Hi, my name is Alex. 2019 at age of 45 I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer (NSCLC). I was given only 3-6 months to live (more details here and here). Now, in Mai 2021 I’m healthier and happier than I have ever been before and live my life to the fullest.
This blog is meant to be my diary and a place to learn a little about fighting cancer, ketogenic diets, metabolic therapies, surviving and thriving.
The meaning of life is to learn: let’s learn to help and to support each other. Knowledge is power, especially if it comes to fighting cancer!
The handsome man you see behind me is my wonderful husband, Konstantin. If you follow me on Instagram @shinkai_shrine you maybe know him as the Qi Gong practitioner behind the scenes and producer of mysterious fermented Asian foods. He is my biggest supporter in my fight against cancer.
For a better orientation, here is my time line:
July 2019 – diagnosis non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stage 4 which has metastasized to the brain, bones, kidney and liver.
August 2019 – begin of targeted therapy called Alectinib.
September 2019- MRT scan shows small reduction in brain metastasis.
November 2019 – begin of ketogenic diet (nutritional ketosis, not yet therapeutic).
December 2019 – begin of Metformin.
January 2020 – CT scan shows 90% reduction of main tumor, brain metastasis almost dissolved.
June 2020 – scans show stable disease, kidney metastasis dissolved, but probably liver metastasis discovered, it was already seen at scans in July 2019, but taken for a cyst.
June 2020 – end of ketogenic diet, moved towards a more paleo-oriented diet, still no sugar.
September 2020 – wedding and 2 weeks sugary holidays (I have completely left keto for two weeks and enjoyed wedding cake, and more cake with my husband).
October 2020 – CT scan revealed reoccurrence on main tumor, kidney and probably liver. Progression was SMALL, unfortunately everyone panicked – me included.
October 2020 – tumor biopsy revealed a new mutation and resistance to Alectinib.
November 2020 – new therapy would be Brigatinib, unfortunately the costs were not covered by the insurance because of Loratinib which is first line therapy in such cases.
November 2020 – back to ketogenic diet, shifted into therapeutic keto, daily GKI tracking.
December 2020 – begin of Care Oncology Clinic protocol: Metformin, Atorvastatin, Mebendazole and Doxycycline.
January 2021 – change to Loratinib, another targeted therapy, but the last one currently available.
January 2021 – begin of monthly 3 days water fasts, this was not possible under Alectinib, my previous therapy, which had to be taken with food.
Mai 2021 – CT scan reveals shrinkage of lung tumor, otherwise stable. Brain MRT reveals 100% remission of prior brain metastasis, residue scar is gone .
Pretty cool and awesome, huh? 😀
Love and light
xxoo Alex