Mexico - Oasis of Hope - Tethys41 et al

MaxRudy

I am interested in learning more about some of the Mexican clinics that are offering alternative treatment. There are a number that come up on the internet but, there are also caveats that some are excellent and some are not. Tethys41...it sounds like you get consultative services from the Oasis of Hope. Do you mind telling me how you decided on this clinic and your results. I'm also interested in a naturopathic doctor but we (in Virginia) seem to have few of those...lotta dieticians and nutritionists. My email is listed in my profile if you'd prefer to contact 1 on 1. I'd sure appreciate any info.
Thank you.

melanie

Tethys41

Mexico
Melanie,
At the risk of being tagged anti-American, I can't say enough good things about the oncologists in Mexico. I actually went for two weeks of treatment to the Oasis of Hope just after my second chemo treatment. The oncologists there have a much calmer, confident demeanor than the oncologists I've worked with in the U.S., and they have a more holistic view of how to address cancer.
I chose the Oasis of Hope because the husband of one of my friends had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and the surgeon in Florida, who opened him up, was not able to do anything because the tumor was wrapped around the mesentary tissue. To remove it would have caused him to bleed to death. The oncologist in FL said they could offer him chemo, which might buy him 9 more weeks. He went to the Oasis of Hope, where they cured him, without chemo.
When I spoke to the doctor at Oasis of Hope, over the phone, he said that although they treat many cancers without chemo, they get better results with chemo for breast and ovarian cancer. The treatment I went there for was to augment the chemotherapy I was receiving in the U.S. They also put you on a program of supplements to "continue" the treatments you receive at their clinic once you return home. I was just looking at their website again the other day and they showed some statistics regarding the cancers they treat and survival rates. Although I don't like statistics, especially the negative connotaions, I was impressed by theirs. Five year survival with traditional therapies for stage IV ovarian cancer, according to their data is 18%, whereas five year survival for stage IV ovarian cancer in Oasis of Hope patients is 54%. I find this believeable because of the supplement plan they put you on and also the diet they encourage (Mediterranian-style diet), all of which goes beyond the initial treatment.
Another clinic I am looking into that sounds promising is Dr. Bautista's clininc, also in Tijuana. His treatment includes stem cell therapy, which I am realizing is a good thing, even for someone like me who is in remission. His website is
http://immunotherapy.bajamedical.net/cancer-specialist-in-tijuana-mexico/carlos-bautista-md.html
Both hospitals also offer insulin potentiated chemotherapy, which uses much lower doses of chemo, with fewer side effects, and is supposed to be more effective than high-dose chemotherapy.
As far as the other hospitals in Mexico, yes, I think some of them are not so good. I think you really have to do your homework, but I can comfortably say that both of these hopsitals have won my confidence.

EnglishGal

Thanks
Many thanks for this great information, Tethys - I have printed it off. It all sounds very interesting.

carolenk

EnglishGal said:

Thanks
Many thanks for this great information, Tethys - I have printed it off. It all sounds very interesting.

One Mexican clinic
Dear Melanie

I have been getting good reports from my friend who is treating stage IV, grade 3 ovarian cancer in Mexico and is finishing up a three-week stay at the Immunity Therapy Center in Tijuana (Dr. Bautista's clinic). Dr. Bautista was the medical director at the Sanoviv oncology hospital in Rosarito, Mexico for ten years and has been practicing integrative medicine for about 15 years.

It is too soon to say whether the treatment is effective or merely palliative. My friend did experience very similar symptoms of the cancer dying off as she did with the full-strength chemo without all the ickiness that goes with the regular chemo treatements. She never got into remission from the first-line chemo and was only on break from chemo for three months before the cancer acted up again.

The therapies given at Dr. Bautista's clinic were done for 6 hrs/day, 6 days/week including low-dose carboplatin alternating with IV laetrile (given as insulin-potentiated therapy), Rife frequencies, hyperthermia, magnetic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, ultraviolet blood irradiation, daily IV DMSO & hydrogen peroxide & 50Gm IV ascorbic acid, as well as, the lymphokine-activated killer cell therapy (a type of stem cell therapy).

