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Update on Carol
Saturday, Sept 29, 2007, 10 pm
Carol was noticeably weak today. She limited her movement. When she was doing things, she moved very slowly. Carol cried a bit today, simply wanting to feel better. She said, "I will be better tomorrow." And she will.
Frankly, today was not her best day. Tomorrow will be.
Yesterday marked the 100th day since we first heard the word "cancer." Your prayers are greatly appreciated. We are moving forward.
Friday, Sept 28, 2007, 11 am
Carol is doing very good again today, praise God!
When a person loses weight, it frequently can cause them to look younger. Such is the case with Carol and her 40+ pound loss. I looked at her this morning and said, "you look so much younger. If you told someone you were 38, they would believe you."
Without missing a beat, she wryly responded, "not if I was with you."
Ouch. (It happened, 15 minutes ago, EXACTLY as I have reported it.)
I immediately went online to see if one of the side effects of chemo was increased witt along with increased cynicism towards husbands. I have not found it yet, but I am sure it is in there somewhere.
Other than my wounded ego (smiling), we are doing good. Carol is going to Jake's football game again this morning. That is huge—a sheer delight to see her up and around.
Thank you for praying.
Thursday, Sept 27, 2007, 10 pm
Carol had a superb day today. Cool, eh? Her strength was much better yesterday and today.
Last Wed-Thurs-Fri were three good days for Carol. It appears that this Wed-Thurs-Fri is shaping up the same way.
Apparently her body responds well to Wed-Thurs-Fri. Therefore, I am asking all of you to contact your Congressmen (Congresspersons?) asap—and ask them to reduce the present 7 day week to only 3 days: Wed-Thurs-Fri. Thus Carol will continually have only good days. (Weak attempt at humor, admitted.)
Again—THANK YOU for praying for her.
Wednesday, Sept 26, 2007, 5 pm
Carol, as declared in the morning posting, has "faced her world," and is having a great day! PTLATGFHPWP*
*stands for "Praise The Lord And Thank God For His People Who Pray"
Wednesday, Sept 26, 2007, 9 am
Carol got up this morning, then confidently and assertively declared, "I am getting up—and I am facing the world!" (Her exact words.) I chuckled at the choice of words and asked "how are you doing?" She replied, "Better."
Thus we are off to a great day. Carol is "facing the world." I am not sure what that means, but I like the sound of it. And that's the news from the Garlow household.
Tuesday, Sept 25, 2007, 10 pm
Carol had a reasonably good day, except (again) she is quite weak. She lost another pound, which is not what we want.
I am trying to encourage her to view food differently. Food (due to chemo, primarily) does not taste good to her. In fact, she does not mind her strict diet, she says, because NO food sounds good to her.
I am gently reminding her that the purpose for eating now is not taste but life! Nourishment is critical.
It is commonly reported that many years ago cancer patient Hubert Humphrey (former Vice President of the U.S.) died not of cancer (as commonly thought) but from malnourishment. I have read that a substantial percentage (possibly as high as 40%) of cancer patients terminally suffer from malnourishment, as opposed to the disease itself. Thus, as we all know, nourishment is essential.
On a positive note, WHAT Carol is eating is superbly nutritious: organic vegetables. But she needs to eat much MORE of it. So that is our goal at this time. I believe she is "getting hold" of this.
Also on a very positive note: Although much of the day was marked by weakness, there was (as has occurred so many days before) a small but definite increase in her strength towards the end of the day. She really perked up in the evening. The smile was back. And we are truly grateful for that.
Monday, Sept 24, 2007, 10 pm
Once again, Carol's strength increased during the day. Though not strong, she is definitely stronger than she was. For that we are very grateful.
She sat on the sofa and watched "Dancing with the Stars." For her to feel good enough to even want to watch TV is a blessing. Our TV has been off for most of the 90 days. (Maybe "no TV" is a blessing, though, right?)
Since chemo patients lose their hair, wigs are the order of the day. But Carol Galley, a Skyliner, had her idea about the potential for a truly new look. Therefore she brought wigs of all colors—and I mean all colors. Red, orange, jet black, along with a collection of Zsa Zsa Gabor rings, sunglasses, scarves... You get the picture!
(Note: Carol Galley, along with co-conspirator Sher Prince, are two ladies who work with our Middle School ministry. One night a couple of years ago, I picked up Jake and Josie at Ground Zero, after a youth event. We had driven about 100 feet from the building, when from the back of my suburban I heard this blood curdling scream. Carol Galley had hidden herself [without my knowing it] in the back of my vehicle, as a stow-away! Talk about illegal immigration! THAT is the kind of person who is trying to get my wife to look like Zsa Zsa Gabor! And she [and accomplice Sher] work with our youth! Is there hope for America?)
Now, on a serious note. When I began these postings, it never occurred to me that they would provide counsel and help for other cancer patients. Somehow they have become, in small measure, that, based on daily feedback. Therefore, I will include a bit of "beware-of" type info. Last Tuesday, Sept 18, the posting stated: "Carol came through chemo in good fashion. There was a minor (or at least we believe it to be minor) problem when some chemo caused the arm/wrist (IV leakage) to swell, but we believe this problem will pass quickly. We will know more tomorrow." They took a picture of her wrist.
The problem seemed to go away—or so we thought. However late last night (Sunday), it reappeared as a large red blotch on Carol's wrist. This concerned us greatly.
One website states regarding chemotherapy leakage: "There are risks with getting peripheral IV chemotherapy. The chemo could leak out of your vein and harm your skin permanently." Our oncologist has assured us that it will be okay. Chemo is not water soluble, thus takes a long time to dissipate. He says that the mark could be there for weeks or months. It has the look of a burn mark and is about the size of an egg. I explain this for two reasons: 1. as stated above, there are several cancer patients / companions tracking with us—and this might be news to you as it was to us, and 2. to let you know how to pray quite specifically for Carol.
Thank you again for your faithful prayers.
Monday, Sept 24, 2007, 10 am
Carol was very weak and fatigued all day Saturday. She slept much of the day, then "rallied" somewhat Saturday evening.
