Contents
Introduction
My Diagnosis
My Treatment
My Journal of thoughts about cancer, faith and God
My E-mails expressing my actual cancer journey
Cancer Resources
Introduction
You hear the dreaded words from your doctor “You have cancer,” and immediately you are confronted with having to deal with the reality of death, and that it may be your experience sooner than you expected. If I could say there is a blessing in being diagnosed with cancer it would be that it gives you a grace period to contemplate the purpose of life, the Maker of life, the reason why death exists, and knowing what to believe about life after death.
All of those questions are answered in the Bible. When you hear the Gospel, you have a choice to believe it or not. When it comes to having true faith in God, being 100% sure of His existence without a doubt, it can only be given to you from God Himself, and most likely He will give it to you if you ask with a sincere heart, for it is the Holy Spirit that is drawing you to learn of Him.
Knowing that God is sovereign and knows the number of your days on this temporary earth will bring you tremendous peace, knowing that life will go on eternally in His kingdom in the absence of evil and the fallen nature of sin. It is sad to think that we will be leaving our loved ones behind, but we have to trust God and His timing of giving and taking life. If I can’t trust my Maker, then I have to ask myself if He is worthy of being worshipped as the only wise and living God who is sovereign, and Lord of all.
If you are not a person of faith, then you are left with having no hope, which will produce fear from being uncertain of your future.
Having Biblical knowledge and believing God exists is one thing, but to walk out in faith of what you believe is another. Our relationship with God, who is Spirit, is a life-long growth process of learning to trust in Him and His ways, and letting go of our own understanding that is based on the fallen nature of man in which we have become self-sufficient and independent of God. I share this process through questions I had with God in my cancer journal when I was diagnosed with cancer.
Because my faith in God was already established, I didn’t have to go through the process of being vulnerable and fearful of my eternal destiny. But I did experience great vulnerability and anxiety concerning the procedure I would take to be cancer-free. Should I do chemotherapy or go with holistic remedies? I had a lot to learn in a small amount of time to decide. Most people know that Chemo has unpleasant side-effects, but it has prolonged the lives of many. But how effective is the holistic approach? Thankfully, there are many websites that promote this approach, along with reliable testimonies of success (Cancertutor.com; Chrisbeatcancer.com ).
I started with Cancer Tutor, and it has numerous protocols that will make your head spin until you become familiar with them and figure out what will work best for you. Ideally, it is best to go to a reputable holistic healing center if you can afford it, but I couldn’t.
From my experience, what shocked me the most was seeing how these two approaches to healing, conventional medicine and Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAM), are so polarized from each other, as if they are at war with each other. Oncologists don’t seem to take nutrition and CAM into consideration because they are focused on the pharmaceutical cure for ailments, based on clinical trials of success. Nutritionist don’t have the funding for clinical trials, but there are plenty of testimonies of success. The trials would be difficult anyway, because when you want to find a cure for a life-threatening ailment, you may not want to wait-out to see if one particular remedy works, you will want to try as many as you can, so you won’t know which one worked for you.
It is my hope that oncologists learn to appreciate the role of nutrition and other environmental and mental factors (especially stress) that need to be addressed for effectual recovery, and that nutritionist realize they are not oncologists and should stay within their educational limits. It’s a shame that someone would go through the discomfort of chemotherapy and then not be informed about a healthy lifestyle that will help promote the cancer from returning, which it usually does in many cases (I am referring to the nutrition and lifestyle recommended on websites such as Chris Beat Cancer, which in many cases we should have been following all along to prevent getting cancer in the first place).
I felt better than I ever did when I attempted to do Chris Wark’s approach to beating cancer. I felt healthy and had much energy. It’s really important to cut out all the harmful food recommendations, that’s what it means to be strict about it; and it can be really hard to break free from your comfort foods (the unhealthy ones), but if you are desperate about getting better, you will soon find out it’s a sacrifice you won’t regret, and eventually won’t miss.
But since my cancer was so advanced, and realized no diet was going to restore my degenerating breast at this stage, I went ahead with doing chemotherapy. I decided that whatever damage the chemo does to my body, I can undo it now that I know what to avoid to keep it safe from future harm. As I write this, post-chemo procedure, I have read of more testimonies for late-stage cancer survivors who have taken the CAM approach. I will never know if it would have been successful for me to forego Chemo, but now that I have gone through with it, today (18 months since my last chemo session in September, 2021) I am feeling back to normal.
It is understandable why people will go with chemo and not even consider CAM, because CAM requires a lot of discipline, and we prefer the easy way out through medication. But the choice is yours, be prayerful and trust that the Lord will guide you either way.
You will be shocked when you learn of all the factors (diet, stress, environmental toxins, lack of exercise, etc.) that contribute to having a weak immune system that makes it hard to fight off cancer, or any illness. For example, we think that because a product is on a grocery store shelf, that it must not be harmful for our health. Think of all the children’s cereal brands loaded with sugar, and the way we reward children with sweets, and the large amount of confection consumed on Halloween, Easter, Christmas, etc., and all the sugar contained in soda. Search the internet and see how sugar effects the brain development of children and your immune system.
