LIGHT at the end of the tunnel

Sat, July 9, 2011

Well, the Houston weather sure has been persistent. Very rarely have we seen temperatures under 95° and when that has happened it didn't last long! As anybody that's ever been in this part of the country can tell you, the humidity is the real story, not just the temperature. I really don't know how or why somebody would choose to live and stay in this climate, especially if ever exposed to nicer weather. As I've said repeatedly in other posts on this blog, the people in Houston really are an awesome bunch though, and they really take a lot of the sting away from the weather.

We are still visiting the Burzynski clinic every morning, though they have stepped it up to an earlier time slot which makes it a bit tougher for me get there on time. Neither of us favor early mornings any time, and right now the additional challenges of starting my day slow things down considerably! Not to mention that Lorraine has to put me in a wheelchair, push me around, and pour me into our rental car before we even drive one block from the hotel. Thankfully, the people at the clinic don't press for time - they are very patient with us.

I am getting used to the high water intake required for the antineoplaston treatment. My left leg however is retaining fluid and is swelling dramatically. This is my first actual problem with treatment since it started. My left leg is so swollen that we expect the Dr. today to want an ultrasound to find out if there is a clot or similar problem causing the swelling.

Yesterday afternoon was exciting in that one of the couples "graduated" and went home. I do not know how long they were here but I guarantee you they were relieved to be able to go home. The gentleman's name is Ed and his symptoms almost completely mirror mine. His wife received the exact same training in equipment and procedures that Lorraine is currently going through... And we wish them nothing but the very best on the rest of their healing journey. If their departure surprises you, remember that we don't stay here in Houston town until I am cancer free, either. We stay only until Lorraine is proficient in every aspect of administering the doses and operating the pump. What is required of myself is that I get beyond issues like that swollen leg and water retention. The doctors need to make sure they've achieved the proper and maximum dose of antineoplaston therapy. This requires that my system be stabilized without issues for whatever period of time they deem necessary. In other words, even if Lorraine was completely and totally trained at this point in time, we would still not be free to go as I am not stabilized yet.

Make no mistake this is a comprehensive program run by professionals that care deeply for our success. They have taken us by the hand and will remain by our side until long after we leave Houston. Yesterday afternoon was exciting in that one of the couples "graduated" and went home. We are very anxious to return to San Diego, but we're literally being taken through every step that is required while we're here in Houston. So there's no rush to leave Houston as long as they are taking such good care of us! If we stick around long enough, maybe the weather will cool off!
That's enough for now, more updates coming later… And I will try to make them more than once a week!