Dust and Deep-Cleaning
We’ve always been team no radiation, no chemo. If his cancer ever came back, we’d dig our heels in, and it would be a hard pass. When Troy’s glioma was upgraded from a 2 to a 3, the standard care of treatment was radiation and chemo, and the next thing we knew, we were sitting with an oncologist, discussing treatment second second-guessing our choices in life. For them, it’s a no-brainer. (no pun intended!) For us, it’s a living nightmare, and the level of fear that crept in is indescribable.
“It’s life or death.”
“What if it works?”
“But what if it doesn’t?”
“Do we try it?”
“What about the side effects?”
“What if it works, but then I’m left with no quality of life?”
Timing is everything with cancer. Surgery needs to be done “soon.” Then, hurry up and wait for what’s next. But what is that?
Go, go, go stop! Slow, slower. Go, go, go! Wait. Now GO!
The hourglass is draining, better hurry up and decide!
This urgency swirled like a dust devil all around us, blinding and choking. Our thoughts were like the Wild West, unbridled and running out of control. There is so much to consider and think about, yet no time to do either.
Once the dust settled, Jesus called us back to him.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. ~Isaiah 26:3
No decision, either currently or in the future, will be made from fear. Only through prayer and peace.
I’m diving deeper into reading and researching cancer than I thought I ever would. It’s completely overwhelming. So many lives are devastated by this disease, and the more I learn, the more I feel the weight of it. It’s heartbreaking to see how cancer doesn't just attack the body but slowly chips away at a person’s spirit. Countless people endure round after round of chemotherapy, only to be left weak, sick, and emotionally drained. The side effects alone are enough to break someone, and then there's the financial burden—tens of thousands of dollars for treatments that often offer no guarantees. It made us stop and truly question the path that’s so quickly and widely accepted. “While cancer is not contagious, it is unquestionably the bubonic plague of our day.” ~Dr. Nasha Winters
Here are some staggering statistics:
Cancer directly affects half of the US population. Half! Everyone knows someone.
1,600 patients die each day. Then the day after that, and the day after that….
In 2015, there were 1.5 million new cancer diagnoses.
The average cost of a new cancer drug is $100,000 per year.
In 2010, 40% of patients depleted their savings.
Half of all men and over a third of women will develop cancer in their lifetime.
Not to mention…
The toll on emotional & mental health.
This is often the heaviest part — and the least visible.
Anxiety and Depression:
Facing a brain cancer diagnosis, especially when labeled incurable but slow-growing, brings profound uncertainty.
Fear of recurrence, progression, or decline
Grief over physical or cognitive changes
Identity Struggles:
Loss of independence or control
Frustration with not being able to work or care for family as before
Strained self-esteem due to physical or mental side effects
Caregiver Stress:
Loved ones often carry the emotional weight too — juggling support, appointments, communications, and physical care
Many caregivers experience burnout from neglecting their own needs, especially during long treatment periods
Still, we pray.
The standard chemo care for Troy’s type of cancer will be debilitating for him. The chemotherapy is for one full year, with three types of drugs. There’s the risk of stroke, anorexia, shingles, liver failure, anemia, pneumonia, and neuropathy, and there can be no affection towards the children and I, or intimacy because the drugs can be present from 48-72 hours. According to the study given to us by his oncologist, and the oncologist verbally confirming so, radiation and chemo will not take his cancer away. It will only extend the amount of time between his surgery and growing back, and because there are too many factors to consider, they can’t give a definitive prognosis.
Through hours of research, late nights reading testimonies, and praying for clarity, we found ourselves drawn to a more natural approach. One that seeks to nourish the body rather than poison it. One that offers a sense of peace and hope instead of fear and dependency. It’s not the easier road—there are critics and uncertainties—but it feels right for us. It's a choice we made with open eyes and open hearts, for healing that goes beyond the physical and a journey that honors the whole person, not just the disease. We swept and mopped. Now it’s time to deep-clean with nutrition and non-toxic biological therapies.
With each subsequent post, I’ll update you on our progress in meeting these needs. For transparency, you can click on each link, and it should take you directly to the source, where you can contribute online using his account number.
The total estimated goal we are trying to raise is $12,000.
This should cover all the items below with a small buffer for anything else that may arise, like additional supplements or increased IV care. I have not listed his ENT or Audiologist. Both are outside of St. Luke’s, and we’re not sure what insurance will cover for the appointment and earplugs, so this estimate can change.
If you’d rather donate through Venmo (@StephanieHdb) or PayPal at sheconsiders@gmail.com, I’ll send you a receipt for how your donation was used.
For now, we have decided against creating a GoFundMe. There is a transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per donation and 5% for reoccurring donations, however, we may change our minds later.
IV Therapy. This is a priorty! High-dose vitamin C helps keep his immune system strong while undergoing radiation, keeping the cancer away! The first visit to establish care is $450, with each dose being $199. There is a package of 10 treatments for $1791 that saves 10%. Ideally, he should go in twice a week. It’s not ideal, but we could stretch this out to once a week, every other week.
Troy’s Recovery Wish List on Amazon. I made some updates for what our naturopath prescribed. Thank you to those who have already purchased items!
Integrative Cancer Specialist—$750 for first visit, individualized written protocol, and second visit.
Hoxey Bio Medical Center- Estimated cost is $6550. This includes accommodations for the hotel, food, flights, passport, rental car, and treatment. We would like to go in June.
Anestesia Associates of Boise, Account # 8480598, $833.02
Canyon County Ambulance District, Run # 24-13902. $1039.00
Boise Radiology Group, Account # BRG748704, $479.00
Natrupath for palliative care. ($237) Need Met. Thank you!
Rec Center Membership for muscle strength. Need Met. Thank you!
Vibration Table for Lymphatic Drainage & Circulation Need Met. Thank you!