Eating food that’s natural and healthy takes time to prepare, and our work-driven society doesn’t allow the time and energy to make things from scratch, giving way to the many pre-packaged convenient foods that are loaded with harmful ingredients we never give a second thought to. We have most likely spent our whole lives eating harmful foods not meant to be metabolized by our bodies the way God made us. So be patient when you switch over to a healthy lifestyle, it shouldn’t take too long before you notice a significant difference.
Here is just one resource that is making a difference in the integrative method of healing cancer:
My Diagnosis
In 2017 I was originally diagnoses with bilateral breast cancer. I decided to decline conventional treatment in favor of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM), which was experimenting with various methods and protocols from cancer websites and using the Rife machine. However, I eventually slacked off in being responsibly diligent with these methods when I thought the cancer had begun to show signs of retreat.
In May of 2021, at the age of 59, I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancers:
- R breast ILC, ER+/PR+ and HER2neu negative, invasive lobular carcinoma, stage 3b
- L Breast IDC, ER+/PR+ and HER2neu negative, invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 2a
My Treatment
From June, 2021 to Sept. 2021, Chemotherapy drugs: Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®), Cytoxan, and Taxal
Nov. 2021 Surgery: double mastectomy, lymph node
Feb. 2022 Radiation Treatment completed
I did not follow up with endocrine therapy/CDK inhibition treatments
My CAM protocol included using the Rife machine with plasma tube to kill the cancer virus; the Budwig (cottage cheese with flaxseed oil) protocol; MSM/Liph protocol; Essiac tea; taking the following supplements: Resveratrol, turmeric, green tea, magnesium, selenium, L-Glutamine (restores gut lining from chemo), oregano oil, ashwagandha, organic mushroom capsules with zinc, blackseed oil capsules. Some of these supplements may not be compatible with your chemotherapy treatment, such as those that are antioxidant.
For my fruit smoothie I use: Frozen berries, banana, unsweetened coconut yogurt, coconut or Nopal water, spirulina powder, chlorella powder, wheatgrass powder, EPA/DHA marine liquid, and Ancient Nutrition Collagen Protein Powder.
I also drink organic bone broth which is a powerful source for immune restoration. For my drinking water I add 1 Tbs. of Willard’s Water for every 32 oz. of water. Occasionally, I drink organic Aloe Vera juice.
To help restore minerals to my body, I also soaked in a magnesium chloride or Epsom salt or seaweed bath.
To help with the side effects of chemo with mouth issues I did oil pulling, salt and baking soda rinse, and used organic Manuka essential oil on ulcers (small dab on cotton swab 2X/day).
I also learned about detoxification. If you are contaminating your immune system with harmful irritants, and then go through chemotherapy without addressing the irritants, then it is my guess that your immune system will remain weakened and unable to improve itself to prevent future cancer growth.
See “Resources” below for more information.
My Journal
In my journal below I wrote down my progressive thoughts as I wrestled with my faith in understanding God’s ways and purpose through my cancer diagnosis.
4-26-21
How can I trust that God wants me to take Chemo, something that will damage His natural remedy for cancer, which is my immune system? How can I trust that God wants me to experience the effects of cancer eating away my body, causing pain and deterioration? Having open wounds? He can heal cancer in me.
I can’t let the cancer manifest and do nothing about it, yet if God does not supernaturally heal me then I am left with submitting to the world system of healing – chemotherapy, which seems to be anti-God to me.
Jesus took upon Himself the curse of the world in order to save us. He submitted to becoming flesh, and then to being subject to the world’s method of salvation – killing God.
7-3-21
Leprosy – a disease that eats away the flesh. (See Leviticus 14)
Symbolically it represents our fallen nature that has left us with the decay of every living thing. There is no permanent cure other than accepting eternal life through the salvation of Jesus Christ. Although Leprosy still exists in some places, I think cancer has the same symbolic significance.
As a Christian I struggle with being subject to dying as a victim of the fall due to illness and decay. God can be glorified as we express our faith in Him through this unavoidable process, and sometimes He heals us, either supernaturally or through modern medicine. But I would prefer to die because of being persecuted for standing up for my faith in Christ.
9-2-21
Dealing with all the painful side effects of chemo, and mentally knowing the damage it is causing to my body, I find myself holding in deep anger, cursing under my breath that the destruction of cancer exists and that it is permitted by God for me to experience. I understand it as a consequence to the fallen nature, but why does it have to be so dark and seemingly unbearable? How can I not be full of hatred towards this pain? Free will is necessary; the alternative to choose to live independent of God is death. Here on earth I have a chance to escape death through the salvation of Jesus Christ. Until I am called to heaven I still have to suffer the consequences of the fall, yet as His witness filled with hope of eternal life. That’s wonderful, but suffering still makes me full of anger.
