How I Beat “the kanser”

How I Beat “the kanser”

Kris Carr of “Crazy, Sexy, Cancer” fame said not to give “your” cancer any notoriety or power by labeling it “my cancer.” She went even further, preaching even to spell it wrong when possible in order to take away its power over you. Though it is not always appropriate, I try my hardest not to call it “my cancer” and to spell it incorrectly when I can. Below is the “LONG” version of “the” (my) cancer story. It is not meant to be an award winning narrative, but just the details of how I overcame a cancer diagnosis through holistic methods.

Stage II Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Diagnosis

In the Fall of 2004 I found a lump in my neck. Knowing that my mom’s twin sister had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as a teenager, I was concerned. It was examined, MRI’d and then I was given the option for a biopsy. I was just out of college and was very intimidated by the cost of all of this medical care, so I opted to “wait” for a biopsy, was given antibiotics, and the lump shrunk…temporarily.

In September of 2008, almost 4 years after my initial discovery of my neck’s enlarged “cervical” lymph node, I found a new lump- this time in my right armpit. I was calm and told my husband of barely 3 months, Kevin when I got home. About a week later, I was in the general practitioner’s office. Within an hour I was getting lab work, then immediately sent to Piedmont Hospital here in Atlanta for a consultation with a surgeon who scheduled me for a full lumpectomy/ biopsy the next day!

It took two weeks for the official results. The good news- it was a slow moving Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with an excellent prognosis. “Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin’s Lymphoma”- a mouth full!  Bad news- the recommended treatment was 3 months (4 cycles) of R-CHOP chemotherapy and radiation*.  Side effects- hair loss, nausea, mouth sores, and the worst of all- INFERTILITY.

My first oncologist scheduled me for a CT/PET scan to confirm the suspected Stage II diagnosis, along with a bone marrow biopsy. Over the next few weeks I did both, and both came back confirming what Dr. M thought: Stage IIA. The lump in my the left side of my neck was the original site of the cancer, spreading to my lymph node in my right armpit. Even though the large lymph node on the right side of my body was removed in its entirety via excisional biopsy (and no other cancer on the right side was detected in the subsequent CT/PET scan), the classification was still set at Stage II. The letter “A” was given to indicate my lack of B-symptoms.  B-symptoms included high fever for days, excessive weight loss, drenching night sweats, and/or skin rashes, among others.

While I was awaiting my impending doom of chemotherapy and mourning the loss of my future children, Kevin began researching alternative cancer treatment. The first source Kevin came in contact with was a man named Jerry Brunetti. Jerry healed his Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with nutritional therapies. He had an online presentation that made so much sense to us. He presented the individual healing powers of the food he consumed while healing from cancer. It all made so much sense to us when the conventional treatment didn’t.

Kevin also began ordering different books on alternative cancer protocols. One of these was Bill Henderson’s “Cancer-Free: Your Guide to Non-Toxic Healing”. He shared stories of people who cured their cancer naturally- without drugs or radiation. I really struggled with the idea of this. How could this “natural” treatment be so effective, but yet doctors continue to treat almost exclusively with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery? It must be because modern American medicine was superior to simple diet changes and small town cancer cures, right? I read Bill’s book in one day and throughout the month of November began following his protocol 100%.

On November 4th I began a strict regimen of 2/3 cup organic cottage cheese and 6 tablespoons of flaxseed oil for breakfast every morning, a series of vitamins and supplements, and an immune “booster” made mainly from baker’s yeast called Beta Glucan. My diet was strictly raw vegetables and juices. I even limited fruit to 2 servings per day. No sugar, meat, caffeine, processed foods, or cooked food.

December brought a new discovery- the Living Foods Institute here in Atlanta. Kevin saw their ad in a newspaper at my Holistic MD’s office. He and I both registered for the January 12 day course and detoxification. There I was introduced to new ways to enjoy raw foods. This helped me with the depression that comes with eating a diet of raw vegetables all day during a time of year when Americans feast and celebrate with so many sugary and rich foods.

At the Living Foods Institute I received 7 colonics to detox my colon. I say I was in “perfect health” before my diagnosis, but the truth is my digestion was a mess! I had chronic constipation and gas issues. Something was just not right. I had a SAD diet (Standard American Diet) of eating habits and my body was starving for nutrients! This is what I believe to be the main cause of my cancer. My body wasn’t eliminating correctly and became TOXIC.

