.: my story.cancer history

There is just nothing to compare with sitting in a doctor’s office and finding out the kidney stone you were not really happy about passing is terminal cancer. It takes one’s breath away. It brings on bouts of denial. It is, in short, a tremendous shock to your mental state.

While at work on the 27th of October, 2004, I had the one and only spell of hematuria (passing visible blood in urine) that I have ever had. To say that it got my attention is an understatement. I went home, called the family doctor who told me that if it continued for more than 8 hours to head to the hospital. Otherwise, it was probably nothing more than a kidney stone. I was experiencing no pain to speak of, but certainly was unnerved.

A couple of days later I was in his office at which time he did a second physical for the year. I had just had a routine physical exam about 2 months prior to this and no evidence of anything abnormal was spotted other than a slightly elevated liver enzyme count and slightly high cholesterol. The enzyme count was not really an item of great concern as any number of minor things such as diet could easily effect it. As a matter of fact, a reduction in protein was recommended back in August to bring the cholesterol in line and the assumption that the enzyme count would also go down was noted.

Following my office visit and second physical, the doctor scheduled me for an IVP to check the kidneys for stones at a local clinic and on 2 November that was completed. On 3 November I received a call from the doctor telling me they had found a suspicious mass in my left kidney and he was ordering a CT scan to figure out what was going on. That did not make my day, but I was told not to be concerned; yeah, right. » First report

On 5 November, I returned to the clinic and they did 2 sets of CT scans; one without and one with contrast. That is when the second mass in the right kidney was discovered. I then met with my doctor again and he informed me that people live with only 1/4 of a kidney and that I should not be concerned and not worry. He then referred me to a urologist. Up to this point, there was no talk of malignancy, no discussion of what was actually there. He was going to simply refer me to a specialist to discuss what was on the CT scans. » Second report

Let’s regress for a moment. About 8 years prior to this timeframe, I had a re-occurring “strep A” infection in my left leg due to an accident. Initially I had spent a month in the hospital on more antibiotics than I knew existed. For a period of 4 years, every 6 or so months after that time, it came roaring back. I finally went to a chiropractor who also practiced kinesiology. He tested me for all kinds of things and then asked if I would care to participate in an experiment. He had a form of Rife machine set up for experimental treatment and I tried it just to see what would happen. I won’t bore you with details, but there was absolute proof of success as I frankly do not believe in coincidence. I became interested in the technology and researched the concept very thoroughly. I had gone to the point of obtaining plans to build one, but like many things, time got away from me and I never did pursue the purchase of the necessary components.

After the 2nd report was discussed with my doctor, I got on the phone and tracked down what I feel to be the best manufacturer of Rife-type equipment available. Resonant Light Technologies is located in Courtney, British Columbia, Canada. Their Perl machine is the only Rife-type unit approved for pain management in the world, that I am aware of. It is licensed by Health Canada for that purpose. I bought a model and started using it for experimental purposes on myself. Until the time of the 2nd set of CT scans, I used no other supplements of any kind. I did alter my diet also at this time to include juicing vegetables as well as getting all refined sugar and wheat products out of my daily intake.

I next met with a urologist on 18 November who told me that he was 95% certain that I had bi-lateral renal cell carcinoma. The tumor on the left was 14 centimeters (about 5 1/2” in diameter for those of you who are metrically challenged) and the tumor on the right was 10 centimeters (about 4” in diameter). » Third report 

In addition, there was notation that lymph nodes (plural) were enlarged which could be a sign of cancer spreading to the lymph system. I was told that I should consider removal of the left kidney and then face a later potential of loosing both kidneys and being put on dialysis.

I had another set of CT scans ordered to check my lungs and liver as well as a full body bone scan to check there also for any further signs of metastasis. On 18 November, the third set of CT scans were run along with a bone scan. Before I left the clinic, a rough check of the lungs and bones showed no cancerous activity there. This was later confirmed to the urologist. » Fourth report   » Fifth report

I met again with the urologist and another doctor on the 13th of December. At that time I was told the ONLY solution was to remove both kidneys, put me on dialysis, and wait for a transplant. My wife and I tried to have a conversation with him about this subject. We all talked, but he never indicated that he listened. The report sent to my family doctor later did indicate that he heard but did not agree with what was said by me.

At that time I was willing to give away one kidney because God built me with a spare for such emergencies, but loosing both and just waiting around to see if something comes along somewhere down the road was not what I considered a sound plan. Too much of an engineer still hiding inside me to just take some random speculations without supportive documentation.

