Raeesa Bulbulia
My first breast cancer diagnosis in December 2017 came like a bolt out of the blue. I was about to start a new career as a Nutritional Advisor in January 2018. An integrative approach to health has always been my bias and over the years I have read and researched many health topics and applied the knowledge with great success. In the years just prior to my diagnosis I researched many non conventional treatments for cancer. This was the result of seeing people I knew, some of them friends and relatives, who had been afflicted with cancer, suffer horribly and die.
I went through a whirlwind period (3 weeks) of diagnosis and mastectomy in a state of numbness before my natural instincts kicked in. This is when the fog started to clear and I started questioning my surgeon and first oncologist on my histology report. My interpretation of the wording was that tumour had been left behind. Both denied it vehemently. I was told that radiation was not at all necessary since all the tumours had been completely removed but I needed chemo due to lymph node involvement. At this point I insisted on chemo sensititvity testing, much to the consternation of my oncologist. An Oncotype dx test showed conclusively that not one existing chemo agent would work for me! This confirmed to me that I had to be in charge of my health and to have a very good understanding of the disease as well as how to approach it. From that point on I started on supplements and life style changes as well as treatment at an integrative clinic in Germany.
Anyway fast forward to March 2019. A routine ultra sound showed lesions on the mastectomy site and a biopsy indicated a regional recurrence of cancer. The relationship between my oncologist and I deteriorated fast and finally ended when his staff made numerous excuses about his not having time to make an appointment to give me my PET scan results. I found a new oncologist and saw her 3 weeks later. Her opening remark to me was that the only reason for the recurrence was that tumour had been left behind during my mastectomy. When she saw the Oncotype dx test forms in my file, she told me that for my type of breast cancer, a lobular pleomorphic with a low KI 67 index, the Oncotype dx test was irrelevant as it is known that chemo does not work for my particular type of cancer!! Whilst relieved and very comfortable with my new oncologist, I was somewhat unsettled and overwhelmed at the compexity of the disease and not knowing how to approach the way forward.
In June 2019 I went in for major surgery (to different surgeon) to remove the lesions in mastectomy site and about 60% of my pectoralis major. My histology report indicated clear margins and no node involvement. I started five weeks of radiation which began in August which left me nauseated, weakened and with awful headaches. At this point I started to feel an uneasiness. I realised that one needs to be proactive and vigilant concerning cancer and I felt that despite my diligent researching I did not have a paradigm or context to devise a comprehensive adjuvant therapy plan. This led to a despondency. At this point I prayed and meditated for an answer. Uncannily, I came across Jane’s book on Kindle. It probably sounds like a hackneyed cliché, but the tiltle spoke to me. Reading Jane’s book was an unbelievable experience. It resonated on so many levels. Finally someone had taken the subject of cancer head on, moved away from the old largely genomic paradigm, and created a fresh new approach through intelligence, wonderful insights, common sense and courage.
Being in the midst of a radiation therapy programme, I was seeing my oncologist weekly. I decided that I would discuss the approach with her and went to her armed with a copy of Jane’s Metro Map. She immediately understood the approach and was happy for me to follow it provided I started it after radiation was over. This to me was a huge bonus and I respected her all the more for it. I really feel blessed to have her in my life.
I started a close approximation of Jane’s protocol in October. In January 2020 my PET scan showed NED!!! Blood tests in May this year were very good. A mammo and ultrasound showed a benign cyst in my remaining breast. I’m not too concerned as this cyst has not grown or changed and has been there from 2017. My oncologist is also not too concerned but prefers to err on the side of caution and has requested I do anMRI of the chest region in September this year.
From the bottom of my heart I thank Jane for giving me so much. I don’t know how I would have coped without Jane’s approach. It has given me a new lease on life, a context within which to view cancer, confidence, faith and gratitude.I feel truly blessed to have come across Jane’s book. May Jane be blessed with everything of the best. What a gift she has given me.