Cancer Diagnosis + Step 1

reikirosegold
Aug 17
3 min read

Cancer: The Beginning

Shortly after my son was born and began breastfeeding, I noticed a small lump in my right breast. Having experienced clogged ducts while nursing my daughter, I wasn’t overly concerned. Still, throughout that first year, I felt noticeably more fatigued, and just “off” - but I had an infant and a toddler so it was to be expected! Right….?

In August 2022, I asked my GP for a blood panel to investigate. Everything came back “normal.” He attributed my symptoms to hormones, breastfeeding, and my age (40), and advised me to get more rest and check in 6 months later.

The First Flag: Thermography

In September 2022, I went for a thermographic scan — something I’d been doing since my mid-twenties. At the time, I had not yet had a mammogram due to my age and the fact that I was breastfeeding. The scan flagged an area of concern in my right breast, but categorized it as non-urgent, likely hormone-related, possibly a clogged duct or mild mastitis. I was advised to follow up in 3–6 months.

Turning Point: A Full-Blown Infection

Exactly three months later, in December 2022, I developed a severe case of mastitis in the same breast. I went through four rounds of antibiotic shots and breast exams with five different doctors — at urgent care, with two general practitioners, and an OB-GYN.

When the lump persisted after the infection cleared, my GP — “out of an abundance of caution” — finally referred me for a diagnostic breast ultrasound. Unfortunately, due to post-COVID scheduling delays, the earliest available appointment was six weeks out.

I still wasn’t overly worried because everyone was reassuring me they didn't suspect cancer. Plus there was no history of cancer in my family, and I truly believed it was hormone-related, or residual inflammation.

A Shift in Momentum

In January 2023, while waiting for the ultrasound, I booked an appointment with a new OB-GYN. After hearing my story and performing a breast exam, she was alarmed. She insisted I drop everything and immediately call the Bedford Breast Center in Beverly Hills — a place she trusted and knew the head breast surgeon personally.

They got me in that same afternoon.

As soon as the ultrasound technician began the scan, I could see it in her face: this was not a clogged duct, hormonal imbalance, or stubborn mastitis.

The Diagnosis

A biopsy confirmed:

Right Breast (6:00): 5 cm High-grade Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) with necrosis and microcalcifications
Right Axilla: Micrometastatic carcinoma
Hormone Receptor Status: ER+ / HER2-
MammaPrint Result: High Risk

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Step 1: Heal My Body Immediately

During the wait for surgery, and while I weaned my son, I committed fully to changing my internal and external environment:

Eliminated all processed sugar, white bread/pasta, and fried food
Adopted a fully vegan diet and organic when possible
Started intermittent fasting
Cut out alcohol and significantly reduced caffeine
Immersed myself in research, reading everything I could find on healing cancer naturally

One of the most pivotal resources I found was Chris Wark — his book Chris Beat Cancer, his podcast, and especially his coaching program Square One were life-changing. I highly recommend starting here if you're newly diagnosed or supporting someone who is.

Following Chris’s experience and guidance, I created a long action list — including things like switching all my household and personal care products to non-toxic alternatives.

I also began working with an incredible Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in cancer.

He ordered advanced testing to uncover what might have created an internal environment conducive to cancer:

Vibrant Tox Burden Panel (to detect environmental toxins)
Gut Zoomer Test (to assess gut health and microbiome imbalances)

With his support, I began what felt like a million supplements — all carefully chosen to help detox my body and strengthen my immune system. This also included instructions to sauna 3x per week, start high dose vitamin C and glutathione IVs 2x/week, coffee enemas, juice fresh vegetables daily, and rotate a handful of healing teas.

Up Next

Choose an Oncologist
Lumpectomy Surgery

More of my story coming soon!