I heard those dreaded words, "You have cancer."  I heard nothing else. Life went on around me and I didn't feel part of it. How can all these other people go on with their lives when I was diagnosed with cancer?  We didn't know how extensive it was.  It was going to take two weeks to even see the surgeon, to decide what needed to be done. Then we had to "stage" it so the oncology doctor could decide how he was going to handle my treatment plan.  At the time, I did not even know what staging meant. The doctors would then decide what to do with me.  Traditional (allopathic) medicine has a protocol for these kinds of things.  Perhaps there would be a clinical trial I could enter.

I had two malignant tumors in one breast, too far apart for a lumpectomy, so the whole breast had to go.  I had the surgery and 14 lymph nodes were also removed; 11 of them were positive and had cancer cells in them.  It looked ominous but that was not going to stop me. At age 48, I was determined to beat this thing because I would draw upon the arsenal up my sleeve that the doctors did not seem to know about or at least would not admit to knowing.  Even so, I read and researched as much as I could. I also sought the opinions of other professionals around the country, a women's center in Maine, an oncologist in West Virginia, an oncologist in Chicago, and a clinic in Texas.

What to do? 

So it's up to me.  The tests and schedules involved a waiting game, but I didn't have to wait to do something for myself.  This is my life and I can make choices.  Having been in the holistic health field for many years, as the Owner/Director of LifePath® School of Massage Therapy, the Owner/Director of LifePath® Center for Therapeutic Massage and Well Being and a Nationally Certified massage therapist, I had to decide what I was going to do for myself. 

I realized traditional medicine has limited options.  I decided I would go the traditional route and I would add my own plan to the equation. I know there is no "cure", but I believe I can create "wellness" even though I have cancer. I feel I can achieve a feeling of well being, doing what I can to be all I can be. It's about quality of life, not necessarily a cure.  I decided to have "cancer wellness"; therefore, I decided to attack!  Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) was not out of the question for me.  I am a believer in an approach from all angles, a holistic point of view. I would look at myself from the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects to get my body and life back into balance.

I know from experience that we do things that are in the realm of our knowledge base and belief system.  Doctors are trained and given an extensive knowledge base.  Some move beyond that base when the belief exists there is more to know and we do not necessarily understand everything.  So I immediately set out to do what I thought was right for me.  I wrote down everything from each supplement I was taking to my exercise routine.  I was sure to keep my oncologist in the loop.  This list was kept in my medical file.  There were no secrets.  I wanted everyone to know what I was doing.  I was not encouraged by the medical community to try to find alternative ways to take care of myself, but I had a hand-picked "cancer team" that did not discourage me, even after they knew what I was doing.  I am fortunate to have a more open-minded medical team, and we have learned a great deal from each other through this whole process.

Once I received the initial diagnosis, I gathered my cancer team.  I decided to pick the people who were going to work with me.  I wanted to be sure this team had no problem with the fact that I was putting a team together, and it would include people who were not involved in traditional allopathic medicine.  I picked the surgeon from my inside information I gathered as a massage therapist.  I saw many clients who had mastectomies; these women would tell me everything and I could see the results of their surgeries, even years later.  So I picked the surgeon whom I thought would be the best for me.  I saw my surgeon almost immediately after the diagnosis and did not have to wait the two weeks for my appointment, because I called her office and told her staff that I would bring a book to read while waiting for a "no-show," so I could take that appointment.  She was able to get me in and spent nearly two hours with me.  After she got a feel for how I wanted to handle this in a holistic way, she helped me find an oncologist whom she thought would be open to my approach and would be willing to work with me.  Doctors know that people who participate actively in their medical plan do better medically, and have a better attitude. This all helps with the patient's prognosis and outcome and gives the patient a chance at having a better quality of life.

In addition to the surgeon, I picked my anesthesiologist, the hospital, an energy therapist for the surgery and post operatively, a nutritionist, a counselor, a nurse colon hydrotherapist, reflexologist, and past cancer conquerors for support and guidance as well as family and friends for love and support.

By the time all the testing was completed (x-rays, CT scans and bone biopsy), schedules coordinated and surgery scheduled, it would be an entire month before the mastectomy could be performed.  Most people would have panicked, but it gave me time to read and research to get my regimen together and to see if what I was doing was having an effect on the cancer.

 Days before the surgery, I requested another sonogram to see if anything had changed.  After almost 5 weeks, I had changed so many things in my life; I wanted to know if the effects were exhibiting positive changes on the tumors.  Apparently, this had never been requested before.  I was warned that insurance would not cover this, but if I insisted, they would do it.  I went back to the doctor at the Breast Center who had done the first sonogram.  I brought a friend with me, because I was sure I needed a witness to the changes-- and an extra set of ears could never hurt.

The doctor proceeded to do the sonogram with the first set of films, taken a month earlier at her side.  She was able to compare the size and exact location of the two tumors.  The first tumor showed little or no change. (At least is was not bigger.)  She started looking for the second tumor and continued to look. (It was not hard to find it the first time.)   Finally she said, "If I had not done this first sonogram, I would have had great difficulty finding the second tumor."  There!  I even had a witness.  I believed that the approach I was taking was really making a difference!  I had no traditional medical intervention up to that point.  It was interesting when I later reviewed my sonogram reports; I found no mention of the change that had taken place.

Now it is ten years later, and I am doing well--grateful each day I wake up. I lived to see my daughter get married and give me two grandchildren.  I continue working with others from my home using integrative and complementary therapies in my holistic practice, and consulting with cancer patients all over the country by phone. For more information, contact me at rhondawasher@hotmail.com . I plan on living a long, happy and HEALTHY life!

Rhonda is a holistic health practitioner in Peoria, IL.  She continues to use the WellnessPro and takes Vemma to keep her healthy and recommends these to those who visit her private practice.  For a discount, contact Rhonda. Call 309-453-6496. http://electromedtech.com/affiliates/jrox.php?uid=was1495    and www.myvemma.com/rhondawasher