The doctor consults with each patient six days/week and there is a second doctor in the clinic that does "live blood cell analysis" to evaluate each patient individually. There are hospitals nearby in case any additional testing needs to be done.

The city of Tijuana is very "Americanized" as it so close to the US border; the shops take American dollars and many people understand and speak some English.

The three-week intensive program is followed up with a six-month plan of laetrile, diet and other supplements (like the Hoxsey tonic).

I personally think that the stem cell therapy is the "way of the future" for ovarian cancer treatment--we're just not there yet in the US...and I don't know why.

Will keep you posted.

Carolen

MaxRudy

Tethys41 said:

Mexico
Melanie,
At the risk of being tagged anti-American, I can't say enough good things about the oncologists in Mexico. I actually went for two weeks of treatment to the Oasis of Hope just after my second chemo treatment. The oncologists there have a much calmer, confident demeanor than the oncologists I've worked with in the U.S., and they have a more holistic view of how to address cancer.
I chose the Oasis of Hope because the husband of one of my friends had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and the surgeon in Florida, who opened him up, was not able to do anything because the tumor was wrapped around the mesentary tissue. To remove it would have caused him to bleed to death. The oncologist in FL said they could offer him chemo, which might buy him 9 more weeks. He went to the Oasis of Hope, where they cured him, without chemo.
When I spoke to the doctor at Oasis of Hope, over the phone, he said that although they treat many cancers without chemo, they get better results with chemo for breast and ovarian cancer. The treatment I went there for was to augment the chemotherapy I was receiving in the U.S. They also put you on a program of supplements to "continue" the treatments you receive at their clinic once you return home. I was just looking at their website again the other day and they showed some statistics regarding the cancers they treat and survival rates. Although I don't like statistics, especially the negative connotaions, I was impressed by theirs. Five year survival with traditional therapies for stage IV ovarian cancer, according to their data is 18%, whereas five year survival for stage IV ovarian cancer in Oasis of Hope patients is 54%. I find this believeable because of the supplement plan they put you on and also the diet they encourage (Mediterranian-style diet), all of which goes beyond the initial treatment.
Another clinic I am looking into that sounds promising is Dr. Bautista's clininc, also in Tijuana. His treatment includes stem cell therapy, which I am realizing is a good thing, even for someone like me who is in remission. His website is
http://immunotherapy.bajamedical.net/cancer-specialist-in-tijuana-mexico/carlos-bautista-md.html
Both hospitals also offer insulin potentiated chemotherapy, which uses much lower doses of chemo, with fewer side effects, and is supposed to be more effective than high-dose chemotherapy.
As far as the other hospitals in Mexico, yes, I think some of them are not so good. I think you really have to do your homework, but I can comfortably say that both of these hopsitals have won my confidence.

Mexican Clinics
Thank you so much. I will look into both of these clinics. I have a long way to go before I get 1/2 as knowledgeable as you. I just finished by first round of chemo (the 6 cycle carbo/taxol). It was difficult for me probably mostly because i had such a radical surgery that left me very weak. I haven't even been well enough to do the post chemo scan. I've been reading alot and Mexico seems to have more tools and less invasive tools to deal with this horrible disease plus I've read some great sucess stories. Thanks for your info.

melanie

MaxRudy

carolenk said:

One Mexican clinic
Dear Melanie

I have been getting good reports from my friend who is treating stage IV, grade 3 ovarian cancer in Mexico and is finishing up a three-week stay at the Immunity Therapy Center in Tijuana (Dr. Bautista's clinic). Dr. Bautista was the medical director at the Sanoviv oncology hospital in Rosarito, Mexico for ten years and has been practicing integrative medicine for about 15 years.

It is too soon to say whether the treatment is effective or merely palliative. My friend did experience very similar symptoms of the cancer dying off as she did with the full-strength chemo without all the ickiness that goes with the regular chemo treatements. She never got into remission from the first-line chemo and was only on break from chemo for three months before the cancer acted up again.