Help me handle this reality the right way Lord. You were humble through all of Your suffering which no person can surpass. Help me to trust You through this and not believe the lie that You have forsaken me because of the pain I am going through. I want to understand why You don’t just heal me like you did for Peter’s mother-in-law. You have not changed.
9-16-21
Natural Approach – Even if natural/herbal remedies are effective, you still need to consult a holistic wellness center for safe dosage or else you could be causing more harm than good. Wellness centers are expensive and will empty out your savings in no time. Why can’t they be more affordable if people care about saving lives? Why doesn’t conventional medicine utilize these natural methods if they are successful? Why doesn’t God just heal us supernaturally so the poor don’t have to suffer?
9-19-21
The best way to beat cancer is to first make peace with your relationship with God. Receive His forgiveness and free gift of salvation. Knowing that physical death is inevitable and why, and knowing you will spend eternity living in heaven defeats anything that tries to destroy the body but can’t touch the soul (Matt. 10:28). Death can be fearful and final if you are not sure of your final destination. Cancer is just one on many ills that accelerates that pathway.
Second, you want to make peace with all the people you have wronged in your life, asking for their forgiveness whether they want to accept it or not. This will release much stress and soften your heart, for as a saved person, you can now love and forgive others as Christ has done for you, giving you peace.
Then you take care of your body the best you can, given that we are up against a polluted, poisoned environment, both chemically and emotionally (eat healthy, exercise, de-stress by walking with God).
9-19-21
Chemotherapy – You just have to let chemo run its course, curing and damaging along the way. Nutrition most likely won’t remedy it at this point (late-stage diagnosis). The side effects (your immune system is going to be compromised, causing mycosis in the mouth where cells reproduce the fastest, edema, neuropathy, blood count issues) are inevitable (some can be alleviated), but can be addressed after the chemo does its job (restoring the liver, kidney, nails and hair). (Update note: I have come to learn that there are testimonies of stage 4 cancer recoveries, see Chrisbeatcancer.com; Cancertutor.com; etc.)
9-28-21
When I first learned that I had breast cancer, as a born-again Christian I wanted to believe that God would heal me supernaturally. I also had to wonder why He would allow me to have it in the first place. As far as treatment considerations, I am naturally opposed to taking medications when there is a healthy natural alternative, so I wanted to avoid the damaging side effects of chemotherapy by looking into holistic alternatives to treatment.
I felt like I was in a race against time, as I discovered there is too much to learn about various natural cancer protocols, and then figuring out the right dosage and combinations. There are holistic wellness centers that can guide you through this, but you have to be wealthy to be able to afford their services. So I went ahead with my own understanding of what vitamins to take and protocols that were said to be effective for other cancer survivors, and it seemed to prevent the cancer from growing, but then I started to slack in keeping up with this self-treatment, and the cancer got noticeably worse at a rapid rate.
I then was diagnosed with stage 3b breast cancer, and I knew that no amount of eating raw salads of drinking juiced vegetables would bring back my now deformed breast. I reluctantly gave in to having conventional medical treatment. Emotionally this was traumatic for me as a naturalist, I felt so vulnerable, being forced into a whole different unfamiliar culture of pharmaceutical medicine, man-made chemicals that would cause harmful side effects to my body. I felt like I was thrown into a water tank full of sharks.
But eventually I came to peace about it as I started to learn more about chemotherapy. This experience, as I can imagine, is like trying to “deprogram” someone from a “cult,” a false teaching. It was up to me to learn and discern the true facts about my beliefs in spiritual matters, and how that has shaped my understanding of natural health and medicinal health. Fortunately, I am an objective thinker, but I never imagined how difficult it would be to discern what information was true coming from both camps of Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAM) and conventional medicine. Even the smartest people can be deceived, and they can’t know everything. But they both have the same thing in common, wanting to do the right thing. Faith can actually heal a person, but how many people have that kind of faith? And there’s the problem that science can’t back it up. CAM is messy, improving your emotional, physical and nutritional well-being is definitely helpful towards being cured and staying that way, but there is no guarantee that it will cure you since there can be too many other physiological factors outside of this scope that contribute to illness.
Since CAM is not regulated and not backed-up by scientific fact, anyone can say anything about what they believe about holistic medicine and make it believable. But that doesn’t mean that its curative ability should be ignored, or that experienced, professional holistic providers should be frowned upon by those who practice conventional medicine. They wouldn’t be practicing it if it didn’t work. (See plenty of testimonies at Chrisbeatcancer.com)
Another problem I have with CAM is that it is so easy to spread fear by putting the label “Big Pharma” on conventional medicine, which puts a conspiracy spin on their sincerity of their best interest of wanting people to get well. The truth is, there is bound to be a bad apple in every basket, and some pharmaceutical companies have proven themselves to be greedy. With CAM, there is so much risk involved if their practices can’t be regulated. But a person has the right to take their chance with natural healing methods. There is no guarantee of healing with conventional medicine either, the only benefit is that it is based on scientific facts through trial and error, and therefore, more reliable in that way. (Take note that CAM proven remedies have been historically destroyed or ignored by American regulators, such as the Rife machine, see rifevideos.com.)
