Support Susan's Battle Against Rare Cancer

Friends and family, we are asking for your help in supporting Susan’s fight against cancer. She has shared her story below in her own words:

It is with a heavy heart that I share some news about my current situation. In December 2020, after discovering a lump in my inguinal lymph node, I was diagnosed with Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, an extremely rare type of cancer. My oncologist in New York had seen only several cases like mine in his career, and I proceeded with his recommended treatment of two rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. While the initial results were encouraging, the cancer unfortunately resurfaced 6 months later. I underwent a painful surgery to remove the tumor; however, it was unsuccessful. Given the lack of efficacy of the chemo and radiation, I then sought alternative treatment at the Immunity Therapy Center in Mexico in early 2022. At ITC, I was treated with low dose chemo in addition to other complementary therapies. Upon my return, I continued with the oral chemotherapy treatment, which was effective at keeping the cancer at bay. However, since October 2023, my cancer has advanced to Stage IV. I received the devastating news that metastasis was discovered in my lung, liver and pelvic/uterine sidewall and began suffering from worsening symptoms and skin lesions, as this particular disease is a form of skin cancer. It was recommended that I stop chemo and begin immunotherapy. After three months of the immunotherapy treatment, I am heartbroken and frustrated to share that my body simply did not respond to the treatment. With new disease now developed and existing tumors having grown in size, I have been taken off the immunotherapy.

The recommended course of action now is additional, intravenous chemotherapy with the hope that it could keep the cancer from growing and spreading further, but there is no longer a curative option. Throughout the course of my cancer diagnosis, I have been challenged with additional complications such as lymphedema and obstructed veins in my legs, for which I underwent a surgery this past December where stents were placed in my iliac veins. I had difficulty recovering from this procedure, which offered minimal initial relief, but was eventually a success, albeit minor. Since then, I have required multiple blood transfusions and iron infusions, and walking and moving remains difficult and uncomfortable. All this to say, while my spirits remain strong, my body has reached a state where it may not be possible to endure the debilitating side-effects of the recommended high dose chemotherapy, which could do more harm than good.

I have desperately been searching for other options. As many of you know me well, you can be confident that I have been diligently researching treatments for this particular cancer over the past few years. A suggestion from a friend, and fellow cancer warrior, led me to discover another option, which combines alternative therapies with a lower dose of chemo. While these protocols are not available in the US, Sanoviv Medical Institute in Mexico has access to the best cutting-edge, science-based therapies and technology combined with nutrition, supplementation, detoxification and natural medicine. For example, my protocol would include hyperthermia treatments, which involves heating the cancer cells to an elevated degree before the administration of chemotherapy. This approach has been proven to result in increased response to chemotherapy from the cancer cells. Chelation therapy and immune cell therapy derived from the patient’s own cells are also part of the core program at Sanoviv.

Though mine is a rare and complex case, the oncologist at Sanoviv is optimistic he can help me and that gives me hope. My husband, Bob, has devoted his full time to being my personal caregiver, taking me to medical appointments and assisting me with daily activities that have become too much and too painful to do on my own.

As I embark on the next step in conquering cancer, I am reaching out to my friends and family for help. Despite my best efforts to cover these expenses, I find myself in need of additional support to ensure I can receive the treatment necessary for my health and well-being. Funds raised will be used for the three week cancer treatment program at the Sanoviv facility. I am immensely grateful for any contribution you are able to make toward the continued financial burden of this treatment and am happy to speak with anyone who wants more information about Sanoviv and my treatments there. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story and for considering how you might be able to assist me during this challenging time. Your support means more to me than words can express.