Sunday morning started off fairly strong (or so I thought when I left for church services). However, when I returned home after services, I discovered that, like Saturday, she was very weak. That continued throughout Sunday.
On Monday morning, Carol is still quite weak, yet somewhat (a little?) stronger than yesterday.
We were repeatedly forewarned as we began this journey that it would be unexplainably "up and down." And it is.
Last week, Wednesday through Friday were very good days. In fact, they were exceptional! Obviously we would have liked for it to have been more than a "three day run;" however, we are still rejoicing for those three days.
We are slightly disappointed, but not the least bit discouraged. Our axiom: Disappointment is permitted. Discouragement is not.
We are in this for "the long haul." I am planning on living to age 95 (and healthy till then). And I am encouraging Carol to aim for 100 (since females outlive males by an average of 5 years).
Shifting focus to the humorous, if I might: At church services yesterday morning, I asked Dan Grant to call Carol at 10 am to check on her. She had insisted on not having anyone stay with her, the first time we have done that during this illness.
Dan called her at 10 am. Carol reported that she was fine.
Then, at approximately 10:30 am, the phone rang at our home again. Carol answered. No one was on the other end, but she could hear background noise. Then she recognized my voice.
Dan had accidentally hit re-dial. Unknown to him, his cell phone called our home.
Consequently, Carol could listen to me preach.
When I arrived home she told me the above details. Eager to solicit an affirmation regarding my preaching (thinking she would stay on the line and cherish hearing my words of wisdom), I (foolishly) asked, "So once you knew the sound you were hearing was me preaching, what did you do?"
Carol responded, "I hung up!"
End of story.
As you can see, she needs prayer not only for her health, but for discretion and attitude, wouldn't you agree?
Friday, Sept 21, 2007, 2 pm
I don't generally do more than one posting per day, but the news is too great NOT to share. Carol just got "out," which is amazing, and went with us to Jake's 11 am football game (in which Jake's school—Excelsior Academy—beat Sierra Academy, and Jake did incredibly well...but those were not supposed to be the purposes of the email, now were they? :-)
The issue: we are "day four" (generally one of the worst days after chemo) and she is doing so very well. She looks good. She is eating.
Weak? Yes. But still able to get around, with no nausea or other complications. WE ARE ECSTATIC! Did I tell you we were ecstatic? We are!
Friday, Sept 21, 2007, 8 am
Good news. Carol is beginning this day reasonably strong. As stated in yesterday's posting, this is extremely significant in light of the fact that she is "day four" after chemo, which is normally marked by intense discomfort. We are rejoicing.
Thursday, Sept 20, 2007, 10 pm
Carol had a fabulous day. Why is that especially important to us today? Because this is the infamous "day three" after chemo. That is when she tends to feel the impact. We have been desirous that the Oasis of Hope Hospital stay (Sept. 2-13) would result in "softening" the harshness of the chemo. It has worked! We report VICTORY this day.
She did experience increased fatigue toward 6 pm this evening (Thurs.), but was still able to be up and around. Now we focus on tomorrow.
For those of you who joined us "midstream," we can bring you up to speed with a brief overview of the past three months. Click on the Quick Overview of Carol's Journey in the left hand column.
Wednesday, Sept 19, 2007, 4 pm
Carol is having a superb day. We are rejoicing. Sometimes when she is having a good day, I am tempted to run to the computer and send (to the office) the good news to be posted—before her condition changes! (Very poor attempt at humor?) Her "ups and downs" come quickly and unexpectedly. However, this day, she has really done very well. Has felt good enough to be out. Praising God for your steadfast prayers.
Wednesday, Sept 19, 2007, 8 am
Carol experienced intense nausea last night at 11:30 pm. Although we remain intensely optimistic regarding her healing, it was, I must admit, a bit discouraging. Skip Elmore (and others) have said, "when your faith is weak, use mine." That describes what we had to do at the midnight hour. As the Psalmist says, "Joy comes in the morning; weeping only lasts for the night."
We think we have isolated one of the causes for the nightly nausea: a medicine she takes for a minor medical condition unrelated to the cancer. At least that is our best "sleuthing work" at this moment. We are checking to see what other med can be taken, so we get rid of the supposed "culprit" med.
Carol seems to be doing much better this morning. Thank you for thinking of her this day.
Tuesday, Sept 18, 2007, 9 pm
Carol came through chemo in good fashion. There was a minor (or at least we believe it to be minor) problem when some chemo caused the arm/wrist (IV leakage) to swell, but we believe this problem will pass quickly. We will know more tomorrow.
As is often the case, she did gain strength as the day progressed. The normal "hit" from chemo (exceedingly high fatigue) is felt in days three through seven, thus we are really praying for God's touch on her beginning Thursday (and following).
Her immune system, based on the guidelines of conventional/traditional medicine, should be highly compromised now (since this is the third round of chemo), particularly on days 10 through 18, thus she has to be extremely careful and not be around anyone with a cold, fever, etc. We are in hopes that our time at Oasis of Hope Hospital helped her to be immune-enhanced.
Thank you for your prayers this day. We are so appreciative.
Tuesday, Sept 18, 2007, 9 am
Carol began Monday with nausea, which was a bit disappointing. And she was quite weak. But, once again, she rallied as the day continued, ending it so much stronger. Thus the last half of the day was very good.
She is eating, but not as much as we would like. Her weight loss, during this journey, is 39 pounds. The good news: it has stabilized. The bad news: it would have been better if she could put a few pounds on. More good news: thanks to the influence of the Yeh Center for Natural Medicine (Upland, CA) and the Oasis of Hope Hospital (Tijuana, B.C., Mexico), she is eating exceptionally healthy food. This is a significant part of her healing journey.
She is starting off the day somewhat like yesterday. However, somehow mornings seem more challenging than the rest of the day. Thus we are anticipating her being strengthened as the day progresses . The strengthening is quite important today, since in 30 minutes, she will begin receiving round three of chemo.
