Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist
November 5, 2018 [printfriendly]
I have multiple myeloma. And, I’ve decided to take an unconventional path to treat the cancer in my bone marrow. My oncologist in Charleston, SC is a conventional physician. His original treatment recommendations reflected interventions with radiation, cocktails of chemotherapy, stem cell therapy, and IV bisphosphonates, most of which I rejected. But, he understands my philosophy. We have a great relationship as I navigate my body to get healthy again. He sees me monthly and orders monthly blood tests to determine my progress.
I am a living example and an experiment of N=1 for my unconventional fight. After being diagnosed two months ago, today I’m experiencing amazing results. Rumi (the great 13th-century Persian poet) once wrote: “When setting out on a journey, do not seek advice from those who have never left home.”
I have “left home”; and I am on a “journey”, traveling along an unconventional path. Follow my progress; it might offer a unique perspective.
Path to My Diagnosis
It all started with my chest and back soreness, which lasted a couple of months. The discomfort led me to seek advice from my personal medical doctor near the end of August. From August 30, 2018 through September 12, 2018, my MD ordered an MRI, CT Scan, PET Scan, CT spinal soft tissue biopsy, and various blood tests. He referred me to an oncologist to evaluate the results.
On September 19, 2018, my oncologist confirmed a diagnosis of IgA Kappa Light Chain Multiple Myeloma. Based on how I presented to his office and these test results, he stated that my prognosis was dismal if I did nothing. He believed I only had 3 to 6 months to live.
I needed to get proactive ASAP.
Path of My Treatment
My only conventional treatment was on my oncologist’s advice. I had 10 consecutive radiation treatments to my sternum with the goal of stopping the stabbing pain I was experiencing continuously. (Everyone who knows me knows I am a wuss.)
On October 12, 2018, I completed radiation treatment, which was immediately successful allowing me to be pain free in my sternum. Radiation stops the pain, but it does not stop the disease. There is no conventional treatment today that can cure multiple myeloma.
Coupled with ending radiation treatment on October 12th, I also had new blood work. Results showed I have become slightly anemic. However, most of the other blood tests that confirm the severity of my disease did not continue to worsen – they decreased slightly.
My alternative treatment is being directed by an accomplished medical professional who has had success in treating multiple myeloma. We talk every other week, and he tweaks the supplements he recommends for me to take. Currently, I am taking 5 specific supplements without food first thing in the morning, at midday, and at bedtime. With breakfast and dinner, I take 18 different supplements. In combination, these are designed to support my immune system, break down biofilm surrounding cancer cells, destroy malignant plasma cells, reduce inflammation, assist in bone remineralization, and improve digestion and natural detoxification.
In addition to these supplements, I use cannabinoids three times a day to help destroy malignant cells and Megasporebiotic, MegaMucosa, and MegaQuinone K2-7 once a day to support the health of my gut microbiome and mitochondria. I also use PEMF Therapy four times a day to help slow tumor growth and repair mitochondria. For my PEMF Therapy, I use the PureWave Full Body Mat.
My diet, which is critical for healing, resembles an autoimmune, Paleo-type diet. It looks like this:
- More than 50% of my plate of food are non-starchy vegetables
- Less than 25% are pastured or wild caught animal products along with their incredible fats
- Less than 25% are berries, seeds, and an occasional starchy veggie like sweet potatoes
When I have pain, I only use Advil – no narcotics and no other prescription meds.
Another Opinion
Although I am experiencing positive results, I wanted to get another opinion. I was referred to an oncologist 300 miles away from me. This medical doctor had an exceptional reputation for treating multiple myeloma. My Charleston oncologist sent all my records to him. The remote specialist’s nurse called me and suggested I email my questions to the doctor directly. She told me he would respond to my email and answer my questions. She also assured me he would review all my records, which were sent earlier. Since I believed he would be familiar with all my tests and scans, I hoped he would be honest with his answers. His response to my questions was surprising.
The myeloma expert apparently never reviewed my records. He never answered my questions. Except, his email response to me was that I was making a huge mistake by treating my disease with unproven alternative therapies. He encouraged me to travel 4 hours to his office, so he could explain his protocol. However, he could have written his thoughts and answered my specific questions in an email. He was arrogant with a “Holier-Than-Thou” attitude!
Moving Forward
Regarding my body, I am doing well. I am experiencing signs and symptoms of a body that is healing from this incurable disease. To my delight and to my oncologist’s surprise, the way I feel today is nothing short of amazing.
It appears to me that my unconventional treatments at least are reducing overall bone pain. However, I get tired during the day, so I take a couple naps starting just after noon.
I am trying to get back to my physical activities. First thing in the morning, I started to walk outside for about 15 minutes. However, I am unable to do other physical exercise. I plan to increase and diversify my exercise program as I feel better and gain more strength. My progress encourages me, but my skeleton is fragile because of the innumerable lytic lesions from this bone marrow malignancy. These lesions require me to be careful because of potential future bone fractures.
Every four weeks I will have new blood work to document my progress.
Figuratively speaking, I have “left home”; and I am on a “journey”, traveling along my unconventional path. Stay tuned for further results of my experiment of N=1.
If you don’t want to miss out on new posts, sign up for my email alert list here.
Buy My Book
