Latest Update

(Katherine, for Dawn)

Sorry it's been so long. At first, physically, I was not doing well. But slowly every day i am feeling stronger. The only negative side effect is that I am literally down to 10% of my vision. Most of the time, i need escorting around the house or neighborhood. The doctors say there is nothing wrong with my eyes, it's the lesions pressing on the part of my brain that controls sight.

We just finished my second round of Kadcyla. I will have my third round on January 11th. We expect another MRI after my fourth treatment or so.

Thank you for all of the delicious food from the meal train that Tricia posted for us. Thank you all as well for stepping up and playing with my precious boys.

Because I am not seeing very well, I can't read, color, watch TV, play games, etc. We have bought some audiobooks but other than that and listening to the TV, we are a bit stumped as to what else I may be able to do. I know there are probably a lot of things we aren't thinking about, since many people have vision problems, including blindness, so please let us know if you have any ideas, tips, etc.

If you see me out and about, just know that i can't completely see you, so please forgive the lack of eye contact and let me know who you are. Maybe we should all have a secret handshake?

Despite not being able to see so well, I could hear the laughter of my family at Christmas, which was so nice.

I will try to post again a lot sooner. Keep sending the love. If you send texts, emails or notes, I am trying to have people read them to me but I may be slow on replies. Love you all.

Happy New Year!

My family and I today after a walk around the neighborhood.
(My hair! Pippi Longstocking here i come!)

I cannot believe it has been a month since I left Hope4Cancer.

What have I been doing since then?  The first week was awesome.  On cloud nine.  Then we went to the beach.  We had been planning that trip since the beginning of the year.  I was worried we wouldn't be able to go.  But we did.  We met my sister and her family there.  By the third day, I was down for the count.  Literally slept for an entire day.  They said I wasn't talking clearly and just seemed off.  By the fourth day, Jason had packed me in the car and off to the ER at 4 AM in the morning.

At first they thought I had meningitis.  Then they said no, it is a bacterial infection.  Ugh.  No, wasn't that either.  It was a UTI.  Apparently, women over 40, have the tendency with UTIs to have neurological problems.  I will take a UTI any day.

Came home and unfortunately, I didn't feel much better.  Then last week, Jason again thought I wasn't making sense. Turns out, i was very dehydrated, they gave me steroids and I got another MRI. Not good news. The lesions are growing.

We met with the oncological radiologist and my regular oncologist over the past two days. We are also in contact with my doctor in Mexico to see what they recommend.

At this point, have a new, old plan. We are restarting the Kadcyla that I had two treatments of before I left for Mexico. My oncologist felt that we didn't give it enough of a chance. I will have my first treatment tomorrow morning at 8:30am.

I know Tricia posted a meal train on the Ford's Go To Crew site. Thank you so much to everyone who volunteered to help. We really appreciate it. I am having a hard time focusing with reading so please bear with me if I don't return calls, texts, emails right away. Also, to everyone helping out with the boys, we can't thank you enough for bridging the gaps.

Keep sending prayers. Feel free to stop by and say hi. I will be honest and tell you if I am not feeling up to it. I'll try to post more soon. Love, Dawn.

We fight on!

(Katherine, for Dawn)

Tijuana - Day 21

Today is Sunday.  My last day.  I have received my box of Rigvir.  I cannot close my suitcase.  I am either going to smoosh it in there tomorrow morning or switch everything around and put it in my cloth bag I bought here.  Don't want to do that though.  Don't trust a cloth bag that would possibly pop open and have the Rigvir get lost.  That would stink!  Maybe some packing tape around the suitcase just in case.  Could use some new luggage anyway...

I decided to go for one last run today.  The weather was perfect.  76 degrees.  Went the same way I did yesterday where I ended up on the boardwalk most of the way.  About 1/4 of a mile in, my toe catches one of the board and I go flying like Superman - left arm out.  It hurt.  A LOT!  Two families stopped to help.  One gentleman offered his hand and helped me up.  In broken English, he said something about the boards.  They asked if I was okay and I said yes.  And I kept running, but ran back to Hope4Cancer to get doctored up.  It hurt like the dickens.  We put whatever it is they clean my PIC line with, some ointment, and a bandage and off I went.

After my run and a quick trip to Walmart for balloons and sharpies (139 pesos), a bunch of us decided to write on balloons and release them.  I wrote things I was looking forward to and things I was ready to let go and leave here.  We then took turns letting them go from the boardwalk.  It was pretty cathartic.

Had my last dinner: stuffed zucchini with quinoa, peppers, onions, garlic, and sauce.  Potatoes and a small salad.  Had a second one sent to my room.  I said you should get cookies on your last night.  No such luck.

Just had my pic line taken out.  Took about five minutes.  I am officially free!

I can't get pictures to load. Will send when I get home.  That's tomorrow if you didn't know!

I have packed up as much as I can.  Changed my bandaid and put Collodial Silver on the gash.  Brushed my teeth.  It is 8:00PM and I think I am ready to get into bed.  I am setting my alarm for 5:00AM and won't get home until 8:00PM.  It is going to be a long night.

Good night, Everyone.  Sleep tight.