There are popular websites that encourage holistic methods, and to stay away from chemotherapy, but I had to consider the source – if they had a medical doctor’s degree to understand the full scale of how chemotherapy works. I was able to find resources by professional medical doctors about the benefits and success of chemotherapy, and they also exposed how the holistic camp (CAM) have taken their fearful facts about chemo out of context; and I have also benefited by discovering a former holistic practitioner who exposed the inadequate training they are required to go through, so you have to be discerning to know who is genuine.
CAM has proven to be a great success for cancer patients, but not always; and conventional medicine has also proven to be a great success, but not always. Everyone is different, there is no guarantee with any method. But one thing is for sure, we all have to come to terms of dying one day, whether it’s from cancer, a virus, an accident or from old age.
Part of the process of being diagnosed with cancer is accepting that it has abruptly interrupted your life, and the thought of chemotherapy treatment can cause a lot of fear and anxiety, and it requires the will to live to persevere through the finish line of victory. This is going to be one of the hardest challenges you and your family members are about to pursue. Chemotherapy has side effects that will disrupt your comfort level, such as your physical (nausea, hair loss, mouth sores, etc.), emotional (pain management, vulnerability), psychological (depression, fear), and spiritual (dealing with death, the purpose of life, relationship with God) well-being.
Most medical providers offer plenty of support and resources to get you through this, such as nutritionist, pain management, social workers for emotional and financial support, and support groups and websites about the experience of going through with chemotherapy and surgery. For me, my ultimate support came from knowing that my family, friends and church family were praying for me and encouraging me to stay hopeful.
11-12-21
(Note to a Born-Again Christian with cancer): Although your body may be deteriorating at a faster rate than you would desire from chemo, keep in mind that Christ Himself is living within you. Wow! Can Heal you? Will He?
One thing I experienced through chemo is that there were times that I became ornery, and having little tolerance for any resistance in my life. Part of it was the real me coming out and God wanting me to be real honest with Him, but part of it is also the effect of the medications I was taking – they were having a dramatic effect on every part of my body, so make sure that your loved ones understand that, if they should notice any changes in your personality.
12-11-21
One of the difficulties I have with my cancer diagnosis is coming to terms with the truth of God’s word. Everyone has their own interpretation and idealism of what life should be like according to God and how they understand the scriptures.
When you come to a crisis in life, that can all become unraveled if it is not based on truth (which is a good thing because now you will forsake the false and seek the truth). Although I can’t understand why God would let His child suffer through cancer since I know He can heal me, I have not let that take away my faith in Him, nor let the attempt of thinking He may be rejecting me succeed in believing His unconditional love for me. If I don’t believe that His eye is on the sparrow and that His ultimate plan is unfolding in my life even though I may not understand it all, then I am left with nothing, without any hope. By choosing to trust in God through trials I am truly blessed, for I gain life, for He is true life, eternal life.
I have found that my biggest struggle throughout my Christian walk is coming to terms with our fallen condition and the destructiveness of its nature, which is why we have trials to begin with. It is the love of God (which is revealed ultimately through the crucifixion of His Son Jesus Christ) that enables me to face and understand the reality of life on this side of heaven. It’s all revealed on His cross.
12-12-21
Chemotherapy – It’s a different kind of death experience. Your body starts to fall apart (side effects of chemo – hair loss, mouth sores, loss of taste, etc.) in order to save it, and in the end it is all restored like new.
5-9-22
As a born-again Christian it was a major struggle to accept the fact that I would be plagued with cancer. Since the original sin took place that caused us to be separate from our life source, our Heavenly Father God, we became subject to death, disease and corrosion. These are conditions we can’t escape or deny. Man has discovered temporary fixes for disease and corrosion, but not for death. There is only one solution for that, which is to be reunited with the only source of life, God, which He mercifully and graciously provided through the atoning sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, enabling us to be redeemed and reconciled to a restored loving relationship with our Heavenly Father.
So as a born-again Christian, being filled with the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God Himself, I expect to be immune from the effects of the sin-nature concerning sickness and disease, even though I am still subject to aging and physical death in which one day will be bodily resurrected.
When Jesus walked the earth in physical form 2,000 years ago, He did not go around healing everyone (Jn 5, He only healed the one man at the pool) but He did heal everyone that came to Him. The purpose of demonstrating miracles, signs and wonders was to reveal and convince people that He was the promised Messiah, and the Son of God, for only God could perform those things which was for the purpose of glorifying God and not man (the devil can do the same to a certain degree for his own glory and to deceive), and to show that God would allow Himself to be crucified for the love of redeeming His children (which was a stumbling block, something unthinkable for the pious Jews in which case Jesus accused of being of their father the devil for denying the prophetic promise of doing what only God could do – forgive sins by paying the price with life itself, blood for blood, because He is the only sinless source who could do this. The Jews should have known this since it is pre-figured in their annual ceremony of the Day of Atonement).
