Sunday, August 21, 2016

8-12-16 PET/CT

It was a rough night trying to sleep with all the discomfort. My lower right side lip had been unexplained and numb for a couple of days. I started to get leg cramps and found it difficult to stay still.

We drove into our 7:30am appointment and I needed a wheelchair from the car because I was in too much pain to walk. I went from the wheelchair to a stretcher in no time because it hurt to sit up too much. Wondering why the whole time that I waited another week to do this. The pain didn't subside and I was able to get a small IV dose of morphine and IV Zofran to help make me more comfortable.

I barely drank a quarter of the required drink for my PET/CT. I started to feel better after about 20 minutes, but was still laying down on the stretcher. I preferred the chilly air and didn't want a blanket because the heat would upset my stomach. I barely made it through the scan. My LDH panel was very high and a few other numbers were high suggesting that my body was struggling to fight something. At this point I was just waiting for my room to be ready and for the pharmacy to prepare my chemo so I could get started.

They explained that I had a lower bowel obstruction that was causing me all the discomfort and I was also constipated, not making things any easier for me at the moment. They started me on softeners and IV fluids in one of the appointment rooms that I usually see the doctor in. They kept a watchful eye on me, but I was just itching to get the chemo started. Everything was moving 100 times slower than it seemed at the time. I was too exhausted to get anxious over it which was a good thing.

Hours would pass before my room was cleaned and ready for me. It's just the way it is, so you best learn to accept it for what it is real fast. Now I can finally get the program started. I barely remember the IV techs putting in my PICC line. We went slow with the Rituxum which ended off at around 1:30am. I was doing good so far and I was impressed at how well I was taking it for someone that almost seemed like they weren't really there at the time. Every half hour vitals, constant checking to verify that I'm not having a bad reaction to the medications.

I was beside myself in a daze that I woke from the next day feeling much better with some actual clarity of thought as I slowly snapped out of it. This was 1 of 4 24 hour chemo drips that I would be on over the next 4 days, each ending in the early am hours. The drugs were very high doses again so I know what to expect when I get off them and go home to recover over the next few weeks.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday were good days and I worked from the hospital without feeling worn down or mentally exhausted. Team MGH did a great job of picking me up off the canvas and getting me ready for another round. That was rough, but that's what it's like to get the shit beaten out of you right before your own eyes. All I could I do was watch...

They wheeled me in there and I walked out on my own two feet on my own steam. Now I'm just strong enough to handle the backlash of the medicine when I get home.

With an inferno in my eyes and the lust for my enemy's still beating heart in my hands. I fight another round! After the second chemo cycle we'll schedule another PET/CT and assess the results. My job is to stay healthy, strong, focused and be ready to quite possibly have my ass handed back to me a few more times as the treatments continue.

The food at the hospital sucks!!!!! How the fuck they expect anyone to go through cancer treatment with quarter star rated, pre-school cafeteria quality food, baffles me. I shouldn't have to bring in my own food, but it's the only way I'll make it through the cycles.


- Anthony

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

8-10-16 Oncology Update - Resuming Treatment

Hi All,

Well we had our appt's with BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) and Oncology today and this is what came out of it.

We agreed that the disease has grown in one tumor and is still growing. A PET/CT scan on Friday will determine how much. We agreed that with just the herbs alone it isn't enough to manage the disease at it's stage. We agreed that moving forward with more EPOCH chemo that I did back in 2013 (refer to this blog post) would be better because I responded very well to it followed by a stem cell transplant with donor cells. The stem cell transplant may not even take place because I can refuse it if all is looking great.

Oncology encouraged me to keep dosing on the herbs through treatment because I responded very well in regards to the smaller tumor by completely eliminating it. As long as I remain responsive to the herbs after the chemo I may get support from BMT and Oncology not to move forward with the stem cell and continue dosing on my herbal protocol.

I have the scan on Friday and I'll be admitted for more chemo late Friday morning.