Tijuana - Day 20

Jesus, our driver, came in my room to tell me we will be leaving for the airport on Monday at 7:30AM.  He reminded me I had to have my Rigvir in my check-in bag and my prescriptions on my person in case I am asked by security to see them.  I cannot believe I leave in two days.  I cannot wait to see my boys.  My flight lands at 7:45PM.  And then we wake up on Tuesday and life goes on.

Life goes on with lots of laughing and love and not worrying and living.  It has been a LONG four years.  I am ready.

Blogging while glowing from the light pads on my chest, liver and back.

Scrambled eggs, avocado, sprouts, fruit for breakfast.  After I finished, I asked for a second.  And then, all of a sudden, I was very nauseous.  One of the side effects of the Rigvir is flu-like symptoms.  Not sure if that was the cause because two other people at the table started feeling sick also.  I couldn't eat my second helping.  Went and got in the bed.  After about 45 minutes, felt significantly better.  Went and got my second shot of Rigvir and went on with my day of treatments.

I went for a run along the boardwalk and got some good Vitamin D.  I felt good.  A couple times I thought I couldn't make it up a hill, but I did.  Ran nice and slow and it was only in the low 80s so that helped.  Did my push-ups, sit-ups, shoulder raises, and some biceps.  I have lost a lot of muscle mass from the steroids.  Have stayed the same in weight, but have leaned out even more.  On Tuesday, I will start weaning myself off the Dex and won't have to take that again.

Tomorrow will be a lot of lasts.  Last treatments, last meals, last visit with new friends, last time in my room, etc.  It will be bittersweet.  But I will be back in January.

I will try to post tomorrow night on my Sunday, but can't promise anything.

Thank you for coming with me on this part of my journey.  I can't wait to see everyone and give big hugs.  We did it!

Tijuana - Day 19

Two more wake-ups!

A week ago, I wasn't sure if I was ready to leave, but I am now.  I have learned a lot.  My head is clearer so I am able to retain more every day.  Ready to get home and organize again so my healing can continue.  I have talked to most patients and I think a year is a good timeline for complete, complete healing.  That includes, physical, mental, detoxes, etc.

I got my first Rigvir shot in my left shoulder.  Hurt, but not horribly.  They will be rotated: left shoulder, left hip, right hip, right shoulder, and repeat.

I will get an MRI of the head after that.  Right before I come back to Hope4Cancer for my follow-i[ visit.

When you first meet someone, you ask the same questions:  Is this your first visit or your follow-up?  What day are you on?  No one ever says the C-word in the same sentence as their name.  So the questions you ask are:  What brought you here?  What were your symptoms?  Did you do any Western protocols?

When you find out they are leaving, you ask what kind of results they have had.

You get an Ultrasound, xrays, bloodwork, and a Thermograpy when you first get here.  Then right before you leave.  So you leave with comparable results.

I have heard: "Clear."  "No blood supply to any tumors." (I didn't know, but that means the tumor is in necrosis (dying!)) "80% shrinkage."  And most of the time, this is after only three weeks!

For me, the only way to know is with an MRI.  None of the above things can be done for the head.  They can send me for an MRI here, but it would be out of pocket.  I will get one at home where my insurance will pay for it. So.....that means I won't leave with as much information on what the lesions are doing.  I can only go by my symptoms.  I talked with Dr. Curiel and Dr. Ojada and they both said that the fact that my symptoms are alleviating, we can only assume that they are shrinking.  I will take it!

I could get an MRI as soon as I get home, but I would rather wait.  I will let all the meds do their work, including the Rigvir that I JUST started taking, and then test before I come here.  I will probably make that appointment as soon as I make the appointment to come back here.  I will let everyone know so we can start sending good vibes for that scan.

Tijuana - Day 18

Last pizza bake.  Got my temperature to 103.8.  I am happy with that.  Put a fork in me, I am done.  I am sure I will do more, if I can find them at home, but will gladly take the break for now.

Last UVBI.  I will take my first shot of Rigvir today and you cannot do any of the high heat treatments.  I may have this wrong, but Rigvir is a virus so assuming the heat would kill it.  Defeating the purpose, right?

Instead of getting on the treadmill today, my friend and I walked on the beach.  It was a perfect day.  Very foggy when we first got down there, but was sunny and beautiful by the time we left.

I got my Home Therapy paperwork.  We are getting closer!  I have to bring home 12 vials of the Rigvir in my luggage.  In dry ice.  Had to buy another bag.  I missed that part.  The rest of the stuff (supplements, Sono machine, etc) will be sent to my house.  I get weekly calls for three months, then monthly.  Email is always available.  Tons of support whether it is to talk, do more Recall Therapy over the phone, find places for treatments, and give them updates.  This place really knows what they are doing.

I am going to rate from 1-10 (10 being the the worst) my symptoms from when I got here and today:

- vertigo 10 to 6
- blurred vision 10 to 0
- dry mouth  8 to 3
- blood in nose 5 to 5
- insomnia  5 to 5
- insatiable appetite (just kidding) actually getting fuller, still getting second most time
- fatigue 8 to 6
- weak muscles  10 to 7
- stumbling  10 to 3
- shaky extremities at times  10 to 3
- short-term memory loss (might be stuck with this one)  10 to 10

Did you make those chains when you were little in December?  To count down until Christmas?  I feel like I need one to count down until Monday.  All day long, I am thinking, "This is the last time I will do this.  This is my last Friday.  Last time I do this treatment."  Of course, I will do some of these again when I come in January for my check up.  Excited to get home and get back to life.

