I Refused Chemo: 7 Steps to Taking Back Your Power and Healing Your Cancer
186
I Refused Chemo: 7 Steps to Taking Back Your Power and Healing Your Cancer
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781683508038 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Morgan James Publishing |
| Publication date: | 08/07/2018 |
| Pages: | 186 |
| Product dimensions: | 4.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
MY STORY
Health is a relationship between you and your body.
– Terri Guillemets
Mark and I were on our way up north to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. I was really looking forward to spending the day with my entire family and visiting with friends and relatives, many of whom we hadn't seen in a long time. We were just a few miles from the church when I pulled down the visor to look in the mirror and check my lipstick and hair.
I noticed a lump on the right side of my neck. I immediately felt it, and it was hard. My immediate reaction was one of panic; I felt an instant rush of adrenaline and warmth fill my body. I looked in the mirror again ... and then one more time. It was a pretty big lump. Why hadn't I noticed it before? My thoughts went right to the worst: a lump! Is it cancer? Then my thoughts veered away again. Nah ... it can't be. I'm too healthy to get cancer. It has to be something else.
My parents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration, which was supposed to be a fun and joyous day, turned into a day of distraction and worry for me instead. I couldn't stop thinking about the lump in my neck — but I kept this to myself until the drive home.
As we made our way home from the church, I mentioned my finding to Mark. His reaction was a practical, "Well, go get it checked out." My reaction was immediate and intense: No! I don't want to! I decided it had to be just a swollen gland, and that thought managed to give me mental rest until we arrived home.
I went straight to the Internet and Googled "swollen gland." What I found wasn't very comforting, that's for sure. This led me to search, "Why do lymph nodes swell up?" and then on to "causes of swollen lymph nodes," "symptoms," "cancer," and "lymphoma." Ugh! I couldn't stand to consider this outcome. I decided just to keep an eye on the lump, and to ask one of my clients, an oncology physician's assistant, what she thought. (The one great thing about what I do, is I get to coach a lot of doctors, nurses, and people in the medical field. As you will learn later on in this book, they don't get any nutrition coaching in medical school, so they come to me to get help in this area.)
That next week, I asked my client what she thought. She looked at and felt my neck, and right away, I freaked out at the expression on her face.
She said, "Teri, you need to go get that checked out."
"Why?" I asked her. "I feel fine." Thinking back, I was just telling myself I felt fine. The truth was, I had a lot of fatigue and just generally did not feel my best. I think I had attributed it to hormonal shifts and stress.
Per her advice, I decided to see my primary physician and get some blood work done. I was also strongly encouraged to get a CAT scan, so I did — reluctantly. Frankly, I was scared to know what was going on.
I had so much blood drawn, I felt like I was making a donation. We checked everything. Out of all of the labs run, the only lab that came back anything less than normal was a low Vitamin D level, a not-uncommon finding among North Americans. But the CAT scan results were worrying. They showed I had many enlarged lymph nodes in the area of my neck on both sides, and the doctors suspected lymphoma. The next step would be a biopsy.
The entire time up to this point was a whirlwind of emotions. My blood work coming back all normal, was, at the time, a huge YAY! I didn't learn until later that more times than not, blood work can come back normal even in the later stages of cancer. But the CAT scan results were very unsettling.
I tend to be a worrier. So when I went in for the biopsy, it was a huge ordeal for me. The process itself was very simple, but the day leading up to it was not. Here's the deal: I am a very driven, type A, go-go-go, have-to- be-in-control type of person. I also had a lot of stress in my life at the time, and the diagnostic process didn't help. In the back of my mind, I understood that I potentially had cancer, and that was absolutely horrifying to me. It kept me awake at night, and it caused me to shut down many days with worry and concern. At this point, I had stopped doing any research, because it was just too overwhelming for me to think about. And honestly? Deep down, I kept thinking, "God would not allow this to happen to me." I forced myself to believe that it was just a scare for me to get back on track with Him and my relationship, and a lesson that I need to slow down and work on my stress. I was not "accepting the realization" that it could be cancer very well at all.