I'm looking at 4-5 cycles. After 2 cycles we'll do another scan. After 4 cycles we'll do another scan. Their concern is to show that the tumor is shrinking or gone completely. Either way I'm going to continue dosing and eventually it will be brought to it's knees.

The fight goes on another round.

This is what you didn't know.

Over the past couple of months I put together a small tight Inner-Circle of people that believe with fire in their eyes and without fear in their hearts, in my strength, my confidence in my herbal advisors and my decision back in June not to move forward with more chemo. I had no choice but to shut others in the dark to avoid their malicious psychological attacks. That negative energy is a cancer within itself and it offends me.

I had gotten off to a slow start gathering the herbs that I was going to mega dose on and some changes were made along the way. Not going at full force until July 6th, Here is what it narrowed down to.

Essiac: 6oz 3x a day 7:30a – 3:30p – 11:30p
Graviola: 1300Mg 4x a day 5:30a – 11:30a – 5:30p – Bedtime
Turmeric Curcumin with 3mg Pepper Extract: 500mg 3x a day
Moringa & Wheatgrass Smoothie: 16oz 2-3x a day
Moringa Seeds: 4 seeds 3x a day
Moringa & Soursop Tea: Every morning
Fresh Graviola Leaf Tea: Tea: Once a day
Sodium Bicarbonate: 1tsp per16oz water once or more a day depending on PH output
Tong Ren Therapy: Every Saturday
Acupuncture: Once or more x a Month
Tai Chi Dao Yin:  Daily


Rene Cassie and Eissac
 
This modest Canadian nurse discovered a natural herbal formula she took no money for it and died in relative obscurity.
 
Rene didn't feel herself a writer so she never wrote an autobiography. She did, however, write a series of articles entitled "I Was Canada's Cancer Nurse" which was published in the seventies with Bracebridge Examiner. Additionally, a collection of her writing and interviews was published posthumously in the Bracebridge Examiner. She wrote a brief biography of her family and their settlement in Bracebridge, which you can read in her own words http://www.essiacinfo.org/caisse_pop_3.htm Tens of thousands of people have rid themselves of cancer using Essiac. You can purchase Essiac at https://www.essiac.ca/ Beware of other websites that do not have the original formula.

The story of Rene Caisse and Essaic Tea

In the mid 1920s, Rene Caisse was head nurse at the Sisters of Providence Hospital in a northern Ontario town. While on duty, Rene was bathing an elderly lady and noticed that one of her breasts had a lot of scar tissue on it. Upon questioning the lady, she learned that the women had advanced breast cancer 30 years earlier. The woman further explained that she had met a old Indian medicine man who told her he could cure her cancer. She said that she had no money at that time, and didn’t want to have an operation anyway, so she went to see the Indian. He showed her certain herbs growing in the area and told her to pick them and make a tea and to drink it every day.

She had no re-occurrence of cancer to that day, 30 years later.

In 1922, Rene named the formula “Essiac” after the backward spelling of her own last name, Caisse. The recipe from “a very old Indian Medicine Man,” allows for many stories and theories. There has never been “proof” of the actual tribal heritage of the Medicine Man who offered this formula, as many Native American Tribes lived in the area at the time.

Rene Caisse spent her life working with this herb tea, until she died in 1978 at the age of 90. For a time, the Canadian Minister of Health allowed Rene to treat certain terminally ill patients in her Bracebridge clinic. According to Rene, many of the people she treated reported they were helped by the remedy while others claimed living with their illness was made more bearable.

The Herbs used in Essiac are:
Burdock root (Arctium lappa)
Used traditionally to help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, support a healthy immune response.

Sheep sorrel leaves (Rumex Acetosella)
Used in traditional folk herbalism to cool the body, create sweating and detoxification through the skin: useful in maintaining a healthy kidney and urinary functions.

Slippery elm inner bark (Ulmus fulva)
North American species of tree. The inner bark nourishes and soothes organs, tissues and mucus membranes and supports lung health. * It also helps normal digestion.

