Just a Bump in the Road

I always knew that the microwave was bad for us, but I didn't realize HOW BAD! One of the things that the Hoxsey clinic forbids, is microwave use.  When you microwave your food, it changes the molecular structure and makes it unrecognizable to your body.  Crazy right??? Ryan and I have been doing food prep of very healthy meals for years now.  We make them up for several days at a time, place them in plastic containers, and stack them in the refrigerator.  Each and every time we heated our food using the microwave.  We were completely defeating our purpose without even knowing it.  Live and learn right?  We are always learning and trying to improve. Small, but BIG changes we have made recently............ *We took the microwave out of our house!  GONE, GONE, GONE! *We are using less plastic.  We try to drink and eat out of stainless steel, ceramic, or glass. *We are distilling our water now.  It's terrifying to see what we ha...

First dose of Black Tonic......

Last week Kim and I finally made it down to the Bio Medical Center in Mexico. I just wanted to share my experience with that trip. Before jumping right into the trip, I want to provide some context. I also want to share my belief concerning the Lord's hand in how we ended up in Mexico. You see, when I was initially diagnosed with cancer, I was resigned to doing chemotherapy and radiation. Not fully understanding the reality of my diagnosis, that's where my mind went. My grandpa has beat metastasized cancer on two different occasions via chemotherapy and that's all I'd known. After researching it further, I discovered that chemotherapy and radiation had little to no success in combating metastatic melanoma. In fact, there was a period of time not too long ago when research into fighting metastatic melanoma had essentially stopped because it appeared nothing would cure it. Recent developments have lead to immunotherapy as the main treatment for metastatic melanoma. Esse...

Ryan was able to find the lump in his left upper chest tonight.  It feels like he has a small bead sitting just under the skin. We are grateful he found it and that we can feel it, so that we can watch it closely and apply oils directly to it. We feel that it will help us to know if the treatment he receives is working or not.   Our prayer and hope is they shrivel right up and die!  We feel good about our decision and are very optimistic it will work. -Kim

We had previously been informed from Uncle Bob, that Ryan's cancer had spread throughout his body, but the oncologist called yesterday evening to clear everything up and answer any questions, along with recommending treatment. We are unaware of where the cancer started, but as of now, he has had cancer in the lymph node that was removed from his right arm pit, it's in the bone of his left upper arm, it's in his left upper chest, in the tissues of his abdomen, and in his rectum. Dr. Chandramouli told us that Ryan has advanced aggressive stage 4 metastatic melanoma.  He recommended doing immunotherapy for treatment, but we have our own ideas, and have decided on alternative treatments.   With immunotherapy, he said that Ryan has a 60% chance of making it 3 years.  Not good enough in our books! -Kim

Ryan found out he had cancer on September 5th, and on September 6th he tightened the reins on his keto diet.  Instead of being in nutritional ketosis, he adjusted the macros to put himself into therapeutic ketosis.  This is not easy to do, but Ryan is very disciplined and determined to do everything in his power to beat this. Every hour he bounces on our rebounder trampoline for a couple of minutes to stimulate movement in his lymph nodes. He is faithfully using essential oils as well.  Frankincense, Sandalwood, lemon, lime, and DDR Prime from Doterra are being defused, applied, and injested all throughout the day.  A big Thanks to my cousin Mary Adams for her expertise and help. His hopes are to starve the cancer of the sugar it needs to thrive and hopefully shrink the tumors, or at least stall the growth and spreading.   We plan to go to Mexico (hopefully Tuesday of next week to seek alternative treatment).

Ryan and I have been cramming information for the last week.  It's exhausting for my little brain to keep up, but Ryan is brilliant and yearns for more.  He is a sponge and knows that knowledge is power. I got home from work the other day, and what he said to me was so profound.  He said, "We have been reading, and studying around the clock for a week now, trying to make the best decision for me to fight for my life.  Can you imagine if we (and everybody else) spent this much time reading the Book of Mormon and studying the gospel, fighting for eternal life? Why don't we? We had a discussion on how it is so much more important to fight for eternal salvation, so that we can live with our Father in Heaven again someday.  This life, no doubt, is important, but when we stop and look at the big picture, eternity is what matters most.  We were sent to this earth to get a physical body, learn, grow, and become more like Him.  Time on this earth, is ju...

The support and love we have received from family and friends has been very humbling and encouraging.  Thanks for all the kind words, prayers, and love!

