Featuring the inspirational biographies of actual survivors and their road back to wellness. Appreciate each spirit as they share a complete account of the most difficult chapter of their lives- from enduring the darkest hours to defining the mission to overcoming the traumatic obstacles and adversities of battling their cancer. In solidarity with those undergoing similar overwhelming challenges, Survivor Stories brings the message of perseverance and faith in a battle worth fighting.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
VIDEO: "PATH TO RECOVERY STARTS WITH A SECOND OPINION" by: James Hunt
STEPPING UP MY OWN RESEARCH
by: James Hunt (originally published March, 18, 2018)
I
want to tell my story so that I can help others diagnosed with prostate cancer.
This all started with a routine physical with blood work. My primary care
physician called to say everything looks good except a slightly elevated PSA
and suggested I make an appointment to see a urologist. After spending months
on antibiotics to treat a possible infection of the prostate due to bike
riding, my urologist suggested a biopsy. The biopsy was one of the worst things
I’ve ever experienced in my life. The biopsy results showed a Gleason 6 cancer
in one of the 12 tissue samples taken from me.
The
urologist suggested active surveillance where we would monitor the cancer with
blood tests, MRI’s and biopsies. He mentioned that I would eventually need surgery- probably within a year or two. I reached out to one of my chiropractor
friends for some advice (Dr. Mark Jones of Wading River) who is quite knowledgeable in Holistic medicine and he suggested; Pomi-T a dietary supplement that was used in a study (in prison) that was proven to slow
the growth of prostate cancer. He also told me about Chaga Tea - brewed from
the Chaga mushroom that grows on birch trees in Canada. I connected with Debbie Falborn from ChagaIslandwho told me "we will beat this". They helped me put together a plan
that consisted of drinking 24oz of chaga tea a day along with daily supplements
of Glutathione, Vitamin B complex and Magnesium powder (Calm).
I also spoke to another friend, Dr. Keith
Gutzmann whose practice,
"...to everyone battling cancer -- stay smart, realistic... do your own research and follow your gut for what makes the most sense."
The Howard Beach Comprehensive Health Care Center is tailored towards Holistic Health and Wellness. Dr. Gutzmann
suggested a number of nutritional
supplements. Curcumin, Boswellia (Indian Frankincense), Ginger, Fish Oil, and Vitamin D3 for
their anti-inflammatory effects. Indole-3-carbinol, Vitex, and Saw
Palmetto for their hormone modulating effects. There were a number of
other supplements he suggested that I found to
be echoed later by other sources as I continued my research. Dr.
Gutzmann then strongly suggested a Ketogenic dietary strategy (low
carbohydrates and sugar) with concomitant periods of Intermittent
fasting. Lastly, he suggested I look into getting a DVD of
a film by Peter Starr called "Surviving Prostate Cancer Without
Surgery, Drugs or Radiation". I found this on Dr. Mercola’s website. One
Friday night at 8pm my urologist called me to tell me that a second
part of my biopsy reveled a more aggressive cancer
and that I really need to consider surgery sooner rather than later. I
had just started to feel right mentally and now this. My surviving
prostate cancer DVD came and I watched it. The first thing Peter Starr
said is that "you have time... you are not going
to die tomorrow". He also explained how these doctors will attempt to
scare you into doing some sort of treatment right away.
I
learned from the video a few other key supplements that are proven to slow the
growth of cancer Vitamin k2, Vitamin D3, pumpkin seed oil, Vitamin C, Flax Seed Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Neprinal AFD and Lycopene. I also learned about gut health
and the need to take Probiotics (Syntol AMD). The film taught me a lot how
sugar feeds cancer. I also learned of an ultrasound machine called a 3D color
Doppler which Peter Starr explained is a noninvasive way of checking cancer
growth without having to go through biopsy and long MRI’s.
I
went online to try to find this machine and all I could come up with was the
prostate cancer research institute in California.
