Health Update

It has been an insane 4 months and I have a ton to share...

First I am going to say, I am not a huge fan of Drs in general and most of this journey has validated my feelings.  Now I will say our medical system is VERY broken and I do feel that has affected how many practice.

So as you know from my previous posts as of 12/30/24 I was in remission from my stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  I have had blood tests and CT's verifying that as recently as 5/2/25 my scan showed stable and remaining dead tissue shrinking.

Then on 6/6/25 we had just picked up our Granddaughter for the weekend and were on our way home when I looked at Kevin and he said your eyes are yellow.  I knew immediately what this meant.  This was a Friday night about 5:30. I knew I needed to call my oncologist and thankfully have her personal cell phone number.  I called her as soon as we got home and got voicemail, so I left a message and she called me back immediately.  When I told her what was going on she said I needed to get to the local large hospital within 24 hours.  Now she recommended this hospital thinking that being a major hospital they would have someone on staff to deal with this over the weekend (they didn't).  So the next morning, we take our grandbaby back home and head to the hospital.

When I arrive at the ER they get me back and start running tests, blood test, CT, etc.  My bilirubin comes back at 7.7, the normal range is .5-1.5 depending on the lab.  On their scan they see a very tiny growth of the liver mass and instantly go into "you are no longer in remission" So they admit me to the hospital.  This is where it gets insane.  They have decided I am a cancer patient, admit me to the cancer ward (where they also have a bunch of non cancer patients) where ALL the rooms are shared rooms.  In my 11 day stay I had 3 different roommates which was an adventure.

They are doing daily labs, decide I need a stent in my 2 bile ducts, so this is happening Monday when the GI specialists are back BUT hospital inpatients do not take priority over out patient appointments so I sit all day, no food or fluids and not knowing when I will go for this procedure.  I had to literally beg them to get my IV fluids because I was so dehydrated (I drink a gallon of water a day to nothing being allowed).  So Monday they take me in to place the 2 stents.  What should have been about a 45 minute procedure turned into 2 hours and they were only able to place 1 stent as the second duct is so blocked they can't even get a wire to pass through.  Their next step is to do a bypass from my liver directly into my stomach, so on Thursday they take me in for that procedure.  Again no foods or liquids from midnight Wednesday night.  Only this time the overnight on call dr decides I need to be NPO (nothing by mouth) from TUESDAY night "just in case they take me in on Wednesday" which was NEVER discussed or part of the plan.  The next morning the GI PA comes in and asks how I am doing "I am starving" she asks why so I explain and she flips... immediately pulls that order to allow me to eat on Wednesday.  So they go in Thursday afternoon for the second procedure and discover after 22 hours without food, my stomach was still full of food.  This was never talked about with me, I read the report after the fact.  So I ask the PA and she says "it could be malignant gastroparesis" NEVER has any kind of malignancy been found in or near my stomach and NONE of the symptoms fit.  So again, no one seems concerned that I am not digesting foods and there is no room for the bilirubin/bile to leave my liver and go to my stomach.  Long story short, I spent 11 days here with only these 2 procedures and then they discharge me when my bilirubin in at 18, bouncing up and down a few tenths of a point and call me stable.

So I am discharged on Wednesday 6/18 on Friday I see my oncologist and my bilirubin has jumped back over 20 to 21.6 and 3 days later is up to 27.7.  Anything over 20 and your organs will start shutting down.  I spent 2 weeks over 20 trying to convince a Dr I needed to get daily fluids to keep it coming down.  Sunday 6/22 I went to our small-town hospital to get fluids and labs.  The Dr decided he didn't like the plan from my oncologist to show up the next morning at our local hospital for the external drain procedure and decided to call the previous hospital to see what they could do.  I got an email message back saying "there is nothing more we can do for you" which besides being incredibly unprofessional flabbergasted me as they had also talked about doing this external drain and now have washed their hands of me.

On Monday 6/23 on the plan from my oncologist, I headed to another local hospital to have an external drain placed.  I get the drain placed that afternoon and spend 2 days there, being discharged on 6/25 even though I knew I wasn't ready.  Less than 24 hours later I was back in the hospital spending 5 days there.  During this time, on 6/27, they placed a second drain, this time and internal/external drain - so I now have 2 external bags collecting bile.  I am then discharged on 6/30.  Now knowing a pattern and NOT doing well (I could barely walk, hadn't eaten more than jello in days) was still above 20 for my bilirubin, we stayed near the hospital in a hotel that night.  I had an oncology appointment the next day (7/1).  I get fluids and as I am being taken back to a patient room from the infusion room, I start shivering.  Figuring I was cold from the cold office and cold fluids and being generally cold, we didn't think anything of it.  Only the shivering turned into violent shaking.  The oncologist said "you are having rigors and are in septic shock, you only have days to live".  She went on to say we needed to "get to the hospital right away" and called me an ambulance (again just discharged the day before).  I get to the hospital the draw blood from 2 places to start culturing to check for infection but start me on antibiotics right away and get me admitted again.  Turns out I did have a bacterial infection, but the crazy part was I had no symptoms of an infection.  At this point my family is being called in to say goodbye.  On 7/2 they took me back to IR (interventional radiology) to adjust both drains they hadn't gotten seated where they wanted.  This time they keep me for 11 days, until the 7/12.  I head home and overall do ok.

One day the week of 7/20, coming home from my daily fluids appointment, my external biliary bags slip off my dress, pulling on the tubing.  I felt and immediate, sharp pain, but then it was just there.  I started getting a lot of seepage into the bandaging around those sites.  The morning of 7/24 it was a lot of drainage, so we called into IR they said, come in let us take a look at it.  They take me up, see that it is pulled almost all the way out, so with a small tug, removed the external drain.