Today is the 90 day mark since she first went into the hospital (June 18), for what we thought would be a routine surgery. Thank you so much for standing with us on a journey for which we had not planned. You have sustained us by your love and prayer. Praise God for YOU!
Sunday, Sept 16, 2007, 11 pm
Carol had a good day on Sunday. Still not as much strength as we would have liked, but overall it was a positive day for her.
Since these web postings have "morphed" from simply giving updates on Carol to also becoming encouragements / informational for others who might someday go on a similar journey, we have chosen (cautiously) to include the "inside" aspects of this journey.
Although the day was very good, it did include a brief, expressive crying time, in which Carol, through tears, exclaimed, "I just want to be normal again. I am so tired of pills (she is referring to the nearly 30-40 nutracueticals she is taking daily), and I want to be able to taste good food again." The later comment is directed towards the lack of appeal of most foods now, as opposed to simply the strictness of her diet.
This type of vulnerability is stated here simply to encourage focused, laser-beam type praying. And it is also a part, we hope, of either encouraging fellow strugglers, or soon-to-be fellow strugglers. With the multifaceted nature of Carol's treatment, we are now being asked daily what we have learned/are learning. This web posting is also an attempt to answer those questions.
We move forward with the confidence that Carol is being healed. We patiently wait for the full evidence of that healing.
This being a weekend, I preached 5 services yesterday and today. As I walked back into the third service this morning (after greeting so many Skyliners at the door), I thought to myself, "I sure do love these people." And I do. And I likewise am so grateful for the relationships with so many of you across the nation with whom we feel just a bit closer to by virtue of this website.
We love you all.
Saturday, Sept 15, 2007, 10 pm
Carol had a good day, considerably better than yesterday (Friday). She is still quite weak, but has improved so much in 24 hours. She was able to be up portions of the day. Best of all: she ate. She seemingly could not eat much on Friday. Today was so much better.
We have received such phenomenal support. We cannot put into words the depth of our feelings. Here is another example: Jim and Tammi Dunn are good friends of ours from Oklahoma City. They flew out, without our knowing they were coming. They came to help Carol. They spent the entire day helping in every way they could (and they are both superb at doing everything)! They just left our home a few minutes ago, at 9:30 pm, and are coming back tomorrow. It was amazing how much they accomplished.
I cannot tell you how humbled we are to receive your gifts of time, love and prayers. This type of support has made life SO MUCH more bearable during these last three months. Once again, our hearts overflow with gratefulness. I do not know how we can ever repay so very many people who have lifted the load for us. We praise God for all of you.
Friday, Sept 14, 2007, 5 pm
Carol is home, and loving it! She slept well last night and has had no nausea or other health complications.
Regretfully, she is extremely weak. She moves around slowly and gingerly. We are not sure why, as Mon-Wed she was so strong.
By the way, they have put new pictures on the website (around these postings). Those were taken just before Carol started chemo, so they are very new. Glance on down and you will see other new ones.
Today, thanks to Barbara Hammond and others, we learned how to juice. Do you know what juicing is? I learned today. That is when you cram a truck load of vegetables into a machine and it gives you a thimble full of liquid! It ain't chocolate milk folks, but it does wonders for your insides (or at least that is what I am promised). I am told this is the way Adam and Eve ate. If so, no wonder they sinned!
Okay, I need to be serious. A super thank you to Barbara and team for patiently teaching us a lot. And yes, it really is good for us. So we are very grateful. And the juice (as many of you know) from veggies is not bad at all. (If I knew Barbara would not say "I told you so," I would admit that it actually tasted good!)
Part of Carol's new regimen (and she has a massive "home maintenance protocol" from Oasis of Hope Hospital) is to have two of the juices a day. As you may recall, her third round of chemo is just around the corner, next Tuesday.
We are humbled that you love and care so much for Carol that you would periodically check in with us. A huge, enormous THANK YOU!
Thursday, Sept 13, 2007, 4 pm
As you know from previous postings, Carol had a superb three day run (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday) of feeling very good. Cancer overcoming is an interesting road, with many highs and lows. Today was not nearly as good. She is not doing great, or necessarily good. She is "okay," I guess. She simply does not feel well.
She is finishing her treatments, so we are coming home tonight. We are excited to be coming home.
Thank you so much for who you are in our lives. We praise God for each of you.
Wednesday, Sept 12, 2007, 10 pm
Great news! Carol had a very good day. It started a bit "sluggish," with Carol "tolerating" a one hour round trip to Mexican immigration to purchase a visa. But the bumpy van ride must have not harmed her much, for she got more energy as the day progressed.
The last half of this day was one of her finest days. The way I REALLY knew she was improving? I was working on the computer in our hospital room. She was on a bed behind me, receiving treatments by IV. I turned around and there she was, hamming it up for me, sporting a mischievous smile. She was listening to a CD through her headphones. But she was more than listening. She was "bee-bopping" with the music. Flat on her back, she was still determined to "jive." She was kicking her feet and waving her arms, and (as best she could) "bouncing" her head, all with the beat of the music. Do you get the impression she is feeling better? Yes, she is! And we are elated.
I got a great gym workout and a walk on the beach. Then I gathered all of her nutracueticals for the next three months. It fills one suitcase and one carry-on bag. When she downs all these pills in the next 90 days, she will become a portable pharmacy, a walking drugstore!
Now for some fun: In yesterday's posting, I referenced the fact that my sister and brother in law had come to visit us, bringing my mother. Well on the way home they had the one experience you don't want to have in Mexico. Yes, they were pulled over by a Tijuana cop, notorious for "payment on demand."
He claimed he could not speak English. Keat and Judy explained they did not know Spanish.
He first said something about running a stop sign. One minor problem: there was no stop sign. (At a later point, the charge "morphed." He claimed that Keat was driving dangerously. Frankly, Keat couldn't drive dangerous if he tried. He is a most cautious driver.)
And what was the fine? Eighty-one dollars. And he claimed that they would have to come back to Mexico tomorrow to pay it. Judy, my sister, insisted they would not be coming back to Mexico. His response, "Never?" (This coming from one who did not know English?)
