Sunday began as most days around here with Simon sleeping in :)  Today was another day without treatment (they start back up tomorrow).  This morning Dr. Contreras shared a message for "church" entitled "Negotiating life".  A recognition that each of us is able to negotiate our life by observing God's laws.  While Jesus may have fulfilled the law, and abolished the need for us to come to God through the law, the fact remains that physical laws still exist and observance of His commands often have blessings that directly relate to the quality and potential length of our life.  The interesting part was that cultures that observe the dietary laws tend not to be plagued by cancers and how as Americans (the Western world) we tend to completely ignore the vast majority of those dietary laws.  And as a result suffer needlessly.

After church, we came back up to our room and I rested a bit while Simon watched his Broncos get beat yet again!  He's getting used to them losing! :)  Then this afternoon we had the opportunity to be introduced to some Mexican/Spanish culture by going to a bull fight.  Let's just say I didn't find it to be my choice for entertainment... while the Matadors were entertaining and colorful and I suppose good at their job, I found myself cheering for the bull hoping he would not get slaughtered.  I was only able to watch one and a half fights then found myself dragging Simon out of the stadium.   On the up side, Simon did manage to scalp our tickets to some late comers as we were leaving so we only had to pay 1/2 price!  Simon got some video of the fight so I'm sure he will post it on Facebook or Youtube.  (Some of the other patients also went to the bull fights and they were only able to stay for about 2 fights as well so I'm not the only "softy" in the group).

Then to end the night, we were able to spend some time with some of the other patients here and just talk about the things of the Lord.  We ended the night praying together ready to tackle another week....overall a good weekend!

Today was Saturday....a day without treatment which meant I was able to leave the hospital.  A group of us were able to go to the mall and do a little bit of shopping (I couldn't find anything to buy) but it was nice to be able to get out and enjoy the sunshine and get a little bit of exercise too.  Neither Simon or I have exercised the entire time we have been here and although we are eating a vegan diet Simon has managed to gain about 8 pounds (either that or the scales are off)!!

One of the patients who we met finished his 1st two weeks of treatment this morning.  He has stomach cancer (a couple of inoperable tumors).  He did a CT scan right before he left this morning and one of his tumors is completely gone and the other one is now barely visible.  What an encouragement it was to hear this news!   God is good!

Until tomorrow......

Buenos dias!  It's Friday already!!  I just met with my doctor and he went over my blood work.   He was pleased with the results (my liver function tests came back in the normal range).  A few of my labs were not normal (I have low iron, etc....but that seems to be pretty normal in my case).  He said that they will do a scan of my abdomen the middle of next week so they can see the progress on my liver.

Since we have internet, I've been able to work (which keeps me from being too bored, thank you agents).  I've also had the chance to Skype with my mom (she calls several times throughout the day (love you mom), and Lanissa--keep up the good work, oh wonderful sister of mine!!  One thing I do know, I need to learn Spanish--it will be time for me to whip out my Rosetta Stone when I get home so I know how to better communicate with the Spanish speaking world.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers!

I didn't have the chance to blog yesterday.  It was a pretty busy day for me.  I received IV treatments from 12:00 and didn't finish until 9:00pm.  When I was done, I was pretty tired so I went straight to bed.  I had lab work done this morning and we should have the results by tomorrow.  The treatments are going really well and overall I feel great.  I haven't had any side effects but I am getting a little bit anxious to get out of my room and head down to the beach or do some shopping. :)  Hopefully this weekend we will be able to get out and about for a little while.   Treatments are calling again...so I need to run......

Today I began my treatments.  This morning I had an Ozone/UV treatment.  They drew my blood, infused it with Ozone and then gave my blood back to me.  It wasn't painful.  My nurse was Tomas and he sang and played worship music the entire time.  

Then this afternoon, they gave me a drug called Peftec (which increases the amount of oxygen in my blood), then I got vitamin C infusions and a B-17 infusion while breathing oxygen.  Apparently, Vitamin C given at the right dosages via IV has an effect on cancer tumors and is nearly equivalent to some of the best chemotherapy.  However, with no side effects.  

Overall, I'm feeling really well.....

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Day 1 at Oasis of Hope in Tijuana, Mexico.  We arrived last night around 5:00, got settled into our room and then ate dinner.  We have met a few people who seem really nice and the staff seems kind as well.

After breakfast this morning I met with my doctor and they put together a protocol for my stay.  My treatments begin tomorrow.  The hospital and the staff are pretty laid back and seem to not be on too tight of a schedule.

Simon and I took a walk this afternoon.  We found a Starbucks, a KFC and a Carl's Jr. (just in case Simon needs his meat & coffee fix).