Throughout these visits I have had a lot of lymphedema, even on a couple doses of water "pills" to release some.  On 8/5 we headed back into KMC because I was getting some red spots along with the swelling and had seen where they can indicate a bacterial infection.  They get me into the ER, and get one sample of blood from my port, but have to take a second sample from somewhere else.  They stick me 6 times and only get enough blood from one spot (couldn't even get a vein anywhere else) to do a pediatric test.  Get me started on Antibiotics and get me upstairs.  I already had an IR appointment to replace the internal/external drain on 8/6.  They went in and did the replacement with no issues and kept me for 2 more days, releasing me 8/8.  The hospitalist I had this time was probably worse that all the rest put together.  When asked why I wasn't on fluids, explaining why it was necessary, she says well your numbers haven't changed.  I said they most certainly have, 5 points!  She then only gives me 18 tablets of my pain meds (which I was taking 2 every 4 hours the whole time since the procedure) AND then calls in a script for Narcan.  I have been using this pain med since my diagnosis in September off and on, I am certainly NOT going to start abusing it now (when I am trying hard to get back off of it).

on 8/12 I had my next oncology appointment, I hadn't slept well the night before, slept all morning and all the way to the Dr.  Even though my labs looked like I could do chemo, after a long conversation with my NP, we decided to push chemo out until next week so my body will have the strength/energy to tolerate it. She reinforced that I am ultimately in control of this journey and how much (or how little) I choose to do. She did comment how strong I am and how a few weeks ago she didn't think we would be here today. I just looked at her and said "God is not done with me"! We also did discuss backing the fluids to every other day to try to manage the lymphedema issues, we just started that (today is my 2nd visit) so we will see what it does to my bilirubin numbers and if it helps the lymphedema.

On 8/14 my wound from the external drain has started leaking bilirubin again. On 8/21 we went in for another replacement of the internal/external drain as it appeared it was blocked again.

The evening of 8/26 I started passing large amounts of blood, so off we headed to the ER again. They got me right back, gave me platelets and plasma and finally after several hours got me admitted. More platelets and plasma the next day. On 9/4 another drain replacement. On 9/7 I woke up not feeling quite right, fell back asleep, into what ultimately could be called a coma due to high ammonia levels. There were times I would come around briefly, but was very belligerent and argumentative. Late that afternoon after some meds, I came around and was totally normal. They took me late that evening for and MRCP (essentially and MRI). During which they found some abscesses on my liver. The hospitalist decided to consult with the infectious disease team. They come in that day and say "we want to biopsy your liver" I said no (biopsies often spread cancer). They didn't know if these were infection or cancer or something else. When we talked with the team that would have done the biopsy, the dr said 1 because I have been on antibiotics for several days at this point, if it is infection it wouldn't give accurate results and because there are several spots one could be infection, one could be cancer, one could be dead cells, etc... So we opted to go with a strong course of antibiotics and will be following up with infectious disease for more imaging to check things out. On 9/10 my drain was checked again because it was not draining into the bag, but it is working properly internally. On 9/9 my oncologist came in and told me because my labs are so unstable they cannot do any more treatment as it will create a vicious cycle of treatment into the hospital for days/weeks, over and over. I was released on 9/12 when labs were looking pretty good but have to get labs every few days to monitor.

I was pretty weak overall after 17 days in a hospital bed, too much sitting around, not enough food/protein (which I have been working on increasing as my stomach/body allows) and everything is just day by day. One day is great (I have to be mindful of not doing too much on these days) and the next could be bad. So all a big learning game, lots of prayer and trust as I walk through all of this.

We are now near the end of October ~ I have been doing labs twice a week monitoring things. I had a CT scan on 10/17 to check progress on the liver abscesses and if the anti-biotics worked to shrink it. They did! 10/20 I had the biliary drain replaced again after battling some issues including lots of upset tummy and vomiting and it is night and day difference with it actually draining into the bag and not backing up into my stomach causing issues. 10/22 I met with the oncologist. My bilirubin has been climbing, so no treatment, but because we know the abscesses are infection and not cancerous she is ok waiting a bit. We reran the ctDNA testing to see what that shows about active cancer, still waiting on those results (should be near the end of the month or so). Tomorrow I have a telehealth visit with the infectious disease Dr to go over CT results and decide if we do further anti-biotics to continue shrinking the abscesses. This is the longest I have been out of the hospital since June so counting that as a win!

We are so appreciative of all the prayers and financial help we have received so far. It means so very much to us

Let's Talk Detox

 

Have you ever done any form of detoxing?  If not, you may want to consider it.

There is a lot of talk out there these days about detoxing.  It is actually a pretty important piece of our health.  We are surrounded by toxins in everything we do.  From the items in our home, furniture, carpet, paint, candles, anything scented, laundry detergent and other products, self care products, tattoos, medications, cooking items, utensils, food storage and so much more.

These things are causing major health issues and we are not doing anything to support our bodies to get rid of these toxins.

 

One of the FIRST steps is making sure your lymph drainage pathways are open is a crucial piece and something you can easily do yourself at home.  I search lymph drainage and found several YouTube videos showing you how to do it.  Either with certain 'massage' to drainage areas or by dry brushing.  When you open these pathways, your body can then release all the ick you are detoxing out more easily!

There are many ways to detox, one of my favorites is fulvic/humic acid because it is a detoxifier and binder in one PLUS replenishes your minerals which is another key component to our health.

There are also teas, supplements, castor oil, diatomaceous earth and more, but make sure you are using a binder of some sort to help pull those toxins out of your body, otherwise they just continue to circulate.

Here are a few sources of binders:

My favorite is Fulvic Humic Acid because not only is it a binder, it gives you minerals and has TONS of other health benefits.  Check out my post with more info here.

Activated Charcoal is another.  It carries toxins out and is used in hospitals for poisons and more.

