My path to oncology nutrition and nutrigenomics began with my own cancer diagnosis.
At 29, I was diagnosed with a large malignant brain tumor, and overnight, my life changed. Suddenly I was supposed to understand cancer well enough to make life-altering decisions, and do so as quickly as possible, while the loving people in my life offered panicked advice.
At that time, I was a grant writer serving nonprofits. But following my brain surgery, I suffered vision impairments, seizures, balance issues, and cognitive delays. Unable to work; I didn't know what was next for me.
As I began treatment, I asked what I could do as a patient to improve my circumstances, and response to chemo and radiation.
To my disappointment, I was told there wasn't much I could do. That I just needed to "eat red meat and protein powder" so I didn't lose weight.
I went straight home to do my own research. I knew nutrition had to be more important than they were admitting. What started as a defiant quest to improve my circumstances, led to a return to school to study nutrition, specializing in oncology and epigenetics.
It was a long road, but by improving the function of my body's systems and using targeted nutrition therapies, I have recovered fully, and I am currently free of disease.
(I cannot leave out the importance of other modalities which brought me back to myself: physical therapy, vision and speech therapies, counseling, and somatic work.)
And one very special "unofficial" therapy dog: Harvey.
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Nutrition is not a cure.
However, targeted nutrients from food and supplementation can repair the dysfunctional body systems which allowed cancer to develop and survive.
I utilize diet, lifestyle, and environmental assessments, functional lab testing, and bloodwork, taking into account the risk factors for your type of cancer, to create a custom protocol to support you.
As a certified Oncology Nutrition Consultant (ONC) and Nutrition Genome Analyst, my mission is to empower you with data and science-backed recommendations, whether you'd like to improve overall health, you're undergoing treatment, or in remission.
Together, we work to repair the dysfunction and give you a guide to long-term health based on your personal goals and needs, and cancer type (if applicable.)
I'm here to walk beside you as you navigate changes and offer informed, non-judgmental care and support.
