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March 13, 2006

Timeline of Lumps

Dec. 5, 2005: Saw Dr. Lau, dermatologist. He noted lymphedema on left side of the tip of my nose. Took biopsy of nose. Pathology report said squamous cell carcinoma-in-situ.

Dec. 8, 2005: Began treatment of nose with Effudex-40. (Topical 5FU) For two weeks, once a day at bedtime.

Dec. 21, 2005: Last day of Effudex. It is not pretty. Red, scabby and flaky nose.

Dec 23, 2005: Found a lump on the left side of my neck. Feels like a small, hard marble.

Dec. 31, 2005: Saw Dr. Gorbaty in Van Nuys. He found a chain of enlarged nodes. Gave me prescriptions for CT scans and recommended excision and biopsy.

Jan. 2, 2006: Had Ct scans of abdomen and chest at Ventura Community Hospital. Drove to San Ysidro, checked in to Best Western Motel.

Jan 3, 2006: Took shuttle to the Bio-Medical Center in Tijuana. Brought CD of CT scans. Saw Dr. Trujillo and was given regimen to follow, and Hoxsey tonic and supplements (C, Calcium and Yew Needle capsules.) to take as prescribed. Says to repeat scans in three months and return to the clinic at that time for reevaluation.

Feb. 6, 2006: I feel something new on the left side of my neck. Not round, and slightly to the front of the first lump I discovered.

Feb. 8, 2006: Awoke to find my "first" lump, on left side of my neck, swollen and painful to the touch. I phoned Dr. Trujillo. He said it was a common reaction, to go back on Wobenzym for the inflammation. Within three days the inflammation was gone, the lump had shrunk back to what it was, and is not at all painful to the touch. Continue to follow the dietary guidelines and take the supplements and Yew needle capsules as prescribed.

Feb. My darling bossy son-in-law called Dr. Olson's office and made an appointment for me for a "consultation" 3:34 Thurs. March 2. Will see Dr. Lau March 3 for checkup re skin cancer.

FYI:

1. Hindsight being what it is, I think the lumps in the area of my left collarbone may have been there as long ago as April, 2005. That month I joined the YMCA and when I started working out on the weight machines, I felt a bit of discomfort on lifting and lowering my arms overhead. At the time I blamed it on an old injury to my shoulder from a bike riding accident.

2. I wonder if this is in my bones. I sometimes have a rather severe pain in what I think is my left lower leg bone. I occasionally noticed this before discovering lumps. I don't think it is knee pain, but can't be sure.

March 5, 2006: Weekend in Palm Springs

On Thursday I saw Dr. Olson for the first time in about eight years. I would not have expected him to remember me, but he did. He looked at me rather as Lazarus arisen from the dead. "You made a liar out of me," he said with good humor. "That doesn't happen very often." He is comfortable with my decision to do Hoxsey. "You clearly made the right choice for yourself nine years ago," he said. "Let's hope it works again." He will follow my case and we'll see how it goes. He told me that Rituxin is now available for treatment of NHL and is not as toxic as chemo.
We shall see, won't we.

Posted by Marilyn at 06:11 AM | Comments (1)

February 05, 2006

Treating Lymphoma with the Hoxsey Therapy

In February of 1997, I was diagnosed with (high-grade) B-Immunoblastic Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and told "You have probably only a few weeks left to live-a few months at most." I refused chemo but had about a 1 1/2 inch square area of my scalp radiated, the site of two tumors removed.

When word of my diagnosis got out, two friends from different parts of my life put me in touch with friends of theirs who had recovered from cancer on the Hoxsey treatment. I had known about Hoxsey since I was teeneager, and was stunned to find out it was still available. My parents' "Physical 'culture" magazine (perhaps the first one its kind) was full of letters to the editor giving tesitmonials of the efficacy of Hoxsey's herbal tonic and dietary regimen.

I learned the treatment was available on an outpatient basis, and immediately went to the Bio-Medical Center (now in Tijuana, Mexico) I did the Hoxsey treatment for three years, and was told (by my American oncologist) that I was considered cured, since I was still alive and asymptomatic.

Now, nine years later, it seems I have lymphoma again. Enlarged nodes in my neck, left armpit, abodmen and groin. CT scans show organs are normal and not involved at this time. I feel absolutely healthy, have no other health problems and take no meds on a regular basis.

I have immediately gone back on the Hoxsey regimen. Cold turkey off all forms of coffee or tea. Nothing with chemicals or processing, no commercially canned or frozen foods. Everything fresh. Tonic and a few other supplements (prescribed) four times a day with food. I am highly motivated and am having no problem sticking to the plan. The history of the Hoxsey treatment is most interesting. Also, the University of Texas studies some of the alternative cancer treatments and found that seven of the nine herbs in the tonic show definite anti-cancer activity, and should be researched further.

Today I saw my dermatologist to follow up treatment just completed for squamous cell skin cancer on my nose (all fine!) and when I told him my choice of treatment for the lymph node situation, he was most interested . He further told me about a friend of his who disagnosed with metastasized melanoma. He refused chemo and is having some other alternative treatment I had not heard of.

Long story short: six years ago he was told to put his affairs in order, that he'd be dead in a few months. Wrong ... he is well. Every time I visit the clinic in Mexico for checkups and new supply of tonic I meet people with the most inspirational stories of recovery.

One day at a time, I'm enjoying life. Que sera, sera.

Posted by Marilyn at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)