Keat then asked where he should pay the fine. He pointed to the distant lights of downtown, stating some address. The conversation continued on and on.
Finally, my 86 year old mother had all she could take. She punched the button that automatically opens the sliding door on the van, revealing that "grandma" was there and had been listening. He was, in that instant, standing a few inches from her.
"If mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." The great grandma said "we are not driving downtown. Where can we mail it?" "There is no place to pay it," he responded. Not convinced, the emboldened senior, said "of course there is a place we can mail it to!" Nope, just no place, apparently.
"And there is NO stop sign!" my mom continued. "Furthermore," the agitated granny declared, "we are going to pay you zero." To make sure he understood, she put her hands in an emphatic "zero" formation.
The disoriented young cop shockingly replied, "Zero?"
Grandma hammered away, "Zero!"
"But how about half, $42?" he pleaded. (Yes, 42 is admittedly not exactly half of 81, but it's close.)
"Zero," insisted the increasingly incensed senior.
"How about $10...or $5?" asked the nearly crushed law officer, apparently not used to the likes of Winifred Garlow.
Sensing victory on the horizon, she sat as tall in her van seat as she could, put her hands in the now famous "zero" formation, and belted out (as much as an 86 year, 5 foot 2 inch woman can), "Zero."
The now destroyed cop smiled, and told them to go on. And ironically, he began laughing and joking and smiling at them!
And what did they pay? You guessed it. Zero!
My mother's email to me closed with these words (and I quote), "he pushed this little old lady too far... Bottom line: Don't mess with grandma. End of story." (Her actual words!)
There is one more detail in this story that she included in her email that gives one a distinctly feminine spin. After all the consternation the young cop caused, what was her evaluation of him? She wrote, "he was so cute when he smiled!"
Go figure.
Okay, now the story is over.
Carol and I will leave tomorrow late afternoon (Thursday) rather than Friday. We leave with great joy in our hearts that God let us come to this place. It is truly an Oasis of Hope.
What do you think of when you hear the word Tijuana? Poverty? Admittedly that is here. Interesting police officers who "collect on sight" (and "are cute when they smile?") Well, that is here too.
What do you think of when you think of two words together: Tijuana and cancer? Do you think of fly-by-night "clinics" fleecing people of thousands of dollars, scamming desperate people. Unfortunately that occurs here as well.
I can tell you what Carol and I will think of when we hear the words Tijuana and cancer. We will think of a place called Oasis of Hope, which has appropriate nomenclature. We will think of highly professional staff, skilled, loving and patient doctors, servant minded nurses, indescribable compassion, expectant and positive patients.
We will think of an internationally renown, state-of-the-art, top flight, research based, prayer saturated hospital. We will think of this place.
And we will think of so many of you who became our cheerleaders when you found out we were thinking of coming, with others of you joining "the squad" when you found out we had come.
Tomorrow we leave to come home, filled with expectancy for the future.
And by the way, I am planning Carol's birthday party for twenty years from now!
Love you all. Thank you for being "on our team." We have needed you. You were there!
Tuesday, Sept 11, 2007, 9 pm
Yesterday, as was posted last night, Carol had a superb day. Frankly, it was the best day she experienced since June 18 (the day of her first surgery).
Today was good, for which we are thankful. It was not, admittedly, nearly as good as yesterday. She had a tremendous struggle with overwhelming fatigue. She was extremely weak. Now good news: as we have come to late evening, her strength is returning. We are very encouraged.
Carol's treatments were completed by early afternoon. That was perfect because Josh (our oldest son) and his wife Lacy, along with grandsons Lukas (2) and Jackson (1) came to see Carol. She was elated. A short time later my sister Judy Wade and her husband Keat came, along with my mother Winifred. (Since I have put the ages of so many family members in the email both yesterday and today, I'll need to list my mothers age [86 !!] My mother will love this when she reads it. :- )
We are so thankful for family living close by. Carol's parents, Richard & Vivian Luckert, communicate daily from Dallas with emails and phone calls and wish so much they could be here with Carol.
Today I attended a superb lecture by Dr. Jorge Barrosa, who is in charge of cancer research here. He is both an M.D. and a Ph.D. (UCSD) and shared so much about the complexities of cancer cells. He lectured for almost two hours. No one would have complained if he had continued for another two hours. I came away in awe of the Oasis of Hope Hospital. This is a gift from God.
Tonight was a special chapel service for all patients and their companions commemorating the sixth anniversary of "9-11." It was a "Celebration of Life."
We are eager to be home on Friday. I am so eager to see all the Skyliners this weekend! We love you all!
Monday, Sept 10, 2007, 9 pm
Carol had a FABULOUS day. It was by far her best day here. We are really pleased because this was a full day of treatment protocol, a very busy day. Last week she was in the exact same regimen and she was so sick. Today she is doing awesome! PTL.
In fact as I am typing this, she needed a nurse's attention. Rather than call for one, she walked to the nurse's station. She would never have been able to do that last week. She is moving around the room with nearly normal strength. She is so happy about that.
In addition many of our family came to visit this afternoon: oldest daughter Janie, husband Jeremy, grandsons Riley (6) and Aidan (3), along with our youngest children Jacob (16) and Josie (15). Carol was in 7th heaven. That made her day even more wonderful. Like most mothers who haven't seen their children in awhile, she cried often on Sunday afternoon, wanting to be with them. So she is REALLY feeling happy now.
I worked out at the gym again today. Since I have not been faithful in exercising recently, my muscles are screaming at me right now. They are not happy with me. They'll quiet down by tomorrow (I hope).
The only difficult thing about the day was that many of the patients and spouses and/or caregivers that we have come to love have finished their treatments over the course of the weekend. They left. We miss them. We are now meeting new ones.
There is a deep sense of fraternity in this hospital. Patients and caregivers interact a great deal. They encourage each other. Carol and I became particularly close to several of them.
As I have mentioned previously, laughter is highly valued here. It is part of the therapy. Loud laughter is common in the cafeteria. In fact, it is stongly encouraged.
