A Story of Faith, Hope & Perserverance
When I was given a diagnosis of metastatic thyroid cancer, I found myself facing one of the greatest challenges of my life. But even in the midst of uncertainty, I held tightly to my faith and believed that God had a greater purpose for my journey.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I had spent years helping others navigate some of life's most difficult circumstances. Suddenly, I was the one facing an overwhelming challenge, and I knew I wanted to take an active role in my own healing.
Over the next three and a half years, I immersed myself in learning about nutrition, holistic wellness, and ways to support my body. My journey included a whole-foods, plant-based diet, intentional lifestyle changes, and a variety of complementary therapies and supplements alongside medical care.
My experience profoundly changed the way I view health, healing, and the incredible resilience of the human body. Today, as a cancer thriver, I feel called to share my story in the hope that it encourages others to become informed, ask questions, advocate for themselves, and never lose hope.
My journey was uniquely mine, but my prayer is that sharing it will help someone else feel less alone in theirs.
Throughout my healing journey, I came to appreciate how interconnected our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being truly are. Rather than focusing on just one aspect of health, I chose to embrace a more holistic approach that supported my body, mind, and spirit.
Some of the most meaningful areas I focused on included:
Nutrition: Nourishing my body with whole, plant-based foods and minimizing processed ingredients.
Supplementation: Incorporating carefully selected supplements as part of my individualized wellness routine.
Lifestyle & Daily Habits: Exploring supportive wellness practices and making intentional changes to my daily environment and habits.
Movement & Rest: Prioritizing gentle movement, restorative sleep, and listening to my body's needs.
Emotional & Spiritual Wellness: Leaning into my faith, prayer, stress management, and the support of people who loved me.
Complementary Therapies: Exploring additional holistic modalities with the guidance of healthcare professionals.
These choices were deeply personal and evolved throughout my journey. I believe in the importance of being informed, listening to your body, and working with trusted healthcare professionals to make decisions that are right for you.
Throughout my cancer journey, I explored a variety of nutritional approaches, complementary therapies, and lifestyle practices as part of my individualized wellness routine.
I'm sharing these details to document my personal experience, not to suggest that any particular supplement, therapy, or practice treated or cured my cancer. The effectiveness and safety of these approaches vary, and some have not been established as effective cancer treatments.
My hope is that sharing my experience encourages others to ask thoughtful questions, research their options, and work closely with qualified healthcare professionals when making decisions about their care.
Nutritional Supplements I Incorporated
Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP)
IP-6 & Inositol
High-Quality Multivitamin & Mineral Complex
Comprehensive Medicinal Mushroom Blend
Methylation Support Supplement
Iron Supplementation (as needed)
Vitamin D3
Vitamin C (Liposomal)
Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols & Tocotrienols)
Selenium
Zinc
Magnesium Glycinate
Raw Calcium
Essential Mineral Complex
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Resveratrol
Quercetin
Berberine HCl
Antioxidant & Cellular Wellness Formulas
Enzyme & Specialized Nutrition Support
Systemic Proteolytic Enzyme Blend
Digestive Enzyme Complex
Spore-Based Probiotic
Olive Leaf Extract
Cat's Claw
Milk Thistle
Herbal Antioxidant & Inflammatory Response Support Blend
Complementary Therapies I Explored
During my cancer journey, I explored several complementary and investigational approaches alongside my medical care. These included mistletoe therapy, intravenous vitamin C, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ozone therapy, and other products I researched and chose to incorporate into my personal routine.
I'm sharing these experiences as part of my personal history, not as evidence that these approaches treated my cancer or as recommendations for others. Some have limited evidence of benefit in cancer care, and others carry significant risks. I encourage anyone considering complementary therapies to discuss their safety, evidence, and potential interactions with their doctor.
Lifestyle & Wellness Practices
Whole-Foods, Plant-Based Nutrition — Focused on nourishing my body with nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods.
Fresh Vegetable Juicing — Approximately 32 oz daily, following Chris Wark's vegetable juice recipe, modified without garlic.
Morning Walks & Sunlight Exposure — Walked 45 minutes each morning, intentionally spending time outdoors to receive natural early morning sunlight and support my circadian rhythm.
Yoga & Stretching — Practiced three times per week to support flexibility, movement, and relaxation.
Infrared Sauna — Used five days per week as part of my wellness routine.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy — Incorporated daily sessions.
Rebounding (Mini Trampoline) — Practiced daily before sauna sessions.
Grounding & Earthing Practices — Used an earthing mat and grounding sheets on my bed while sleeping.
Castor Oil Packs — Applied overnight while sleeping, placing them over my thyroid area and liver as part of my nightly wellness routine.
Coffee Enemas — Incorporated daily during my cancer healing journey.
Biological Dental Care — Worked with a biological dentist to investigate dental concerns, including an area initially identified through thermography. An infected tooth was subsequently removed.
Emotional & Spiritual Wellness — Prioritized prayer, faith, rest, stress management, and emotional well-being throughout my journey.
My cancer healing journey changed far more than my physical health. It transformed my perspective on life, deepened my faith, and awakened a passion for helping others discover the importance of taking an active role in their own health and well-being.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I've always had a heart for helping people navigate life's challenges. But walking through my own cancer journey gave me an entirely new understanding of what it means to face uncertainty, hold onto hope, and advocate for yourself.
Today, I believe God has given me a purpose through my experience. My heart is to encourage, educate, and empower others to explore their wellness options, ask meaningful questions, and make informed decisions about their health.
One of my greatest dreams is to someday create a wellness retreat where individuals navigating cancer can find encouragement, community, and holistic support, regardless of their financial circumstances.
If sharing my story brings hope to even one person facing a difficult diagnosis, then I know something beautiful has come from one of the hardest chapters of my life.
A Resource to Help You Advocate for Yourself
One of the most valuable lessons I learned throughout my cancer healing journey was the importance of asking questions, doing my own research, and taking an active role in my healthcare decisions.
If you or someone you love has been given a cancer diagnosis, I want to share a resource that I believe can help you feel more prepared and empowered when meeting with your oncology team.
Chris Wark's 20 Questions to Ask Your Oncologist is a free resource designed to encourage meaningful conversations, help you better understand your options, and approach important healthcare decisions with greater confidence.
My prayer is that you'll feel supported, informed, and reminded that your voice matters throughout your healing journey.
An Important Note About My Journey
The information shared here reflects my personal experiences and the individualized approach I chose throughout my cancer healing journey and beyond. Every person's journey is unique, and what worked for me may not be right for someone else.
This information is shared for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I encourage anyone navigating a cancer diagnosis to work closely with an oncologist experienced in integrative cancer care, alongside other qualified healthcare professionals, to explore their options and make informed decisions that align with their individual needs, values, and healing goals. Complementary therapies and supplements should not replace evidence-based cancer treatment, and some may have risks or interact with prescribed medications.