The Anderson Family

Update from Amy: After completing the 6th Docetaxel and a “stable” report, I am maintaining on the oral chemo until we regroup with oncology later this month. However, I have since developed some concerning inflammatory breast symptoms. I have informed my care team, and am already working with our functional doctor on some immediate things I can do to help mitigate the inflammation until we know more. I am grateful for his depth of understanding in both, standard oncology and functional medicine for many reasons, but at this time especially for his ability to help us discern “good” treatment inflammation versus concerning inflammation. Sometimes, inflammation is an indicator of a good immune response! With my current symptoms, we are “going after” the inflammation asap.

I have just started taking a new supplement specifically to help clear inflammation. (Gah—another supplement is not my favorite! But for now, it is important.)

I am also starting an unplanned fast. I will combine fast-mimmicking (eating small, limited portions of good-fat & protein now and then) with water-fasting (nothing but water) for as long as I am able, without over-stressing my body. My goal is 7-10 days, until my next IV. Apparently, when cancer cells are threatened, they will cause inflammation to help get more nutrients to the area. This is one of the key reasons fasting helps. The goal is to starve the cancer while it is trying to survive.

Next week, I will have an IV called a PolyMVA+C, aimed at further starving the cancer cells. 

Honestly, I was hoping for a little reprieve after just finishing the latest chemo rounds. But it looks like the full-court press is going into overtime, and I intend to stay in the game and fight hard on tired legs! But—I need prayer! I need strength. I need to endure physically and emotionally (and spiritually). The new inflammation is very painful, but it is much more endurable when the pain is resulting from good changes in the body. When the pain is a constant reminder of “concerning” changes, fear & worry want to captivate my thoughts. I need to keep my mind set on the present: what is my job today. (And remember that the outcomes are not my job!) And trust the Lord one step at a time. I need prayer to be steadfast. And I need prayer that, as I get hungry, I will be kind. (Funny but true!) 

Some upsides: Since the other chemo schedule is done, I completed two more Pico IVs and my liver & immune labs at last check were all normal! This integrated IV treatment has been a good thing for me! I also finally showed one of my copper labs as significantly lower (still clinically high, but nearly half what it was). So will be staying the course on reducing copper. For this I am on two compounded Rx chelation meds, a few different supplements, a low copper diet and resuming FCT protocol. It’s a lot just for copper, but it’s necessary.

And, I am getting “fuzz” on my head! Curt calls me a tennis ball. I am grateful for little signs of strength and regeneration of my good and healthy cells!   

Additional blessings to count: I saw the comet and the northern lights right outside our home! And, I exercised my right to vote this week. 

Oddly, this now is the most difficult part of my update to write. You would think that after being humbled for these 2 1/2 years, it would be easier, but it is not. We are relying 100% on our help me bounce campaign to pay for the integrated treatments that I am getting right now, that add to my fight as well as to help my body endure so much chemo. This includes what we are doing to address the copper imbalance. (Even though the copper-cancer relationship has been studied and is becoming more widely understood, it is not adopted into standard care and so is still 100% out of pocket and very expensive!)

We have always trusted that God would provide for wherever he called us to go, and he has been faithful. But it is still our job to let people help (gah!) and to make our needs known. This is by far one of the hardest parts of this journey for both of us. We truly both find joy in giving to others. And find it extremely difficult to be in a place of need for so long. But we trust that God knows what he is doing. My beautiful sister-in-law often says “make your wishes known.” And so in that spirit, I am making it known that any help with our medical bills is needed and very, very much appreciated. 

Thank you for reading this! We rely heavily on your support, prayers and encouragement, and we are so incredibly grateful. 

Amy finished #6 of 6 scheduled rounds of Docetaxel infusions + oral chemo in late September, and had a follow-up CT shortly after. CT showed stable disease (largely unchanged since the mid-way check in August) and no new areas.  Hand-Foot Syndrome was pretty rough so we took a two week break before resuming the oral chemo on an “every-other-week” schedule, which seems to work better for Amy.  We will keep on this course until November when we meet with oncology to discuss additional treatments. Our goal continues to be a restoration of health, not just prolonged days. To that end, we are also continuing in functional, integrated therapies for as long as we are able to and as long as Amy continues to respond well to them. During the break from chemo, Amy had another Pico IV plus high dose Vitamin C. This was a new protocol and helped delay side effects to when we were closer to home. But when the side effects kicked in, they were extra tough! The side effects are generally pretty tough as it is, with fever, chills, shakes & body aches, headache and nausea. Amy spiked a 105.3 fever and rested the remainder of the day. This is considered a good immune response. She has had one more Pico since then with fewer side effects, but she slept most of the day. We are hopeful for good rebuilding of Amy’s immune system and fighting cells with these Pico treatments!