Pectasol - C is what I used during my active cancer treatment to bind all the dead cells.

Serrapeptase is great for clearing dead cells, scar tissue and more!  You can join this group to learn more about what it does. (***Note do not use if taking blood thinners***)

BUT there is a piece I want to talk about ~ when doing any detox you may experience what is called "herxing" reaction where you may experience flu or illness like symptoms from the toxins.  This is why going slowly and staying hydrated are key.

  

****NOTE ~ I am not a Dr and this is NOT medical advice.  This is what I researched and chose to implement.  Please do your own research and do what is best for YOU and your situation****

My Maintenance Protocol

 

As you may have read in an earlier post, My MD wants me to stay on chemo every other week for the rest of my life.

I had no quality of life while on chemo.  While I was blessed to have very few and mostly mild side effects, it obliterated my immune system so I couldn't be around my kids or grandkids, which for me is not living.  So why would I continue to stay on it just to "prolong" a life.

NEXT, I am in remission (his words) not only with a ctDNA test but with PET scan confirmation and another ctDNA test confirming this.  I KNOW this is in large part (if not all) because of the alternative methods of treatment I added.  My ARNP told me at the very beginning remission was "possible" with 6 cycles (3 weeks of treatment each cycle) or 18 rounds of chemo.  I was in remission in 7 rounds.

SO ~ Because my cancer is considered aggressive with a high rate of return, I will follow a maintenance protocol.

Designer Drink

Pre/Probiotic with Digestive Enzymes

MultiVitamin Patch

Immune Patch

Collagen

36mg of Iver/day

444mg FenBen/day

Fulvic Acid ~ 1 - 2pkts/day

Milk Thistle ~ 1/day

Soursop Tincture ~ 2 droppers/day

Colloidal Silver 

****NOTE ~ I am not a Dr and this is NOT medical advice.  This is what I researched and chose to implement.  Please do your own research and do what is best for YOU and your situation****

Many Other Uses for the Off Labels

 

Iver has a natural basis, but is not a natural product.  HOWEVER, there are very little side effects with it and TONS of uses beyond what the "alphabet" agencies have approved.

Here is some info from the frontline Dr's regarding uses and doses.

Here is a great article about it if you want to learn more.  The following info is from that article:

How to Calculate Iver Dose:

**Note that iver is available in different strengths (e.g., 3, 6 or 12 mg) and administration forms (tablets, capsules, drops, etc.). Note that ivermectin tablets can be halved for more accurate dosing, while capsules cannot.

The following prophylaxis approaches with ivermectin can be considered and applied based on patient preference, comorbid status, immune status, and in discussion with their provider:

1. ○Twice weekly iver mectin at 0.2mg/kg; can be considered in those with significant comorbidity and lack of natural immunity or immunosuppressive states or those with long COVID or post-vaccine syndrome who are not already on iver mectin as treatment
2. ○Daily iver mectin just prior to and during periods of high possible exposure such as travel, weddings, conferences, etc.
3. ○Immediate initiation of daily ivermectin at treatment doses (0.4mg/kg) upon first symptoms of a viral syndrome

Dr. William Makis recently shared success using Iver for Neuro issues, M S, Parkin sons, Memory issues like Alz heimers/de mentia and more.  Check out this video for more info (he talks about dosing in it as well) 

IF you are using Iver as a parasite cleanse, you will want a binder to help remove the dead cells and toxins.  You can use Fulvic Humic Acid OR Pectasol C.  I have used both, but now daily use the Fulvic because of the many health benefits from it as well as parasite detox and binding actions.

Hydrox y chloro quine (HCQ) ~ Epidemic of Fraud: Exposing Hydroxychloroquine Censorship

Long before hydrox y chloro quine became controversial, there was quinine—a bitter extract from the bark of the cinchona tree, native to the Andes. Indigenous people in Peru used it to treat fevers. Spanish missionaries brought it to Europe, where it became known as the “miracle cure” for malaria.

(HCQ): 200 mg twice a day for 5 days.

Fen Ben Dazole ~ Can be used in conjuction with Iver.  Does not cross the blood brain barrier, but can be taken with DMSO (as long as you are not on any prescription meds) OR you can use Meben dazole which does.

PARASITES ~ 

Here is a handy chart for helping figure out the conversion from kg/lbs for Iver dosing.

This website has some great info about parasite cleanse dosing as well as different options for meds to do that.

Here is another with a bit more dosing info.

I highly recommend the use of a binder with these.  These are killing parasites and when you kill parasites, the release toxins as they die.  If you don't use a binder to help carry the toxins, dead cells/parasites out, they will continue to circulate in your body causing other issues.  You may also experience what is called "herxing" (herxheimer reaction) as those toxins are released.  It is very normal and will pass.

Here are a few sources of binders:

My favorite is Fulvic Humic Acid because not only is it a binder, it gives you minerals and has TONS of other health benefits.  Check out my post with more info here.

Activated Charcoal is another.  It carries toxins out and is used in hospitals for poisons and more.

Pectasol - C is what I used during my active cancer treatment to bind all the dead cells.

Serrapeptase is great for clearing dead cells, scar tissue and more!  You can join this group to learn more about what it does. (***Note do not use if taking blood thinners***)

****NOTE ~ I am not a Dr and this is NOT medical advice.  This is what I researched and chose to implement.  Please do your own research and do what is best for YOU and your situation****

Walk A Mile In My Shoes Before You Assume Things... OR Just Ask.

 

I want to talk about something that was said about me and my journey recently.  

Someone who has never spoken to me about my journey and only knows what I have shared in my Facebook group commented that my chemo dose was a "placebo".