The last few months have been really tough for me.  I didn't realize how bad I was doing until I started doing better.  I started shopping for Christmas because I was worried I wouldn't be here.  I wasn't excited about Halloween.  I pictured me dragging my tired behind around the neighborhood with the boys.  

Now I am so excited to start living again.  To stop worrying.  To stop freaking out when I feel a pain.  To stop being anxious when I am too tired to get things done. To stop thinking my life will do another 180.  To just stop all that and start living.

I am ready to laugh.  To drop everything and run around with my boys.  To dance.  To sing.  To live

Thank you again for walking this walk with me.  I know it hasn't been easy and that makes me appreciate you even more.  I know we aren't going to have as many ups and downs.  Just good news and smiles and hugs and good belly laughs.  I personally cannot wait.

My room looking out to patio.

My room for 21 days.  Bathroom on other side of wall.

My hair is growing!  All that Vitamin C and B17.   This was after the pizza bake and a shower.  Face is still red.  

Tijuana - Day 17

Slept from 10PM to 4AM.  Woke up and did Sono.  Back to bed from 5:30 - 7:00.  If I am sleeping this much while on the steroids, think of how much I will sleep when I finish weaning off of them.  Which will start on Tuesday.

Saw the doctor today.  We decided that I did not have to increase the steroids before I get on the plane.  So I will continue three 4 MG of the steroids until I get home.  Then down to two for a week.   Then one.  And then I will be done or may do one half just to make sure.  My face will get puffy again.  That will go away.  I will start sleeping.  That won't go away.  I will start feeling better.  That won't go away.  That sounds so good.

I start Rigvir on Friday.  I will do a Rigvir shot Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  I will then be sent home with a 12-week supply.  Jason will get to give me the shot.  I am going to try not to make him mad those 12 weeks.  

Once I start Rigvir, I will not be able to do the sauna, pizza bake, or UVBI.  Something about the heat with Rigvir.  Did my last sauna today.  Tomorrow will do my last pizza bake.  The highest I have been able to get my core body temperature has been 102.2.  I am going to try to beat that tomorrow for my last bake.  Wish me luck....

I will be asking what treatments I should be doing once I get home.  Patients have told me that an hour in a Hyberbaric in their hometown can range from $400 to $600.  Yikes! Maybe I can buy Michael Jackson's.  

Met a friend who is here for a follow-up.  She had this massager and was asking the nurse/tech if it could be used like Indiba.  I found a machine for $11, 500.  So I was listening intently.  The nurse/tech said is was really good.  We started talking and she said she got it off of Living Social for under $100.  She was so sweet.  Spent a lot of time looking where she got and found it.  One massager on order and one treatment to do at home on its way.

https://www.livingsocial.com/products/us/tag/health/170384-pch-hot-and-cold-body-percussion-massager?pos=1&rui=218601205

I cannot believe that this is my last Wednesday here.  

Tijuana - Day 16

I slept from 10:30 - 4:30.  Went back to sleep from 5:00 - 7:00.  Woot-woot.

I was given the light activator again.  Recall, I had to take it that first day.  Stay in the dark for five minutes.  Couldn't eat for 30 minutes.  This goes directly to my cells and prepares them to receive all the treatments.

We thought I was going to be getting PCN-27.  It is a great treatment, but it causes inflammation.  We DO NOT want any more inflammation in the head.  We will do it when I come back in three months for my follow-up/check-up.

I think that is it.  If you haven't guessed, I have settled in.

Six more days!!

Tijuana - Day 15

Last Monday here.  It has gone fast.  I am happy and scared.  Happy because we are getting complete healing.  Scared because this is a new chapter in my life.

How do I navigate it?  How do I realize that I deserve this and it is time to stop worrying and just be happy?

When something comes up where action needs to be taken to rectify the situation, it helps me to start to organize.  What needs to be done?  How do I accomplish that?  How long will it take? Will the final result be what I want if I do it?

When we talked abut Hope4Cancer, we knew that I needed to go and get the right meds and heal.  I accomplish that by going, being selfish, doing what they tell me, and heal.  It will probably take the better of a year to get complete healing.  The final result will be physical and spiritual healing.  

But when I go home, what will that continued healing look like?  There will be less actions to take.  Not as many treatments.  Will that make me nervous?  Will I worry that it is not enough?

I am journaling and meditating on it.  I know I have to fill those hours, when I feel like I should be doing something tangible, with continued rest and healing.  Otherwise this will have been a waste of time.

But we aren’t always that smart, are we?  I am glad that I realized this so I can get it straight in my head before I come home.  I have kept my phone off for most of the time.  I have rested whenever my body told me I needed it.  But that is easy when I have no obligation except to take the time to heal.  

It will be good to get back to my wonderful life and do the things I have been missing.  But I HAVE to be careful about what this will look like.  I will continue to explore this and let you know what comes up in this head of mine.....

Took a picture of the Pizza Bake for you.  

I have been watching movies while in the Pizza bake (Hyperbaric Chamber).  It keeps me from thinking about being baked like a pizza for 45 minutes.  I got my body temperature up to 102.2 the other day.  Kill those cells, pizza bake.  

