Latest oncology visit

Hello friends
Jesse had an oncology appointment yesterday, so blood for lab work was drawn the previous day. The clinic called Wednesday morning to let us know Jesse's red blood cell count had dipped below the minimum acceptable, and he should schedule a transfusion.
I asked what symptoms he should be experiencing and thought it odd he seems to exhibit fatigue only, from the list. The ND agreed it would be a benefit, and started the process of getting him scheduled.  But then I realized that hey, this is not my body and Jesse should decide.
We talked with the oncologist about it, who really was surprised that Jesse wasn't experiencing more symptoms. He told Jesse what he should be on the alert for, explained the blood transfusion process, and I believe put Jesse at ease.
Tonight a friend offered to give blood for Jesse if receiving blood from a stranger is a concern...as we believe them to be a match.
Two good bits of news is that a marker that indicates cellular growth is down, meaning, as we understand, possible less cancer or tumor growth activity.
Also a marker that indicates a chemical the bones are releasing has changed...a chance some bone healing may have taken place. Let's hope so!

Thank you all for your prayers.
In GOd's peace
Rita

Ozone Therapy for Bulged Discs

Hello freinds

Tonight Jesse and I had another opportunity to be on a call with an integrative oncologist, Dr. Tony Jimenez, from Hope4Cancer clinic in Baja, CA.  This is actually one of the clinics I had selected after hearing Dr. Tony speak earlier this past summer in the "Quest for the Cure" cancer summit series.  Unfortunately, the cost is prohibitive as insurance of course, only covers conventional treatment. 

Previously Jesse was in a lot of pain and flying him out of state, to anywhere, seemed out of the question, but he is very optimistic - several days of being pretty much pain free - just wanting strength back in the legs more than anything.

I have about 6 pages of typed notes to compile, but  I see Dr. Tony covers the 7 principles in the free e-book Integrative Health Mastery was kind enough to provide. If you would like a copy please provide your email and I can forward to you.

Feel free to share the book with your loved ones in need.  For all of you fighting the good fight...a website Dr. Tony recommended to help deal with the emotional cause of cancer is

www.recallhealing.com

My biggest take away for Jesse in particular tonight, was Dr. Tony's response to my quest for the best anti inflammatory protocol or supplement for metastacized cancer with presence of three bulged discs. 

What we are already using are all great choices, however,  Dr. Tony said OZONE therapy - hands down the best treatment he has found for spinal issues resulting from bulged discs.  His 80+ year old mother had major back issues, bulged discs, and after one treatment she was 75% better. Injections are made into either side of the spine and lower lumbar.  One more treatment, this was several years ago, and now his mom lives a relatively pain free life with an occassional aspirin. What I would love to find out is who is doing ozone therapy injections in Madison - the Spinie Clinic perhaps....

Thanks to Google....Just found somone possibliy in Oak Park, IL that may have a similar technique, but combined..

The site found two D.O. doctors in Wisconsin - UW Helath Eau Claire (really? why not here in Madison), and another in Milwaukee.  Being so close - this is definitely something to dig deeper into.

To your health,
Rita

Valentine's Day - Pain Free Blessings

Hello friends,
We are having a good stretch. Jesse said he feels pain free...and has been for several days now. What he really desires is to have STRENGTH back in his legs. Do you know anyone who has had atrophy in both legs from sciatica/bulged discs? And if so, did they recover? I continue to find a greater difficulty dealing with Jesse's skelatol issues than the cancer.

I came across a powerful story today of a stage 4 breast cancer survivor. Shannon Knight is inspiring and for those of you visiting this page who is already on the cancer journey, I hope this video will inspire you as well.
<iframe width="470" height="264" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v4-tgpp7kkk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Shannon has started a non profit called Angels for Shannon - to help people who need funds for their alternative cancer treatment. I do hope my three late stage breast cancer friends do check it out. I am going to ask, but it may not be for breast cancer only.

