3: What I did (whilst fighting serious, active cancer)

If my son had not been in the Amazon when I was diagnosed, I may not have even had chemo and radiation. What would be the point? The doctors had convinced me I was a goner and told me to airlift him out to say good-bye. I wanted him to experience the success of completion of his survival semester. So I resolved to outlive their two-week to two-month prognosis. “Give me everything you’ve got,” I said. And they did. I ended up having more than twice as much chemo and radiation as originally planned because I tolerated it so well. My body withstood an extraordinary onslaught of toxic treatments, defeated cancer, and regained mobility with the help of my naturopathic protocol. This is what I did.

My angel of a sister took me in. I couldn’t walk unaided and I was bedridden for the most part in an upstairs guest room. Stairs were difficult for me, so I sequestered myself. Steroids prevented me from sleeping, so there was nothing to do but google. Calling upon my scientific research background and experiences with many healing modalities, I became my own naturopath and plotted my revenge upon the beast. (see my book, Whatever Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Strong). There was a utility room down the hall that I transformed into my la-bor-atory. I bought a dorm fridge and a hot plate, borrowed her blender and crockpot, gave her my shopping list, and set up shop. I hobbled there with my walker and leaned against the counter whilst I made my potions, determined to save my own life. It was a full-time job.

When I was actively fighting cancer, everything that entered my body had a dual purpose… to kick cancer’s butt out of my body while supporting my body in the face of toxic treatments. So, whether it was the nuclear arsenal of chemo and radiation, a detoxifying coffee enema, cancer-killing potions from ancient healing practices around the world, essential oils, my ‘magic powder,’ or food as medicine to detoxify, support, and protect my weakened physical systems… everything was focused on the battle. Here is a brief list of my daily routine while actively fighting cancer. All is discussed in greater detail in later sections.

What I did upon rising…

Morning tonic— hot filtered water, local honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, turmeric, black pepper.

Temporarily eschewing caffeine in order to allow my adrenals, and thus my entire endocrine system, to balance, I savored this morning tonic that stimulates the liver to produce bile (lemon juice), alkalizes digestion (apple cider vinegar), fights inflammation and opportunistic infections (honey), and stimulates the immune system (spices). It’s remarkably satisfying. I pre-mix the spices and add a pinch. This tonic also helps with fatty liver and general liver health.

Organic juice— carrots, apples, citrus, beets, cilantro, kale, ginger root, jalapeño, turmeric root, wheatgrass, aloe vera juice, black pepper, red grapes.

Central to the Gerson Therapy is the concept of juicing in order to rectify nutritional imbalances and stimulate healing through concentrated nutrition. I made about 4 cups of juice with my juicer and drank it throughout the day. I now add raw Cannabis (THC, in its raw form THCa, is not psychoactive).

Magic powder— Mixed in with my juice, I continue to take this mixture full of immune boosters and detoxifiers. I get sick when I don’t take it. It is so important and has so many ingredients that it warrants its own chapter(Chapter 5)
Supplements — Vitamin D₃, iodine, Vitamin B₁₂, enzymes, fish oil, apricot seeds.
Budwig muesli— Organic quark or kefir, flax seed oil, freshly ground flax seeds, organic granola with oats, fresh organic berries, sprouted nuts.

The Budwig protocol combines certain oils and proteins to maximize nutrition and detoxification in order to treat a variety of illnesses, including cancer. I added oats because they are high in beta glucans, which I discovered increase the efficacy of the immunotherapy that western medicine treats me with. Berries are high in anti-oxidants and anti-cancer properties. Sprouting nuts increases nutritional absorption and availability of protein, enzymes, and fiber while decreasing inflammation, allergens and the effects of anti-nutrients.

Lunch…

Seaweed salad– Highly nutritious, cancer-killing, and detoxifies the body.
Sprouts— Highly nutritious and cancer-killing.
Fermented vegetables — Nutritious, very beneficial to gut flora (microbiome).
Baked (for digestion) garlic— Antibacterial, immune-boosting, anti-cancer.

What I did throughout the day…

Pau d’Arco kombucha tea — live kombucha I cultured using Pau d’Arco and Tulsi teas. A triple anti-oxidant, immune-boosting, cancer-fighting whammy. Turmeric (curcumin) and black pepper added. Pau d’Arco kills Candida.
Essiac tea— Ojibwa anti-cancer remedy containing burdock root, slippery elm, sheep sorrel, and Indian rhubarb root.
Filtered, alkalized water— no chlorine, no fluoride, baking soda added.
Morning tonic— I also pre-mix the tonic, add magic powder, and refrigerate.

Dinner…

Organic soups— bone broth, barley, asparagus, legumes, and vegetables.

Soup is the ultimate meal, everything in one bowl… packed full of nutrients and can be all or partially pureed to facilitate swallowing and digestion. Bone broth contains essential nutrients and aids in fighting cancer and building bone marrow. It is good for sipping in your chemo chair when that’s all you can manage. Barley contains beta glucans. Asparagus has cancer-killing properties, as do most vegetables in one way or another. Soups are easily made ahead when you feel up to it and are great while undergoing toxic treatments. Steamed and roasted vegetables tossed in olive oil and salt are remarkably sustaining. Leftovers can be thrown into the soups or pureed if you need to simplify.

What I did before bed…

Detox bath— Epsom salts, baking soda, and essential oils or DNR soaks
Coffee enema — to detox, done daily to prepare before beginning chemo and radiation, weekly the night before chemo once chemo has started
Foot bath— magnetic clay, or ionic (weekly, night before chemo)
Essential oils— frankincense, lemongrass, thyme, rosemary, oregano, myrrh, lavender, clary sage, chamomile, orange, lemon, eucalyptus, clove, and peppermint. (Ingested internally, applied topically or put in bath or aroma diffuser).
Lymph stimulation– Our lymph system is basically our immune system. Lacking muscles in its circulation system, it needs our help. Walking, exercising, and dry brushing help lymph circulate throughout our bodies. Jumping on a mini-trampoline is very good for moving lymph, as is yoga.

Just as important as what I put into my body was what I didn’t put into my body (or at least tried to minimize). Since I chose to incorporate chemo and radiation in my path, it was even more important that I avoid other toxins. See Avoiding Toxins in Part Two for more information.

This post is from Book 2 of my Thrive Tribe Series, What I Did and Do and Why, a naturopathic protocol that helps me to survive and thrive, available from the bookstore, starting at $7. The book will be posted sequentially in its entirety on this blog, once a week. Subscriptions are free.

Nothing contained on this website nor in my blogs or books should be construed as medical advice. I am not a doctor. I am a Stage IV metastatic breast cancer thriver who is currently NEAD and simply sharing my journey in the hopes it helps you to find your power and path. Please research anything I share to determine if it is a good choice for you. I believe in you! Bless you all on the path you choose.