| Because I did not want to do surgery again I immediately implemented everything I had learned about in my research. I started a vegan diet as that is the recommendation at cancer conferences all over the world. I started detox baths, infrared saunas, juicing, supplements, and herbs. I found a holistic treatment center which was founded in Dallas, TX but now has relocated to Tijuana, Mexico. There they put me on an herbal drink called the Hoxsey Tonic. I am quite convinced I am only here today because of all these measures I took. I had a PET scan in May 2018 and another one in Oct. 2018 and the cancer had not grown. The doctors were speechless as they had never seen anyone control the growth of squamous cell; which is normally a very aggressive cancer.However, in November 2018 I unexpectedly became pregnant with my 4th baby. The growth hormones from the baby caused the growth of the tumor to grow out of control. It went from the size of a blueberry to the size of a plum in 6 weeks. I had no choice but to have surgery as I would be dead by the time the baby was 40 weeks. So, while 16 weeks pregnant I underwent surgery to have it removed. After the surgery they informed me it was stage 4 as it was now in my nerves. My nerves are a high wire to my brain so they recommended radiation immediately. I called the Tijuana clinic and informed them and they agreed that I needed radiation. I was devastated. I was fully prepared to decline radiation so that threw me for a loop that Tijuana agreed. I sobbed and sobbed as my baby would also have to go through radiation and I did not know what the outcome would be. To this day I wish I would not have gone through radiation as there are so many long term effects that I continue to deal with and will deal with for the rest of my life.So, 7 weeks after surgery I started radiation at Mayo as this is the only hospital close to me that had a fetal shield to protect the baby as much as they could. My baby and I went through 30 rounds of radiation and I was back to the nightmare of having tongue surgery; only this went on for much longer than the 2 week recovery from tongue surgery. I distinctly remember having several thoughts in my head but deciding not to speak because it hurt too much. For the first time in my life I kept my mouth shut 90% of the time and was just present listening and not adding anything to the conversation. I had to be on oxycodone and fentanyl for pain just so I could drink a 500 calorie shake. It was quite literally hell on earth. I would not wish mouth and neck radiation on my worst enemy.Following radiation, I was 6 months pregnant and had never been so weak in my life. I would plan the trips I needed to take to walk across my home as I did not want to walk more than once from my room to the laundry room. I was a college athlete and now I was functioning as a 90 year old. I had no idea how my body would be able to deliver this baby. However, I had been a college athlete so I trusted I would get my strength back. |
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