Feelings of Being Loved On As the Benefit Draws Near

We are days away from the Benefit Auction and raffle at the Cross Plains Fire Station on Sunday, from 11 am to 4 pm.   Each time I learn of something amazing I share it with Jesse and he is moved deeply.  We did have an interview with Social Security today so the kids are set up to receive disability checks come May. I look forward to the day when we can call them and say, "you can keep your check - we don't need it because Jesse is cancer free!"

Even though today Jesse felt more weakness in his legs we remain optimistic. He did not receive his adjustment from Dr. Reeson this week, and he feels it may have made a difference.  Muscle testing was done this week as well as metabolic testing by a naturopathic practitioner, and it has been helpful in affirming what is working, what we may let go of, and what may be beneficial to add to his protocol.

Jesse also saw Dr. Weber for acupuncture this week - and Jesse told the doc that it is the highlight of his week. Tomorrow we see the oncologist, but truthfully, we don't feel he is of much help when all he can offer are treatments that have side effects that may cause cancer; and he has no answer for the muscle wasting.  The integrative clinic on S. Park Street is serving us well, and everything about the clinic feels "right" to Jesse.

Back to the fundraiser- I hope many of you can come out to support the event, or a future event. I am not sure how much Jesse will be able to attend Sunday. Besides weakness, he is not one who desires to be the center of attention.

A beautiful selection of Coach, Vera Bradley, Fossil and other purses and wristlets have been donated by my Arbonne family and friends. Even brand new friends/clients have made donations - one the men will love is the Driftless Trout Fly Fishing Day Trip for two. An ETC friend is donating a Robin Yount signed baseball...I just checked and see on line values from $159 upward. A local cheese factory also donated a $150 gift box of cheese and sausage...this is definitely NOT a ladies only event!

Area business have been very generous and we thank them: On the Go Tech (gift certificate towards a remote start for your car - with the polar vortex who doesn't want that!?), and the Shoebox  - both in Black Earth; Julie Dahmen from the Cross Plains Lanes, and Culver's also donated.  Crossroads Coffeehouse is providing coffee for the event - Mary Devitt has been so supportive of our family during this journey - she loves on us each time we visit her place.

In addition to the Purse Auction, the silent auction is brimming with custom jewelry, autographed sports memorabilia, woodworking, Driftless Trout Fly Fishing Trip, gift baskets for skincare, cheese, chocolate and wine; art, childrens books and craft kits, gift certificates of all sorts.
Get your holiday shopping done!!

You will not need to be present to win. If you need to leave sealed bids will be accepted with your maximum on an item. The auction will end at 3 pm. at which time, those not present will be called and hopefully winners can return to pick up their item(s); or make arrangements for payment and pick up.

It sounds like many of Jesse's co-workers may be coming...and organizers would like an ETC point person so that if an ETC friend wins an auction, but leaves early - they would like to send the item with someone from ETC for delivery and to arrange payment.

Come Hungry! BBQ sandwiches and refreshments will be available to purchase.

Bake Sale.  Many are baking - youth from our church, so many friends and family members, AND there will be international representation on our baked goods table - with traditional fare represented from Norway and Czechoslovakia...and I wonder what other countries might be represented...come see!

I feel so blessed to be a part of Arbonne...seeing donations come in on GoFundMe from NVPs I have never met.  For Rene Huston and Patio Pleasures taking the helm on this event, and for my long time friend Stacy Carlson working so hard, despite all that she has going on.

We are very grateful for everyone's love and support. Jesse is feeling very loved - and this I know...LOVE is the opposite of Fear....  a heart filled with love cannot succumb to cancer... it is what keeps him going, fighting a battle of which victory will have doctors stumped (aka RADICAL REMISSION!)  and God will be given the glory for His great works on Jesse's behalf.

