Yes cancer, the word we all dread but unfortunately know so well, and likely the reason you are reading this. My cancer story began in January of 2012 when my dad was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s CNS lymphoma in the brain and intestines. The news devastated our family and thus began our “new normal” – life as caregivers and patient in the fight to save his life. A few months after my dad was diagnosed, I began the certification process as an Integrative Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN), while still working at my corporate job. I had become so fascinated with how some seemingly simple changes (eliminating inflammatory and acidic food and beverages) had made such a profound effect on my health and wanted to learn more. I soon understood the importance of alkalinity in the body (cancer presents in highly acidic systems), so I couldn’t wait to use everything I had learned and what had helped me to help my dad. Throughout chemo, radiation and beyond, I made him healthy, green smoothies and several foods from a cancer-fighting cookbook, my family and I threw out all sugar (sugar feeds cancer) and dairy, replaced the horrible hospital food (usually loaded with sugar, simple carbohydrates and fat – just what dis-ease loves) and Ensure shakes (chemical-heavy) with healthy meals whenever possible, went with him to the gym on the days he felt up to it, encouraged him to take up meditation or find a support group (neither were his thing unfortunately) to help him with stress and relaxation, and were thrilled that after months of me insisting he try acupuncture, having him tell us it was the only thing that had helped with his neuropathy.

Only 5–10% of all cancer cases can be attributed to genetic defects. 90–95% have their roots in the environment and lifestyle.

Fortunately, my dad went into remission later that year, but after looking back on that time, I realized he never was himself again. He went from a happy, energetic, morning person to someone who was noticeably quieter, sometimes highly irritable, had a very small appetite and still required daily, two-hour naps. It was puzzling because the cancer was gone, so why wasn’t he better? Why wasn’t he happy and why didn’t he feel good? Well, now I know why. Of course, he’d likely suffered brain damage from the cancer (the impact on his short-term memory was evident) and perhaps the subsequent chemo and radiation could have altered his mood, but that wasn’t the whole story. Clinical research now available confirms the presence of this “super fatigue” that former cancer patients feel as a result of chemo, even if they haven’t had it for years. In addition, there is almost always a link with depression and very low energy. I believe this is because the immune system is severely ravaged and most likely, cancer is still present in the stem cells, which is often the reason people have recurrences, even if there is no visible tumor present.

In late 2015, my dad started having heart issues (the cardiologist suspected this was a result of the heavy chemo years before – something no one told us at the time could be a consequence later) and in early 2016 we were told his brain cancer was back. I think we all assumed he’d sail through the chemo (as much as a person can “sail” through chemo) like he did before, but this was a far different story. He did two rounds but got infections after each one, which threw him into several weeks of rehab each time and multiple cases of shingles. Although he wanted to do a third round (he was fighting so hard to see the birth of his second grandson), the doctors and his body said otherwise. His immune system was so compromised that he went on to have numerous health complications, to the point that infectious disease specialists took over his case. Although he fought valiantly, the fight was too much. We lost my dad just six months after he was diagnosed the second time.

More than half of all cancer patients suffer significant treatment-related toxicity, often lasting years if not a lifetime.

After my dad passed away, I recalled how much better he felt (even if it was only a tiny bit better at times) with non-inflammatory food, exercise, a positive, faith-filled circle of support and the use of alternative modalities. We were onto something, but we had just scratched the surface. Now I know about the importance of a vegan, plant-based diet in promoting alkalinity and in de-stressing the pancreas (which is already deficient in crucial digestive enzymes) from the hard work (and high acidity) of digesting heavy meats, how pressing it is to eliminate all forms of sugar from the diet (including alcohol) because it feeds cancer, about the critical importance of high vitamin c dosages, as well as vitamin d  (vitamin c kills cancer cells while vitamin d is one of the most potent cancer inhibitors and immune boosters) and curcumin (curcumin has been shown to stop the changes that cause normal cells to become cancerous, stop tumor formation, and halt metastasis), about how imperative it is to strengthen and maintain a strong immune system (although cancer might not be visibly present, there is a good chance it is still in the stem cells), about the criticality of having high oxygen levels in the body (cancer hates oxygen), which can be achieved from modalities like Bemer,  and how crucial it is to have a form of faith (whatever that is for you), reduce stress and release buried wounds and traumas – and I tell everyone who will listen.

Fortunately, God does. After praying for years to be shown a way to help cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers (the group most likely to neglect their own self-care) not only feel better, but THRIVE during their journeys, and give them every tool imaginable to not only keep cancer from coming back, but to truly start to feel GOOD and live their most VIBRANT lives ever, He led me to cancer coaching. I left corporate America, became certified as a Holistic Cancer Coach, and in 2019, launched My Vibe Life, in honor of my dad.

If you or someone you love is on the cancer journey, I would be honored to partner with you. In the mean time, keep the faith. Believe.

To Your Vibrant  Health,

Kelly