Cancer and Hope

Feb 8

Illness is complex, and no person’s experience is exactly alike, but whether you or someone you love is living with a disease, illness, or cancer, healing is possible. I felt compelled to share these success stories as a source of inspiration as more loved ones, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances are becoming overwhelmed with physical, mental, and emotional adversity. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice.

In this article, you will learn from 2 cancer survivors, Florina, 41, and Victor, 68. While this article will not provide the depth of Victor’s and Florina’s comprehensive treatment plan, it will provide you 1) a little insight into their story 2) their top 3 recommendations from their experience.

Florina, 41 “You have 6-12 months to live.”

Florina was born and raised in Bar, Montenegro and moved to the states in 2000. You can envision Florina on the beach or engulfed by nature with her sweet dog Peanut. Florina was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer in May 2021, and was given 6-12 months to live. In 2023, two years later, I had the privilege to meet Florina through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. We were both students and became certified health coaches. When I first learned of Florina’s story, I was touched. She is sweet, gracious, gentle, strong, brave, stubborn, and resilient. My kind of person! She was open to collaborating with me on this article, because she believed in the mission to help others in need of inspiration during challenging times.

Florina’s Perspective on what you should know

Nutrition is number ONE.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” -Hippocrates, father of medicine, 431 B.C.
Florina Immediately ate raw organic vegetables and removed all inflammatory foods such as grains, dairy, all meat, alcohol, and processed sugar. She allowed nutrition to be her major source for healing. After 2 years, Florina’s conventional doctor is amazed over and over again with Florina’s blood results. She consumes as many greens as possible including spinach, kale, kohlrabi, parsley, broccoli, and cabbage. Florina adds medicinal mushrooms to her protocol like chaga, reishi, lion's mane, turkey tail, shitake, and cordyceps. She is creative with smoothie recipes and salads. But she didn't realize the wisdom of food until she researched nutrition and implemented the “Chris Beat Cancer Protocol” and the results speak for themselves.

Seek Inner Calm and Peace…Daily

Being present and relaxed is non-negotiable. Florina knew her body could not heal if she was under stress. Being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer is life changing, and she needed to take intentional effort to support her mental, emotional, and physical health. Florina seeks daily tranquility from meditation, breath work, and yoga. For her, it is critical to deeply connect with her body, mind, and soul. It is imperative to become aware of the stress triggers, and proactively omit them. As Florina reinforces, it takes intentional effort, and she endured some really hard choices to reduce her stress. She suggests to be in nature, meditate, pray, journal, take a bath, visit the beach, row out the boat & fish, absorb a sunrise, and spend time with your support tribe. Whatever works for you, do it, and do it every chance you can!

Perform Acts of Goodwill

A simple act of kindness brings genuine joy to the soul. Not every day is a good day, however doing good for others without expectations to receive anything in return has a profound effect to lift depressed spirits. Florina performs acts of goodwill for friends, family, and strangers as it brings a sense of purpose and joy to her life! If you are interested to learn more about Florina, please visit her health coaching site listed at the end of this article under Resources

Victor, 68 Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Victor lives an active lifestyle traveling, golfing, working out 3-4 times a week, and spending a lot of time with family. Outside of being 30 pounds overweight there were no signs of ill health. Life took a drastic turn in February 2020, Victor was presented with surprising biopsy results following a routine PSA test and wellness checkup. Testing confirmed Victor had prostate cancer. In March, bone scan testing confirmed the prostate cancer had not advanced into bone matter. Victor immediately took action and started self-educating, self-advocating, and embarked on an 8 month journey seeking conventional and holistic treatment. By November 2020, Victor was in great health after undergoing limited hormone therapy, a prostatectomy (robotic surgery at Mayo Clinic provided the best option for quick, healthy healing), and implementing a strict nutrition lifestyle (no dairy, bread, alcohol and red meat) and mineral/vitamin supplementation plan.

Victor’s perspective on what you should know

Nutrition is Key.

Educate yourself and invest in a holistic practitioner to help advise you on nutrition, and supplementation protocols that complement conventional treatment. Most traditional and conventional oncologists, radiologists, and family physicians are not educated in nutrition or naturopathic remedies. Victor worked with a Holistic Practitioner and read numerous articles and studies published by Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic and other medical practitioners. He also absorbed himself in various nutritional books like Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients by Russell Blaylock, MD . Victor read cancer survivor testimonials to educate and expand his options to help overcome cancer.

Invest in Cost-Effective Technology Testing

Toxicology testing gave Victor insights on a base line for which to address in diet and supplementation remedies to best serve his health and healing. Testing can get expensive and Victor recommends looking for testing services outside of the traditional doctor’s office or clinic. There are cost effective testing services like Quest diagnostics and other resources available. Victor saved hundreds of dollars by researching alternative testing clinics in his area. Naturopathic practitioners can also offer alternative resources available nationally.

Take Ownership of Your Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health; Seek Faith Daily

Most importantly Victor realized he needed to take ownership and responsibility. Ownership in his physical and mental health and ownership in his responsibilities to others in his life. Change requires sacrifice and a determined mindset to chase desired results. Increasing faith, daily meditation and social connections are key drivers in his life. Victor’s mindset was committed to not let those he loved down. In his words, “to pursue the purist form of change is to leave it all on the table, have no regrets, and apply everything he learned.'' Victor deepens his faith daily, and strengthens his connection to something bigger than him. There are really sick people that he saw in his visits to Mayo, knowing he is never cancer free, it gave him perspective on how lucky he really is. It also empowered him to find peace with GOD, surrendering, and trusting the journey.

“Have faith in GOD…Truly I tell you… whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24-26

A Special Thank You

This article would not have been possible without Florina and Victor’s wisdom, experience, and contribution. An extra special thank you to Victor, who is my father! Thank you Dad for your commitment to good health, unconditional love, deeply rooted faith, and for leading by example. I am also deeply grateful for Florina as she provided much generosity and grace during the process. And lastly, thanks to you, the reader, for taking the time to read this article. My hope for you or your loved one is great health and peace of mind. I hope the article provides encouragement to have an open mind to believe healing is possible. Everyone’s journey is unique, and every one of us is capable of healing. Stay hopeful and believe in what is possible.