Teddy Bear Tea

Last year, in December of 2010, I left the house for four consecutive hours.  I felt like shouting from the rooftop as it was the first time I had been out of the house for any significant amount of time in 16 months.  I was on the Gerson Therapy and had to be home to drink vegetable juice and do coffee enemas all day long.  Preparing certain juices in advance or missing a “coffee break” wasn’t an option.  After 16 months of perfect compliance and stable blood work, I decided to grab a few juices and hit the road - the destination was Teddy Bear Tea in the city.  My husband and my father attended as well.  I really didn’t have the energy to manage the girls on my own. 

I don’t know if it was because of my sheltered life or because of the beautiful décor but, for me, the tea room was magical.  I felt like I walked into dreamland for little girls (and for us mommies who like a little glitter).  There were two story windows with a view overlooking the Public Garden, ornate chandeliers, Christmas décor with extra sparkle, and giant, stuffed teddy bears all around the room.  I didn’t think it could be any more perfect until I saw the pianist playing in the corner.  All the little girls were wearing fancy Christmas gowns.  I felt so lucky to be experiencing this festive event with my daughters.  I didn’t feel great physically but, unlike the prior year, I was vertical, and the pain in my bones was beginning to subside.

The highlight of the event was a visit from Mrs. Claus and Hermes, Santa’s elf.  When they entered the room, about 30 feet from where we sat, I heard them announce “We’re looking for Madelyn and Sierra (my daughters).  Does anyone know where they are?”  I didn’t know what was going on.  Why were Mrs. Claus and Hermes singling out my daughters?  Once they found us, Mrs. Claus and Hermes spent a long time speaking with my girls.  They told the girls all about Santa, why he has a big, white beard (to keep him warm) and how he’s able to visit so many childrens’ homes in one night (he has magical powers and is able to make time stop, of course).  I then saw Mrs. Claus and Hermes hand each of my daughters a beautiful, sparkly heart ornament.  As I listened in on the conversation, I turned away so that my oldest wouldn’t see the tears pouring out of my eyes.  I overheard Mrs. Claus tell my five year old daughter, Madelyn, that “She knew the last year had been a tough one at home.  Santa knows that mommy hasn’t been herself and hasn’t been able to take care of Madelyn like she used to.  Santa wants Madelyn to know that she is a very special little girl and has been a fantastic help around the house for mommy.  Santa has been watching and he knows how good she is.”  It had been such a tough year – first the diagnosis, then the crazy juice and enema schedule, and finally, living in the basement for several months to avoid exposure to the viruses my girls brought home from nursery school - but, somehow, Mrs. Claus had just made it all okay. 

It was then that I remembered the conversation that took place when I made the reservation for tea.  I told the receptionist that I was using a nutritional cancer therapy and wouldn’t be eating.  I told her because it was a pricey event and I didn’t want to be charged for a meal that I wouldn’t eat.  Well, it just goes to show that, when you give people the opportunity to be nice, some will jump at the chance.  Some will do more than you ever could have hoped.

My girls have not stopped talking about Teddy Bear Tea for the last twelve months.  This last weekend, we attended Teddy Bear Tea 2011.  I didn’t tell the receptionist I was sick this time, I simply told her that I was on a restricted diet and couldn’t eat the food provided. 

Mrs. Claus recognized me from the previous year.  She gave me a huge, lingering hug and told me that she thinks about me often and that I am amazing.  I was way too choked up to tell her that she is the one who is amazing.  Her kind words and special gift brought so much happiness to my daughters after a very difficult year.  I’m in the process of writing her a letter.  I think she needs to know what a difference she made.

This year, the event was a very different for us.  This year, I was strong enough to attend the event and manage the girls on my own.  This year, I didn’t have to travel with juices.  I just popped a few enzymes and relished every moment. I had a skip in my step and a smile on my face.  My time has come and I am healing.   

Blood Test Results

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!

(Excuse me please, my rural roots are slipping out.)

For the third consecutive month, my blood results indicate that my cancer is continuing to regress!!!    

Truth be told, I was a little nervous about my results, not because I doubt the therapy but because I wasn’t as compliant this month as I have been in the past.  I often missed my skin brushes and my daily tablespoon of flax oil.  I had some chocolate (85% cocoa, dark, organic) which is a no-no and when I ate my homemade desserts, I had a little more than I should.  (I’ll share my super easy, super delicious fudge recipe at the end of this post)  I also had beef on three occasions that was mostly but not entirely grass fed.  I knew that any one of these things wouldn’t derail my program, but I was concerned about the cumulative effect.  In addition to my transgressions, I was on the go a lot this last month and I’ve been feeling it.  I know that my body heals best when it’s at rest and that running around trying to keep up with my young daughters as they hit every single activity on our town’s Christmas walk isn’t the wisest decision.  But, I haven’t attended these events with my girls for three years and we had a blast enjoying the festivities together.  I think there’s something to be said for the healing effects of joy.   

