When people learn that Marilyn and I are choosing a rather more holistic approach to treating my cancer than they’re used to hearing about, most of them applaud our decision and often share an anecdote from their personal experience to support our choices. Many people think we’re courageous, though I hardly feel brave, and I’m sure some think we’re crazy, which just may be true. No matter the reaction, everybody is curious about exactly what we’re doing, so I’m going to walk you through a typical day around our little shotgun house on the Esplanade Ridge in New Orleans. Remember that our goal is to get my immune system cranking at full steam while alkalizing my diet to make the cancer cells in my body as unwelcome as possible. The way we are eating sounds very narrow and severe, and probably boring in conversation, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Weather permitting, I like to get up and out of the house fairly early for a morning walk and ideally, a stretching session in City Park. About seven blocks from our house, the park maintains the largest collection of live oaks in the world. Its morning soundtrack includes ducks, geese, and in these winter months, there is also a variety of pelicans, ibis, herons and white egrets.
Of course, just because I’m not touring at the moment doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in the office, so I still spend a certain amount of time with my laptop maintaining my business. One of the main goals this year is to reduce stress and pressure in every way possible, though, so I’m trying extra hard not to sweat the small stuff. I’ll be playing the occasional gig, but the overarching idea is to concentrate on healing and to follow the regimen we’re designing.
On the spiritual plane, I am doing my best to keep a peaceful demeanor, spending time in contemplation and cultivating an attitude of gratitude as my mother says. One of the most surprising of all the surprises this cancer has brought into our home is a pervasive sense of gratitude. Speaking with and hearing from so many others in similar situations, I am very grateful to be pain-free. We cannot begin to express our gratitude to all of you who pushed our Go Fund Me site to more than fifty percent beyond the original goal which will enable us to concentrate on healing for as long as necessary. We feel surrounded and protected every minute of the day by the uncountable thoughts and prayers that are being offered on our behalf. Thank you all for holding us in your hearts. Words alone can never say how much we appreciate your being on the team!
Anyway, here’s that schedule. Welcome to our world.
WAKE UP, FALL OUT OF BED . . .
~ Upon arising I drink a small glass of water with immune support
~ More water with mega-dose of vitamin C with herbal tinctures
~ Dry brush and shower or bathe
~ Rev up the slow juicer to make a couple shots of super-fresh wheatgrass juice
~ Continue making fresh vegetable juice using approximately 2/3 greens (kale, chard, spinach), carrots, cucumbers, celery and other veggies plus ginger, turmeric & lime juice.
~ Drink one tall glass of fresh vegetable juice.
~ Take immune support caps
MID-MORNING
~ Morning smoothie with coconut water, soaked chia seeds, ground flax seeds, almonds/walnuts, protein powder, kale or other greens, wild blueberries, pomegranate or raspberries
~ Take minerals with water or smoothie
~ Matcha tea
~ Vegetable juice
AFTERNOON
~ Lunch - nut butter with fresh veggies, a salad bowl, or left-overs from the night before with a salad
~ Vitamins & minerals
~ Mega-dose of vitamin C w/ herbal tincture
~ Matcha tea
~ More immune support
~ Almonds for snack
~ Vegetable juice
EVENING
~ Dinner - Definitely vegan (except for fish a couple times a week). We’re eating a lot of raw food, and it’s surprisingly delicious and adventurous!
~ Vitamins & supplements
~ Vegetable juice with immune support
~ Mega-dose of vitamin C w/ herbal tincture
GOOD NIGHT
So, what’s the result of all this rigamarole, you ask? Well, I have to say that all the symptoms that originally drove me to the doctor four months ago have disappeared. I’m resting well all night without interruption because my prostate has shrunk. Score one for our team! Our doc also says my bones no longer ache because the cancer has stopped pushing on the inside of the bones. When I get the sniffles, they disappear quickly, so I know my immune system is working better than a year ago. Now, I will admit to feeling weary some afternoons but, as our son André says, “Dad, you’re nearly seventy!” He’s got a point.
In any case, we are very encouraged and excited by my progress. I feel vastly better than when diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer at the beginning of September, and I plan to continue perfecting the regimen we have chosen. Thank you so much for taking this journey with us. We need you. We appreciate you. And we love you.
Spencer