Nontoxic Cancer Treatment Financial Need Vastly Underestimated

I had gotten the information about the nontoxic treatment for my breast cancer from my holistic health practitioner, who had gotten hers from the clinic.  What she had not done is get the entire overview of what actually happens beyond the initial 4 days of IV treatment with the $32,000 price tag.  A few days after my Indiegogo crowd funding project was up and running, I took the time to call the clinic myself to get the full download.  As someone who prides herself on being a wise researcher, this is something I can't believe I didn't do earlier because I got seriously brought up short. 

I was truly sobered to hear that a much higher total is needed to get everything handled under the current protocol and during the first year of required follow-up to be certain the cancer is gone and stays that way.  In case new readers come on board and just for the collective memory, I must elaborate.

The clinic does have an initial 4-day treatment with a price tag of $32,000, but the current average stay is 9 or 10 days.  Each subsequent day beyond the fist 4 costs $5,000 per day at the clinic. Blood test expenses at a local lab are not included in that number and, even if there were insurance that might pay, it would certainly be "out of network" and covered at a reduced rate.  Some people have had to continue the IV for much longer with the longest infusion being an incredible 22 days!  With everyone's system being different, they have no way to estimate how long I would need to be there.  So, just planning for an additional 6 extra days to be "average" tacks an additional $30,000 on to the bill. 

It is important to note that the woman to whom I spoke who had been there since early in 2013 had yet to see anyone come with an uncompromised immune system like mine is.  Most have compromised or ruined their immune system with chemo and the cancer was not gone back or had returned with a vengeance and the patient was looking for another answer to give them hope.  This is the tragedy of the traditional approach to cancer.  Chemotherapy is so counter-intuitive to maintaining good health.      

But,  I digress.  Back to the treatment costs.  Two days prior to the infusion beginning, a PetScan must be taken and a port inserted in a large vein.  Price tag for those items - $4,400-$6,600 for the PetScan and $2,000 - $3,000 for the port.  I split the difference on them both which added $8,000 more to the total need.

Required blood tests beyond the 4th day and during the first year bump the total by another $10,000.  While a few might be covered by insurance under Obamacare, the biggest share of that total are not.
Adding the required post-IV immune system testing, paying for the organic food and its preparation to accommodate the rigid dietary requirements while at the clinic that is not included in the cost, and travel to and from brings the war chest requirement to nearly $100,000. 

After I got over the initial shock and my jaw off the floor, I thanked Rebecca for the reality check and then asked if she was aware of any other options with a smaller price tag.  She told me that Cancer Treatment Centers of America requires a bank roll of a minimum of $250,000 for anyone who seeks to take advantage of treatment outside that which traditional insurance covers, which they do offer - things like acupuncture, vitamin supplementation, massage therapy, hot infrared treatments, and more.  So, with that in mind, the more holistic treatment I want is quite the bargain.

That's it for today.  A lot to digest, but I figure anyone following my blog now or who may do so in the future should know the truth that I know. 

Enjoying Bread While Keeping Carbs Down

Years ago I met a doctor who was over the top about carbs and managing leptin resistance in the body as weight management tools.  He snacked nonstop on things like herrings in olive oil and nuts.  He was thin as a twig. 

A key way to keeping your weight down is by limiting carbs, which is virtually impossible if you eat bread.  The doctor told us about Heavenly Manna Bread, SmartCarb1, and SmartCarb2 bread made by the Julian Bakery in La Jolla, CA.  This stuff is chock full of proteins and carbs, tastes great, and only has 1 net carb per piece in the plain bread.  There are 2 net carbs in the cinnamon, raisin almond bread.  If you knew how persnickety I am about food, you would believe me when I tell you it is yummy!

The bakery recently changed their formula and made slices thinner, probably to reduce the calories per slice.  I liked the old formula and size better, but it is still a terrific way to keep bread in your diet.  I think it tastes best toasted.

You can order it online and have it shipped to you, but some small natural grocers and a few #Whole Foods carry it, too. 