Indian rhubarb root (Rheum officinale)
Used traditionally in small amounts, this herb helps purge the liver of toxic buildup and waste that accumulates through normal daily life.
 
Anything more or less that this is not Authentic Essiac and should be avoided!
 
Ojibwa Tea of Life makes the same exact recipe that was given to Rene Caisse and used. Visit Ojibwa Tea Of Life to Order.


 
The Mighty Moringa Tree

Every part of the Moringa tree can be used in medical science
 
Moringa oleifera has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value and medicinal benefits. Different parts of Moringa contain a profile of important minerals and are a good source of protein, vitamins, beta-carotene, amino acids and various phenolics. Moringa provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol.
 
Moringa can act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine.
 
Traditional cultures in various parts of the world have long used Moringa in their herbal medicine repertoire for ailments ranging from gout to various inflammations and fevers. Some of the remedies are described here but there is no guarantee they will work for every case!
 
1. A Rich Nutritional Profile
Moringa leaves are loaded with vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and more. One hundred grams of dry moringa leaf contains:
  • 9 times the protein of yogurt
  • 10 times the vitamin A of carrots
  • 15 times the potassium of bananas
  • 17 times the calcium of milk
  • 12 times the vitamin C of oranges
  • 25 times the iron of spinach
2. Antioxidants Galore
3. Lower Blood Sugar Levels
4. Reduce Inflammation
5. Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels
6. Protect Against Arsenic Toxicity
 
 
If you’re just looking to try Moringa Powder you can find it at most health food stores and vitamin stores. Vitaminshoppe.com supplies a good brand of Moringa Powder at an affordable price. You can also find Fresh Moringa Leaves and Tea in most Asian markets.
 
 
 
Guanabana
 
Guanabana is known by a variety of names -- including soursop, cherimoya, custard apple, Brazilian paw paw and graviola. However you recognize this versatile tree, one aspect is clear: guanabana provides powerful relief from a a wide scope of disease. Tackling cancer, herpes, parasites, infections and more, guanabana is an important player in the battle against ill health.
 
A natural, inexpensive and effective treatment for cancer -- and just about everything else
Revered for centuries in South America and Southeast Asia, the bark, leaves, root, seeds and fruit have been used to tame heart disease, asthma, liver issues and arthritis. Guanabana is also helpful for treating sleep disorders, fevers and cough. According to the article, "Guanabana--Medicinal Uses?" extracts of the plant:
 
  • Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss.
  • Protect the immune system.
  • Boost energy and outlook on life.
  • Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer -- including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.
  • Proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug.
  • Selectively kill only cancer cells, unlike traditional chemotherapy treatments.
As far back as the 1970s, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) investigated the merits of guanabana, and discovered the stems and leaves of the tree were successful in destroying cancer cells. "Inexplicably, the results [of the NCI research] were published in an internal report and never released to the public. Since 1976, guanabana has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, but as of now, no double-blind clinical trials," reports Christopher Lane, Ph.D., in Psychology Today.
 
You can find Guanabana under many names in some health food stores and vitamin shops. Vitaminshoppe.com has Graviola 750 (325mg) in some select stores if you're looking for something local to you. I chose to order a stronger dose at 650mg per capsule and I get them directly from Betterlifenutri.com or Amazon.com. The benefits of this fruit in aiding your fight against disease are simply amazing. More and more articles are popping up about Guanabana. Check out one of last years on Livestrong.com. Cancernetwork.com published a nice read in 2008. Even Memorial Sloan Kettering has published an article about Guanabana.
 
If you’re interested in Fresh Graviola leaves you can get them directly from the Caribbean from FreshGraviola.com. They will mail you approximately 500 Graviola leaves for $30 so you can make your own Tea and other recipes. You can also find Soursop Tea and juice in some Asian markets in the tea isle.
 


