Dear Friends and Family,

We had an appointment with the Advanced Care social worker today.  As it turns out, we knew her through a family friend.  I don't like the name "Advanced Care," but we did need to find out what was available.  I was ready to cry throughout the appointment, wishing so badly that we didn't need to mention any of these things.  I had to stop myself from getting all sad.

But, there is always good news...  🙂

Tom says that his breathing is better than it has been in a VERY long time!  This is a tremendous praise!  He also spent a whole day without morphine, and walked around a bit today in the sunshine.  These sound like small achievements, but they are quite significant.  I cannot thank our friend Marla enough for these incredible nutritional supplements from Reliv!  They are making a tremendous amount of difference!  If anyone would like to contact Marla regarding these products, she has signed our Guest Book and you can email her for more information.

Friends, the more I think about it, the more I think I should take a leave of absence, but I just don't know how that would work out.  I want to stay here and take care of my family, as well as watch over Tom's nutritional routine; the problem is, I need to make a living.  If anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them.  Thankfully, I'm on vacation for another week after this one.

Tomorrow, we get started on a very light exercise routine --- in the sunshine --- in order to improve overall circulation.  Please feel free to call the house or send Tommy an email.  I know it will cheer him!

Thank you for your love, encouragement, and practical help!  You're all amazing!

Gratefully,

Martie, Tom, and TJ

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your many well-wishes!  After all testing was done, the evidence is pointing to biliary duct cancer.  The stomach, esophagus, small intestine, and throat were all clear, as is the colon.  The liver and lungs, while having some tumors, are not the source of the cancer.

So, where do we go from here?  Well, chemo was offered.  However, we are reading a wonderful book called Killing Cancer, Not People, and we simply don't think that systemic poisoning is going to help.  Thus, we are declining such services.  This does not mean that we are sitting around, though.  First of all, the file is going for a second opinion, which will be given next week within our insurance system, apparently to someone who knows a bit more about this type of cancer.  Secondly, we continue --- undaunted --- into the world of pure nutrition, Lunasin supplements, the Budwig Protocol, and cannabis oil.  Unfortunately, Tom will need to continue with morphine until there is significant improvement in the bone pain.  This is, without doubt, the hardest thing to deal with; it keeps us both up at night, which leads to a sense of helplessness on my part and despair on his part.  But, the morrow is a new day, and we pick ourselves right back up again the next morning.

For those who are curious, our insurance will not pay for anything outside their system unless it is a medical necessity that they do not offer.  Thus, if we want to go to UCSF or some other facility, we must pay for this on our own.  In the meantime, it is vital that we take responsibility, as an entire family, for keeping Tom in good shape and good spirits.  I was VERY proud of Tom for eating the Budwig concoction this afternoon.  This is made out of cottage cheese and flaxseed oil, sprinkled with freshly ground flax seeds; definitely not all that enticing, but he dealt with it after I threw in a few fresh raspberries.  Apparently, this is an incredibly effective protocol (for reasons I am not intelligent enough to explain), and I'm certainly willing to try anything.  If you're interested, check out this site:  http://www.healingcancernaturally.com/budwig_protocol.html

Yesterday, I went on the cannabis quest.  Quite an interesting experience.  I am now a card-carrying dispensary purchaser.  I won't go into too many details on how this worked out, except to say that I acknowledged my "collective civil resistance" against the federal government with my own signature.  I guess there has to be a first time for everything.  

Anyway, we're all hanging in there.  Please continue to pray for our unity as a family, as well as for Tom's healing.  Also, please pray for perseverence, as I still have a lot of research to do.  I firmly believe that the body wants to get better!

Thanks for checking in!

In His Hands,

Martie, Tom, and TJ

Dear Friends and Family,

I know it has been several days since we've posted, but much has been happening.

Tom went through the PET scan and the endoscopy.  We do not know the results of the PET scan yet, but the preliminary finding of the endoscopy did not reveal cancer of the throat, esophagus, or stomach.  We will report more solid news once we have some.

Right now, we want to thank the incredible generosity of family and friends who want to help us during this difficult time.  This past week, we have received housekeeping, groceries, landscaping services, rides to the doctor, rides to school for TJ, and many who are praying and wishing us well.  We are deeply moved by your support, and I'm praying that all of this boosts Tom's spirits.  It is so hard to stay positive during such adversity, but your love, support, and prayers are very helpful in keeping our day-to-day lives less stressful.  In response to all of this, we are inspired to keep pressing on with good spirits, despite the adversity.  I don't know what we would do without all of you.

As for medical help on the horizon... we continue to use Lunasin six times per day.  We have also written to Tom's oncologist for a cannabis oil recommendation.  Finally, Tom is absolutely committed to a drastic reduction in sugar.  For those of you who are not aware of sugar's danger to cancer patients, the following is an excerpt from the National Cancer Institute:

"The positron emission tomography (PET) scan creates computerized images of chemical changes, such as sugar metabolism, that take place in tissue. Typically, the patient is given an injection of a substance that consists of a combination of a sugar and a small amount of radioactively labeled sugar. The radioactive sugar can help in locating a tumor, because cancer cells take up or absorb sugar more avidly than other tissues in the body.

