My Cancer Story

Cancer and Treatment Timeline

Here are the bare bones of my cancer experience so far. I’ll keep adding to this. Cancer is fucking scary. No one should have to go through this.

August 2008. Noticed that a large mole I had all my life on the side of my right heel was starting to look different. Bigger. Ragged edges. Denial.

August 2009. The mole had grown considerably in diameter and thickness. Often it bled but summer shoes (Crocs and sandals) helped it heal. Denial. Scared of arrogant doctors + expense.

February 2010. The mole had doubled in size and was continually ulcerated. Used a lot of band-aids. Could no longer wear certain shoes. Denial breaking way to acceptance.

March 2010. Saw a dermatologist. She said, “no way this is melanoma, come back in a month and I’ll biopsy it if you insist.”

April 2010. Biopsy. Melanoma. Clark’s level ___. Stage IIC. Derm’s last words to me were “don’t let them give you Interferon”.

May 5, 2010. Resection surgery. Clean margins. Sentinel node biopsy of lymph nodes behind right knee and in right groin negative.

May ___ 2010. Skin graft surgery to help healing of wound and decrease pain. Surgeon said I’d never wear high heels again. He also told me not to bother with a PET scan or treatment. “You’re clean,” he said. “We got it all.”

April 2012. Abdominal pain, nausea, crushing fatigue. Treated with acupuncture, nourishing Chinese herbs, and rest. Felt better after about 2 weeks.

July 28, 2012. Admitted to hospital through ER after 3 days of severe abdominal pain, nausea, and fatigue. Ultrasound and CT scan revealed a mass in my lower right abdomen.

July 30, 2012. CT guided needle biopsy confirmed melanoma in an iliac lymph node and a nearby tumor.

August 2012. Brain MRI. Two lesions, left temporal lobe and left parietal lobe.

August 2012. Began Gerson therapy and my cancer healing program.

October 2012. Began twice-weekly high-dose (50g) Vitamin C IVs.

October 2012. CT scan of abdomen and chest.

October 31, 2012. Brain MRI.

November 1, 2012. Gamma Knife stereotactic radiation of the 2 brain lesions.

November 2012. Began Iscador treatment.

January 14, 2013. Brain MRI and abdomen/chest CT. Tumors holding steady or reduced in size.