Day Twentyeight

Tijuana: Wed 20 July 2011

Last full day at CHIPSA. Well, it's been fun, but I'd be lying if I were to say that I wasn't glad to be moving on. Maria has been champion in all of her treatment, and I myself feel incredibly good and considerably lighter. Maria finished off with her Autologous shot, which I administered this morning and an IV this afternoon, so that she is fully energized before we continue on our trip.

Tomorrow San Diego! Here's a couple of pics of

some of the staff here, and a couple of Parsley roots.

Maria and Dr Mora. Easy girls!

Day Twentseven

Tijuana: Tue 19 July 2011

Humble Pie! Sorry, couldn't resist it. Woke up and watched the BBCs live feed of the MPs select committee hearing over Murdoch's alleged phone hacking. Pretty interesting, unfortunately, not such a tough committee apart from a few exceptions.

Just two days left at CHIPSA and then on to San Diego for a couple of days before our break in Cabo. I think while it has been great here, we are ready to start heading off. Met again with Dr Mora, and I gave Maria a sub cutaneous Coleys. We have now upped the dose to 0.18cc. Another multivitamin IV and tomorrow we shall be giving her the first shot of the Autologous vaccine, and hopefully going through her blood results that went off to the lab this morning. Another really cool chat with Gar this afternoon, who had actually checked himself in to CHIPSA last week after he got a crazy fever. There's a practice what you preach testimonial!

Day Twentysix

Tijuana: Mon 18 July 2011

Hip Hoorah! Dr Mora is back! Was really great to meet him again and have a go through of everything. Maria got an IM Coleys which reached a pretty good 38.6 fever and an IV. I think he wants to boost her vitamins a bit before we leave.

Three more people came today, one patient Zue or Sue (not quite sure), and her sister Katie, who was just staying overnight, along with Anita, who is Robin's girlfriend of 20 years! It's quite cool when there are a few more people around, there's a little more of a vibe and the staff start running around a bit more.

Day Twentyfive

Tijuana: Sun 17 July 2011

Very simple quiet day today. No shots for Maria, so we took it fairly easy went for a little walk around the block. Oh, and by the way, that's the Gym! Check the abs!

Day Twentyfour

Tijuana: Sat 16 July 2011

OK. The next few days will be a little concise, as the Internet has been a bit flaky here. Maria had Coley's sub cutaneously today as well as an IV.

We had a little trip down to the beach where there was a really cosy little shack type coffee house, where we enjoyed a nice Peppermin tea. Maria was feeling a bit feverish, so I went down there with Clare and her Mum, Steph.

Day Twentythree

Tijuana: Fri 15 July 2011

Funny thing happened today. Feli came in to show me how to perform a Liver injection, which is basically into the bum. She firstly showed me how to load the syringe with the medicine, and then she was going to show me where to inject into the bum, but Maria was busy. So she called one of the cleaning ladies over, pulled down her trousers and gave her a shot straight into the bum!

"What are you doing?", I cried.

"It's OK with some extra vitamins", She replied with a smile.

Freaky.

Really nice day today. Maria had an IM Coleys with a fairly medium reaction. We actually all ate lunch up on the sun deck, which was great.

Well Dr Mora, should be back on Monday and hopefully we will be getting the Autologous vaccine, which has been specially developed from Maria's own blood. These I think are taken once a week, and don't give any kind of major reaction, I think.

The picture above is of the Coronado islands, which we can see from our room. They have some pretty interesting history, especially during the prohibition. You can read about them here.

Day Twentytwo

Tijuana: Thur 14 July 2011

Today is exactly a week until we leave. Just thought I'd start today's entry with a picture of my sweetheart.

No Coleys for Maria today as her arms just can't take it so she got a day off, and it was quite remarkable the difference. It is amazing how quickly (apart from obviously the pain in the arm), you recoup from the Coleys. Extremely different to chemotherapy! Today is my last day of Enemas, I have now been doing them for about two weeks, although I will take the odd one now and again.

Had a chat with the hospital director today about some of the small things we were a little unhappy about, such as some nurses and doctors wearing perfume (which is no no on any kind of immunotherapy ward); and in good old Central American style he got on the phone straight away, to get his secretary to start a new memo about the subject. Love that old school styley!

Went for a quick walk around the block, as though she feels better Maria is still a little weak. Just realized I haven't put up a picture of dinner, so I'll start with that tomorrow.

Toodle pip!

Day Twentyone

Tijuana: Wed 13 July 2011

Happy Birthday Maria! My little sweetie is a year wiser today. She even got a cake, Gerson of course!

Birthday or not though she still had to have Coleys, however, we tried sub cutaneous which was a slightly milder reaction.

