Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis

I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in January of 2023.

My History with Traditional Medicine

I’d had some chronic health issues since childhood, such as chronic digestive problems and low energy, but my health got significantly worse by 2000.

I was eventually diagnosed with Chronic Lyme, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Biotoxin Illness (mold), MCAS, SIBO, and more.

My symptoms became severe enough that I was largely bedbound by 2005.

I initially saw mainstream doctors and quickly learned they were of no real help with my complex health issues.

I then found a Lyme-literate MD and Naturopathic doctor, and over the years made slow but steady progress in my health.

This Year Started with a Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis

By the time the cancer diagnosis came along, the severity of my health had improved enough that I was no longer bedbound, but still had many issues, and was definitely not thriving.

Receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis was incredibly terrifying, and given my previous experience with mainstream medicine, I knew I wanted to find a doctor who was experienced with alternative cancer treatments, to have any hope of surviving.

I am so thankful that my previous Naturopathic doctor knew of Anatara Medicine, and had another patient with breast cancer who was being treated at Anatara for a year already, who was doing extremely well.

I contacted Anatara immediately and had my first appointment two days later.

Avatar’s Testing Protocol For Stage 4 Cancer

Anatara ran extensive testing on me.

Nothing I hadn’t been tested for in my previous 20+ years of illness, however, Anatara differed by looking at everything all at once.

My previous practitioners tended to test one thing at a time, do some treatment for it, and later tested for something else, never capturing or treating the complete picture all at once.

Anatara also has some very advanced, powerful treatments I had not had access to with my previous doctors.

Anatara also recommended having my home tested for mold and referred me to an expert.

I am not a mold novice, having dealt with mold in our home in 2010, but I learned so much more in working with the expert I was referred to.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

I received many amazing alternative cancer treatments at Anatara, and as much as I didn’t want to use any mainstream cancer treatments, Dr. Herskowitz kindly and gently guided me to the mainstream treatments that were necessary in my case.

Using traditional chemo, combined with Anatara’s treatments, was a powerful combination, and in three short months I was cancer free! A PET/CT scan showed no evidence of disease. 

Chemo in Conjunction with Alternative Therapies

While my first round of chemo was quite hard, every subsequent round became increasingly easier.

By the 4th round I only experienced a bit of fatigue for half of a day, and no other side effects.

This was due to the amazing treatments I was receiving at Anatara.

Continuing the Protocol

While fully clearing my cancer in three short months felt like a miracle, I was concerned the cancer would come back.

I knew I hadn’t had time to address everything.

I had learned that with cancer there is often an emotional aspect that needs to be addressed for true healing.

I also hadn’t had time to address the mold issues identified in our home.

And sure enough, within two months the tumor began to regrow.

I was back in a place of fear, but I also now had the time to dig in and do everything I knew was needed to fully heal from the cancer.

During those first three months, and then again after the relapse when my fear was high, it was always so incredibly reassuring to be at Anatara.

I would walk into their office most days in fear and uncertainty, and within minutes of being there I would relax, feeling and knowing that I was in the best hands possible.

And, in highly capable hands.

Every time I walk out of Anatara, I leave feeling happy and hopeful.

The Anatara Team

Every single person in the Anatara Medicine office is so kind, smart, excellent at their job, and full of compassion.

You feel seen and heard, held, and taken care of by the entire staff.

Dr. Herskowitz has built an amazing medical practice, one that deeply reflects who he is.

An exceptional medical doctor, highly knowledgeable and skilled, compassionate, and full of care for his patients.

After my relapse my real work began.

Stage 4 Cancer to Cancer Free!

I started weekly sessions with both the amazing EFT practitioner at Anatara, as well as a medical hypnotist to address my underlying emotional issues.

I worked with the mold remediation company recommended by Anatara to remediate the mold in my home.

And as much as I didn’t want to do chemo again, I followed Dr. Herskowitz’s suggestion and I did a few more rounds of traditional chemo in order to knock down the tumors that had grown, and to then have them successfully removed by a surgeon.

I continued all the cancer treatments with Anatara during that time, and after four months I am once again cancer free! 

This time I don’t have that underlying fear that the cancer will return.

I have resolved so much of my emotional trauma from childhood that led to all my health issues, culminating in cancer.

I have also removed the mold from my home, and now it’s just a matter of proper maintenance.

I am continuing to work with Anatara Medicine to fully address and resolve my remaining health issues.

Thriving in All Aspects of My Life

I fully expect to not have only survived stage 4 breast cancer and remain cancer free, but to fully thrive in all aspects of my life.

I started this year in fear and uncertainty not knowing what the future would bring, and honestly whether I would survive.

I am ending this year feeling incredibly blessed by what has turned out to be THE most amazing journey of my life, and the most deeply healing year of my life.

I could not have gotten to this point, and through this very challenging year without the help, guidance, expertise, and care from Dr. Avhie Herskowitz and everyone at Anatara Medicine.