conditions.

MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

This auto immune condition was diagnosed in 2006. At the time I was very fit and active, and was regularly competing in New Zealand kickboxing competitions. I started feeling tired all the time and my limbs were growing weak. I thought I was over-training and when I went to the doctors was misdiagnosed with bell’s palsy. A few weeks later I was unable to smile or talk properly and had a second opinion from a GP who also diagnosed bell’s palsy before referring me to Waikato Hospital. It was here that it was confirmed I had Myasthenia Gravis - my immune system was attacking my own body.

I had IVIG (white blood transfusions), was put on prednisone to get me up and about again, and azathiorprine - an immune system suppressant. I had an enlarged thymus gland with a benign tumour which was removed in 2007 via keyhole surgery. We found the azathioprine was the most effective drug to control the disease and I let a relatively normal life. No-one would have been able to tell I had a condition.

From 2007 - 2017 I relapsed twice - both times trying to come off the medication. At worst, the Myasthenia affects my ability to swallow, walk, talk, and use my limbs.

When I was diagnosed with the cancer, I came off the azathioprine as I needed my immune system to be at full strength. This came with many complications and I spent the following years navigating through the ‘middle road’. Too much attention on the cancer and the Myasthenia could kill me… yet if I kept suppressing the immune system the cancer would continue to grow. I relied on IVIG to manage the Myasthenia and believe being in ketosis strengthened my body.

CANCER

Several large left lung masses were diagnosed as stage 4A (type AB) cancer. It was thought that maybe a piece of the benign tumour was left there from 2007. We know that there was no tumour in 2014 (as that was when I had a xray taken) so sometime between 2014 and 2017, the tumours had grown at a rapid rate.

We asked my oncologist not to give me a ‘due date’ as we knew that words have power and I could have quite easily started to believe it. I needed to believe that I was going to live. And nobody knows our time but the father.

Operating was not an option as the cancer took up too much of my chest so I prepared for non-curative chemotherapy. I purchased new outfits and almost cut my hair before I lost it. But there were some huge issues that just didn’t sit right with me. The hope was that chemo would give me a bit longer, but it would drastically impact my quality of life. The side effects from the chemo drugs I was offered included: tinnitus, vomiting, numbness, lowered immune system, weakness, shivers, hair-loss, nail loss, heart palpitations, ulcers, and pain. And we were only looking at a few more months to add onto my life expectancy (within the year). I didn’t think that was a good option when I had two teenagers and a newborn baby at home… I needed to live and was determined to find an alternative treatment.

A few weeks after my oncologist appointment, I had a routine appointment with Dr Matthew Phillips for the Myasthenia Gravis. This was heaven-sent as Dr Phillips was probably the only neurologist in New Zealand who was doing ketogenic trials in neurological disorders. When we told him about my diagnosis, he suggested we consider the ketogenic diet and fasting, and introduced us to Deborah Murtagh (nutritionist).

After extensive research into all options we decided to forgo chemo and take the alternative approach. We enlisted the help of Matt and Deb, and spent the following years doing keto and fasting. I kept records of my ketone testings (on average 3x a week), had a CT scan every four months, and was in regular contact with Matt.

Two years on we were winning. I was still alive and the cancer had not grown without the use of any conventional cancer treatments - just keto, fasting, and a whole lot of prayer. In October 2019 we found out the tumours had shrunk to a small speck post a near-death experience.

In May 2020 Dr Matthew Phillips published my medical case study.