Tom Tam - Acupuncture & Tong Ren
Tom Tam’s Tong Ren Anti-Cancer Healing group. Tom Tam is one of our modern day pioneers in Bio-electricity, Piezo-electricity, Sonar Frequency Therapy, and Quantum Healing. More info and class schedule and locations at tomtam.com View live classes with an open mind at tongrenstation.com.


The Benefits of Turmeric for Cancer Treatment.
 
You can find fresh Turmeric root in some health food stores and Asian Food Markets and use it like Ginger and make a tea with some Black Pepper. You can also find Turmeric in both capsule and extract formulas. I'm using Nature's Truth Turmeric with 3mg Black Pepper from Walgreens.
 
Turmeric has been used in the Chinese and Indian pharmacopoeia for thousands of years. It is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, used in treating several conditions such as toothache, chest pain, urinary tract infection, flatulence, jaundice, menstrual discomforts, bruises, hemorrhage, and colic.
 
Today, researchers are investigating the countless benefits of turmeric and it has shown incredible promise in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
 
Turmeric’s active ingredient is an extracted compound called curcumin. Studies have shown that curcumin helps prevent several forms of cancer including breast, lung, stomach, liver, and colon because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It stops the development of cancer by interfering with the cellular signaling aspects of the chronic disease.
 
Lab results have found curcumin capable of ;
  • Inhibiting COX-2, an enzyme that causes negative inflammation, which can lead to cancer.
  • Impeding vascular epithelial growth (a polypeptide that stimulates new blood supply) to starve cancer cells of their oxygen and fuel source.
  • Inducing a tumor suppressor gene.
  • Stopping metastasis (spread from one organ to another) of cancer cells.
  • Killing large cell B-cell lymphoma cells (the most common reason for non-Hodgkin lymphoma).
  • Preventing regrowth of cancer stem cells.
 
Based on a 2011 study conducted by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, researchers found that the curcumin extract effectively differentiates between cancer cells and normal cells while activating cancer cell death (apoptosis).
 

Sodium Bicarbonate:
A Baking Soda Regimen is also effective in fighting disease and Cancers and boosting the bodys PH level. http://www.md-health.com/Drinking-Baking-Soda.html Sodium Bicarbonate; when drunk this can kill yeasts and microbes and help to alkalize the body. There are even experts who believe it may help in the fight against cancer. Keep in mind that baking soda is high in sodium. More info at http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-11325/sodium-bicarbonate-oral/details


 That is where I'm at right now.

I will continue my herbal protocols throughout chemo treatment.

I'm going to be brutally honest with you. If you're not onboard with my choices and have no real knowledge or experience in my choices. If all you have is doubt and fear in your heart and a lack of confidence in me then I really don't (add necessary expletives) care what you think or have to say! So keep it to yourself. If you want to do something for yourself, follow the links above and educate yourselves. I just did their holy (add necessary expletives) grail of treatments and this is what I got out of it. Nothing. And all they wanted to do was do more of the same failing treatments.

We successfully annihilated  one tumor from behind the 8-ball and we will cut the larger tumor down to size which was measured at 8.4cm on Jul-18th and eliminate that with a combination of chemo and very potent herbs. We've proven to Team MGH that these herbs are no joke. Sometimes the enemy is stronger than the army fighting against it and Team MGH is going to kill them all on Friday. Make no (add necessary expletives) mistake about it, I am taking this fight very serious. With the support of my Inner-Circle We've gotten this far safely!!!

I've said more than once, if you want to demonstrate your strength than bring in on, because I do not need your weakness. This is me being me and hopefully I haven't offended anyone or offended anyone that bad. Don't take what you read personal because nothing is directed at anyone. I have to say what I say, just as I said it in order to stop malicious psychological attacks dead in their tracks.

I love all of you and I'm grateful to have your love in my life!!!

We are Stronger Together Than We Are Alone.

(add necessary expletives) Hillary because I've been saying this longer than her. I should get a quarter cent for every stronger together banner.

- Anthony
Team Tarallo