Like a baby --

Behaving like a baby -  eating, crying and napping
Trying to keep my mind focused and fight fear
Thankful for my chef and my cheering section (you!)

I knew coming home would be a big shift from Oasis of Hope and thought  I prepared myself well.  Ha!  It's been harder than I anticipated.  There, everyone you spend time with is in the same (ish) situation (cancer patient) with the same mindset (alternative therapy) or they are there to support you in your battle.  There is strength that comes from spending time together - from praying for those who are failing - from worshiping together and from comparing notes on how a treatment went - how many naps you took and sharing tips together.  
Home is wonderful -- nothing like your own pillow and your own potty to make life good!  
(It's the little things!) 
However, there is not the community at each meal that I grew accustomed to -- 
oh yeah and you have to fix your own food!  Thank God Todd is helping me in this fight!   I'm not sure what I would do!  I really miss the gathering of people with the same intention/attitude toward this... 

Combine this with my goofy schedule of napping a lot, it makes planning events- outtings- getting together challenging.  
Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment and chose to drive myself.  I got up, ate, walked almost 1.75 miles,  got ready, drove there, waited, had the appointment, checked in with Todd, drove home, ate and napped after my strenuous morning!  That little bit totally wore me out!  Crazy! 
Today, I had an appointment with an HVAC repairman (thank you God it was for a $3.00 fuse and not a $3000 A/C unit!)  He left by 9.  After some domestic puttering, I gave in to the siren call of my pillow on the patio and slept for over an hour - which did not prevent me from sleeping 1/2 hour this afternoon as well!   
This is so weird for me-- I am used to getting up and pressing hard until well into the evening.  
I remember writing back in the Spring that I felt strongly that God was wanting to teach me a better, more balanced way of living.  This must be part of the plan! Struggling with being content that this is what I am supposed to do.  Submitting to his plan sometimes is easier than others - sleeping is not that rough -- it is combatting the voices in my head that tell me to work, work, work no matter what!   

Very thankful that I can take the time to rest.  Not sure how anyone who is doing this alternative route can manage all the details, rest and work!  So very thankful for all the scrimping and thrifting, saving and debt avoidance that we did over our lifetime to be able to invest it in this treatment which is giving me the best chance of long life.  

Lots of thankfulness in this blog! While at Oasis of Hope, I made a cross of notes what each had multiple things on it for which I was thankful.  It helped to fight the fear.  I need to do that again here at home.  There have been several things that really got my fear going again -- news that several friends are not doing well -- one whose death is imminent - the pain continuing - meeting with doctors who don't understand why I am doing this - wondering how long I m gonna be so tired...

To combat that, I remind myself of all the awesome protocols I have done -- here are a few pictures that cheered me up and reminded me to trust God.  

A small miracle, but I dozed off and slept during hyperthermia and Todd snapped this.  It shows a bit more of the set up with the tent and my beautiful icy helmet to maintain proper body temperature.  

The last protocol was the dendritic cell vaccine.  This shows the last one being administered.   First they iced the skin and then used lidocaine to numb the area.  You can see the fluid beneath the skin.  Amazing that it would be absorbed within hours and hopefully get to work killing cancer cells!!!  Praying that it is still working and that the tiredness is because of the war being waged within! 

Profoundly thankful for all of you carrying me/us through this.  Currently, I'm reading the Healing Power of a Christian Mind and it refers to a study in which a Dr did a study on the power of prayer in which the patients did not know if they were prayed for or not.  In fact the patients did not even know the pray-ers!  (R.B Byrd, "positive therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer a coronary care unit population," Southern Medical Journal, 1988:81:826-829) So in case you needed positive proof that you are making a difference for me -- there is some!  

I leave you with some verses from Ps 34

This calmed my jitters as I waited for my urology appointment yesterday!  

We are thankful for you!  Blessings to y'all!  Thanks for checkin' in!  
  

Home!

A brief post to say that we are back home - after 20 days! Very thankful! 

We were welcomed home to a clean house and a big pot of soup thanks to various friends -
So thankful for this blessing because the house had gotten out of hand with being gone so much and then surgery and then pain...
and the chicken soup is so healing!!!

