Deciding to end my relationship with my oncologist was similar to ending a romantic relationship. I wanted out, knew I needed out, but I felt guilty about leaving. I really like Dr. G as a doctor and a person, but there are absolutely no options for naturopathic oncology at his clinic. I was provided with only one option: four rounds of chemo, liver resection surgery, and up to eight more rounds of chemo. Without this regimen, he emphasized, while looking deeply, seriously into my eyes, I would not survive to the end of the year.
I once asked Dr. G if he had ever experienced radical remission with one of his patients -- that the cancer disappeared without chemo or radiation or surgery. He said he had never seen that happen. Never. I did not believe him.
Later that day, while in the chemo cocktail lounge, I asked my nurse the same question. She said she has seen it happen. She knew of patients who tumors completely disappeared. I was very much encouraged.
I made the decision on Sunday, February 26th, to stop the chemo and refuse the surgery. But it wasn't until yesterday, March 6th, that I was actually got up the nerve to tell Dr. G. I went the cowardly route -- sending a message through the patient portal to Dr. G's nurse:
I've thought and prayed about it a lot, and I've decided I'm not going to proceed with any more chemo or surgery. I feel I can heal the cancer myself through radical changes in diet and lifestyle -- and pretty much following the topics discussed in the book Radical Remission, that I showed to you a few weeks back. I would however, like to have Dr. G continue to monitor my blood work, if that's an option. I have an appointment scheduled this Wednesday for blood work and chemo. I'd like to have the blood tests, but cancel the chemo. In addition to the normal blood tests, I'd like to have another look at the CEA marker and also my Vitamin D levels. Please let me know what's appropriate going forward. Thanks so much! Melinda
Even though Dr. G could not provide me the treatment I want and need, I was compelled to make sure the message of "it's not you, it's me" was clear. Rather silly, because it truly is completely him and not me! If Dr. G would support me with alternatives to deadly chemo and traumatic surgery, I would not have to leave!
After receiving no response to my message, I took the breakup one step further this morning. I called the oncology clinic, spoke with a receptionist, and cancelled both my appointment with Dr. G and the chemo lounge.
I was free!!!
And it gets better! Last night an acquaintance told me about another oncology center in nearby Fox Valley -- not because she was suggesting that I go there for treatment, but because when she told them about the "Writing Through Cancer" workshop I was offering through MeetUp, they asked her for a flyer so they could advertise the workshop to their patients!
Flashback to February 22nd. I told Dr. G's nurse about my "Writing Through Cancer" workshop. Told her I would provide it to the patients at the center free of charge. I provided her with information about the book I would use, my resume (showing my writing teaching background), and printouts from several out-of-state clinics that offer writing support groups for their patients. Now mind you, there are no support groups for colon cancer patients at this location. There are plenty of "pink ribbon" groups that are only for breast cancer patients -- but nothing for someone like me, or anyone with any cancer except breast cancer.
Dr. G's nurse took the information and told me she would had it off to the "appropriate" person, and that they would get in touch with me. It will be two weeks tomorrow. No one has contacted me from Dr. G's office about my writing workshop.
I was pretty excited about this Fox Valley oncology group wanting their patients to know about my writing workshop, so I looked them up, to see what they offer their patients. As expected, they offer the typical Western Medicine treatment, but they also offer alternatives treatments through a program called "Targeted Therapy".
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies are designed to treat only the cancer cells and minimize damage to normal, healthy cells. This often reduces the chances of treatment-related side effects. There are a variety of methods for this, and your FVHO care team is well versed in choosing the right treatment plan for your illness. These methods include:
- Anti-angiogenic drugs, which block cancer cells from the blood that they need to survive and grow.
- Monoclonal antibodies (also called receptor antagonists), which locate cancer cell receptors and block the receptors from binding to substances in the blood.
- Radioactive monoclonal antibodies, which use radioactive monoclonal antibodies to target and kill cancer cells.
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which stop the growth of cancerous white blood cells.
- Vaccines made from a patient’s own cancer cells, which are used to teach the body to recognize and attack those cancer cells.
I have an appointment on Friday with a new oncology doctor to (1) get a second opinion of my diagnosis and (2) discuss target therapy options -- I'm interested in the monoclonal antibodies and vaccines made from a patient's own cancer cells.
I'm forever amazed and grateful at how new information keeps coming in, often from the most unexpected sources, to keep and encourage me on this journey of self-healing.
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