What the Block Center Patients Have to Say
It was February, 2004, I had a persistent upset stomach that finally, and reluctantly, landed me at my doctor’s office. Thinking it was just the flu, or some kind of virus, I was surprised when my doctor ordered a series of tests. But then I was completely unprepared for what came next. The doctor told me I had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had metastasized to my liver. Best advice he could give me was to go home and get my affairs in order. I might have just 3 months to live.
Looking back at it now, I must have been in shock. I barely remember getting myself home. My husband, Bob cried for days. Not me. I didn’t want to spend the time feeling sorry for myself, I wanted to spend the time finding a doctor who was going to help me fight this. I had too much to live for. No way was I just giving up.
I first called one of the country’s leading hospitals, where my first doctor sent the films. Within a week, we had an appointment at that hospital, and I found myself surrounded by a group of cancer specialists evaluating my latest battery of tests. This time the news hit me hard: they not only agreed with the first doctor, but offered me no real treatment options. They basically said my cancer was inoperable, and that my type of tumor didn’t typically respond to chemo. They’d try something, even consult with my doctor back in Green Bay, but why would I want to put my life in the hands of doctors who didn’t believe I had any real hope?
I started doing research and read everything I could find on the Internet about pancreatic cancer, from dietary suggestions to mind over matter techniques, exercise information and supplements and herbs that might be of help. Everything I read made sense to me, and when I looked at the website for Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment, in Evanston, Illinois – referred to me by a relative – I thought this was the opportunity to have my cancer fought with all of the information I had been reading about. It gave me hope. I couldn’t wait to get started.
The diet was a big change. My desire to live made it easy. I became a person on a mission each time I entered a grocery store. I’d spend hours reading labels, recipes and talking to others who were sporting wigs or scarves like they may have been where I was heading. I wanted to learn from these people and in turn help the next person. It was not unusual for me to be 2 hours or more in the store. I followed the supplemental and vitamin regimen to a T, even though I could not swallow pills. I chewed them. Some at first were awful but now that I’ve gotten so used to them I don’t even need to wash them down. The mind and spirit aspect, trusting my God, relaxation techniques, and visualizations were so helpful. I was already physically very active but there were areas to be tweaked as well.
Every 3 weeks I went from my home in Green Bay to their center in Evanston for chemotherapy. Six months after starting their program, we did some tests. The scans showed that the tumors in both my liver and my pancreas had shrunk 20%! I can’t describe what that felt like. By December, 2004, my liver scans were clean --- there was, as the doctors told me, “no evidence of disease.” October, 2005, my liver was still clear, and the mass on my pancreas had shrunk 60%! They took me off of chemo at the end of that year, and all of my follow up tests have shown that the cancer in my pancreas is continuing to shrink, and there’s no sign of disease in the liver. My immune system is strong, and I don’t believe that any cancer cells that might be hiding would have a chance of survival.
Today, over four years after I was told I might have three months to live, I feel great, am totally enjoying my life, have a second grandchild to spoil and adore, and another on the way! My lifestyle has changed since I came to Block. I eat better, I get regular exercise, and I also feel better than ever. I’m so grateful to my doctors and I want to let everyone know that they don’t have to just give up!
PEOPLE HAVE TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND TO CONTROL THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE. Too many people expect a single solution to work or a single doctor to know everything. You have to read and keep yourself informed of the possibilities. You have to say “what if”? Dr Block made a very valid point- we have to think beyond the box. Use of instinct and common sense when evaluating care are very important. It has to feel right. You can't doubt that it will work, you must jump in with both feet. Had I listened to the three prior doctors who recommended a narrow path, unlikely to succeed, I would not be here today. Three strikes were NOT OUT. I needed a new ball game. I needed one where the rules were changed, where I was responsible for a large part of my care, and I had the support needed to complete it. I will not change back to the old diet or stop with the dietary supplements and vitamins or any other part of the new found lifestyle. It's become a part of me, who I am, what I believe. It's keeping me very healthy and very much alive.
I might describe it like this. A person with a sliver in their finger with a bad infection cannot hope to remove the infection without first removing the sliver. Other things like antibiotic cream or oral antibiotics and hydrogen peroxide can help enhance the result once you take the first step. You have to find many ways of making it go away. With the cancer, the medical side, the removal of the cancer thru chemotherapy and timing of the chemotherapy was the first step but it was enhanced by diet-starving the cancer and strengthening my immune system. I also had to believe I would be well.
After 17 years in the health insurance industry, I decided to go out on my own and start my own agency, which I did, on October 1 of 2007. The way I look at it is if I can beat cancer, I can do anything!
Diane Klenke
