This was undertaken for a period of 2 months without any improvement whatsoever. The choice was supposed to be clear: increase the dose of chemotherapy, add in the stronger (that is, more toxic) combinations and perhaps embark on a clinical trial for one or the experimental drugs.
After due consideration and another round through an enormous amount of research I decided, with my wife’s support to take the risk and to walk the alternative path. Maintaining my physical well-being was not without its challenges. We initially worked on the complementary therapies alone, monitoring our progress and researching the science of nutrition and cancer therapies on the web.
Nutritional therapy is a long-term approach, requiring consistent and proper use of nutritional supplements and continually measuring of the status of the disease to determine response. During this time I chose to trust in Suzie’s midnight to dawn research, but all the time she was concerned and anxious that while she checked and double checked indications and contra-indications, she was unqualified to combine herbs, supplements and chemotherapy. Thankfully she put ultimate trust in her spiritual guidance (she has studied Raj Yoga meditation for many years) that each step we took and each practitioner we met would be what was meant for our journey.
During this time, other than the direct burning from radiation treatment, I had very little side effects and continued to work and play golf twice a week. We had found a local medico who was a great believer in mixing complimentary medicine with the mainstream medicine which included various vitamins, supplements, intravenous vitamin C, etc. Also at this time we met with a Professor of Chinese medicine who continues to supply us with his special herbs.
In the meantime we had subscribed to Ralph Moss who is well known in the US as the policeman for the alternative medicine industry, part of his service is to supply information about your particular cancer disease together with reports on the quality of clinics in the US and around the world supplying complimentary medicine.
We had identified the Orange County Immune Institute in Huntington Beach, California as the Clinic that we believed to offer the best opportunities for me, based on the fact it was in the US and was licensed and run by qualified doctors. A number of Australians had been to the Clinic and gave it the thumbs up. Ralph Moss also came back with a positive report after visiting the clinic.
With the help of many friends, funds were raised to assist in covering the expenses, and in May 2001 we duly arrived at the clinic for the 4 week program. The Clinic operated on a 5 day basis and we stayed at a local motel. It was full on from the moment you arrived with the various procedures including hypnotherapy, saunas, intravenous Vitamin C, lymph massages, cooking classes and lectures on diets. Meditation and discussions on the various supplements and vitamins and their effects.
It was very hard on some of the locals especially with the “no sugar” diet. Most of the patients had late stage cancer of one sort or another and had arrived at the clinic in pretty bad shape, however by the end of their first week most had a smile on their face and were much improved. The attitude of the staff and the doctors was such a wonderful thing to see, and gave the patients much confidence in Dr. Ferre Akbarpour, the medical director of the clinic personally over sees each patient’s protocol.
We left the clinic feeling extremely well both medically and mentally, refreshed, and ready to continue the fight.
It is now 2 1/2 years later and during this time we have continued to send blood tests and other medical information to Dr. Ferre and have followed the protocol that she advises. The liver metastases continue to be dormant and have not caused any discomfort or restricted my quality of life.
Unfortunately the original tumor has started to regrow and it appears at this time because of where it is located surgery would be extremely difficult or impossible at this time, so it is necessary to try to shrink and possibly kill the tumor by other means.
After seeking advice from the local oncologist and Dr. Ferre, it has been decided to undertake a mix of two different chemos and a special ginseng product which has had some successful trials run at UCLA in which Dr. Ferre has been involved. This is a 9 week program in which I am half way through. There are a number of new products due on the market later in the year which apparently show great promise for this particular cancer.
Suzie and I wish to continue through our not-for-profit organization to assist wherever possible and to encourage and educate people to consider all the options available including both medical and mental protocols, to allow them to fight their illness.