Protocol 1 – Day 5 (2nd day of DON)

On the fifth day of this protocol, 28th September 2023, marking my second DON day, I grappled with a dilemma. With no side effects from my initial DON dose, I found myself torn between upping the dosage by 0.2mg/kg or 0.5mg/kg. Financial considerations loomed, tempting me to take a small risk in hopes of saving money. Given that the few individuals who had embarked on this journey typically didn’t report side effects until around 1mg/kg, I opted for 1.0mg/kg, equating to a cost of 67mg x $20.21 CAD. Of note, only a handful of individuals had chosen this path. Yet, we were united in our hope that if we all achieved NED (No Evidence of Disease), the broader medical community couldn’t overlook MMT (Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory) much longer. Our small cohort, despite being told there’s no cure, dared to seek new treatments, firmly believing in our autonomy over our medical choices.

For this day, much like my first DON day, I had fasted in advance, ensuring consistently low glucose levels. My last meal was on Day 3, and on the eve of Day 4, I consumed a tablespoon of psyllium husk—though its texture made it a challenge this time. On the morning of Day 5, I dressed and set out, grabbing a coffee en route to the HBOT clinic. About 15 minutes from my destination, while on the highway, I nervously attempted to open the minuscule bag of DON powder, reminding myself of its preciousness. My intention was to time the DON’s effects with my HBOT session optimally. I monitored my glucose and ketone levels before stepping into the chamber. Inside, I remained at 2.8-3.0 ATA for 2 hours and 30 minutes. My glucose levels typically drop during HBOT—expected and potentially risky for those not in ketosis. Being in ketosis, I wasn’t perturbed by this; if anything, lower glucose levels felt like a tactical advantage against cancer.

Post-HBOT, I stupidly forgot to record my blood glucose and ketones, perhaps growing complacent with my continuous glucose monitor. Nevertheless, from a cancer perspective, glucose levels trump ketones. Hungry, I ran to the closest restaurant and settled for a bun-less hamburger with extra bacon, cheese, and lettuce. It’s a challenge to find dishes devoid of sugars or starches in mainstream eateries. Consuming the meal left me craving blueberries, leading to an impromptu purchase and overindulgence during a prolonged traffic delay. The consequent spike in my glucose levels was an aberration, one I intended to quickly correct. Fortunately blowing your carb count with blueberries is less consequential than blowing them on a cupcake, so I expected that by morning I would be saved.

By 20:00, I mused over my next DON dosage with a friend, reflecting on the absence of side effects. But by 20:30, a mild discomfort emerged in my gut. While I attributed it partly to breaking my fast with a rather hefty meal and a whole pint of berries, the sensation was unusual.

Day 6 dawned with my gut still slightly unsettled. I had lunch plans with friends and I hardly see anyone these days since I am so busy that I felt guilty cancelling. But my only viable option at a Thai restaurant was a plate of vegetables due to the pervasive use of sugars and starches even in so-called “keto” dishes in most restaurants. Post-lunch, a distinct sensation in my stomach further convinced me of the DON’s effects, setting me on a mission to realign my diet. With a weight loss of 20 lbs within a month, my aim is to bolster my intake, especially after the DON days, while permitting fasting just prior to the treatment.