I managed to pull off some superb practical jokes on some of those to whom we have become very close, before they left to return home. (These were some great ones, even if I say so myself, so I am very proud. :-) We laughed deep and long.
For those of you who read extensively on cancer treatments, this is a multi-faceted hospital. Allow me to get a bit "techy." (Note: Those of you who read this for a "Carol update" won't want to read further. This email is about to get a bit detailed.)
Most of the patients here are in the Oasis treatment program, known as IRT (Integrative Regulative Therapy) "C" or "Q" or "CQ."
IRT-C is with heavy IV Vitamin C treatments.
IRT-Q is with chemotherapy (Chemotherapy in Spanish begins with a "Q.")
IRT-CQ is treatment involving both Vitamin C and chemotherapy. (Note: there are MANY other aspects to the treatment than Vitamin C or chemotherapy, as I have stated in previous emails last week, but that is how the respective protocols are labeled.)
Carol is in the IRT-C program here at Oasis of Hope Hospital. However, she is technically a C-Q patient because she is receiving chemotherapy in San Diego. Thus, Carol (with both treatments) is in an IRT-CQ program.
The hospital offers several cancer treatments. Most patients on 2nd and 3rd floor are on the IRT regimen.
Patients on the 4th floor are on the "Hallelujah Acres" regimen, that is well known to many of you from Skyline Church, as we are one of many churches that have a "Hallelujah Acres" group.
Patients on the 5th floor are on the Issels program, which originated in Germany. Persons on this program recieve the "Oasis" protocol, but also receive a special vaccine. They have to stay 28 days.
The first floor used to have persons in the Gershen program for cancer treatment, another German based protocol.
Thus there are, at present, three different strategies (previously four) in this one hospital. The patient selects their own program based on their reading, study and doctor consultations. This hospital expects the patient and caregiver to be highly informed. Most are widely read before coming. However, as stated in previous postings, many classes are offered here to help us with the understanding of the purpose for the varying components of the cancer treatment.
The paragraphs above may be far more information than most of us need or want. However, with the cancer rate escalating from 40% of the population (with some predicting it will reach 50%), I am wanting to help others not to have to take as long as I did, to understand the various treatment options that are available. I am amazed at how many of you are so well read on this topic. I have been way behind in this journey, but am moving forward. Hopefully the paragraphs above will help people like me who are searching, growing and learning.
Back to the purpose of this posting: Carol had a fabulous day, which we believe to be the cumulative impact of your effectual praying. We are SO VERY GRATEFUL for you all.
Sunday, Sept 9, 2007, 9 pm
Carol had a GREAT day, a GREAT day! No nausea or other complications! She is very weak, but gaining strength. She was actually able to walk the 3 blocks to the ocean, and stroll along the boardwalk for a short distance. That was awesome!
She had no treatments today except nutracueticals, so she had a chance to recoup from the previous days. More aggressive treatment begins tomorrow morning.
There is a Sunday morning worship service here in the hosptial. Ordinarily Dr. Francisco Contreras preaches. (Almost all the Contreras family—whether doctors or lawyers—are superb preachers! One of them preaches at San Pablo Church located only a few feet from the hospital.) Dr. Contreras was not able to be here, so I was asked to speak. It was an honor.
Since Skyline singer Lisa "V" has contacts here in Tijuana, she and her mother, Grace, came down today to see Carol. I asked Lisa to sing for the morning worship service. She did, as usual, a fantastic job, ending with a powerful rendition of "It Is Well With My Soul." Lisa and Grace ministered in anointed prayer to both Carol and me.
Carol remarked, "It was so good to see a Skyliner." During the worship service, she said, through tears, "this is the first service I have been able to be in since June 17." That comment made me very aware of what so many shut-ins experience, sometimes for years.
Today I reflected on the fact that we have "no regrets." We have no regrets that the San Diego doctors chose the regimen they have.
We have no regrets about the nutritional and herbal insights that Carol experienced at the Yeh Center for Natural Medicine.
We have no regrets about the treatment she is receiving at this state-of-the-art, top flight Oasis of Hope Hospital which merges the two above protocols with so many other treatments in what is called "Integrative Regulative Therapy."
We certainly have no regrets that so many of you have participated as a part of Carol's intercession team. How thankful we are for you! For your prayers!
We can rest that we have "walked a path" that God unfolded. And we fully trust Him for the results. As we go to bed tonight, we are at peace. (And we love you all!)
Saturday, Sept 8, 2007, 9 pm
Carol had a superb night Friday night. She began the day (Sat) strong. One particular medicine today, however, made her quite drowsy as the day wore on. Consequently, she slept much today.
Those of you that are primary caregivers know that you occasionally need a change of pace. I have been almost exclusively with her in the room or on this same floor for lectures. Other than going down one floor to the cafeteria, we have spent most all our time on this third floor. Since Carol was not having any treatments today, it allowed me to leave the room as she slept.
Today I got a chance to walk to a nearby gym and have a great workout. The last few months have not allowed that. Then I had a brisk walk along the ocean. I benefited by both.
In addition I attended the lecture (one of many classes) here on nutrition today to learn how Carol (and I) will need to eat in the future. I made a major overhaul of my life three years ago in diet and excercise. But I realize how very little I know. Many of you have read and studied extensively on the subject. But I feel like I am in first grade. Yet I am learning.
Many of the people here are in very advanced stages of cancer, thus they (or their spouse) have done extensive reading about cancer tumors, cancer treatment options and about the nutritional components. Carol and I have gleaned much from being around these well read people.
In spite of Carol's fatigue, she is (very slowly) improving. When she was not sleeping today, we had some great times of fun and laughter. Those times are special.
Right now as Carol goes to sleep, she is listening to the CD of David and Nicole Binion who ministered in praise and worship last weekend at Skyline. She just listened (at my insistence) to the song "RainDance." Remember that one? (Note: She was not enthused that I insisted she not listen to the songs "in order" [her words, not mine], and that I fast forwarded immediately to that particular cut. Poor David and Nicole. I ended up asking them to do that song three times in the 11 am service!)
