Part Four, My cancer journey

I was discharged from Johns Hopkins Hospital after the aborted surgery on August 12. Before I was released, someone from the oncology department came to give instructions before I prepared for chemo. “Eat a high-protein, high-calorie diet,” she counseled. So it looked like Big Macs and Dairy Queen could meet that demand. But I have never been a junk food eater. I had already made appointments with a natural nurse practitioner and an integrative doctor. Their services are in such demand that their availability was already a month out when I made appointments in early August.

On September 17, I saw Alea at Wellness and Sleep Center in Friendsville, MD, about 40 minutes from home. She also has an office in Oakland, MD, only a half hour away, but those appointments fill faster. I was in a hurry to be seen. Her approach is to find and treat the root causes of illness, not just treat symptoms. As a natural healer for decades, I was interested in her advice and treatments. She ran a different panel of blood tests to learn my vitamin and mineral deficiencies. She suggested supplements to strengthen my weak immunity. I had already had two rounds of chemo, and my immune system was limping along. I was low in iron, and my liver emzynes were taking a hit. None of this was a surprise. I had been told this would happen as we killed cancer cells. Healthy cells would be sacrificed, but we would worry about them later, once the chemo did its job. Getting that tumor to shrink and be operable was the important goal at that time.

I knew I would learn more about supplements, but I was ignorant of the importance of protein, and how much I should have. Women over sixty need eighty to ninety grams of protein per day. Alea stressed that that number was a minimum. And the protein needed to be clean, mostly plant protein, but red meat would help build my iron. The B vitamins were essential too. I learned the importance of increasing my muscle mass. I walked, but I needed to lift weights or do resistant exercises. I went home from my long appointment a little overwhelmed but encouraged that Alea, who had gone over to a more natural health path a few years ago, patiently answered my questions and was hopeful she could help me. I was even more encouraged that she took my insurance. I had been prepared to pay out of pocket for an alternative health center.

The Integrative Wellness Center in Bridgeport, WV, is about an hour and a half from home. Dr. Randall Turner was an emergency doctor for thirty years, and personal issues led him to leave traditional medicine for alternative treatments. His practice now sees patients from 27 different states. His approach is the same as that of nurse practitioner Alea. Find the root of the problem instead of treating the symptoms of disease. They ordered extensive blood work, discovering that I was low in many vitamins and found ways to boost my immune system and help it heal. I have always felt that God made the human body to heal itself, if we don’t sabotage the effects by eating junk and living an unhealthy lifestyle. All four doctors- the Johns Hopkins surgeon, Dr He, the local oncologist, Dr Shannon, Alea, and Dr Turner expressed the same shock: how did someone as healthy as me get this nasty disease? I have hoped my healthy condition going in, and the fervent prayers on my behalf, have greatly improved where I am today.

I send my tests to a friend who used to do that as a job. She is very impressed with the tests that are ordered, saying that doctor offices should be looking for this information, but do not. I wonder why. The tests are very comprehensive. Why aren’t they standard?

I haven’t had a chemo infusion in over three weeks. I think I will take another week off, at least, to improve my strength and reevaluate my decsions. The side effects haven’t been awful, but I feel considerably stronger and healthier since I stopped, even knowing it’s killing cancer cells. Can my body do it with natural help? We’ll see in the next few months.

I had more bloodwork done on October 23 and again on October 29. Ordered by Alea and Dr Turner. Here is the report between those six days:

Blood counts have improved:

• White blood cells increased from 3.4 to 4.6.
• Neutrophils increased from 1.0 to 1.8, back within the normal range.
• Platelets increased from 149 to 181, also back within normal range.
• Hemoglobin improved from 12.4 to 13.3.

Liver enzymes are also improving:

• ALT decreased from 79 to 67.
• AST decreased from 57 to 45.

Both are still mildly elevated, but they’re moving in the right direction! This could reflect recovery during your chemotherapy break.

Other results are reassuring:

• Kidney function remains within an acceptable range.
• Your CO₂ improved from 18 to 21.
• Your albumin and protein levels look good.

The biggest change was with the CA 19-9 test. High levels of CA 19-9 are most strongly associated with pancreatic cancer, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which is my diagnosis. The normal range is up to 37. My first test on July 18 was 672. I was alarmed by that high number. By August 26, that number had soared to 9501. They tested before every chemo infusion. In two weeks, the number was 4514. Two weeks later it was 2777. Before my last chemo, it had dropped to 773. At least it was moving downward. Last Friday, Alea added that test at my request to bloodwork done last Thursday, Ocober 29. The new number is 103!!!

That indicates some treatment is working. It could be the chemo still in my body, or it could be new suppliments or reporposed drugs, or both. I have another appointment with Alea, and maybe more bloodwork. Please pray for my discernment for my path forward. I am feeling well, we walked three miles a couple of days ago, and about two miles today. I slept nine hours straight last night. I haven’t slept through the night in months, before my diagnosis in mid July. My appetite is good, and I’ve not lost more weight. Bruce continues to be a patient and attentive and sometimes bossy caregiver. (“YOU NEED TO WALK”)(he’s right.) I am grateful.

Thanks for your messages, calls, cards, food, reading my blog, and most importantly, your love and prayers. I’ve even sold more books lately as people are introduced to my sweet, aggrvating Roma as they read more blog posts. That makes me happy to know that more people will know our story, and the reason my faith is unshakable, no matter the circumstances and momentary trials.