Bravo to you and keep us posted,
deb

I had lost faith in “hope” several years ago when my 19 year old daughter Shelby had died after a 5 year struggle with depression and anorexia. As we (she and I) fought hard against these afflictions, we never tired because we just knew that she emerge, finally, well and happy and ready to help others. We had big time hope. And tremendous faith in God. So, when she died, hope died too. And my faith was badly damaged.

I’ve experienced many blessings in the years since Shelby died, including 2 grandchildren, a great son-in-law Michael who married my daughter Lylen, and now the wonderful REBECCA (who you already know and love) who married my son Jason. But throughout these last years, is spite of all the joy, there was something wrong deep down inside me. I felt a deadness, a hopelessness, an inability to truly grieve for my daughter. I experienced way too much self doubt and blame and recrimination. I lost the ability to cry. But when I was given the “terminal” cancer diagnosis, the deadness immediately disappeared and I just KNEW THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO DIE.

I was lucky to know about naturopathic medicine cause my daughter was about to graduate as an ND in Oregon. Within days, I headed right to Portland to see Dr. Dickson Thom. He acknowledged the seriousness of my condition, but he was optimistic. He explained that we get cancer when 3 systems are compromised: the digestive system (including pancreas, liver, stomach, kidneys, colon, etc.); the immune system (including the lymphs); AND the emotional/mental system. His naturopathic protocol would address the digestive and immune systems. That is, his prescribed regimen would strenghten my body so that my body could heal itself. But he stated emphatically that I must deal with whatever emotional/mental/spiritual issues I was carrying if I hoped to get well.

This resonated with me. I knew that I had to finally deal with my personal “stuff”. I knew another doctor in Oregon whose practice is based on the mind/body/spirit connection and he was willing to work me in. He utilizes NET: neuro emotional technique and kinesiology to find and identify blocks to healing. He found that I had what he called a “bitter root” which had progressed through the years from anger and unforgiveness to a deep embedded bitterness, the next stage of which is death. Carolyn Myss talks about this in her book, Anatomy of the Spirit. She says that our biography becomes our biology. I cannot emphasize enough the value of this work. My work with Dr. Kris Peterson (Hermiston OR) and my own spiritual journey back to faith and God is a key reason that I am doing so well and thriving 13 months after I was given a death sentence.

There are 3 factors that I credit for this miracle: The diet, the protocol that strengthened my immune system and the resolution of personal trauma accompanied by spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is very personal. Each of us has to find our own way here.

I did start chemo last June, six months after diagnosis. The naturopathic doc adjusted my protocol so that my body would be ready for the onslaught and I have tolerated it well. And the tumor has shown zero growth since then.

I’m not out of the woods yet. There is a still a big honkin’ tumor on and in my pancreas. But it is just sitting there. There has been no metastasis. And the pancreas is still functioning normally. Pretty cool, huh? Thanks for giving me a place to tell my story.

Laughing histarically about your comment about dog’s paws smelling like corn chips. I always call my dog’s feet “dorito feet” but fritos might be more appropriate. :) I agree that they should be added to the list – something I look forward to when I wake up and come home each day.

As for all of you battling tough times – I am sending loads of love and positive energy your way! This site touches my heart every time I get a chance to visit and hope that the charma of positivity and support comes back to touch each of you as needed.

What an incredible group of people!

Your kitty is GORGEOUS!! My cat Fishbreath (yes, I think it’s a very classic name) died almmost a year ago and he had SO much personality. I love cats for that. One time he was chowing down on our dog’s food & I caught him red-handed and yelled at him. Well wouldn’t ya know he took one look at me & then proceeded to take a HUGE bite of food and scampered out…I couldn’t be angry at all I just laughed and laughed.

I am very interested in holistic medicine and any web links on holistic medicine (fields to go into, education programs, or any specific interests you all know of) I would love to read any info you know of!! I really liked all the info on links about holistic healing for cats/dogs. I am pursuing a Nursing degree but would like to specialize…possibly open up a practice under my father and be the first holistic practitioner in the area. Everyone here offers a wealth of knowledge and I’ve learned an incredible amount in the short time I have been a part of this community!!

I’m sending lots of love out to you all! Each and every one of you possesses an awe-inspiring strength …you are all amazing sources of inspiration to me (and I know to everyone here as well!). Thank you Kris for having this blog!!!! I can only imagine how fantastic the forum will be!!