I have watched:

• Pride and Prejudice
• About Time
• Every After
• Like Dandelion Dust
• Four Christmases
• Man up
• Princess Bride
• Human Experiment (documentary)
• Forks Over Knives (documentary)

Anyone have a suggestion of I movie I can watch for free on Netflix?

Tomorrow is UVBI again. I am going to ask if I can keep the twirly thing that my blood goes through.

My PIC line (Subclavian Catheter).  All IVs go through this sucker ($500).

Tijuana - Day 14

Woke up to thoughts of my boys.  I miss them.  Pictures and texts are being sent so I know they are having a blast.  I talked to them and they seem very happy.  I know that all three of my boys are making new traditions and having a blast.  I am not even worried about what they are eating or how the house looks.  Because none of that matters.  Everyone is content and having fun.  Nothing can beat that.

We had a Girls' Night last night.  Played Chinese Checkers and Scrabble.  It was nice to sit around and laugh and forget about everything except kicking some game board butt.  We had six ladies and we stayed up until 10:00PM.  Late for most of us.  The treatments and Go-Go days exhaust most of us and are asleep by 8 or 9.  I slept from 10:30 until 5:30.  Yes, my longest span yet.

On Sundays, all patients receive Helio X in their IVs.  I probably have the name wrong, but was told it puts an extra oxygen molecule in the water.  I will try to get more information on that.  The more oxygen in my body, the faster the cells die.  "Thanks for coming cells, but your time here is over."  

I can't believe I will be home in eight days.  Or that I have been here for 14 days.  It has gone fast and I am excited and nervous about coming home.  Be warned.....I will be in Marietta soon.

Tijuana - Day 13

The van pulled out from www.Hope4Cancer.com around 3:00PM heading to Rosarita.  There were ten of us.  We got to Rosarita around 3:30 and had until 5:00 to meet the van back in the same spot.  I was in search of a bag.  Somehow we missed that I will be bringing my Rigvir and supplements home.  My suitcase had no room.  Found one right before I was to meet the bus.  I ended up walking around by myself because I walked ahead of everyone.  Turned around and I was alone.  It was nice to observe everything in silence.

Shops were everywhere.  Families walking along the sidewalk selling wares.  Food smells were wafting from restaurants and rolling carts.  Salespeople asking me to just come in and look at their stuff.  Clothes, hats, toys, jewelry, and all sorts of sundries.  It was pretty neat and so good get out.

Walked down to the beach.  VERY packed.  Looked like a lot of parties going on.  Lots of loud music and people running around.

Made it back just in time for the buffet.  It was so good.  There was cookies and cake.  What?!?  I have asked for the recipes.  We will see if I get them.

Yes, that is sushi you see.  Made with quinoa.  It was great.

I ate two helpings and had four cookies.  It was so good.  The cake was good also, but I was stuffed.  Couldn't eat any more.  I sleep from 10 to 4.  Did a treatment and the slept from 5 to 7.  They need to do a buffet every night!

Tijuana - Day 12

Ready for a praise?  My vision has cleared!!!  For the past six months, I have had what felt like a film over my eyes.  More on my left eye.  I was constantly wiping away something that wasn't there.  It made things blurry and I always felt like I was on the verge of falling asleep.  It cleared about two days ago, but wanted to make sure before I shared.  Woot-woot.

I did not take any medicine today.  They were going to give me oral medicine instead of what they were putting in my IV and I asked if I could wait to see if I needed it today.  I didn't.  Woot-woot.

Finally made it outside to run. It was about 75 degrees out and it felt wonderful to be out in the ocean air.  There were people all around, bands playing music, dogs, and the sun was shining.  The scenery is VERY diverse here.  Most of the buildings look pretty run down from the outside, but as I was running, I could in some of the windows.  Business and residences.  I am guessing some of them are nice inside.  Very nice cars next to beat-up cars.  Very interesting place.

What I found at one end of the road.

What I found at the other end of the road.

I did UVBI today.  Very cool.  They took out 60 ccs of blood that is passed through tubing where it is exposed to ultraviolet (UV Ultraviolet "C" Light) light briefly.  Then it is directly returned to me.  This drips for two hours. Most patients complain about sitting in a chair for two hours, but the process was so interesting to me.  Plus the benefits are what I am after:

Improved micro circulation and oxygenation of tissues. 
Anti-inflammatory effects
Stimulation of the immune system 
Increased tolerance of the body towards radiation or chemotherapy.
Cardiovascular protection through increased metabolism of cholesterol, uric acid, and glucose
Resolution of vascular spasms
Powerful anti-infection properties

My blood ready to come back to me.

Blood coming to me through the UV.

I almost asked for the part that is "twirling" the blood.  So cool.

I have a very short video of it going through this, but can't seem to get it to load.  I will try to remember to post when I get home.

As you know, when chemo is administered, the patient gets to sit in a chair and occupy themselves from an hour up to eight or more.  Most people tried to stay positive and have fun with it, but it just was sad to look around and see everyone in those chairs.  Here at Hope4Cancer, you can walk around with your pole.  (I have named mine Pete the Pole.) You can eat.  You can do certain treatments.  I have done exercises while hooked up.  Today I watched a little TV and then took a nap in a cozy, warm bed.  Not in a chair where you can't get comfortable.  I felt better when I woke up instead of worse like I did after chemo.  This is the way patients should be treated.