You will hear more stories later about the amazing place Oasis of Hope is as time goes by.   For now, home is great medicine and I am praying that I can keep up my routine of naps and rest so that the good work that was begun there can carry on to healing!   It will be hard not to jump in again and think I can do things because I feel good -- it's hard to walk that fine line of resting but pushing myself, but not too hard.   

One line kept sticking in my head today --
My integrative doc said, "Go now, while you still have some strength to fight with."  
As I was leaving this morning, I passed a lady that had come in recently who truly looked quite ill, gray and weak, as she sat in her wheelchair -- obviously too weak to make eye contact.  The hardest hit yet tho is a gentleman who came in with me, 20 days ago - and you could not tell he had cancer.  Yes he was slim, but not gaunt. His spirits were great - he and his wife are lovely people and we spent several meals with them.  They had planned to go to San Diego on Tuesday (the day off the vaccine)  It was quite a shock to see his wife come down to breakfast Wed morning and say he had not been doing well - hallucinating and possibly bleeding internally.  As of yesterday afternoon, he was doing even worse.  Things change in the blink of an eye!  One moment you have health - then next you are fighting for your life!  
It is a solemn reminder that it takes everything you have to fight this vicious beast of a disease. 

The moral of the story?  Avoid this at all costs!  
   
It makes me so thankful for all of you who are praying so diligently for me.  This truly makes a difference!  

Have a lovely, restful weekend!  Tell your special people that you love them! 

The Lord bless you and keep you -
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.....
     Numbers 6:24-26

Thanks for checkin' in! 

Lots going on

Last Vaccine tomorrow  -Monday and Wednesday went as expected
Todd arrived - thankful! 
Walking 2.5 miles a day
Going home Saturday - so tying down lots and lots of details

The vaccines took a lot out of me.  Possible side effects from them include achy-ness at the site as well as flue like symptoms.  I got both of those!  The vaccine is administered under the skin, in the top of the thigh, near the groin, so it has easy access to the lymph nodes there.  That way, the vaccine goes into the lymph system easily and tells it what cells are cancer cells and to kill them. 
(forgive me if I am repeating - I lost track of what I told you already!) 

My vaccines were at 9:30 a.m. followed by 5 min ice, 10 min lying down horizontally and 15 min of walking to distribute the vaccine.  I felt ok until about 3 in the afternoon and then slid down hill.  Usually I had aches and chills, but no fever.  It was not horrible - just something to be endured.  By dinner time, my teeth would be chattering and I went to bed between 6:30 and 7:30....The next day I would feel pretty decent - get up and walk as usual in the morning, but by afternoon my pillow was calling me and I felt achy also.  The leg that got the injection was quite sore in the muscle beneath the injection site - I had a hard time going up and down stairs and limped a bit.    

The Docs are glad for the reaction because it means that my body is engaging in the fight.  I am thankful that it is such a small thing to endure.  Having Todd around made it easier to endure - :)  Glad I did not have to be without a buddy when I felt icky.  God provides doesn't He?

I've been able to walk 2.5 miles every day since Saturday - which is really good.  Having a beach to walk on makes it fly by!  Walking by the ocean reminds me how small I am and how vast God is!  In addition, I have loved hunting for sea glass and consider each piece a miracle since the beach is so busy!   

I cannot believe that it has been 3 weeks (almost) and that we have accomplished all the protocols shown here.  We leave on Saturday, so today and tomorrow is a flurry of appointments with various people and getting prescriptions for follow up care.  There's lots and lots to write about that so that will be later! Suffice it to say that for the next 3 weeks I am to do/take nothing and rest a LOT to give the vaccine a chance to multiply unhindered and fight the good fight!
  
We'll see how that goes - lol  I'll have to figure it out!  It'll be a lot harder at home than here!  

Very thankful for
being this far
friends that we've made
medicine to get me healthy again
Oasis of Hope being an option in the cancer battle
all the employees that work their butts off to make this a great place
God's promises - "I have engraved you on the palms of my hands"
                            "I will never leave you" and 
                            "Fear Not!" and 
                            "Fret Not"  and 
                            "I am with you" 
                            "My peace I leave with you"
All of you!  
Thanks for checkin' in!

Old dog new tricks-

trying new technology -please see my video post in Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/christine.moritz.7?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf

Thanks for checkin in!