During this time we found out about Ty Bollinger’s book: “Cancer: Think Outside the Box”. In it we found reassurance that what we were doing was God’s plan for my healing. We also read more about the research and success of holistic approach to cancer treatment. I began drinking Essiac tea as another weapon against the lymphoma. I believe it was this that really detoxified my lymph system. We also bought an Alkaline Water Ionizer and all of the kitchen supplies we needed to prepare “Living” Foods. Living this lifestyle is a lot of work. I had never sprouted a thing in my life and now I was sprouting wheat grass. lentils, and mung beans and juicing wheat grass every morning!  I also began HcG Testing, a much cheaper and easy way to monitor the cancer. I began this in November and took a follow up in January right before the Living Foods Institute. I dropped almost an entire point in my score, excellent progress!

Also, exercise and detoxification was important. We bought a Cellerciser rebounder after learning about Kris Carr, author of “Crazy Sexy Cancer” from a fellow classmate at Living Foods Institute. It was after LFI that I saw and knew I was on the right track. It helped to be around other people who had a similar mind set as I did.

In February 2009, after almost 4 month my days were starting to feel “normal”. During this process my husband, myself, and my doctors kept physical track of the cancerous lymph node in my neck. At the next oncologist’s visit my doctor couldn’t even find the lump. It had shrunk to the touch completely. I was scheduled to take my next HcG test in March.

But instead I found out I was pregnant. My husband and I didn’t know what to think of this, but we knew the chance was there since I had gone off all prescription medication including birth control. What should have been a joyous event ended up being a scary one. I even had an OBGYN who refused to take me as a patient because “I refused to treat my cancer.” My parents and other friends and family were extremely skeptical of our decision from the beginning. The pregnancy only made it more difficult. It was during this time that any negative feedback from anyone had to be turned off in my head. I knew the importance of positive and prayerful thinking.

Through March and April we waited. I continued Bill’s protocol up until April when I started getting severe morning sickness. Anything green instantly induced vomiting. I knew I had to eat to nurture my baby, but the food that was fighting the cancer was not an option. The next few weeks I lived off almond butter, apples, and organic saltines. I also could no longer monitor the cancer through HcG testing since human fetuses have high levels of HcG.  This was an extremely scary time.

It is  ironic that shortly after I began surviving off of my 3 morning sickness staples, my oncologist gave us the shocking news that I was in remission! May 4th, 2009 I was declared in “clinical” remission and I have had a clean bill of health since then. My new oncologist did not think that that CT or PET scans were a superior way to monitor the cancer because of its indolent nature and the unnecessary radiation the scans would have on my body. (Remember- this was not a traditional Hodgkin’s lymphoma.) Instead, I continue to be monitored via bloodwork and physical examinations.  Following several months of excellent health reports, I received “clinical” remission status. I went on to have an unmedicated and natural birth to Ruby-Claire Campbell on November 19th 2009. She is truly a miracle! And so is her mom.

As of this writing I am still in clinical remission. I celebrate this, but also don’t use it as an excuse to go back to my old ways. My diet is not as extreme as it was in the beginning, but I still stay completely away from sugar, processed foods, and conventional foods. I rarely eat meat, but when I do, it is grassfed, free-range meat or wild-caught fish. I eat a TON of nutrient-dense, organic vegetables: a big, colorful salad and 64 ounce veggie smoothie everyday. I still drink green tea and take 26 purposeful vitamin supplements a day. I have missed very few days of Cottage Cheese/Flaxseed Oil since I started.

I think there is a place for conventional medical treatment and intervention/monitoring. For my husband and I, it was a PRAYERFUL decision to approach the cancer the way we did. We believe that God gave us a fully functioning, self-healing body that when brought back to its original state can fight off malfunctioning cell growth like cancer. It will be a journey to keep the cancer away, not a destination. That is how we hope America will begin to look at health. I hope I can be an inspiration to encourage this belief.

*For those familiar with lymphoma, ABVD was not recommended because my lymphocytes expressed a molecule called CD20, which is the target of the Rituxan – a monoclonal antibody made from mouse and human serum.  Dr. M had seen better results using Rituxan in combination with a “classic” chemotherapy like CHOP in treating NLPHL than in using ABVD.  Hence, R-CHOP was the prescribed method of treatment.

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25 thoughts on “How I Beat “the kanser”

  1. hi there just found u because i just noticed i have one enlarged cervical lymph node on my right side. it not rock hard..its actually kinda soft and movable and only .5 cm maybe .75cm.. can u tell me how big were you nodes? were they hard? I’m sorry I’m freaking out a bit.

