Podcast Summary: I AM HealingStrong Episode 113
Episode Title: Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Holistic Healing | Marlice Alves
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Host: Jim Mann
Guest: Marlice Alves
1. Introduction to Marlice Alves
In this heartfelt episode, Jim Mann welcomes Marlice Alves, a 66-year-old retired registered nurse and certified health coach, who shares her inspiring journey battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and transitioning to a holistic healing approach.
2. Early Life and Nursing Career
Marlice begins by recounting her early life in the Cape Verde Islands and her relocation to Rhode Island at age 10. As an only child, she developed a close-knit relationship with her two adult children.
Quote:
“I was born in Cape Verde Islands. I came to the United States when I was 10 years old... and I've been in Rhode Island ever since.”
— Marlice Alves [01:40]
Marlice pursued a career in nursing, dedicating 24 years to the neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Her passion for healthcare remained strong even after retirement, leading her to become a health coach.
3. Mother’s Colon Cancer Diagnosis and Initial Research
In 2007, Marlice’s mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. This pivotal moment sparked Marlice’s deep dive into cancer research, particularly focusing on the role of nutrition in combating disease.
Quote:
“What I used to tell my oncologist at Boston, I had a great relationship with him till I stopped my chemo. I said to him, it's a cookie cutter mentality.”
— Marlice Alves [18:12]
Despite her medical background, Marlice found conventional treatments lacking in nutritional support, which fueled her quest for alternative healing methods.
4. Transition to Holistic Healing
By 2015, after watching "The Truth about Cancer" documentary, Marlice intensified her commitment to holistic healing. She began implementing dietary changes, such as adopting a whole-food plant-based diet, juicing, and incorporating supplements like vitamin D3 and probiotics.
Quote:
“I started doing castor oil packages, coffee enemas. I started doing that because I knew I had to do some serious detoxifying.”
— Marlice Alves [26:07]
Her transformation inspired her to educate others, leading her to teach health classes at her church and eventually establish small groups focused on holistic living.
5. Marlice’s AML Diagnosis and Conventional Treatment
In late 2018, Marlice began experiencing persistent flu-like symptoms. Initially diagnosed with mononucleosis, further testing revealed she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), an aggressive and fast-growing cancer.
Quote:
“I just want to choke up because I remember looking up and just saying, God, help me keep my eyes on You. Jesus, help me keep my eyes on You.”
— Marlice Alves [15:22]
Faced with an immediate treatment plan, Marlice underwent an intensive 40-day chemotherapy regimen, during which she experienced significant side effects, including weight loss and a painful rash.
6. Choosing to Stop Chemotherapy and Embrace Holistic Methods
Despite achieving remission after the first phase of chemotherapy, Marlice became increasingly dissatisfied with the "cookie cutter mentality" of conventional treatments. Experiencing severe side effects, she made the courageous decision to discontinue chemotherapy in 2019.
Quote:
“I needed to eat some ice cream, some milkshake. I leaned back to him and I said, absolutely not. I said, what you're telling me is you're putting out the fire... let's throw some kerosene back in there.”
— Marlice Alves [21:40]
Marlice then fully embraced holistic practices, including dietary adjustments, juicing, raw food consumption, and various detoxification methods to support her body’s natural healing processes.
7. Establishing HealingStrong and Health Coaching
By 2022, Marlice had fully transitioned into her role as a health coach, certified to guide others through similar healing journeys. In 2023, she discovered the HealingStrong community and felt a divine calling to lead a HealingStrong Crew in Rhode Island.
Quote:
“So God's talking in my heart, you should become a leader. So I did. So beginning of 2024, I started a group in Rhode Island with a church that now attend Awakening Church in Smithfield, Rhode Island.”
— Marlice Alves [27:19]
Her group focuses on preventive health measures, education, and supporting individuals navigating cancer and other health challenges through holistic strategies.
8. Current Status and Reflections
Marlice is now in remission, with her hematologist affirming her recovery. She remains vigilant in maintaining her health through a balanced lifestyle and continuous education. Her experience underscores the importance of holistic approaches in cancer treatment and prevention.
Quote:
“Prevention is the best medicine... We have a lot of people in our group that has active cancer, but a lot of people just want to learn how to preventively walk this walk of health and wellness.”
— Marlice Alves [33:01]
Marlice emphasizes that her journey has come full circle, returning to her passion for helping others through her holistic health coaching and HealingStrong leadership.
9. Final Thoughts
Marlice closes by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share her story, highlighting her unwavering faith and dedication to supporting others in their healing journeys.
Quote:
“It's so rewarding. And that's something I always liked as a nurse, and now I continue to do it in a different approach, in a holistic approach.”
— Marlice Alves [30:34]
Contact Information:
For more insights and support, visit wellnesswithmarlease.com.
Key Takeaways
- Holistic Healing: Marlice’s story illustrates the profound impact of integrating nutrition and lifestyle changes alongside or in place of conventional treatments.
- Personal Advocacy: Despite medical training, Marlice’s proactive approach in advocating for her health highlights the importance of personalized care.
- Community Support: Establishing HealingStrong groups fosters a supportive environment for individuals seeking alternative healing pathways.
- Faith and Resilience: Marlice’s unwavering faith played a crucial role in her healing process, emphasizing the mind-body-spirit connection in overcoming adversity.
This episode serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that with resilience, faith, and the right holistic practices, one can navigate the most challenging health battles toward healing and empowerment.