Hear from one of our functional medicine patients, Bob copeland
Farmer Bob Copeland, R+R functional medicine patient.
Here’s what farmer bob copeland had to say about his experience working with our functional medicine team*
“I haven’t been sick since tonsillitis inflamed me when I was six years old. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen my share of doctors and hospitals, but an ambulance ride was always involved. Accidents happened, but I haven’t been sick sick, ever. Until now.
“The early spring of 2023, I was out on my farm battling brush and mesquites with a chainsaw and long handle shears, when my helper and friend says ‘Hey, your speech sounds weird.’ I already knew it was off, but thought it was related to recent dental work. Wrong. My tongue was also getting swollen, and I knew it was time to see a doctor, but I didn’t really have a PCP— mine had recently retired. One more high hurdle, this year of all years, I had to get my health insurance policy from United Healthcare. You’ve heard of them?
“UH website was loaded with doctors and other providers they claimed were ‘in-network’ which were in fact not, because none of them would accept the UH policy. They knew better. It took five months to locate a clinic and doctor in Fort Worth, who promptly sent me for X-rays, called me back in to say it was ‘all clear’ and sent me home.
“Thankfully, I was already in the right place at the right time, with a little bit different brand of doctors: Restore and Revive Wellness Center. We had started the R+R Farm Co-op a couple of years ago, so I knew the wellness center’s owner Dabney Poorter, FNP, and one of the doctors on staff, Brighton Miller, DO. They both bought pasture raised meats, raw milk, and organic vegetables from our co-op of farmers on a regular basis. Dabney knew I had an ongoing problem. Dr. Miller overheard me talking to my assistant Amelia one day in our offices at The Homestead,” and asked to talk to me in private. I’ll never forget it; she said ‘Bob this is something in your head.’ Then her and Dabney ordered some bloodwork on me, and eventually after wrestling UH over it, I had an MRI, CT- Scan, and Ultrasound done.
“Dr. Miller was right. I had a tumor in my head, in a bad spot located right on my brain stem. Ouch.
“Dr. Miller gave me the diagnosis, we talked about the many options for treatment including removal of the tumor, and Dr. Miller knew my eventual surgeon from medical school, whom she highly recommended— Dr. Christopher Shank. Then Dabney asked me to try the High Dose, Intravenous Vitamin C therapy, and folks, it was the best piece of advise I have ever had, bar none. Dabney, Dr. Miller, and the nurses there at the wellness center saved my life. The surgeon and oncologist had initially said I would most likely need radiation therapy and possibly chemotherapy. That old school of thought persisted throughout my ordeal, but I was never sold on chemo, and was very hesitant of the radiation, especially since the tumor had been in such a bad place— right on the ‘motherboard’ as one doctor described it.
“I jumped at the Vitamin C therapy having done research of numerous homeopathic options, and trusting Dabney and Dr. B (Miller) as I did. I had 12 doses of 50 ml Vitamin C prior to my brain surgery. Most fortuitous for me, all the doctors and nurses, my surgeon Dr. Shank, Harris Methodist hospital, and the rehab centers to follow, I switched from UH to Blue Cross for my health insurance policy in January of this year (2025). Dr. Shank performed a craniotomy on me January 14, and my uninvited guest was evicted. To date, Blue Cross has paid every claim. Still waiting on a few from UH.
“‘I was able to get the whole tumor out,’ said Dr. Shank when he saw me the following day on his rounds. ‘Everything went great.’ I was just barely functioning at about 50%, but I understood that great news, and thanked him immensely.
“Recovery has taken quite some time (if you’re an impatient busybody like me) but I am still on the mend. Three weeks of inpatient physical therapy, and speech therapy, then more of both therapies twice a week since. I lost 50 pounds in the year of my discontent, I still have speech issues, and an overactive salivary gland, which has made it difficult to gain weight, but have I added 25 pounds back on. My speech therapist is very knowledgeable and committed to seeing me get thru this, and she comes to the rehab center in my hometown. Looks like I’m gonna be around to grill a few more steaks!
“I have no scientific knowledge of how high doses of Vitamin C attack the cancer cells, but I have proof that it does— Me. Just a couple weeks ago I went back to the imaging lab for yet another MRI of my head, and a procedure which sounds scary but wasn’t all that bad, a lumbar puncture, to see if my brain and spine were both clear of any more tumors. When I went to the oncologists office, the PA was there to deliver the news: All Clear. And this time they were right. In five months, I went from a cancerous tumor in my head, to all clear and not needing radiation or chemotherapy. YAHOOO!
