7 Alternative Skin Cancer Treatments

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7 Alternative Skin Cancer Treatments

Sometimes people want to try alternative cancer treatments immediately after they are given the diagnosis of cancer. For others, they want to combine both alternative treatments with conventional ones like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. And for some people, they start researching alternative cancer treatments after conventional ones have been exhausted.

If you're looking for holistic cancer treatment, you have choices that aren't just “pie in the sky” options. They really can work. Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States. The most common types of skin cancer are...

Sponsored post by Euromed Foundation

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Why I Don't "Fight" Cancer - Part 1

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Why I Don't "Fight" Cancer - Part 1

I don't know about you, but I don't identify with much of the militaristic language surrounding cancer, most especially The *War* on Cancer.  That being said, I totally get that we're all so different. If being a fighter and kicking cancer's ass works for you, great! Keep it up! Disregard this post.

If, on the other hand, you haven't really found yourself embracing the imagery of a life on a battlefield, I just want to say, "You're not alone. Me neither." I like using the term "cancer thriver" and the image of being on a "journey" instead...

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How My Body Talks to Me

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How My Body Talks to Me

When I tell people that my body talks to me and tells me things, most of the time they get a gleam in their eye that feels like they're thinking, "Oh, you're a little bit on the crazy side. Okay." But Carsten, my friend at Hufeland Klinik in Germany that I wrote about here, was very intrigued and asked me, "How do you do this?" with what felt like the implication of how he could also hear what his body says. I explained that my body does it a few different ways...

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Liz's Thoughts

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Liz Cancer576

A few weeks ago Liz commented on my blog. She was at Hufeland Klinik this past Spring... awesome! As I perused her blog posts, I really like what she had to say about a lot of things including the term "surveillance." My oncologist is doing this with me as well... she says that what they call it when they follow a patient given a diagnosis of cancer that is not using chemotherapy or radiation. (And some oncologists refuse to do this and tell you to find another doctor!)

"The continued use of militaristic language within cancer circles is just plain disturbing.  I’ve cooperated through their surgery protocol, a true cadet.  Now, when I refuse to continue the fight with chemical guerrilla warfare, I’m a defector, double-crosser, rebel, renegade.  I’m put under surveillance.  The word conjures up the darkest of images of cancer warfare.  Where’s the compassionate language one would expect from a health care system sworn to do no harm? Maybe that’s the rub, 'sworn to do no harm' yet, the establishment is largely responsible for losing the winnable war against cancer."

You can read more about her journey after a diagnosis of Stage 3C1 Uterine Cancer on her blog: https://cancer576.wordpress.com/

 

Could Declining Chemo Be Evidence-Based?

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Could Declining Chemo Be Evidence-Based?

"When a patient chooses a form of therapy out of conviction, while accepting the fact that death is inevitable someday, that patient will never be a failure and never regret the decision." Love, Medicine and Miracles: Lessons Learned about Self-Healing from a Surgeon's Experience with Exceptional Patients by Dr. Bernie Siegel, MD

I often felt that when I told my doctors that I had decided to decline chemotherapy, they heard me say, "I'm going to do nothing to prevent cancer from coming back. Literally nothing." When quite the opposite was true...

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First, Do No Harm

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First, Do No Harm

UGH. Why??? Why was I put through this pointless emotional down and up yet again yesterday? Why??? What purpose does it serve me or the medical establishment to make each step start with PANIC instead of PEACE?! Let's assume everything is healthy and benign until proven otherwise... not -- let's assume there is scary cancer everywhere all of the time and cross our fingers you luck out and we don't find anything.....

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How to Make Blood Draws Go Easier...

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This morning I had my blood drawn. Prior to a mastectomy and removal of 5 lymph nodes after being given a diagnosis of cancer, I never had ANY problems with blood draws. Now... it's often a bit tricky.

Because the lymph nodes were removed from my right armpit, it's highly recommended that I never have a blood draw, IV, or even blood pressure taken on my right arm. There's other things too... 

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I'm back from my 2nd treatment in Germany...

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I'm back from my 2nd treatment in Germany...

Wow. Where do I even begin? So much has happened in the 6 weeks since I last wrote an update; therefore, this will probably end up being a bit on the very long-ish side (…like almost 2,800 words on the long-ish side). The weeks I spent at Hufeland Klinik in Germany were just as magical as they were last year. Before I left I thought, “Am I hyping this place up too much? Am I going to be disappointed?” Not.In.The.Least! I flew back to Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 22, 2016 and... 

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This time next week...

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I'll be in Germany!

In case you haven't heard it through the grapevine... this time next week I'll be at the Hufeland Klinik in Germany for another 4 weeks of alternative cancer treatment. I'm really excited to go!

