Tuesday November 6th, 2007
The 2nd visit to Mexico last December was a living nightmare. This is where they made the first comparison between what was diagnosed originally in September 2006 and what they were looking at now 3 months later. Whereas in September 2006 I had about 3 liver enzymes
that were somewhat high, in December I had about 8 of them out the roof, so much so that they were concerned either that I also had hepatitis (I understand it's not a great idea to have cancer and hepatitis at the same time), or that the cancer had now metastasized to the liver. In addition the doctor said I was anemic. I had other bad points (who can even remember the litany of test results he rattled off to me) and also I had a full blown kidney/bladder infection. Since they already had a sample of my blood, I gave the go-ahead for a hepatitis panel. The doctor said he'd call me in a few days when the results came back. Then he reiterated the usual disclaimers that this may not go away at all, etc. After a few hours of near retching and near fainting with my knees buckling under me, my husband helped me to make it on the shuttle and back to the hotel north of the border. While I normally don't watch television, in this case it performed its function admirably--a form of "dull-a-bye-baby" even better than the drugs I continued not to take
during that time period. When I woke up the next morning, I could say "it's a new day" and life did just what it does sometimes, by carrying on without me until I stepped on to the playing field once again. The doctor did call from Mexico a few days later to say that I had no hepatitis. An ultra sound done at the local hospital later, revealed no metastasis to the liver, or other internal organs, such as kidney, bladder, spleen, etc. We were still functioning on the good news that the cancer had not spread or gotten bigger in 3 months, so hope was once more on the horizon.
The following March for whatever reason I was once again back in pain and in the wheel chair. The cancer was still not spreading, so I asked "what gives"? My hospital doctor's evaluation after re-examining the original MRI, was that the architecture of the spinal bones was so compromised, that any shift in movement could cause that phenomenon. Their physical therapist at the hospital (all in Los Angeles) gave me some exercises that might help to build
muscle, and warned against sneezing or coughing (or try to do so with support at the back and a pillow in front), as that could precipitate a spinal fracture which would be problematic. He said
this was not theoretical, but that this type of thing had actually happened.
Subsequent visits to Mexico (after that extreme low point in December) were relatively calmer. Liver enzymes went lower, and other things in their tests seemed to be going more toward normal ranges though not by much. In a way, every visit seemed to be much
like the previous ones: all is holding steady, but no positive progress, such as bone regeneration as yet. So I learned to be grateful for the fact that the cancer still wasn't spreading. More
and more, it began to seem like the true miracle that it really and factually was! I came to accept the fact that the doctors at the Bio-Medical center in Mexico would want to see me every 3 months for some time, while they kept looking for "positive progress" without finding any. I learned to accept the fact that it might take a while to reverse the cancer, since after all, these were all natural methods...all this, while I continued eating the primal diet exclusively, and the recommended herbs. I was determined to hold the confidence I had originally in what I was doing, and also in the fact that I felt (after reading approximately 30 books and even more
articles on cancer) that I was partaking in the best treatment possible in this situation--again without getting too exotic with other things that hadn't been statistically proven nor specifically
recommended by either my nutritionist, Aajonus, or the Bio-Medical Center doctors, unless I knew that what I was doing was definitely not working or that more was needed. Also, I felt there was some sense to not flying off in all directions and doing a little of everything, for who knows what benefit. And there is always good sense in putting one's most positive face forward and trying to reassure everyone, as well as reassuring myself.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
...cancer details and initial actions taken...
As soon as I could, I saw Aajonus for an exam and specific diet plan, got my medical records out of the hospital in Los Angeles including the x-rays they took at first, the CT scan and MRI, plus copies of the contents of my medical file, and within a few days my husband and I were off to Mexico to get the herbs.
I will quote some of those medical file reports dated 9/2/06:
"multiple spinal metastases. Unknown primary cancer. There is complete replacement of the sacrum especially the upper portion by a probable neoplastic process. Large fibroid uterus" (this one in the uterus is a benign, meaning a non-malignant tumor) "measuring 8.8 cm in diameter for the dominant fibroid. There is also involvement of various vertebral bodies by this metastatic process. Please see MRI for additional information on vertebral body metastases."
The doctor at the hospital showed me the MRI on his lap-top computer. I didn't know to look for a sacrum that should have been there, but the doctor did point out that same large tumor covering the first 3 lower vertebrae. There were masses, lesions and damage everywhere on the spine. The 2nd largest tumor was at the top of the spine, at the base of the skull. As for the main large non-malignant fibroid, it was oval in shape, and quite large.
