Grouppe Kurosawa: Cancer - Deanne's Story (print)

Deanne's Story
My Journey With GIST

3.21.05
In November of 2003, during emergency surgery to find out why I couldn’t stop throwing up, a 4.2 cm tumor was resected along with 18 inches of my small intestine. After further testing, I was diagnosed with GIST – gastro intestinal stromal tumor. My surgeon cried when he told me the news, knowing only that this nasty, recently named cancer did not respond to chemotherapy and radiation. Although he had removed all visible evidence of the disease, this particular type of cancer returns frequently, and with a vengeance. Since my tumor had a “high mitotic index”, the prognosis was poor.

My case was sent to the local ‘tumor board’ and I was assigned the only oncologist in the area who had ever had a patient with GIST (since deceased). This board decided that I should join a clinical trial at UC Davis. The trial was to determine if a new ‘designer drug’ called Gleevec would effectively prolong the lives of patients with GIST who currently had no evidence of the disease.

Although the doctor on the trial gave many compelling arguments as to why I should join the trial, I decided against it. The reasons were – quality of life due to side effects, the fact I would be unable to work full time as the med center is very far from my home and work (insurance!), and uncertainty if this drug has a set period of usefulness. I want the magic bullet to be available for me when/if the disease returns, for as long as possible.

Seeing me in limbo, my wonderful sister-in-law suggested that her friend, Stephen Martin might be of help. She said he had some protocols that were working for other types of diseases, and would I be interested in trying something nontoxic? Yes, yes, yes! Finally, a light was shining at the end of my tunnel.

Steve researched the disease, and then worked up a protocol for me that was similar to other cancers he was researching. I have been using it for over a year. There are no side effects, I feel great, and have been able to call myself NED (no evidence of disease) for 16 months. I still see my oncologist, have regular blood tests and have a CT scan every three to four months. It is a miracle to have the gift of a good life after being diagnosed with a currently incurable disease. Steve knows how much I appreciate it, but I want to again say “Thank you!”

Deanne Johnson

COMMENTARY,
Deanne wrote this for me so we could put it on the Grouppe Kurosawa web site as a source of hope for others. One of the biggest problems with cancers of different types is the after surgery radiation or chemotherapy. There isn’t a cancer in the world that can be eradicated with surgery alone. After all, if you can’t see it, you can’t cut it out. Deanne used YUCKKO but only once a day. She is a small woman and didn’t need a larger dose. So far everything is working. But one of the reasons it is working has less to do with me than it does with Deanne. She follows the treatment protocol, including dietary concerns, with a passion that surprises even me. Deanne even takes coconut milk and her supplements with her on vacation, and refuses to eat certain foods even on special occasions. She is one of our bright and shinning stars.

YUCKKO is most effective if a large tumor mass has already been removed. Rather than using chemotherapy and radiation as follow-up treatment procedures, we recommend that people try YUCKKO immediately after surgery. If this proves impossible, we recommend YUCKKO be combined with a low chemotherapy dose. Some of the components in YUCKKO, such as the polyphenol EGCG, will enhance the effectiveness of the chemotherapy by blocking the establishment of resistance to the drug.

There is always reason for hope. In Deanne’s case, her husband was told that she had a maximum of five years to live. No one thinks that any more. The proverbial Sword of Damocles has been removed from Deanne’s neck, hopefully for forever.