Story

A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
Mary Ellen Elggren
December 15 , 2023

In January 2020 a large tender lump suddenly developed in my left armpit. A biopsy showed breast cancer in the lymph nodes, but tests showed no primary tumor. In March 2020 eleven lymph nodes were surgically removed. At the same time the covid epidemic began to rage, so no visitors were allowed in the hospitals. Recovery was difficult and lonely. In June, I began radiation treatments, and experienced strange new rules governing hospitals and the constant wearing of a mask.

July 2020 brought a flood in our basement requiring me and my family to work through 48 hours with no sleep. I became very ill; my dear husband John and son Jay rushed me to the emergency room. I nearly lost my life to e-coli poisoning that in hours had developed into severe sepsis. Recovery included a thorough examination for organ damage, which revealed three occluded arteries in my heart. I was on the verge of a massive heart attack, so sepsis, which nearly killed me, may also have saved me. Still no visitors were allowed in the hospital, but a kindly resident arranged to smuggle John and son Chris into the hospital to give me a priesthood blessing. I underwent triple by-pass open-heart surgery on August 10. Recovery from this surgery was the most difficult I have ever experienced, and no visitors were allowed to give comfort.

When I returned home, my recovery was complicated by persistent atrial fibrillation. Three times I was hospitalized to stop it. The third time, not even electric shock could defibrillate my heart. I was transferred by ambulance from LDS Hospital to IMC Hospital. As the attendants lifted me out of the ambulance, they fumbled, and the gurney dropped hard to the ground. “Good work fellas, maybe that will stop this heart from pounding on my ribs.” But no. After a moment, my heart continued to leap about in my chest. After three lonely and sleepless nights in the hospital, I heard news that another local hospital was allowing each patient one visitor. I prayed that IMC would do the same. A few minutes later my sweet husband came through the door. John reached out and touched my arm, and the atrial fibrillation immediately ceased. I heaved a great sigh of relief, as the nurse came running down the hall, “Mrs. Elggren, the a-fib has stopped!” Oh yes!

Soon I was scheduled to begin rehab exercises. John transported me, but due to hospital restrictions he had to wait in the lobby. As I was beginning rehab, the a-fib returned with a vengeance. I was immediately placed on a gurney, and an emergency team was called to transport me to the main hospital building. The attendant asked if my husband was nearby and could he get him. “Yes, and yes” I pleaded. John came, put his hand on me, and the a-fib stopped. Rehab and recovery went well after that with only one more obstacle ahead. A few weeks later, one of the three bypasses failed. However, a new medication had proven effective for this condition, and was certainly preferable to another surgery.

Annual mammograms showed no evidence of breast tumors, but in September 2022, I began to have discomfort. By Christmas I became concerned, but it was the holidays and no time to worry. In January I called, but an appointment wasn’t available until February. At that appointment the surgeon was called. Again, I waited for an appointment. By then I was pretty sure I would need to have a double mastectomy. The surgeon confirmed my fear. The surgery took place on April 6, 2023. Afterward, the surgeon called and said my case was being reviewed by the tumor board (a group of specialists) to determine how to proceed, but after weeks the specialists could not agree. I was scheduled to see the oncologist on May 4. The night before that appointment, a friend put a book on my doorstep, The Gerson Therapy. I couldn’t sleep that night, so I opened that book and began to browse its 400 pages. I took the book with me to the oncologist the next day.

John and I did not have long to wait. The oncologist came into the room with his assistants in tow and proceeded to tell us that he had studied my PET scan, and that my cancer had metastasized to my other organs. If I did nothing more, I had 6 to 12 months to live. “What more can be done?” John asked. The doctor looked directly at me. “We could maybe extend your life an additional year with aggressive chemotherapy, but your quality of life would be severely impacted.” With these two very dark choices before me, I knew that God had sent my friend as an angel of hope. I held up the book my friend had left at my door, and I asked if this could be a third choice. Our conversation proceeded: “How much time do you need to try it?” “I don’t know, maybe six weeks.” “…and then what?” “…and then would you do another PET scan to see if there is progress?” “Yes, let’s set the appointment now for July.” I went home not knowing even how to begin.

The next day, another angel of hope showed up at my door carrying bags of organically grown carrots, apples, dark lettuces, green peppers, red cabbage, oatmeal, and a box containing her cold press juicing machine. With a cheery smile she said, “I am here to take over your life for a little while, if you’re willing. I can’t promise anything, but it worked for me. Shall we see if you can make it work for you?” Those are key words. I had to learn how and, most of all, be willing to make it work for me. No more sugar, meat, dairy, flour, etc. She supplied me with the many needed supplements until my own could be ordered. We shared her juicer until mine was delivered. She gave me her time and her love.

Initially it was a full-time job, and I had to learn the cleansing process, but I knew within days that something miraculous was happening to my body. I also knew that Heavenly Father had arranged it all. He knew that I wanted to live, and that I would make use of an extended life. My brother, a renowned physician, counseled me, “If traditional medicine can’t help you, and you have found an alternative, go for it, and how can I help?” My uncle asked if he could buy the juicer for me; he said to get a good one that will last a long time. My faithful John equipped our house with a special filtered shower head, a filtered kitchen faucet, a distiller with which he keeps me supplied in the distilled water I need to prepare my food, an electric portable cooler that also plugs into the car, so I can travel with my organic vegetables, fruits, and my juicer with me wherever I go. Many friends have offered their help in wonderful ways. A dear friend got me out of bed many mornings to help walk her dog. My recently widowed sister-in-law called to say she needed help exercising her horses. I spent hours with her every week riding in the beautiful Oquirrh Mountains.

This experience has taught me what love really is. I have come to love my husband, my family, and friends as I never have before. I am so grateful to Father in Heaven and to our Savior, Jesus Christ, for another chance at life and my 79th Christmas to enjoy.

P.S. In July, I got the PET scan, and I knew my oncologist would find improvement, but he surprised me when he said, “I’ve studied your PET scan, and there were no pings.” John gasped, “WHAT? Are you saying she is cancer free?” “YES” was the unexpected reply. In eight weeks, I went from stage 4 terminal cancer to being cancer free. A few weeks later I had an echocardiogram that showed a completely healthy heart. In October, instead of dying, I was on horseback with my darling sister-in-law participating in the buffalo round-up on Antelope Island. Even in very difficult times, life can be joyful. Yeehaw!