In addition to the first visit to Mexico, my husband has taken me back to visit the Bio-Medical Center every 3 months since September of '06. Their usual tests have been blood, urine and X-Rays, in addition to the original X-Ray, cat scan and MRI which I brought with me on my first trip there. I have likewise seen the local hospital oncologist locally every 3 months, usually just before each trip to Mexico. He knows I don't want chemotherapy, since it is known not to have much success with the type of cancer they think I have. (In the absence of a biopsy, I was told that my most likely type of cancer was multiple myeloma). The oncologist said that multiple myeloma could be monitored with blood tests alone, so mercifully I did not have to keep doing more cat scans and MRI's beyond the first ones. The advantage of having the X-rays done in Mexico is that they don't give you a lot of radiation (they give much less than cat scans), and also the radiologist in Mexico is able to see what he needs to see from these, namely spread or shrinkage, indications of new bone growing etc. By the way, the Bio-Medical Center is not your "mom and pop" herb shop--they have medical doctors, a radiologist and oncologist, and lab technicians, and the full support staff that they need.
In that first visit to Mexico, the medical doctor there advised me to get radiation on the lower tumor, so it wouldn't expand any further. That one expanding could have resulted in loss of bladder control, bowel control and the function of the left leg entirely. I was told that the herbs might not be of help right away because it usually takes 3-6 months for them to level in the blood stream to be able to have any effect on the tumor. I had already partially lost bladder control, and my head had developed an involuntary "shake" that was perceptible to me but not to others, so what the doctor said was not out of line as far as I could see. Also, the MRI showed
the cancer in the bone marrow, with the spinal nerves nearby or next in the line of attack, so to say. Back at home, Aajonus, based on his experience with himself and others, thought that radiation was not a good idea. Plus the local hospital doctors wouldn't order radiation (or any treatment) without a biopsy, so there I was between the proverbial rock and the hard place. If ever I wanted to go in to training to develop what might remotely resemble a few
nerves of steel, now was the time...
I did not get any radiation. I continued with the primal diet and I started taking the herbs, and continued with life, seeing family and friends, writing poetry and (oh my gosh) trying to figure out our taxes. None of the bad consequences ever materialized. Around October through December I was developing more mobility, and was feeling much better than I expected (the diet being especially rejuvenating). I could walk, drive the car, and care for myself mostly. With the bold confidence of the truly naive, at that point I even figured the cancer would be gone in a few months, no problem.
I will quote some of those medical file reports dated 9/2/06:
"multiple spinal metastases. Unknown primary cancer. There is complete replacement of the sacrum especially the upper portion by a probable neoplastic process. Large fibroid uterus" (this one in the uterus is a benign, meaning a non-malignant tumor) "measuring 8.8 cm in diameter for the dominant fibroid. There is also involvement of various vertebral bodies by this metastatic process. Please see MRI for additional information on vertebral body metastases."
The doctor at the hospital showed me the MRI on his lap-top computer. I didn't know to look for a sacrum that should have been there, but the doctor did point out that same large tumor covering the first 3 lower vertebrae. There were masses, lesions and damage everywhere on the spine. The 2nd largest tumor was at the top of the spine, at the base of the skull. As for the main large non-malignant fibroid, it was oval in shape, and quite large.
In addition to the first visit to Mexico, my husband has taken me back to visit the Bio-Medical Center every 3 months since September of '06. Their usual tests have been blood, urine and X-Rays, in addition to the original X-Ray, cat scan and MRI which I brought with me on my first trip there. I have likewise seen the local hospital oncologist locally every 3 months, usually just before each trip to Mexico. He knows I don't want chemotherapy, since it is known not to have much success with the type of cancer they think I have. (In the absence of a biopsy, I was told that my most likely type of cancer was multiple myeloma). The oncologist said that multiple myeloma could be monitored with blood tests alone, so mercifully I did not have to keep doing more cat scans and MRI's beyond the first ones. The advantage of having the X-rays done in Mexico is that they don't give you a lot of radiation (they give much less than cat scans), and also the radiologist in Mexico is able to see what he needs to see from these, namely spread or shrinkage, indications of new bone growing etc. By the way, the Bio-Medical Center is not your "mom and pop" herb shop--they have medical doctors, a radiologist and oncologist, and lab technicians, and the full support staff that they need.
