Joette Trudeau [Joey] Colo-Rectal Cancer Survivor/Amazing Woman
I'm available for, guidance, information & public speaking engagements. Watch My Videos Below.
Please feel free to call me at 647-692-3376.
Please feel free to call me at 647-692-3376.
"My Cancer Story" by Joette (Joey) Trudeau
My cancer journey began in Sep. 2004 when I was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer. Surgery was followed by 25 sessions of radiation and 6 months of chemotherapy as 1 out of 29 lymph nodes removed with the malignant tumor was also cancerous. My prognosis was still good though. In March 2005, 4 months into the chemo., and having terrible pain in my left lower back and leg, and on crutches, I was told that I now had metastases to the bone, a tumor had grown in my sacrum as per MRI and bone scan results. My new prognosis was 1-1/2 to 2 years to live. I told my oncologist that I needed at least 5 more years as I was a single parent 24/7 of two teen girls who really needed me. He said I wouldn’t get 5 years. Next I received 5 sessions of intensive palliative radiation and started 6 more months of another chemo. By early May 2005 I was couch bound, using a walker, on morphine, and home care services were initiated. On May 26/05 I literally dragged myself out to one of Paul Beatty’s talks and what he said made perfect sense to me and I had absolutely nothing to lose. I immediately started taking the Efamol evening primrose, fish oil, vitamins and minerals, and a powerful antioxidant (flavonoids). Within 2 weeks I noticed a difference in my energy level and general well being, could walk with a limp, and no longer had side effects from the chemo. By the end of 12 weeks I was feeling pretty good except for pain and I was thinking of increasing my morphine dosage. I decided to talk to Paul first only to find out that I had to wean myself off of the morphine (or die) in order for the hormone prostaglandin 1 to get through and start healing my damaged cells. I knew he was right as around the same time, Aug. 29/05, I had another head to toe bone scan done which revealed a further spread to my ribs and neck and my new prognosis was 6 months or so to live. I used natural anti-inflammatory remedies to gradually wean myself off of morphine and oxycontin and on Oct. 22/05 I took my last morphine pill and within 4 more weeks I’d weaned myself off of the natural remedies as well. None of this was easy but doable and so worth it as it has been only uphill since then. Every week I’d notice a little bit of improvement. Sitting was my biggest challenge and gradually I could do so for much longer periods of time with minimal discomfort as the supplements had greatly increased my pain tolerance level. I also started walking perfectly normal, gained 20 lbs. (from 98-118), which is so critical in cancer patients having metastases (cancer is no longer robbing my nutrition) and I became physically able to do so much more including Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and other activities I thought I’d never again be able to participate in. Like Paul says, I didn’t get the cancer overnight so the healing will be very gradual and it is happening. A bone scan and MRI done Jan/06 showed that the spreading had stopped and there was a slight improvement in the left rib area and less inflammation and swelling in the sacrum. An Oct/06 scan showed that the metastases in my neck and left rib area had retreated and the sacrum had improved. My oncologist was extremely impressed with my progress and told me to continue whatever I was doing as he couldn’t do anything more for me. However, I had concerns about my continuing bladder and bowel problems that I had been experiencing since palliative radiation in 2005. Extensive tests performed in April/May/07 confirmed that I had a stricture in my colon that had resulted from the intensive palliative radiation and I was on a waiting list to see a specialist for the bladder concerns. I had major surgery Sep.12/07 which resulted with a permanent colostomy as the damage from radiation was beyond repair. I had an incisional hernia repair in April/08 and urological repair (after almost 2 yrs. on a waiting list to see the specialist) for radiation cystitis in May/08 and all these procedures had helped me to resume a more normal life. Unfortunately the hernia returned in 2009 as well as another one at the colostomy site. A CT scan done in June of 2010 revealed that I had plateaued and diffuse lung metastasis were suspected. I knew that would change and I would start healing again after I resolved a few stressors in my life, financial being the biggest as I’d been on disability for years. If the disease doesn’t get you the stress it causes will try to! That’s where a positive attitude is so important. I also believed that body, mind, and spirit worked together as a powerful team and I sought the help of Master Lee (Chinese Medical Physician, Martial Arts Master, Osteologist, Accupuncturist) here in Mississauga. Within weeks I was greatly improved. I then chose to have no further scans to avoid unnecessary radiation and just put all my energy into healing and slowly but surely it happened. I routinely saw my oncologist and finally consented to having bone and CT scans in May of 2014. The radiologist was quite puzzled as he compared results with past scans that showed metastases and had to question the new results of no evidence of metastatic disease. What counts the most is that I’m here and I’m forever grateful to Paul and Reiki Master Susan Nicholas who referred me to him and Master Lee. They have truly saved my life! Without them…I would definitely not be here today enjoying my beautiful granddaughter who was born in Aug/07. NEWS FLASH...April 19, 2015 After over 10 very long years I'm officially cancer free as per a blood test for active cancer cells came out pristine!!! Will still undergo major corrective surgery down the road (damage due to intensive, palliative radiation) to hopefully improve my quality of life in my golden years. It's been a long, hard journey and I wouldn't be alive today if not for seeking out and religiously following simple, inexpensive, alternative care. I plan on writing a book in the very near future to help others. I've made it a mission in my life to reach out to others regardless of their diagnosis as the protocol I'm on works for all diseases. It's actually very simple and makes sense. Some dietary changes may be necessary as well. Body, mind, and spirit working together will promote healing! NEWSFLASH...Oct. 2015 New blood test…same great results! My next appointment with my oncologist is in one year from now. NEWSFLASH…Oct. 2016…still cancer free! NEWSFLASH…Sep. 2017…after over 9 hrs. of surgery and on the mend I should be able to enjoy a better quality of life going forward…Oct. 2017…still cancer free! Please feel free to call me at 647-692-3376 or e-mail [email protected] |
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