Crazy Sexy Cancer
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| Crazy Sexy Cancer | |
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| Directed by | Kris Carr |
| Written by | Kris Carr |
| Produced by | Kris Carr, Brian Fassett, Beth Nathanson |
| Edited by | Marc Senter |
Release date |
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Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Crazy Sexy Cancer is a documentary film created by actress/photographer Kris Carr. The film premiered on March 11, 2007, at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival, and had its US television premiere on August 29, 2007, on TLC. The film was edited by Pagan Harleman and Brian Fassett. The music was composed by Matthew Puckett.
The film tells the story of Carr's battle with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE),[1]Kris Carr has also written two books, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips, based upon the film, and Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor.[2]
Plot summary
Crazy Sexy Cancer is the personal video diary of Kris Carr, a young actress, photographer, and filmmaker. Carr's struggle with cancer begins after a visit to the doctor, following a particularly difficult yoga class. Initially thinking it was a yoga-related injury, Carr is devastated to learn she has a rare form of cancer, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE). Despite its rarity, Carr is told that her tumors are not behaving aggressively, and so her doctor advises that she "watch and wait" for two months before having more tests to determine whether the tumors change, grow, or remain the same.[3] Despite the grim prognosis, Carr refuses to accept her sickness as an end to her life, and sets out to explore alternative methods with which to fight her cancer. After her doctor recommends she start taking care of her body with diet and exercise, Carr is determined to "take that crumb and turn it into a cake."[4] Her first stop out of the doctor's office is a shopping trip to the organic grocer Whole Foods. Her careful and precise monitoring of her food intake allows her a sense of control which she finds comforting.
Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma
As Carr discovers at the beginning of the film, she has a rare form of cancer called epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE). In Kris Carr's case, she has tumors affecting the blood vessels in her liver and lungs. From the doctor's explanation, her liver has so many tumors it looks like Swiss cheese. EHE is so rare, it is only diagnosed 200 to 300 times a year, or to about .1 percent of the population.[3] Characteristics of the cancer include a tumor that rarely metastasizes and is very difficult to diagnose. As is the case with Kris Carr, it is "most often an incidental finding in young asymptomatic women."[5]
Finding a doctor
Kris Carr conducts her search for an oncologist almost as if she were conducting a job interview.[3] She makes it clear that what she does not want is a doctor that will focus on the negative aspect of her illness, and instead searches for a doctor that will support her in her plan to live her life to the fullest. One doctor suggests she undergo a triple organ transplant (both her lungs and her liver), an idea that Carr does not take a liking to, particularly because it is so invasive and not necessary.[3] She eventually finds Dr. George Demetri, director of the Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and his optimism about Carr's situation allows for a great relationship between doctor and patient.
"Healing Junkie"
Carr refuses to sit back and wait for her body to be ravaged by her cancer. When her doctor tells her to try to boost her immune system by changing her diet and lifestyle, Carr clings to this hope with as much fervor as possible. She starts by ditching her old habits of turning to convenient "low-fat" diet foods and trades it in for a new vegan diet. She enrolls in a healing program by Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida and immediately her refrigerator is filled with such foods as "leafy greens, vegetables, sprouted grains, nuts, seeds, and every kind of juice possible, including tons of wheatgrass."[6]
Alternative medicine
In addition to her new diet, Carr also adopts a new, healthier way of life that includes detoxing her body through exercise and alternative medicine. She subjects herself to enemas as well as treats herself to massages and new-wave therapies such as infrared saunas.[6] She sees a chiropractor and an acupuncturist, all in pursuit of finding an alternative way to battle her illness. While it is yoga that initially brings Carr to her diagnosis, it also helps Carr in her healing process. Yoga becomes a part of her daily activities. In addition to improving her physical well-being, Carr approaches her cancer with a certain amount of spirituality. She visits a Zen Monastery, and even develops her own "special space" where she spends at least 10 minutes every day praying, meditating, and giving thanks for her family, friends, and the life she lives.[6] As she describes in both her film and her books, Cancer is her guru. As Carr describes it, "Cancer creates pandemonium."[7] Instead of succumbing to the cancer, Carr says, you should use it for your spiritual growth, an idea that Carr adopted well in her healing journey.
Crazy sexy life
In the movie, Carr emphasizes the importance of having a "cancer posse." In addition to documenting her own personal illness narrative, Carr also interviews other young women who suffer from cancer, and how they have chosen to live with it as though it were a blessing rather than a curse. Crazy Sexy Cancer is Carr's first piece of work. Her other publications include two books titled, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips and Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor: More Rebellion and Fire for Your Healing Journey. These books include articles and introductions by other famous female cancer survivors, including Sheryl Crow, Marisa Acocella Marchetto, Diem Brown, Jackie Farry, and many more. In addition to the film and books, Carr has essentially pioneered an entire online community intended to support other strong-willed women in their fight against cancer. When Carr was originally diagnosed, she felt alone and confused in her struggle.
References
- ^ Living with Cancer: Kris Carr's Story
- ^ Excerpt: "Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor" (abc news)
- ^ a b c d Stein, Lisa. Scientific American Special Edition. June 2008 Special Edition, Vol. 18 Issue 3, p6-13
- ^ Carr, Kris. Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. Skirt Publications, 2007.
- ^ Lopes, T, et al. "Pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma - rarity, diagnosis and treatment difficulties." Revista Portuguesa De Pneumologia [Rev Port Pneumol] 2009 Nov-Dec; Vol. 15 (6), pp. 1167-74.
- ^ a b c Carr, Kris. "Fearless." Natural Health April 2008
- ^ Carr, Kris. Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor: More Rebellion and Fire for Your Healing Journey. Skirt Publications, 2007.