Belinda’s Healing Story
A Journey of Faith, Healing, and Hope
In the midst of the uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, life seemed to be opening a new and joyful chapter for Belinda. After becoming engaged in November 2020, she looked forward to building a future with the man she loved. But only months later, that joy was overshadowed by crisis when her fiancé became critically ill with COVID-19 and was hospitalized in February 2021. Thankfully, he recovered and just as they began to return to normalcy, another devastating blow arrived. On March 10, 2021, Belinda received news that no one is ever prepared to hear—a diagnosis of stage IV colon cancer. Further testing revealed a large tumor and four infiltrated lymph nodes. What had begun as dreams of marriage and a new season of life suddenly became a fight for survival, launching Belinda into a journey that would test her faith, challenge everything she knew, and ultimately inspire a calling to bring hope and support to others facing cancer.
The Initial Shock and Difficult Road Ahead
Following her diagnosis, Belinda underwent a series of tests and consultations. The medical team concluded that the cancer was inoperable and recommended an intensive treatment plan involving months of chemotherapy and radiation. Like many patients facing a life-altering diagnosis, she was immediately confronted with an overwhelming sense of urgency. Decisions that would affect the course of her life suddenly seemed to demand immediate answers. There was pressure to begin treatment quickly, while at the same time she found herself immersed in a world filled with unfamiliar medical terminology, complex reports, frightening statistics, and language that was completely foreign to someone outside the medical profession. Appointments were filled with discussions of staging, lymph node involvement, protocols, side effects, and prognoses—terms that felt overwhelming and difficult to process in the midst of fear and uncertainty.
The proposed course of treatment was daunting. The thought of months of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, along with the potential long-term effects, weighed heavily on her heart. Having spent many years in holistic healthcare and wellness, Belinda wrestled deeply with questions that countless patients and families face during their own journeys. She longed for understanding, searched for answers, and sought wisdom as she navigated one of the most difficult seasons of her life. The emotional burden was immense. There were tears, sleepless nights, moments of despair, and prayers uttered through fear and uncertainty.
A Decision Guided by Faith and Research
Faced with a life-altering decision, Belinda turned to her faith, research, and the support of friends who were professionals in healthcare. After many hours of prayer, thorough research, and numerous conversations, she made a courageous decision: she would forego chemotherapy. Instead, Belinda chose to explore alternative treatments that aligned more closely with her holistic beliefs.
The Journey to Tijuana, Mexico
As Belinda prayerfully sought answers and carefully considered her options, her journey led her to a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. In preparation for the trip, she began focusing on strengthening her body and supporting her overall health. Before leaving on May 2, she incorporated a ketogenic diet, vitamin C IV therapy, and various nutritional supplements into her daily routine. She also began spending time in a hyperbaric chamber to help support oxygenation and wellness as she prepared for the intensive weeks ahead.
The Power of Nontoxic Treatments
The clinic in Tijuana provided a range of powerful nontoxic treatments designed to activate the immune system. The clinic was a bustling environment, with patients undergoing seven to eight treatments per day. Despite the rigorous treatment schedule, Belinda found solace and joy in the delicious keto dinners prepared by the kitchen experts. These meals were not only nourishing but also played a crucial role in supporting her ketogenic diet.
During her stay, Belinda participated in an intensive treatment program focused on supporting the body's natural defenses and overall wellness. The clinic maintained a demanding schedule, with patients often receiving seven or eight therapies each day. Her program included intravenous nutritional therapies, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, photodynamic therapy, infrared light treatments, sauna therapy, and other complementary approaches designed to promote healing and strengthen the immune system. Among the therapies incorporated to care for her were IVs of : EGCG- a green tea extract, resveratrol, and DMSO, along with other nutritional and supportive protocols.
The daily treatments included a variety of therapies aimed at boosting the body’s natural defenses and promoting healing from within. The combination of these treatments, along with Belinda’s unwavering faith and the supportive community at the clinic, contributed to her significant progress.