So, it’s official.  I’m not perfect.  (ssshhh….don’t tell my husband)    

At any rate, I had another month of terrific results.  IGA, the main number we use to measure my disease, continued to decrease another 400+ points from 6022 to 5579!!!  It feels so good for this number to be in the 5,000s instead of the 7,000s.  In addition, both my hemoglobin and red blood cells increased.  Very, very exciting.  My red blood cells are at 3.6 and it’s been several years since they were that high.   

My white blood cells decreased a teensy bit from 5.0 to 4.8.  Dr. Gonzalez said that it’s normal for WBCs  to move around and it’s all good.  We don’t want that number increasing too much as the last thing I need is leukemia.

I asked Dr. Gonzalez about my recent skin break outs and he explained that as the cancer cells die off, the body attempts to get rid of them through various channels, including the skin. 

So, I’m off to a fantastic start on my new therapy.  My cansir (looks a little less daunting spelled this way, don’t you think?) is dying off and life is very, very good.  It will be a Merry Christmas, indeed. J

White blood cell count: 4.8 (normal 4.0 - 10.5)

Red blood cell count: 3.6 (normal 3.8-5.10)

Hemoglobin count: 9.7 (normal 11.5-15.0)

IGA count: 5579 (normal 70-400)

Fudge Recipe

1 cup softened butter (raw is best)

1 cup raw honey (I cut this in half)

1 cup cocoa powder

1 t vanilla extract

½ t sea salt

Process all ingredients in a food processor.  Spread mixture in pan and refrigerate for several hours.  Cut into squares and store in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Many of you have asked if it is okay to post my blog on your facebook page or share it with friends and family.  I want to let everyone know that I encourage you to share this site with anyone and everyone.  Please, please, please help spread the word that cancer patients have options.  (In case you’re wondering, it does feel a little weird to have my personal life on the web but I’m getting over it.)

I'd suggest that you not wait until someone is diagnosed with cancer to share this information.  By the time someone is diagnosed, it will probably be too late.  Newly diagnosed cancer patients often make fear-based decisions and will choose the route that feels familiar and comfortable.  I know several people who have been diagnosed with late stage cancer that conventional treatments couldn't cure.  These patients still chose to to do conventional treatment because an alternative treatment just didn't feel right to them.  So, the conventional treatment that offered no hope of a cure felt better than the althernative therapy that offered a 50% chance of success.  I think we're just brainwashed from birth to believe that orthodox medicine is the safe, effective choice.  There's no other way to explain why people continue to choose the route that offers no hope.  It's worth mentioning that Dr. Gonzlez has over a 50% success rate with stage three and four disease.  Odds of success are higher for those who have not had chemotherapy or radiation as the effects of these treatments are often irreversible and debilitating.

To make matters worse for the patient who is evaluating treatment options, many oncologists will tell scared, desperate patients considering non-conventional treatments that the alternative therapies don’t work.  Well meaning family and friends often pressure patients to go the conventional route because alternatives aren't proven.  So, the patient ends up receiving false information from every angle.  I feel fortunate that my oncologist was honest and admitted she knew nothing about what I wanted to pursue.  My family and friends were behind me every step of the way.  I thank God for the love and support I have every day because there is absolutely no way that I could have done this alone. 

I know so many cancer patients who have died because they didn’t know they had options outside of the conventional world or because they chose the wrong alternative therapy, just as I did.  I created this blog because I want to stop cancer patients from dying just because they don't have the right information. 

p.s. You've already done a great job spreading the word.  I had 2,000 hits on the site in the first week.   Yippppeeee!!!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Whew!  I just finished sorting my supplements for the next month.  I take the supplements for twenty-five days and then take a break for five days each month.  Twenty-five on, five off, twenty-five on, five off, etc.  The breaks allow the body to catch up with the toxic load resulting from physiological repair and rebuilding, and allows for faster healing. 

So, once a month, I prepare my supplements for the next few weeks.  The first time I did it, it took me eight hours.  The second time, it took me six hours and now, I’m down to a little over three and a half hours.  Of course, I have to deal with five and six year old daughters who want to “help”, so, that always makes it challenging.

The funny thing is that I was never a fan of taking supplements.  It seemed so unnatural.  I thought that we should be able to get all the necessary nutrients from our food. 

Well, Dr. Gonzalez agrees that taking supplements is unnatural.  After all, the cavemen never took supplements and they didn’t have heart disease, diabetes or cancer.  The difference, of course, is that the cavemen didn’t have to deal with pollution and factory farms.  Their meat wasn’t diseased and their food sources weren’t contaminated.  As each year passes, our food becomes more and more nutritionally deficient.  Even our organic produce has been washed in acid rain.  So, until the pollution clears up, Dr. Gonzalez’ patients will be required to take supplements to optimize their health.  I feel like this program is the opportunity of a life time to achieve optimal health and I am happy to oblige.