Stacy's Cancer Healing Journey
Donation protected
Please note that YouCaring (where I previously had my fundraiser) no longer exists after the end of July; As such, I had to re-create it on GoFundMe. Here is its new incarnation!)
This year I had decided to take a break from doing any major administrative/event management work, and instead focus on my healing practice (for those who don't know, I am also a bodyworker). Little did I know that the healing work I would be doing would be my own!
In January 2018 I was diagnosed with an invasive form of cancer known as Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. A 3.8cm tumor was found in my left breast. In Cancer jargon: Grade 3, Her2+, ER+/PR+, High ki67 (yes, I've also sort of learned a new language! )
In plain English:
I have a (not so) nice, quite aggressive little (actually, big) invader that is currently making my boob turn sort of sideways.
At the beginning of all this, I was very much opposed to conventional treatment, and never in a million years did I think I would get chemo, radiation, etc. However, while 100% natural approaches seem to work for other types of cancers, I have not seen the success stories that I have been seeking for the particular type of cancer that I have. After much research, a million conversations with various type of practitioners, and a lot of soul searching, it appears that I will be taking an integrative approach to my treatment.
I will be tackling this with a blend of conventional and alternative therapies. Right now it is looking something like this:
-6 rounds of chemotherapy
-Herceptin (targeted treatment) for a year
-Surgery involving lumpectomy/mastectomy (tbd),
-Possibly Radiation
-In addition, the one of the chemotherapy drugs that will be used brings about a 10-15% risk of permanent hair loss. I will use Penguin Cold Caps (which is also not covered by insurance) during chemo infusions to lessen this risk, and perhaps even keep some of my hair throughout.
-Plus a number of supportive holistic therapies:
-An arsenal of supplements. (I am working with an naturopathic doctor to help set up a plan of supportive supplements and dietary recommendations that will help to mitigate some of the side effects of my conventional treatment.) I have enough supplements to fill a small suitcase and a spreadsheet that I check to remember what I need to take when.
-Intermittent fasting. Here is an oversimplified explanation: By fasting for a few days surrounding chemotherapy treatments, the healthy cells sort of go into hybrination, while the cancer cells continue trying to multiply. This protects the healthy cells from the effects of the chemo, while making the cancer cells more susceptible to the effects. Intermittent fasting (either for a number of days, or even just for 12+ hours in a day) can have a beneficial effect on starving off cancers even without chemo.
-Mistletoe Injections. The Germans are super into this. Mistletoe (ya know, the parasitic plant that grows in the trees... and people kiss under it around Christmas time?) is apparently the most commonly prescribed cancer treatment in Germany. However, it is not FDA approved here in the USA. There is someone who works with it here is Sebastopol, and I am going to go meet with her in a few weeks time.
-Self Care: All the stuff I am already doing (bodywork, yoga, going for walks).
I will need to be working on a reduced schedule during chemo and surgery, and will likely need to go on hiatus from giving bodywork altogether during that time. Yet I will need to continue covering rent and other living expenses. In addition, my medical insurance covers only the very basic treatments, leaving many additional items uncovered.
Despite this situation, I am taking this as an invitation to open my heart and bring love and grace into my life.
Any assistance with these challenging costs will add to my ease...
Donations can be made here through GoFundMe (credit card process will take 3%), or you can also send this way:
Paypal to [email redacted]
Good, old-fashioned cheque made out to stacy simons to PO Box 1056, Occidental, CA 95465
If you wish to follow my healing progress please join my Caring Bridge page here:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stacefromspace
You will need to create an account, and while sort of annoying, this helps to keep things private. On this page you can sign up to get notified whenever I post an update.
Thank you for visiting!
This year I had decided to take a break from doing any major administrative/event management work, and instead focus on my healing practice (for those who don't know, I am also a bodyworker). Little did I know that the healing work I would be doing would be my own!
In January 2018 I was diagnosed with an invasive form of cancer known as Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. A 3.8cm tumor was found in my left breast. In Cancer jargon: Grade 3, Her2+, ER+/PR+, High ki67 (yes, I've also sort of learned a new language! )
In plain English:
I have a (not so) nice, quite aggressive little (actually, big) invader that is currently making my boob turn sort of sideways.
At the beginning of all this, I was very much opposed to conventional treatment, and never in a million years did I think I would get chemo, radiation, etc. However, while 100% natural approaches seem to work for other types of cancers, I have not seen the success stories that I have been seeking for the particular type of cancer that I have. After much research, a million conversations with various type of practitioners, and a lot of soul searching, it appears that I will be taking an integrative approach to my treatment.
I will be tackling this with a blend of conventional and alternative therapies. Right now it is looking something like this:
-6 rounds of chemotherapy
-Herceptin (targeted treatment) for a year
-Surgery involving lumpectomy/mastectomy (tbd),
-Possibly Radiation
-In addition, the one of the chemotherapy drugs that will be used brings about a 10-15% risk of permanent hair loss. I will use Penguin Cold Caps (which is also not covered by insurance) during chemo infusions to lessen this risk, and perhaps even keep some of my hair throughout.
-Plus a number of supportive holistic therapies:
-An arsenal of supplements. (I am working with an naturopathic doctor to help set up a plan of supportive supplements and dietary recommendations that will help to mitigate some of the side effects of my conventional treatment.) I have enough supplements to fill a small suitcase and a spreadsheet that I check to remember what I need to take when.
-Intermittent fasting. Here is an oversimplified explanation: By fasting for a few days surrounding chemotherapy treatments, the healthy cells sort of go into hybrination, while the cancer cells continue trying to multiply. This protects the healthy cells from the effects of the chemo, while making the cancer cells more susceptible to the effects. Intermittent fasting (either for a number of days, or even just for 12+ hours in a day) can have a beneficial effect on starving off cancers even without chemo.
-Mistletoe Injections. The Germans are super into this. Mistletoe (ya know, the parasitic plant that grows in the trees... and people kiss under it around Christmas time?) is apparently the most commonly prescribed cancer treatment in Germany. However, it is not FDA approved here in the USA. There is someone who works with it here is Sebastopol, and I am going to go meet with her in a few weeks time.
-Self Care: All the stuff I am already doing (bodywork, yoga, going for walks).
I will need to be working on a reduced schedule during chemo and surgery, and will likely need to go on hiatus from giving bodywork altogether during that time. Yet I will need to continue covering rent and other living expenses. In addition, my medical insurance covers only the very basic treatments, leaving many additional items uncovered.
Despite this situation, I am taking this as an invitation to open my heart and bring love and grace into my life.
Any assistance with these challenging costs will add to my ease...
Donations can be made here through GoFundMe (credit card process will take 3%), or you can also send this way:
Paypal to [email redacted]
Good, old-fashioned cheque made out to stacy simons to PO Box 1056, Occidental, CA 95465
If you wish to follow my healing progress please join my Caring Bridge page here:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stacefromspace
You will need to create an account, and while sort of annoying, this helps to keep things private. On this page you can sign up to get notified whenever I post an update.
Thank you for visiting!
Organizer
Stacy Simons
Organizer
Occidental, CA
