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 TESTIMONIAL
Bob DiStefano, Managing Director, Health & Wellness Foundation
ASK ME IF I BELIEVE IN ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
August, 2008
THE FOLLOWING FACTS OCCURRED WITH ME PERSONALLY.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL AND
THESE DOCUMENTED FACTS ARE NOT MENTIONED TO INFLUENCE ANYONE
TO DO WHAT I DID. I CAN ONLY ADVISE THAT YOU CONFER WITH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO DETERMINE WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU.
June – July, 2007
To begin with I must say that I have been extremely
“health conscious” for years and fortunate enough to have
enjoyed better than average health for about the last 40
years. This changed during the months of June & July, 2007, as
I started to experience a urinary problem. I had the urge to
urinate frequently, especially at night, but little to no
fluid was excreted. I visited my primary care physician who
referred me to a very reputable Urologist in Delray Beach,
Florida. After a series of tests including x-rays and scans a
bladder mass was discovered. A cystoscopy was scheduled to
further investigate the problem.
August, 2007
On August 14, 2007 (the day before my 74th birthday) I
underwent the procedure. It was determined that my ureters
(the two tubes that run from the kidneys to the bladder) were
completely obstructed. Due to the obstruction on both sides,
the doctors could not access my bladder and obtain the
necessary biopsies. In addition, the doctors were not able to
place stents in my uterers. The goal at that time was to
stabilize and preserve my kidney function which was
deteriorating rapidly.
After 4 days the stents were successfully inserted through a
subcutaneous nephrostomy procedure. I spent a total of 1 week
in the hospital. Due to my complicated clinical presentation I
was referred to a top Urological Team in Miami to further
examine this problem. The referred physician’s credentials
were excellent which included his association with the Jackson
Memorial Hospital, the University of Miami and the Miller
School of Medicine. I was comfortable with the fact that I was
with one of the best and in good hands.
September, 2007
On September 19, 2007, I underwent another cystoscopy
in Miami. The doctors were successful in obtaining 15 slides
for biopsy. The doctor also determined that I had a large
irregular shaped tumor in the bladder wall “about the size of
a fist!” “The biopsies results would take a week to 10 days.”
Without volunteering my intentions with the examining doctors
I immediately started treating myself with alternative
therapies including UV Light Therapy, Covalent Silver and a
variety of herbs. I also contacted a friend of mine, Dr.
Leonard Haimes in Boca Raton, FL. Dr. Haimes is a MD that
specializes in Alternative Therapies, such as Chelation,
Vitamin drips, etc. Dr. Haimes started to administer Vitamin C
Infusions, Ozone Infusions and Homeopathic Injections to
further stimulate the immune system.
When my biopsy results arrived I scheduled another appointment
on September 27th to further discuss my problem. At that time
I was advised that I had a “very high grade, high stage
cancerous tumor.” The Urologist recommended I immediately
begin a 4 month course of Chemotherapy/Radiation followed by a
complete removal of my bladder. I was told there were “no
guarantees that these treatments would be successful” and “I
should immediately prepare myself and put my personal affairs
in order.”
I opted not to follow the recommendations as outlined. Rather,
I chose to continue an aggressive course of action utilizing
several alternative therapies I was familiar with. I also
received a letter from the Urologist dated September 27,
confirming the diagnosis. After a discussion (and frankly, for
me to personally extend the time for my Alternative Therapy
procedures) we agreed that I would undergo a Colonoscopy to
confirm that the cancer was not in my colon, but in the
bladder only. Further, it was mentioned that I might want a
“second opinion” and if so they would establish a visit to
Memorial Sloan-Kettering. I indicated that I would think about
it and if I choose to accept a second opinion I would probably
want to go to the VA hospital in Miami as I am a veteran
having served 4 years in the Navy.
October, 2007
On October 4, 2007 I received an additional letter
indicating that a second and confirming diagnosis had been
received from John Hopkins University. Their laboratory also
confirmed that I had a “very high-grade tumor”. I was again
urged to “put all other affairs in my life aside” including
scheduling an appointment for a colonoscopy and to immediately
begin their treatment procedures.
I elected to wait and continue to “buy” some more time with
the Alternative Therapies I was using. (Again, please be
advised that this is not to suggest, recommend or influence
anyone to do what I did, as this was my personal decision and
my risk). On October 17th I underwent the Colonoscopy
procedure. The results were that my colon was “polyp free”.
November, 2007
In early November I asked for a second opinion and the
Miami VA was selected. After several pre-op visits with the
Urology Department, another cystocopy was scheduled for
December 5, 2007.
December, 2007
At the conclusion of the cystoscopy on December 5, I
heard the doctor tell my wife that “there was no sign of a
solid mass tumor,” in the bladder. Eight (8) biopsies were
taken and the results would be available in about 10 days. On
December 14th I visited with the lead doctor. He reported that
the biopsies were all “negative for malignancy” and “negative
for dysplasia or neoplasia”.
Obviously it was one heck of a Christmas Present for my wife
and me. I used to think about and wonder how and why I ever
became so involved and passionate with the Foundation and
Alternative Therapies, especially after spending 45+ years in
the financial field. Now I know and it’s called FATE. It saved
my life!
January, 2008
On January 30, 2008 I was scheduled for an additional
procedure including removing the stents, if possible. During
that procedure one stent was removed and one was replaced and
was to be removed at a future date. Another biopsy was taken.
February, 2008
On February 27, I went to my scheduled appointment at the VA
Hospital in Miami. I was again diagnosed as “negative for
dysplasia or neoplasia”. I am to be scheduled with a future
appointment in about 60 days for a further examination,
biopsy, and to consider removing the remaining stent.
July, 2008
On July 16, I had a “procedure” performed at the University of
Miami Hospital (formally “Cedars”). At that time they removed
the second and final stent and not only did they take a biopsy
of my bladder, but my prostrate as well. On July 24, my doctor
called and told me that the results of the biopsy indicated
that both my bladder and prostrate were “cancer free”. He also
indicated that “he had no words to explain the results.” I say
“God Bless Alternative Therapies”, those that developed them
and those that practice them!
August 1, 2008
On July 31, 2008 I underwent a full abdomen CT Scan at the
University of Miami Hospital and Clinics in Miami. My liver,
gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, adrenals and lymph nodes were
examined. The results indicated they “appeared normal” and
there were “no signs of any cancer.”
February 20, 2009
Examination results again noted there are “no indications
of any cancer.”
July 30, 2009
On this date I again underwent a full abdomen CT Scan at the
MRI Clinic in Boca Raton, FL. My liver, gallbladder, pancreas,
spleen, adrenal and lymph nodes were examined. The results
again indicated that they “appeared normal” and there were “no
signs of any cancer.”
Bob DiStefano, Managing Director
Health & Wellness Foundation
www.servinghumanity.org
info@servinghumanity.org
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