We continue to review the new outline from our naturopath....it's a lot of work in the kitchen...and it is overwhelming. I hope to find time tomorrow to send an email to our church care ministry with the special soup recipe and see if members of our church family could provide jars that we can freeze. The diet outline consists primarily of juicing (again), the special soup, and a huge salad recipe, of which we really cannot fathom having room in our frig for all the ingredients.  Because the doctor feels Jesse's body is not able to metabolize and break down animal proteins and complex fats with his overworked pancreas, it is back to vegan world.

Jesse is grateful for the reprieve in pain...and it is difficult to determine credit going to a new supplement, Reiki energy work, chiropractic...or all three.  Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Blessings,
Rita

Steady Numbers

Many of you are waiting for test results...the test we had sent before Christmas was lost enroute to the Phillipines, but the newest one made it in record time, after the holiday crazy season.

The numbers for "active cancer cells" had been going down, and the report we got back just yesterday is stable (same as end of October). Which means that Jesse needs to recommit to the alkaline, no sugar diet I had had him on. It is tough, for certain. He did well yesterday, taking ALL of his supplements for the first time in a long time. As a person who cannot stand to swallow pills - I cannot imagine having to do this myself.   From his bloodwork the ferritin levels are quite elevated, which is directly related to the inflammation going on in his body/lumbar, feet, etc.

Continued prayers - STRENGTH needed for his legs, and his mental well being - the psyche needed to follow the regimen is huge!  Also please prayer for STRUCTURAL HEALING - our greatest prayer is for Jesse's spine to stay put - especially that darn sacrum (tailbone)!  The swelling is down in his feet - that is a huge praise. Yesterday he came home early and did a BioMat "sandwich" session - all by himself. Proud of him!  In the eve I hooked him up to the Wellness Pro for bio-electro pulse therapy, and I could tell right away this morning that he is moving much better today.

These scriptures from Isaiah 26, which I was led to from the morning devotion of "Jesus is Calling" spoke to my heart today...
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."3  
"Yes Lord, walking in the ways of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts."8  
"Lord you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us" 12

So very grateful that we have Jesus to walk with us on this journey...I don't know how people get through cancer without that personal relationship...which is so very different from organized religion.

Several have asked, "can't the test be done in the U.S.?"
The test, developed by Dr. Efren Navarro of the clinic of the same name, costs only $55. To do in the U.S. it would be anywhere from $300-400 (insurance won't cover) and it would be less accurate, because the greatest liklihood is is that blood would be drawn by a lab, which is less accurate than uric acid crystals. The side bar explains this and you can visit the Narvarro web page to get this information..

Thank you for your continued love, prayer and support,
Rita

Lymphatic Issues

We had good newsyesterday, as far as we are concerned - swollen lymph glands are what we are dealing with - far better than tumors.  All tests were not in yet...but oncologist said Jesse may be slightly anemic which is an easy fix with B12.   I will need to find my compression socks from when I had back surgery -as it should help with swelling.  Because both feet are swollen, and it varies in how much swelling, it is not indicative of a blood clot. 

Jesse had a lymph massage with the DO doctor after the massage and she showed me how to pump his legs and shoulders slightly to get the lymph nodes moving.  She said it is important not to work the lymph directly in case they are filled with dead cancer cells...as we don't want to accidentally release them back into the system. The lymph nodes will empty when the body is capable of safely eliminating.

It has been a while since Jesse had been on a scale and it was a very good surprise - I had to question whether their scale was off because he is up 8 lbs or so from the highest number we had had. To me it seems that he doesn't  have as good an appetite as he did in November. The last time we had weighed at home he had actually lost lbs. from his previous high gain - so it was encouraging to see it surpassed.

Thanks so much for the continued prayers - you are all a blessing to us.

Rita S.