“The only thing left for me to do now is continue my speech therapy (Try This: Stick out your tongue, bit down on it lightly to hold it out, then try to swallow. Extremely difficult and virtually impossible for me to do two months ago, but now I can make it happen, and it’s an important hurdle to clear in my therapy.)
“Also on my To-Do List: Thank the knowledge, forward- thinking, and expertise of Dabney Poorter, Dr. Brighton Miller, the nurses and staff at Restore and Revive Wellness Center for saving my bacon! Had it not been for their courage and dedication to providing functional, alternative medicine for me and all their patients, I would probably be wallowing in an unhealthy cycle of toxic chemical treatments, ongoing medical bills, and further loss of my once good health.
“Vitamin C therapy worked for me, and should you be unfortunate enough to find yourself in the same situation, I would recommend you try it before going the traditional medicine route most cancer patients take. But of course, that’s just my opinion! (And I’m not a doctor.)
“Thank you Restore and Revive Wellness Center for giving me back my life. You are the best of the best in healthcare.
“It’s time for Farmer Bob Copeland to go back to work feeding you all.” — Farmer Robert “Bob” Copeland
If you or a loved one is navigating a chronic health condition, our functional medicine team would be happy to sit down and learn about your experience. Then, we can put together a highly tailored, personalized plan for health and healing. Learn more about our functional medicine practice or call (817) 720-6220 ext 2 today.
*Please note that this is not medical advice. This is merely a personal testimony written by one of our functional medicine patients recounting his own, very personal experience. Always speak to your healthcare provider before adding to, retracting from, or making changes of any kind to your treatment plan. High-dose vitamin C is not beneficial for everyone, and you should speak with your healthcare provider before taking it.
Why Dermashape is the Best Wellness Hack of Summer
Hot (and healthy!) girl summer is officially here. And while we’re all soaking up the Texas sunshine, sipping on cocktails, and jet-setting around the world, our bodies’ detoxification system could probably use a helping hand.
That’s precisely why Dermashape is the best wellness hack of summer. Read on to learn why you need to book an appointment like, well, yesterday.
Okay, Remind Me. What Is Dermashape in Fort Worth?
Before we delve into the laundry list of health benefits, what exactly is Dermashape? Well simply put, this device combines heat and vacuum suction massage to not only improve the appearance of your skin, but also boost your lymphatic system – helping your body naturally drain fat and toxins.
But of course, that’s not all. Dermashape breaks down fat congestion, stimulates the immune system, reduces water retention, boosts skin elasticity, and alleviates muscle pain. (It truly is somewhat of a holy grail.)
Now, Here’s Why Detoxing is So Important During the Summer.
For most of us, summer looks like frequent travels, indulgent dinners, and breaks in routine. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, it can take a toll on your lymphatic system. (Your lymphatic system, as a reminder, is a group of organs, vessels, and tissues that help the body fight infection and disease.)
Dermashape uses gentle, rhythmic movements to stimulate the lymphatic system and encourage the removal of toxins and excess fluids from the body. This process not only enhances detoxification, but it also helps improve skin texture.
How Does Dermashape Work?
As we mentioned, Dermashape uses a combination of heat and vacuum suction massage to stimulate the lymphatic vessels and encourage the movement of lymph. (Lymph is a colorless, watery fluid that carries nutrients and proteins to your cells and tissues.) Doing so flushes toxins, reduces water retention, and improves circulation.
The Benefits of Dermashape Include . . .
It’s non-invasive. Dermashape is a gentle, non-surgical approach to lymphatic drainage.
It’s ultra-detoxifying. It helps your body flush toxins and drain excess fluid. (Much like our Detox Foot Soaks.)
It improves circulation. By enhancing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tissues.
It enhances overall skin texture. And who doesn’t want that?
How Often Should I Get Dermashape?
While the exact frequency depends on your specific person, we generally say that it takes just one treatment to feel a difference, three or four treatments to see a visible difference, and ten treatments to notice a significant difference.
Keeping that in mind, we recommend doing one treatment per week until optimal results are achieved. This frequency stimulates the lymphatic system and discourages the congestion from settling once it has been loosened during the treatment. If you tolerate Dermashape well (most people do), we recommend bumping it up to two treatments per week.
How to Maximize Your Dermashape Treatment
Want to know how to make the most of your Dermashape Fort Worth treatment? Here’s what our functional medicine team recommends:
On the Day Of Your Appointment
We recommend hopping in the infrared sauna before your appointment to clear your detoxification pathways. It’s also recommended to avoid fats while consuming high fiber, carbohydrates, and lean proteins the day of (and for 24 hours after) your appointment.
High fiber carbohydrates include dark shades of fruits and vegetables, lentils, beans and quinoa.