    • Don’t ever freak out. Just go get it checked out and change any habits that you know need changing. 🙂 Lot of suggestions on my blog! Mine was about the size of a walnut and firm.

  2. Hi…

    Nice to know you from this web. I just want to ask
    How you monitoring your progress with bloodwork ?
    What type bloodwork?
    Can it check in PrOdia lab?

    And its HCG test can be checked in Prodia lab or must check to Your doctor?

    Btw, essiac tea can make the tumor enlarged before shrink. It’s that true?

    Thank you for your kindly answer.
    Gbu

  3. Hi… Congratulation on your story i hope you are feeling well.
    I was wondering if you could share with me your current diet.. ie. how much do you juice a day? what type of juices/ smoothies. As well what kind of supplements do you take? With your cottage cheese+flex oil how many spoon per oil do you have,

    Thank you for your help,

    Dagmara x

  4. In July of 2006 I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in my brain. I had emergency surgery, chemo and radiation, Then, fed up with medicine, doctors and hospitals I signed myself out of the hospital and went on the “Henderson potocol”, but with meat, cooked vegetables and salads So now when I tell others with cancer what to eat, andwhat not to eat, and after I’ve said, “NO CARBS or STARCHES”they ask “What can I eat then?” So now I’ll refer them to your wonderful website and point out that you were not only eating to restore your immune system , but also eating to make a baby, so if they’ve gotten too thin there’s plenty of hope for them yet. Thinking of your carrying on, not caving in to all the pressure to terminate the pregnancy that I imagine you were under and how strong your faith that God wouldn’t give you a baby if he wanted you to throw it away and now you have your precious Ruby-Claire to make you happy! Happy!! HAPPY!!! Filling your body with the most powerful healing endorphins there are. So there’s even more proof that God generously rewards faith…Be well, stay strong, and thank you for your hope inspiring web site. All best wishes and sincere prayers for you, Diana

  5. I beat my terminal brain cancer with Bill’s protocol and meat and vegetables. but when I meet a vegetarian with cancer (which is an extremely rare occurance) or anyone else who, when told “don’t eat sugar or high carbs”, replys “what can I eat then?”) I’ll refer them to your web site. You are a Godsend. Bless you. and congratulations! on your adorable Ruby-Claire, (I suspect you were given the option of terminating that pregnancy.) I applaude your courage, and faith in God, that you kept on going, trusting, and healing
    All Best wishes on your continued good health… there’nothing like the joy of having the darling baby you thought you might never have, to fill your body with healing endorphins, sincerely, Gliobeater1

  6. Hello there, I am very happy for you. I am a mother of two . Am treating my disease with natural way. How long you were on the program? I have changed different protocol. But i still have a large tumor. Please can you give some advance. Thanks be blessed . Enjoy with the family.

  7. First off, I am so happy you shared your story but even more elated that you are in remission!

    I recently read a great book ‘The China Study’ written by T. Colin Campbell, PHD and Thomas M. Campbell, MD…what an eye opener. Until reading that book, I, like many individuals was unaware of any ‘alternative’ ways of trying to beat cancer. I’ve become accustomed to associating treatments like radiation and chemotherapy to cancer. After reading ‘The China Study’ I undoubtedly believe that what we feed our bodies has an impact on what illnesses we can conquer. It is shocking to me that many physicians blatantly state that diet has no impact on beating many illnesses. A car is affected by what we fuel it with….shouldn’t we be too. If you haven’t read “The China Study” yet I urge you to do so.

    God Bless you and your family.

  8. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story. It is indeed inspiring and uplifting. It has given me hope and knowledge to fight a similar case. I have been diagnosed with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma; as for the subtype and stage, we still need to find out. So far, what has been done are some tests on two enlarged nodes that were taken under my chin. It’s been almost two months of finding out the cause of my swollen chin and the nodes under it. I know that there will be more tests to do to determine the subtype and the stage/grade. I feel that I am losing valuable time waiting for the results (Medical treatment is rather slow and expensive here in the Philippines), so I have decided to try out natural healing.

    I have eliminated meat and dairy in my diet. Good thing we don’t eat a lot of processed and junk food at home, so it’s quite easy to adjust. I would like to follow your diet which consists of green smoothies, budwig, and essiac. I just have a few concerns in mind:

    1) For the budwig, do I need some special kind of cottage cheese? Can I purchase one at a local supermarket? The flaxseed oil I would order from someone who goes outside the country every now and then. It’s difficult to find nuts, oils, and whole grain products here in the Philippines, as far as my experience and research are concerned.

