May Update- Building My Healing Team

Dear Family and Friends,
Some of you may already have this updated information, so forgive me if I already filled you in. At this point we have pretty much completed all the major tests needed and have pulled together my healing team of doctors and naturopaths. There will still be some hormone tests before I start the official cancer fighting protocol, but mostly we know what is what, and what the next steps will be.

Basically all the testing and retesting was because my medical oncologist wanted to be able to downgrade the cancer from stage 4 to stage 3. At stage 3 she has much more effective chemotherapy and radiation results than stage 4. In addition, we did a series of tests on the tumor that was removed to determine what, if any, type of chemo would be best. Unfortunately, no matter how we tested things, because of the tiny lymph node near my heart that has cancer, they have determined that while the cancer is gone from my right breast area, it has metastasized outside that area. So I am classified as stage 4 invasive ductal breast cancer.

Furthermore, at this point even the medical doctors are no longer recommending chemo or radiation, because the success rate for these treatments is considerably less than the chance that they would cause blood clots, a stroke or a heart attack. The tiny effected lymph node is to close too my heart to risk radiation on it. So, even though it is just a tiny spot of cancer, the medical prognosis is not very good with the tools the medical profession currently uses.

Now for the good news. Because of all of the above, my medical doctors are totally on board with using any natural, holistic treatments available to me to stop the cancer from growing, moving, or creating tumors anywhere (and to strengthen my body and immune system). Tomorrow I complete the intake with the Medeari Center in Ashland, Oregon. Their panel of nutritionists, herbalists, Chinese medicine, practical and holistic medicine MDs will recommend a complete protocol designed for me. My local oncologist, my general care physician, and my local naturopath have all worked successfully with the Medeari Center. Also, because I am just barely "stage 4" that gives me an even better chance of stopping the spread of the cancer naturally.

My oncologist will be testing me every 3-6 months with blood tests and PET scans to track how we are doing. If the cancer starts a tumor anywhere, at that time we will revisit whether cyber knife radiation or chemo will be helpful. Meanwhile, since this cancer seems to thrive on estrogen, I will be prescribed an estrogen inhibitor which is a chemo-like pill. It works well with the natural therapies and will be a part of my new protocol to discourage the cancer from spreading. I expect to officially start the new treatments in June. Meanwhile, I am on a very careful diet and already have symptoms that my estrogen levels are dropping.

The other good news is my first choice for my local general physician, Dr Jackie Fields (who was no longer taking new patients), has agreed to make an exception and be my Primary Care Doctor and direct my treatments. She has a good success record of combining both medical and holistic treatments for stage 4 cancer patients.

Even more good news- in checking to be sure he was following the rules correctly for family sick leave from his job at CSU, Ken learned he has almost 6 months of saved up sick leave from his many years working for the state. With a note from my oncologist, he can take that leave so we can spend more time together in the next few years. So he is already taking several 3 day weekends, and this July we plan to take 3 weeks just to spend together up at SunHaven. And in October we will take several weeks for some Oregon beach kite festivals and to visit my team at the Medeari Center in person. We are busily planning what we want to do, where we want to go, now that we have received this "gift of time," while Ken is still on full pay and his job is secure. We plan to pack up our 5th wheel to visit family and friends, and see festivals all over the country.

Speaking of travel, this Friday we leave for our Alaskan Cruise, and we can hardly wait. We will be gone May 13-22. I don’t expect we will be available by phone or internet from that week. Spenser is going to spend the time at a neighbor’s house near SunHaven. Don’s caregiver team is scheduled and prepared to take over. This will be a good trial run for future trips.

Thank you everyone for all your good wishes, prayers and loving thoughts! In spite of the dire stage 4 diagnosis, I believe everything is progressing just right so that I could have the full support of my healing team to strengthen my body and have the best chance to really cure it. Meanwhile, I feel great! I’m eating well, taking good care of myself, and if I did not have medical tests saying otherwise, I would think I am in tip top shape! Plus I get to play with my beloved Ken more! So your positive thoughts are working, thank you all.