Daylady checking in - Cancer Across the Pond

Hi Ladies!  Just thought I would check in and let you know I am back from Germany from the first of what is probably going to be many visits this year.  I was at the Herzog Cancer Clinic outside Frankfurt Germany.  In three weeks I did whole body hyperthermia, local hyperthermia, daily vitamin and enzyme infusions, low dose chemotherapy, and a whole host of other supportive therapies.  Dr. Herzog is probably one of the most incredible oncologists in the world...a master at hyperthermia (not available in the US).  I am going back Feb. 22nd for 10 days (more full body hyperthermia and low dose chemo) and then in March when I return they will do repeat scans and tests to determine how I'm doing.  My husband went with me and was able to stay in my room with me.  I am going alone next time, but he will return with me in March.  In the US, the focus seems to be on killing the cancer (at any cost sometimes...).  In Germany, the focus is 100% on keeping the patient alive, maintaining quality life, and treating cancer...in that order.  There were people from all over the world at this clinic (including three doctors from the US who were being treted there) and I saw things that were flat out amazing!!  There are no guarantees and no magic bullets in this life, but treatments that are available over there that have not been approved here are incredible. 

There was a rancher there from Idaho with advanced cancer of the tonsil and throat.  In the states they wanted to operate, remove a portion of his tongue, install a feeding tube and do high dose chemo for a year.  His son wouldn't let anyone touch him, and made him get on a plane to the Herzog Clinic in Germany.  In 3 weeks we watched him undergo local hyperthermia and low dose chemo and his tumor was 80% (!!!) reuced by the time he left.  He will be back in 10 days for cycle #2. 

Most people (myself included) go there for the full body hyperthermia combined with low dose chemo.  It is amazing what it can do.  I was able to qualify for extreme full body hyperthermia.  In this treatment, in a very carefully controlled setting, your body is heated to 107 degrees (you are out, don't feel a thing) at which point, the cancer cells become compromised and start to die.  When your body is at the highest heat they also do low or moderate dose chemo, because when the cancer cells are compromised it takes far less chemo to get the same effect.  Does not affect your normal cells. 

They have a plan B for me as well.  If this should not work, there is a surgeon at the university hospital that has perfected a surgery that goes in through the artery in your groin, identifies the artery feeding your tumor (mine is in the liver), injects chemo directly into the tumor and then seals it off with a material that solidifies at bodt temperature.  If successful, the tumor dies from the inside/out.  There was one of the US doctors there that had had it done three times and it was working.  He had arrived at the clinic with about 6 weeks to live. 

I don't know where this journey will take me, but I do feel this was the right choice for me.  My only regret is that I did not explore having treatment outside the US sooner.  I think we have great surgeons.  Radiation carries its own risks, but I know there are some good things done.  My feeling is that the chemotherapy approach in the US leaves a lot to be desired. 

My husband and I are going on a Panama Cruise in another week, and then I head back to Germany for round 2 on Feb. 22nd.  I'll be in touch when I can.  Hope everyone is doing well.  Hugs to all - Helen