On Tuesday I met with my Naturopath Dr Edith Vickers. I see her at her not for profit business IEP; she also leads the An Hao Clinic which is open to all individuals.  (IEP has several requirements to become a patient like diagnosed with cancer, HIV…etc.)

I am very happy to have Dr Vickers as a reference.  It was easy for me to trust her with her 10+ years experience as an oncology nurse and I agree with her holistic approach to healing the body.  It also helps that every one of my MD’s say, “I don’t think you need to see a naturopath but if you feel you need to see one I’d only recommend Dr. Vickers.”  

The way I became her patient was really just a fluke or perhaps destiny.  The IEP clinic was brought to my attention by my cancer therapist when I asked for an acupuncture recommendation.  This was days after I was diagnosed with lung cancer and pretty freaked out.  I was apprehensive about seeking care from my current acupuncturist, I wanted to see someone who specializes in cancer care.  After CAREFUL review of the IEP website I then applied to the program, which specializes in acupuncture, zen shiatsu massage, and naturopath care for cancer patients. I was accepted before the end of May.

IEP is very low key.  The clinic is $150 a month which includes: 2 acupuncture visits a week, shiatsu massage every-other-week, naturopath visits as determined by naturopath at a minimum once a month, and all herbs & vitamins prescribed by the naturopath.  (Thank you mom.)  As you can see this is VERY low cost per patient (FYI: going rate for acupuncture in Portland is a minimum of $60 a visit), that is why they don’t have a waiting room and you sign up for appointments using a pencil on a printed out excel spreadsheet.  This place is perfect for me.

On Tuesday I got several bits of information, not all warm and fuzzy, that I really needed to hear.  Thank you Dr Vickers!

I was concerned with not starting to feel better.  It had been nearly 2 weeks since my last treatment and I felt as if I had just peaked at feeling poorly.  She reiterated that radiation has a lag….not the 4-day lag my brain wanted but an actual 2-week lag to reach the peak.  Not only does it have a lag, the recovery takes a few days to kick in, which means you can stay at the peak of not feeling well for a few days.

Dr Vickers also kindly reminded me that a “full recovery” takes one year.  That’s 12-months or 365-days.  She wanted to make sure I had a clear understanding of what my body had gone through and for me to have reasonable expectations for my body.

It was nothing I wanted to hear but what I needed to hear.