Alternatives Successfully Treating Patient Suspected of Advanced Lung Cancer

World War II Survivor Fighting the Odds

At Alternatives

From Alternatives Newsletter Fall 2009

Eighty-seven-year-old World War II survivor Maria Dresleris had surmounted difficult obstacles before, but when doctors said they suspected she was suffering from lung cancer, she had all but given up hope.  Today, Maria is much-improved after a twice-weekly regimen of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.  Read her remarkable story . . . .

Alternatives Successfully Treating Patient

Suspected of Advanced Lung Cancer

Maria Dresleris, 87, had faced difficult odds before.  The German immigrant, who moved to the U.S. in 1951, survived World War II unscathed, giving birth to her only child in a bomb shelter in September 1944.  Three months later her family had lost their business, home and all their possessions in a bombing raid.

Beginning a new life in the United States with her Lithuanian-born husband and daughter, Maria was healthy and active, working at the former Brandeis drug store for several years.  In fact, Maria was a stranger to the medical world.  “She had never had surgery and, in fact, had never had a medical exam,” said her granddaughter Michelle Spearry.

All that changed last fall when doctors who were treating cancer on her lip and addressing how to remedy a swallowing problem discovered a much more ominous sign.  “They found a large mass that encompassed about 75 percent of her left lung and had also invaded her left lymph nodes,” Michelle said.  (Maria went through extensive testing including blood work, X-ray, CAT scan, biopsy and PET scan, which determines the exact location of cancer.  The PET scan confirmed the cancer to be confined to her left lung and left lymph nodes.)

“Although the doctor was not able to get a conclusive biopsy, he suspected that it was cancer and offered radiation or chemotherapy for treatment,” Michelle said. “Radiation was quickly ruled out as an option because the mass was too large.” 

Maria, who already had been suffering from extreme fatigue and poor appetite, decided against a conventional treatment program.  “They told me that I would only have a 20 to 40 percent chance of recovering and that I would be very sick from the chemotherapy,” said Maria, who had smoked for years.  “I said, ‘Thank you.  Just make me comfortable.’”

Granddaughter Michelle, an alternative medicine advocate, had heard about Alternatives: A Center for Conscious Health, and made an appointment for Maria.

“My grandmother was exhausted and resigned to death,” Michelle said.  “She said, ‘I just want my energy back.’  Although she was reluctant to go to the clinic, she said ‘I will try this for you.’”

Maria started a weekly regimen of two, two-hour IV treatments of vitamins, minerals and amino acids in April 2009.  Almost immediately, after the first few treatments, Maria discovered that she was feeling better.  “And everyone said I was looking better,” she noted. 

“I noticed that her eyes were bright and she started to have more energy,” Michelle said.  Maria is sleeping only eight hours a night – rather than all day – she gets out more and is able to keep food down, according to her family.  One particularly revealing moment occurred on the way home from her Alternatives treatment program when Maria offered to run an errand with her granddaughter rather than opt to go home, as she always had wanted to do before. 

When Maria returned for a follow-up appointment with her lung specialist, the outcome of her visit shocked everyone.  The suspected mass on her lung was now the size of a pencil eraser.  “Everyone was thrilled,” Maria said. 

Dr. Ryan cautioned that no conclusive diagnosis of cancer had ever been made.  “All we know is that we gave the body minerals to alkalinize her system.  Cancer does not do well in an alkaline environment.  Some studies also seem to indicate that cancer doesn’t do well with high doses of Vitamin C.  Maria also was nutritionally deficient in protein so we replaced amino acids, the building blocks of life.  When you supply the body with what it needs, the body knows how to heal.”

Maria’s daughter, Fran Hermsen, who accompanied her mother to the follow-up testing, said that her lung specialist surmised that the earlier mass in her lung may have been an infection.  Maria and her family are not convinced, especially after the extensive testing.  “If they didn’t think it was cancer, why were her doctors suggesting chemotherapy?” Michelle asked.  Regardless, Maria and her loved ones are thrilled about the outcome. 

Daughter Fran said:  “Her lung specialist told us, ‘Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.’”