Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist
May 11, 2020 [printfriendly]
Based on my recent PET Scan, I’m cancer free! This has been a long time coming – 21 months to be exact since my diagnosis in September 2018. But first, let me catch you up to date.
Background
I have a bone marrow cancer, which is a malignancy of my plasma cells. From my research, I believe that these malignant plasma cells running around in my bones and blood system were born when I was in dental school in the early 1970s. While seeing patients for 6 years in the school’s clinics, I could have been significantly overexposed to free mercury from placing mercury fillings in patients and to low dose ionizing radiation from the numerous dental x-ray machines in the clinic. I wrote about how I contracted multiple myeloma in a previous post.
The fact is that it only takes one cell to create a malignancy. If that damaged cell does not die naturally (apoptosis), then it could grow exponentially into a full-blown cancer. But it might take years or even decades for a malignancy to manifest clinical signs and symptoms. This path most likely occurred in me.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about thriving. You might imagine the joy I get from maintaining my quality of life for the most part over the last 21 months. However, I experienced a serious setback that landed me in the hospital and then in hospice for several months around the fall of 2019. At that very difficult time in my journey, I was preparing to die.
But since then, my path forward has been encouraging and reassuring for my immediate family, close friends, and me. My goal, aside from healing my body, has always been to maintain a quality of life. Longevity never was at the top of my list. However, I never went into remission.
At my first meeting with my oncologist in 2018, he told me that my malignancy was incurable by conventional medicine. To get to where I am today, I rejected chemotherapy and researched various unconventional protocols to help my body heal naturally. My protocols have not stayed the same. On the contrary. I’ve tweaked my therapies significantly since starting them right after my diagnosis. And I also incorporated cutting-edge conventional treatment along the way to help my body fight its fight.
The major categories I included in my Protocols are: Diet, Gut Health, Immune System, Bone Metabolism, Mitochondrial Support, Targeted Immunotherapy, and Efficient Exercise. If interested, send me an email, and I’ll send you a PDF of my current Unconventional Cancer Protocols: Dr.Danenberg@iCloud.com.
MRI
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a procedure that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body. My original MRI, which was taken in September 2018, helped my doctors diagnose the bone marrow cancer which was coursing through my body at that time.
My original MRI revealed that I had a 2.6 cm soft tissue growth adjacent to my spine around T6 area. In addition, the scan showed a vertebral compression fracture in the area of T4/T5, several cracked ribs, and a hairline fracture in my pelvis.
I had a new MRI on 4/29/20 which showed the soft tissue lesion shrank to 2.2cm. But the MRI could not identify the activity of the cancer cells. In addition, the MRI confirmed the bone lesions peppered throughout my skeleton were the same as 21 months ago.
PET Scan
My oncologist wanted to get a better picture of what was happening with these cancer cells throughout my body. So, he ordered a new PET Scan. (My first PET Scan was in September 2018, and my last PET Scan was in June 2019. All showed signs of active cancer.)
A PET Scan creates a 3-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. PET stands for “positron emission tomography”. Radioactive glucose is infused through a vein to “light up” areas of the body where cancer cells are active. Cancer cells “eat up” glucose for their energy source. If there are no active cancer cells, the PET Scan will be completely negative.
So, on May 8, 2020, I had a new PET Scan from head to toe. My oncologist called me at home that Friday night. He first said, “Al, put your wife on speaker phone.” Then he preceded to read the radiologist’s interpretation of the PET Scan.
George, my oncologist, explained that the PET Scan showed no active cancer cells. I had him repeat this several times. I could tell he was beaming. Without a doubt, my wife and I were emotionally struck. The essence of this report was that my entire body was free of active cancer cells.
Now for the reality. I’m not out of the woods yet. Some of my specific cancer blood tests still report a high level of protein from malignant plasma cells. These test results may reflect the dead or dying cells that my immune system has not metabolized so far. Also, I still have severe and innumerable lytic lesions throughout my skeleton as a result of the destruction up to this point from this aggressive cancer. My risk is dangerously high for additional pathological fractures. I must be prudent and proactive to protect my bones from breaking. So, I’m not able to say that I am in complete remission today. But maybe I am close!
Moving Forward
My Unconventional Cancer Protocols make up my therapeutic blueprint, which helps heal my body. For the most part, they have allowed me to survive and thrive as best as possible over the last 21 months. I am awed by my recent results and grateful to all who have supported me in so many ways. As I move forward, I will continue with all my protocols to assist my body. And I’ll keep updating my progress.
I’m not popping the champagne or dancing to the music just yet. That would be premature. But I’ve put the bubbly in the fridge and am booking the band. Hopefully, you’ll get an invitation to the party soon.
42 Comments
I’m sitting here in my lounge room in Australia reading your update on my iPhone. I know how much courage and pure grit a journey like this requires. I’m cheering you on every step of the way. Thanks for sharing your experiences because you are helping so many people … including me. All the very best to you xx
I am so happy to read this. I knew this post would come eventually. I knew you would achieve this. Congratulations. A great testament to all that you and everyone in your support system have done. All the best.
Wow Dr Al! This is such fantastic news.
The world is allover consumed with Covid-19 gloom, and yet life is as magnificent, hopeful and inspiring as ever.
Thank you for being a lighthouse to others.
Love and light from South Africa.
This is FABULOUS news!!! You are a true warrior and may God bless you with continued progress. You have made my day 🙂
Thank you for all you have done to inform us and the medical community about non-traditional therapies as well as the courageous way you have approached your illness. Cheers!
So happy for you as you continue with your healing!!! Thank you for sharing with us!!!