What Belinda anticipated would simply be a pursuit of integrative therapies became something much greater. What began as a 21 day healing protocol, the doctors convinced her to complete a 90 day protocol. Belinda underwent an extended course of cancer treatment at Radioterapia y Cancer in Mexico, where she received specialized radiation care as part of the a comprehensive treatment plan. The treatment was a highly targeted radiation therapy designed to focus solely on the cancer while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, The treatment required an extended stay, she was unprepared for and it was quite a process to shift into staying an additional six weeks.
However, through the ongoing care and close monitoring of a multidisciplinary health team, her treatment was continually individualized to meet her specific diagnosis and evolving needs. This personalized approach led to outstanding results and became an important part of the journey.
During her twelve weeks in Mexico, she not only committed herself to treatment, but unexpectedly found herself serving others. As an ordained minister and chaplain, she became a source of encouragement to fellow patients. Each day, she led prayer circles, visited patients in their rooms, offered words of comfort, and stood beside individuals and families facing some of the darkest moments of their lives. What began as a personal journey of healing soon became a ministry of compassion, hope, and faith.
A Return Home and Continued Healing
Belinda returned to the USA on July 30, 2021, with promising results. Her thermography showed substantial progress, giving her hope and encouragement to continue her healing journey. Upon returning home, Belinda maintained a disciplined approach to her health. She engaged in regular detoxification practices, such as using castor oil packs and infrared saunas, and continued to utilize hyperbaric chambers.
Her dedication to a disciplined nutrition plan and various home treatments played a pivotal role in her ongoing recovery. Throughout this period, Belinda remained steadfast in her faith, attributing her progress and strength to the grace of Jesus, the magnificent healer.
The Coveted No Evidence of Disease
After an additional year of rigorous self-care, disciplined diet, and unwavering faith, Belinda received the coveted news in late October 2022: No Evidence of Disease (NED). This declaration marked a significant milestone in her journey, a testament to her determination, faith, and the effectiveness of the alternative treatments she pursued.
Reflections on the Journey
Belinda’s journey from a stage four colon cancer diagnosis to being declared free of the disease is a remarkable story of faith, resilience, and the power of holistic healthcare. Her decision to choose an alternative path, supported by extensive research and guided by her spiritual beliefs, highlights the importance of personalized treatment plans and the potential benefits of integrating holistic approaches into cancer care.
Belinda credits her progress to a combination of unwavering faith, the love and support of others, lifestyle changes, and the integrative therapies she chose to pursue. Her story is one of perseverance, community, and hope. She shares her experience not as a promise, prescription, or guarantee, but as a testimony of God's faithfulness and a reminder that every patient deserves the freedom to ask questions, seek knowledge, and make informed decisions about their own healthcare journey.
It was through these experiences that the vision for Banner of Victory International began to take shape—a ministry devoted to walking alongside patients and caregivers with compassion, education, emotional support, and spiritual encouragement.
Like so many newly diagnosed patients, Belinda quickly discovered that cancer affects far more than the body. It touches every aspect of life—emotionally, mentally, spiritually, relationally, and financially. The shock of diagnosis often leaves patients and their loved ones struggling to absorb life-changing information while attempting to make critical decisions under intense pressure. In those moments, she realized how desperately people need someone who will slow down, listen, explain, encourage, and walk beside them through the uncertainty.
Throughout her journey, Belinda not only focused on her healing but also extended her support and compassion to others. Her role as a spiritual leader at the clinic in Tijuana and her ongoing commitment to helping others exemplify the profound impact of community and faith in the healing process.
A Message of Hope and Faith
Belinda’s story serves as an inspiration to many facing similar challenges. It underscores the importance of having faith, seeking knowledge, and exploring all available options when confronted with a serious health diagnosis. Her experience is a powerful reminder that healing can come in many forms and that unwavering faith and determination can lead to miraculous outcomes.
As Belinda continues to share her story through her work with Banner of Victory International and her upcoming book, “Twelve Weeks in Tijuana,” she offers hope and encouragement to those navigating their own healing journeys. Her story is a testament to the belief that with faith, support, and a holistic approach, it is possible to overcome even the most daunting of challenges.
In Belinda’s own words, “All the Glory goes to Jesus, the magnificent healer.” Her journey is a celebration of life, faith, and the remarkable power of holistic healing.