FIRST ~ that doesn't even make sense.  The word "placebo" by definition means "a substance having no pharmacological effect but given merely to satisfy a patient who supposes it to be a medicine."  SO my oncology team wasn't actually treating me?  I just wanted chemo? (Newsflash I didn't want chemo at all and wouldn't have been doing alternatives if I believed chemo was the answer).

SECOND ~ would I have lost my hair on a placebo?  Would my white blood cells, neutrophils and platelets have dropped so low I was having issues even being treated, catching stuff if I did go out, that took months to fight off and I couldn't see my kids or granddaughter.  Would I have dealt with gastro/digestion issues?  or Phantom smells?  While I didn't have many side effects, I did have a several.  One of the reasons my side effects were not worse was I was supporting my body with supplements.

While I will never put my health and life 100% into a Drs (or medical professionals) hands, I do trust my oncology team and their knowledge. They have listened to my concerns and worked with me and my health and wellness knowledge.  The looked at all the info, lab results, etc. each appointment and made the appropriate decision and allowed me to make the FINAL decisions.

Months before my diagnosis, around the end of my husbands journey I said I would never do chemo as there are many other ways to treat cancer without the side effects.  BUT when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, I knew there was no choice but to do it in conjunction with the other ways.  I have too much to live for.  I would never have gone through a procedure to implant a device into my body to deliver poison into it if I weren't going to give this battle my all.

Most importantly I am an open book, happy to answer any questions about my journey (and evidenced by this blog) have been loud and proud in order to bring awareness and help others.  So, if you have a question?  Just ASK ~ Don't talk about and assume you know my journey and treatment.

Natural Remedies I Use and Love

 

As I have shared in several previous posts, I prefer to treat as much as possible naturally.  Long before "medicines" came to be, plants, minerals and other natural resources were used as medicine.  It's not alternative medicine; it's the original medicine!  Please learn and advocate for yourself and your family.

I am always researching and learning before I use something and would never share anything that would be harmful.  With that said, please do your own research, these are things I have learned about, researched and use, but is not medical advice of any kind.  Even though they are natural, there can be contraindications if you are taking a medication prescribed by your Dr (for example, some may have blood thinning effects (like curcumin) and if you are taking a blood thinner, you wouldn't want to take something natural that would intensify that effect, until you got off of the synthetic.)

Here are a few of my favorite go to natural options:

First is my supplements.  They are good quality, natural supplements (nothing synthetic), that changed my life in so many ways and have overall kept me incredibly healthy for 12 years now.

Oil of Oregano is a natural antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal.  NOTE:  This is NOT an essential oil and is safe to take internally, though it is very strong.  This is what we used (along with our other supplements) in 20/21 when the c0 vid hit our house (I had houseguests and continued to "host" and was over it in 3 days).  You can get it in capsule form as well.

     

Mullein is a "wild" plant that grows in many fields.  It is great for respiratory issues and can help clear the lungs.  This is consumed as a tincture, tea or even smoked.  This can be gathered in the wild (if you do, make sure not to gather on the roadside as it is contaminated with exhaust, weed sprays, road spray, etc.).  You can use the leaves and flowers (the leaves do have tiny hairs, so if you steep the leaves, strain before consuming as those hairs can irritate).

Soursop I have started recently for my cancer journey.  It is a tropical fruit that grows in Hawaii as well as other places (though I have never seen it).  Its leaves are made into a tea or there are tinctures as well.

Black Seed Oil (or Black Cumin Seed Oil) ~ I have heard it said this is good for everything except death.

Castor Oil ~ So many amazing uses and benefits. It is a detoxer (many may think of the old use as a laxative), but will break up "lumps, bumps and adhesions" according to Barbara O'Niell.  Start slow to avoid "herxing" which is detoxing.  Can use with a Castor Oil pack with or without heat, a few drops in your belly button, topically for skin health.  Many say it will help grow eyelashes and even help eye issues when rubbed on eyelids.  Make sure it is Hexane Free and in an amber glass bottle. *DO NOT use if you have active cancer as it will bring blood flow to area and can cause growth or spread*

DMSO Great for pain and more.  This is a new one to me that I am beginning to research.  Here are several articles you can read.  BUT ~ Whatever you use this with, will be driven deeper into your body (for instance, a lotion on your skin), it will also intensify any medications you are on.  This is talked about in the Colloidal Silver group I shared below, several links and articles there.

DMSO Book is loaded with info about its origin, safety, uses and even recipes.

Humic/Fulvic Acid ~ This is loaded with minerals and helps to detox your body.  It is a great electrolyte, loaded with over 70 minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes and more.  It is Antiviral / Antimicrobial / Heavy Metal Detox / 70+ Essential Minerals every organ needs / Restores the Mitochondria / Anti-Inflammatory / Essential Amino Acids / Immune Booster / Improves Cognitive Function / Powerful Electrolyte / Helps eliminate parasites / NanoTechnology Detoxifier and much more

Epsom Salt ~ I add this with Baking Soda to the bath to help detox and absorb magnesium which we are all deficient in.  I get this at the store (unscented is best).  Safe for the whole family.  Not a bather?  A foot soak is just as effective.

Saline Nasal Spray (or Sinus rinse) ~ I prefer the fine mist spray as I don't feel like I am drowning.  This is my go-to at the first sign of congestion or sinus issue.  This can be found at the link I shared, at any drug store or Costco has a large size 3 pack and is my usual place to grab it.  We also have been using Colloidal Silver alongside this to treat nasal things.