The therapies given at Dr. Bautista's clinic were done for 6 hrs/day, 6 days/week including low-dose carboplatin alternating with IV laetrile (given as insulin-potentiated therapy), Rife frequencies, hyperthermia, magnetic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, ultraviolet blood irradiation, daily IV DMSO & hydrogen peroxide & 50Gm IV ascorbic acid, as well as, the lymphokine-activated killer cell therapy (a type of stem cell therapy).

The doctor consults with each patient six days/week and there is a second doctor in the clinic that does "live blood cell analysis" to evaluate each patient individually. There are hospitals nearby in case any additional testing needs to be done.

The city of Tijuana is very "Americanized" as it so close to the US border; the shops take American dollars and many people understand and speak some English.

The three-week intensive program is followed up with a six-month plan of laetrile, diet and other supplements (like the Hoxsey tonic).

I personally think that the stem cell therapy is the "way of the future" for ovarian cancer treatment--we're just not there yet in the US...and I don't know why.

Will keep you posted.

Carolen

Mexico
Thank you for the information Carolen. I am going to contact the clinic and get some additional information. I wish I knew more about these treatments and supplements. I've heard of the insulin potentiate and and the stem cell therapy but not the Hoxsey tonic. Have to look that one up. Great info...thank you.

Melanie

Tethys41

MaxRudy said:

Mexican Clinics
Thank you so much. I will look into both of these clinics. I have a long way to go before I get 1/2 as knowledgeable as you. I just finished by first round of chemo (the 6 cycle carbo/taxol). It was difficult for me probably mostly because i had such a radical surgery that left me very weak. I haven't even been well enough to do the post chemo scan. I've been reading alot and Mexico seems to have more tools and less invasive tools to deal with this horrible disease plus I've read some great sucess stories. Thanks for your info.

melanie

Lots of information
Melanie,
There is a lot to learn, but you kind of learn as you go. I was faced with a lot of decisions during treatment, not just whether or not to go to Mexico, but other critial decisions related to my treatment in the U.S. I always found that things kind of fell into place, often at the very last minute. Just ask a lot of questions, do your research, and follow your instincts.
Best of luck to you.

westhiker

carolenk said:

One Mexican clinic
Dear Melanie

I have been getting good reports from my friend who is treating stage IV, grade 3 ovarian cancer in Mexico and is finishing up a three-week stay at the Immunity Therapy Center in Tijuana (Dr. Bautista's clinic). Dr. Bautista was the medical director at the Sanoviv oncology hospital in Rosarito, Mexico for ten years and has been practicing integrative medicine for about 15 years.

It is too soon to say whether the treatment is effective or merely palliative. My friend did experience very similar symptoms of the cancer dying off as she did with the full-strength chemo without all the ickiness that goes with the regular chemo treatements. She never got into remission from the first-line chemo and was only on break from chemo for three months before the cancer acted up again.

The therapies given at Dr. Bautista's clinic were done for 6 hrs/day, 6 days/week including low-dose carboplatin alternating with IV laetrile (given as insulin-potentiated therapy), Rife frequencies, hyperthermia, magnetic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, ultraviolet blood irradiation, daily IV DMSO & hydrogen peroxide & 50Gm IV ascorbic acid, as well as, the lymphokine-activated killer cell therapy (a type of stem cell therapy).

The doctor consults with each patient six days/week and there is a second doctor in the clinic that does "live blood cell analysis" to evaluate each patient individually. There are hospitals nearby in case any additional testing needs to be done.

The city of Tijuana is very "Americanized" as it so close to the US border; the shops take American dollars and many people understand and speak some English.

The three-week intensive program is followed up with a six-month plan of laetrile, diet and other supplements (like the Hoxsey tonic).

I personally think that the stem cell therapy is the "way of the future" for ovarian cancer treatment--we're just not there yet in the US...and I don't know why.

Will keep you posted.

Carolen

Cost of treatments
What kind of costs are you looking at for this type of treatment?

LaundryQueen

westhiker said:

Cost of treatments
What kind of costs are you looking at for this type of treatment?

Cost for treatment in Mexico
Westhiker: I am the person carolenk referred to who had three weeks of treatment in Mexico. I paid $18,000 for the medical treatment & approximately $2000 for flight, room, food, etc.

