This picture was taken 2 weeks ago. I was currently undergoing Proton Radiation. Looking at me from the outside, I appear to be a healthy young woman. Who would ever know that I am fighting metastatic breast cancer. It makes you wonder how many people around us are fighting a major illness in their life or going through a traumatic event. This is why it is so important to be kind to people. You never know what that person is going through.

When I was diagnosed with cancer in October 2021, I was told that I would have to undergo aggressive hormone therapy, chemotherapy, surgery that would paralyze my right arm, and radiation… all in this order. I was told I would be disabled and I would have a poor quality of life; but, this would be my only option. I would die if I didn’t follow this strict protocol. After a ton of research and lots of prayers, I decided on my own treatment protocol. A treatment protocol that would allow me to live my life and be happy, yet still kill the cancer. I went to Chipsa Hospital in Mexico and received Cryoablation of the tumor (freezing of the tumor), among other modalities not offered in the United States. I put myself on a natural hormone supplement and changed my diet to a plant based organic diet. I then fought my way into treatment at Northwestern Proton Center in Warrenville, IL. I completed 6 and a half weeks, 33 sessions, of Proton Radiation on Wednesday, March 23rd. To recap what Proton Radiation is: Proton therapy is an advanced and highly precise radiation treatment for tumors. Compared to other methods, it focuses more energy on the tumor itself with less radiation to surrounding healthy tissue. During Proton Radiation, I continued working full time as a Veterinarian, I exercised daily, I took care of my 3 and a half year old son, I rode horses, and I went to special events like my girlfriend’s birthday party. The 2 side effects I experienced because of the treatment, were fatigue and burned skin. I didn’t start to feel the fatigue until 2 weeks post treatment. I started to see a sunburned appearance of my skin after week 4. During week 5, I had 3rd degree burns. I was in a lot of pain. I applied lots of Ceravue healing ointment, and did Domeboro soaks on my skin. Domeboro is a medicated soak for burns and you can get it on Amazon. I researched the use of infrared saunas and sunburns. Infrared saunas penetrate the skin by more than an inch, stimulating new cell growth and encouraging the body to rid itself of toxins, including the free radicals that result from sunburn. One session in the portable infrared sauna, which I have at home, dramatically reduced my pain and helped my skin heal. I used it everyday for 45 minutes during the last 2 weeks of radiation. This last week of Proton Radiation, my skin is healing well and the pain is gone. I will continue to experience fatigue from the radiation during the next 2 weeks.

On April 10th, I will be returning to Chipsa Hospital in Mexico for 1 week. I am going to get some follow up treatments there to help with any remaining cancer cells that might be left over. After the week in Mexico, I will be spending a week in Florida with my son and my parents to just relax and enjoy nice weather.

The last week of June, I will be getting a PET scan. This is the scan that will show if I am cancer free. I am putting all my trust in God that I will be cancer free. An important part of beating cancer is having belief that you will beat it and keeping a positive outlook. Saint Peregrine is the “Patron Saint of Cancer”. He had a cancerous growth on his right foot. The night before the scheduled surgery to have his leg amputated, Peregrine spent hours in prayer. Then he dozed off and dreamt that Christ was touching him and healing his foot. The thrill of it woke him up. In the dim moonlight he saw that his foot, carefully bandaged a few hours earlier, was completely healed.

I pray this every night before bed:

“Saint Peregrine, you are honored as the Patron of all Cancers. You are known as the wonder-worker. You suffered from cancer and with your strong devotion to God were cured. Deliver me from the cancer that afflicts my body. I ask for your most needed intervention before God to save me and cure me so that I may live to spread God’s glory. If needed I ask. O glorious Saint, for a miracle. Pray for me.“