I most recently met with my oncologist in April and all of my lab work continues to look good. Based on that, my all-clear PET/CT scan results, and alternative cancer testing results, the doctors I work with at Hufeland recommended that I come back for 4 weeks of treatment... so I'm following their advice. I'll be receiving treatment there from...

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Alternative Cancer Treatment Options

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Alternative Cancer Treatment Options

I've found that working with a Naturopathic Doctor that specializes in cancer treatment has been invaluable. See if there's one in your area by using the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Inc (OncANP).

For an up-to-date list, Cancer Tutor compiles it here: https://www.cancertutor.com/clinics/ ...

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Useful Websites About Cancer

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Useful Websites About Cancer

Maybe you've already found great online resources. These are some of my favorites.

Cancer Tutor

Their information is well-organized. My favorite part is their "Dirt Cheap" protocol. This includes free or very inexpensive ways to natural help your body deal with cancer. https://www.cancertutor.com/

Kris Carr of Crazy Sexy Cancer 

Kris has been living with Stage 4 cancer for over 10 years. http://kriscarr.com/meet-kris/

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Home for almost 6 weeks...

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The transition home has been... hard.

This "figuring-out-how-we-do-life-now" has been a rough transition. From June 1 to October 6 was a whirlwind and we're just now coming up for air and seeing what happened around us. In addition, there's also the ever-demanding, hum-drum naggings of doing life... cleaning out the remnants of a mouse's party in our pantry, wading through medical bills, figuring out a new insurance plan as mine is discontinued, and establishing new routines... but we're getting there! ...

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We're back!

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I feel a bit like a broken record, but thank you for all of the prayers and many ways of support you all continue to give to Josh and me. (And no, it’s not “Josh and I,” in case you were wondering… I graduated with an English degree… which does come in handy, Dad! See?!) 

Here are answers to the Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we’ve gotten since we returned:

1. Are you happy to be home?

Yes… and no. Of course we love seeing our family and friends, but reverse culture shock and other things have made it difficult...

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How I make it through Fever Therapy...

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How I make it through Fever Therapy...

Tomorrow... Monday, September 21, 2015, will be the 4th and final Fever Therapy I receive in Germany for this round of treatments. I know so many of you are praying for me, and Josh and I are continually laying my entire being and experience at Jesus' feet, and so I wanted to let you know about some of the tangible things that have helped me get through each day and the challenging treatments here. 

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Praises!

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Praises!

So for months I've been asking for prayers... this is the non-exhaustive list of answered prayers that Josh and I have come up with...

  1. My immune system has responded extremely well to the Fever Therapies here... my white blood cell count is over 26,000!
  2. I've gained 7 wonderful pounds... and let me tell you, this takes A LOT of chewing... chomp, chomp, chomp of the vegetables!
  3. ...
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A Day in the Life...

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A Day in the Life...

A typical day here looks like me going down to the basement to get Kneipp Therapy... very warm water on my legs, then very cold water on my legs... it's supposed to stimulate and support the immune system. Then we have breakfast and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I go to the Infusion Room for an IV (detoxification or liver support or vitamins) and on Mondays and Fridays I also get Ozone Therapy (they take 100ml of blood, add ozone, and then give it back to me). On Tuesday mornings I've been getting the Fever Therapy IV and on Thursday mornings (and the rest of the afternoons) I have relaxing treatments in the basement such as Biofeedback, Brain Light, AHT (Auto Hormone Therapy), Lymphatic Massage, Magnet Therapy, Liver & Spleen Electrotherapy, and Reflexology... 

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The "Whatever" Prayer

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The "Whatever" Prayer

If you would like to join us in starting the prayer this week, we will be praying for Colleen’s bodily systems that have been“fearfully and wonderfully made.” Obviously you can use your own words, but this may give you an idea...

Lord Jesus, we lift your daughter Colleen and her body up to You and we ask that, in the best possible way, You will orchestrate whatever changes need to take place within her DNA, cells, tissues, organs, immune system, digestive system, lymphatic system, cardiovascular system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, respiratory system, endocrine system, reproductive system, chakras, energy fields, mind, heart, soul, and spirit. We ask this in your Holy name. Amen...

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Food in Germany

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Food in Germany

So far all of the food we have eaten here has been at the Hufeland Klinik... and oh... my... goodness is it good! Imagine having the best quality food prepared excellently for you and then served beautifully... then times that by 10 :)  Seriously, as someone who has avoided dairy (milk products like cheese, butter, cream, etc) for years, it’s refreshing to see how easily they can accommodate my dietary restrictions...

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