Don't Worry -

Completed my last Ozone/UV light therapy today

Completed my last Vit C, Vit, K Vit B-17 infusion today
Had an appointment with a doc to determine if hernia or tumor are causing the pain
Feeling very tired and achy - gut upset--

High of the day was Dr Cecena talking about various types of medicines that they use in our treatments.  Both Michelle and I learned a lot!  

Low of the day was that the young patient I spoke about  in a prior blog passed away this morning - A heartbreaking reminder that life is indeed fragile and unpredictable.  

So thankful that we are engraved on the palms of God's hands- 
Is 49:16 and that no matter what ordeal we are going through, God walks through it with us Dan 3:25.  Is 43:1-3.  

Ps 94:18-19 When I said, "my foot was slipping," your love oh Lord supported me
    When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul!

Michelle is leaving tomorrow morning and Todd will be back down here Monday  evening which means that I will be without a buddy or a computer!  I am a big girl, and will be fine - but will really miss her great company and her "gently bossy" way of caring for me!   
So many of your begin messaging me if I have not posted within 48 hours - 
so I did not want you to worry ---
you might not get an update for a few days 
or 
I may surprise you - we'll see how ambitious I am!  

I will leave you with this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RiV3qASco0

Each of you is a blessing and I am so thankful for each prayer you utter in our behalf!  You keep us strong!  Thanks for checking in - 


  

The Doctor Was In

Met with Dr Contreras and Dr Cecena today 
Left kidney is not functioning  but learning that's ok - strong right kidney! Yay! 
Their 5 yr survival rate for colon cancer patients is 40% compared to my oncologist's 25-30% 
They said that my tumor load was very very low  and that they thought I would respond really well to the protocol.  
They think the pain may be coming from my hernia and will have another doctor evaluate 
     the PET scan to see what she says.  
Because my kidney is not functioning, I have been getting a smaller dose of the Vit C infusion.  It is an equivalent potency to everyone else tho, which is reassuring.  

So how am I really?  
Trying really hard not to be elated or falsely optimistic - but so happy!!!  So incredibly thankful!   

One thing that has really surprised me, is how much face time I get with doctors here.Today, I met with 2 docs for about 45 min. Dr Contreras was out of the country until 2 days ago, or I would have seen him sooner.  Last week,  I had met with Dr Cecena for about 1/2 an hour, maybe more.  In addition, I have had 2 appointments with Dr Peres of about  15-20 min each. I met with Dr Lagos for my intake appointment for 45 min to an hour. During hyperthermia, the doctor in charge of that sat there the entire time for 2 of us! At any time during the day or night, I can ask to speak to a doctor.  This is so different from the amount of time I spend with my oncologist -- This is big enough to be good, but small enough that people know me by name!  (the nurses and the concierge do!)  

On another note - http://www.oasisofhope.com/ if you are in the Dallas area, Dr Contreras will be there - see the link.  

So the kidney is dying but that's ok -- 
there are other functions besides filtering and the kidney is probably still doing those.  There is a test that my urologist can run to determine if it can be saved.  Hoping I can get him to do that.  Basically, even though the kidney is not filtering, the tissue is viable.  It is not like it is rotting or anything - which is what I thought of when they talked about it dying.  It's like the under-performing employee in a company.  They take up space but add little value.  (Michelle's word picture helped me wrap my brain around this!) 

Regarding tumor load - 
Tumor load refers to the number and severity of the tumors that a patient has. Most of the patients that come here have far more tumors than I do.  Based on that, they kind of had the attitude that if most patients need an EMT, I need the athletic trainer to tape my sprained ankle.  (Michelle has great word pictures doesn't she?)   

My pain has been steady.  I look for my painkillers every 5 hours in the morning time and by late afternoon and evening the time gap can get down to every 2 hours.  I thought it was referred pain from the kidney swelling - and they said that it could be.  They also were questioning my hernia and if that was the cause of my pain.  It is hard to say because it hurts in a wide area. I'm gonna try and pay more specific attention to what, when and how it hurts.  
They are having another doctor look at my PET scan to see what her opinion is regarding the source of the pain.  

During infusion, I noticed that most people get 2 x the amount of vit C that I usually get.  I asked about that and they told me that tho the dose is smaller, the potency is the same. They reduce the amount of the liquid because one kidney is not functioning. I am thankful to be receiving the same amount of medicine that they think is wise.   

So thankful to be here - blessed by the spirit of this place and the staff and prayin' for my miracle!  