The net result was that I would simply have to have it done right after the holidays if I planned to live for more than a year. There was no discussion about how dialysis works; no discussion about finding a matching kidney, no discussion about rejection rates; no discussion about survival rates. None of that was important for me to know at the time. I just needed to take his word for it that I was getting the best treatment possible and let it go at that. I was then scheduled for biopsy of the tumor on the left side. For that they needed another CT scan. When I refused to immediately go ahead with having both kidneys removed, I was then abruptly told by the urologist that he would schedule me a second opinion with another specialist that , “...Will convince you this is the only treatment option that will work.” » Sixth report

In addition to all this, I asked for an opinion on using a TENS unit for pain control as well as dietary changes and nutritional supplements. I was looked at like I was a head case. I was told, that if I believed such things actually had merit, then I should use them to satisfy myself. I am not one to take condescension well.

I called 5 other doctors on my own, looking for a second opinion that was open to the possibility of combining both traditional medicine and homeopathic treatment. At that time, I was more concerned with keeping one kidney functioning and I wanted something for pain control (post surgery) that was not Valium or Darvon or the equivalent. Five times I struck out. I could not even get an appointment. One doctor even told me over the phone that I was wasting my time. Whatever was the verdict of the urologist was my only alternative. He never even had the courtesy to look at a report or hear what I had to say. By now I was beginning to get upset.

On 23 December, another CT scan of the kidneys was done. This set of scans showed the left kidney at 11.8 cm and the right at 9.7 cm. It did note there were multiple enlarged lymph nodes present. It also noted a second smaller tumor on the right side and a cyst also visible in the lower right quadrant. » Seventh report

I did not have the biopsy. NOTE: The tumor on the left side showed a 15% reduction in size. (keep this in mind, I will refer to it in a few paragraphs)

Right after the new year, my wife and I drove over to Wisconsin and met with a nutritionist. She recommended a balanced plan of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and enzymes to help build the body up. These are taken in conjunction with using the Rife unit from Resonant Light Technologies.

Back in Michigan, I also met with a person who is involved with an electrolyte supplement known as Cantron. It also has so rather remarkable properties that could possibly offer benefit to those taking it as part of an overall wellness program.

On 5 January, my wife and I drove to Ann Arbor to meet with the specialists (2 doctors). Here the verdict was that the left kidney was hopeless in that the tumor was right where the bladder is fed from and there would be no saving it. Between 1/3 and 1/2 of the right kidney could possibly be saved and may be able to function without dialysis. The question of the day remains as to the condition of the multiple lymph nodes and their involvement whether or not they are fighting the cancer or have already succumbed. Of course the concept here is to remove 1/2 of the right kidney and check the lymph nodes. If they are involved, then no further surgery would be done in that the situation is then imminently terminal. » Eighth report

Part of the discussion dealt with the probabilities of survival. If I was in stage 1 or 2, and was to have a kidney donated by a family member, I would have a 90% chance of survival to 10 years. If it was from a living donor other than a direct relative, the chances drop to 75%. If it comes from a dead body (organ donor who died of an acceptable cause), the chances drop to 40% or less. However, in a case of advanced kidney cancer, the odds change precipitously for the worse. They would not give me any statistical probabilities based upon my condition. In addition, there are, of course, the issues here again are whether or not a match would be found and whether or not my body would reject the donated organ. Note: Just because a family member offers an organ, there is no guarantee that it will be a match or that my body would accept it to begin with. With no surgery, my chances of survival beyond 2 years is marginal and 0% to make 5 years. You need to also realize that once you receive a donor organ, you are on interferon or its equivalent for life to keep the body from rejecting the transplant. And, that requires essentially rendering your immunity system to minimal function status so that it does not seek out the transplanted organ and try to kill it.

Also part of the discussion dealt with survival prior to when a kidney transplant occurs. Until only recently, you were required to make it 5 years on dialysis, cancer free, before they would consider a donor organ. Now, the shift has trended toward 2 or more years, cancer free before a transplant. But that is still not set in stone. It really depends on the condition of the patient as well as any lingering signs of metastasis. It should be noted that kidney cancer is a very insidious disease. It never quits, once it starts in. It is not fast like pancreatic cancer, but it just keeps on keeping on. The question therefore begs to be asked as to how much pain and discomfort must be put up with. There is the surgery to remove the partial. The surgery to remove the whole. Dialysis every other day at 4 to 5 hours per event plus travel time meaning a full time keeper to help with all of this. No fluid intake for literally years. The pain of a second surgery. The potential for rejection. The great question of the day, is this worth it? I love life dearly, but I am not convinced that what was just described constitutes living. To me, it is perhaps survival at best.

I asked about the 15% reduction in tumor size on the left side. I was told that because of the way slices are taken with the CT scan, that quite probably they just missed the “major” diameter area seen in the earlier films. Mind you, each viewed segment is slightly more than 1/16” thick(2mm). So either my tumor has quite a sharply pronounced bulge in one very, very narrow spot or the tumor shrunk. I was also told that a 15% reduction didn’t mean anything because the tumors were so big to begin with, that what’s an inch in diameter anyhow?

