How it began

The Beginning,  I'm Healthy Right?

June, 2017

I went for a basic routine check-up. As I hadn't had a bone density test in awhile, I need to have one.

I have Osteoporosis!! What to do? Research! Change my diet, take out more junk, add more cruciferous veggies, and exercise with weights to build bone. Weights? What do I know about weights?

Aug. 2017

OK, let's sign up at a gym and get a personal trainer for awhile. Maybe I can lose the junk around my hips making my skirts and pants tight.

Cardio almost every day 20 minutes but can be 10 at a time, and weights 3 x per week. I had moaning muscles. If they stopped moaning, it was time to increase the amount of weight, or the repetitions. Ok. I will give this a year, have another bone density test and see if it was worth it.

The upside, I lost the "junk" around my waist and my skirts fit better.

After a while, I realized I had a small persistent cough. Maybe it started when I started going to the gym. Just two little coughs, but regularly. It had been going on for about 3 weeks when I made an appointment with the doctor. By this time Bob had noticed, and commented on it.

Breathing test, look in my mouth, nose, ears. Welllll, maybe post nasal drip, or allergies. (I hadn't had allergies before) Maybe chocolate!!! Let's try this and this and this.

Sept. 2017

I went to my acupuncture/holistic doctor "Mary" before trying the pharmaceuticals. Nothing helped..

Oct. 2017

Back to the doctor. Welll, let's try this. Nothing changed.

Nov. 20, 2017

OK another breathing test etc. Then a conference between the 2 doctors and Nurse Practitioner. Go get a chest x-ray. Right now when you leave the office.

When you have an x-ray, CT scan or PET scan you can ask for a copy for yourself while you are there. They give you one to take home with you. They also say it will be 2-3 days before your doctor gets the radiology report.

I have looked at many x-ray CD's while working at the Chiropractor's office. So, when I got home and put the disk in the computer, I said, "THAT does NOT belong there". A rather large white fuzzy area in my right lung. I sent an email to my doctor explaining what I saw.

Nov. 22, 2017

They got the report and called me. A flurry of activity followed. CT for chest approved and scheduled. Pulmonologist, Biopsy, Pet Scan, Oncologist, Thoracic Surgeon. Approvals, denials, resubmit, approvals, scheduling, breathing test, lab tests to be done within 3 days of Biopsy, special diet for the Pet Scan. Tumors feed on sugar, so only meat, cheese and eggs the day before the Pet Scan. Then, a radioactive glucose injection 45 minutes before the scan so they can see how aggressively the tumor is feeding. Appointments, appointments, appointments.

Bottom Line, Lung Cancer Stage 3a.

Dec., 2017

My holistic doctor immediately gave me supplements to suppress formation of new blood vessels, and help kill cancer cells. She also gave me books, videos, web links and much information about treatments in Mexico. Yes, Mexico. In the USA the doctors can pretty much only offer chemo, radiation and surgery. If they offer any other treatment options, they may lose their medical license.  I have met with several people with firsthand Mexico experience.

Dec. 21, 2017

The final appointment was with the surgeon Dec. 21. He was not happy we were getting on a plane the next day for Texas and Christmas. He wanted me to start putting "chemicals" in my body. (His words) He did not like the fact that I said we would have to pray about it before making any decisions. He actually called the Oncologist while we were there to see if it was OK to go to Texas. 

She said it was fine.