    2) I have read one website regarding the use of Essiac Tea by Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma patients . It simply MENTIONS that it is not advisable because it would trigger the growth of a particular type of cell. However, the other sites and testimonials show that the teas has worked for the patients.

    3) Did you have any other protocols aside from this regimen? To be honest, I am not sure which ones to try. I know I should combine, but I don’t know which ones. I am certain about all raw and greens, exercise, proper breathing, positive and calm disposition, some natural supplements (barley, aica, guyabano), but, as mentioned, am lost as to the other protocols that I should be doing. I would like to consult with a medical practitioner who is into natural healing, but it’s rather rare in the country; there are some, but each has his/her own strict regimen, not to mention, really expensive. 🙁

    Thank you for taking the time to read my comments. Your advice would be highly appreciated.

    God bless you and your family!

    Antonio

  9. Hi, I have been absolutely amazed in reading your story.
    My career as aRegistered Nurse one often only hears of conventional therapy & natural alternative methods not recognized. A family member has end stage Multiple Myleoma, a blood cancer of plasma cells. At his last Hematologist consult he was told is disease was fatal & may not be alive by Christmas. Our home is in Australia & I’m very interested in maybe attending the HealingStrong Conference in Atlanta so I may learn more how I can help with his alternative treatments.

  10. Thank you for your article which I found in researching Essiac Tea recommended by a friend after i was diagnosed with a small malignant mass in a breast several days ago. I live in Atlanta, Ga and would appreciate having the name of any of the alternative health practitioners in Atlanta that you found helpful in your treatment. Thank you! Sincerely, Susanna Stoltzfus

      • Hi! I was wondering if you have found any holistic practitioners since this post in 2013? I was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I am hesitant to do chemo (ABVD), but also hesitant to go with an all-natural approach. I really need wisdom from God…

  11. Without looking at my official biopsy which is filed away in my file cabinet…I believe the one in my neck was 4 x 3 cm. The lymph node in my armpit was (and again I am estimating) 8 x 4 cm. The one in my right armpit was completely removed for biopsy. The other was identified by a physical examination and PET and CAT scan along with likely smaller cancerous lymph node activity in my right rib cage below the larger tumor that was removed.

  12. Hi,
    What was the size of the lymph nodes you found on your neck and in your armput ?

    Could you explain what is full lumpectomy/ biopsy ?
    How many lymph nodes were examined ?

    Thanks.

  13. Hi! What a great and inspirational story! Even though it’s been a while since you got a “clean bill” I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS on your awesome journey, health and most of all – your daughter. Seems like you have a wonderful and supportive husband and you’re a strong person. I’m trying to do the same. I was diagnosed with BC at theage of 31, had 4 chemo’s and then found out about alternatives, so refused other 4 chemo’s, radiation and 5 years of Tamoxifen. I’ve been fighting it and I know it’s possible to win this! I find you an inspiration, and I return to your blog almost every day to find inspiration and a “pick me up” 😉 Thank you for sharing your story! Wishing you and your family all the best 😉

  14. Hi! I just wanted to drop a note to say congratulations on beating the kanser! I have so much respect for the way you went about it. My family is full of cancer. All four of my grandparents have had cancer and three of them died from it. My father also had it and beat it with hormone therapy. I am so sad that my grandparents didn’t realize how they contributed to the development of the cancer with their bad eating habits and some of their lifestyle choices. I am going to try to prevent cancer, but if I do get it someday, I will face it holistically like you did. For now I am trying to take baby steps toward better health and blogging about it (emilychoosinghealth.blogspot.com. I am going to share your blog with my fiance’s step-father who is battling prostate cancer.

    • Emily- your blog is great! It sounds like we have a lot in common. Did you find me through “Crunchy Mamas?” My family is similar- a lot of cancer going on. I KNOW that diet is a big part of the battle and also our environment and chemicals in our water supply, skin products, etc…As I read once “Genes put the cancer bullets in the chamber. Our lifestyle pulls the trigger.” Keep up your little changes and they will result in a BIG changes. Your baby boy is beautiful. You’re giving him such a great start!

    • I’m still trying to figure out if you had a round of the Rixutan or not. It sounds like you rejected all pharmacological medicine, but it’s not clear.