This Amazing Place!

Everyday since Sunday has been crammed with treatments and therapies of all kinds.  I have had local hyperthermia everyday, I.V. infussions, Magnetic Field Therapy, foot massage, back massage, physiotherapy, ozone infussion, oxygen therapy and more.  I am wore out from being poked and prodded.  

The food here is unbelievably fresh and organic.  I kinda cleaned myslef out juicing.  It is so nice to walk into the dining room and there are bowls of fruits and veggies all prepared and ready to just drop in the juicer.   I am surprised at some of the food that they let us eat.  Although there is little sugar, there is still beautiful pastries and breads.  In the afternoon they put out wonderful fresh cakes.  

The town is tiny and cute as a button.  There are many, many miles of hiking and biking trails with almost a dozen ancient looking faucets with spring water free flowing out of them.  It is encouraged to drink this mineral water with "healing properties", but you have to get past the taste of some of them.  People flock here on the weekends to take advantage of the beautiful scenery to get there exercise.  The average age here must be 70-years old.  I have been too busy to get out much, but I do try to take a little walk later in the day when treatment is finished.  Just breathing the cool crisp air seems a bit healing.  

Everyone is so very nice here.  The patients are from all over the world, but I primarily see folks from Australia & Omon.  I understand that Omon pays for their citizen's treatments and Australia simply has a bad medical system.  Everyone else here is like me, on their last leg.  

I am feeling so blessed to be here.  Thank you so very much for your continued support, love & prayers.

The Trip Here!

We made it all the way to Germany.  The trip to Miami was uneventful except for my Daughter's constant warnings to the  golfers that she was sitting with that she may vomit.  What a relief that she had no problems.  We quickly shuffled to our next gate to board the plane for the 9 to 10 hour trip to Frankfurt.  This long trip was a different story for my daughter and her little weak stomach.  Does it sound terrible that I was glad that we were not sitting together?

The only glitch was with the driver that picked us up at the airport.  He was about two hours late for a 6:15 am arrival and I was struggling to make it by this point.  After several phone calls to the "klinik" and a second driver was dispatched we were on our way.  I must say that a woman that works for the klinik must have really chewed him out or at least the sound of German being yelled at this man sounded like he was getting a tongue lashing.

The folks at the klinik made comments about the amount of luggage we brought with us.  We only packed about  7 days worth of clothes for a 3 week trip.  I thought we had done pretty good on the packing.  We must be higher maintenance than German women.

Once we were settled in our hospital room we met with a doctor and the treatments began.  I had an i.v. line place and bottles of L-carnitin, vitamin C and vitamin Bs infused.  I was then released to explore the grounds and nearby springs.

I am exhausted.

What Is This Top Secret Alternative Treatment?

You all may have heard that Suzanne Summers, Ronald Reagan & George Hamilton have all been to Germany for cancer treatment.  This is pretty much what they did:

Whole Body Hyperthermia: (weekly) This where they heat your body up to 107F.  The heat kills the cancer, but if you don't do it right it can kill you.  So, I have chosen the top doctor in the world for this type of treatment.  He has been in the U.S. multiple times teaching other doctors about this treatment.

Local Hyperthermia:  (daily) This is a very localized heat treatment on a specific area such as the liver.  This does not heat the body up near as much.

Ozone & OxygenTherapy: Cancer cells die when exposed to oxygen.  This can be done in a few different ways.  They can remove the blood and add oxygen as they put it back in or they can infuse the blood with ozone as it circulates around the body.  (my simplistic way of describing it.)

MistleToe Infusion: This is one of the most widely used therapies in Europe for treating cancer.  The extract is injected under the skin or in a vein.  Mistletoe extract boosts the immune system, helps with the side effects of chemo, but most importantly kills cancer.

Vitamin C Infusion:  There is a long list of the benefits of this type of therapy.  It is becoming a more common practice in the U.S. for many different types of health problems.

Vitamin B17 infusion: Also known as Laetril (made from Apricot seeds) is used as a complimentary cancer treatment.  This widely used treatment has seen success with the right diet and at a high enough dose.

Lymph Drainage, acupuncture, special diets & juicing are all part of the treatment.  There are many other treatments that like to use to help your immune system fight the cancer.  Dr. Herzog will then throw in a specially mixed low dose chemo cocktail and the he and a local chemist formulates.

The only issue is that health insurance will not pay for these alternative treatments.  One trip to the hospital for three weeks is about $30,000.  I will need multiple trips over to Germany.  Please pray that I find a way to pay for such amazing care.  

T - Minus 1.5 Days!

Since the best doctors in the U.S. don't have much for me in the way of cancer treatment, I asked them if they know of any alternatives.  The oncologist told me that they are taught in medical school to operate in a very specific box and they do not venture outside of that box.  So...I was on my own...or so I thought.