-Sabrina

Tae,
I’ll take 2 Trailmix pancakes please!
In my early 20′s a guy I knew always called me “flatbutt”, nice, huh? Did I call him “freak animal murderer” when he was in a punk band & ripped the head off a bat with his teeth during one of their shows? I did not. But I never forgot that nickname.

Hilary,
That’s a good idea getting the water fountain, my cat always wanted to drink from the faucet too.
I was giving Lactate Ringers as the IV fluid & would just lay most of the bag in a big mixing bowl of hot water to warm it up. We all love our animals, don’t we?
xoxo Sue

Most doctors (notice I said most, and not all) think as a Group, and not as individuals.

In your situation, you are forced to get your answers for yourself, for one simple reason, he doesn’t Have the answer(s). As much as you’d like or want him to.

He doesn’t have an open mind.

Kris’s doctor (in her documentary) had an open mind, and was open to looking at alternative viewpoints, and wasn’t as fear based as your doctor appears to be. (no offense).

When I was 21, my doctor told me to eat 2 servings of Jello a day (to help heal a severely ulcerated colon ??? … WTF??) and said … “it doesn’t mater what you eat, we’ll eventually have to remove your entire colon”.

I was on my own after he said those words, and haven’t seen him since.

Stay the course, and don’t be discouraged …

And for the record… George Clooney BORROWED the name Huggy Bear from me… he caught me on a good day.

;-)

Clint

I asked the oncologist about vitamin C therapy, ozone therapy, IPT therapy, diet changes, green juice, supplements, trials. He said that “there is no scientific proof that these things work. There is a lot of stuff on the internet, but no proof. People can say whatevery they want. In theory, the nutritional things like vitamins and green juice could work against the chemo, because of too much antioxidants”. He even used the words “snake oil” at some point. I tried for a bit to explain that I hadn’t just been surfing the net and found some interesting info on how to Cure Cancer With Flavanoids!!!!, but that I speak with real human beings everyday that are taking control of their healing and having tremendous success. His response was to “do whatever makes you feel better”. So what makes my FIL feel better is trying more chemo. This time he’ll be doing Gemzar. The first time he did chemo it was a drug called Doxtril. He can not do any trials because he had his knee cap removed last month due to a staph infection, and it is not healed yet. So he won’t be trying the IPT, or the Vit. C therapy, but we are still looking into ozone, and we are definately doing lots of green juice, a probiotic, MSM, and faith. I need to start getting educated on wheat grass. Does this clear things up? If I’m not making sense it’s because I’ve got a lot going on in my head and it’s just getting jumbled up and coming out wrong. I’m terrible at explaining things so people can understand. But anyways. I love, love, love all of you that have resonded to the poll. It is really interesting to me to see who is trying what and having success. Ok, I’m signing off. Gotta watch a movie starring huggy bear, I mean George Cloony! Michael Clayton! Sleep well everyone. I’m sending a big fluffy blanket of peace and sweet dream vibes to ya’ll (Callie really has the accent!)

Jennifer

good for you and keep it up, because of people like you – studies like i mentioned are thought of and only to prove that science can back up this and it is not a sporadic case or two.Once benefit is confirm there will be more advocates- once benefit is a possibility and no harm can be done
why not give it a shot – as debbie who is now doing raw – the best of luck to her and everyone else.

you are a true inspiration.

thank you
Reem

I was neutropenic (sp) after the first month of chemo for CML. I had to stop the chemo because my levels were too low and I had pneumonia. I was told not to have raw foods during this time and not to do severe detoxs because it could negate chemo effiency. So, for the first month of chemo I complied and was ‘just’ a vegetarian, cutting out dairy and sugar where possible too.

After I took a week off the chemo I was full on raw (80/20) and ate MASSIVE amounts of veggies that were dark green, dark purple, dark orange, etc. I added wheatgrass, etc. In the two months that have followed my blood levels are NORMAL. Not just ‘good for a girl with blood cancer.’ NORMAL. I have the immune system of a very healthy person, with the dark rich oxygen filled blood I so love.

I am not in a clinical trial for wheatgrass, fermented yeast, probiotics, vitamins, and raw food… but I can tell you that these changes have made a huge impact on my ability to take the life saving drugs to fight my cancer! I am stronger and am trying to handle the chemo and LIVE along the way. The wheatgrass and veggie foods are helping me balance the conventional with the ‘complementary’ medicines.

Yes, I also enjoy acupunture (although my dog hasn’t gotten any yet). I also try to get a massage from time to time. I also think lots of sex may help, but I’m working on that one. (Laughter is also a big help in healing!!!)

Wishing you lots of health and love,
Rhonda
http://www.rhondaradliff.blogspot.com