The first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December, 2012, I went the traditional route (chemotherapy==>surgery==>radiation). I didn’t want to hear about the alternative methods out there. People sent me information on special diets, teas, essential oils, supplements and many other methods that were meant to “heal” cancer. Frankly, I didn’t buy it. I didn’t believe it, so I didn’t make any purchases. Literally, I didn’t buy it. I just stayed the course and followed the doctors’ orders. It’s what I felt I needed to do…it’s what I had to do.
The doctors deemed me “cancer-free” after my last dose of radiation. I was “cured.” I rang the bell designating my treatment was over. I was so glad I would never have to deal with this again. Or so I thought.
If you have been following my blog, you know by now that I am not cancer-free. I was re-diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer in December 2016. It was almost four years to the day after my first diagnosis. Now it was in my spine, ribs, skull, liver, and a few months later they found spots in my lungs. A year or so later they found some tiny spots in my brain.
For several months I did chemotherapy. The large mass on my ribs was gone at the six-month mark. But I still had spots on my liver, spine and skull. Those never seemed to go away. They just stayed the same. That’s when I had an epiphany:
Apparently the traditional medicine was not enough to cure this cancer.
I decided to open my mind to the alternative methods. I am not an Eastern Philosopher, or Guru, or Buddhist. I am a Christian. I have been praying for healing, but God does not always respond the way we think He should. Sometimes He doesn’t pluck us from the ocean where we are drowning…He sends a boat.
A friend, who is also a Christian, came to visit a few months into my new course of treatment. She used reflexology on me daily, and she introduced me to essential oils. Not the kind you find at the local grocery store, but the purest form that is grown around the world, harvested, and sealed for protection. The healing properties are amazing, she would say. And it’s all natural. One drop of an essential oil contains millions of molecules. They are so tiny they can cross the brain blood barrier, and all essential oils have healing properties. Their role in the life of a plant is to eliminate toxins from the plant. It’s the plant’s life blood. Sacred Frankincense, specifically, has cancer-fighting properties. She convinced me that I could continue to do my traditional treatment, as this will not interfere.
As a researcher, I did my due diligence. I found much literature to support the use of essential oils. As a Christian, I had heard of frankincense. I figured if it was good enough for the baby Jesus, it’s good enough for me. I even asked my doctor about it, and he responded, “Sure, go for it! Whatever works!”
I had another friend who recommended the exact same thing. She said I should take 5 drops of Sacred Frankincense morning and night. That stuff is expensive! I started with 5 drops in the morning. I drop it in my juice and drink it straight. It sounds gross, but after a few days I found that I was drawn to the aromas of the essential oils.
Results…
Before the oils–for more than six months–the liver spots never changed on any of the scans. At my next three month scan, after taking Sacred Frankincense daily, the liver spots had decreased by 30%. The next three month scan – completely gone! Those spots on my skull…gone…spine…gone! At this writing my body is “stable.” The money spent is well spent. I believe God sent me a lifeboat.
Á la prochaine…until next time.
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: None of the health topics presented on www.thebreastcancerjourney.com have been evaluated or approved by the FDA. They should not replace personal judgment nor medical treatment when indicated, nor are they intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
In December 2016, almost 4 years to the day of my first diagnosis and later being deemed “cancer-free,” I was told I have Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. (I was first diagnosed with Stage IIIb in December 2012). This isn’t my first rodeo, so this time around I have a different perspective. The first time I ignored recommendations for alternative medicines. This time I am targeting the cancer with lots of guns fully loaded. The first time I was scared speechless. This time, I just said, “okay,” and started treatment. The first time I had millions of questions, and my head was spinning constantly. This time, I still have questions but I don’t worry about the answers. There is a certain comfort in knowing what to expect. I knew the doctors, the routine, the chemo (although this time it would be a different kind), and I knew how to get to the cancer center. I knew that having a positive attitude would be the key. The first time, I believed that God would heal me and my faith was in God’s healing of this earthly body. This time, I believe God will heal me, but it may not be on this earth. He can miraculously heal me and remove the cancer from the body, but even if he doesn’t, I will trust him and remain faithful. I have learned that faith can be a source of strength, and comfort comes from knowing that God is in control…regardless of the outcome. True faith stands by the Lord even if we do not get our way. After all, the Lord Himself said “not my will, but Thine be done,” and then He died on the cross. Sometimes we have to put our own will aside, and let God do His thing. And it is always a beautiful thing!