Hanging on to God as we continue to follow the protocols that they have outlined for me.  

     I will say of the Lord," He is my refuge and my 
     fortress - 
     my God in whom I trust." 
     Ps 91:2

Thankful for all of you!  I am so humbled at how many people are keeping up with our saga!  

1/2 Way Done (1/2 baked)

Doing well 
Hyperthermia again today
Blood draw for vaccine
1st "vaccine" on Sat
Tired today

Cannot believe that I am half way done!  Woohoo!  Yesterday I walked 2 times and the second time was so pretty with sun sparkling off the water.  It was much more crowded tho. Thrilled I felt energetic enough to walk 2 times :)

Yesterday I did not sleep nearly enough - barely any naps  - and they brought my pain meds just after I had fallen asleep - LOL.  I went to bed at 8:30 last night and slept til 5:30 (except for pain medicine)! Another thing to be thankful for!  

One of the best things from yesterday was that we got to hear Dr Contreras speak and he had a Q and A session for us.  He is the son of the founder of Oasis of Hope Hospital and he explained the philosopy here.  At other places destroying the tumor is success.  In the process of the tumor eradication, often the patient dies. Here at Oasis of Hope, the goal is to help the patient live with cancer, not get rid of cancer.  He was funny and said it was like a marriage -- an "I don't bother you, you don't bother me" type of relationship with the tumor.  Success is viewed as the tumor not growing- being held in check - and me being able to live life fully. I like that! 

He talked about all cancers having the same nutritional needs in common which is why the diet is so important.  But again - he was very funny - he said, " If after 3 weeks on this diet, you say "to live is Christ and to die is gain,"  you probably need to re-evaluate your diet.  It needs to be something you can live with and stay on --  The best diet for a cancer patient is vegan and low glycemic index.  I'll share more later from him.  He was an excellent speaker -- passionate, knowledgeable and funny.  


Today I am still tired from yesterday and my day started by getting blood drawn for my vaccine.  We took a shorter walk because I had a limited amount of time that I could eat because I have to fast for hyperthermia.   





We asked Dr Contreras about the role of hyperthermia and what it accomplishes.  It obviously is a detoxing tool but it increases the immune system as well.  It increases oxidative stress which is harmful to the cancer cells and for about 30 min out of the 2.5 hour long process is flat out kills cancer cells.  When your body temperature gets high enough, it kills them.  Obviously it is a delicate balance to not overheat or cause too much stress on the other body systems. Here's a few shots of the row cover type tent and all the wires and tubes.  I had my last treatment today and even with sedation, it was challenging!  This picture is before my body had heated up enough so I was hot enough to feel miserable, but not hot enough to warrant the water infused cooling helmet! 

 
Tho this is a hopeful, peaceful, healing place, sometimes we are reminded that we are in a fight for our lives.  One of the patients here, not even an adult yet, is not doing well at all. You know  when all the doctors come out of the room at one time, and when there is special equipment outside the door, and the whole family - siblings and all - are flown in from overseas-- that things are not progressing the way that they had hoped....It is sobering and causes me to be very very thankful for so many things, like

-this place that offers hope in the face of cancer
-the strength I still do have
-the nurses who work so hard
-pain medicine
-sunshine
-new friends and old friends
-new friends coming together to pray for each other - the body of Christ
-successful surgery for one of our patients
-the chefs here who work hard to love us creating yummy treats -like carrot cake that met our diet requirements to celebrate a patient's 25th wedding anniversary - 

Thanks for checkin' in and walkin this with us - y'all are the best!

Monday, but no blahs--

Todd back to work - Michelle watching over me :)
Weekend was restful - Saturday was detox and mineral infusion
Sunday was church and rest - 
Monday was back to infusions -
Weight holding
Pain killers working better
Diarrhea better (thanks to the pain killers lol!) 

We are blessed with several people who offered to come and stay with me so that Todd could return to work, since it's back to school season!  A dear friend, Michelle Thompson, was able to work remotely for a week and come keep an eye on me :)  I am so thankful for her very understanding boss and for the wifi here that allows her to do that!  

Very thankful also, that the mineral infusion over the weekend, which had given me quite some pain the last time and taken 6 hours, went smoothly and painlessly.  They suggested a heating pad to dilate the vein which helped so much!  

