When mum was 17, she bought a book titled ‘Natural cures for cancer.’ She didn’t know anyone who had cancer; she isn’t a hypochondriac (that’s me); she wasn’t studying medicine: she was simply interested.

Mum has been fascinated with health, particularly alternative health, for as long as anyone can remember. For us kids that meant a bag of raw vegetables for afternoon tea – when our friends were devouring iced buns. It meant broccoli with dinner – no questions. It also meant begrudgingly trying Chinese herbs, homeopathy and a myriad of other alternative remedies whenever we came down with something. But despite the eye rolling and scepticism – these oddball treatments worked.

We’d reluctantly dissolve Ledum tablets under our tongue, and watch as mosquito bites vanished; we’d laugh at our sulky bulldog covered in acupuncture needles and then marvel as she took off like a greyhound and my older brother and I came to rely on vitamin cocktails before long-haul flights.

Over the years mum’s research led her to stumble upon a host of anti-cancer ‘miracles’ from apricot kernels and white tea to purple plates and selenium. Armed with so much knowledge, mum has always said that if she ever gets cancer: she’s not having chemotherapy. But she never seriously thought she’d have to put her words into action.

That was until Mum was diagnosed with ovarian and uterine cancer in 2011 – both synchronous, primary tumours (which she attributes to her astrological chart: her Venus is in Gemini, ergo, everything happens in twos).

This blog will chart her alternative cancer journey; what it’s like to say ‘no’ to mainstream medicine and ‘yes’ to hydrogen peroxide and healing purple flames, the unexpected humour of treatment rooms and what to do if your dog gets cancer.

If you (or your mum, dad, sister, or pet) are undergoing conventional cancer treatments – don’t despair. This blog isn’t intended to dampen your spirit: quite the opposite. Most, if not all of the treatments and supplements mentioned can be used alongside chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Just don’t bother asking your oncologist about them.

The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the author, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.