Give someone a hug today that you normally wouldn't.

Tijuana - Day 11

My days are getting boring.  In a good way.  I have my schedule where I am doing the same treatments at the same time every day and that helps.  Today I did more Recall Healing and crying.  Which I like.  I have always been open to this therapy.  I know I am messed up.  Most won't admit it. Oh, I admit it.  Once you admit it, then it is time to get to work.  It is freeing.

I woke up today with an image of my street.  I was coming home from the airport and it was lined with all of you.  All my friends and family that have supported me for the last three years.  Everyone was cheering.  Jumping up and down.  Might have seen some pom-poms.  I am bawling as we drive by everyone.  It was a wonderful image.

How do I explain how much everyone means to me?  Everyone.  I get messages every once in awhile from someone who apologizes for not doing more.  Seriously?  I am covered in love.  If everyone gave me food, other parts would be lacking.  If everyone came and played with boys while I rested, other parts would be lacking.  I am getting everything I need.  Everything.  Prayers, help with the boys, good thoughts, food, help chopping my food, cards, people who meditate with me, lift-me-up gifts, etc, etc.  Prayers from far away are just as important as helping me with errands.

I am loved.  Because of all of you.  A simple "Thank You" doesn't seem enough, but that is all I have.

Thank you.

Two really delicious meals.  I keep trying to get the recipes, but they won't give them to me!  The bottom one is self explanatory.  The top one also, but that sauce was scrumptious and I have no idea what was in it.  I have a hard time coming up with a raw dish like this.  Guess it is time to experiment...

Tijuana - Day 10

Happy Fall!

Nothing new for treatments.  There is a treatment where they take out some of my blood, mix is with saline and other stuff, put it back in but after it gets oxygen infused in it.  Most patients complain because it is the one treatment that you have to sit in a chair for two house.  But that treatment sounds cool and healing and I hope I get to do it.

I ate breakfast and guess what?  I was full after one helping.  I think my body is settling in and my spirit is relaxing.  Usually I ask for "Uno mas, por favor" and they make me another one.  For the first time, they just brought it to me.  So I didn't want to tell her no.  I ate it.  Then the nausea kicked in.  The vertigo wasn't any better from yesterday so now I am dizzy, nauseous, and not feeling well.

When the doctor came to see me, he suggested I take something.  He knows I don't like to take pills, but he explained that if my body is dealing with those symptoms, there is no energy left to work on healing.  I agreed.  In comes a nurse and puts something in my IV.  Within ten minutes, I feel it.  It felt pretty good I have to say.  It was like having three-glasses-of-wine good.  Just enough to feel warmth from head to toe.  Then I couldn't stop talking.  And I was giggling.  It was pretty funny.  I am a mess (and a big light weight!).  I will say it was nice not to deal with the vertigo as much.

There is a sign up to go visit a neighboring town/city on Saturday.  I haven't been out of the facility much, so am looking forward to that.

Have a great day!

Tijuana - Day 9

Raining all day.  I am on the top floor.  The rain hitting the sunlights sounds wonderful.  I think I took 3 short naps today.  The supplements I started taking this weekend are making me tired.  It says it will   cause fatigue for three to four days and that is the desired effect you want.  It sure made for some good napping.  

Another patient went home.  Her lesion had shrunk from 9.5 (I think centimeters) to a speck.  Just keeps getting better.

There are signs up that there is a buffet on Saturday.  We were talking about it at lunch and one of the other patients said, "I better tell them to make double for you!"  I am known around her as the resident eater.  Unfortunately, a lot of patients come here having lost a lot of weight.  Their appetites are suffering from their meds and the disease.  They are just in disbelief that I can eat.  And two of them at that.  That is a blessing.

Dinner tonight:

The raspberry dressing was delicious. 

Vegetable soup

Here are some pictures from around the facility:

This was one of the first things we added two years ago.  My sister and her mad research skills figured this out from day one.  She is amazing.

Enema room

Tomorrow I will be doing what everyone affectionately calls the pizza bake. It is the least favorite by most.  I will take pictures and tell you about it then.

Feliz dia de LA joroba!

No one can tell me the name.  We all call it the bouncy thing.  Stand on for ten minutes and moves up and down.

Tijuana - Day 8

Vertigo is back today with a vengeance.  Tried to move slow today and rest when I could.

Lots of new friends leaving today.  And more coming in.  

I wanted to tell you another healing story.  Gloria was told she had three days left.  THREE DAYS!  She left here yesterday and it has been three months.  She was so lucky to find www.cancercrackdown.com and Tara.  Tara and her non-profit was exactly what I looked for at the beginning of this journey.  Tara will walk you through alternative medicines, supplements, diet, etc, etc.  She is an angel.  I will post about her and her company soon, but if you know anyone who was given a horrible diagnosis, please consider going to Tara's website.  I can't wait to see Glo in three months at our three-month checkups!

Go forth and heal, my sweet friend.

The beach was calling me and I finally got my behind there.  It is only a five-minute walk across the street.  There were families flying kites, enjoying the sunsetting, kids laughing, etc.  It was exactly what I needed.  I walked for about ten minutes and then turned around before it got dark.  

Boardwalk

Graffiti/art is everywhere.

