As some of you already know, I have recently been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer that has metastasized to my lymph system, liver and adrenal glands.
As you may imagine, it has been a colossal shock and the biggest teacher I have ever known.
But as we all know, there are always gifts to be found in the dark places.
Since diagnosis, over the past weeks, I have been showered with love and care whilst trying to find new ground beneath me and to find my pathway forward.
The oncologist has offered me Chemotherapy treatment, but because of a complex medical picture they are unable to discern from the biopsies if it is adenocarcinoma or squamous cell. Which means that in practice, 50 % of any chemotherapy offered would be completely ineffective and the remaining 50% would have a slim chance of shrinking the tumours or adding longevity.
What we do know is that it would smash my immune system and add little to my quality of life, whilst knocking out the possibilities and benefits of many integrative and alternative protocols.
Since Diagnosis I have been intensively studying many ground- breaking alternative treatments and immune support regimes that may be of significant help, some of which I am already acting on.
It has been a big week for me and I have finally found some clarity and heart- land to stand on. I have made the difficult decision to refuse the chemotherapy treatment.
For complex medical and ethical reasons it has been tipping that way for a while but first I needed to come to terms with the resistance I felt when acknowledging that the medics really can't do very much for me. 
Perhaps if the medical circumstances were different I would make a different choice and I am grateful for the deep kindness I have been shown by all the medics I have seen. From what I have experienced they are very good and decent people working to a degree with their hands tied. As ever I am in gratitude for the huge blessings of living in a country that still has a welfare state, however compromised.

 Decision made, I can now turn all of my courage, focus and life energy to the extraordinary layer of work and possibilities being offered by integrative and alternative practitioners.
When I felt my way into this hard decision, what lifted my passion and life force is knowing that there are so many extraordinary, courageous, competent, innovative, heartful and pioneering people working for change at the edge of the biggest pandemic facing humanity at this time. One person in 2.3 will have a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, to quote current statistics !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I choose to stand with the changemakers who fly in the face of the big pharmaceutical companies, with hope for offering innovative and holistic healing. There are such exciting, promising and diverse treatments being trialled and offered all over the world. These are my people and I choose to stand with them now.

 Since diagnosis I have already made sweeping changes to do all I can to boost my immune system, detox my body and have begun to take a wide range of supporting supplements.
I have become totally sugar free, gluten free, and dairy free, amongst other significant changes.
I have been blessed to have been gifted with an inspiring and very hopeful consultation and on-going support with Dr. Dana Flavin, an integrative cancer specialist who has recommended an extensive range of repurposed medicines, supplements and nutritional guidance. She is breath-taking in her deep knowledge and passion after 30 years of research, practice and innovative work with cancer and running her not for profit foundation CollMed. I feel uplifted and grateful and can see a clear path before me. 
I am also researching the possibility of pursuing intravenous high dose vitamin C and Mistletoe therapy, alongside many other protocols.

 This difficult time has been exacerbated by the restrictions and challenging conditions of Covid, in terms of safely accessing the treatments and care that I need. However, I have found a doctor who can deliver the IV Vit C and Mistletoe therapy from a clinic in Exeter which feels very hopeful.
Needless to say, all these supplements and treatments do not come cheaply so this crowd funding page is set up in the humble hope of contributing to resourcing my way forward and gaining access to healing that would otherwise be out of reach.
Currently I am seeking support with covering big supplement costs, CBD oil, the IV Vitamin C treatments and a Far Infrared heat pod that I can use at home.
I would be so grateful for any small contribution you feel able to make towards my healing journey. We will be posting a regular progress update as the journey unfolds.

This journey is the journey, it is the mother of all teachers and I am humbled by the boundless love and care I am being held in. I am so grateful to have such a loving family and wider family of dear friends who are the tinder to the flame of my courage and hope.
I am blessed to feel resourced by my years of practice and all of the inspiring teachers that have added to my life and learning.
Over the past weeks I have been continuously lifted and inspired by the writings of those that have walked this path before me and have offered their hard-won maps to support others in navigating these uncharted waters.

 To finish, I would like to share a Sophy Sabbage quote that has rather become my mantra......

 " I have cancer, cancer does not have me."

 
Many Thanks for taking the time to read this page.

Blessings to you.

With love

 

Mel