Well, here is the encouraging word: Carol is moving forward! Your prayers mean so much to her.
Friday, Sept 7, 2007, 5 pm
I have described this wonderful hospital in such delightful detail that I am getting emails from some of you saying you wish you could be sick so you could be here. Another one referred to our hospital as our "international hotel." I am chuckling.
However, it really is a hospital, with some very sick people. In fact, most of the people who come here are in stage 4. One man across the hall from Liverpool, England, for example, is in extremely advanced stages, as are many of the patients. Some of them have had many battles with various cancers for years. The doctors, in tasteful humor, refer to the patients here as the "rejects," the ones that have been told by their oncologists that "there is no hope."
(Note: That does not apply to Carol's gynecologic oncologist (Dr. Bahador) in San Diego. He is a fighter, pulling out all the stops, and confident that God can and does touch and heal. He wants Carol and me to be planning for wonderful things in the future. And we are!)
Having said that "this really is a hospital," I reference now the fact that the treatments have been challenging for Carol. It is so much fun to write emails telling of how well she is. It is always more difficult to send out an email outlining the challenges. I do so, not to complain or attract attention or sympathy. (She would not want that.) I write candidly so you can pray with precision.
Briefly stated, her body has been so seriously resected (via surgery) that she is highly sensitive to meds and treatments that she would have otherwise easily have handled.
Bottom line: this has been a difficult day, with several complications, not unlike what she has experienced over the last two months. I have stayed by her side almost continually today (and yesterday), as she needed the help and attention. Cancer treatments are not parties. They are tough. There is a war going on within her body. Cancer is a vicious fighter. (However, the cancer tumors will lose, in Jesus Name!)
Even though she has experienced significant discomfort, inside of her the immune system is moving from its compromised state to one of enhancement. And she is being prepared, by these treatments, for the chemo to be even more effective in eradicating cancer cells. (Round 3 of chemo is Tues, Sept 18.)
Positively, she made it through the day. Her treatments are over for today. Some of her treatments continue Saturday and Sunday. Most of them resume Monday morning.
She is rallying now. She is strengthening slightly. Some of the complications that she has battled this day are dissipating. There is a smile returning.
As I mentioned in an earlier posting, street clothes are encouraged here, rather than hospital gowns. But Carol has been sick enough the last two days that she has been in a hospital gown, confined to her room (bed) most of the time.
In the last hour or two, she has been up more. She is getting back into street clothes. She and I have a date tonight, here in the hospital. The hospital values laughter and thus provides "movie & popcorn night." (It is a special kind of popcorn - suitable to the dietary protocol here.)
Thank you so very much for your steadfastness. Periodically I have great hesitations about "blogging" like this, concerned that it might convey that we are the only ones going through a crisis (when I know hundreds of families are in pain). And I am concerned that sometimes I write too graphically. This is a totally new experience for me, in every way. I didn't begin this blogging venture with any thought that it would develop into what it has become.
Just about the time that I question the wisdom of this highly revealing look at our "inside" life, I receive an email thanking me. Today one came from the Midwest from a person Carol and I have not seen in 20 or 25 years, explaining that she was following each day and praying. That was so gratifying.
And so many of you at Skyline have blessed me so much by telling me the emails form the basis of your prayers for Carol.
Succinctly, THANK YOU so much for caring the way you do! We really value you, so very much.
Thursday, Sept 6, 2007, 8 pm
Carol had an interesting day. Frankly, it was not her best day here, but the day ended well. She experienced some reactions to the treatments. However, she is doing very well now. She is smiling and is "up and at it."
Great news: still no nausea. She is eating well. After the events of so many weeks, we are really rejoicing over that fact.
Due to the nature of the reactions, I stayed quite close with Carol throughout most of the day. However, since it is only five minutes from our hospital room door to the ocean, I had a good walk along the beach. That is super refreshing.
Equally refreshing is the spiritual climate. The day begins here (as it always does) with an excellent worship and prayer service.
Mid morning there was a question and answer time with two doctors. One of them was Dr. Jorge Barraso, a top researcher with both an M.D. and a Ph.D. He is responsible for tracking the most recent cancer research from all over the globe. It is a treat for patients and companions to be able to have a Q & A time with the physicians.
These informational times are quite important because the patients here are expected to be involved in the decision making process. The doctors present many options, and they share their opinions. But they expect the patient to participate, both in processing the type of treatment and in an active "healing role."
The theory is very simple: the body is designed to physically heal itself (immune system). To do that, the mind and the spirit need to be participating in the procedure. Thus Oasis of Hope Hospital emphasizes prayer, Scripture, worship, along with much postive affirmation.
We are so thankful for so many of you who prayed for us to have a strategy. We believe that God truly answered that prayer.
Carol and I say a deeply heartfelt thank you for your love, support and prayer.
Thursday, Sept 6, 2007, 10 am
For reading my encyclopedic-length postings the last few days, I will reward you by being brief (which, of course, comes so naturally for me!?!? :-).
Carol had a great night. No nausea since Tuesday night. Her strength is increasing. She has had some reactions to some of the treatment, but otherwise is doing very well. We have praise music playing in our room most of the time, including right now. (We are listening to "You Are The Source of My Strength," which makes me miss the Skyline choir, worship team and band - and all of you as a congregation.)
Sure love you all. Thank you for loving Carol (and the family).
Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, 9 pm
Carol experienced some discomfort last night due to treatments during the day. She improved this morning. Today has involved several treatments as well. She is doing better. She is weak, but is improving. She has a smile on her face this evening. That is highly valued by me.
We are enjoying being with each other. This is a wonderful tender time for us. Being together, in this environment, is a special time. We praise God for this haven of rest, this place of hope.
The IRT (Integrative Regulative Therapy) strategy here involves about 20 different components for attacking cancer tumors. Some of the patients here begin their chemo tomorrow. As you know, Carol had two rounds before she left San Diego, so will not have that here.