We asked about eating patterns, vitamin supplementation, and other like materials. I was told that diet did not matter, but if I wanted to, I could increase water intake to 1 gallon or so per day (already doing more than that) and reduce salt (already done that) and reduce protein volume to approx 5 or so ounces per day (already doing that). Otherwise, there was no reason to do anything else. See my notes on this issue under nutrition.

A final note here: although we discussed the removal of the two tumors, there was no consideration as to the underlying cause for them occurring nor any sort of predictability as to the probability that an operation would be a “final solution” to the cancer issue. It is, by their own estimation, the best choice, but still not beyond a 50/50 as to “cure”.

While at the hospital, another blood test was done which later came back as improved.

On 12 January, I had a brain CT to check for the possibility of the cancer metastasizing there. It has come back normal. » Ninth report 

I thank God for little favors.

On 26 January I switched primary care physicians. My family doctor up to this point has been a caring, concerned individual, but I specifically felt I needed someone who was looking to work at the edge of modern medicine and combine holistic treatment with conventional therapies. He has little experience in dealing with natural healing, but wants to learn and I am his guinea pig. We are learning together.

On 1 March, I applied for admittance to a clinical trial for kidney cancer. Initially I fit the group as my doctor's reports along with CT scans and other supporting documentation indicated I was stage 4, terminal. I was ultimately rejected for the study on 12 March because my blood work showed I was too healthy to participate. Thank God for small favors. It is really hard to know if this a blessing or not. On one hand, it shows what I am doing is taking effect. On the other hand, I really wanted to participate in a cutting edge testing program that was geared to essentially doing what I am doing for myself.

On 18 April, I had blood drawn, a urine sample taken, and a very complete workup done by my physician. One way to check for kidney function is to check urine output looking for protein loss and microscopic blood contamination. Protein in the urine indicates that the kidneys are failing. Most protein molecules are normally too large in size to pass through the kidneys into the urine. In addition, there is a slight negative charge that your body subjects kidney output to which normally repels proteins such as albumen. When kidneys begin to fail, it is quite common to see proteins escape into the urine stream. Another issue is that of passing blood. Gross hematuria (visible blood) in the urine can occur because of a number of things including injury. In my case, it occurred the end of October 2004 and that is when I discovered I had kidney cancer. Since that time, I have had a number of urine tests and each time there has been microscopic traces of blood present. This demonstrates that there is a disruption of normal kidney function caused by injury or disease. With this last test, there were no proteins and no microscopic blood traces to be found. My kidneys are truly performing at 100%. This, according to my doctor, is nothing less than a miracle. I should, by conventional medical wisdom, have cancer permeating my body and quite likely be looking at only a matter of months to live. My blood tests are in the normal range. My blood work is now healthier than most "normal" people.

On 25 April, I had a CT scan of the kidneys done to establish a baseline now that I have a regimen pretty well laid out. Personally, I was hoping to just maintain status quo and then work on what to do to improve the situation. I did get quite a shock when I read the results. The tumor on the right shrunk roughly 22% and the tumor on the left shrunk about 37%. » Tenth report

It has been a long time since any additions have been made to this page mainly because other than blood testing, nothing has transpired. I have had 5 sets of blood work done since April using 6 tests I chose in addition to normal blood panels. LD and GGT(p) are advanced liver function tests that show when stress such as cancer burdens organs with. CEA is typically a cancer marker utilized for a number of different forms such as colon, but is not recognized as an actual test for cancer presence with RCC. However, it is well documented as a reliable test for inflammation as found with quite a number of different diseases including all forms of cancer. By adding SED Rate and C Reactive Protein to the CEA test, you can receive a very detailed picture of any form of inflammation in your body. The final test is Interleukin 6 which is used for checking angiogenesis rates. If any one of these is elevated, there is the possibility of a false reading, but when all are elevated, you have a major cancer issue. The converse is also true in that if all of them fall into the normal range, your cancer is effectively dormant or non-existent. Since 2 July, no blood work has been out of the normal range. In addition, each time the blood was drawn, a urinalysis was also done. Everything is normal. Typical urine ph level has stayed in the 6.6 to 7.0 range.

On 11 January, 2006, I had another set of blood work drawn and a full abdominal CT run. Again, all blood work and urinalysis testing came back in the normal range. The liver shows no sign of infiltration. All lymph nodes are normal again (at one point 6 were swollen). Both kidneys show necrotic (dead cell areas) where the original active tumors were. There is no sign of active cancer at this point. Now, that is not to say that cancer has left me for good. There is no way that can be determined. But the same is true with any other form of treatment. People can live for decades with tumors in their bodies and they can die from cancer with no tumor present. Take each day as a gift from God and go on with your life.