I had a very good experience but needed to stay longer & couldn't afford it. The "take home treatment" is keeping the disease from progressing as fast as it did at initial onset. Keep in mind that I've never been in remission--even after doing the first line treatments in the USA.

I'm doing IPT chemo with a local doctor and am planning to return to the Immunity Therapy Center in Tijuana for more stem cell therapy if I can get the bulk of the disease down. I had a cancer vaccine made for me by a local doctor but I had no response to that. Not everyone's immune system is as bad as mine is--I think I have no immune defense against cancer at this time so I figure I'm doing alright (all things considered).

Tethys41

westhiker said:

Cost of treatments
What kind of costs are you looking at for this type of treatment?

Treatments in Mexico
Westhiker,
I was on a three visit plan to Mexico. My plan was to go for two weeks, return home for a month, return to Mexico for a week, home for a month, and back to Mexico for a week. Due to various health issues I experienced along the way, I only made it to Mexico for the first two weeks. That cost $13,000. That covered everything including food and lodging. If I had completed my treatment there, the total would have been $24,000. But the cost depends on the amount and nature of treatments you receive. They will tell you before you decide to go, what treatment they recommend and what the cost will be. I could have received chemo down there which would have added to the cost. You can contact the Oasis of Hope and make arrangements for a doctor to review your files and have a free phone consult with him. You have nothing to lose. I didn't decide to go until about 6 weeks after my phone consult. If you call, you may want to request Dr. Cecena. He has less accent and is easier to understand on the phone.

willbesurvivor

Tethys41 said:

Treatments in Mexico
Westhiker,
I was on a three visit plan to Mexico. My plan was to go for two weeks, return home for a month, return to Mexico for a week, home for a month, and back to Mexico for a week. Due to various health issues I experienced along the way, I only made it to Mexico for the first two weeks. That cost $13,000. That covered everything including food and lodging. If I had completed my treatment there, the total would have been $24,000. But the cost depends on the amount and nature of treatments you receive. They will tell you before you decide to go, what treatment they recommend and what the cost will be. I could have received chemo down there which would have added to the cost. You can contact the Oasis of Hope and make arrangements for a doctor to review your files and have a free phone consult with him. You have nothing to lose. I didn't decide to go until about 6 weeks after my phone consult. If you call, you may want to request Dr. Cecena. He has less accent and is easier to understand on the phone.

My mother is currently at
My mother is currently at the Gerson Therapy clinic in Mexico. She is really enjoying it.

If you would like to know more about Gerson let me know.

Tali

Sayrd4Inu

Tali,

I am looking for family to receive treatment in Mexico.

How do you find the Gerson Therapy Clinic, did they help your Mother?

Sayrd

Tethys41

I repeat

I've been on these boards for years now and one thing that serves as a red flag for me is when someone opens a new account and on that very same day denounces anything integrative or alternative, especially when the original post is many years old.  I've learned the hard way that people get paid to push conventional medicine on these boards and personally rip apart anyone who advocates for options.  It's a sad statement that pharmaceutical companies feel they have to fear monger people into using their products, over and over again.  They must feel threatened by other approaches to cancer.  And what a twisted disservice they do to cancer patients.  I've kept my own data and patients who incorporate integrative therapies tend to have a better quality of life and, it seems, the sooner they get on board with supporting the health of their bodies, the better they do in the long term.  My experience at OOH was very positive and I saw other patients who benefitted from the treatment there.  They don't save everyone who goes there and if the patient isn't willing to make the lifestyle changes they recommend, the success of their treatments is limited.  Good luck with your trolling career, KJB1611.

