Well, well, well... Here we are one year later. Still battling the beast. I can't believe it's been a year already. My how time flies when you're having fun. NOT!!
My PET scan from the 19th shows that the tumor continues to grow. The good news though, it's my only spot. The left lung remains clear. The Tarceva that I was on did nothing other than giving me awful side effects.
So I'm done. Not with my fight. Oh no, I am still fighting the beast. I'm just not continuing with
I am officially taking... A Leap of Faith!
February 6, 2015
Since my initial diagnosis, I have spent the last year researching alternative treatments. Something that has bothered me from day one is that any form of chemo also attacks healthy cells as well. I need those healthy cells if I want to survive this!
In my searching I came across Cannabis Oil as a form of treatment, so in April of 2014, I applied for my Medical Marijuana Card and got started on that.
Originally, my tumor did shrink and the cancer in my left lung had disappeared, so I thought that maybe I was on to something. However, by Fall, my tumor was growing once again.
My oncologist recommended the drug Taxol every three weeks through my port. It's a rough chemo drug she informed me. NO!... I am NOT doing it!! I am DONE with chemo...! Period...! End Of Story...!!!
In fact, a week ago this past Thursday I went in and had the damn port removed. That port had been in for 360 days and there was NOT one day that went by that I wasn't aware of it. It always hurt like Hell. The doctor who removed it said it would be a 30 minute procedure; because she said she would have to wiggle it around to break off the scar tissue. It took 15 minutes... After she had it out she remarked that obviously my body didn't want it either because there was no scar tissue build up... at all.
I spent a year doing what my oncologist wanted. Did the chemo, took that damn Neuprogen shot the day after only to have it make me feel awful for several days afterward. Lost my hair... was tired... had heartburn... felt like my esophagus was burned... NO THANK YOU!! Been there... Done that... So over it!
NEVER.. At any time.. Did I EVER say that I had quit fighting!!
So as I've said, I've spent all of last year researching alternatives treatments. Tried the Cannabis Oil with chemo... didn't work... Instead, I've turned to the Chinese/ Japanese Medicine for healing. I am now working with a Reiki practitioner and I have had my initial consultation with a woman who as been practicing Chinese Herbalogy, Iridology, Meditation and Acupuncture for 40 years. I am now working with her... I take a multitude of vitamins, mineral supplements and Chinese herbs. She said it was important for me to go in for blood work and have my vitamin D level checked.. I did... Low and behold, it's low... and... I'm also anemic thanks to that damn chemo pill Tarceva. Talked with my herbalist and picked up two more supplements for that.
I joined a gym the first of the year and work out three days a week. I'm on a very strict diet... My motto is: No meats, no sweets, no wheat and no dairy. Guess what? I'm feeling phenomenal!! And since my original diagnosis back in December of 2013, I have lost 29 pounds and still counting. MY choice, NOT the cancers!!!! The pain that had come back... Gone! I do go April 27th for a new PET scan. So we'll see if my decision has been the correct one or not.
I suggest reading the book: "Radical Remission" by Kelly Turner... It was the catalyst I needed... If I didn't know better, I would swear that I was interviewed for this book because I saw so much of myself in it.
So my dear supporters, I bravely forge ahead into the unknown... But then, isn't that how life is anyway? Much love to you all; and as always, thank you again for your support... I truly appreciate it!!
