Cancer survivor battles disease with holistic medicine and humor
By Pam McGaffin

Not long after Sally Bozich was told she was dying of cancer, her thoughts turned to storage lockers, as in she had filled two of them over the last few decades and now she had only three months to clean them out.
 
The North Seattle grandmother has filled page after page with such random musings, many of them funny, during her journey since being diagnosed two and a half years ago with advanced colon cancer. Yes, two and half years. Turns out she didn't have to empty those lockers after all.
 
She credits her unexpected longevity to her treatment at a Seattle cancer center that blends innovative oncology with complementary therapies, including naturopathy, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. It also helps to have a good attitude and sense of humor, Bozich adds.
 
"My first oncologist said, in effect, 'We'll hold your hand while you die'," she says. "That's not me... You've got to hope, pray and think positive."
 
I call myself an internal toe tapper. It's hard for me to sit for very long.
 
The mother of six children and grandmother of 17, Bozich isn't one to idle. She has worked in restaurants, health care, as a small business consultant and many years as a public school teacher. Now retired, she amuses herself with her drama and tap-dancing groups and also enjoys running, singing and making up her own recipes.
 
Although both of her parents eventually died of cancer, both lived to almost 90, and Bozich herself has always been healthy. Feeling good, age 50 came and went without her getting the recommended screening for colorectal cancer.
 
American Cancer Society Guidelines call for men and women at average risk for developing cancer of the colon and rectum to be tested for polyps (growths) and early cancer beginning at 50. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer are advised to start testing at age 40, or 10 years before the youngest affected family member.
 
In November 2005, a regularly scheduled thyroid check showed that Bozich had elevated liver enzyme levels. Subsequent tests revealed a tumor in her colon and lesions in her liver, and she was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, the most advanced form of the disease.
 
"I had nothing, no warning signs," says Bozich. "It was kind of a surprise."
 
I called for the internal Haz-Mat team to... ream out the pipes and polish and shine the rest. I just picture it as a sanitized unit.
 
Unwilling to accept what amounted to a three-month death sentence, Bozich sought a second opinion. Her naturopath, Dr. Amanda Brimhall of Kirkland, suggested she check out Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center on Capitol Hill.
 
She did, and liked what she heard.
 
"The holistic approach to treatment, which considers a patient's whole life, including the physical, mental, social and spiritual, just makes so much sense," Bozich says. "They never said, 'We're going to cure you,' but they were positive and they listened to me and that's a big thing," Bozich says. "I know my body and I know what it does."
 
Under the guidance of Dr. Nick Chen, her medical oncologist, Bozich began a comprehensive treatment program that includes nutritional support, acupuncture and "metronomic dose" chemotherapy, in which drugs are administered in smaller, more frequent doses to minimize side effects.
 
The diet and supplement regimen Bozich follows is designed to boost her strength and immunity and ease side effects, while the acupuncture she receives from Chinese medical practitioner Darin J. Bunch promotes healing and increases liver and kidney function.
 
"Sally is completely dedicated to doing everything she can to heal herself," says naturopathic physician Heidi Lucas. "She's also really active in her life, and that helps too."
 
When Bozich started treatment in June 2006, her "cancer markers" were nearly 600, which is very high, she says. Now, they're down to 3.4, within normal limits, the liver lesions are gone, and scans show no sign of her colon tumor.
 
Medical oncologist Chen says he was extremely gratified to hear that Bozich was able to audition for and perform in a play during her chemotherapy.  "Sally's cancer, which was very advanced, has gone into complete remission," he says. "Everything has worked for her."
 
Bozich, meanwhile, continues to jot down in her journal the things that strike her as funny, insightful and life-affirming. Her entry on June 2, 2008 reads:
 
Today on my walk in my neighborhood, I saw four goldfinch, one eagle and, of course, the juncos who are making their home in my fuchsia on my patio. What a perfect day. Oh, there's a humming bird!
 
 

Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center is an affiliate of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a network of hospitals that integrate oncology with complementary and natural therapies. For more information and cancer-fighting tips, call (206) FOR HOPE (367-4673) or visit www.seattlecancerwellness.com.

Pam McGaffin of Moore Ink. PR, writes articles about important health, family and community issues for non-profit organizations.