When we got home that night I was still in shock, but my daughter got on the internet and started researching articles on alternative treatments.  She bought a book about the best alternative cancer treatments in the world.  That book narrowed her search to Germany and many treatments that different folks have brought to our attention over the years.  She decided on three of the top hospitals and started emailing the doctors.  The doctors responded to her and she made the decision based on how they treated her, their efficiency and if what they told her made since based on her research.

At the same time I was praying for guidance.  I got amazing guidance when I contacted a friend that took her mother to Germany for nearly the same cancer that I have.  She stated that if she ever got cancer she would go directly to Germany.  They told her that the chemo we use in the U.S. is old stuff that they used 10 years ago.  The most amazing part is that the hospital that thy went to is exactly the same one that my daughter had decided on.

So here we go.  My daughter jumps on-line buys plane tickets and makes all of the arrangements.  I was dealing with increased pain and other problems that comes along with hundreds cancer implants within my abdomen and really could not make a lot of decisions.

When did my little girl become a strong beautiful woman?  When did she become so serious about reading and research that is not part of Facebook?  I can not be more proud of this daughter of mine.

I must say that taking a Study Abroad at UNF has changed her life.

For Whom Do I Fight?

As I pack for the next leg of this journey many thoughts are going through my mind.  When I found out that I had cancer two years ago I knew that I had to fight for ME.  Then when the cancer returned so suddenly I figured it was just my time to go.  But my beautiful daughter threw her arms around me and begged me to fight because of HER.  She was my saving grace at that point.  She wants me to be a huge part of her life. Then my niece kept me going by cheering me on and saying, "Aunt Cheryl, you can do this."  This was early this year when I trully did not think that I was going to make it.  I was on oxygen and in a wheel chair.  It took a lot of support to keep me going.

And all the while, you all are out there praying and praying and praying.  I am positive that I have over 10,000 people praying for me.  Now, I realize that I am doing this for all of you, too.  I want every one of your prayers to be worth your time.  I want you to see God's Amazing grace in your face.  I want you to see miracles the way I do.

I am going to Germany for alternative cancer treatment and I am fighting for ME, My daughter and niece and I am fighting for YOU.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving one more wonderful reason to keep my head up. (by the way, I have no idea why my iPad is putting a line under all of this.  I don't have the engery to care.)

Perfect Timing!

Although, 95% of the time I am o.k. with where I am with this darn cancer...I still have moments that I feel pretty lost.  I was walking around the house a few days ago, just praying and looking for direction and dissernment, when a friend called.  She snatched be back on track.  She told me to stop reading the negative stuff on the internet and to get away from negative people.  Althought, I am so pragmatic that I sometimes let that creep into negativity.  That negativity is from Satan.

I am over here seriously trying to cycle Grace.  Whatever happens, happens...  It will not be because I did not go to the right doctor or because I did not stay on a specific diet.  These judgmental people need to take a walk.

Anyway, I found it amazing that at the moment that the phone rang, I really needed to hear that precious voice on the other end.  She coached me on how to focus on God by giving me a wonderful link to an online pastor that has dealt with terminal cancer.  I have another tool in my tool-box to use when I need it.

I may have derailed for a few minutes, but I am chugging along and trying so hard to choose my next treatment.

Caught Red Handed!

I caught my beautiful flower fairy at it again.  This is about the 5th time she has brightened up the front of my house with flowers.  And I am not talking about a few flowers.  She brings a trunk full of flowers.

I love flowers in my front flower beds and around my mail box.  I have always tried to keep it up.  But since I have been sick, I just don't have much energy to do it.

This beautiful lady may or may not know how much I love her this.  It really touches my heart and I go out to look at them every day.  Talk about God's Grace.  Wow!

Video Memories!

One of my long-time friends lost her battle to ovarian cancer about 5 years ago.  Her daughter was by her side, almost exactly the way my daughter is by mine.  She stated that the one thing she misses is her mother's voice.  She is in fear that she is forgetting what she sounded like.  So, I am working on doing something to remedy that for my daughter.

I started writing her letters and everyone keeps suggesting that some of it be in videos.  I have done my first two videos and I am just rambling.  The last thing I want to do is to start crying on the video.  As I am making the video it runs through my mind that my daughter will see this after I am gone.  It is hard to keep a stiff upper lip when you are cycling those kinds of thoughts.

I want these videos to be a happy recount of many things we have done over the past 21 years or so.  Things like the time I hurt my back jumping on the bed with her and when I hurt my back slip n' sliding in the yard.  I had put too much soap on it and went right off the end of the plastic.  The grass ripped my bikini off and I had to run into the house naked.  Seriously, this stuff happens to us.  And I am going to try to make a video memory of as much as I can.

This is getting fun.  Can you imagine the blessing this will be for her one day.

Where To Go? What To Do?

My daughter has been spending a few very desperate days sorting out different kinds of treatments and why Europe's treatments are so much better than in U.S.  She really is my hero.  I am mentally and emotionally overwhelmed & exhausted and, thus, not much help.  Clinics in Germany seem to be my best option.  I am on my knees asking God for guidance.