Cancer and Sugar Connection Still on My Mind

I started on this subject in September and it is still dominating my mind an unfair amount.  Knowing that if food is not a protein or a fat, then it must be a carb that turns into sugar in your body is a basic fact that a lot of people don't get.  Vegetables and fruits are all carbs.  Some, like arugula and spinach, have some protein, too.  Same with milk.  The less the fat content, the higher the carb level. Most breads and cereals are virtually 100% carbs, making label reading an absolute necessity.   

I have long known that carbs turn into sugar in the body, but did not understand how MUCH sugar can be in so LITTLE food.  For example, a medium tomato contains 5 grams of sugar!!!  In an ideal world, if anyone wants to starve cancer cells, they should consume less than 30 grams of carbs per day with absolutely none of them coming from refined sugar. 

So, you look at a package label that indicates there are 9 grams of carbohydrates, but there are 7 grams of fiber in the serving, you only have to count 2 net grams of carbs.  My latest brain download said that my own cancer gets an unhealthy level of stimulation with more than just 7 grams of sugar per day!  That is so little as to be virtually impossible to avoid going over.  Counting carbs and measuring portions is a pain if you are truly disciplined and want to stay in control.  I wax and wane on this.

The bottom line is that healthy eating means limiting carbs and sugar to a great degree.     

The Hill to Climb is a Lot Bigger Than I Knew

I may be talking to the wind, but a couple of weeks ago, I talked to the clinic where I plan to have this treatment.  I had gotten information about the treatment and costs from my health practitioner and talked with the doctor in charge a couple of times who, of course, was not in touch with administrative procedures by the front office.

The bottom line is that my $42,000 goal is WAY too small.  I was told I need a war chest of $100,000 before I head to the clinic.  The 4-day treatment for $32,000 is the beginning, basic, required, expected initiation.  After that, the individual's personal circumstances and internal health and cancer status dictate the number of additional days needed at the clinic.  The average patient gets treatment 9-10 days, with each additional day beyond day 4 costing $5,000.  That adds $25-30K to the basic $32K before anything else gets done.  Some people have had to stay even longer.  One man was there for 22 total days!

Furthermore, the first 2 days at the clinic are not part of the treatment during which a port is inserted and a current PetScan taken at an additional cost of $8-10K depending on the vendor.  Then there are blood tests for days beyond the first 4 and during the first year of follow-up to make certain the cancer is gone that builds the total higher.  The sublingual capsules of the intravenous product cost $1,400/month and a minimum of 4 months must be budgeted.  Finally, an immune system test before clinic departure which costs $4,000 is mandatory and the suggested protocols for immune system boosting make the monetary need even higher.  Travel and food costs are additional.

I went through the items one by one with the staff there and it was indeed perilously close to $100,000 for a 9-10 day stay and the first year of testing and support beyond the clinical treatment.  When I shared the information with my health practitioner, she was floored and surprised, too.  Information is power, isn't it?

Rather than staying discouraged very long, I realized that, while the hill is a lot higher than I understood initially, I don't need a lot of wealthy people supporting my project.  It only takes 100,000 people contributing $1 to get there.  Or 20,000 people chipping in $5.  Or 10,000 people letting go of $10 and getting the book.  Or 4,000 people with $25.  Or 2,500 people with $40.  You get the drift.  Now I am just on a mission to find enough bloggers to write about me so the message can get out.  I know people out there are interested in learning about ways to handle a dreadful disease without compromising their body. 

Join me in getting the message out.   

This Is a 2-Way Street

I want to be sure that anyone reading my blog or looking at my Indiegogo project realizes that this is not just about me getting some treatment.  As I said in one video, I am convinced there are a lot of people who are looking for information on things they can do when they get a cancer diagnosis that go beyond what the traditional doctors say must be done.  I have not enjoyed the doctor appointments where the "My way or the highway" approach has been given to me.  The "Me, Tarzan, you Idiot" approach doesn't work with me and I bet there are others who could use some courage and support and ideas to take care of their bodies.  My book is going to tell about my journey and I plan to inform readers of things they can do that may assist with their own healing.  I disclose that I am not a doctor or medically qualified, but I do know enough about the human body and care about my own health enough to want to do whatever I can to be well.  If you are of that mind set, I sure want you to stay tuned.