A memoir about one man’s determination to beat the odds with alternative treatments after a grim prognosis. 

In 2005, debut co-author Rodney Stamps discovered a small lump on his collarbone. Then a doctor found another one under his armpit—bigger than a golf ball—which prompted a round of medical tests. Eventually, an oncologist determined that Rodney was suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and that with immediate chemotherapy he could likely secure another five to 10 years of life—but without it, he’d likely be dead within 90 days. The news shocked both Rodney and his wife, debut co-author Paige Stamps. However, he wanted to beat the cancer, not simply postpone its victory, and he was wary of chemotherapy because two of his family members had died while undergoing such treatment. Against his doctor’s vehement orders, Rodney and Paige charted their own course, scouring the internet for unconventional alternatives. They eventually found a book describing a cure that characterized cancer as a “deficiency of the pancreatic enzymes,” and they largely attacked the disease with a rigidly restrictive diet along with a regimen of enzymes extracted from New Zealand pigs. The authors describe Rodney’s extraordinary recovery, and the emotional roller-coaster ride that they experienced in the process, with humor and poignancy. They note that the treatments weren’t as expensive as chemotherapy, but they weren’t cheap, either, and the couple struggled to pay for them while running an alarm-installation business and raising two young daughters. Along the way, they furnish a fascinatingly instructive critique of traditional medicine and of how doctors are incentivized to avoid recommending alternative cures, which, the authors say, can amount to “professional suicide.” Their account is an appropriately balanced one, however, pointing out that the world of alternative medicine is often populated by charlatans who encourage wishful aspiration instead of rigorous thought. Above all, though, this is a love story, as the authors movingly chronicle the arc of their relationship and their unwavering support of each other. 

A touchingly triumphant remembrance combined with sober analysis.

You are living your life as normal. You go to work. Come home. Have dinner with your family. Then, one day, you find a bump somewhere on your body. It doesn't worry you a lot. It's probably nothing. After all, you're fairly healthy, right? It's not long, though, before you start feeling really fatigued, and you just can't do what you used to. You can't ignore it any more. Something is wrong. 

After the doctor runs his usual tests, he comes back with the dreaded diagnosis. You have cancer. He mentions to you that if you don't start chemotherapy right away, you only have about 90 days to live. No matter how toxic it was or how sick it made us, most would start the chemo right away. 

In 90 Days to Live Rodney and Paige Stamps tell us their reaction to the cancer diagnosis. Rodney is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma but chooses to seek an alternative to traditional treatments that don't even promise a cure but merely a prolonging of life. 

What I loved most about this book is the conversational tone. It's like you're sitting down having tea with the Stamps while they tell you their life story. It isn't just about his diagnosis and treatment; we learn more about how they met, their lives before cancer and even their battle to keep their business afloat during the treatment. It made Rodney and Paige real to me, which makes the story that much more poignant. 

We learn quite a bit about the protocol that Rodney ends up following to beat the cancer. However, if you are searching for a step by step guide, there's a better book for that. Dr. Kelley's treatment protocol can be found in a separate book. No, this is about Rodney and Paige, and it just happens to include his cancer. 

The protocol is not traditional by any means of the word, which could be offensive to some. The Stamps don't mince words, and some of their opinions might come across as cynical or harsh. However, I am one for whom conventional medical wisdom failed. While I don't have cancer, I have explored alternative treatments of my own and found great success. So, rather than being turned off, I felt a camaraderie with Rodney and Paige. Some of their feelings resonated with me. Alternative treatments are not looked upon favorably by the medical community. In fact, the authors put it this way. "No one ever seemed to sue a doctor for injecting them with mustard gas, but if he were to suggest a change in diet along with pancreatic enzymes, he would face ridicule and ostracism from his peers—and possibly even jail time." 

All in all, I eagerly looked forward to reading Rodney's story. It was well-written and edited, and I have no complaints. Therefore, I give 90 Days to Live a 4 out of 4 stars. It would be very inspirational for anyone with a cancer diagnosis, those who are a bit frustrated with the medical community or anyone who enjoys an inspirational success story. If you are one that feels that the medical community can do no wrong, you might want to skip this one.