Help Fund Rachel's Healing From Appendix Cancer
On June 20th, 2019 I had a 13.5 hour surgery that removed rare appendix cancer from my peritoneal cavity. Two highly skilled surgical oncologists removed 10liters of fluid, lots of tumor, several whole organs and bits of others from my body. They scraped and burned tumor off of organs to save them and then they bathed my peritoneal cavity in 105 F chemotherapy solution to kill any microscopic tumor. They call it The Mother of All Surgeries (MOAS).
After 8 days in ICU and 7 days on the oncology floor, I left the hospital 20 lbs lighter, with a tube in my stomach, no appetite, an inability to eat, and opiate addiction. Over the following four weeks I lost another 15 lbs, struggled with embarrassing incontinence, and experienced full opiate withdrawals. I went through intense depression, fear, and loneliness, despite the overwhelming support of friends and family.
On my phone before and after surgery checking all the loving messages from YOU, my friends!
The majority of physical healing from the direct effects of the cancer and surgery is done. At 6 weeks I was fully over opiate withdrawals, my appetite was back, my stomach tube was removed and I started living on my own again. As I’ve been able to eat more healthy and varied foods, I have gained 15 lbs back and a good amount of energy -- though I am by no means back to “normal” -- meaning as I was before the surgery. That is gone.
I’m establishing a new normal now. My life is forever changed.
On a physical level, I no longer have a uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, gallbladder, spleen, ileocecal valve, appendix, or parts of my small & large intestine, liver, stomach and diaphragm. The emotional trauma can't be quantified and I'm still working through the grief and anxiety.
After my diagnosis, during my hospital stay, and in my early days of healing, many of you asked what you could do to help. At the time -- I had no idea. My focus was on surviving hour by hour. I didn’t know what I needed. I know what I need now...
I NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE SURE I HAVE A CHANCE AT A FUTURE. Help me be NED - NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE.
In December I will have my first MRI and round of blood work to confirm the surgery’s success -- NED. These are three letters I look forward to hearing every 6 months for the next five years as my doctors monitor my health. After that, I’ll hear it every year for 10 years. After that, every two years for the rest of my beautiful, amazing, grateful life.
To stay physically well and keep the cancer away I need to be very conscious of what I put into and on my body, how I move it, and how I support it. Mental wellness is important, too -- mind and body are connected. Studies have shown that effective stress management and social support can enhance the body's resistance to tumor growth!
I must live as HEALTHILY and as FULLY as possible, but making that part of my new normal comes with many additional expenses that I don't currently have the resources for, so -- I NEED YOUR HELP FINANCIALLY.
Here is what the best chance for a healthy future looks like for me:
HIGHEST QUALITY ORGANIC VEGETABLES AND ETHICALLY, NATURALLY RAISED ANIMAL PRODUCTS. (~$600/month)
Pesticides, antibiotics, hormones...all disrupt the body in ways science is just starting to understand. Minimizing exposure is best for health. My diet is gluten free, dairy free, (soon likely corn and soy free) and includes lots of plants (including for juicing), some fish and some meat.
PROPER EQUIPMENT FOR HIGH QUALITY JUICING. (~ $2,500 one time cost)
To get the most out of organic vegetable juice, they should be exposed to as little heat as possible. The Gerson Institute recommends a 2 Step Juicer - a grinder + hydraulic press . This maximizes juice output while protecting the integrity of the nutrients. The least expensive of the 3 different Gerson Institute recommended juicers is $2,500.
TREATMENTS TO SUPPORT SYSTEM DETOXIFICATION AND ORGAN SYSTEMS DISRUPTED BY ORGAN LOSS AND DAMAGE. (~$800/month)
This includes: naturopathic treatment for post surgery/post cancer health plan -- This is not at all supported by insurance. In fact, post care through the “traditional” medical system is terrible. No guidance for how to live well. This also includes nutritional supplements, CBD, acupuncture, orthopedic bodywork, physical therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy (because 36 is too early for menopause, ya’ll!)
STRESS RELIEF & PHYSICAL STRENGTHENING MODALITIES (~400/month)
Yoga Studio & Gym Membership. Therapy. Women’s circles. Breathwork. Soothing my nervous system and keeping my body moving and strong is essential. Not just for reducing cancer risk and living a long healthy life, but being able to work and maintain insurance.
A note on breathwork: A good part of my diaphragm was removed in surgery because it was diseased, so I spent 4 days on LIFE SUPPORT. I need to strengthen my diaphragm -- a strong diaphragm supports effective digestion, effective nutrition and detox and deep breathing soothes the nervous system reducing stress which may reduce tumor risk!
NON-TOXIC LIVING (cost 20-50% more than common products)
My body has a genetic mutation that makes detox less efficient (MTHFR C677T and A1298C). I’m taking a supplement for it, but reducing the amount of toxic things I’m exposed to will help. This means - evaluating and possibly replacing Every. Single. Thing. That I Own. Especially the things that I cook with, eat with/from, sleep on, wear, put on my body, and clean with. Creating a non-toxic environment costs more, but to reduce my cancer risk is worth it. I am currently researching the best products for this and where changes can have the biggest impact.
INSURANCE - COBRA ($609/month JAN-JUL 2020 for a total of $3,652)
This is a worst case scenario. If I do not meet my hours worked requirements by November 30th I will have to pay COBRA from January - July 2020. Knowing that I have access to the right foods, supplements, and support as listed above will help reduce my stress and keep me healthy and able to work the FULL TIME hours required of me which will undoubtedly be a challenge for this new body of mine. The awesome insurance coverage I have through Trader Joe’s covered all but $500 of my $660,000 surgery & hospital stay! Help me keep it!
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
This is YOU. Your financial support. Messages. Hugs. Healing services. Healthy meals. Whatever love is in your heart to give. It is also ME -- I am offering to share this experience with you, candidly, and whatever other gifts come through my heart. My podcast. My writing. My IG life . Sharing what I learn about how we can reduce our exposure to toxins. Sharing healthy recipes, cooking for you if you wanna come over. Making you all the healthy juice you want once I get that fancy juicer.
I need to stay healthy and well so that I can be here with you and so that I can share my gifts and my stories with the world. 
My cost of living is now almost $4,000/month. Nowhere near what my current job provides. I am actively working to establish other streams of income, but your support to make sure I have what I need for the next 6 months is essential.
