I have what I hope is a very inspiring story to tell of my experience with malignant melanoma. First, a bit of my history. I lost my daughter Cathy, 21, in May 1999 to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma after a four-year battle. The first two years was with the "best" conventional medicine with us doing everything the doctors asked, with no thought of "alternatives." Nothing worked and the doctors basically told us to take her home and enjoy what time she had left. We found a naturopathic doctor who put her on natural supplements. There was an immediate, literally overnight, improvement in her health and she had an almost normal life for about a year. She started college part-time. BUT, she started slacking off on the pills and was eating and drinking things she had been told not to. But she had been feeling so good for a period of time now and felt she didn't need to be so careful. (But I can only second-guess her reasons.) Whatever, after holding the cancer at bay for a year, it slowly started again and eventually took her life. I will NEVER stop feeling the pain of losing my daughter, BUT she is now my guardian angel and part of the reason I still walk this earth..

I found an ugly mole on the back of my upper right arm in late February 2001. I immeditely suspected melanoma. On April 12 (the same day we had been told of our daughter's cancer in 1995) I was told the bad news that it was 4th stage melanoma and was referred to Pittsburgh. By the way, I also had a second stage site on my upper back. I basically was given a 50-50 chance of getting well. At the Pgh. consultation surgery was scheduled for one month later. I couldn't believe how long it was taking to get through the "system." However, that one-month wait changed the course of my life.

After punching in melanoma on the Web, I read about black salve and colloidal silver. I didn't really believe what I read but then learned neighbors in my area were using both. The surgeon in Pgh. didn't mind my using the salve, but said it would not change his plans on the surgery. I also started praying for a doctor to get me through the mess I was in. I really didn't know what I wanted. My prayer was answered with a phone call to turn on the radio to listen to Dr. James Winer. It's a call-in show and I couldn't get through but the friend who called me did and I listened to her and him discussing my situation. And I was hooked. I just knew this was the way I would go. And I cancelled the surgery (five days off) that same day, even before I met him. And I was in his office a day and a half later (which was another miracle--as it usually takes 6 weeks to get an appt.). Dr. Winer muscle-tested me and said the black salve and colloidal silver were working and to keep using them. He also put me on a vegan diet (go to www.hacres.com) and natural supplements to boost my immune system. I started all this on June 1 and on October 1 he declared me cancer-free. It's nearly two years later now and I remain healthy. All this with no surgery and no chemo or radiation.

I am now 60 and feel like 30. I thank God for my faith in my decision and my resolve to stick to the diet (a major life-change). I was never once afraid of my decision to turn away from conventional medicine. My daughter has left me know she is still a part of my life. I have seen her four times since her passing. My diet will remain vegan the rest of my life. I also stay away from all soy.

A word on Dr. Winer (www.drjameswiner.com). He is a chiropractor/nutritionist and treats disease by correcting the CAUSE rather than treating the SYMPTOM (tumor) which is what conventional medical doctors do. Once you provide the body with healthy food along with supplements, if necessary, the body will rid itself of the illness.

I welcome any questions from readers of my story. Email me at shebasmom@alltel.net

Glenda Burns
8/23/03