Clare and her Mum bought Maria some flowers as well as a couple of presents.

It was otherwise a fairly quiet day.

Day Twenty

Tijuana: Tues 12 July 2011

Twenty days already! Time flies, but I think we are getting ready to move on soon, and looking forward to that 10 day break in Cabo! Mmmmm!

Another intra muscular Coleys for Maria today in the same arm, poor Maria. It had really ballooned up, she is a real tough nut.

Forgot to mention another new patient started yesterday, Robin, who'll be here for a couple of weeks. Apparently he has a sister who was diagnosed with terminal cancer back when she was 12. Then after some research by his mother, who came across Gerson, and subsequently the Gerson diet, she's doing very well now at the ripe age of 62!

Went out for a wander today to find a little something for Maria's birthday tomorrow. No easy task. Once again, I am so shocked by the amount of street junk food available here. There really isn't much healthy choice, especially in our immediate vicinity anyway.

We're really missing Dr Mora, and looking forward to his return on Monday.

More Sopranos! Lots of Sopranos!

Day Nineteen

Tijuana: Mon 11 July 2011

Well even though they had scheduled to leave on Tuesday, it seems like Audrey and her entourage are leaving today. She has quite a hectic journey home, so hope it all goes well Audrey and get well soon!

This is the last full week here at CHIPSA, then we will be leaving next Thursday, on the 21st. Maria had intra muscular Coleys today, which again made for a very painful left arm.

Just on a lighter note. Thought this picture of Niko Alm and the adjoining article were pretty funny. he basicall managed to get his ID picture to contain him with a Pasta drainer on his head. This is because his religion is Pastafarian. You can read the whole article here.

Day Eighteen

Tijuana: Sun 10 July 2011

Lunch! Nice easy Sunday. We even went down and saw Audrey today. She looked amazing for an 82 year old who had just had such major surgery. She is leaving tomorrow so, was great to see her before she left. Maria had a multivitamin IV today otherwise no other treatment.

We watched a film in the afternoon, Earthlings. It is an extremely graphic and open account of how we treat or mistreat animals, and also the newer problems that have arisen within our food as a result of this. A very apt quote in the film, 'you reap what you sow'. Here is the film. I will warn you that this film could possibly change the way you eat and think about animals.

Day Seventeen

Tijuana: Sat 9 July 2011

So I decided that I would put up a picture of each meal here so you can see what we eat. This is obviously breakfast, which is something like Porridge with banana, prunes and apricots. Toast with homemade jam, bit of fruit, orange juice and camomile tea. Lovely!

We were going to go into Tijuana town today, but unfortunately Maria can barely move her arm, it is so painful after a week of shots. Never mind, there'll be other times. We met a new patient Clare and her Mum today, from Canada. They are really nice and will be here for a couple of weeks. She was here in February for a month.

Not too much treatment for Maria today, a vitamin C IV and we have started to make a log of how certain conditions feel a couple of times a day, so we record things like amount of coughing, voice weakness, etc both at 1200 and at 1800.

Watching both, Sopranos and Cold feet these days, nice bit of contrast.

Day Sixteen

Tijuana: Fri 8 July 2011

Hello Pips! Wow. Amazing what can happen with public outcry. New of The World shall print for the last time on Sunday. Unfortunately, some equally useless piece of toilet paper will probably take it's place, but still...

Back in Mexico, and Maria had another intra muscular shot of Coleys, which again took her up to 40 degrees. We had a long chat with Gar today, as Maria has been worried about a pain she has been getting in her right trapezoid muscle. Gar and later via e-mail Dr Mora, both believed that the pain is referred pain, ie. coming from somewhere else, ad tis is more than likely due to the Coleys. So, basically, good news. Gar also took a long good look at Maria's PET scans that we had taken with us from Sweden, and took some time to explain to us what they show and how they are read. I think it was a little freaky for Maria to see the inside of herself like that, but she was really interested in his explanations.

The diet is going well, I am still on the same diet as Maria, and still managing two enemas a day, however, I will probably stop them next week and maybe just cut back to one a week, I think I can safely say, that I am pretty well detoxified these days.

Loving this film of Pella, she rocks.

Day Fifteen

Tijuana: Thur 7 July 2011

We went for a walk along the beach after breakfast today and found this cool shell, which has a marijuana leaf on it's back. Far out! The other thing that was cool was that the sand has a kind if golden glitter in it. I did a little bit of googling when I got home and read that it was most likely pyrite, also known as fool's gold.

We have heard from Audrey's daughters, that she is making good recovery after the operation and even managing a few words and movement. We have two new patients coming in soon; one on Saturday and the other on Monday, I think.