Yet He performed so many miracles, signs and wonders, too many to contain in the Bible. To prove His point as described above, a few would suffice, He would not have had to exhaust Himself with an over-abundant amount. So why did He do so many? I believe it is because He just couldn’t resist, His undeniable very nature is love and compassion, so He would not refuse to touch and give anyone who was seeking and asking with the experience of tasting and seeing His heavenly kingdom here on earth.
Now that I am a born-again Christian, I am tremendously thankful that I will spend eternity in heaven. I should expect trials and suffering and tribulation for the sake of Christ, for that is for the glory of God. But what about sickness and disease, should I not expect to be healed of that? Is it of God to think that accepting my sickness and not denying Him in spite of it (although that would be noble of me and build my character as it did for Job) is part of His will? Or would He be better glorified if I let Him do what He did when He walked the earth 2,000 years ago and heal my disease? Paul’s thorn was for a specific purpose, to keep him humble. But generally, the millions of people who are lost and suffering from sickness could use the healing touch of the Savior to lead them to salvation. He displayed His authority over sickness and disease then, and the condition of the world hasn’t changed since then. So why aren’t Christians demonstrating His miracles, signs and wonder more?
There are some ministries that do this, but their main focus in on miracles, signs and wonders, not discipleship, which can cause the focus to be on man and not God.
I pray that the church would not be hindered in moving out with the abundant amount of gifts, supernatural and natural, to display the kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven. I wonder if God’s healing miracles were to be more manifest, it would also be at the same time that people are familiar with the manifestation of signs and wonders performed by false Christs and false prophets for the purpose to deceive many (Matt. 24:24; 2 Thes. 2:9).
8-12-22
“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matt. 10:39
What does that tell you about God’s perspective of life? If you don’t understand God’s perspective of life (which is hard to believe and accept unless He has opened your eyes to the reality of His existence [Jn 6:44; Matt 11:27; 2 Cor 4:3-4; Lk 19:10; 1 Cor 2:14; Rom 8:29-30; Eph 2:4; Jn 1:11-13; Acts 26:18; 1 Thes 2:13; 1 Jn 3:1]) then you will not understand the sad condition of this world and all the sorrowful effects on human nature that come with it: sickness, disease and death.
If God is not real, then we would have a different attitude about these things. Until we are 100% sure of His existence, we may have a small amount of faith, and therefore be confounded that He would allow life to be like this, and be angry with Him. The truth is that in the beginning, when God created everything, it was all good. We are the ones who, by having free will, brought upon ourselves death, degeneration and decay as we know it, by choosing to rebel and reject worshiping God as our Creator and desiring to live autonomously according to our own wisdom.
Why death? Because God is the only source of life, and our sin separates us from His holiness. He warned Adam that eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would cause him to die. Yet, God in His infinite wisdom had a backup plan of redemption before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:19-20; Rev. 13:8).
When we believe in Him without a doubt as a result of revealing Himself to us, we are in an emotional position to accept the truth about reality – that we are sinners, that God is love so we don’t have to fear admitting we are sinners, and that we are forgiven, living in a world that is fallen, and presently living in an era where we are given the chance to acknowledge the truth about His salvation so that we can one day soon live in Paradise with Him as our Lord and God forever.
8-14-22
Although I have many questions to God about cancer, there is one thing I know for sure, that as a born-again Christian He will never leave or forsake me. He is right here with me through this suffering (through all suffering). In fact, He actually dwells within me, our bodies are temples of His presence (1 Corinth. 6:19).
2-5-23
When I was diagnosed with having breast cancer, I thought, “No way, this can’t be happening to me, I’m saved, a born-again Christian, no longer subject to the effects of the fall.” So, with that belief, the only possible reason I could think of for contacting this ailment was because God was using it to correct me of some kind of wayward sin. But I knew that wasn’t true.
It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit led me to the truth through various resources that I came to peace and understanding about this circumstance. He gave me clarity about the different dispensations of the Bible, and how during this current church age Christians are still subject to the fallen nature. Although God can perform miracles at this time according to His will, it is not until He returns and we see Him face to face and rule and reign with Him fully glorified that we will be 100% free of all the effects of sin and the fallen nature (Rom 8:23; Rev 21:4).
But my increasing knowledge of Bible study has me wondering if the Spirit-filled Christians should be exercising God’s compassionate power to heal more than what has been practiced in history’s past. I think knowing, trusting and loving God personally is the key to having no fear of being humble enough to exercise the power of His spirit, so that our flesh would not interfere, and cause us to stumble. Think about how hard it is to crucify the flesh and submit it to the will of God, the whole NT addresses the issue of how the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
My E-Mails
Below are e-mails to various people that record my experience of going through my cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy.
