I wanted to find a way to create a deeper connection with my followers and provide more insights into the content I share on other platforms. I'm excited to give you all a closer, more personal look into my world—sharing insights from my life, my research, and work.

⬇️ What To Expect from First Touch 005⬇️

• 🔬Steps to Navigating a Diagnosis

• ❤️ Ways to Support the Mind & Body After Diagnosis

• 🍵Pique Tea Partnership

• 💡My Ins and Outs for the Month

Navigating a Diagnosis: Steps for a Clear Path Forward

Receiving a diagnosis can be one of the most stressful moments in a person’s life.

The uncertainty of what lies ahead, the fear of potential outcomes, and the sudden need to make complex decisions can feel overwhelming.

My role as a doctor is to bring expertise and experience amid a diagnosis. Whenever I see a new patient, I tell them the first step is to calm down. For most people today, cancer is not a death sentence. Healing is possible.

First and foremost, it’s helpful to understand what a diagnosis really means.

In the conventional medical system, diagnosis determines treatment. If there has not been an established treatment plan (ie: no one has created a drug for a condition yet), it may be deemed incurable, or the doctor might say the condition is lifelong. But this doesn’t mean there are no options for improvement or healing. It’s just the current medical standard.

For some, a diagnosis can be like casting a spell. In fact, many people tend to get worse after they are diagnosed, and I think this is because the body will always respond to what we are thinking. It accepts and manifests the limits we give it. I tell patients a diagnosis is essentially a label for a set of biomarkers or symptoms, nothing more. There’s no need to feel defined by it. The body is complex and resilient, capable of responding to many approaches. Healing is a personal journey, so we should never impose other people’s limitations on what our bodies can achieve.

I think before establishing any sort of treatment plan or making big decisions, it’s important to get in the right headspace. When we operate out of fear, we risk making poor choices because our judgment may be clouded. We have to come from a place of peace.

This can take some work and it can be challenging to let go of long-held beliefs, but our mind is powerful. What we believe about our body makes a huge impact on our outcomes:

1. Understand that your body is not fighting against you. This is true in every disease. For so many, cancer seems to be this unpredictable, uncontrollable force that strikes without warning. But I strongly believe that cancer is simply a response to inputs that are incompatible with our biology. Cancer is made up of your own tissues, it is not an invading organism. The body did not develop a mechanism to harm or kill itself. In fact, we can view cancer as the body’s attempt to actually restore itself. It’s rushing to build up new tissues and repair, but lacks the necessary elements (nutrients, oxygen, love) it needs to fully do so. I think once we understand this, our perspective on the diagnosis and treatment changes. We can take a deep breath, we are not at war with our body.

2. Understand that you heal your body—not your doctor. Healing ultimately lies in your hands. Although doctors provide guidance, no one can control how you eat, your daily habits, or what you think. It’s a large responsibility, but it’s also very freeing to know that you are in control.

3. A diagnosis is an invitation. I see health struggles as messages. The body is always telling us what we need and symptoms are an invitation for us to reflect and realign with our true selves. A diagnosis is an opportunity to examine areas of our lives—such as diet, environment, emotions, habits, and relationships—that may be out of sync with our authentic selves. We get to choose how we respond to this invitation.

4. Let go of guilt. While it’s important to evaluate your environment, we should not waste energy casting blame. The past can provide helpful insights to how we got here, but letting go of it is actually one of the most important steps to healing. We only have the power to change today and each moment is a fresh opportunity for renewal and positive change. Embrace the present and move forward with compassion for yourself.

5. Again, do not accept others’ limitations. Healing is possible. I think the most important factor in overcoming cancer is the belief that you can. It’s not discussed very much because we don’t have a scientific explanation for it, but spontaneous remission does happen. Healing “miracles” happen every day. I see great outcomes all the time at the center. This process will take a lot of effort and dedication. Understand that it requires commitment and a willingness to fight for your health. We have to have faith that good things will happen to us, but work as though our healing depends entirely on us.

Some general tips:

1. Get a second opinion. Medicine is an art and different doctors have different insights. For example, a surgeon will suggest surgery. It’s what he or she knows best. But someone else may have a different perspective and might suggest something less invasive like hormone therapy. Be open to what’s out there. You are not confined by one person’s opinion or a single approach.