Grateful for Troubled Times

This is certainly a journey of learning. Learning how to be still and absorb God's Holy presence. Learning to look for the life lessons we are to be taking from this. Learning to be patient. Learning to be watchful for the doors being opened and messages we are to take to heart, and for purpose. This morning I was led to verses Psalm 27, Jeremiah and Romans 8:28. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Our church is going through the book of Job since the new year, a series called "Wrecked". The messages have been very good, although the worship music usually brings me to tears - which is typical of music. It reaches deep into my core of emotions and makes them erupt. I encourage anyone who suspects that their life may go through a difficult time, to start at the very first message in the Wrecked series.

I am trying not to be discouraged in this journey, but it is not always easy. Since the holidays, and Jesse's admittance of being tired of eating healthy, I have relented - allowing sugar/simple carbs during the holidays, which had an immediate effect....aka inflammation, and thus pain. For a while, shortly after Thanksgiving, Jesse was using right crutches due to the pain in his right hip and leg. He is a grown man and needs to make his own choices. We had already decided a while back to take a break on weekends from supplements - other than the key hormonal supplements directed at prostrate cancer, guided by our doctor friend in California.

Jesse went back to work after Christmas, wanting to keep the doctors and insurance we have. He enjoys being back to work and doing what he loves to do - CAD drafting. It takes his mind off of his illness. He is on limited hours, enough to be considered full time and maintain his benefits. The first two weeks were tough - he was exhausted when he came home. When the polar vortex hit the last thing I wanted him to do was go out into those below zero temperatures (I had learned that cancer thrives in a cold body). I cranked the space heater given to us at Christmas, and warmed up the BioMat and electric lap blanket to help take the chill out of his bones... I am not sure that the chill ever really left him before nightfall - and we are grateful for this warmer week.

Protocols are being missed due to lack of time when he is gone six hours a day. If he were working from home, at least for part of the day, I could be hooking Jesse up to the Wellness Pro for electro pulse therapy sessions. This has been very good for his lumbar pain.  He could take a break to be sandwiched between BioMats - which has not been done since his return to work. Emotionally I have a tough time with him being gone so many hours in the day because I know all too well how important and life saving both of these high tech pieces of equipment are - FDA approved for treatment of cancer and pain.

We have physical developments that are concerning....swelling in both feet, his circulation is not working properly. His feet need to be elevated, and keeping them down through the day definitely makes it worse. I noticed this on Saturday when Jesse put a small corner desk together, so he can have a place to use his CAD software/computer. I had wanted Kyle to assist with putting the desk together, but Jesse was on his knees doing it...saying he enjoys it and misses it. I can't argue with that - a man's desire to have some degree of normalcy return to his life. But in the evening I noticed both feet badly swollen and there was no way he was getting his feet into shoes for church on Sunday. Suffice to say - he can't take a break at work, and put his feet up.

There are also three visible lumps in the lymphatic groin area. We pray they are swollen lymph glands. These appeared about ten days ago. Today we head to oncology and later, the DO doctor - as I moved up our appointment to see her and find out if the lumps are indeed lymph swelling. Jesse had not had lymphatic massage for over a month, and I suspect it is too long a span. In talking with a friend, also in stage 4 cancer, she mentioned her tumor markers are down. This is not something we have ever heard Jesse's doctor mention - and I will be questioning it today. Why has a blood test not been taken to measure tumor markers? I will have to ask.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We are grateful for God's presence and the Healing that is taking place, even though we tire in our journey.

Peace.
Rita

Research on Cannabinoid

With so many of our friends suffering from late stage cancer, I find it is imperative to share this information on the biological effects/benefits of CBD on cancer.
The man in the video was diagnosed with late stage prostrate cancer, and was given the clear in 3 months of a tumor using cannabinoid. However, it is interesting that a separate test did locate additional lesions - in which the man decided to continue treatment for 3 additional months, at the end of which he was cancer-free.
This non-invasive alternative treatment needs to be shared...and therefore, we are. May it be a benefit to those who have lost hope.

-Rita