A small thing, but from Saturday afternoon until this morning, I was able to go without a catheter in my arm for infusions!  It was wonderful not to have that pulling and hurting! Very, very  thankful.  

Some patients really intensely dislike the food here -- some of the "companions" go out for many of the meals.  I find the food really spectacular - it is great to have the opportunity to try different combinations of flavors.  
A particular favorite of mine is the bread which is made with rice flour and is rich and moist. 

People are wonderful here - both patients and staff.  You can have conversations with patients from all over the globe!  It's fun to talk to people from Romania, the UK and Mexico City over meals or infusions and watch friendships form.It gives me many reasons to be thankful.  Some people are so very, very sick --- but the common theme is that they are so much better after being here than they had been.  They talk of tumors disappearing - of scans clearing of "living with" cancer rather than "dying from" cancer.  It is so encouraging!     

I'm blessed to be able to walk every morning about 1.75 miles.  It's my dose of local culture for the day!   We are very close to the beach and we walk in the morning.  It is so odd to me that beach front property would be so run down - and the trash everywhere is crazy.  The lack of building codes has us a little puzzled too...We are so American!  
Walking Sunday morning was totally different than any other morning!  Sunday here is family day and there were many people in the streets parking and walking to the beach -- and this was at 7 am!  There were many tents  set up on the beach and beach fires already going.  
There was a (perhaps) Buddhist ceremony (not really sure) -- involving lots of people with incense burners that were wafting the incense all around several participants. The incense bearers were all wearing white clothes with embroidery on them.  As I walked there were several more people dressed similarly that were carrying large drums and hurrying down toward the ceremony.  

The best tho was a beach wedding!  7:00 a.m. on a Sunday.  I could not understand if it was a wedding or a wedding vow renewal --
They processed down amphitheater stairs to the music of a full band!  
I passed them and went walking and then on the way back they were dancing on the beach.  :)  

Walking this morning you could see the aftermath of the parties!  I could not believe how much trash was strewn everywhere!  They had fun!  

Thank you so much for the text messages and the comments and the e-mails y'all are sending me.  They are so encouraging!  One of you sent me the link for this song -  -- it captures my feelings beautifully - the lyrics are so powerful - Pray it blesses you!

Thy Will be Done
https://youtu.be/PAmh3yvmzXs  


Thanks for praying for us!  Y'all are a blessing!  Thanks for checkin' in!

Hyperthermia and other Details

Diarrhea is doing much better!  
Sleeping well -
Holding my weight gain!  
Woke this morning with energy and not much pain!
Walked 1.75 miles today before breakfast
Survived hyperthermia yesterday
Food continues to be delicious -- learning to get full on non meat protiens.

Had hyperthermia last night and it was quite an experience.  They raise the body temperature  to simulate a fever that ia high enough that it kills the cancer cells.  They do this 2 times during my stay.  You lie on a bed with a mattress that has a hot water pad on it covered by a doubled sheet.  Then they cover you with a sheet, a blanket and a reflective survival blanket.  Then there is a tent that is over your body - kind of like a gardening row cover.  Your head is out and once you reach 101, you get a terribly stylish flexible helmet that has circulating cold water in it to keep your brain from baking.  
When you get hyperthermia, you also get your infusions during that time.  You are hooked up with chest monitors, blood pressure cuff, oxygen meter on one finger and a line into your IV as well as the wires for your helmet.  It was quite complex!  
There were many suggestions how to get through this including music and sedation. Pandora does not work here :( and I tried to go without sedation.  Actually, once I got the helmet on, I fell soundly asleep for a little bit.  However - just as you feel wretched with a regular fever, I began to toss around.  One friend sent me Olympics clips because we cannot watch olympics here (a source of great sadness to me!) which were very distracting -- and Todd brought my phone so I listened to scripture memory work --- ultimately I asked for a sedative tho -- I started to feel a little frantic caught in the sweaty sheets, and unable to reach to untangle myself because of all the lines.  

One question that I received -
Does this (PET scan report) change your opinion about your treatment?
No!  My only option in the states is chemo.  My urologist will not do surgery on my because I am not doing chemo.  Chemo is the only option that I have according to Western medicine. That systemic approach kills everything, not just the cancer.  This systemic approach targets the cancer cells and builds immunity.  I wish that I had taken time to find out about this last time!  I would never have done the chemo, which now is shown to strengthen the stem cells in colon cancer and make them more aggressive.  My oncologist denies this, but the studies are out there.  