After receiving the radioactive sugar, the patient lies still for about 60 minutes while the radioactively labeled sugar circulates throughout the body. If a tumor is present, the radioactive sugar will accumulate in the tumor. The patient then lies on a table, which gradually moves through the PET scanner 6 to 7 times during a 45-60-minute period. The PET scanner is used to detect the distribution of the sugar in the tumor and in the body. By the combined matching of a CT scan with PET images, there is an improved capacity to discriminate normal from abnormal tissues. A computer translates this information into the images that are interpreted by a radiologist.

PET scans may play a role in determining whether a mass is cancerous. However, PET scans are more accurate in detecting larger and more aggressive tumors than they are in locating tumors that are smaller than 8 mm and/or less aggressive. They may also detect cancer when other imaging techniques show normal results. PET scans may be helpful in evaluating and staging recurrent disease (cancer that has come back). PET scans are beginning to be used to check if a treatment is working - if a tumor cells are dying and thus using less sugar."  (emphasis mine)

This excerpt on the PET scan procedure is quite a damning piece of evidence on the effects of sugar on cancer.  Essentially, sugar feeds tumors.  Thus, we are obligated to starve tumorous cells in order to make sure they die.  Tom and I were quite stunned when we read this.

Please know that our scared feelings lurk beneath at times, but we cannot let these feelings dominate our thoughts and actions.  We must press forward in our quest to follow God's design for our bodies, hearts, and minds.  We have many diet changes that will require a huge adjustment, and a higher-than-average level of self-denial.  In addition, going through this experience will require a life-altering commitment to our spiritual discipline.  As a result, I am adding a new page to this blog entitled, "Spiritual Journey."  

My mother has mentioned an upcoming series that will air this week on PBS.  It was directed by the brilliant documentary film maker, Ken Burns (of "Civil War" fame).  The series is called "Cancer:  The Emperor of All Maladies" and will air at 6 p.m. on March 30th, 31st, and April 1st.  We will be watching it to see what is new on the horizon.  Please tune in if you're interested!

Please continue to check in with us; moreover, please pray for the strength to resist refined sugar and other destructive, cancer-feeding, and habit-forming foods that can hamper the chance for recovery.

Gratefully,

Martie, Tom, and TJ

Dear Friends and Family,

Today was "protein and salad day," which apparently is necessary for the PET scan tomorrow.

Tom had a wonderful day and was relatively pain free.  He switched back to Norco, as the pain was bad, but morphine is definitely out now... way too debilitating.

We continue with Reliv's Lunasin (12 capsules per day), and it appears that Tom is adjusting nicely to the treatment plan.  I have to thank our dear friend, Marla Sather, for introducing us to this wonderful product, and giving us hope for repairing Tom's immune system.  We are following the regimen to the letter!

Everything I have heard about meat and sugar is quite ominous for cancer patients, so I'm going to have to learn how to be a real cook, and cook nutritious dinners that actually taste good.  This has never been my forte, so anyone who knows good veggie recipes, don't hesitate to send them our way!  My email is martiecan@att.net.

I am learning a lot about other natural cancer protocols, including the Budwig Protocol, Vitamin B17, and tumeric.  Tomorrow, I will be checking on cannabis oil suppliers.  Tom's nickname for me is "Granny" (as in "Beverly Hillbillies"), especially when I start my concoctions.  Please pray that he will be receptive to these unconventional brews in the mad quest to get him well.  :-)

It is now time to create tumeric and milkthistle tea.  Because of the PET scan tomorrow, now is not the time for Tom to give it a try.  Thus, I'll see if I can prepare something reasonably palatable before pinning him down tomorrow afternoon.

Thank you for checking in, and please keep praying!

Love,

Martie, Tom, and TJ

Dear Friends and Family,

This was a very exhilirating day, for a variety of reasons.

Tom has been off of morphine all day today, and this is an incredibly positive milestone.  The morphine was interfering horribly with elimination, and causing debilitating pain in the entire abdominal area.  He was quite physically distressed early this morning, so I stayed home to make sure he would be okay.  I was scared that 911 would have to be called, and no one would be with him.  When he decided not to take the morphine in order to improve digestion, he was very worried that the bone pain would become too excruciating to do without it.  Instead, after a day without it, the bone pain has improved!  While it hasn't completely gone away, he can absolutely live with it and he can even move around better.  Praise God!

Next, it's important to note that the purified diet, alkaline water, and large dosages of Lunasin are having very positive effects, even in this short period of time.  While it is best for Tom to stay in bed most of the day, he is still in excellent spirts for someone who is relatively confined.  He is also continuing to "hold down the fort," even from supine position.  TJ and I are still being reminded to take out recycling, wipe down the shower stalls, let the dog in, and the list goes on.  While Tom and I work as a team, he is definitely the one who remembers what needs to be done, and he's not letting us forget it... which is very encouraging.  :-)

After staying home for most of the day with Tom, I went to teach Eldridge Drama Club.  I offered, repeatedly, to quit the school musical in order to take care of him.  However, Tom will have none of it.  This is one of the many reasons I love him so much; if he knows that something truly feeds your soul, he'll put you first, even when he should be first.  He told me today that he was feeling too positive for us to talk about any routines being altered, projects being dropped, or leaves of absence being taken.  His selflessness and upbeat attitude are definitely a source of strength!

Thank you for checking in, and don't hesitate to call!  Your prayers and good wishes mean everything to us!

With love,

Martie, Tom, and TJ