My newest favorite is Colloidal Silver.  This is a natural Antibiotic, Antiviral, Antifungal and more.  Literally good for everything.  Can be ingested, inhaled with a nebulizer or used topically.  I have shared with people and get told "I don't want to turn blue".  I think we all have heard the story of the blue man.  He turned blue because he was brewing his silver with salt (which caused a reaction) and ingesting huge quantities of it.  Used as a medicine it is totally safe for you, all of your family members and even your pets.  NOW I did learn after I started my journey you only need 10ppm (which is the safest).  I started using it in June 24 when I got what appeared to be a bad case (the worst I have ever experienced) of pink eye.  I used 2 drops in my eye for 3 days and it was totally clear.  I then really started doing some research and found this group, full of info and testimonies.  Use the search feature to learn about specific issues and see testimonies.  There are also several articles about silver, its safety and many uses.  I am making my own and have it available for sale because good for so many things!  Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing from me!

I received this book for Christmas "The Forgotten Home Apothecary" and have been really enjoying perusing it.  I have made the Elderberry syrup to help support and boost my immune system and have more to make on my list!

I also refer to this book, "The Prescription for Nutritional Healing"

Some Research Links About Repurposed Options

Here are a few resources I found for "studies" and success stories.

There are over 300 studies published in peer reviewed literature!

World’s first peer-reviewed study on anticancer benefits of ivermectin, mebendazole and fenbendazole published in reputable journal – NaturalNews.com

Johns Hopkins Study: Anti-Parasitic Drug Slows Pancreatic Cancer in Mice | Johns Hopkins Medicine

 Fenbendazole Cancer Success Stories: 107 Case Reports Compilation (February 2025 Edition)

I shared about Joe Tippens before, where I originally learned of this but again to make it easy, his blog is mycancerstory.rocks and there is a Facebook group with the same name (don't look for Joe Tippens there as there are a ton of scammers trying to profit from his name).

As I mentioned, we have been also following Dr. Makis, an Oncologist from Canada with tons of success stories.  Not only with cancer but with many other health conditions such as Neurologic issues like MS, ALS, Parkinsons, Dementia and more.

Check out this Dr. William Makis interview ~ AMAZING information here.

Ivermectin for Parkinson's Disease and Dementia: Can Ivermectin play a key role in treating Parkinson's Disease and Dementia?

Here are a few resources I have found for more info on those.  First, he shares a ton of these stories on X (search @MakisMD) and he has been a guest on many podcasts sharing info.  I went to rumble and searched his name.

A few quick searches (I would use DuckDuckGo as it isn't tracking and blocking info) and the info is out there and easy to find if you want to.

I know it has worked for me and many others with my diagnosis, and many other diagnosis's and we feel led to share that with as many as I can!

****NOTE ~ I am not a Dr and this is NOT medical advice.  This is what I researched and chose to implement.  Please do your own research and do what is best for YOU and your situation****

Remission But You Need To Stay on Chemo for Life ~ WHAT???

 

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

That is truly what I feel about Drs these days.  Gone are the days when they truly cared about their patients and healing them.  Don't get me wrong we love our oncology team but most Drs only know what they were taught.  They don't take the time to ask "could there be a better way".  Of course there are exceptions to that, but they are often hard to find or insurance doesn't cover it or...

We started asking that 12 years ago, long before our cancer journeys.  I found a passion for all things natural health related as I shared previously.  Due to that, I knew there were much better ways than the "standard of care", many natural ways that don't take you to the brink of death, have worse side effects and leave lasting issues forever.  

They now have what is called "circulating tumor DNA" tests that are specific to specific cancers, mine was even typed to my cancer specifically and are more accurate than all the scans (which by the way, pump your body full of radiation, which can cause cancer (insanity?))  My ctDNA test on 12/31, came back ZERO - NO cancer in my blood. My NP wanted a PET scan to verify before declaring remission.  So last Thursday (2/6) I had that scan and on Friday I saw the results.  Today our Dr said "remission" BUT we will do chemo every other week for life.  WHAT?

I said No!  He was taken aback and didn't like that.  I said the NP said I could do every 3 weeks and only need today and 3 weeks from now.  He said he told her he didn't agree with that.  I continued to fight back, respectfully!  I understand his point, but he doesn't know I am using alternative treatments and supplementation, which I will maintain for life.  Infact, had this not been pancreatic cancer I never would have done chemo at all.  He did finally agree, that redoing the ctDNA test today (results in approximately a week), providing it is zero again (no doubt in my mind it will be) we can go 3 weeks.  So 3 more weeks we likely will have this discussion again, but I will advocate for myself (as I urge everyone to).

Please know I am still fighting, but continuing my natural regimen, possibly adding in many of the other natural options out there on occasion.  I will remain a survivor.  More importantly, our God is bigger than even cancer and He isn't done with me!

If you want to chat about my regimen (you can see it here) or about any of the other natural options I know of, please reach out!

Cancer Again... WHAT???

Late Summer 2024 I began experiencing pain nearly every time I ate, as time went on, it morphed into acid like heartburn feeling too.  After the year we had in 2023 with Kevin's journey (that also included some major financial things), I assumed due to stress it was an ulcer and tried several natural things to help the acid, which helped temporarily.  On 9/11 I finally decided I needed to go to Urgent Care (as I didn't have a GP, due to being generally healthy).  I told the PA what was going on and that I thought it may be an ulcer, and that I would like to deal with it as naturally as possible.  She felt my stomach (I only had pain when I ate, never on touching), offered an acid blocker med and sent me on my way.  When I looked at my chart, she noted "acid reflux" never telling me this or seeking any kind of testing.

6 days later, I woke up in pain, previously I had only had pain on eating.  We were headed to a follow up appointment 1 1/2 hours away for Kevin that morning.  I was still hurting.  We stopped for lunch, which I ate and then immediately didn't feel well and had to run to the restroom and vomited.  We had one more stop for an errand, during which I was still feeling miserable, so told Kevin we needed to stop at the ER before we headed home.  After labs and a urine test, they said it was gallstones.  I asked how as I do not have a gall bladder (something I wish I never would have done), they said stones are still possible.  Finally, they did a CT scan, the Dr comes in, sits down and says "I hate having to give news like this.  We found a mass on your pancreas and liver".  I was in shock and denial.  I live a healthy life, I have removed most of the toxins from our home and my personal care. My first thoughts were "I live and eat healthy, use good supplements, there is no way this is what is happening".  I spent the next several hours processing this news.  Pancreatic cancer is typically terminal because there are no symptoms and by the time it is found, it has spread and is hard to fight.