Here is more color commentary regarding the PET scan:
When the Doc presented the information, he was very low key and matter of fact.  His face and body language did not convey that this was not fixable.  Perhaps I am being too pollyanna - but he seemed so matter of fact and unexcited that I am encouraged.  

When I went for my scan, another lady was going as well.  Her news was even better - no spread anywhere!  
So thankful!  

O of H provided us with a lunch because we left at 9:30 and were not due back til 3:30-5:00.  They were so very kind to us at the San Diego hospital -- we were invited to stay in the back in a private room after our scans to eat our lunch! Obviously they get many patients for O of H.
The tech came and talked to us - asked us questions and said that the people that come from O of H are so nice...She commented on the lovely lunch we got --
Veggie sandwiches on gluten free yummy bread with almond butter and nutella.  We had apple cider and mixed nuts as well as lemon water!   

Todd and her son took our driver out for lunch -- he was so funny and said he had salad -- ya right!  how bout steak?   

Crossing the boarder into the US was really interesting - 26-30 lanes converging.  In between the lanes are vendors with their carts set up.  You could buy breakfast, souveniers, newspapers, drinks of all kinds, as well as support several different charities. The vendors walk around in the traffic like they are perfectly safe - which at that point traffic is not moving very fast - but still - breathing all those fumes.....
There is a medical lane which helped us get through quickly tho.  

Other stories - 
Contrary to any other time in my life, I am having trouble getting IV lines put in properly. I think perhaps it is because I have gotten so thin -- Not sure - but several times have ad them try to set a line and they could not use the vein because it would not flow properly.  Another new experience is that my arms are very sore where the lines did access...  My Left arm is still sore from Monday!  Today they accessed in the crease of my right arm.  On Wed, that spot on my left arm "blew" during the PET scan because I had to have my arms over my head and it bent too much.  Today I am desperately trying to keep my right arm straight so I don't kink the catheter and render it useless.  That is pretty easy to remember because it hurts.  It's hard to do anything tho!  Try keeping your arm straight and go through a day...It's a challenge that keeps me humble!!

My day started well today, but slid down hill quickly -- I got really emotional after one of my infusions.  The Doc had told us that these are harsh/hard treatments and I think that they just took a bit of a toll today.  When my pain escalated, I got really grouchy and crabby and cried a fair bit, not just from pain but just felt miserable... 

We changed the pain medication today, so I am trying it out to see how effective it is.  So far - so good!  

Food continues to be delicious -- learning to get full on non meat protiens.   

It hit me today that even though this is not chemo, this definitely is strong treatment.  As I was in the hyperthermia, I kept envisioning cancer cells dying miserable deaths in a desert. My physical reactions to the infusions have fallen into a pattern of total exhaustion that requires lots of sleep to recover from.  I am so thankful for this place and praying that the treatments are effective.   

I continue to hang on to Jehovah Rapha - The Lord who heals- from Ex 15:26 

Thanks for checkin in!  

PET Scan results - Thankful

PET Scan results - 

   Peritoneal Seeding on the top of the liver between lungs and liver - 

   Small lump on right of abdomen in the abdominal wall

   Same area where 1st tumor removed glowed bright

   2 tiny nodes in the right lung

   All organs clear

   Left Kidney seems to not be functioning

Peritoneal Seeding is the release of cancer cells that happens during abdominal surgery that float elsewhere and begin to colonize.  Left unhindered, it would turn into a full blown metastasis. The Doc said that my cells were on the outside of the liver, like butter on bread--- not on the inside of the liver like a full blown metastasis.  

The mystery lump in my abdomen wall has been there since the last surgery and I personally don't think this is cancerous - it is directly below a scar and it is totally encapsulated and feels to me like a stitch with a lot of scar tissue.  However, in my many years as an oncologist, (Ha) I may be incorrect!

The same area as in February around my left ureter glowed very brightly and seemed big to me.  The Doc said that this area is not all tumor, rather it is lymph nodes as well.  No surprises here.   

Looking at the pictures, it was not possible to discern the 2 nodes in the right lung, but the written report referred to them (we could not find them going back and looking for them)

Bottom line: 

All the organs are clear - except for the butter on the bread of the liver.  So lungs, pancreas, bowel - all those are good.  