We thank our Father for each and every one of you, we pray for others who are in the same battle (too many others we know in late stage battles), and for those who are fighting their own battles...cancer is just one of many earthly struggles. We continually ask for Power and Authority of our sovereign Lord to cast out cancer, and all darkness, to fill it with His Light. May you feel His presence each day as we do.

Peace and Joy,
Rita

Improved Odds with Alternative Cancer Treatment

I cannot believe it has been over a week since I last posted. Much has been happening...
We have been blessed by family and friends helping us out with winterizing and unfinished projects. Jesse and I visited the U.W. Integrative Medicine Atrium at 1120 S. Park St in Madison. The experience was vastly different - for the first time prescription drugs with possible tumor forming side effects were not suggested.

Because our chosen practitioner.Dr. Weber, has no openings until spring-break (guess if he is in that much demand he MUST be as good as we heard.), we were scheduled with Dr. Lawler last week Tuesday. It is amazing how God works on our behalf. I had a list of people we needed for our team - a lymph massage therapist, physical therapist, salt water pool PT for the bulged discs...  As it turns out Dr. Lawler is not an MD but a DO. Her speciality is bones, muscle and lymph! We discussed our treatment, sought an updated blood level test, etc. We spent what seemed an hour with Dr. Lawler...she encouraged Jesse to find a destressor. The knowledge of having a terminal cancer is stressing- no doubt. She encouraged him to watch the birds, draw, paint, listen to music or whatever helps him forgot about taking supplements, detoxing and fighting this disease...for 30 minutes a day.

We then had acupuncture scheduled with Dr. Weber. It was a way to see him before March. The man exuded peaceful, calm POSITIVE energy. His goal is to get Jesse's cells "firing" again. Dr. Weber took his time...we were definitely in the treatment room more than an hour. He would set the needles, place a warming lamp on Jesse, tend to another, and return...  

We rescheduled with Dr. Lawler for lymphatic massage, which Jesse had today. We also had a procedure with a local practitioner for a detox treatment that made sense to do after getting lymphatic drainage in motion. Eliminating toxins and dead cancer cells is a key factor in becoming cancer free, and reducing pain.

The plan is to continue chiropractic care with Dr. Reeson each week, and alternate between acupuncture and lymph massage, to get the body communicating throughout, and reduce inflammation of the bulged discs.

On a very good note...the PSA (prostrate number test) - has dropped nearly 100 points since Oct. 14 - a very good sign indeed. I believe the weekend elimination of toxins (which includes dead cancer cells) has a lot to do with this. The white blood cell count is also up a bit - not where it should be, but at least it is also headed in the right direction.

As a family we went down to Crossroads for a short while this past Friday morning. Being without pain, Jesse could do this...however, it is the lack of strength that keeps him from sitting upright too long. Asking for continued prayers especially for strength and weight gain.  

As of today the pain in lower body is still relatively pain free, however, a new pain is in the right shoulder.  He is very tender to the touch when I gently apply the essential oils and magnesium rich lotion.

We continue to be grateful for all of you and for those that are coming together on Jesse's healing team. God is putting the right helps in our path...thank you Lord Jesus!

To Him be the glory,

Rita S.

Blessings Allowing Us to Seek Non Covered Services

What an emotional weekend! On Friday Jesse had visits from co-workers from ETC, who presented him with donations that had been given on his behalf. What an amazing company - how do we nominate a business for "best place to work" in Madison?
Thank you all  for your prayers - Jesse is grateful for each of our prayer warriors.

Every eve I massage Jesse with essential oils that are known to help with cancer. We also use a lotion by Ancient Minerals with magnesium chloride added, Arbonne SeaSouce gelee to draw out lactic acid and soothe muscle, cesium chloride spray, and DMSO. (well, actually a plethora of bottles lined up). We try to work this in 2-3x a day so I can change around what we are using since the skin is such a great conductor.

