I had an appointment with the oncologist last week, at which I got the result of my scan of a couple of weeks ago. Good news and bad news.
Head MRI Scan Results
The good/bad news was that the size of my brain tumour had increased by 3mm to 17mm. As mentioned before, I had declined further medication at my last appointment, about 8 weeks before this one. so whereas an increase in the tumour is disappointing, it could have been a lot worse.
I think the reason that it was probably a bit better than it might otherwise have been was that I modified my diet to cut out high sugar foods and most red meat and eating more fruit (it is blackberry season after all) and vegetables and making vegetable smoothies. I have also been taking some supplements with known anti-cancer properties.
What I didn’t do was detox, which most holistic cancer practitioners say is essential, and I didn’t cut out all dairy, which is also much recommended. I do have this weakness for butter and cheese, which I had probably best put behind me.
Next Steps
I decided to go back on the medication – daily 5mg of Everolimus and 10mg Lenvatinib, down from 14mg. My reasoning was that if the tumour grows too big, I will be seriously impaired as it reduces the connection between my brain and the rest of my body. It was the effects on my balance and speech that led to the discovery of the tumour in the first place. I am hoping this return to medication will be temporary while I learn more about detox and diet and natural healing.
As noted in my last post of August 4, “Feeling Good”, I was having a really good time off the medication – less tired, more appetite, no nausea, no pain, more energy and able to enjoy exercising, mostly riding a bike or walking. So going back on the medication was not an easy decision and it remains to be seen whether the lower dose of Lenvatinib reduces the severity of the side effects.
The reason that I am looking at alternatives is that the choice with conventional therapy is between living with the side effects of medication or a shorter life feeling good. Either way, it will get a bit unpleasant at the end, either because the tumour grows unchecked or because the medication stops working. nobody is making any predictions how long it will take in either case.
So what I have started doing is seeking the help of a natural healing doctor who has a record of success in helping people overcome their cancer, in order to get the advice I need about detox and diet. I am glad that, as a Christian, I have a positive outlook and can meditate and pray, because the mental and spiritual aspects of healing are not to be underestimated. Watch this space.