Maria got an intra muscular shot of the Coleys today, and yes it did work. Truly the most aggressive reaction so far. She finished the day with a full on 40 degree fever and shakes. Poor thing, she gets so weak during these fevers and her arm is totally pained up. She is however, so mentally strong and positive all the time. She really is inspiring and that's why I love her sooooooo much!

Day Fourteen

Tijuana: Wed 6 July 2011

My little angels are back from their holiday in Portugal! We skyped today, and Elsie showed me her new goggles. In just a couple of days, they will be off to see my Mum in France. Little globetrotters, I miss

them so much.

We have been skypeing with Pella every day, and she is also having some great quality time with her Grandpa in Spain.

Maria had another sub cutaneous today, but again, a fairly mild reaction, with her temperature just breaking 38.5 degrees.

The Ecuadorian family that were here have left and gone home, where the father we be having some surgery. They may come back after that.

Not a lot else today, bit if work stuff with Sam.

Day Thirteen

Tijuana: Tues 5 July 2011

Today, Dr Martinez gave Maria a sub cutaneous shot of Coleys. Again, sorry to say, a quiet day today, although we did have cooking class, where we learn to make the infamous, banana oatmeal cookies. Good stuff!

Met with Gar today, once again, much time spent talking about Maria's treatment and plan, and how we will maintain it, even after we leave Mexico. One of the nice things about Gar, is that, even though he abides 100% to Gerson's protocol, which he also modifies and keeps modernized, he doesn't get to tied up in what you can and can't do, for example, the recommended juicer for following the Gerson diet properly cost around $2500! Gar will quite happily recommend one that you can pick up for just over $100, and as he says, when talking about the amount of time it takes to follow the program properly, "one of the most important things is that you find a way, so that you can have a life". This can be done by pre-making soups in advance, juices at the beginning of the day for the whole day, etc, etc.

Been reading and following this NOTW (News of the World) scandal in the British Press, disgusting! Whilst we always understood, how spineless and low these reporters are, I couldn't really believe that the phone hacking could go this low, allegedly. I don't know, I really do believe that everything will come to a head soon. We are moving too fast. Economies are escalating, whilst others are crumbling, we are creating wars that aren't even there, technology is moving faster than we can buy it, and Media and values, well, they don't really go anywhere, and as for diet, nutrition, etc. We just don't have time for that, cause we are too busy with everything else. My opinion? I don't know how we fix it; I actually think it will as I said, come to a head, thus fixing itself, and then we can go back to basics. Phew! Sorry about that. Just my twopence worth.

Maria did get up to 38 degrees, but by no means as aggressive a fever as yesterday. Tomorrow another day. Think we're almost about halfway through our stay now.

Day Twelve

Tijuana: Mon 4 July 2011

Independence day, oh well. Fairly easyday today. For me at least. We met Dr Mora, for the last time before he goes away for a few days. He showed me how to perform an intra muscular injection on Maria, and I shall be trying this at a later date. Maria got the full effect of the Coley's shot later on in the day, and managed a 39.5 degree fever, with all sorts of coughs, aches and sharp pains. These are however, all good as they prove the immune system is w

orking properly as well as the nervous system.

Well as promised, here comes the recipe for good old Hippocrate's soup. This soup is the backbone of the Gerson diet, we eat it with every meal, except breakfast. It is delicious and extremely good for you.

1 Cup Celeriac or 3/4 stalks of branch celery

1/2 Cup Parsley Root

2 Cups of Leek

2 Cups of Onions

Handful of Parsley

2 Cups of Tomatoes

3 Cups of Potatoes

Don't peel any of the vegetables, just brush them thoroughly and cut them pretty coarsely. Place them in a large pan and cover with water, (distilled if possible). Cook on a low heat for about 3 hours, then blend in small portions. After the soup has chilled it can be stored for up to 3 days.

I really like to garnish my soup with a handful of chopped onions, tomatoes and Coriander. Also grate in a little fresh Garlic and a few drops of Apple cider vinegar. Delicious!

Maria fell asleep with her fever quite early tonight so I did a bit of computing on the computer and saw the distant fireworks over San Diego, till I fell asleep to a film.

Day Eleven

Tijuana: Sun 3 July 2011

Maria had an earlier IV today so that we would make it to the tour. Yep, that's right, our day off we get taken somewhere locally. This week would be Rosarito beach resort. Well, it was certainly a resort, and pretty busy. There was a pier there, at the end of which I could see some dolphins jumping, but overall, it was pretty overcast, thus the day was not really a beach day, although we did take a quick walk up and down the beach. The usual souvenir shops were to be found there, so we ventured out into the town a little. It was quite an amazing typically Mexican town, and we found a gallery. Half of the gallery belonged to a local painter David Silvah, whose work was beautiful. Especially cool was his selection of Flamenco dancers which had amazing light detail.