Lean proteins include chicken, grass-fed meats, lentils, and legumes.
Avoid fats for 24 hours after your treatment. This includes nuts, seeds, avocados, fried foods, red meat, and fish.
After Your Treatment
We’ll recommend supplementing with specific nutrients for 48 hours after your Dermashape appointment. Most people can benefit from taking essential fatty acids (1000mg/day) to help break down stored fats and produce new cells. We recommend Metagenics Omegagenics – which we carry in our Wellness Shop. We also recommend finishing the day with a Detox Foot Soak.
Book Your Appointment for Dermashape Fort Worth
Trust us. Dermashape is your best-kept secret for looking and feeling your best this summer. Not only will it help flush any toxins or fluid from your system, but it’ll rejuvenate your skin and effectively drain fat. That way, you’ll be left feeling confident all summer long. Come and see for yourself!
Our Favorite Wellness Products for Summer
Summer is so close we can taste it. (And no, that’s not just because we’re sipping on Just Ingredients’ Lemon Lime Collagen.) Our team is gearing up for summer vacations and long days spent basking under that lovely Texas sunshine. So, without further ado, here are all the products we’re tossing in our pool bags and carry-ons.
Our Favorite Summer Wellness Products
Here are the summer wellness products we’re currently obsessing over:
Solara Suncare
Could we write a post on our favorite summer wellness products without including Solara Suncare? Probably not, honestly. This suncare line is 100% focused on formulating high-quality, multi-functional protective products that love on our skin, our planet, and our overall health.
Our favorites include:
Good Karma Energizing Body Oil Sunscreen, SPF 30. This dry-oil mineral SPF 30 mist is the first of its kind. Formulated for sensitive skin, this luxurious protective oil is infused with antioxidant-rich adaptogenic actives and nutrient-rich botanicals for hydrated, vibrant, and plump skin.
Fortune Teller Tinted Brightening Serum, SPF 30. This 4-in-1 mineral SPF 30 has won multiple awards (and it’s not hard to know why). It helps illuminate and address uneven skin tone over time, leaving you with that “I just had a facial glow” and protecting against environmental aggressors that can lead to hyperpigmentation and premature aging.
Guardian Angel Super Peptide Sunscreen Milk, SPF 50. Pillowy, plump, and protective, this award-winning, oil-free, mineral-based SPF 50 is loaded with 12 skin compatible actives – including super proteins that promote collagen building and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Visp Elixir Mixer
The Visp Elixir Mixer is another one of our favorite wellness products for summer. (And it’s brand new to our Product + Supplement Shop!) Unlike your average Stanley or Yeti, this portable drink container includes a whisk. Therefore, you can rest assured that your breakfast smoothies, pool-side matchas, and electrolyte mixes are always blended to perfection.
Just Ingredients
Just Ingredients products have quickly become a staple in our pantries, purses, and pool bags. Here’s what we’re currently sipping on:
Lemon Lime Collagen Peptides. They’re infused with a blend of type I and III collagen peptides and are enriched with antioxidants like Grape Seed Extract and Pine Bark Extract.
Chai Nighttime Relax. Absolutely delicious and thoughtfully formulated with magnesium bisglycinate, L-theanine, inositol, and tart cherry extract – which contains naturally occurring melatonin.
Electrolytes. They’re made with five different sources of electrolytes to support your hydration needs. And with a 3:1 potassium to sodium ratio, you can enjoy balanced hydration without worrying about excessive sodium levels.
OSEA Skincare
This clean, seaweed-infused skincare line respects the natural world and makes our skin look and feel amazing. We just snagged…
Your Everything Shower Kit. Includes Undaria Algae Body Wash, Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, and Undaria Algae Body Oil.
Ocean Glow Body Trio. Includes Hyaluronic Body Serum, Undaria Algae Body Oil, and Anti-Aging Body Balm.
Rowe Casa
Rowe Casa Organics offers all-natural solutions to help your family thrive. We’re currently obsessing over their Swim Spray, which neutralizes chlorine and protects both skin and hair from chlorinated pool or water exposure. Doing so prevents and relieves possible effects of chlorine exposure like itching, burning, and dryness.
Branch Basics
Branch Basics’ Travel Kit is the best for non-toxic cleaning on the go. This TSA-approved kit includes a mini all-purpose spray, a mini foaming wash, and a mini concentrate.
Favorite Summer Wellness Products 2025
Well, there you have it! These are the summer wellness products that our team is using on repeat. Swing by 4927 Byers Ave to purchase yours!
(If you ever have any suggestions for products, let us know! We’re always looking to add non-toxic, feel-good products to our repertoire.)