Walking by faith through stage 3 colon cancer

SEELEY LAKE – When Joel Roesner was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in October 2019, he followed all the recommendations of his oncologist. However, after six months of chemotherapy and three major surgeries, he was told there was nothing else they could do for him.

Giving up was never an option for Roesner and his wife Jeanette. Instead he did his own research on alternative treatments, switched to seeing a natureopathic doctor and returned last month from three weeks of treatment at CHIPSA Hospital in Mexico.

"I chose to pursue alternative treatments because not only did my oncologist give up on me, but the three major western medicine treatments [surgery, chemotherapy and radiation] have horrible odds," Roesner said. "So far, so good, as far as treatments are working. I've had swollen lymph nodes shrink and my tumor markers in my blood have dwindled."  

The Benefit Dinner for the Roesners May 24 is sold out. Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake is sponsoring a spaghetti dinner and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. Dinner is $10 per person or $25 per family.

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Roesner's family moved to Seeley Lake in the spring of 1990. Plum Creek Timber Company offered his father a full time position after he worked for them as a temporary employee since 1984.  Roesner was in fifth grade at the time and graduated from Seeley-Swan High School in 1998.  He currently works for Double Arrow Lodge as the head chef.

Roesner was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in October 2019 after his colectomy surgery.

"After my initial colonoscopy, the polyps and mass they found were noncancerous," Roesner said. "But after they removed the mass and 14 lymph nodes, pathology came back positive for colon cancer. Had it not spread to the lymph nodes, it wouldn't have been stage 3." 

When his surgeon informed the Roesners that he had cancer, Roesner asked him one question. 

"I said 'Doctor, give me some good news. How should I go about approaching things?'" Roesner recalled, "He said to me, 'Keep the faith.' So I took that and buried that in my heart."

Shortly after, Roesner asked his mom what he should do. 

"She replied, 'Joel, there are two words used in the Bible a lot. I want you to remember them – Fear not.' So here I am, pondering my diagnosis, and God has used two influential people to lead me to this point – Keep the faith. Fear not."

The Roesners' world was turned upside down in an instant and he struggled mentaly. Roesner's oncologist recommended he do six months of chemotherapy, to ensure the cancer was killed. During one of his numerous anxiety attacks while taking chemo, Roesner turned to prayer.

"After my many prayers, God spoke to my heart and He said, 'Trust Me.' So here I am, tears running down my face and these words were spoken to my heart – 'Keep the faith. Fear not. Trust Me.' If that's not instrumental in keeping me going, I'm not sure what could!  

Even though his CT scan was clear following his last chemo treatment in May 2020, after five months they found a spot on his liver.  There were also suspect nodules in his lungs but they were still too small to determine what they were.

In January 2021, Roesner had a hepatectomy to remove the spot on his liver. The nodules in his lungs also had grown, so he had a lobectomy on each lung in March and in May to remove nodules. 

"It was at this point I had my final appointment with my oncologist, who basically said I had a bad cancer gene and there were no other treatments available," Roesner said, not losing hope. "Chemo didn't do [anything] in the first place and I regret ever doing it. After my third major surgery I didn't want to go through with anything else like that."

During his chemo treatments, Roesner started reading books about alternative treatments. His first book was "Chris Beat Cancer," a biography of Chris Wark's journey healing from stage 3 colon cancer. He also read "The Metabolic Approach to Cancer" by Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO L.Ac Dipl.OM and Jess Higgins Kelley, MNT and did a lot of research on https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/. He maintained the attitude "never quit and you are never out of the fight" from his biggest motivator Marcus Luttrell.

"There are thousands and thousands of documented cases of people healing their bodies with clean eating and supplements," Roesner said.  "I was trying to understand how cancer and everything works in your body."

Roesner learned that cancer is a disease of the immune system. Oncology's approach is to suppress that immune system by killing cancer. 

"The problem is it kills a lot of good cells as well which is what I did NOT want to do!" Roesner said. "One of the biggest things cancer patients can do is eat clean and boost their immune system through diet and exercise, which is what I've been doing for the most part." 

Turning away from oncology, Roesner started seeing Dr. Margaret Coffey at Natura Health & Wellness Clinic, a naturopathic doctor in Missoula. They both agreed on the path of treating cancer with alternative methods.

Roesner learned about ozone treatment, "oxygen on steroids" and mistletoe treatment, that helps boosts the immune system. The Roesners also went to Chipsa Hospital in B.C., Mexico for three weeks of treatment this past March. There they gave him ozone treatments, high dose vitamin C/K3, coley's toxins and GcMAF, just to name a few.

"It is just good for you and helps you heal faster," Roesner said adding that CHIPSA treats Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters with these treatments.

Roesner also had dendritic cell treatment in Mexico. They drew his blood, supercharged his cancer killing cells and reintroduced them back into his body. 

"There are some treatments you can do that are approved here in America but they cost a fortune. Our medical industry is broken and hardly affordable," Roesner said.

Roesner explained the drug 5-Flourouracil, that he was taking that works to destroy pre-cancerous cells, was patented in 1956 and came into medical use in 1962.

"The results haven't gotten much better through time. Plus the side effects are terrible. I wouldn't wish chemo on my worst enemy," Roesner said.

Roesner compared western medicine's approach to cancer to today's COVID industry.  He said while there are a lot of alternative treatments that work, big pharma suppresses that information.

"They would rather you jab yourself with their product than start alternative treatments that cost you WAY less money!  There are hundreds of thousands of people who have healed their cancer through lifestyle changes and supplements but that is free," Roesner said. "When healthcare is free or way cheaper than what the FDA suggests, they will go to great lengths to suppress that information from getting out to the public.  The cancer industry is a sick industry and it's run by people wanting to fill their pockets and don't have any of your best interests at heart."  

While there are many who have been instrumental in Roesner's journey with cancer, he first acknowledged his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

"Without my faith, I'm not sure any of this would be possible," Roesner said. 

Roesner said Jeanette has also been by his side since he had a bad motorcycle wreck in 2016 and through all of his treatments. Together they followed the motto that the Lord showed them when their journey first began, "Keep the faith. Fear not. Trust Me."

Roesner said next to putting down his shepherd Zeus, this has been the hardest thing he has faced in his life. However, he believes it is God's plan to use him as an instrument to reach out to others battling cancer. He said the Lord led him to reach out to another girl through social media who is going through chemo and radiation for colon cancer.

"I've been able to help a little financially and emotionally through her struggles," Roesner said. "It makes me feel good when I can help others. Most people would consider cancer a curse but I consider it a blessing.  It has rekindled my relationship with the Lord first and foremost, but it has also humbled me to my knees, being able to help someone else navigating that road." 

There have been several fundraisers to support the Roesners, including the upcoming spaghetti dinner June 18. The money raised will with help pay off their debt from the Mexico trip. 

"CHIPSA Hospital isn't cheap and we've had a lot of lost work/hospital stays over the past couple years," Roesner said. "No matter what treatment anyone may decide to do, if it's cancer related, it's not cheap! It's far cheaper in Mexico, but insurance won't cover it."

The Roesners are incredibly grateful for the support they have already received.  

"We can't thank this community enough for the love and support it has shown," Roesner said. "We are truly humbled at the selfless giving we have received."