FANTASTIC !!!! What an inspiration “U” are.
Go Dr. Danenberg! You’re blazing trails, and hopefully waking a few doctors and dentists up on how the human body actually works!
Yes, such wonderful news from you.
Congratulations Al! You are an inspiration to us all.
I am so happy for you and so thankful you are sharing your journey with the public. I pray more will find your story and help turn their lives into their own journey to healthy/fit bodies.
Thanks for sharing your journey. Very inspiring. Did you ever have kyphoplasty for your back, or any other procedure? God Bless you.
Yes I have. If you search my Blogs, you will be able to read the different “setbacks” I had and how I was treated for them.
Positive news doc – great to hear. Still aways to go
Dr. Al this is amazing news. Continued success to you!
Fantastic news Dr. Al! Keep up all your good work.
Dr. Al, way to go! All your efforts and courage are paying off. Keep the faith…. Praying for continued health!
Congratulations Al. You have proven one of the key principles of biologic medicine- that we all possess an amazing “life force” with a God-given ability to heal. Our healing is also multi dimensional: physical, energetic, psycho-emotional, and even spiritual. Stay on the path. We love you.
I have been following your courageous journey from costa rica. Congratulations.
Overjoyed to know your faith and perseverance have brought you such wonderful news! Don’t give up the fight!
Oh so excited to hear your news! Congratulations! This is a wonderful accomplishment! You and I are truly our own clinical trials and thank you God for the encouragement, the prayers, the love we receive from friends and family, to be brave and follow our path! SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! Keep up the great work! You remain in my prayers!
Your journey is a blessing to read and follow. My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2015 and we had been following your path. She passed away on April 14th and it is so strange that when we first heard your diagnosis she was doing well and you were given such a dismal prognosis. She was on her own form of unconventional, tailored to her of diagnosis and research. You inspire me and clearly many, many others. Keep moving forward and sharing the hope through the struggle!
This is awesome news!!! I’m so happy for you!
This is great news Doc!! Sounds like it is time for your next book that documents this awesome journey. All the best.
Al – Congrats! You continue to be a hero and inspiration! Keep it up!
What great news. I am so happy for you and how much time you have been researching options to heal the cancer. I love reading how you are hopeful and thankful.
I woke up to this news in New Zealand and I am just delighted to hear it. Your approach to all of this and your attitude throughout has been an inspiration to so many. Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
Fantastic news!
Congratulations! What great news. Your journey is highly inspiring.
Love, love, love! ?
Dr. Danenberg .- I’m very Happy that you follow your guts instinct to fight your Cancer! It was quite a journey! I’m glad you never gave up! I’m happy that your wife is so supportive, patient by your side & never gave up hope! may the sun always shine in your life. I’m on my 8th year of Cancer free!. Life is great!
Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I have been hoping for your complete recovery. Be well and peaceful.
Dr. I have followed you since before you were having these problems hoping to somehow figure out a plan for myself. ( to get healthier). The grace and pure courage you have shown has been a great blessing to many. I am very thankful to you and for you and continue praying for you to win big!
Thank you,
Tara
I am overjoyed by this update! Keep on truckin’! Best wishes to you and your family throughout your courageous battle.
I am very happy to hear this!!
Oh my God! I felt so glad to hear your news that I called my husband over so that I could read your post out loud to him. Yippee!! Much continued return to health, Dr. Dannenberg.
May many more blessings come your way,
Your happy supporter,
Nancy Young Trumansburg, NY
Dr Al
I’ve been following along since your original diagnosis. This is so awesome! Keep kicking ass my friend!
Dr Al,
So happy to hear that you are cancer free. One thing my family and I learned from my mother’s non small cell lung cancer
(Stage 4 when diagnosed) was NEVER NEVER tell anyone with cancer to avoid meat. The literature is pretty sketchy on
meat causing cancer ANYWAY and we know that meat is Very good for you. My husbands Cardiac Calcium scoring tests shows that he has reduced his calcium score (on the carnivore diet plus D3 K2(koncentrated) and C and magnesium) , we feel BECAUSE of the carnivore diet. I was wondering if you ever used chelation or both blood and urine tests to determine which, if any, heavy metals still reside in your blood/body? I recently had a scare when a heavy metals urine test showed I have EXTREMELY HIGH levels of palladium!! I was a dentist for 30 years and spent 5 years in dental school in the late 80s. I am told my my functional med. chiropractor that I will need to do EDTA IV to remove it. I have been EXHAUSTED since Jan 2018 and am hoping that this will finally be the puzzle piece we were missing (also pretty high arsenic!). My mercury, lead and aluminum levels were fine, though. Anyway, so happy to hear about your progress and wonderful podcast on MeatRx….go Carnivory!!!!
Thank You for sharing all this great news.
Best wishes for You and Your family.
Great news! I have been waiting for this news from you, I knew it would be soon!
Dr Al,
I loved reading your news! I can imagine that your doctor couldn’t wait to share it with you and your wife.
I also am on a journey to health. My cardiologist was on a low carb or keto dietary plan and has, over time, adopted a carnivore diet (but with the inclusion of coffee and lemons).
I am glad to learn from you and others strategies such as yours to become healthier and by doing so also decrease our risk if we should contract the covid-19 virus.
So happy for you. I wish for continued health for you.
Cathy
The best news. I know the war isn’t necessarily over, but you won this battle!
So happy for you Dr. AI. You are very knowledgeable and we are following you very closely your protocol for my husband. Many thanks for your advice! Wishing you a full recovery!
Tanya
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