Edlira's journey to healing
Donation protected
In late March of this year, I discovered a lump in my right breast and went straight to the doctor.
A few days later, I received the shocking news that, at 31 years old, I have breast cancer.
After undergoing multiple ultrasounds, biopsies, mammograms and MRIs, the initial treatment plan seemed straightforward: a lumpectomy, localized radiation and hormone modulators for a few years.
However, a few days later on April 4th, 2016, a top surgeon at Mt. Sinai Dubin Breast Center in NYC, performed a physical examination revealing a second lump, which images had failed to capture.
Unfortunately, a biopsy later confirmed more bad news, the second lump was also cancerous and the surgeon now recommended a mastectomy.
I got a second opinion from a doctor at Sloan Kettering; the prognosis was devastating. In addition to a possible double mastectomy, it was recommended I do localized radiation and chemotherapy, along with 10 years of hormone modulators. I was told to consult their fertility clinic due to the much higher likelihood of infertility and early menopause, which are all common side effects. My future and any hope of having a family began to fade before my eyes.
After many sleepless nights overcome by sadness, fear and worry, I began to research whether there were other legitimate options out there. After many hours of research, phone calls and consulting with my family, I decided to give myself a fighting chance for the future I envisioned by taking the time to further explore alternative treatments for my cancer. Just three days after receiving my second opinion, I was on a plane to the San Diego International Integrative Oncology Conference where about a hundred of the best Alternative and Integrative doctors were summiting.
I was overwhelmed by all the information I learned about the different aspects to understanding cancer, all the treatments, both western and alternative, and the cutting-edge research taking place. I met with a number of men and women who were fully healed with alternative treatments and cancer-free. I was also incredibly fortunate to connect with Dr. Connealy, who runs a comprehensive integrative cancer clinic in Irvine, California. I visited the center three days after the conference ended and began a course of treatment which is based on extensive blood work and precise testing of my cancer and physiology. I am now working with a truly incredible team of doctors.
The past two months have been an emotional rollercoaster and have required me to make really challenging life changes. I am putting everything I have into my healing and am already seeing positive results, which is encouraging, but I have a lot more to do.
I am reaching out to my amazing network of family and friends to ask you for your financial support; insurance companies do not cover alternative treatments, and the out of pocket medical bills are significant. These funds will go directly to helping cover the critical care I need over the coming months. Any donation is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to me during this difficult time.
For those of you who may be interested, I plan to share the details of my story and treatments in a blog, which is coming soon.
Thank you for taking an interest in my life. Words cannot express how grateful I am for your support.
Love,
Edlira
A few days later, I received the shocking news that, at 31 years old, I have breast cancer.
After undergoing multiple ultrasounds, biopsies, mammograms and MRIs, the initial treatment plan seemed straightforward: a lumpectomy, localized radiation and hormone modulators for a few years.
However, a few days later on April 4th, 2016, a top surgeon at Mt. Sinai Dubin Breast Center in NYC, performed a physical examination revealing a second lump, which images had failed to capture.
Unfortunately, a biopsy later confirmed more bad news, the second lump was also cancerous and the surgeon now recommended a mastectomy.
I got a second opinion from a doctor at Sloan Kettering; the prognosis was devastating. In addition to a possible double mastectomy, it was recommended I do localized radiation and chemotherapy, along with 10 years of hormone modulators. I was told to consult their fertility clinic due to the much higher likelihood of infertility and early menopause, which are all common side effects. My future and any hope of having a family began to fade before my eyes.
After many sleepless nights overcome by sadness, fear and worry, I began to research whether there were other legitimate options out there. After many hours of research, phone calls and consulting with my family, I decided to give myself a fighting chance for the future I envisioned by taking the time to further explore alternative treatments for my cancer. Just three days after receiving my second opinion, I was on a plane to the San Diego International Integrative Oncology Conference where about a hundred of the best Alternative and Integrative doctors were summiting.
I was overwhelmed by all the information I learned about the different aspects to understanding cancer, all the treatments, both western and alternative, and the cutting-edge research taking place. I met with a number of men and women who were fully healed with alternative treatments and cancer-free. I was also incredibly fortunate to connect with Dr. Connealy, who runs a comprehensive integrative cancer clinic in Irvine, California. I visited the center three days after the conference ended and began a course of treatment which is based on extensive blood work and precise testing of my cancer and physiology. I am now working with a truly incredible team of doctors.
The past two months have been an emotional rollercoaster and have required me to make really challenging life changes. I am putting everything I have into my healing and am already seeing positive results, which is encouraging, but I have a lot more to do.
I am reaching out to my amazing network of family and friends to ask you for your financial support; insurance companies do not cover alternative treatments, and the out of pocket medical bills are significant. These funds will go directly to helping cover the critical care I need over the coming months. Any donation is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to me during this difficult time.
For those of you who may be interested, I plan to share the details of my story and treatments in a blog, which is coming soon.
Thank you for taking an interest in my life. Words cannot express how grateful I am for your support.
Love,
Edlira
Organizer
Edlira Bejo
Organizer
New York, NY