On Wednesday, January 12th, I had a post-biopsy follow-up appointment with my ear, nose, and throat doctor. Praise God! The biopsy came back negative for Hodgkin's Lymphoma!
Well, hold on a minute!
Me: "Doc, this is great news, right?"
Doc: "Well, Teri, biopsies are inconclusive and many times test out negative. I really think you should have surgery to remove the entire node."
Me: "What? I don't understand. Why would you have me do a biopsy if you knew that the results would be inconclusive?"
Doc: "This is just our normal process, we always biopsy first and then my suggestion is to surgically remove the actual node. When they remove the node, they actually cut it up into hundreds of pieces and look at it under a microscope, this way we will know for sure."
Me: "This makes no sense. Could it be an infection?"
Doc: "I really don't think so, but I will gladly give you antibiotics to try, and if that doesn't work, I strongly advise you to get it removed so we have a diagnosis. I wouldn't mess around with this too much longer."
At this point, I was not thinking I had lymphoma. I was trying to stay positive. I did try the antibiotics, although I usually resist taking them, because I was thinking, well, if it's an infection, then the node will go down.
The node didn't go down. After weeks of thinking about the pros and cons of having surgery to remove the node, I decided to go ahead. I was at the point where I was sick of worrying about it and not knowing for sure what was going on. Plus, visually, it was bothering me.
On Friday, March 4th, I went in for what was supposed to be a pretty simple procedure. But after surgery, I got really sick from the anesthesia and whatever other medications they had used for the procedure. I mean really, really sick. It was horrible. I was throwing up, got a migraine, had hot and cold spells, and I couldn't get out of bed for two and a half days.
The following Wednesday, I had my follow-up appointment with the doc/surgeon to go over the results of the pathology report, and also to make sure my incision was healing well.
Doc: "Well, I have good news and bad news."
Me: "Ok, let's hear the good news first."
Doc: "The pathology report came back negative."
Me: "Whoo hoo! See? I told you I didn't think I had cancer."
Doc: "Hold on, Teri. The bad news is that I suspect I removed the wrong gland."
(Silence as he reached over to take a peek at my neck.)
Doc: "The pathology report stated that the gland they dissected was a saliva gland, not the lymph node. We really need to verify this by you going and having another CAT scan today and then, if it is the case that the node is still in there, we should get you in for surgery immediately so that you don't build up scar tissue. It would be best to get in for surgery as soon as possible so that scar tissue doesn't start to form, which could cause nerve damage to your face and other complications."
Ok ... so at this point, I am not going to continue on with the dialogue that ensued between Mark and the doctor. Mark was livid. While he expressed himself colorfully with a few choice words, I sat there in disbelief and complete horror. I went into full-on panic mode. I called my mom immediately and told her to call everyone she knew to pray for me. The thought of having another surgery almost did me in. I had a complete meltdown. Later that day, the CAT scan confirmed that the doctor had REMOVED THE WRONG FLIPPIN' GLAND IN MY NECK!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW!?
Surgery number two was exactly one week from my first. This one went much better this time. We made sure we had another doc in there to prevent further mistakes. The following Wednesday, at my follow-up appointment, the doctor said the pathology report from the University of Minnesota came back negative, but he wanted to send it off to the Mayo Clinic for a final analysis.
So at this point, as you can imagine, I was losing faith and confidence in the medical system. First, why did they tell me to do a biopsy if they knew they were going to suggest surgery anyway? Then they removed my saliva gland instead of my lymph node. Next, the biopsy came back negative, but the doc didn't trust the source so it had to go out for another opinion. The entire process was extremely agitating, confusing, and maddening.
Now, in hindsight, I wish I had slowed things down and done more research. But, like you, I'm sure, you trust your doctors, right? I mean, they are the professionals. They are supposed to be the ones trained to give you the best care, the best advice, and the best choices, right? Well, not when it comes to cancer. Cancer is truly an industry — and a money-making one at that. Yep, I said it — and I will back up this statement in Chapter 3.