Earlier in the week I added Swedish Bitters to the protocol to help boost digestion and increase appetite (seeing we were getting no where with insurance on Marinol), and the black cumin seed oil also arrived, which has been found very effective in prostrate as well as other cancers..

On Saturday I located a practitioner at Hopewell Wellness Center on Odana Road that offers a HempVap. It's a battery operated pencil that allows you to breathe in CBD oil vapor. It is a low concentration...since Marinol was not approved by insurance, I was grateful to have found this product. The hope was to take  the edge off the pain so Jesse could withstand lying flat for 40 minutes, while I sandwich him between far infra red Bio-Mats set at 156 degrees...that was my goal.  He inhaled about 10 times and we he was able to withstand a full BioMat session - which has not happened since Labor Day weekend.  Granted, he was very stiff after lying still so long, and it was tough getting him off the massage table...

It does seem the negative ion therapy, that is a part of BioMat, woke up some nerves, and also prompted elimination of toxins.  This is an answer to prayer. 

I have suspected for some time that Jesse has not been shedding the dead cancer cells fast enough. I listened to one of the oncologists that runs an alternative clinic in Mexico this weekend in the "Quest for the Cures" series...and the doctor spoke of weakness, pain and poor doing that comes with a toxic buildup.

On Sunday Jesse felt a lot less pain - AMEN to that! When I apply the oils I always ask where he is feeling the most pain...and on this eve he said he really did not have any, unless I were to push hard on his lumbar.  Let us pray it continues to go in that direction.

This upcoming week we see the chiropractor, and a new doctor at the UW Integrative Medicine department. The person we purchased the HempVap from is a Alkaline/pH Lifecoach and we may add her to our team. There is an alternative medicine practitioner in Fitchburg, whom I learned is a biochemist. Biochemists seem to have the knowledge on how to reverse the cachexia. I plan to look at the clinic site and call to see how much experience, and success, they have with advanced cancer care.

 

We would like prayer that Dr. Weber at the integrative dept., who practices acupuncture on Tuesdays, might have an opening for us, if not this week, then next. I figure if we cannot get an appointment until March, we will see him as an acupuncturist. 

We have been blessed with donations this week by Jesse's co-workers, friends and family that are allowing me to step aside from seeking help at U.W. - which has not proved to be very helpful. We will pay out of pocket for uninsured services, as we are certain it is the only chance for true healing.

Sarah D. - it was nice to meet you Friday and yes, your prayer is answered, Jesse may have turned a corner this weekend. Let's hope it continues ...

Blessings to you all,

Rita

Bittersweet Memories

Our daughter Abby turns 12 on the 24th. I know the best present she could have had was for her dad to be well again.
Looking at this scrapbook layout I did probably 6 years ago - I see a healthy husband.
For my "law of attraction" friends who wanted a photo of Jesse healthy - here you go. Envision him well and with that more rounded face.
As we head into the last week of October it has been a rough one. Usually this is our most favorite month of the year - with celebrations of our kid's birthdays and our anniversary.
The kid's birthdays came and went with very little fuss. Fortunately, one of Abby's sweet friends threw her a party yesterday.
Next year we will have cause for great celebration when the Lord heals his broken, earthly son and makes him whole again. Meanwhile, we rejoice knowing that His love never fails...He is with Jesse through the pain endured at night, and we celebrate each morning he awakes to fight yet another day in this battle called cancer.

Blessings,
Rita

Bulging Discs...As in PLURAL!

A revelation today from the chiropractor in town, Reeson Chiropractic, that we switched Jesse over to last week. Dr. Reeson and I went over the MRI scans this afternoon. Looking beyond the cancer...I wanted to track down any present tumors, so I could target them with essential oils and BioMat infrared heat - both scientifically proven to reduce and/or eradicate tumor activity.
The scans are from 9-22 in which we were told there was nothing pressing on anything important (not exactly those words)...


