Shari Hall Smith is a Radical Remission survivor of stage 4 breast cancer. Diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 58 – twenty-two years after her initial breast cancer diagnosis – she combined conventional and alternative methods to overcome incredible odds. Two years later, she has no evidence of disease.
Here is her story in her own words:
I had been told for many years I was considered cured from my 1992 breast cancer (stage 1 intraductal carcinoma ER/PR +, diagnosed at age 36. At that time I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and refused the recommended, adjunctive conventional therapy – which was 6 months of chemo and 5 years tamoxifen. Instead, I took vitamins, drank Essiac tea and practiced positive imagery. I had 2 daughters, when I was 38 and 41). [My doctors were so convinced I was cured] that my gynecologist convinced me to start on estrogen 8 years after my initial diagnosis to protect my ovaries from cancer – even with my ER+ status.
22 years passed between my first diagnosis and my diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer with bone mets — it came as a surprise. I discontinued estrogen and started on Letrozole that same day (February 2014). Pretty much like driving 100 miles an hour and slamming on the brakes crashing through the windshield. I researched for 10 weeks in a state of fear and depression, and when I wasn’t [researching], I binge-watched 180 episodes of Desperate Housewives – even though I had watched them all before. I had started with my Integrative MD and had been on the “No-Fun Diet” and supplements 3x day and it was “All Cancer All The Time.”
I decided to attend the clinic run by Dr Herzog in Germany and decided to go alone. I am better when I can be somewhat in denial and just focus on my treatments. I was expecting a Cancer Spa but it was much more like Cancer Boot Camp with daily injections, infusions, local hyperthermia, magnet therapy, physiotherapy and what I went for: Whole Body Hyperthermia. I had that twice while I was there: the first time I had general anesthesia and the second time without. I was started on Helixor and sent home with it to continue. I had a bad reaction to it at first, getting serious flu-like symptoms and being in bed twice a week. After 2 months, Dr Herzog took me off it for 3 weeks and when I started it again I got appropriate responses to it.
In July 2014, I began seeing an energy healer once a month after reading Radical Remission by Dr Kelly Turner, as that seemed to make sense in my treatment protocol to release any emotional blockage I was harboring. One difference from the first time when I envisioned PAC-man like creatures eating all my cancer cells, is that this time I envisioned and asked all my healthy cells to help heal the sick ones. They were all a part of my body and I wanted myself whole again, apologizing for any part I may have had in those getting sick. By Fall 2014, I purchased a biomat to use daily at home, continuing with all my other treatments but being more flexible in my diet and supplements, adding in more foods and taking out some supplements. The pain I was having in my metastasis areas from my tail bone up into my scull had disappeared.
My January 2015 PET scan showed NED (no evidence of disease) and my monthly labs are low and steady. My Oncologist said my results were not expected. The worst I feel now is from the letrozole side effects that give me bone, joint and tendon pain, hot flashes and insomnia.
EDITOR'S NOTE: My July 2015 & July 2016 scans have continued to show NED.
UPDATE:
I stopped taking Letrozole in July 2015 and all of my auto immune issues have ceased except one, for which the medication was reduced. [It’s now August 2016] and I have never felt better!
[Regarding what might cause cancer], in my late 20’s I got mononucleosis and Epstein Barr virus. My health completely changed afterward and I always believed my compromised immune system was the cause of health issues and cancer at age 36.
I asked doctors for years to help build it up but it was never affirmed or done. My WBC (white blood count) is low and doctors tell me I just run low, but can it be a coincidence that I have also suffered many auto immune disorders such as 6 root canals and teeth pulled the year following mono(nucleosis), allergies also began as did chronic sinusitis and fibromyalgia. So immune building has been an important target for me when considering cancer treatments.
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