2. Run comprehensive tests. In addition to standard tests for your specific diagnosis, it is also helpful to examine a metabolic, nutritional, and hormone panel to see what else could be a driving force. Nothing in the body is ever happening in isolation. It is a beautiful, complex system. Because of this, healing requires understanding the broader landscape of your health, not just the isolated symptoms.

3. Be your own advocate. In today’s world, it can be really confusing to know who to trust. But this is your journey and it’s your body. I think patients should be diligent and read as much as they can about their cancer and health. Research as much as possible and keep an open mind. I also think it’s okay to throw out anything that doesn’t resonate with you (for example, some information on WebMD can be really daunting). Ask a million questions, there are no dumb questions. Understand that your doctor works for you. And you can say no when something doesn’t feel right.

4. Get organized. Make a binder and print out important information, labs, treatment plans, financial statements, research articles, and studies. Take notes in all of your appointments. If you don’t want a physical copy of everything, the Notion app is great for organization.

What questions should I ask?

• Have you treated someone with this condition before and what were their outcomes?

• What are the potential causes or contributing factors for this condition?

• Are there different types or stages of this diagnosis? Where do I fit within that?

• What are my treatment options, and what does each entail?

• What are the risks of each treatment option?

• Do you receive financial incentives for prescribing a certain treatment? (This website is a great resource to see whether your physician is receiving payments from drug and medical device companies: OpenPaymentsData.CMS.Gov)

• Are there integrative treatments that could complement or replace conventional options?

• Are there lifestyle changes (diet, stress management, etc.) that could improve my prognosis?

• What should I be eating throughout treatment and recovery?

• Are there any foods or supplements I should avoid during treatment?

• Are there things I should avoid that could worsen my condition or interfere with treatment?

• How can I support my body through self-care or lifestyle adjustments?

• What is the expected progression of this condition with and without treatment?

• What signs or symptoms should I monitor, and when should I seek further medical attention?

• How often will I need follow-up appointments or tests?

• Are there indicators of improvement or decline I should be aware of?

• Where can I find reliable information to learn more about this condition?

• Are there support groups, counselors, or patient advocates that could help me?

• Is there someone I can contact if I have questions or concerns between appointments?

What should I look for in a doctor?

“A doctor can be taught medicine, but you cannot teach healing. The understanding of healing is earned by overcoming suffering. A sacred rite selected by nature. The path of the healer is both a heavy burden and a priceless gift from above.”

A doctor should never take lightly their role in supporting a patient. They have a profound responsibility, and should approach you with integrity.

Trust your instinct. The healing process is a long journey and it’s important that you feel a sense of trust and connection to the person guiding you through it. We each have the gift of discernment, so remember—you’re not obligated to follow advice that doesn’t resonate with you. Sometimes multiple different health practitioners with different expertise are needed to guide you.

A few things to look for:

1. Compassion and empathy. The best healers are usually those who have experienced their own health struggles.

2. A holistic perspective. I believe that integrative care is the most effective way to heal. We have to consider the entire terrain of the body that allowed cancer to develop in the first place.

3. Open to collaboration. Your doctor should be open to working alongside other specialists if it benefits your care.

4. Patient education. Your doctor should take the time to explain your condition and treatment options and willingly answer all questions.

5. Humility. Sometimes we don’t have all the answers. A good doctor will tell you if they are unsure and work to find the answer for you.

6. Flexibility in treatment. Seek someone who tailors treatment and is willing to adjust based on your progress and feedback.

A few red flags in a doctor: 🚩

1. Someone who does not ask about your personal life. Your relationships, your career, your childhood—all of it is essential to consider when you’re healing. Someone who neglects this is missing important insights into your health.

