Matt: My last scans were on October 26th and included a CT scan of my chest and a full body bone scan. The results continue to amaze my doctor and me. The measurable tumors in my lungs seem to be gone and the haziness continues to improve. The lymph nodes seem to have returned to normal size. My liver tumors are greatly reduced. Did I mention I haven’t had a drop of alcohol this entire year?! The doctors didn’t really discuss the metastasis to my bones at my initial diagnosis, but the bone scan did confirm that my vertebrae and rib are now normal.
It is strange to see a skeleton around Halloween time and know it is YOU! My rolled ankle from a soccer game in February showed up on the scan and is still healing.
I had hoped each of the past couple scans could be my last one showing active cancer. However, the cadence of scans will still be every few months (next ones are scheduled for February 2021). There is promising research on a new blood test called the Ivy Gene Test to monitor levels of certain types of cancer in the body, which could potentially limit the need for scans.
The targeted chemotherapy medicine continues to suppress my red blood count. My capacity to exercise is notably less than normal and I hope in time I can return to the soccer field at full force. For now it is a lesson in doing what I can and believing I’ll see a change.
I decided to stop taking the ‘dog medicine’ (Fenbendazole) due to learning of mixed long term results and the anecdotal nature of some of the survivor stories. Many of the foods and supplements I’m already taking, including curcumin, green tea, veggie juice (quercetin, apigenin), block similar cancer pathways that Fenbendazole does. When given the option, I prefer the natural way! Some of the more amazing turnaround stories from people who took Fenbendazole, did so concurrently with an immunotherapy drug. Stanford University recently joined a couple other research universities to better understand the synergies between existing immunotherapy treatments and Febendazole.
Recently I found this great visual from someone who is helping her husband heal from and prevent cancer naturally. https://adventureswithjodi.com/cancer-pathway_charts/
An article published just last year on my exact genetic mutation type concluded with this:
“Lastly, diet should be taken into consideration as an extra source of
heterogeneity when studying metabolic parameters in patients… We foresee a
future in which modulation of systemic metabolism can be incorporated
to the conventional treatment of lung cancer patients, where metabolic
parameters might become as important as genetic mutations in the
treatment of [non-small cell lung cancer] NSCLC.”! (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31238096/)
Regardless of the means, I am thankful for the progress and praising God for the healing I’ve experienced. I am also thankful that we were kept safe during the wildfires in September. On top of healing from lung cancer and navigating a society plagued by an airborne virus, in September most of the West Coast experienced air quality that was outright hazardous to breathe! Below are pictures taken from our yard before and after. The one on the left is not a sepia filter, it’s smoke!
Annie and I have been occasional teachers in a small home/digital church. It is a joy to maintain community, even if it is small, and to have an outlet for the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Gospel and God’s teaching are obviously the priority, but I do fight a strong urge to teach what I am learning about vegetables! Maybe I’ll do both at some point š
Here’s what else we’re loving this season:
Annie: I have hope, for all things! There is so much hard in 2020, but we find joy in small moments, and when we can’t, movement can unlock the joy!
Or, just a glimpse at God’s goodness on Earth
Matt & Annie - Journey 