This is the border to San Diego.  Just a few steps away from Hope4Ccancer.

Toes in the Pacific

Feliz Martez!  (Why did I want to write bi%$#!@ at the end of that? Which I just looked up and it says that it is translated to perras.)  

Who said my blog wasn't educational.....

Tijuana - Day 7 - Got Church?

Buenos Dias, Amigos!

I slept from 9 to 4.  I am getting there...

Not much new happened today in terms of treatments.  On Sundays, everyone gets double helix water.  I have not asked what that is yet, but will soon.  I let them put the IVs without bugging them since I can't keep track of things.  I will keep track of my other treatments for now.

There has been a sign up that church service will be today at 11.  It has been on my schedule and was looking forward to it and then was told it is outside the facility.  I didn't know that.  At 10:55, I am trying to find what room it is being held.  Asked around and found out it wasn't at Hope4Cancer.  Wasn't meant to beI was thinking.   But then someone I has asked came to me and said she heard some singing.  We follow it to an impromptu church service with seven of us!  We sang songs we got off our phones for about 30 minutes.  Then one of the gentlemen brought a book that we all read from, commented on, and discussed.  It was exactly what I needed.

I was able to walk on the treadmill for 5 mins, run for 20, and cool down with another 5 min walk.  I only stumbled twice.  LOL  I made sure I had on the stop-chord-thingy even though it frustrates me when the treadmill stops tracking my time and distance.  iNike does not work here either.

I was able to take a couple short naps in different treatments and that definitely helped.

Here is the Hyperbaric Chambers.  Everyone says they can sleep in them, but I cannot.  Some of the couples would get in there together and cuddle.  How cute is that?  I do rest and enjoy the time.  Your ears pop at the beginning and at the end, but that ends within three minutes.  It is pretty cool.  I will be looking for a place to do this when I get home.  The more oxygen in the body, the better.

Just pretending...

Tijuana - Day 6

If you have ever been to a SPA for more than a day, or gone on a cruise, you are familiar with setting up your day.  Being here is similar to that.  At 5PM, they put out the new sign-up sheets and any appointments that have been scheduled for you for the following day.  Then you begin to get your schedule together.  Some treatments you can't do while you have an IV in.  Some you can't do too close to anther one.  Then there is breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  And we all know I am NOT going to miss those.

I was struggling fitting in all that I had to do.  Finishing at 10PM.  Today I sat down and added up how long everything takes.  9.5 hours!  That made me feel better.  Thought I was just not juggling everything well enough.  For those of you that know me, I do like to organize.  I was excited like a dork.  Sat down and got down to work.  I am still foggy, my eye sight is off, and my short-term memory is messing with me.  But I did it.  Came up with a schedule and followed it.  I finished my last treatment before dinner at 5.  (Did forget one, but it is one I do in my room and takes 30 mins. Finished at 7PM)

This may be why I was tired yesterday.  And probably because I am settling in.  It has been a long, but amazing, week so far.  But I was tired.  My body was finally letting go.  Releasing all the anxiety and fear about coming here.  But it was a good day and am ready for the next two weeks.  How has it been almost a week already?!?

Thought I would write down the symptoms I am hoping will start going away for me to remember, but then also, so we can celebrate when they do....

- vertigo
- blurred vision
- dry mouth
- blood in nose
- insomnia
- insatiable appetite (just kidding)
- fatigue
- weak muscles
- stumbling
- shaky extremities at times
- short-term memory loss (might be stuck with this one)

Probably more, but all I can think of right now.

It is 5:30AM Tijuana time.  Going to get on the treadmill and get this day started.

They have church service today at 11 (4PM your time) and will be thanking Him for all of you.

Feliz el domingo todo el mundo!

Tijuana - Day 5

Sept. 16, 2016
65 F

Woke up several times during the night VERY dizzy, continued the whole day, moving my head even slightly fast, or bending down quickly, made me have to stop and breath heavy.

Woke at 5 and posted while eating an apple I asked for at dinner for just this reason.

Pancakes for breakfast with spelt bread!  Eggs and fruit. (2 servings of course!)

Saw the doctor today.  Ultrasound results - no evidence of disease in the chest or stomach or organs.  Woot- woot.  An ultrasound cannot detect small diseases, but doctor felt great about results.  As did I.

We talked about reducing my steroids, which is why I can't sleep.  I am on 4 mg/4 times a day taking my last one pretty late.  We decided on 4 mg/3 times a day taking the last one at 3.  He also prescribed an herbal sleep aid.  As he said, if I am not sleeping, I am not healing.  I am ready to sleep.

He did a test that revealed my thyroid might not be working properly.  My cortisol levels are low.  My cholesterol is high.  (What!?)  I have bacteria and inflammation.  Could be from chemo, stress, etc.  I now have supplements.  Ordered and will start taking soon.

Dinner was a stuffed pepper with quinoa and veggies with a yummy sauce, small salad, and soup.  Two servings.

I am still hungry all the time.  And the servings are a good.  Not Dawn-size like I eat at home, but sufficient.   And I am eating two.  We eat at 8 am, 1 pm, and 5:30 pm.  I am used to eating every 2/3 hours.  I asked if I could have another meal to take to my room to eat later.  Yes and they delivered it.  I ate it around 8.  I am sitting here at 4:30 eating an apple and am still hungry.  I might come back 20 pounds heavier!