The new, coupled IVs are clearly effective, but twice as expensive (since it is two IVs in one). We very much appreciate being able to continue in these treatments that Amy seems to respond well to. We want to fight this aggressive, invasive disease with everything we can, and we could not integrate these out-of-pocket treatments, supplements and additional therapies (integrated FCT + HBOT/oxygen, functional chiropractic, PT w/lymphatic emphasis & detox) without your support that is helping us bounce and not break! It takes a lot of energy and resources to fight this from every angle! We so much appreciate your support and prayers! It helps us continue to get these treatments for Amy—We just cannot adequately express our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for reading our story.  Additional update: We are still working on reducing Amy’s copper levels (though copper serum was decreased for the first time in nearly a year); while trying to increase zinc. This has been a hard-fought battle but the latest FCT protocol may be helping, so we will stay this course and recheck in about six weeks. Thank you!!

Just had a CT to check treatment response. Mixed results: Slight (1-2mm) increase in a few lung nodules, but otherwise good lymph response (“significant” decrease in large Level 3 node, and 50% reduction in mediastinal node near A/P window/heart); and stable primary breast lesion (unchanged since baseline CT).

Additionally, I have continued to have good immune responses to the functional integration IVs I am doing with each round: PICO/CBD infusions. They make me horribly sick for about 8-12 hours with a high fever and flu-like, detox-like symptoms (which shows a good immune response). I wake up the next morning with terrific vitality and energy—so much so that I can’t even imagine how sick I felt just hours before. My labs also are proving the effectiveness of the PICO, as my numbers are maintaining well. The liver values that were climbing are back to normal range and I am rebuilding WBCs each round (they take a hit, go back up, then a hit, then go back up…). So I will continue to pursue these PICOs as I am able and as they are beneficial.  

We are awaiting copper labs. The copper balance is key right now as far as guarding against angiogenesis & mutation. I am eager and hopeful to see if the new functional fct/creative therapy was helpful. We have also had an army of people praying about this specifically so I am filled with hope!  

I have had some intense onset of hand/foot syndrome pop up this round. We will discuss this, along with CT and any dosing changes before next infusion this week.  

All of the things I am doing to support my body and survive the treatments I am called to do are out of pocket and so every bit of help truly helps. Whether its enough for another bottle of supplements, or another big IV, or help offsetting a medical bill … it all helps and is so much appreciated. We literally could not do this without your support. Thank you so much.

Because of all we are doing functionally right now to support my body and maintain my chemo schedule, our biggest need right now is Medical Bills. But we are grateful for however you are led to give. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts. ❤️    

Chemo Round 2 went well. I am on my “break” and doing all the detoxing I can! 

I started a new integrated FCT protocol last week with Dr. Rob (my neuro-metabolic functional chiropractor, who has been with me on this since day one). When we ran it by Dr. Kotulski, he was excited and hopeful, saying, “Boy if this works, that would be great!” 

Dr. Kotulski has said that getting the copper in balance is the biggest game-changing thing I can do in my specific cancer “war,” so I need to stay the course (I am already doing everything I can), and pray it goes down. 

This new protocol is a creative way (on Dr. Rob’s part) to tackle this. And if it works, it may help others like me, who are playing “copper-tug-of-war” with strong cancer cells. I am compelled to also ask for fervent prayer over this protocol. That my body will respond well; that my liver will be strengthened for the task, that I will work diligently on my existing detox protocols (walk/run/bike; tub; sauna; foot bath) as I should.

Not unlike homeopathy or essential oils; my RIFE machine, (which uses light frequencies), or PEMF (which uses pulsed electro-magnetic frequencies), FCT uses imprinted water to deliver specific, known frequencies to the body. Those frequencies inform my body’s systems what to focus on & execute. (Isn’t our Creator Amazing? There is so much “genius” and still “unexplainable” science in his creation that we get to discover—imagine all that we don’t know yet!!) 