Back at home, we had a late lunch and crashed out, just taking care of e-mails, etc for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow, Maria will be starting Coleys again, so, Sopranos and then bed.

Day Ten

Tijuana: Sat 2 July 2011

Nice quiet Saturday. Not a lot doing. As I said, Maria gets to take a break from the Coley's shots at the weekend, unfortunately though she has to take the Vitamin C via an IV, which is a long way down on her list of favourite things to do. We took a walk before lunch down to the local 'mall'. Pretty impressive array of junk food. I think I wouldn't be pushing my neck out if I were to say that Mexicans as a rule don't have the healthiest diet.

Following on from a delicious lunch we headed back to the room, where I crashed out for nearly two hours. Hard work this! After that we watched an amazing seminar by a Doctor Robert Lustig from the University of San Fransisco, about the dangers of sugar, more importantly HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup). This seminar is truly remarkable, and I think that all parents can greatly benefit from seeing this. No, to be honest I'll rephrase that and say that all parents should be made to watch this.

Later on Dinner spent chatting with Audrey's daughter, who told us that she was more coherant now and managed to say the odd word now and again. An episode of Sopranos this evening (Maria had not really seen it before, and I'm going to see them all again), followed by bed. Maria was a little sad tonight, I don't think one can ever understand the psychological strain that a cancer patient carries, unless you have been one. All one can really do is be there and give as much support as you can.

Day Nine

Tijuana: Fri 1 July 2011

Hard luck Andy! That Nadal is just too good. Still a valiant attempt by the Scotsman nonetheless.
We met up with Audrey's sister again today, who told us that she had suffered a cardiac arrest after surgery, but they had managed to revive her and whilst she wasn't lucid, she was at least stable. We're thinking of you Audrey, get well soon.
We had again, a fairly normal day. I for the second time, gave Maria her Coley shot, with a slightly higher dosage, which didn't prevail as aggressively as yesterday's fever, but she did just about break 38 degrees anyway. Her poor arm, is so sore, she has likened the pain to Dave's description, which was that it was like having someone stab you in the arm with a fork and then twist it around. At least she now has the weekend for the arm to recover, until we start the Coleys again on Monday.
Still Skypeing with Pella every day, and got a quick mail from Nelly the other day telling me how much they were enjoying their holiday in Portugal. Well, at least how well her tan was coming on!
Suddenly the hospital is overrun with people! Another of Audrey's daughters came today, Marie, as well as a new patient from Florida, and his family, wife and three kids! Never seen it so busy the chefs are having to do buffet layouts at dinner instead of individual servings.But really, it's nice with a little more action here.
I'm still doing the coffee enemas, although with varying levels of success, sometimes I have a good one, sometimes a bad one. Don't think I've mastered it yet. One amazing thing about this diet though, is that I have lost 4-5 kilos in just over a week. Forget the no carbs diet, this is the fastest I have ever lost wait.
Unfortunately we will be losing Dr Mora for a week or so after next Tuesday, as he will be going to look after his brother who is having some surgery, but no problem, plenty more doctors to fill in. He will be showing me how to perform an intra-muscular injection on Monday, as I will have to do these on Maria when we get back home.
Quite a lot of goodman news from the guys at work today, watched a bit of Tv with Maria and bed.

Day Eight

Tijuana: Thu 30 June 2011

Looking like it's going to be a beautiful day even from the offset today. Breakfast at 8, and Dr Mora at 9 am. He is very happy with how Maria is reacting to the Coley shots and has decided to up the dose a little today, he has even decided that I will administer the dose today! This I did, very carefully. Not a lot of places left on Maria's upper left arm to give the shot.
We met Audrey's daughter today, who has come to stay a few days while Audrey goes through her surgery.
After lunch Maria started getting a little feverish. We went up and sat on the sun deck for a while, where Dr Mora and Gar came and found us. We sat and talked for a while before Dr Mora had to leave, then we continued talking with Gar. I think we sat there for almost two hours! It was truly fascinating and I think as I have said before these guys never have the attitude that "you are only a patient so you wouldn't understand". They tell you everything with every chemical and biological name till in the end you get totally drunk in there terminology. I mentioned this to Gar who answered this by saying "think of this as learning a new language" and yes that's exactly what it is. It is truly unbelievable how little we know about our own bodies.
I am also now receiving a green juice in the middle of the day. Maria's temperature is climbing and by late evening she has hit 39 degrees and is in the clutches of a full on fever, with shivers and coldness. She is asleep in bed by 8.30 so I finish of some mails and code up in bed with a film.
Goodnight.