I was going to run on the treadmill, but still wasn't feeling that well around dinner time.  Listened to my body and just did my push-ups and some twists with a dumbbell.

I have a neighbor.  He is here with his wife.  They didn't seem to leave the room often.  Finally stopped by to talk to her.  They have been here for 2 months.  No, that is not normal.  I may get some of this wrong, but was given bad news.  Like days.  They came here.  Sounds like it was scary, but he was still here!  Yesterday, he got out of bed for the first time in two months.  I say a lot of activity going on, but gave them their space.  When things calmed down, I went in.  He was out on the balcony for the first time, sitting up, talking, laughing, and I started crying.

Have only heard about miracles in this place.  I feel like everyone should come here for four days and experience these treatments (which are so wonderful and make so much more sense than tradition medicine).  The love and sharing and miracles walking around are overwhelming.

People have come and gone already in the five days I have been here.  Some for their initial visit (typically 3 weeks) and some for followups.  And I have only heard good news.
"Lots of shrinking tumors."
"Still clear."
"3-years clear. "
"They are gone."
"Tumor was 6 CM, now it is .08."

This is how I feel this disease should be handled.  With love and compassion and laughter.  Not sitting in a chair for hours getting toxins pumped in your veins.  Being told you are sick.  Being told you will feel sicker after treatments.  And I think most of, whether we want to admit it or not, are starting to realize that chemo does more damage than good.

Because you can't deny the results.  You receive hope.  And that is all I have been wanting.  Not a doctor to tell me to go home and have the hard conversations with my family.  No one can say when my time is up.  No one but God.  And, really, myself.

So mark your calendars for April 19, 2062.  That is my 90th birthday.  We will play gangster rap, dance with our walkers, eat cake, and drink a lot of beer.  Start taking care of yourselves so you can keep up with this old lady!

My view from my bed while posting

Tijuana - Day 4

Sept. 15, 2016

70 F
Mexican Independence Day - had some activity in the street around 9:00 for 30 minutes: police up and down, people, laughing, fireworks, etc.  Was about to sit on balcony and watch after a treatment and it was over.  

First day without Jason.  My head is a little foggy and it has been hard for me to remember where all the therapy rooms are located.  When you finally get your schedule set up, then you find out they changed an appointment and you have to rearrange. Which is hard because my short-term memory is still bad and my head gets confused.  BUT, I figured it out.  By myself.  I am getting there.

Today was the same treatments as yesterday.  I do alternate between B-12 and Vitamin C daily.  Sauna and Hyperthermia are alternated also.

I did the Hyperthermia for the first time today.  It is affectionately called the pizza oven by the patients.  You get in this tubular tunnel looking contraption with your underwear.  I was warned to make sure I had a wet towel with me.  This treatment your body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 104) to damage and kill cancer cells.  45 minutes.  It was hot!  I had a hard time in the sauna and that heat.  This was worse.  My temp at the end was 100.7. But I felt so much hotter.

We did thermography also.  The ones I have done were much different.  This one had a wand and the technician would touch different parts on my face  and chest with it checking the temperature.  Did about 60.  Then turned the air up, left for ten minutes, and came back and did it again.  I think I find out the results today.

I think breakfast will be eggs every day.  Has been so far.

Lunch today was Mahi Mahi in orange sauce, orange soup, and small veggies (2 servings).

I was given my first supplement today.  Vitamin C.  Taking 1 before every meal.

Dinner was yummy.  I asked what it was, but couldn't understand his accent.  Took some pictures.

That is not a potato.  Don't know what it was, but it was good.

And COOKIES!  Pretty sure they were made with almonds.  What a treat! I ate one helping, had to go to a treatment, so took another serving of both soup and dinner plate to my room to eat afterwards.  Should have asked for more cookies, but was being good.

Some interesting things here in Tijuana.  You cannot flush toilet paper or other paper products down the toilet.  NONE.  That includes all TP.  Yes, including the TP you use to wipe your BM.  Pretty gross. Pandora is not available here.  CANNOT use tap water to put in your mouth.  Have to have filtered water to brush your teeth.  

Tijuana - Day 3

Sept. 14, 2016
69 F

Didn't sleep well again.  One of those nights that I am sure I slept, but felt like I was up the whole night.  Was able to to relax and not stress about not sleeping which would stress me more, so just thought about all the stuff I am going to be able to do once these bugs get out of my head.

Woke up at 6:30

7:00 - IV of Poly-MVA

7:30 - PEMF (pulsed electro magnetic fields), improves circulation and cell metabolism

8:00 - Breakfast:  scrambled eggs, potatoes pancake, oats with blueberries (didn't like), but 2 servings of eggs and pancakes

8:30 - Indiba, heat therapy with deep heating of the local tissue area, tumor cells do not support this level of heat and die, metabolism is also increased by this treatment, 30 minutes

9:00 - Light Pads/Lumen Photon Therapy - Cytochrome C oxidase is an enzyme inside our cellular mitochondria where our body naturally makes healing energy. Cytochrome C oxidase responds to light and specific frequencies, 30 minutes on liver and chest

*most of my therapies cannot be put direction on my head*

10:00 - green drink that is nasty

10 - 11:30 - Recall Therapy, I liked this, http://www.hope4cancer.com/hope4cancer-treatments/core-therapies/recall-healing.html, I have done this throughout my journey, we should all do it