The kidney is still restricted - it showed little activity.  Praying that it can hang on and regain function as the treatments progress.

He said that I have a very light tumor load by comparison to what they often treat.  The treatments here are systemic, meaning that they will treat everything they come in contact with that is not healthy.   He said "we need to reverse the cancer."  What a great thought!  

   

Other than that - more praises

I woke up feeling good!

Walked 1.5 miles - a first in a long time!

Diarrhea somewhat better.  

Food continues to be really good - 

1 Thes. 5:18 - give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Thanks for checking in.

Hope!

Doing well - sitting in the garden in the late afternoon

sun - giving thanks for this option.

PET scan tomorrow - prayers please!

Diarrhea still an issue - :(

Protocols everyday for portions of the day

Staff is wonderful-  

Worship every day

Thankful to be here

As we debated coming here, even back in June -- we asked God to close the door if it was not what we were to do.  We talked to people who might be able to shed light -- we kept crying out to God and trying to listen to Him through the confusion.  That is so hard to do when your world is upside down but Jer 33:3 says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know."  He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and he answers.   Sometimes he has to give you pain in your gut to "get" the answer - oh how I wish I were not such a slow student!  But thankfully, he does answer - and hopefully next time I will hear more quickly!

I did not know what to expect and came on blind faith and the Father's leading.  We've been very pleasantly surprised.  The Oasis of Hope Hospital is in an urban area which is not a tourist area, so if you go outside of the hospital, it is unlikely that you will find english spoken. The hospital itself is nice!  They are renovating a floor of it and according to one lady who has been here 4 times now, they are always renovating something.  Guess that is what you have to do with a 50+ year old building!  While it has a nurses station, it also has a concierge, driver and chefs.   It is a unique blend of hospital, hotel and retreat center.  The spirit of this place is peaceful and God filled -- it is hard to describe - I'll work on words to say more about this. 

The doctors are all fluently bi-lingual, and some of the nursing staff is fluent - and some is more on the basic side of bi-lingual.   Everyone here has an energy about them -- they are pretty excited about what they do!   

Yesterday, Monday I had two cleanses (coffee enemas) and 1 mineral replenishment infusion.  Depending on a person's sensitivity to potassium, that infusion can take 3 -6  hours.  Because I am such a tender, delicate flower (ha!) it took me 6.  By the time I was finished, the vein in my fore arm felt bruised and sensitive.  It seems that after any infusion, a nap is what this girl needs!  After my nap yesterday, I felt really good.  

Today I had an ozone and UV light treatment on my blood.  They withdraw the blood, put it through an ozone machine and re-infuse it sending it through a UV light machine.  The ozone introduces more oxygen to the blood.  Cancer cannot live in the presence of oxygen.  The ultraviolet light "cleans" my blood the way a UV toothbrush holder cleans a toothbrush - killing off the bad stuff and keeping the good stuff.   It took about 1/2 an hour.  

Then I went to the infusion room for IV vitamin C, K, B-17 and I cannot remember what else.  Several pills of pentoxifline went with all that to help activate the anti-cancer effect.  All that took about 2-2.5 hours.  Then lunch and - you guessed it - a nap!  

Because of my diarrhea, they have removed all the nutriceuticals from my diet.  Most patients pick up their box of pills each morning -- I"m special -- I just get my diarrhea meds and my pain medicine.  The Doctor speculates that the growth is constricting the colon, which causes it to work harder to push the food past the constriction.  Perhaps this is the cause of my intestinal upset -- I don't know.  I am profoundly thankful for the homeopathic medicine which controls the diarrhea pretty quickly.  

Wifi has been pretty good - Todd has been able to work "part-time" - haha... Hopefully I'll be able to upload pictures -- I can receive text messages but am more limited on my sending.  Thank you for all the lovely messages and posts.  They mean so much!  

The big surprise for us has been the spirituality of Oasis of Hope Hospital.  They talk on the website about daily devotions  and worship, but I did not really pay much attention to that--other than making note that they were Christian.   What has been so surprising is the worship -- very contemplative with good, inspiring music.  Both days so far they have talked about the possibility of miracles and praying for miracles for each other!  When you need a miracle, it is such a blessing to pray for miracles for each other!  

