Integrated Approach

The first appointment with Todd’s new doctor, an Integrated doctor went great and very different from being in the cancer center. Walking in and seeing the salt lamps and advertisements for healthy products and services. Just the environment of wellness made us feel comfortable.

In the patient room, there was a periodic table of marijuana strains, not typical of your doctor’s office and that was amazing to see. At that time we already knew some of the medicinal benefits of marijuana and had started the process for Todd to get his medical card. The doctor agreed it would be beneficial and the office completed their part. So this is how the process works: the doctor’s office submits their information to the Florida Department of Health, that appointment is a fee and I think it varies by doctor. Then you have to fill out the application online and pay a $75 fee (annually). Once you have been approved you will receive an email. You need to notify the doctor’s office that you have been approved and they input your recommendation into the system. There is not a specific prescription that is written, just the recommendation with maximum daily usage. These recommendations are 3 separate 70–day supplies. Then you have a certification visit every 30 weeks that is an extra expense each time. At the end of all that you are medically marijuana legal and ready to check out a dispensary. Different products are offered at each location. This whole process has been exciting to learn. Should probably do a separate blog about it all…

The doctor brought up the RGCC test and I was immediately excited! I remembered that name from a documentary I had recently watched, Remedy- ancient medicine for modern illness https://remedy.thesacredscience.com/ (this was the beginning of my docu-series/ webinar addiction). Great insight on the world of herbalism! Anyway, this blood test is sent to Greece and analyses your specific blood cells and cancer cells to determine the best treatments for YOU. However, it is around $3,300 for the test and we could not afford that. Our personal opinion is this is something insurance should cover and every Oncologist should have it done for their patients as a part of the protocol.

She suggested that we start with the G6PD (enzyme deficiency) and nutritional test. Both blood test and a good place to start to see if any supplements are needed. That cost was a little more reasonable and Todd had those drawn that day.

Other than the fact that this visit cost us a lot out of pocket, it went better than expected. We finally felt like a doctor is on the same page we are.