2. Someone who does not mention the role of nutrition or claims diet does not influence cancer.

3. Someone who claims your cancer was genetic, despite never conducting a genetic test.

4. Someone who isn’t open to questions or dismisses your concerns.

5. Someone who tells you to “watch and wait” without suggesting any diet or lifestyle changes.

6. Someone who gives you a rushed or overly aggressive treatment plan without explaining alternatives.

7. Someone who doesn’t follow up or show continuity in your care.

8. Someone who is unwilling to adjust treatments based on your feedback.

9. Someone who avoids discussing potential side effects of treatment.

10. Someone who seems rushed or distracted during appointments.

Ways to support your mind and body following a diagnosis:

1. Spend time in the sun each day. Get morning light on your face without any glasses or sunscreen. I always say it, but most cancer patients are vitamin D deficient. Sunlight provides the entire light spectrum including infrared light which has powerful healing properties.

2. Journal. Writing about our experiences forces us to organize our thoughts cohesively. This can help us to see what our most dominant thoughts are and uncover why we think this way. It is also a important form of self expression. I think letting it all spill onto the page can be very therapeutic.

3. Take warm baths with baking soda and magnesium. Cancer does not like warm environments. Heating the body can be a helpful addition to treatment. Baking soda increases carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, which can help to oxygenate tissues (cancer thrives in a low oxygen environment) and magnesium relaxes the body which adds to the therapeutic effect.

4. Spend time in nature every day. Nature is calming and walking barefoot on the grass or at the beach can significantly reduce inflammation. It’s also helpful to observe how balanced and perfect nature is. You are a part of this perfect balance.

5. Listen to Solfeggio frequencies. These ancient sound frequencies promote healing, relaxation, and emotional release.

6. Buteyko breathing. Buteyko breathing is a technique focused on controlling breathing to reduce over-breathing and increase CO₂ levels in the blood. CO₂ helps to oxygenate tissues, support metabolic health, and has a healing effect on cells. This method reduces anxiety, overthinking, and stress. The ButeykoClinic app is a great resource and can be found here: Apple and Google Play.

7. Tune into your body. Take a few minutes each day to close your eyes and do a body scan. Listen to what your body is telling you—notice areas of tension, discomfort, or ease. Healing means reconnecting with yourself.

What to read: 📚

The Cancer Revolution - My own book—It’s too long to share here, but I have information about cancer marker tests and treatment options. I hope it can provide helpful insights. ❤️

The Biology of Belief - Dr. Bruce Lipton

When the Body Says No - Dr. Gabor Maté

You Can Heal Your Life - Louise Hay

How to Heal Your Metabolism - Kate Deering

Becoming Supernatural - Dr. Joe Dispenza

Other Resources:

Strong Sistas Podcast with Georgi Dinkov

My Morning, Lunch, and Nighttime Protocols - connealymd.com

Raena Hormone Panel

Superpower Comprehensive Testing

On another note, happy November! It’s hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner.

This time of year full of delicious indulgences, but they often lead to digestive discomfort.

That’s why I love matcha!

Did you know matcha green tea has 30 times the antioxidant activity of blueberries? One cup is like drinking 10 cups of regular green tea!

It’s packed with benefits:

Catechin antioxidants for recovery

• Catechin antioxidants for recovery

• Chlorophyll for skin clarity

• L-theanine for calm energy

• Vitamins for immune support

Not all matcha is equal—Pique’s Sun Goddess Matcha is organic, ceremonial-grade, and quadruple toxin-screened for purity.

Its smooth, creamy flavor has made it my go-to during the busy holiday season!

🌟 To enhance your matcha experience, try Pique’s Pearl Beauty Creamer! 🌟 

It not only amplifies the benefits of your matcha but also supports radiant skin, boosts energy, and stabilizes the nervous system. Pique’s Black Friday special is HERE. For a limited time, get my favorite Sun Goddess Matcha with a Pearl Creamer FREE with your qualifying purchase. This is the only time you can get your hands on their Pearl Creamer. Act fast; this limited-time offering is sure to sell out! The offer ends November 9th.

Cheers to better health and a fabulous holiday season with Pique’s matcha and Pearl Beauty Creamer!

❗️ Click here to SHOP Pique Products ❗️ 

Ins & Outs of the Month

In:  📖 🤒 🧃 

• Prioritize prevention

• Become educated on your struggles

• Supporting your immune system

Out:  🏃‍♂️ 😶 ✋ 

• Following the masses blindly

• Scrolling instead of learning

• Plastic tupperware

Talk Soon,

❤️Dr. C