Nutrition is another one of the aspects of the IRT. The spectacular meals of superbly prepared veggies and fruits are part of the detoxification strategy. The variety of food is remarkable. I am eating food I have never seen and cannot pronounce. And this old former "meat and potatoes plus chocolate" guy has to make a confession: I am really enjoying these meals. They are great!
In addition, the atmosphere here is one of positive joy, as I mentioned in yesterday's posting. Laughter, fun and fellowship is strongly encouraged. All the patients and their companions have much interaction, particularly at meals.
Furthermore, rest is strongly advocated, as stress can be one of many contributors to tumor growth. A relaxed atmosphere is highly valued at Oasis. A peaceful spirit is promoted in many ways.
One small fact bears out the importance of the diet and lifestyle issues: in the US the rate of cancer occurence is approaching 50% of the population. It is startling to realize that potentially one out of every two will have cancer. In Mexico only one out of nine have cancer. Why? One further fact: the cancer rate is considerably higher among the wealthy than among the poor. Why?
The answer? Poor people eat what they can grow, what nature provides. Rich people can afford the processed, chemically based foods. In addition, the poor operate at a considerably slower pace. If a taxicab driver needs $20 a day to support his family, and he makes the $20 by 11 am in the morning, he goes home and spends the rest of the day with his family at home. Simply stated, he rests. Our pace (mine included!) may be one of our great enemies.
The atmosphere here at Oasis of Hope Hospital is very nurturing and caring. Last nights gathering consisted of a healing service with awesome worship and Scripture. The culture of loving is evident everywhere throughout the environment. For example, Carol and I were walking through the lobby when we ran into Daniel Kennedy, the CEO of the hospital. I know him so we began to chat. He was on his way out the door to catch a flight. However, he insisted we sit down, and for the next 50 minutes focused on Carol not me (even though we know each other) and began to minister to her. It was powerful.
Hugs are mandatory - a minimum of twenty a day. Singing is encouraged. The founder of the hospital, Dr. Ernesto Contreras, used to lead the people in hymn singing. The first oncologist of the hospital, Dr. Contreras' son in law, left medicine to become of pastor. His large church is next door to the hospital. (Two other Contreras daughters married pastors.)
The days are filled with not only treatment, but classes for patients (if they are able to attend; Carol has not been able to) and their spouse or friend who lives with them in their hospital room. One of the classes today was to train us what to expect when we leave the hospital, their five year follow up plan.
Another class was laughter therapy and its role in healing. One class was on how to breathe properly to better oxygenate the body. Some of the classes are on the role of the mind in the healing process. Tonight a group of 50 visitors came to Oasis, so I sat in on the fascinating comprehensive presentation of all aspects of the tumor treatment strategy.
People come to Oasis from all over the world. I have met people from all over the US, Canada, South America, England, Portugal, Germany, etc. Oasis of Hope hopes to open a new hospital in the Midwestern US and possibly London.
My detailed description is more info than most need, and I admit it. But I am trying to give you not only Carol's condition, but the context in which her healing is taking place. I have informed Carol that I am planning her birthday party 20 years from now. Her body is receiving its healing. God is touching her. Medicines are doing what they are intended to do. People like you are praying for her and caring for her. Her body is being provided treatments to maximize medicines, while at the same time learning to heal itself as God designed.
Now, if you read this all the way to the end, you deserve a prize. Go get a nice veggie or fruit to munch on. (Gottcha!)
Tuesday, Sept 4, 2007, 1 pm
Carol and I are here at Oasis of Hope Hospital. We are "settled in." Carol's regimen yesterday consisted of only nutrients and supplements and getting oriented to the protocol that will be followed for the next 11 days.
She is feeling peaceful about being here. She had some nausea Sunday night and felt a little nauseous on Monday. Her level of fatigue is still high. But she has rested very well and is very thankful for this place.
Here is a quick overview of this hospital: 1. street clothes are preferred, not hospital gowns; 2. spouses or selected companions live in the hospital rooms with the patient; 3. everyone eats together in the cafeteria—including the doctors; 4. fun and fellowship is strongly encouraged; 5. meal times are for laughter and not talk about cancer (called "Joy Talk Zones"); 6. worship services are held twice a day—morning and evening; 7. there are occasional movie nights; 8. laughter therapy courses are taught; 9. positive mental thoughts are the order of the day; 10. Scripture verses are on the walls throughout the building; 11. lectures are given by doctors (exceptional in depth and breadth and given with great humor) and other professionals; 12. fabulous meals (primarily fruits and vegetables—very creatively fixed; in fact they are fixed so well, even a chocolate lover like me is not missing it; now THAT is a miracle!).
A couple side notes: we have an ocean view! We love that. And we have a balcony. We stood out on the balcony last evening and watched the sun set...and smooched! (I wish the sun would set several times a day! Too much information?)
Oasis of Hope Hospital combines the Conventional (surgery / chemo) with a host of other approaches, thus it is called Integrative Regulative Therapy, or IRT. You can check it out at www.oasisofhope.com
For those of you who like to know the "techy" side of it, here is a brief overview of her treatment. Here are a couple direct quotes from her protocol for this day:
"Recently researchers at the National Institute of Health have discovered that high concentrations of Vitamin C (ascorbate) can react spontaneously with molecular oxygen with tumor cells to generate large amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which can be lethal to tumor cells...However this strategy can only work well in tumors that have adequate levels of oxygen...Portions of many tumors tend to be low in oxygen (hypoxic)...Oasis Hospital employs several complementary techniques that can boost the oxygen content of tumors...This strategy involves drawing a small amount of blood, treating it with a mixture of ozone and oxygen, and re-fusing it. Ozone autohemotherapy has been used extensively in Europe..."
Carol's treatment today will include O3 and Vitamin C (mentioned above) and Perftec, along with Kemdalin.
Again, for you techy types, Carol's nutraceuticals consist of Omega 3, Shynerpax, Silimarin, Boswella, CoQ10, Selenium, Vitamin D, Melatonin, Wobenzyme, Resueratrol, Curcumin and Lycopene.
Don't panic if none of that made sense. That is written just for those of you who do loads of reading about this topic.