Relationships are so important in life and this proved it all again.  Due to Kevin having walked this journey just a year before (see Post here) and having an incredible Oncology team who gave us their personal cell phone numbers, he was able to text his Dr that evening.  Dr was on vacation in Croatia, but responded almost immediately and said "it is cancer until we prove otherwise, we will get her in right away".  I received a call at 8am the next morning, scheduling my appointment the following day, 9/19 with labs. We asked the Dr how long she thought I may have had this and her reply was "18 months or more".  Which means I actually had it before Kevin was diagnosed with his, without a single symptom.  Which just solidified how blessed we were to have just walked this with Kevin in order to get my treatment very quickly.

In order to truly get a diagnosis, I had to get a bunch of testing.  On 9/23 I had a PET Scan, on 9/24 I had a ERCP scope/biopsy.  During the ERCP/EUS they were unable to get a good enough pancreas biopsy and no liver biopsy at all due to inflammation and bleeding but assumed that liver spot was scar tissue based on what the Dr saw. 9/25 was back to Oncology with more blood work and results of PET (Pancreas lit up, Liver didn't).  At this appointment we were told "it is curable with surgery and chemo".  On 9/29 I was scheduled for an MRI, after many IV's and people touching, poking and prodding, then being strapped to the table in an extremely narrow MRI tube, I had my first ever panic attack and couldn't complete it.  It was rescheduled for 10/1, at a different location, as it was needed to get an accurate idea of the liver involvement, it did indeed show it had spread to the liver, making it stage 4, which changed the prognosis from curable to incurable, but treatable and remission possible within 6 cycles of treatment (essentially 6 months).  Next was genetic testing to determine if this was genetic (Pancreatic, Ovarian, Prostate, Breast and Thyroid cancers are in the same genetic line).  All of this was so much to process, but our faith is strong and we know God has a plan for everything, even this and we trust His will fully!

On 10/10 I had a port installed and 10/15 started my first chemo infusion.  The plan at this time was 3 weeks on 1 week off for treatment with a strong chemo cocktail, but my body had other plans.

I am going to back up just a bit, when Kevin was diagnosed, I did a ton of research on natural ways to treat cancer.  So, I knew I was going to take this route, infact we had had a conversation in July, and I said, "If I ever have to deal with this, I will not do chemo".  With this diagnosis being Pancreatic cancer, I felt like I had no choice as my children are young adults and I have young grandchildren.  I have too much to live for!  I decided I was doing both.  I started taking Iver mec tin and Fen ben dazole (words intentionally separated to avoid being flaged) as well as some other supplements to support liver and inflammation.  I will share my protocol and links to purchase what I have been using below.

Though my health and wellness journey I have learned to advocate for myself and my family. I was very upfront and told the Dr I would be using these, infact started on them immediately and got approval for all my supplements as well.  She said, "there isn't enough info, but I know people doing ok with it".  Know that many Dr's will have issues with this, but you need to do what is right for you, your family and your situation, even if that means finding a new Dr.

My first infusion was 10/15, I struggled a bit with the Abraxane, they had to stop and give me Benadryl to calm things down, then it was easy going.  I had my second infusion 10/22, come 10/29 my Neutrophils and White Blood Cells dropped too low, so they opted to go to 2 weeks on 1 week off.  So, I had the week off.  On 10/29 I started to lose my hair.  This was the hardest thing of all for me.  I have been a hairdresser for 26 years and hair is a big deal in my world. On 11/5 I had infusion #3, the following week, my numbers were again too low, so they decided we would do week on, week off.

12/13 I had my first CT scan to check progress - it showed minor shrinkage on a couple of tumors, but was classified as "stable"

There are a couple of very specific blood tests for pancreatic cancer, one called CA19-9.  Normal is 35 or under.  My first one on 9/19 was 1795, 10/2 was 3014, 10/15 2889, 12/17 136 a 95% decrease and 1/21 59.  2/11 56.  I will have another on 4/25 and will update here with those results.

The second is called circulating tumor DNA test.  This test is being done for many cancers and is the test used to tell us Kevin was all clear.  It is more accurate than a scan as it shows whether or not there is any cancer cells circulating in the blood.  My test is called a "Signatera" they type my cancer cells so the test is specific to me and my cancer.  This was done 10/15 and was 2.21, on 11/19 was .83 and on 12/31 was ZERO.  Just 3 1/2 months since diagnosis.

This was after only 7 infusions, but with all the alternative treatments I have chosen to do.

As of 2/6 I had a PET scan to verify the Signatera results.  The results stated "No pathological uptake in the region of the pancreas" which means there is no active cancer cells.

We were both blessed to have minimal side effects due to getting the nutrients our bodies needed through supplementation!

It is our goal in sharing our stories to help people by sharing what has worked for us (and many others as well).

Here is my protocol:

Designer drink first thing (These are ones I sell (Nootropic (brain health), Minerals, Energy all unflavored so can mix into favorite beverage) www.blessednhealthy.com

Around 9:30-10am:

Pectasol C (or MCP) ~ 6/day on empty stomach ~ This is a binder that is important to take when taking FenBen or Iver to carry the dead cells/parasites out of your body.