3- 29-21
(To my Pastor)
Today I am in the process of seeking a doctor to go through with MRI and other tests for my breast cancer, it is not looking good. I would appreciate your prayers for direction in this area. If you know of anyone with faith to heal please let me know!
3-30-21
Hi Elaine,
The elders would certainly respond to a James 5 request. Did you find a doctor for the MRI?
You are in my prayers right now.
3-30-21
(To my Pastor)
I did not find a doctor yet. My brother just had brain surgery not too long ago for a benign tumor and sailed right through the whole ordeal. I was asking him for advice the other day and he told me that I need to find a local doctor and go through with all of those tests that I did a few years ago, and then go to ____(better doctors) for the surgery. I had a big headache just from the thought of having to go through all of that again, so I am trying to avoid it, but I guess I have no choice. I don’t mind the surgery to have them removed, it’s the mammogram, which is controversial for accuracy, and with the MRI I don’t like the idea of having to drink the toxic stuff beforehand.
It would be nice to have the elders pray with me, that will be my last resort before I get involved with all of the above. I know God can heal me if He wanted to. I wish I understood more about God’s will to heal, such as is it mostly to testify of His Kingdom, does the social/spiritual atmosphere have to be as that of the NT times that He would manifest this gift in the end times? I feel like I am physically defeated by the fall and its consequences. I know that I will have to physically die, but I always wanted to do so by giving glory to God as a martyr somehow, not as a victim of the fall.
If I could receive prayer from the elders that would be great, I am available any day, at any time except next Tues. morning.
Thanks for everything Pastor____.
3-31-21
(To my Pastor) (They had previously prayed over me when I was originally diagnosed several months before)
Thanks for the phone call. I agree with your advice, the Lord has been speaking this to me today. I have been reading from good sources that divide the truth from the lie about healing. It is amazing how vulnerable I can be, but the Good Shepherd enables us to discern His voice among the many false ones out there that seem like His. So we can skip the Elder’s meeting for prayer, I am fine with that. For now I would request that you pray for guidance in making the arrangements for appointments tomorrow and that the Lord would keep me in His perfect peace.
4-3-21
Hi ____,
For me, it looks like my cancer has gotten worse, I am scheduled or an appointment with a nurse on Tues. so she can prescribe a mammogram, basically starting from scratch all over again. I will probably have to go from there to ultrasounds, MRI, and Biopsy, then surgery.
I really don’t feel right about this, but it seems like I have no choice. James 5:13-18 talks about “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” This is on the context of Elders praying over the sick. Faith is not something you have to muster up within yourself, the power to heal is a gift from God, and people (elders) who understand their standing in Christ as being righteous should have no hindrances of the flesh, no doubt about Gods will to heal when praying over a sick person. I believe that healing should be the norm.
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”
I appreciate your prayers in this matter. If you know of any healing ministries, please let me know!
4-7-21
Hi Pastor____,
I just wanted to inform you of the results of my Dr. visit. It looks like my breast cancer has gotten worse; I will need a CAT scan to determine if it has spread throughout my body and then proceed with chemotherapy for six months to shrink the cancer before surgery can be determined. Physically, I feel fine; emotionally, prayers have been keeping me in God’s perfect peace. Thanks for praying.
4-10-21
Hello Everyone,
I would like to ask you for prayer concerning my breast cancer. I went to get it checked this week and they are giving me tests (CAT and bone scan next Wed.) to see if it has metastasized. I will need to do 6 months of Chemo. and then they will determine if they can remove my breasts. I had opted to do the natural healing method, but I have been lax on that protocol, mostly due to not having a professional nutritionist who specializes in breast Cancer to guide me, so I have been winging it by going by my self-education. My ignorance with the natural method and the fear of doing the chemical method have left me feeling very vulnerable. I am praying for the Lord to lead me to do the right thing and to trust in His guidance.
5-1-21
Hi _____,
I feel fine but the diagnosis does not look too good.
I have been going back and forth with the idea of doing Chemo if needed, but realize it is the only choice I have. If I do nothing, then my breast will break out and be really gross, and the cancer will metastasize. As a naturalist, I feel like I am forced to be vulnerable to a chemical technique that seems insane to me in that chemo destroys (not all) cancer cells and your immune system; but when it is done, my immune system can spring back if I am fortunate. I don’t know why the Lord would have people do this, but it apparently works to some degree. I am humbled at the thought that the Lord Jesus was asked to do an insane thing – become a human being, and then take on the sin of the world in order to save us! So I am learning to trust the Lord in this. I am not too afraid to die, I know where I am going; I am more perturbed of going through all of this hassle (so much attention to myself, my body), just to preserve my physical body. But I would suffer in pain if I did nothing.
Thank you for reaching out and for your prayers, they mean a lot to me.
5-10-21
Hi _____,
I wanted to give you an update on my health and ask for prayer for tomorrows procedure.
