#6 of the Top Ten Tour: Overcoming Cancer Fears: Emphasizing Healthy Living & Faith | Kathy Gilkey
This is a Healing Strong podcast episode featuring Kathy Gilkey, a Florida-based follicular lymphoma survivor. Kathy was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in 2017 after finding a lump under her arm. She declined chemo and radiation, instead following a protocol from a fire captain whose wife had stage four kidney cancer: 100 days of juicing (about 90% greens with apple), no solid food. Her tumor shrank from a 4 to a 1, and her oncologist told her to keep doing what she was doing. After moving from California to Arkansas, the stress and emotional upheaval of leaving her home church and community led to depression, and the cancer returned as a spinal tumor. She did 10 rounds of radiation but had a severe reaction when starting chemo (throat closing, numbness) and stopped, returning to diet-based healing plus emotional/inner healing counseling. She's now been in remission for three months, with oncologist visits every six months. Other points covered: she still juices (using an inexpensive Black & Decker juicer, running pulp through twice for more yield), largely avoids sugar and carbs while having added back some meat and fruit, and her husband hasn't adopted her diet but is supportive and healthy in his own way (they cook separate meals). Her background as a florist exposed her to chemical sprays, and she later became a church counselor. She's now launching a new Healing Strong support group in Englewood, Florida, hosted at a faith-based community facility called EPIC. She closes by encouraging newly diagnosed listeners with Jeremiah 29:11 and a message of trusting God and avoiding negativity. HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more. Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey: Support Group Directory Holistic Curriculum - Participant Guide Support Our Mission - Donate Additional Health Resources Listen to Previous Episodes Website: healingstrong.org