WITH Food:

FenBen ~ 4/day (M-Sa, ***Must take with fat***) 1332mg total (worked up to this dose) 444mg Increase dose every 7-10 days (Must take a liver support as this can raise liver labs.  I use Milk Thistle, linked below) (PM or contact me for another source)

****NOTE ~ STOP Fenben 48 hours before a PET scan (ok to continue for just a CT)****

Ivermectin ~ (daily) 72mg (1mg/kg) – worked up to this dose as well.  There are many sources of this, most easily you can get it at your local Vet Supply (yes, it is sold for animals) or offshore via alldaychemist.com or righttotry.bz (Contact me for another source)

How to start and work up to full dose; 

Example:

High Dose: Week 1 ~ 1mg/kg body weight/day; Week 2 ~ 1.5mg/kg/day; Week 3 and beyond 2mg/kg/day

Atermisinin ~ 1/day (6-12 months) 900mg 

Milk Thistle ~ 1/day 111.1mg (with Dandelion 12.5mg) ***Don’t use if cancer is hormone driven. Use Tudca instead.

Black Cumin Seed Oil 1/day 1000mg 

Telomere ~ 4/day

Turmeric ~ 1/day

Turkey Tail ~ 6/day

Soursop tincture and have been occasionally drinking the tea

Multi Vitamin and Immune Support patches (as well as other options)

CBD patches as needed

Sweet Dreams sleep strip

I also have access to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.  My goal is 3x per week but haven't been able to get there regularly yet.

A few resources you can do your own research on are below:

Dr. William Makis on X, YouTube and Substack is a great resource for all the success stories with these off label uses.

Joe Tippens is one of the first I had heard of who used these off label meds with great success.

Here are a couple Facebook group I have been following where I have done some research – take it with a grain of salt as EVERYONE has their own opinions and not everything there is positive.  (4) Fenbendazole And Other Alternate Choices   There are some others I found too, but I like this one the best.  Here is another one I use too Fenbendazole - Cancer Support Group

I will continue this protocol for life, just altering some of the doses as a preventative measure.

***Updates will be made to this post as I learn more.  I am continually researching for my own info and am happy to share what I find in order to help others!***

****NOTE ~ I am not a Dr and this is NOT medical advice.  This is what I researched and chose to implement.  Please do your own research and do what is best for YOU and your situation****

Cancer

In early 2023, Kevin had a fever, then noticed a lymph node swelling.  He didn't think much of it, but a couple months later, it was still swollen and pretty large.  He finally told me about it and I made an appointment with an ENT dr to get it checked out.

The appointment was 2 months away.  When the day finally came, we were in the office and the Dr comes in.  He introduces himself and takes a look, feels the lymph node and says "I don't know what it is, but it is usually cancer".  Just like that.  We have never met this man, are sitting there, with our almost 1 year old granddaughter on my lap and this Dr. drops the "C" word.  We are sitting there in shock.  So he refuses to biopsy without an ultrasound, which makes sense as there are a lot of veins and such in the neck.  We push to get it done (as the dr is 1 hour 15 minutes away from us), so they make a call and can get us in immediately about 20 minutes away.  We rush over, get the ultrasound, then rush back to the Dr for the biopsy.  This was the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend.  So we anxiously await the results.  Finally the call comes in on Tuesday.  It is cancer.  Officially diagnosed as Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  They then tell us, you should get a call by Friday to schedule a PET scan, if you don't call us.  No call comes, so on Friday (6/2) we call and are told the first available appointment is not until 6/19.  We again are shocked at this.  Being in health and wellness and the knowledge we have gained, we have learned one of the most important things in your health journey is to advocate for yourself.  Sometimes that means, making your own appointments.  We found a place in the next town that could get us in on 6/8.  Upon recommendations from some friends we made an appointment with an Oncologist as well as a 2nd appointment with another facility.

We walked into the first office, Beacon Clinic, and found it warm and welcoming.  We had a great meeting with the Dr and his NP.  He shared the PET results (which the ENT still hadn't called us with) telling us this is Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Head and Neck Cancer.  This cancer is what the call P16+, coming from the HPV virus - so nothing he did or didn't do to "get cancer".  This Dr shared that they had another Dr in their other office in Post Falls was involved in a current immunotherapy trial for this cancer.  WOW ~ divine timing.  We asked about the supplements we use and were told absolutely you can and should keep using them.  Our 2nd opinion appointment was that afternoon, so we headed over there.  Night and Day difference just walking in the door, very cold and sterile and definitely not a welcoming atmosphere and that just continued through the appointment.  When we asked the Dr about supplements she said "absolutely not, you can ONLY follow this specific plan".  We knew right then, this place wouldn't be an option.

We scheduled an appointment with the trial Dr and again were incredibly impressed with the facility and staff.  We got the info and decided to pursue the trial avenue.  There was lots of testing involved (things like hearing, dentist, etc.) to get a starting point and keep an eye on things the immunotherapy could affect.  Over the next 2 months we jumped through all those hoops and get the testing.  Then came the "randomization".  With a cancer trial you can't do a placebo, so it is what they call "standard of care" which is chemotherapy and radiation OR the trial drug.  From the beginning we were told you can pull out at any time.  So when he was randomized we got the call that he fell into the "standard of care" arm of the trial.  They called us into the office and the Dr walks in and says "You are out of the trial.  You are too young and too good looking to just do standard of care, so we will get you this immunotherapy drug."  They had a grant to get the drug from free since it is being trialed for this cancer (it is approved for 17 other cancers at this time) and insurance wouldn't cover it.  He was approved for 12 doses of the medication.  So finally on 8/2 he got his first dose of the Immunotherapy.

We were told he would get 2 doses every 3 weeks.  We had some things on our schedule that we were concerned about being able to still do, so the dr moved it to 3 doses every 3 weeks.  Thankfully he had zero issues with the immunotherapy meds.