*11:00 - Jason left*

Also at 10:00 - 3:00 -Vitamin 3 in IV, I kept forgetting I was hooked up to the darn thing and kept just walking away from the bag and pole and everyone would run to me to help, LOL

12:00 - Light Pad again on back

12:45 - Lunch: brown rice pasta with kale pesto (my favorite so far! but I haven't had rice in 3 years!), salad, veggie soup (2 servings)

1:30 - room to relax

2:00 - question and answers with Dr. Tony Jimenez (founder)

Yummy protein shake

3:00 - coffee enema

3:45 - not sure the name, but it looks like a stairclimber at the gym, it bounces you up and down (10 mins)

4:00 - Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber

5:15 - ran on treadmill for 2.5 miles

6:00 - Dinner: chick pea salad, veggie soup, smaller salad with blueberries

7:00 - 7:25 - sauna, so HOT, 25 minutes, rotating every 5 minutes, I went to get out and I couldn't open the door, trying to slide the door open and not panic, but I was hot and I was FREAKING out, starting knocking on the door and not sure what to do, then I stumbled and my shoulder hit the door and it popped open, I was trying to slide it and it pushed open, WHEW

8:30 - Sono-Photo Dynamic Therapy (SPDT), works with our SP-Acivate which adheres to the cancer cells, so that when light and now, sound, of the correct frequency is applied, the agent "explodes" into free radical oxygen, instantly killing the cancer cells which cannot survive in oxygen, uses three components: a photo and sono-sensitive activator of light and/or sound at the correct wavelengths, and a source of oxygenation, 10 minutes on back, chest, and liver (gel and a heated wand rubbed in circular motion)

SHOWER

9 - 10 - photo component SPDT (lay on back, pull down 10 lights over front, then flip) 30 mins each side

10 - 10:30 - Near Infrared Heat Lamp, penetrates about 3 inches inside body, healing hard to reach areas, many viruses, bacteria, parasites and tumor cells have poor tolerance to heat compared to normal cells

It was a long day, but a good day.  Everyone I meet is so wonderful.  Doctors, nurses, food staff, cleaning crew, patients, etc.  Some patients are here for the first time like me, others are back for their follow-ups, which happens every three months (I think) for four days.

I was asleep by 11.  YAY.  I woke up at 4.  I will take it.

When you wake up, you have to schedule you day.  It is a little overwhelming.  So much to figure out - times
- certain treatments you can't do on the same day as others
- some are 10 minutes, some are an hour
- some you can't sign up for and just go by and see if they are available
- then a doctor might pull you away and you have to reschedule
- a nurse does your vitals at least twice a day

But it comforting to me.  Everything I am doing just feels right.

5:15 AM - going to read a little and hopefully sleep a little

Wow.  Feeling so much better than this picture from beginning of the year!

My sweet neighbor has been giving the boys Beanie Babies.  This is New Beginning and Halo.  They came home with the boys to bring here to get rid of the bug in my head.  

Tijuana - Day 2

Last night, I fell asleep hard at 8 PM Tijuana time.  Don't even think I said my prayers.  But then I woke up at 2 AM wide awake.  And so hangry.  Stayed in bed for an hour drinking water to fill my stomach and tried to go back to sleep.  Finally got up at 3.  Walked around the clinic, found a book, and read for an hour.  Iyanla Vanzant.  "Yesterday, I cried"  It is very apropros.

Went back to room and never went back to sleep.  The steroids I am on are giving me insomnia.  No fun.

Nurse showed up at 6:45 to give me medicine I took under my tongue.  It is to prepare me for the ultra-violent light therapies.  Had to stay in the dark for five minutes.  Then wait 30 minutes to drink water.

At 7:00, I was getting blood work.  Then an ultra sound.

7:30 - Pulsed Electo Magnetic Fields - used to circulate and cell metabolism

8:00 - Breakfast: eggs, guac, brown sauce, sprouts, almond milk based cream of wheat stuff with strawberries.  I had 2 servings!

9:00 - Coffee Enema and hydrogen (yes, where you are thinking), it cleans out the colon

10:00 - Talked to my awesome doctor

10:15 - nasty green smoothie/drink

11:00 - PIC insertion, because of my two ports, I have a lot of scar tissue, doctor couldn't get the needle in the vein, after 5 pricks, I asked for the most benevolent outcome and pictured me giving my vein that was moving to God on a platter He was holding and immediately the doctor said it was in, I started crying, He is so with me.

12:00 - Hyperbaric Chamber (I am like Micheal Jackson)

12:45 - X-ray of chest

12:50 - Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field again

1:00 - Lunch: salman with yummy almond milk based sauce with olives, broccoli, and white soup

3:00 - First IV treatment - B-12

4:00 - protein shake

5:00 - Dinner:  salad, quinoa with veggies (had carrots so didn't eat), bean soup

6:00 - Indiba (heat, kills cancer cells)

6:30 - walked to organic store to get food in case I wake up in the middle of the night again, and also picked up some Tijuana t-shirts

7:15 - walk on beach boardwalk with Gladys (one of the awesome patients we have met)

8:15 - turning off computer

Sleep tight, Everyone!!