God speaks to us in many ways.  We just have to learn to be still and listen.  I am a type-A personality and it is a struggle for me to listen.  This cancer has been a lesson in slowing down.

As we discuss different options it appears that mental health and life without fear or grief is very important.  If we are to trust in God then we have to drop these kinds of issues from our life.  I find it fascinating that even cancer clinics in Europe understand this, but likely for healing and not for a deeper relationship with our Lord & Savior.

I am a bit anxious to travel that far as I simply don't feel well.  One day at the office puts me in bed most of the next day.  A quick flight to Houston to MD Anderson wears me out.  I rest easier because my Angel will be by my side.

Please pray for my daughter's strength as she watches me go through this.

The Value of a Friendship

I have spent most of my life wrapped up in my family and extended family.  I went back to college in my 30's to finish my bachelor's degree and then decided to get a master's degree.  I then spent my 40's building my career.  All the while my family and especially my daughter have been my friends.  I have never fostered too many long term friendships, because I just did not have time.

I regret that I did not find a way to fit many of you into my life.  As I struggle these last two years you have reached out.  It does not matter if we have been close or not.  You all understand that life happens and gets in the way...we just pick up where we left off.

Thank God for Facebook.  I have been able to catch up with so many people that I had lost touch with for over 30 years.  There are still many folks that I would like to find.  I want to know if they have children of their own, if they have a job that they love and if they have found the love of their lives.

The most amazing part of the last few years are the new friends that I have made.  In most cases we share the burden of cancer and we lean on each other for encouragement.  I especially cherish the friends that are close to God.  We seem to understand each other's need to walk in faith as we face our daily challenges.

In any case, I gain strength from what each of you provide in prayer, in a quick message of support or even in a "like" to one of my posts on Facebook.

The End of the Beginning or the Beginning of the End?

The news that my little body cannot handle any more chemo has come sooner than I had anticipated.  I know the doctor warned me last time and I have tried to process it, but the time is, now!

As I sat there numb about the fact that the only treatment the medical community could offer is gone, my daughter chattered about the possibilities that lie ahead.

My first thoughts were, FEAR.  I did not know exactly where to go from here.  Is God telling me that it is almost over or is he telling me to trust him instead of doctors?  I do know that the fear is from satan and meant to shake my faith in God.

After tears and conversations with a few positive people (and a few not so positive people), I feel so amazingly blessed.  My daughter and I will get to travel to some new and exciting places to meet doctors that are trying brave new treatments.

I, literally, have only a week or two to figure this out.  The cancer that I have is extremely widespread and is very aggressive.  Tomorrow will bring new blessings.

The Best Part!

The best part of having my chemo infusions at Moffitt in Tampa is that I get to stay the night with my twin sister's daughter and her precious husband.  We drive down the night before and have a great time figuring out what we are going to do for dinner.  You have to remember that because my niece is my twin sister's daughter, she may be closer to me than just a niece.  I love her like a daughter.  I can't tell you how many times, when she was growing up, that she thought I was her mother.

This precious niece has been one of my biggest cheerleaders during this amazing journey.  She does research for me and makes connections.  She talks about me to her clients, who have started many prayer chains for her "Aunt Cheryl".  She has also put me intouch with her clients that have cancer too.  I have made a great friendship with one of her clients that battled cancer.

This young woman is also my daughter's closest cousin and best-friend.  She is there when when my daughter needs to talk.  The two of them are always dreaming up ways to keep me happy and positive.  If laughter is the best medicine then I will be cured soon, just laughing at them.

I am looking forward to my next sleep over!    

Chemo, again, next week!

I want to describe the emotional and physical feelings at this point.  I do get an bit anxious the night before my chemo infusion.  The appointment starts with a blood draw and then a visit with my oncologist and his team.  This time we should know a little more about whether my body is willing to keep taking Chemo.  That will be done by looking at the White Blood cell count and by looking at the plattelets.  I am looking into procedure that can be done to my Spleen that can help.  Actually, one of my best friends was the second patient in Duval county to get the procedure and it worked.

It is a little nerve wraking knowing that I am coming closer to the point where the doctor looks me in the eye and says, "there is nothing more we can do for you."  There are many points in the last two years that I did not think I would be here on earth today.  I also have continued to go through a phase that is abosolutely positive.  People can say absolutely anything and I only see it as a oppotunity to educate them.  I just don't think that anyone has offended me or has been inappropriate.  I want people talking about it and learning about it.

When the pain pills wear off I find myself getting weepy.  I do hit the "why me" point from time to time.  It usually scares the cat and he tries to comfort me.  This phase does not last long, but I think is necessary.

For a person that has always controlled and tried to do everything herself...I am sure getting a lesson in allowing grace into my life.  I just don't see how in my childhood, I could have had this awareness.  It really does take some stress, drama & hard ship to get this understanding with God.

The Holy Spirit gives me decernment every day,  I am trying to hard to listen.

So the emotional state goes hand in hand with the physical state.  They take turns driving this train.