Three Years NED

It has been over three years since I received the glorious news that I was NED.  I’m certain it came as a shock to my gyn/onc, who, after my suboptimal debulking from a very aggressive cancer, said I would never achieve remission and would not last a year.  I think he wasn’t far from wrong.  The time of treatment was an endless struggle for me, having 20 gallons (80 liters) of ascites drained over the 2 months following surgery, enduring chemo that literally incapacitated me for 8 months, and relying on IV nutrition for 3 months, in order to prevent me from  dying of malnutrition. 

Since then, I’ve learned that, genetically, my body is a train wreck.  I don’t have the ability to produce or use glutathione, an essential antioxidant; I am predisposed to inflammation, autoimmunity, and sugar metabolism issues; and my body loves to produce VEGF – the factor that Avastin blocks. 

There’s no question, I was a sitting duck for a fast and furious recurrence.  But the same source that revealed my genetic predisposition to cancer, my naturopath, has guided me down a path that is keeping me NED.  All of the markers she looks at, many, many more than just the CA-125 or HE4, say that my body isn’t even thinking of allowing cancer growth.  And I feel amazing, way better than I felt for years prior to my diagnosis.

I can’t tell you what a gift and a blessing it is to have my life back, after the difficult journey I had with cancer.  I wish everyone here successful treatment and eternal NED.  I know it can be achieved, even if the cards are stacked against you.