Chemo Round 3 is Weds. Please pray for my numbers to be good & strong for this leg of the journey!

And thank you for supporting us—everything we are doing to work on this copper is out of pocket, but we believe integrated cancer care has been the best thing for me! And we could not continue with this care without your help. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

Thank you!

Infusion was uneventful on Tues, but the oral chemo is still kicking my butt a little, even on the lowered dose. Today will be rest and taking in as much good nutrition as I can handle.   

I am losing my hair this time, even though I am supporting my healthy cells. I do want to be sure my healthy cells repair well, as I need these cells to fight. I am choosing to look at my hair loss not as an indicator of healthy cell damage, but an indicator of good treatment response.   

I am in the “soaking” phase of my integrated plan: both chemos are doing their job while my body is saturated with chemo. After their half-life, I will actively detox them out and repair my healthy cells. For now taking it more slowly and navigating side effects.   

Thank you for your encouragement and support—it means so much and we could not do this without you. Thank you!!

On Wednesday, I had round one of the new chemo protocol. Over the weekend, I developed a chemo fever and extreme fatigue and some heart symptoms. We have adjusted dosing and monitor from here.

I have battled this every step of the way with staying active and shoring up my immune system and supporting my body with good nutrition, supplements and functional medicine. So having such limited energy and mobility after just round one was disheartening to say the least. I know it is best to be able to stay active and to stomach the good foods that heal. I am staying clean on my diet (still zero sugars, zero grains, limited fish or poultry, everything organic... all the things) but I am struggling to get raw crunchy nutrients in. I am hoping with the dose reduction this will change.

My latest copper check was not what we wanted. We cannot figure out where the excess copper is coming from that my body is holding on to. I have been on a chelator, and a binder to draw it out. Yet it is still climbing. I have checked the water in our well, as well as the water at the spring where we draw from. We do not have copper pipes. I have had ZERO chocolate and have been on a low copper diet for two years. We just don't know why right now. What we do know is that this copper needs to go down. Please pray that it does.

On a positive note, my arm and shoulder/back pain and swelling seems to be trending down. I originally thought it was the steroids (and likely was) but the fact that the pain is somewhat less intense even after the steroids are out of my system is a hopeful thing. I am thinking that Docetaxel is doing a good work on those area lymph nodes. I still have severe pain in my thoracic spine, which is next to a rib that keeps going out, and my rhomboid muscle that keeps locking up to guard against the pain of the swelling in that area. I have been seeing the chiropractor about every week to stimulate the nerves and free up those locked muscles. It has helped immensely with gaining back some mobility in my neck. I am also using heat therapy in this area.

I will have as CBC to check my numbers and confirm dosing this week. After that, we will also decide whether another PICO infusion will be good to get during this round. My latest CBC showed my WBCs doubled (up to seven!) in just a few days after the last PICO. And the liver numbers that were high and climbing went into normal range. My hemoglobin was still low, but not enough to delay chemo any further. Still, it would seem these PICO infusions were helpful in preparing me for chemo. I am grateful for the support that enables me to seek this functional integration—it is all out of pocket, and between the IVs and the Doctor visits and supplements and integrative treatments, it all adds up. We simply could not do this without your support. We are so very grateful.

This is a new week, filled with hope and new dosing and hopefully some crunchy veggies. Sometimes it is tough for me to see past the circumstances. But I am trying to keep looking beyond, remembering what I can and cannot control. And surrendering more. My faith is being tested and strengthened as this road gets harder and more painful and I reach the end of myself more quickly each day. But that is not the worst place to be. Because it is the beginning of surrendering the outcomes. I will fight. I will continue to do all the things I know to do. I will integrate functional medicine with oncology as long as we are able. And I will chase down the copper—whatever it takes—I will fight to be here for my family. I cannot control what is happening to me, but I can control how I respond. The ultimate outcome is in God's good hands. I trust him to keep leading us one step at a time. Thank you for following along with us and cheering us on. We so treasure your support and prayers.

Ive now had three PICO infusions. They are rough—PICO causes an immune response and big fevers, but this is what we want. Sometimes to heal we must walk a rough road.  I am finally scheduled again for chemo, with revisions to the plan. With me restaging to 4 on account of finding the lung nodules, my care team also changed the rcmd from AC to Xeloda & Docetaxel. Both of these chemotherapies showed high sensitivity in my latest RGCC testing, so we are eager to get started with the new plan.   As I mentioned before, no matter how I am staged, we are still doing everything we can and are going for cure.  I am grateful for the support that offsets the cost of these functional treatments that seem to be helping me. Thank you so much!! We could not walk this road without your love and support!

