Taking Charge of My Health: An Acupuncturist’s Journey with Breast Cancer

By Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez, D.Ac, L.Ac

In 2018, my life shifted in an instant. I was sitting in a sterile doctor’s office when my surgeon pointed to small dots on my mammogram. His words echoed in the room: “You have breast cancer.”

I couldn’t quite connect with what he was saying. I heard the medical terms, saw his pen circling the images, but it felt like I had slipped outside of myself. In that moment, I was no longer the practitioner, the healer, or the teacher—I was a patient, just like so many who had once come to me for help.

As an acupuncturist and energy healer, I had spent years guiding people toward balance, wellness, and resilience. Now, I was being asked to walk that same path for myself.

The Search for Clarity with Breast Cancer

The first lesson I learned was this: Always seek a second opinion.

After my initial diagnosis, I wasn’t satisfied with what I had been told. I decided to travel to Memorial Sloan Kettering in Long Island, one of the most respected cancer centers in the country, for a second option. Their specialists examined me and explained that what I had were breast calcifications.

The terminology was different, but the concern was still serious. That experience taught me two things: first, medical opinions can vary, and second, patients need to advocate for their own clarity.

Turning to Eastern Medicine

As an acupuncturist, I understood that illness is not random. It has roots. It has a story. And in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), breast cancer is often linked to what we call phlegm accumulation—stagnation of fluids and energy that can create blockages over time.

I began exploring herbal teas and formulas traditionally used to support breast health and clear phlegm. I read books written by fellow acupuncturists who had written about breast cancer, though I noticed many hesitated to delve deeply into how Eastern Medicine could truly address it. That hesitation fueled my determination.

I knew I had to walk this road differently.

Beginning with Herbal Remedies

Before my surgery, I turned to what I knew best—herbal remedies rooted in Eastern Medicine. I focused on teas and formulas designed to move stagnation, clear phlegm, and strengthen my body’s natural defenses.

When the day of surgery came, something remarkable happened. As my doctor searched for the cancer, he was unable to locate it in my breast. In his notes, he recorded only: “yellow adipose tissue.”

That phrase will forever stay with me. For me, it was confirmation that the path I had chosen—to support my body with natural remedies before intervention—was making a difference.

It didn’t mean the journey was over, but it did mean I had evidence that the body responds when given the right tools for healing.

Finding Guidance in Hope for Cancer

During my research, I came across Hope for Cancer by Dr. Antonio Jimenez, M.D. The book was a revelation. Dr. Jimenez outlined seven principles of healing that went far beyond conventional treatments—embracing nutrition, detoxification, immune support, emotional healing, and spiritual growth.

Reading his work gave me hope that my instincts were right: true healing must address the whole person, not just the tumor. His approach validated what I had always believed as an energy healer—that cancer is not the end of the story, but an invitation to deeper transformation.

Saying No to Radiation

My doctors recommended radiation. For many, it is the standard course, but something in me resisted. I had seen patients struggle with the side effects. I had studied how radiation impacts not just the cancer cells but the body’s vital energy.

So, I paused. I asked: What other options exist?

That question led me to Gamma Pod therapy—a revolutionary treatment offered in only four locations nationwide. Unlike traditional radiation, Gamma Pods isolate the radiation to a small section of the breast, reducing harm to the rest of the body.

It was exactly the kind of integrative balance I had been seeking: a way to acknowledge modern medicine while honoring the wisdom of holistic care.

Root Cause Healing

When I reflected on my diagnosis through the lens of TCM, I saw that my body was asking me to address more than just the physical dots on a mammogram.

Phlegm and dampness had built up over years, a sign of imbalance.
Emotional stagnation—grief, stress, and unspoken worries—had played a role.
Lifestyle habits needed to be re-aligned with nourishment, rest, and mindful practices.

Through acupuncture, diet adjustments, herbal support, and energy healing, I began addressing these root causes. Healing, I realized, was not about “fighting” cancer—it was about restoring harmony.

Seven Years Later

Today, seven years have passed since that day in 2018. I am grateful to share that I have not received another breast cancer diagnosis.

My journey was not about choosing one system over another. It was about weaving together the best of both worlds: the precision of modern technology at Sloan Kettering, the practical wisdom of Hope for Cancer, and the timeless knowledge of Eastern Medicine.

More importantly, it was about choosing to take charge of your health, to ask questions, to explore, and to honor what your intuition tells you.

Lessons from My Journey

I share my story not to suggest that my path is the only path, but to inspire you to see that you, too, have choices.

Here are some of the most important lessons I learned:

Seek clarity. Don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion—even from world-class centers like Sloan Kettering.
Look deeper. Illness is not just physical; it has emotional and energetic roots.
Learn from others. Books like Hope for Cancer can provide valuable frameworks and empower you with knowledge.
Explore options. Newer treatments like Gamma Pods can offer less invasive alternatives.
Honor your wisdom. Your body and spirit know when something feels right or wrong. Listen.
Healing is personal. There is no one-size-fits-all. Your journey is your own.

Why Eastern Medicine Matters in Breast Health

In TCM, cancer is not just about rogue cells. It’s about imbalance. For breast health, the root causes often include:

Phlegm-dampness accumulation (blockages in fluids and energy).
Liver Qi stagnation (emotional stress, frustration, or repressed emotions).
Blood stasis (poor circulation of blood and energy).

Acupuncture, herbs, dietary therapy, and energy healing work together to move stagnation, clear blockages, and restore balance. When combined with supportive modern treatments and insights from integrative medicine, they can create a comprehensive, patient-centered approach.

Taking Charge of Your Health

If you’re reading this because you—or someone you love—are navigating a difficult diagnosis, let my story be a reminder:

You are not powerless.
You are allowed to ask questions.
You deserve to explore options that support your whole being—body, mind, and spirit.

Conclusion

At Kicotan Acupuncture, I bring my experience as both a healer and a survivor into every consultation. Whether you’re managing stress, exploring integrative support for a diagnosis, or simply seeking better balance, you don’t have to walk the path alone.

Take charge of your health today. Schedule a consultation and discover how acupuncture, holistic healing, and integrative resources like Hope for Cancer can support your journey.

About the Author

Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez, D.Ac, L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Energy Healer, and Reiki Master with over 15 years of experience blending Eastern Medicine, Indigenous healing wisdom, and holistic wellness. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, she courageously combined herbal remedies, acupuncture, and integrative approaches with modern medical insights to take charge of her own health.

Her personal healing journey—including consultations at Sloan Kettering in Long Island, guidance from Hope for Cancer by Dr. Antonio Jimenez, and her discovery of Gamma Pod therapy—has shaped her mission to empower others facing life-altering diagnoses.

As the founder of Kicotan Acupuncture, Dr. Rodriguez now shares both her professional expertise and lived experience to help patients restore balance, clear root causes of disease, and embrace natural healing. She is also an author of health, wellness, and genealogy books, and a teacher of Reiki and Indigenous spirituality.

When she isn’t seeing patients or writing, Dr. Rodriguez dedicates her time to educating others about holistic healing practices through courses, podcasts, and community workshops.