Jude2014

Tethys41 said:

I repeat

I've been on these boards for years now and one thing that serves as a red flag for me is when someone opens a new account and on that very same day denounces anything integrative or alternative, especially when the original post is many years old.  I've learned the hard way that people get paid to push conventional medicine on these boards and personally rip apart anyone who advocates for options.  It's a sad statement that pharmaceutical companies feel they have to fear monger people into using their products, over and over again.  They must feel threatened by other approaches to cancer.  And what a twisted disservice they do to cancer patients.  I've kept my own data and patients who incorporate integrative therapies tend to have a better quality of life and, it seems, the sooner they get on board with supporting the health of their bodies, the better they do in the long term.  My experience at OOH was very positive and I saw other patients who benefitted from the treatment there.  They don't save everyone who goes there and if the patient isn't willing to make the lifestyle changes they recommend, the success of their treatments is limited.  Good luck with your trolling career, KJB1611.

Mexico

well I am very inspired that your original post was from 2011 and you are still posting.  I was late stage and had a second recurrence within 5 months.  slow progression in lymph nodes made me hold off and now talking to oncologists again about next steps. CAT scan next week which I am not looking forward to because I know it has progressed.  Would seriously like to consider Mexico but sm wondering which of the two that you mentioned might be best to consider. Family is concerned about legitimacy of what they are doing there which doesn't help. Any thlights?

Tethys41

Clinics

Jude, I will send you a private message.

anicca

"Cure"

Beware the word "cure".  There is no panacea for cancer.  Until I see peer reviewed, double blind studies, I remain skeptical of any treatment, especially those that claim to cure.  All personal testimonies come under the category of "anecdotal" evidence; that is, no evidence at all.  There have always been sponatneous remissions, and some of those, properly researched, have given rise to new and hopeful therapies.  Hope is important to quality of life, and maybe even to prolonged survival time, but false hope, brewed for profit, is despicable. 

Tethys41

Double Blind Studies

Double blind studies are the basis of conventional medicine.  A drug or treatment cannot be FDA approved without such studies.  Unfortunately, however, these studies are extremely expensive and the only groups able to conduct them are big drug companies or medical groups.  And a drug company will not commit to a study from which it is not likely to make a very large profit, because in all honsty, making a profit is why they are in business.  As a result, however, there are a number of options that are effective but which will never be subjected to a double blind study and will never, therefore be approved by the FDA.  I watched a women, who has become a very close friend, who was going into her 5th recurrance when I met her.  She had just finished her 4th session of chemo for her 4th recurrance, but it was only partially successful and her CA-125 was beginning to rise again.  She started a specific alternative, treatment, which has not been FDA approved, but which is standard of treatment in Europe, and her CA-125 came down.  She also changed her diet, added certain supplements, specific to her, and began exercising regualry.  She has been NED now for 5 years, the first time she has been NED for that long since her initial diagnosis.  So double blind studies definitely have their place, but they are not the final answer.  But if you choose to incorporate an alternative or integrative approach, you should follow the guidance of a professional trained in this art.

meggiep

OOH

I am looking for information about Oasis of Hope as my sister is thinking of going there. Thank you!

Tethys41

Oasis of Hope

Meggiep,

I suggest you check out their website and arrange a consultation with a doctor there.  That is how you would get the most up to date info.

Good Luck to your sister. 

WarriorS1

Treating its both holistic and chemo — good results

Hi all,

One of my dear friends had a friend that went to Mexico to treat with Stage 4 ovarian cancer and she is still living today and has been in remission for some time. I do not know the particulars but can probably find out.

I knew I could not afford to treat in Mexico but it was a critical factor for me to treat mind, body and spiris throught this process.  The Univeristy of Wisconsin was on board with this.  They treat me with Chemo and I have been doing the holistic on my own. Mediterranean Diet / Paelo.

I work with a local holistic nurse practitioner for supplements which we are keeping to mostly teas at this time for allergies and immune boosting. I a daily drink with local honey, apple cider vinegar and hot water as well as a daily drink called golden milk with is relaxing. I conists of a paste made from turmeric and black pepper. I add honey and unsweetened coconut milk. I quite drinking coffee and went to green tea which I can get in bulk from the holistic store I go to.  I am also very active, run, walk, yoga, meditation, energy healing, workout tapes.  Try and keep my life to as normal as i can working full time, keeping house clean, year done etc. We no longer buy processed food and eat organic and from local markets that do free range meet and eggs.