I felt that wasn’t an option for me at the time and took another suggestion of
Peter Starr’s and to get a second opinion. I made an appointment with another
urologist that came highly recommended. He read my reports and test results and
was surprised that the first urologist was pushing for surgery. He said we will
do active surveillance with blood work, MRI’s and biopsy’s. Here I was again
hearing the word "biopsy". I had done plenty of research on the
internet and all I kept reading is that there is a chance of spreading the
cancer with biopsy’s. The second urologist said I’ll see you in six months your
prostate needs to heal from the biopsy before we can do the MRI.
In
the six months I completely changed my diet starting with giving up all processed foods. I
started a meal plan that consisted of wild caught fish, chicken and bison that
were antibiotic and hormone free, organic vegetables and foods containing
healthy fats avocado, cashews and macadamia nuts. I cut all sugars from my diet
including those from fruits. My fruit intake was limited to berries
occasionally. Getting close to my MRI appointment and thinking this was going
to be my only option.
After
much research and a referral from my wife's fundraising circle, I came across Dr. Robert Bard a seasoned radiologist in midtown Manhattan that has
written books on prostate cancer and has a 3D color Doppler! I made an
appointment and went in for the ultrasound. My experience with Dr Bard was
excellent the procedure took all of maybe ten minutes. After the procedure I
sat with Dr. bard to go over the results, he found a small spot which he said
did not look like active cancer cells maybe a scar left from the biopsy. Dr.
Bard said we would do active surveillance and watch it that I had nothing to
worry about. Dr. Bard has done extensive research on prostate cancer and has
come up with his own supplements that he formulated for prostate cancer. A lot
of the ingredients in his pills are what I’ve been taking. I’m starting his
supplements right away and finishing up what I have. As of right now I have no
active cancer and happy I got a second opinion. My message to everyone battling cancer is to stay smart and realistic. Do your own research and listen to the right people and follow your gut for what makes the most sense. The resources are all around us and thanks to the world wide web, we have some of the best information available to win this. Perhaps it was the research that made me push for a second (and even a third) opinion and I'm glad I did- because if I would have caved to the panic-stricken voice of my first doctor, things may have turned out very differently- or worse.
VIEWPOINTS
DAVID DACHINGER - Innovator (Loving Meditations: Bring Calm to Cancer) As a stage 4 head and neck cancer survivor, I can appreciate the challenges Jim Hunt highlights. Upon hearing a cancer diagnosis, many patients (including me) experience a simultaneous rush of powerful emotions and mind-blowing numbness. There can be an overwhelming volume of medical information to absorb. It’s vitally important to slow down, take time to process the information, do research, and get second opinions. Having undergone painful invasive biopsies, I understand Jim's concern about infection and the potential for spreading cancer. I wish I had known there were non-invasive options like 4D Doppler imaging. I have undergone several PET, CT and MRI scans, involving IV contrasts, radioactive dyes and claustrophobic machines, all of which bring stress and “scanxiety” before, during and after the procedure. Having the option of a non-invasive scan could save time, reduce worry and alleviate the stress while waiting for scan results (which typically take days to be interpreted by a radiologist).
JOHN GRAZIANO - TriAthlete / Physical Trainer (Wildwood Warriors Tri Team) This video is actually very educational and eye opening. We are trained to listen to conventional medicine. Sure, we also know we should always get a 2nd opinion. However, one would likely go straight to another conventional doctor. Dr. Bard’s 3-D Ultrasound is such a benefit over the conventional methods. Not only does it offer faster results, reducing the stressful waits, but it provides a much more reliable diagnosis. I’ve often felt like too many doctors are “textbook diagnosers!” I appreciate Jim for taking the time to share other alternatives. I believe these kinds of videos from real people who experience a successful alternative diagnosis provides hope for thinking out of the box and give us a fighting chance.
* Opinions expressed in this VIEWPOINTS section are supportive comments about the contents of this article and are solely those from the contributors credited.
Also published on: LINKEDIN NEWS and THE LONG ISLAND PATCH
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References & Available Links:
Dr. Mark Jones, Wading River, NY (chiropractor)
Dr. Keith Gutzmann, The Howard Beach Comprehensive Health
Care Center- (www.holisticnyc.org)
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