In that first visit to Mexico, the medical doctor there advised me to get radiation on the lower tumor, so it wouldn't expand any further. That one expanding could have resulted in loss of bladder control, bowel control and the function of the left leg entirely. I was told that the herbs might not be of help right away because it usually takes 3-6 months for them to level in the blood stream to be able to have any effect on the tumor. I had already partially lost bladder control, and my head had developed an involuntary "shake" that was perceptible to me but not to others, so what the doctor said was not out of line as far as I could see. Also, the MRI showed
the cancer in the bone marrow, with the spinal nerves nearby or next in the line of attack, so to say. Back at home, Aajonus, based on his experience with himself and others, thought that radiation was not a good idea. Plus the local hospital doctors wouldn't order radiation (or any treatment) without a biopsy, so there I was between the proverbial rock and the hard place. If ever I wanted to go in to training to develop what might remotely resemble a few
nerves of steel, now was the time...
I did not get any radiation. I continued with the primal diet and I started taking the herbs, and continued with life, seeing family and friends, writing poetry and (oh my gosh) trying to figure out our taxes. None of the bad consequences ever materialized. Around October through December I was developing more mobility, and was feeling much better than I expected (the diet being especially rejuvenating). I could walk, drive the car, and care for myself mostly. With the bold confidence of the truly naive, at that point I even figured the cancer would be gone in a few months, no problem.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
People have asked to hear Barbara's story. I am placing it here for people to view. The first entry, quoted here now, was originally placed on the http://www.wewant2live.blogspot.com blog on November 1st, 2007.
A cancer survivor in-the-making gives us her story
This was sent to me by Barbara - the same lady whose photo was taken as she strangles the cancer monstor, at the bottom of the home page of www.wewant2live.com. It is being presented in four parts.
"First let me give the usual and appropriate disclaimers that I am not qualified to give medical advice of any sort.
Anyone with diagnosed cancer should seek competent medical help or as they so choose.
What I am relaying is my own story only. It goes without saying that it is up to anyone with an illness to become informed, ask any questions and make the best choices for him or herself. There are resources available for information and help, a few of which are known to me. If my story gives any hope or incentive to another person with cancer, then it will have been worthwhile to assemble what's written here, with much personal information about myself, and send it along to you.
Also nothing I am saying should be construed to mean that I am against all medical treatment for all situations, because that would not be true. A combination of two circumstances namely, no medical cure in sight for what I had, and my inclination to favor natural treatments first, steered me in the direction of choosing the holistic route as the sole source of treatment for myself at the outset. I figured if medical treatment options came along later that might prove successful, I could always use them in addition to, or instead of what I was doing. And I continued paying monthly health insurance premiums, since I knew I might need doctors and other hospital/medical resources, come what may.
During the Labor Day weekend of 2006, I was told at a hospital in Los Angeles, that the reason I couldn't walk was because I had advanced spinal cancer. This was after an MRI and CT scan were done. The doctor told me that the cancer had most likely metastasized (spread) from some primary source, but they did not know from where, since these same tests showed that the internal organs were apparently "clean". Since it was Labor Day and they had a skeleton crew, I was sent home to call in and schedule a biopsy, so that they could take a tissue sample and determine the primary source. I was also told to schedule radiation--not that this would cure me, but it could possibly cause the largest tumor at the base of the spine to shrink some. The first thing I did after I was gotten home (with the help of crutches and a walker), was to get internet data on biopsies. According to what I read, the risk of causing the cancer to spread by dragging known malignant tissue from the spine through the body, was not worth knowing what the primary source of the cancer was, without exhausting other methods first.
I then called a nutritionist Aajonus Vonderplanitz as he was already familiar to me. He had dealt with cancer patients, including his own situation which was over 30 years earlier. I had seen Aajonus about 6-7 years earlier. I went on the primal diet then for a year, and had a big resurgence in health, since I was finally able to handle insomnia and get good sleep and heal. Then I figured I didn't need it anymore since I was now "healthy", so I went off the primal diet--big mistake. In our Sept 06 visit, Aajonus agreed with my internet research that doing a biopsy first might not be advisable, plus it might not be necessary in order to start treatment. I know that holistic practitioners tend to view cancer as a whole body disease, as opposed to a disease of one or more particular organs. There is certainly no harm in starting to treat the whole body. He then proceeded to give me a diet plan to follow of all raw foods, at least until I could see him for some non-invasive testing called iridology, which is an examination of the irises of both eyes. He also recommended certain herbs that were non-toxic, and told me where in Mexico I could get these herbal preparations. The main herbal tonic is based on Harry Hoxsey's formula, and the clinic is called the Bio-Medical Center. It is located in Tijuana".
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