So far the only really bad side effect is low white blood counts common with chemotherapy I have found out. Now taking Neulasta to help with the white blood counts and that has helped a lot.  Only two more Cycles left and I am confident that I will go into remission -gut instinct if you will. Maybe over hopeful but I truly believe in the powe of positive.

Not sure if this helps anyone but I think it is in line with the discussion.  I know treatment is different for everyone and I am glad that there are people who are willing to discuss the benefits holistic treatment along with chemotherapy and truly hope that someday this will become a standard in the US.

Please note that my oncology pharmacist is kept up to date with any supplements, teas etc. That I take so that we can avoid any nasty side effects with the medication. The only thing she said I could not take would be hormone relates such as Black Cohash which I was taking for hot flashes. I am able to continue with the Evening Primrose Oil and fortunatley have had very few hot flashes.  Probably due to age and I think about 10 years ago I went through the majority of menopause symptoms.

I wish everyone on this board the best and hope that you all are or will be surviors.

Pete12

Tethys41 said:

I repeat

I've been on these boards for years now and one thing that serves as a red flag for me is when someone opens a new account and on that very same day denounces anything integrative or alternative, especially when the original post is many years old.  I've learned the hard way that people get paid to push conventional medicine on these boards and personally rip apart anyone who advocates for options.  It's a sad statement that pharmaceutical companies feel they have to fear monger people into using their products, over and over again.  They must feel threatened by other approaches to cancer.  And what a twisted disservice they do to cancer patients.  I've kept my own data and patients who incorporate integrative therapies tend to have a better quality of life and, it seems, the sooner they get on board with supporting the health of their bodies, the better they do in the long term.  My experience at OOH was very positive and I saw other patients who benefitted from the treatment there.  They don't save everyone who goes there and if the patient isn't willing to make the lifestyle changes they recommend, the success of their treatments is limited.  Good luck with your trolling career, KJB1611.

Hold on a second, there.

Hold on a second, there.

 "I've learned the hard way that people get paid to push conventional medicine on these boards and personally rip apart anyone who advocates for options."

When I was diagnosed with cancer and did my research, you know what I learned? The people around me who'd used conventional medicine survived their cancer.

No, I didn't seek the opinions of the people who'd used alternative medicine to treat their cancers. Because they'd died. That made it difficult to speak to them.

"It's a sad statement that pharmaceutical companies feel they have to fear monger people into using their products, over and over again."

And alternative medicine practicers don't use this? They don't constantly scare people with stories of toxins and the evils of a corrupt medical system?

"They must feel threatened by other approaches to cancer."

Or they feel threatened by dying of cancer.

"They don't save everyone who goes there and if the patient isn't willing to make the lifestyle changes they recommend, the success of their treatments is limited."

If you actually know stuff about cancer, you know that some patients are genetically-predisposed to certain types of cancer. Bowel cancer, for instance, is often the result of one of two faulty genes. You can drink kale juice and have coffee enemas until you turn green ... but that won't change the potential for cancer diagnosis.

And lastly?

"And a drug company will not commit to a study from which it is not likely to make a very large profit, because in all honsty, making a profit is why they are in business."

That's why these institutes in Mexico charge thousands and thousands of dollars? That's why the Gerson Institute wants $5000 from you so you can sit in their clinic and drink fruit juice for a month?

Making a profit is why these places are in business. It frightens me that people can't see that.

"As a result, however, there are a number of options that are effective but which will never be subjected to a double blind study and will never, therefore be approved by the FDA."

For sake of argument, let's say that, yes, fruit juice cures cancer. Grocery stores make millions of dollars selling fresh produce. Fruit juice companies make millions of dollars annually selling ... yes, you guessed it ... fruit juice. There is a sizeable profit in selling natural things that can't be patented (does the farmer who sells apples have the patent on apples? Or does he just sell apples and make money?), so why on Earth would drug companies *not* get in on that, if there was some protein or enzyme in pineapples or guavas or kiwifruits that cured cancer?

I imagine you won't answer those questions, and I imagine you'll accuse me of being a shill, but my cancer experience taught me to trust doctors, and be wary of people selling magic simple cures (that have little proof if they actually work) for complicated things.