I have worked in health care most of my adult life. I began as a medical receptionist, then in my late twenties, I decided to go back to school. I graduated in 2010, with honors, from the Dental Hygiene program. Back then, jobs were hard to find. I figured I would fill my time learning something new. So, the following year I took a Medical Aesthetician course from Canadian Beauty College. By the time I graduated from the Esthetics course I was working as a dental hygienist.
You know the saying, “when life throws you curve balls, hit them out of the park!” I still remember the day like it was yesterday. See, the day started out just like any other, but ended with me at the emergency department needing an ultrasound. That test to a colonoscopy for the following week. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to be told. The doctor informed me that day, “It’s cancer” he said with a stoic look on his face. The rest of what he said is a blur. That was the most devastating news that I had ever received. At the same time all I could think about was my 6-month-old son. The most fulfilling goal in my life was to be a mother; and at thirty -nine, I was finally able to achieve it. The thought of something threatening my life and stripping me of what I waited so long for was devastating. I decided right then that I had to fight.
That was my initial diagnosis given by my surgeon. There wasn’t even time to meet my oncologist. The oncology team decided to go for surgery first. I was told that they had to move fast. On August 12, 2021, I had a bowel resection to remove the tumor and a peri-aortic resection to remove some lymph nodes that were inflammed. The surgeon stated she felt confident that she removed all the cancerous tissue, and I was to focus on healing. It took a couple of months to fully recover. This is about the time I started researching alternative cancer treatments. About the middle of October, I started chemotherapy. The plan was to have chemo treatments bi-weekly for six months. After three months, the oncology team decided that I should complete 25 rounds of radiation along with chemo pills. Let me just say…ouch. The worst pain I have ever experienced. I don’t even want to think back and relive that time. Chemo alone did not affect me in the way it might affect many other people, which I am very grateful for. I was very tired most days, I lost a lot of weight and I felt nauseous the weeks that the pump was running, but otherwise I was okay. I was lucky. My last round of radiation and Chemo pills was on March 30, 2022.
I truly believe the positive outcome was directly related to the combined efforts of holistic medicine and conventional medicine. Before my treatments even began, I started on an herbalist’s treatment protocol. I had to stop most of it while on chemo, but I started back up after I was done. During the weeks I wasn’t wearing a pump I was seeing a naturopathic doctor from whom I was receiving high-dose intravenous vitamin C infusion. After my treatments were over, I started seeing a chiropractor who studied Applied Kinesiology. She is helping me to detox and get my body back to a healthy state. In November 2022, I got the “all clear” from my doctors. I know I still have a long journey ahead of me and I will continue to follow the regime from holistic therapies. That night was the first time that I had a sound sleep in what felt like a long time.
I want to Thank all my family and friends who helped me through this struggle. The love and support you all showed me was heart-warming, thoughtful, considerate, and greatly appreciated. I felt the love. You helped me get through those bad days and made them more pleasant.
I will continue to discuss health and wellness, and the alternative treatments that I chose for my recovery journey in the Wellness Blog.
I purchased a sage beanie from Elena. It’s made of bamboo viscous material. Very soft and comfortable to wear. The service was very excellent as well. I highly recommend.
Great customer service and very friendly
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