THREE bulged discs L3-L5, and also a bulged disc in the neck, C6. 
Having been there 15 years ago with bulged/ruptured L5/S1, and remembering how debilitating it was - I cannot imagine the PAIN Jesse is going through with FOUR bulging discs. It is no wonder his legs have basically atrophied...and it is no wonder the pain meds are not touching it...

On a more positive note...we didn't see any tumor (his MD had said lower lumbar may have a tumor in July). Dr. Reeson did not find the PET scan images all that helpful, and it was unclear to him as to whether tumors were present in the scans from July. 

A veteran of chronic back pain and multiple disc surgeries, I have little doubt that all of the excruciating pain Jesse is experiencing is from bulged discs pressing on the main communication center/nerves. Because L3-L5 directly communicate to the prostrate, it is going to make cancer eradication all that much more tough as we still have a compromised nervous/immune system.

We will continue the anti-inflammatory foods, supplements, essential oils and FDA approved BioMat medical device to continue reducing active cancer cell activity, and now - hoping it will alleviate bulging discs with targeted chiropractic care. Dr. Reeson said acupuncture would be helpful as well to release endorphins, but we learned today that our insurance excludes acupuncture treatment. Even an oncologist referral would not matter.

For those just checking in, in case you missed it...we did receive word on Friday that the newest HCG test indicates that active cancer cells (aka LIVE cells, vs dead cancer cells - a PSA accounts for both) are down, from 52.6 on September 1 to 52.2 as of October 15.

Our specific prayer requests:
1. Cancellation for Dr. Weber's office, Jesse's new PCP at the UW integrative medicine clinic.
2. Pray for an appeal to insurance to approve Marinol, not only for increased appetite but pain relief. The multiple Oxy---- drugs are really not touching it.
3. A means to pay for acupuncture from Dr. Weber out of pocket - the newly chose practitioner provides this on Tuesdays. Although we could go to another acupuncturist for less, it makes sense to have fewer hands involved and it would allow Jesse's regular doctor to become more familiar with his body and how it is functioning (or lack there of).
4. Many prayers needed for weight gain...for the Spirit to remove cachexia tendencies from Jesse's body.
5. SLEEP to heal.

Thank you for your continued prayers,
Rita

While watching "Reflections" this early morning on Daystar, this verse showed up... 2 Cor 12:9. "...“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I'm am weak and know Christ's power is resting on me. Thank you father!

-Jesse

Oncology Discussion, Part 2 & Intro to Cachexia

A few more days have passed since I started the update from our oncology appointment. Seems every waking moment not spent caring for my husband, children (although they are very much on their own these past few months), some housework, and meals (focused on Jesse) - I am reading books, PubMed research data on meds or natural cancer fighting agents, focusing on cachexia (muscle wasting). I have little time for social media, even our own blog, and my business is on its own for the most part. Apologies for the delay for those waiting...

As was mentioned in the first part of this update - Jesse's cancer is too diffused in the bone for radiation to target, and per the first oncologist, chemo will not do much of anything for this type of cancer. Besides that, neither radiation and chemo eliminate cancer stem cells...only mature cancer cells. What this means is it can come back if stem cells remain. Jesse has said from the start that he doesn't feel he should have to kill the healthy part of his body to deal with the cancer.

With cachexia (muscle wasting) being the real threat, IMO, at this time...and lack of appetite - I sought to have these issues addressed. Dr. Hie feels Megace would increase Jesse's appetite. The idea behind this drug is women get more hungry when they are pregnant and progesterone levels are high. I had learned that progesterone is thermogenic and anabolic...and can actually help with weight loss. I attriubute progesterone to my own easy weight loss success four years ago, and a client had told me, happily, that she had lost 10 lbs changing nothing in her diet, but using transdermal progesterone cream. I can't help but think there must be something else, besides synthetic progestin, in the Megace formula that works synergestically for weight gain. We continue to hope Marinol will be approved by the insurance company to increase Jesse's appetite.