I have had several MRI’s and PET scans to determine if it has metastasized to other parts of my body. If it has, then I will have to go through Chemotherapy to shrink the cancer before they remove my breasts. If it has not spread, then I will skip the Chemo and do radiation therapy before they remove my breasts.
On Tuesday morning I will have an endobronchial ultrasound-guided biopsy done on a lymph node detected on the PET scan.
Physically, I feel fine, no pain at all. Emotionally, I am not happy with all of this testing, although I know it is necessary. It is hard to accept when you believe in natural therapy and then asked to destroy your immune system with chemicals, so I am slowly accepting it as my only alternative, but that doesn’t calm my anxieties about it.
I appreciate your prayers for me, Chris and the doctor on Tuesday morning! (Please pray that my throat won’t dry out or be damaged from the breathing tube)
5-20-21
Hello Everyone,
The Doctor visit went well today; my cancer has not metastasized to other parts of my body, so that means that it is curative! I am now in the process of getting ready for setting up chemo treatment, then breast surgery, then radiation, then hormone therapy. I guess all of that will take about a year to get through.
5-26-21
Hi_____,
Tomorrow, Thurs., I am having mild surgery to have my Chemo port implanted just underneath a thin layer of skin on my upper chest. This is a safer IV method they have developed for chemo recipients. Next Thurs. or Friday I will start my chemo sessions (every other week until the beginning of Sept.).
6-3-21
Hello Everyone,
Well, the dreadful day has approached; tomorrow I will be starting my Chemotherapy sessions around 9:30 AM. It should last for 1 ½ hrs. for the first four sessions (every other week), and the last four sessions will run for 4 hours each. My body and immune system will be greatly compromised, but hopefully it will serve its purpose of killing off most of the cancer cells. I am more saddened about the chemicals that will enter my body than I am about having cancer or the possibility of having my life shortened by it. (Spending eternity with God is a good thing, trusting in man and man-made chemicals in their best effort to preserve life is questionable when it causes so much harm to the body, yet what other choice do I have if I need to control an invasive growth in my body?) With your prayers and knowing that the Lord will be with me in my suffering, I will get through this just like many other cancer survivors.
Please pray that I will have perseverance when you think of me. And if you believe in miracles, you can pray that the Lord will deliver me from the damage expected to be done by the “fire” of chemotherapy (Daniel 3:16-23)!
6-6-21
Hello Everyone,
Today Is a lot different than yesterday. I felt normal yesterday, and today it is just the opposite. The nausea is kicking in but I am trying really hard to eat something. I am taking medication for it, it’s just hard to eat anything. My emotions are very sad and crying, which I think is mostly from the medication because I was fine yesterday. My body feels like a test tube with all these chemicals swirling around, having to take other medications to counter off the effects of chemo with all these potential side effects. I just don’t think it is worth it, but tomorrow is a new day.
6-7-21
Hello Everyone,
Last night took us for a turn for the worst. Chris and I spent last night in the ER. I had trouble breathing right and wasn’t able to eat or drink much yesterday. I would have been better if I had taken a medication I left out because I thought it was for something else. We arrived home around 8AM and everything checked out good in the end. Please pray that I will get back my appetite and water intake and the will to go through with this.
Thanks so much for your kindness and prayers,
6-8-21
Hi _____,
Well, today was much better for me, I was actually able to eat and drink more, and do some house cleaning (good exercise), and chase Gracie around the house (fun exercise). I know that prayer made a big difference. I consider myself very blessed to know people who love the Lord and trust in Him in all things.
6-21-21
Hello Everyone,
_____asked how I was doing so I thought I would send everyone the update.
I’m doing ok. It usually takes a week for the nausea and fatigue to wear off, but it is always hard to eat normally and food doesn’t taste right. I often eat small portions more often, whatever I can handle. Today the nausea is gone but I am feeling pain in the pads of my feet, I hope it is not neuropathy, which is a common side effect of chemo, but I thought that effected the tips of your toes and fingers. Some days are good, some days are bad. I’m trying to stay positive but it is very hard when you are nauseous most of the time. When I am feeling better, I remind myself that it won’t last forever and that there is light at the end of this dark tunnel. My third Chemo appointment is this Friday.
7-10-21
Hello everyone,
I am going to be short and to the point. I am having a very rough week dealing with the side effects of chemo. I have developed neuropathy in my feet making it painful to walk, thrush (Candida albicans) in my mouth that makes it hard to taste food and sometimes swallow, and my bowel movement are extremely painful (constipation) that I cry profusely the rare times I have to go. I have very low tolerance for pain, (I’m sure most people do), so my spirits are low and I just want to end this. Please pray for discernment about finding an alternative doctor who might be willing to skip the pre-chemo stage that my doctor is doing to shrink the tumor so she can operate.
7-19-21
Hi _____,
This is the latest update on my health from Saturday:
I am doing better, my thrush is almost gone, my neuropathy is getting better, and my fissures are less painful. The Lord has led me to natural remedies.
