help me beat my cousin cancer

I have been secretive about my condition but now I have no choice but to make a public declaration because I need help. I have breast cancer that has spread to my lymphatic system. Those of you that know me, know I do not ask for help and the last thing in the world I would ever do for myself is something like this, even though this is for me, this is also for my 12 yr. old son.

Almost 13 years ago, the most spectacular thing in the world happened to me, I gave birth to my son Ryan; the birth was not easy and when I had my C-Section, they also removed 13 cysts/tumors from my uterus. Over the years I have had other cysts/tumors develop; ovarian, uterine and breast and fortunately through healthy living, supplements and exercise I have fought them off and most have dissolved, but now a tumor in my breast has become invasive and has spread to my lymphatic system.

Before I even received the pathology report (type & level of cancer) I was told I needed a mastectomy and chemotherapy and radiation and hormones and and and!!!! It is not just the drugs that “need” to go into my system that are so frightful it’s the side effects of everything in addition to surgical complications.

My son has watched his grandmother and an aunt die from chemo and radiation- granted their cancer was different, but my son equates this disease and these treatments as death. I can only imagine how terrified he is thinking of me going through this, he has all but begged me to try everything we can alternative before we result to standard care. He is only 12, every time I think of how he looks at me when he hears chemo, I can't stop crying.

I believe life is divine and I believe that God has provided us the tools in nature that we need to get better and that our bodies are miraculous and capable of so much more if given the right tools. I want to use these tools and help my body heal itself. I am not saying there is never a need for medical/pharmaceutical help. I am just saying that in a case like mine when there is a chance to take a different route that will not cause permanent long term effects through toxic chemicals and destruction of my immune system, it should be the first line of defense. My current survival rate with all the treatments of chemo & radiation to survive 5 years is 85% and no guarantee it will not come back and once you have used these therapies, you run out of options if you have a recurrence, not to mention they actually increase your chance of recurrence by 26%. So why start with this, right?

The treatment path I am choosing to take starts with 1 month in a clinic that utilizes multiple proven effective treatments against cancer, resetting the system essentially (getting rid of all the parasites I picked up in Salvador- I will miss my zoo) and then a multitude of take home treatments, one treatment lasts a year- it is very comprehensive. I believe in this so much that I am even willing to stick myself with a needle every day for 3 months! The program also includes monitoring for a year with 3 return visits.

Why so much money? Alternative treatments are not cheap because they do not receive funding and they do not take monthly installments it is all up front. Insurance WILL NOT cover any of these treatments- they only cover the traditional chemo & radiation path. This year I have already missed work and spent a great deal of money on exams, labs and surgery thus far; plus I will have to take additional unpaid time off from work. They also ask for the money up front to encourage you following the program and returning so they can document the success and also change or retarget the treatments based on lab results at each visit.

How one chooses to treat their health concern should be the individuals’ choice, especially when we are in a system that forces you to buy healthcare. If you have to have the insurance, you should be able to choose how you treat yourself. Why does living healthy cost so much money? If you are like me, a single mother with a sole source income, organic products and alternative treatments are beyond your reach. I tremble when I think about how I am being forced into the big medical machine simply because I cannot afford any other option- until I was told to try this self-funding route.

I am not asking for your pity, I am asking you to help me, I am asking you to believe that there is a better way than conventional medicine. I am asking you to help me get better so I can fight for reasonably priced healthy food and alternative choices for our healthcare so our children have a better chance of living cleaner, healthier lives. When our children are older cancer will be diagnosed in 1 out of every 5 persons, does this not scare you because it scares the hell out of me. Two words I would like to never hear together are pediatric & oncology. Any monies not used will be donated to St Jude's Children’s Research Hospital to help families that have to give up so much for their children.

In the end I will do whatever it takes to survive, I am not that stubborn or stupid and of course will take all measures to ensure my long-term health, but right now I need to look my son in the eyes and tell him I did everything I could to avoid his biggest fears of me doing chemo and radiation and leaving myself with no other options. Any support is appreciated, thank you.

Mark & Ryan