.com.au ©2002

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