THEN the bomb dropped.  With the overwhelm of a cancer diagnosis and all the info we were trying to take in and things moving so fast, we were not aware that the Dr still planned to do a regimen of chemo and radiation.  So, in total shock as this is dropped on us, we try to process.  He is to do 5 doses of chemo, 1 per week and 30 radiation treatments.

Chemo and daily radiation started on a Tuesday.  On Thursday, his blood sugar which had been pretty stable DOUBLED to over 300.  Which makes him feel sick, and very tired.  I quickly do some research and discover that the steroid they give in "premeds".  That was a long weekend!  Once we talked to the Dr and dropped the dose down, it was much better.  Radiation was another beast.  They wanted to do 30 treatments, daily Monday - Friday (an hour and 15-minute drive for a 15-minute appointment).  We talked to the radiation Dr and were able to cut that down by doing 2 treatments on Fridays, one at 8am and another at 2:30pm (there has to be a set number of hours between).  We were gifted a hotel grant for 5 nights in a local hotel, so spent Thursdays close to the Dr, making Fridays easier.  We also advocated for just radiating where the cancer was instead of the "preventative" all around on both sides.

Radiation was the most challenging for a couple of reasons, they strap you to a table to hold you still, so for head and neck cancer, they make a mask to strap your head to the table to keep it still AND radiation literally is cooking you.  So as a result, midway through, he got huge burns in his mouth and throat making it hard to eat or drink anything.  We worked hard to focus on making protein a priority to maintain muscle health.  He did end up losing around 25lbs in about 2 1/2 weeks and did have to get IV fluids a few times.

All in all he did really well throughout his treatment and we attribute that to our supplements providing the nutrition he wasn't fully able to get through foods.

Once chemo and radiation was finished, he continued with immunotherapy until the end of May.  The end of December he took a blood test called a NavDX which is a circulating tumor DNA and is a more accurate indicator of cancer than all the scans.  This test came back NEGATIVE!  Meaning he was cancer free!!!  On May 22nd he has the last immunotherapy treatment and was able to ring the bell!

One benefit through all of this is that he is no longer diabetic and off all the diabetes meds!

This is a journey we don't wish on anyone, but is becoming more and more frequent, an epidemic really due to so many things happening in our world.

Life Changing Products

I mentioned in my first post "Health and Wellness Journey" that I found a new company in 2016, and that we relaunched in 2020.  One of the things that will change everything is a quality product.  How do you know the difference?  I felt the difference when I started using good supplements.

As I mentioned, in 2013 I was 112lbs overweight.  I was only looking for weight loss but I found so much more.  I started with a vitamin, sleep formula and the weight loss product.  I waited a few days to get everything in order before I started the weight product but started right away on the vitamin and sleep formula.  That was the first day in longer than I can even remember that I didn't need my 2-hour nap that afternoon.  I am not exaggerating, I literally took a 2 hour nap every single day because I couldn't keep my eyes open, because I couldn't sleep well.  Once I started sleeping well and supporting my body with a good vitamin, it all changed!

I started the weight loss program and lost the weight, quickly.  I started learning about supplementation and what can happen when we give our bodies the nutrients they need.  I found a passion for learning all the things about supplements, nutrition and all things health.

Then I had an opportunity to join a ground floor company launching in 2016 with incredible leadership full of integrity, a phenomenal manufacturing facility and fantastic products!  This company had liquids, powders and some capsules which were great and gave great results.  THEN it all changed in 2020 with a new technology that was easy to use and provided great results and living up the meaning of our name, Innov8tive!  We have grown, added other innov8tive products

Because the results were so amazing, Kevin finally jumped on board and started getting his own results and joined me in my passion for sharing and helping others.

We are truly blessed!

 Homemade Remineralizing Toothpaste

Equipment

• Glass or ceramic bowl

• Wooden mixing spoon

• Non-metal measuring cups & spoons

Ingredients

    4 Tbsp Bentonite Clay                                1 tsp Calcium Carbonate

    1 tsp Lakanto Monkfruit                              1/2 tsp Baking Soda

    1/2 tsp Salt                                                 4 Tbsp Coconut Oil

    1-2 Tbsp Hot Water                                    8 drops Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil

Instructions

• Combine all the dry powders in a bowl or jar.  Remove any clumps

• Add Coconut oil.  Mix until paste forms

• Add Hot water 1 T at a time, stirring well until a thickish paste that resembles toothpaste.

• Add Essential Oil, stir well to incorporate.

NOTES:

• When using Bentonite Clay, you want to avoid contact with metal bowls and spoons.  This specific clay has the ability to bind to heavy metals and draw them out of our bodies.  If it interacts with a metal bowl or something similar, the effectiveness may decrease.

• This has a bit of an earthy flavor, so may take some adjustment, but my teeth feel so much cleaner and there is a whole lot less scraping at the dentist!

Removing Toxins

Starting to feel better sent me on a journey to rid my life of the toxic products in our home.

I started with laundry detergent and some household products that were all natural.  Slowly moving into self-care products.

That has grown into anything with fragrance such as candles, paraffin based wax melts, sprays, bathroom spray, fabric sprays, dryer sheets, etc... are all filled with toxic ingredients and even endocrine disrupters.

That morphed into our foods, filled with starches, sugars, seed oils, coloring, so called natural flavors and more.  I make most of our condiments and sauces, I cook from scratch with whole foods (foods that are ingredients, not that have ingredients).

I started using Norwex face and body cloths instead of toxic body wash, natural moisturizer and toner.  I make my own remineralizing toothpaste and replaced my plastic toothbrush with ones made from bamboo and charcoal.

I am working on replacing plastics in our home (this is seriously daunting as plastic is so convenient, but leaches microplastics into your body, that sit and cause health issues.

Don't get overwhelmed, start with one thing at a time and make better choices.  

You and your family are worth it.