Bottom line: Carol is praising God she is here. And so am I.
We love you all.
Sunday, Sept 2, 2007, 6 pm
Carol had a reasonably good Saturday night (except for strong nausea at 9 pm) and had a good Sunday morning. What has not changed (this being the first week of round 2 chemo) is the pronounced fatigue.
We are going to Oasis of Hope Hospital this evening. Carol's treatment protocol can be read in an exceptional book that can be downloaded free online. The website is www.oasisofhope.com and the book is entitled DISMANTLING CANCER by Dr. Francisco Contreras and his nephew Daniel Kennedy.
Daniel is the CEO of the hospital. We worked together in the San Diego Billy Graham Crusade in 2003. I have known of the Contreras family (a father and two sons that are doctors - all researching cancer's causes) for a decade, at which time I met Daniel's father, David Kennedy, a Nazarene pastor in the Sacramento area.
I spent some time with Dr. Contreras and Daniel yesterday at a convention (The Cancer Control Society) in Los Angeles. I am gripped by the compassion of these two men and the entire Oasis staff. They are unabashedly Christian, openly praying with patients.
When Daniel heard that Carol had cancer, he called and said "we want to help in every way we can. Our family (his mother was a Contreras) will fold around you and hold you during this time." It was indescribably comforting.
We are following their regimen in hopes of reducing the intensity of the toxicity of the chemo on Carol's body. The chemo is woefully powerful.
Secondly, we are going to Oasis for her immune system (which is quite compromised by the chemo) to be strengthened. Her earlier non-stop nausea (almost 7 weeks) and her now occasional nausea has caused, as of today, a 38 pound loss, which we want to see stopped.
The body, when functioning properly, heals itself. That is their goal. That is how to best pray for Carol.
If you can read DISMANTLING CANCER (mentioned above), it will not merely help you pray for Carol's protocol, but may assist you in ministering to others of your loved ones who may encounter this disease.
Saturday, Sept 1, 2007, 3 pm
Carol had a great day Friday and Saturday. She had one minor season of nausea at midnight. Other than that she has had no nausea. She is very weak, but doing well. We are very thankful.
Friday, Aug 31, 2007, 2 pm
Carol is doing considerably better today. There was nausea at 2 am. However when she woke up this morning, she said (regarding the nausea), "I feel fabulous!" I had not heard those words from her for months.
She did not mean that she felt fabulous with regards to energy. She is profoundly fatigued. Chemo does that. However, she was referring to the fact that she felt no nausea. We are thrilled with that fact.
In fact, she was able to go out with Janie today. She moves slow and can't do much. But she went to a whole foods store (as our eating has been substantially altered).
ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON CAROL'S TREATMENT: The following paragraphs reflect our journey. Unless you or a loved one have cancer, this might not be relevant or particularly interesting. So feel the freedom not to read the rest of the posting. (You will note that recent postings have given you greater insight into our personal processing, discoveries and reading regarding cancer treatments. This is provided for those who are on similar pathways of learning.)
Chemo, as most know, is highly toxic. It kills bad cells. But it kills good ones too, particularly the immune system.
That is why there is so much disagreement regarding the use of chemo. Conventional medicine is very aggressive regarding the use of chemo. Natural medicine contends that chemo poisons the body severely, even doing irreversible damage. Integrative medicine uses chemo, but contends that it does not need to be used in such strong doses, and advocates preparing the body in order to soften the harshness of the toxicity.
Some cancer patients simply refuse any more chemo, saying "I would rather die than receive more chemo." Such is the nature of cancer treatment.
Carol will continue the conventional, traditional chemo treatments. But at the Oasis of Hope Hospital (where Carol will be Sept. 3-14) she will receive assistance in blunting the negative impact of the chemo on the body. The goal is to lessen the toxic impact to the good cells, while taking steps to heighten the impact of the chemo on the carcigenic cells.
Yesterday I found out that Oasis is where Dwayne Potteiger went for cancer treatment. (For those of you newer to Skyline, he was a very loved and respected associate pastor at Skyline in the early 90's. Dwayne, though in his late 20's or early 30's, had a brain tumor, which according to one diagnosis gave him a one year survivability. He is still alive at the 15 year mark and is an outstanding pastor in Pennsylvania. Many Skyliners (particularly one Sunday School class) were instrumental in making it possible for him to go to Oasis.
Dwayne and I talked by phone this morning. Since the cancer treatment experience is new to us, I asked him to email his thoughts regarding Oasis of Hope Hospital. Here are his comments:
(beginning of Dwayne's email)
My experience at Oasis of Hope . . .
* Uplifting and encouraging environment; positive atmosphere.
* The doctors and nurses were so friendly and encouraging.
* Empowered us to feel like we had a part in our health and healing.
* Skilled doctors, professional and clean environment.
* Gave no promise of a cure, but gave hope and help to build immune system to fight cancer.
* No regrets of going to Oasis of Hope—Very positive experience. Have recommended it others.
* Educational in dietary matters and lifestyle practices.
There is absolutely no reason not to give it a try. We are so glad that we did go and we would have no reservations of going again.
(End of Dwayne's email)
This was an encouragement to Carol and me. Although we have done extensive research, we are still moving in new arenas. We received an email this morning from another person who went to Oasis. It was so encouraging. My administrative assistant, Tracy Burger, called a number of persons who were patients at Oasis to see what their experience was. After she finished calling quite a group, she turned to me and said, "I wish I could go there!"
A small group of Skyliners (including me) are attending the Cancer Control Society's 35th Annual Convention in Los Angeles tomorrow. I found out a couple days ago that the society was formed by a lady (from San Diego) who experienced healing from cancer as a result of going to Dr. Ernesto Contreras, founder of Oasis. Well, this is "TMI" (too much information), but that is a portion of our journey.
Returning to the original reason for this email. Carol is up and (slowly, but happily) going! And that is very encouraging. You have played a huge role in her healing journey by your love, meals, cards, gifts, flowers....and by your prayers. We are forever indebted to you all. Thank you for being on "Carol's team!"