One week later, on Friday, March 18th at 3:42 pm, we got the call. I remember nervously anticipating this call all week. I had just had a conversation with Mark an hour before telling him that I really didn't think I had cancer. I mean, two negative biopsies? What were the odds?
As I mentioned earlier in this book, the day I got the news is the most horrific memory of my adult life. Mark and I were standing in the kitchen chatting when the phone rang. We both stood there and listened to the doctor say, "The pathology report came back and you have Nodular Lymphocyte Predominate Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I will give you the name of an oncologist. I suggest you set up an appointment with her next week."
I couldn't move ... I couldn't think ... I couldn't cry. The only words in my head were, "I HAVE CANCER." This moment in time will always be fresh in my memory. The emotions that ran through my body were so horrifying. It's hard to even explain, it's like you are suddenly thrown into shocking contemplation of pain, suffering, and death. It's an instant change in your mind, and in your entire physiology. My heart starting pounding, I got hot, my stomach instantly got queasy, I felt lightheaded, I got weak — all this in just seconds.
After a few minutes of trying to gather my bearings and come to terms with what I was told, I went to my computer, and immediately started Googling "lymphoma." "What is lymphoma?" "How do you get lymphoma?" "Is lymphoma treatable?" What I discovered was daunting, discouraging, and alarming. I could hardly read the words on the computer through my tears. Were chemo and radiation the only solutions for treatment? Could they actually even cure the cancer? All I was seeing and reading was that these two treatments were the only treatments offered at cancer clinics.
Then I started reading up on what chemotherapy actually is and what it does ... ummmm ... I was not willing to put poison in my body. I mean, seriously, I had served many years in the health coaching industry, and suddenly, at 49 years old, I was sitting there facing what I felt was a death sentence. I thought, "God? Why are you punishing me this way? What have I done to deserve cancer?" Not only was I facing what I thought were my only options, chemo and radiation, but it also looked like I would have to do both as the required treatment. This was too much for me to handle. I had to close my computer and not deal with this anymore. Needless to say, I was full of despair, anguish, and questions.
I didn't sleep well at all. I got up early the next morning and was tempted to call one of my staff members to see if they would fill in for me so I wouldn't have to go in and face my clients. What in the world are they going to think? I was feeling like a hypocrite. I was feeling embarrassed. To my clients, I am their teacher and coach, someone they look up to. Someone who educates them about all the aspects of living a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle, who preaches health and fitness — and I end up with cancer. I was so mad. So, so mad. "How can I lead and teach these ladies," I thought, "if I have cancer?"
Looking back, I sure beat myself up, didn't I? I am sure you are also beating yourself up. When we get news of this magnitude, we react in so many different ways, and frequently that first reaction is equal parts denial and self-blame. It's so horrifying that it's tempting to do something — anything! — but what I learned is that you must dig deep. You must slow down and not make decisions when you are in a state of panic, fear, anger, or confusion. Take your time reading this book, as well as others, so that you can fuel yourself with information and get your power back. You will be more equipped to fight when you are calmer, more educated, and less overwhelmed.
Back then, though, I didn't know any of this yet. I was sure I had to make some sort of decision almost immediately, and I was equally sure that I couldn't tell my clients I had cancer. A perfect recipe for complete panic. I didn't want to go in to my gym that next morning with this weight on my shoulders, but I had to. When I got there, I tried my best to hold it together, taught my cardio kickboxing class, put on a fake smile and my "nothing is wrong" disguise, and then hurried off to my office to have a meltdown.
It was so tough. I wanted to tell them, but I couldn't. I was embarrassed, scared, and worried. I was their leader. They couldn't see me as weak. I worried that I would lose my business. If I was going to be sick from the chemo and radiation, how would I teach my classes? How could I run a business if I was sick all of the time? How would I be able to coach my clients? How would I be able to speak in public and give presentations on health and wellness when I didn't look healthy and well?