The people that are here as patients seem to mostly be people of faith.  They come from all over the globe - Ireland, Russia, UK, Australia, France - there are Asians, Hispanics and Americans.  There seems to be about 20-25 patients here now.  There are no stage 3's that I have talked to - all stage 4 - and 2 returning patients that I know of.  There is only 1 other colon cancer patient.  The ages range from 19 up to 76- tho they are not the majority.  The comaraderie is very strong - staring death in the face breaks down pretense and people are quick to become friends, share stories and encourage each other.  That is an intangible that I had not expected.  While doing chemo, tho often you would sit near people repeatedly, there was not a sense of comaraderei.   We were each in our own bubble of misery and so sapped of strength that no one became friends.  The encouragement that we gain here, by hearing others' stories and challenges is healing and encouraging.    

I will try not to carry on too much about the food -but y'all know how much I love to eat!!! It is vegetarian and it is fabulous!  Because of my diarreha, I ask what is in everything and it is amazing how they can take seeds and beans, change the texture, and make them taste amazing.  Last night they served brownies made from black beans and cocoa that were wonderful!  Each meal has unusual entrees that are tasty, satisfying and yummy!  A great souvenir is that they will e-mail us recipes!!! I have eaten more here than I have in the last months. Not doing the prep work I am sure is great seasoning!  Even with the diarrhea, I gained 2 pounds -- we'll see if it lasts, but it is fun to rejoice in the small things!  

Tomorrow I have a PET scan at 12:30 in San Diego.  We have to leave at 9:30 because of the boarder crossing being a wild card.  Another lady is also having a PET right after me, so we will not be back until 3:30, best case and then will meet with the Doctors.- I believe to get results.    And - yes, fasting is required!   They are sending some healthy food along, but - glad I got 2 extra pounds! 

Prayers are appreciated that the cancer has not spread and is confined to the ureter.....

Yes, I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

https://youtu.be/SXaSWUvTb8w

My heart is overflowing with gratitude that I can be here.  I am praying that this is the miracle that God had planned all the way along.....

Thankful for my all my doctors and nurses, for my family and friends all over the country - 

For God's steadfastness carrying me into an uncertain future.  

Tho I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..

     Ps 23

Thanks for checkin in and for makin' that shadow just a bit less dark by being with us--praying with us!  

Hope

After much prayer, and looking at my scenario from many vantage points, we concluded that my best chance to beat this beast was Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico.  
I am well aware that this is pretty radical for many people to grasp, but chemo did not work before (remember, they said I'd be all good for 10-20 years) 
With the tumor re-growing so swiftly (March -June) time is of the essence.  
This morning after worship, we drove down and checked in --
Amazing how fast things change!  

God had lead us to my integrative Doctor, and he told me to go here back in June before our trip.  So thankful I got to see each of our kids before coming here.  I had no idea this would re-grow so fast - colon cancer is usually thought of as slow growing....

I knew Oasis of Hope Hospital was Christian, but the scriptures on the walls are such a comfort!  
Other blessings 
- I got to see 2 girls from my Tuesday morning bible study and one from Mom's life today, 
- friends came to our service and worshipped with us  
- I was able to hug several people who had been praying for me
We are so blessed! 

Everything went smoothly getting here.  I had an intake interview within 15 minutes of arriving ,then orientation and dinner and a much needed nap :)
We have great wifi which is quite a blessing - I can stay in touch with y'all!
Tomorrow starts blood draws, cleansing, mineral infusions and I am not sure exactly what else.  I know a PET scan at some point, but not sure when.

My gut is not really happy to be off my restricted diet -- praying there are no adverse ramifications from that -- talking to the nutritionist tomorrow 
The food is very good - but it is entirely vegetarian which will be pretty rough for these carnivores! lol!

Prayers for my gut to settle, for wisdom for the docs and a clear PET scan would be appreciated as there was a node in the R lung in June

This was one of the songs at church today...Tissues needed!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_sWJQm2fs

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Besides the blessings mentioned above - I am deeply thankful that my Mother in Love's surgery went smoothly after a fall that cracked her hip -- she'll be up tomorrow!
Blessed by technology that keeps us connected - 
So very thankful for the OLu team that steps up and fills the gaps! Amazing people!

Thanks for the prayers -- they are truly carrying us!  Thanks for checkin' in!