But please pray that the fissures heal quickly, they still hurt! I had to skip my chemo session on Fri. due to low blood count. They wanted to give me a blood transfusion but I said no, let’s see how things go over the weekend. I’m relieved to have a brake so I can catch-up on getting better before the chemo tears everything down again.
I went for another blood test today (Monday), and the red blood count is still too low to continue chemo. I will go back on Wed. to get it checked again to see if it improves, if not then I will have to get a blood transfusion. So let’s pray for a miracle!
7-31-21
Hi _____,
Well, my fissures are back with a vengeance! They seemed to be healing nicely, but maybe they weren’t, they just felt like they were because I kept my food consumption down and ate foods to keep my BM soft (sorry to discuss such an unpleasant topic). The feeling is worse than torture; it knocks me out physically for a while afterwards. I am looking into finding a doctor who is a specialist on this kind of ailment, but I don’t know if minor surgery will have to be performed or even if I can get that done while on chemo. I might have to put the chemo on hold.
So my prayer request is for God’s guidance in finding the right doctor, and that he may heal me and find a way to alleviate the pain for now.
8-7-21
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to touch base and let you know that during this week my fissures have gotten progressively better, I no longer have severe pain (since Monday)!
I know that is because of answered prayers, and He has given me wisdom on how to manage the problem to lessen the pain. I saw a doctor last Friday and he prescribed better medication to promote the healing.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
8-12-21
Hi_____,
I’m doing well this week, since my chemo was put off for a week due to my low blood count, I was able to eat normal again and gain some weight.
Tomorrow I start the first of my last four sessions with a new chemo drug that is not supposed to be as harsh as the previous one, but they say I will probably lose all of my hair this time. Also, neuropathy is a big concern in the hands and feet, I have to do ice packs during the sessions.
8-20-21
Hello Everyone,
I just got back from my dr. visit, one week after my first of four sessions of the different chemo drug, which is milder, and everything looks good, my blood count is back to normal. I am feeling much better, with just a few minor complaints, but this will be over soon. I am thankful I have my appetite back. I plan on starting physical therapy to gain some muscle mass back, which will be nice.
8-26-21
Hi_____,
Today I had my blood test, and it came out good, so tomorrow I will have my 6th chemo session, starting at 8:30 in the morning until about 1:00. Last week I had some issues with bone pain, which is typical with this particular drug, so I am hoping it won’t occur again.
Resources
Christian Cancer Blogs/Support:
Finding Hope – Hope Has Arrived (Many articles and testimonies)
Lynn Eib – When God & Cancer Meet
Christian Articles:
8 Lessons God Is Teaching Me through Cancer (thegospelcoalition.org)
Where is God in Cancer? – Endurance with Jan & Dave Dravecky
Protocols:
Chris Beat Cancer – A resource for healing cancer holistically by Chris Wark.
Alternative Cancer Treatments (Don’t Underestimate Mother Nature) (websterkehr.com)
Cancer Is Easy To Overcome, I’ll Show You How | Cancer Free (beating-cancer-gently.com)
Budwig diet: How to Make The Budwig Mix – [RECIPE] – Budwig Diet (budwigcenter.com)
Chemotherapy Detox Using Natural Products | Budwig Center
Rife Machine: www.RifeVideos.com,The Royal Rife Story, Royal Rife-In His Own Words
https://websterkehr.com/freqgenhistory/
MSM/Liph protocol: The Organic Sulfur / LIPH Protocol For Cancer (websterkehr.com)
Oil Pulling: Oil Pulling Benefits and How-To Guide – Dr. Axe (draxe.com)
Supplements:
L-Glutamine (Mouth sores): How to Treat Mouth Sores from Chemo Treatment | MarnieClark.com;
Chemotherapy Side Effect Relief Naturally – Integrative Cancer Answers
Willard’s Water: Dr. Willard’s – Dr Willard
My CAM protocol included using the Rife machine with plasma tube to kill the cancer virus; the Budwig (cottage cheese with flaxseed oil) protocol; MSM/Liph protocol; Essiac Tea; taking the following supplements: Resveratrol, turmeric, green tea, magnesium, selenium, L-Glutamine (restores gut lining from chemo), oregano oil, ashwagandha, organic mushroom capsules with zinc, and blackseed oil capsules. Some of these supplements may not be compatible with your chemotherapy treatment.
Detoxification:
If you have mercury fillings in your teeth:
Dangers of Amalgam Fillings & Alternatives to Amalgam Fillings – Dr. Axe (draxe.com)
Detox articles:
How to Use Toxin Binders to Cleanse the Body – DrJockers.com
7 Day Liver Cleanse: Better Energy, Skin and Mental Clarity (drjockers.com)
10-Day Kidney Cleanse For Better Energy & Skin Health – DrJockers.comCANCER CLEANSE PROGRAM (drjockers.com)