Desert Health News July-August 2024

. More and more people are discovering means for overcoming cancer against dire medical prognoses. For some, the words “get your affairs in order” are mentally the beginning of the end, while others find the recommendation tremendously motivating. Factors that contribute to the final outcome vary, and there is certainly no one-size-fits-all. However, those who do survive seem to share a few things in common, including a sheer determination to live. But none will attribute this singular factor for getting them to the other side; there are usually numerous therapies, practices, supplements, dietary changes,medical institutions and natural healers that all helped them survive. The greatest scientific compilation of those who have survived cancer against all odds is the Radical Remission Project. This international database continues to grow with stories shared by survivors. It started with a study by Kelly Turner, PhD, a psychotherapist specializing in integrative oncology, who interviewed over a thousand people who defied serious or terminal cancer with a complete reversal of the disease. Dr. Turner recorded all the things these individuals did and then identified the nine common factors, publishing the results in the life-changing book, Radical Remission: The Nine Key Factors That Can Make a Real Difference (2014). Her work has grown into the public database, a docuseries, a newsletter showcasing individuals and a certification program for survivors coaching others. As a survivor myself, I always recommend the book when meeting someone facing cancer. Such is the case with William Hudson of Desert Hot Springs who shared his story of overcoming metastatic melanoma and his book, Death Can Wait: How I Beat Stage IV Cancer Naturally (2024). I thoroughly enjoyed reading his personal experience which is simply laid out and well resourced. Hudson’s lesion was found on his lung and he was treated medically with surgery and immunotherapy before being told by his physicians that he probably had 10 months; there was nothing more they could do. “They advisedme to live life to the fullest while I still could,” he said, but his awareness of alternative therapies would not let him accept their recommendation. “With those words, my mindset changed from the fear of death to the fact that I didn’t have to die yet.” Hudson wrote the book to inspire others to take control and do their research. “People don’t realize that there are a lot of options beyond what is recommended by your medical team. It’s just not in their sphere of work, and they are often unaware or unable to tell you about them.” Self-advocacy is required for this integrative approach. Six years later, his doctors are amazed that he is still with us, but have never asked what else he did to overcome the cancer. “There are so many things out there and I was fortunate to find affordable things that worked for me,” he adds. Hudson performed numerous practices for mind, body and soul, but attributes his success primarily to two things: the Budwig Diet (simply flaxseed oil and probiotic cottage cheese) and natural remedies from the Bio Medical Center in Tijuana. While these therapies may be controversial, he is one of thousands who will attest to their success. Was it the medical treatments that saved Hudson’s life, the natural therapies he committed to, or a combination of both? We will never know the answer, but what we do know is that his determination and will to live definitely helped get him to where he is today. Make both books part of your research. Don’t give up on yourself, listen to your intuition and know that you are not alone. Lauren Del Sarto is founder/publisher of Desert Health. Death Can Wait and Radical Remission are available on Amazon. William Hudson can be reached at William@williamhudson.org. For more information visit www.williamhudson.org . Here are a few time-tested tips to help mitigate inflammation. You may have heard them all before, but incorporating them as a doctor’s prescription to enhance health may be just what you need to start incorporating them into your daily routine: Nutritious food • Aim to get five servings of vegetables a day. • Increase healthy fats (nuts/seeds, avocado, olive oil, freshwater fish) and reduce unhealthy/saturated fats (included in next bullet point). Together this will help to support omega 3:6 ratio and shift the inflammatory pathway down the less harmful route. Supplementation with a high-quality fish oil or vegetarian source of omega 3’s can be helpful. Mediterranean diet recipes also follow this plan. • Reduce known inflammatory items such as alcohol, caffeine, dairy, grains, red meat, refined sugar, fried foods, seed oils, fast food, processed and packaged foods containing additives, preservatives and other unknown ingredients. • Because of our nutrient-depleted soil, mineral supplementation can be beneficial. Clean water • Aim to drink half of your weight in ounces of clean water per day (180lbs person = 90oz/day). • Adjust amounts to meet physical demands, heavy workouts, hot climates, etc. • Avoid plastic containers and drinking vessels (See Dr. Ceja’s article on clean water sources on page 11 and my previous article “Start Your Day Off Right: With Water” (Nov/Dec 2020). Physical movement • Takemultiple short walks (5-10minutes) per day. This is not only good for circulation, but excellent for mental health. • More frequent, less intensemovement is great. It does not have to be an hour at the gym breaking a sweat to have a positive impact on your health (see Dr. Sheppard’s article on sweat on page 14). • Make sure you allocate days to take breaks from physically demanding workout schedules. Focus on restorative movement on those days, which will allow your body to recover, aiding in long-term success and reducing risk of injury. www.desertdoctors.org July/August 2024 Integrative Medicine The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 15 www.DesertHealthNews.com Stress can present as many medical conditions and is a key reason people visit their doctor’s office. Why wait for health care? Your provider is your choice. Desert Doctors are here for You. ...and much more For direct access to quality care, visit Des rtDoct . rg, or call 760-232-4646 Providers join Desert Doctors to spend more time doing what they love–caring for their patients–and to collaborate with other independent providers through education and research. Primary Care Radiology Pain Management Cardiology Oncology Neurology Plastic Surgery Pulmonary Care Your Health is Your Choice PRIMARY CARE Accepting new patients SPECIALISTS You can see promptly INSURANCE ACCEPTED SAME DAY REFERRALS To providers accepted by your insurance plan HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES At all area hospitals Anti-Inflammation Continued from page 9 Continued on page 20 Surviving Cancer Against the Odds Local author shares his inspiring story By Lauren Del Sarto