My thoughts scrambled on. I didn't want to lose my hair. My maintaining a healthy, fit appearance was important to what I did for a living — how was this going to work? I didn't want anyone seeing me sick. I didn't want to put poison in my body. I didn't want to look emaciated. Even though I was strongly opposed to doing chemo, I wasn't yet convinced that I wouldn't have to. I mean, I hadn't yet learned of any holistic alternatives, and I was terrified that chemo might be my only option. Tears ... floods of tears ... the pity party was next.
My pity party lasted a day. I moped, cried, felt sorry for myself, and questioned God. I was very disappointed and angry. I can't ever remember feeling as dejected, down, scared, mad, frustrated, worried, and confused all at the same time. It was the ickiest process I have ever had to face. I kept trying to figure out what the lesson was, if there was one. Why, God? I asked Him to reveal to me what He was doing. I mean, two surgeries? Two negative biopsies? What was the point?
It felt too big for me to deal with. "I can't do it," I thought. "I don't want to try. I give up. I quit." I wanted to just hide. I tried to think of the ways I could get out of facing my clients and deal with my cancer in my own private way. It was all so over-whelming to me. I truly felt like giving up. Quitting everything. I mean, everything.
Whoa. Wait.
With these thoughts rampant upon me, something sparked. I thought, "Stop it, Teri. You have to stop thinking like this. Turn it around, now." I thought about what I knew about myself. I knew I was not a quitter. I was a fighter. I was very smart. I had never given up before when things had been hard. Even though this was definitely the most serious and difficult challenge I'd had in my life, I'd had other challenges and I got through them. I had clients all around me who I'd helped regain their health. What made this situation any different? Other than it's me, not a client, and it's my cancer, not someone else's illness?
This was my defining moment. My fighter spirit rekindled, I received this power shot of energy, and all of a sudden, my thoughts became those of a conqueror, not a victim. I do believe it was God turning my thinking around. He gave me the spiritual guidance (intuition) that I needed at that moment to start figuring out another path to heal my body and make the decision to REFUSE chemo. I decided to take back my power instead of letting the doctors have it. Enough! Enough of the "I don't know what to do, I can't deal with this" mentality. I just needed to follow what I already knew, which was that, given the right things, the body can heal itself. I would be my own client.
In fact, I'd done just this a dozen years earlier, when I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, a condition most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress. I was able to reverse it with nutrition, lifestyle, supplements, and holistic options, just as I helped my clients with their health issues.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "I Refused Chemo"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Teri Dale.
Excerpted by permission of Morgan James P0ublishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Foreword,
Introduction,
1: My Story,
2: Facing Your Fear,
Stage I,
Stage II,
Stage III,
Stage IV,
A & B,
E & S,
The REFUSED Solution,
R: Research,
E: Environment,
F: Food,
U: Unite with God,
S: Supplements,
E: Eliminating Stress,
D: Detox,
3: R — Research,
The Cancer Industry: What I Wanted to Know and What You Need to Know,
The Flexner Report of 1910,
How Greed Drives the Cancer Industry,
Cancer Is a Reversible Disease,
4: E — Environmental Toxins,
GMOs,
Environmental Toxins,
BPA/Plastics,
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET),
Phthalates,
Drinking Water and Fluoride,
Chlorine,
Body Care Products,
Vaccines,
Action Steps,
5: F — Food,
Sugar,
Animals Products: Meat,
Dairy,
Protein Powders — Oh, My?,
Chronic Inflammation,
Action Steps,
6: U — Uniting with God,
Faith: My Life's Verse (Phil 4:13),
7: S — Supplements,
Starting Supplements,
8: E — Eliminating Stress,
What Is Stress?,
How to Manage Stress,
9: D — DETOX,
Exercise,
Sweating,
Daily Elimination,
Deep Breathing/Getting Oxygen,
Fasting,
Coffee Enemas,
Supplements,
Rife Machine,
10: Get Your Power Back,
Some of the Common Obstacles to Your Success,
Thinking Your Oncologist Is God,
Medical Insurance,
Negative Story Tellers,
Family/Friends Not Supportive,
Fear Your Treatment Isn't Working,
Doing This on Your Own Sucks,
Conclusion,
Further Reading,
Resources,
Acknowledgments,
About the Author,
Thank You,