Home from Germany

Editgrl

I've now been back from Germany for just over 3 weeks.  I completed 5 rounds of whole body hyperthermia and 6 rounds of chemo from March through the first part of August, though there was a bit of a glitch between treatments 4 & 5.  I had trouble getting my WBC and platelets to recover after chemo/WBH #4.  They never did come up high enough for me to get chemo in Germany, so my medical oncologist at Kaiser agreed to do the chemo portion of treatment here, following Dr. Herzog's recommendation to reduce the chemo dosage by 20%.  We also added a week between treatments, allowing a full month for my body to recover before I returned to Germany. It did take all of that time for my body to recover, and my platelets were still slightly below normal.  My final week of treatments was from July 25 til August 3.  My chemo at that point was boosted back up to the full dosage.  In addition to the WBH and chemo, I had local hyperthermia targeted at the lymph nodes, Vitamin C and B infusions, and other supplements during the time I was there.  With the exception of a bit of nausea, my side effects were minimal. A few times, instead of flying back between treatments, I stayed.  I figure all told, I spent over 3 months in Germany this year.  

A mid-treatment scan after treatment #3 showed lymph nodes mostly stable, with some areas of reduced activity, one slightly enlarged node and one new very faint very small area.

I was very tired the first week back, not jet lag, but just general fatigue. (No Jet Lag is a homeopathic jet lag preventative that I highly recommend.)  My blood counts are not yet up to normal range, but they are going in the right direction.  My energy level has come up as well, and I'm back to riding my bike for 40 minutes at a time.

My naturopath ordered a number of blood tests this week and we'll see what they show and what we need to address for the next few months.  I am continuing with mistletoe injections and supplements.

One thing that was a little distressing when I went back to Germany in July was that my CA-125 was slightly elevated as was my LDH.  However, I was still recovering from a bladder infection and that may have contributed to the rise.  My LDH is now back in the normal range which has given me some peace of mind.  I had a physical exam with my doc here last week and all appears good as it can be at this point.  My next scan and CA-125 will be in October, and then we'll see what's what.  

Suffice it to say, I am happy to be home.  The next time I get on a plane, I want it to be for fun.

Nellasing

So glad to see this update!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience- sounds like you've been through it!  Prayers and thoughts for your full and total recovery and to keep heading in that very positive direction!  (((HUGS)))

Lou Ann M

So glad you are home

thanks for the update.  It does sound positive.  I am hoping for the best for you.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

TeddyandBears_Mom

Chris,

Chris,

So glad to hear from you and know that you are back home. Your results sound promising. That darn CA-125 sure plays with our minds. Mine has been rising every time I get it checked. Still within the normal range but higher than it was when I "had" cancer. Geesh!

It is great that your US oncologist is willing to work with you and Dr. Herzog. I'm praying that you will have clean scans in October.

Take care my chemosabe friend. I think of you often.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

MAbound

Happy you are home

As cool as it can be to visit different places, there's still no place like home. Welcome back Chris!

Cass83

thanks for the update

I wish there was a "like" , "dislike" button so people would be able to show they read without commenting Sometimes I read and don't really have a comment, except "thinking and praying for you". Thanks for the update!

Kvdyson

You are a real pioneer, Chris

You are a real pioneer, Chris! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It is so good to hear that the treatments appear to be stabilizing things for you. Hoping that every week is better for you than the last! Kim

henhill

hopeful

I am hopeful for the results of this therapy for you.  You are brave to have gone through so much.

EZLiving66

I've been following your

I've been following your Germany journey.  I'm glad to see you're getting a positive response and look forward to hearing what they find in October.

Love,

Eldri

rcdeman

Thank you for your update

Thank you for your update Chris and welcome back to the States. Glad to find you are doing relatively well. It's understandable that you've been suffering from tiredness. Wishing the best results in October. Please continue to keep us updated. You are a blessing and an inspiration.

Love,
Rebecca