Regarding muscle wasting...I told Hie about bio-chemist, nutritionist Walter Last, of whose protocols we started implementing a few weeks ago. This includes Cesium Chloride, and we have the benefit of working with an expert coaching us through its use. Hie said he recalls another bio-chemist, from Russia, whose research had very good results with cachexia...however, the FDA never approved it. LIGHT BULB MOMENT! Immediately in my mind I thought if the FDA did not approve it must work!

I dug around a bit, and quickly found what I was looking for. Hydrazine Sulfate. This has been mentioned to me several times, and in fact, several days before our oncology appointment I had printed out information the protocol and it was still in the printer...

"Of all of the alternative treatments for cachexia, perhaps Hydrazine Sulphate is the best known. The reason is that it was designed specifically for cachexia.
Hydrazine Sulfate works on stopping the cycle just mentioned. Hydrazine Sulphate, or more commonly Hydrazine Sulfate, “interrupts the ability of the liver to convert lactic acid from tumours into glucose thereby helping to starve the tumours and inhibit their ability to metastasise.”

Since I began our update we did receive our HCG test results back from the Navarro Medical Clinic...and it was good news. The test measures the amount of active (live) cancer cells, simply put. The first test is a baseline, and subsequent testing will tell you if the protocol you are using is working, or not. If the number stays the same or is less, your cancer treatment is working. If it goes up...it is time to change it up.

Jesse's original test, sent in August 28 after 6 weeks on our protocol, was 52.6. and now it is 52.2. Which means there is less active cancer, but as a reminder, HCG does not provide the type of, or aggressiveness of cancer. When I asked Dr. Navarro about the cachexia, continued weight loss, he replied,
"Assuming that no new lesions have developed over time or if the lesions have decreased in size, this will explain the lowering of the HCG result . However, the result being positive is still indicative of the presence of the cancer. As long as the cancer cells are present, expect weight loss. However, if he is on an alternative regimentation, most of the food taken as well as supplements have fewer amounts of calories and can also play a role in weight loss."

I have also read a statistic that 20% of cancer patients do not die from cancer, but from cachexia - muscle wasting. The cancer doesn't worry me, what DOES worry me is cachexia. I know we are to give all our worries to the Lord, but the weight loss is stressing me out. Jesse is much more at peace than I am, to be honest. I know cesium chloride takes minimum 3 months, and could take up to 2 years to eradicate cancer that has metastasized, but I cannot help but wonder if hydrazine sulfate should be brought on board - either instead of cesium or in addition to.

From the Cancer tutor website, and explanation:
Hydrazine Sulfate blocks the cachexia cycle in the liver, and cesium chloride blocks the cachexia cycle in the cancer cells!
The two protocols can be used together. I realize I should give cesium chloride protocol more time, but it is very hard to be patient when you see the man you love most wasting away. I see what others do not.

What we need to find a way to do: STOP the liver from converting the lactic acid into glucose thereby breaking the cachexia cycle. For more on how cancer cells work visit this link for a PDF.

From all that I have been digging up, there is NO conventional treatment to address cachexia. Considering 20% cancer patients die from it, why don't we have CURE CACHEXIA campaigns, awareness walks, and fund raising runs?

There are alternative medicine clinics that are successful...unfortunately, from what I am gathering - one week can be $10,000 or more, and of course insurance is useless. You can bet that it takes more than a week to reverse cachexia!

Why is it that everything insurance pays for does us little good? At best, we received the lab work needed, and Rx for a more potent, time release pain killer (which is still not taking care of the pain to allow a restful nights sleep). Marinol has yet to be approved by the insurance company, 5 days later. Which means I am also researching herbs and natural remedies to increase appetite, such as bitters (thanks to a friend), and starting to read up on oleander used to increase appetite. Fighting cancer, and in reality - cachexia, on a shoe string budget is very much all encompassing of my time, to say the least.

Praying for a miracle,
Rita