I have gotten too good at identifying facts but then assigning all kinds of meaning to them that are not all fact. I am making more deliberate efforts to look at every fact at face value and refrain from speculating. For this reason, my update will focus only on facts as I understand them. This has also grown my faith as we step out into a new unknown.  

Fact: My recent CT showed nodules in my lungs. At least ten bilaterally. (This means at least ten in each lung.)

Fact: We have no "meaning" to attach to this yet. since this was my first-ever CT, we "have no idea how long they have been there." (I always thought a PET or MRI would show anything of concern in the lungs, but according to the Radiologist, this is not the case.)

Fact: We have no way to know the direction things are going.  Were the nodules there when I alerted my care team of the dry cough I developed last summer? We can't know.  Is disease progressing? Or going in a good direction/are there fewer now than before? We can't know.

Fact: God saw fit that we would "know" about the nodules now, no matter how long they’ve been there.

Fact: In oncology, I am officially Stage 4 on Palliative Care (this means no longer going for cure).

Fact: Curt and I are still going for cure!

Fact: I have good, high-sensitive treatment options in the new "Stage 4 / Palliative Care" Track!

Fact: Our oncologist is being very deliberate right now. (I am watching with hope.)

Fact: The CT indicates the reason for my acute pain is "likely" advancing disease in my lymph nodes. But we cannot know for sure.

Fact: My recent CTC count (circulating tumor cells) indicates it is "unlikely" that cancer is advancing through my lymphatic system. But we cannot know for sure.

Fact: Cancer hurts.

Fact: Healing hurts.

Fact (and this I know with my whole heart, and boldly state as fact): Since Feb 2, 2022, I have followed the Lord, surrendered with my WHOLE heart, to whatever he would call me to do in this cancer story he is writing in me.

I have done my imperfect-best to follow where God has led me in this, every step. And he provided a clear path every time. God knows I cannot even follow him rightly without his grace. For the times our hearts wanted to follow, but our feet would not go, I am convinced he grabbed us by the hands and dragged us through. WE ARE IN THE CENTER OF HIS WILL.

Fact: God reigns.

Next Steps:

I will have a second PICO infusion tomorrow, in anticipation for chemo eventually starting back up again. Trusting God with every detail.

Updated pathology is due in. We speak with oncology tomorrow, as well as our integrative team. We will make the bew plan tomorrow! We are doing everything we can.  

We absolutely cannot do this without your support! 

If you feel led to give, our greatest need right now is Medical Expenses. Thank you so very much!

Can’t thank you enough for your prayers and support during this time!

Biopsies and baseline imaging was completed last week. We met with Oncology yesterday to discuss and have decided to get more detailed pathology and regroup in a week. Due to the history of known heterogenity we want to be as thorough as possible.

I was supposed to begin AC Chemo last week, but did not. To our shock, the hospital called to cancel my infusion while we were on the way there. The hospital has been disorganized about my insurance coverage (they stopped accepting it after being in network for over the last year). Our insurance (it is actually Medishare, a cost-0sharing and not technically insurance) has agreed to continue coverage under "continuation of care," and had been trying to work with the hospital on pre-authorization and even pre-payment. But the hospital was ill-equipped to work with them. We were told then (after working with the hospital's Social Worker on our case), to sign as a cash-pay patient and then submit the bill directly to Medishare. However, hospital infusion billing refused to accept my signed waiver (nor did they accept the pre-authorization or the prepayment directly from our agent). They were completely disorganized. And they sent me home. This was so absurd, we decided it was an act of God. We had prayed, and surrendered to his timing, his plan, his way. We could not force this to happen. So, we went home and regrouped (and I resolved again to fully trust God with what I cannot see or control).

Instead, I spent a day in Mankato where I had a couple Functional IV treatments aimed at keeping up the fight while we wait. I was blessed with a lovely day and the ability to sit outside and do some of my artwork. It was healing on every level.

At last check, my copper was still high in the RBC, which causes suspicion that while the chelator is pulling copper out, my body is then not releasing the chelator. We have added a Binding supplement to aid with this. Since cancer cells can use copper for energy, we want this copper in right balance.