September 13, 2018 (Facebook post) My sweet husband doesn’t love to be on the receiving end of service, nor does he like special attention drawn to him, but we both realize and understand that it takes an army to fight a battle. Ryan handles trials in his life with grace, dignity, and un-waivering faith. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and loves this gospel! Ryan trusts in the plan his Father in Heaven has for him, and feels that he has much more to do while on this eart h. Ryan describes this trial as a “bump in the road”, something to learn from, that will make him stronger. My faith lacks in comparison to his, and I see a huge mountain standing in our way, but not an impossible one! He's got this! Ryan has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma cancer that has spread throughout his body. I beg of you all to keep him in your prayers, and to send your love and encouraging words. Thank you so very much for all of the love and ...

Jo was having a rough day with her own personal life (being a teenager is rough), and with the news of Ryan.  I went into her room to talk to her and she was scrolling through "Positive cancer quotes" on her Ipad.  We talked for a bit and she said "I know Ryan is my step-dad, but he is like a dad to me".  The tears streamed down her face.  He has been such an amazing father figure to all 4 of my kids from the very beginning.  Every day she writes a new quote on this mirror, and I love the messages!  What a sweet girl! -Kim

September 13, 2018 It's update time... On Friday I met with an oncologist. He went over our options and looked me over. He said there was a chance that the lymph node removed was the only spot of cancer. He didn't see anything that concerned him. This, obviously, raised our hopes. I went in for a PET scan on Tuesday and we received the results today... The good news is that the cancer has not spread to any vital organs. My lungs, brain, kidneys, etc are all clear of cancer at the moment. The ba d news is that there were four other tumors found in my body. One in my left upper chest (very small), one in my left upper arm bone, and then two in my abdomen. The two in my abdomen are slightly bigger. One is probably the size of an almond and the other slightly bigger. The belief is that the malignant melanoma has metastasized and is spreading throughout my body. My uncle said that he would classify me as being between Stage 3 and Stage 4. Neither one is the...

September 7, 2018 PET-CT scan on Tuesday. Should hear results on Thursday or Friday. Doc says it may be the case that what was removed was all of it and it in fact hasn’t spread. Unfortunately we won’t know the situation until the end of next week. But there is more to hope for than we initially thought. That is excellent news. -Ryan

September 6, 2018 I used to ask God why I had to deal with trials and, quite frequently, to remove those trials from my life. What I failed to understand then was that the purpose of this life IS to endure trials. That's the whole point of our existence here on earth. We gain experience by going through trials. What I have learned is this: If we rely upon God, our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost at all TIMES, in all PLACES, and with all THINGS, we will be supported, upheld, and strengthened sufficiently Seek God and His Gospel and this life will be all the more joyful and satisfying. I know He lives and that if we are faithful to the end, we can and will endure all things. -Ryan

September 6, 2018 About 3 weeks ago I discovered a lump in my right armpit. I hadn't noticed it before and it raised some concerns. I went to see my doctor and I had some blood work done and an ultrasound done to see what it was. After the ultrasound results came back, we decided it should probably be removed. There weren't any concerns about it at this point, but we still felt it should come out. My uncle is a general surgeon and, upon examining the lump, felt confident it was benign and noth ing to worry about. However, he still felt it should come out. Last Friday I had surgery to remove the lump. After removing it, my uncle told Kim that he had some concerns based on what he had seen. If it was bad, we figured it would be lymphoma based on it being in my lymph node. Lymphoma is quite treatable and, if it had to be cancer, we'd hoped for that. Yesterday, we got the results of the biopsy. Unfortunately, it was not lymphoma. It was metastatic melanoma. It...

August 31, 2018 He is all dressed up for the big occasion, lump removal!  He is in good hands with his great Uncle Robert (Bob) Naylor as his general surgeon. 

September 4, 2018 Josie and I went for a walk together, and as we walked, we talked about all that had transpired with Ryan.  It was  after his surgery, but before the diagnoses.  Our life was up in the air momentarily and stress and emotions were running a bit high.  I handle stress with joking and laughter, so please don't take what I am about to tell you the wrong way...... While walking, Jo says "Mom, I will just die if Ryan has Cancer!"......  I reply back "No, Jo, Ryan will be the one dying if he has cancer".    Josie:  "Mom, that is HORRIBLE!" It indeed was horrible, but it was nice to have a good laugh.  Love this sweet girl! -Kim