Since January, after my first SOT treatment, I had a big flare of lymph swelling in the left axilla (which is an expected response). I have had difficulty clearing that lymph ever since, and it has remained swollen and now increasingly painful. I understand this can (on the oncology side) be disease progression. I also understand this can (on the functional side) be cellular debris from cancer cell death and a good response. I also have come to know there can be an emotional component (we are fearfully and wonderfully made beings!) and that the "stuck" lymph can be connected to unresolved emotional storage, or a healing crisis after working something through. I have been intentional with all three areas throughout this journey, prayerfully integrating standard oncology treatments with functional treatments available to me while being intentional in healing emotionally and spiritually, asking the Lord to reveal and heal those broken places in me. I am working every angle I have been led to.

I have also been receiving Physical Therapy on my left arm and shoulder and it has been helping greatly. The recent biopsies in those areas have aggravated the swelling and I was so very grateful to finally be able to see the chiropractor yesterday! My rib was out, which is painful enough all on its own--ha! But my range of motion increased and my pain was 50% less immediately and remained so through the night! Finally rested well through the pain at night! So grateful for the functional treatments I am still able to do, and for your support that helps me do them!

Next week we will know more regarding oncology options. I am incredibly grateful for every bit of help, support, encouragement, prayer and cheering us on as we walk this long, hard, "twisty-turny" road!

Biopsies and baseline imaging was completed last week. We met with Oncology yesterday to discuss and have decided to get more detailed pathology and regroup in a week. Due to the history of known heterogenity we want to be as thorough as possible.

I was supposed to begin AC Chemo last week, but did not. To our shock, the hospital called to cancel my infusion while we were on the way there. The hospital has been disorganized about my insurance coverage (they stopped accepting it after being in network for over the last year). Our insurance (it is actually Medishare, a cost-0sharing and not technically insurance) has agreed to continue coverage under "continuation of care," and had been trying to work with the hospital on pre-authorization and even pre-payment. But the hospital was ill-equipped to work with them. We were told then (after working with the hospital's Social Worker on our case), to sign as a cash-pay patient and then submit the bill directly to Medishare. However, hospital infusion billing refused to accept my signed waiver (nor did they accept the pre-authorization or the prepayment directly from our agent). They were completely disorganized. And they sent me home. This was so absurd, we decided it was an act of God. We had prayed, and surrendered to his timing, his plan, his way. We could not force this to happen. So, we went home and regrouped (and I resolved again to fully trust God with what I cannot see or control).

Instead, I spent a day in Mankato where I had a couple Functional IV treatments aimed at keeping up the fight while we wait. I was blessed with a lovely day and the ability to sit outside and do some of my artwork. It was healing on every level.

At last check, my copper was still high in the RBC, which causes suspicion that while the chelator is pulling copper out, my body is then not releasing the chelator. We have added a Binding supplement to aid with this. Since cancer cells can use copper for energy, we want this copper in right balance.

Since January, after my first SOT treatment, I had a big flare of lymph swelling in the left axilla (which is an expected response). I have had difficulty clearing that lymph ever since, and it has remained swollen and now increasingly painful. I understand this can (on the oncology side) be disease progression. I also understand this can (on the functional side) be cellular debris from cancer cell death and a good response. I also have come to know there can be an emotional component (we are fearfully and wonderfully made beings!) and that the "stuck" lymph can be connected to unresolved emotional storage, or a healing crisis after working something through. I have been intentional with all three areas throughout this journey, prayerfully integrating standard oncology treatments with functional treatments available to me while being intentional in healing emotionally and spiritually, asking the Lord to reveal and heal those broken places in me. I am working every angle I have been led to.

I have also been receiving Physical Therapy on my left arm and shoulder and it has been helping greatly. The recent biopsies in those areas have aggravated the swelling and I was so very grateful to finally be able to see the chiropractor yesterday! My rib was out, which is painful enough all on its own--ha! But my range of motion increased and my pain was 50% less immediately and remained so through the night! Finally rested well through the pain at night! So grateful for the functional treatments I am still able to do, and for your support that helps me do them!

Next week we will know more regarding oncology options. I am incredibly grateful for every bit of help, support, encouragement, prayer and cheering us on as we walk this long, hard, "twisty-turny" road!