Wellness

[AnneMary]

My 56 year old daughter has a rare malignant mesothelioma, and nothing can be done for her. She can't have surgery. The Drs. said it would kill her. The mess is extensive with a 2 x 4" mass pushing into her lung and there's additional tumors, etc. The big mass is attached to a vertebrae and at least two ribs are involved.

They first told her no surgery because she'd never survive it. She's lost 30 lbs. and barely weighs 100 lbs. Her body has weakened somewhat, but she is still quite active. Then no radiation because of it being so close to her spine, etc. And they just told her she can't have chemo because the stem of one of the bigger tumors is very very small, and they explained how the chemo would kill her also. She has nothing left to do. She's been on pain meds since April. She recently went to a Dr. who lasers nerves to it and she hopes that might cut down on her pain. She thinks it's helped somewhat, but she's not sure it will last too long.

She is going to a clinic there in Tijuana that was recommended in mid-September for 3 weeks, with a cost of $29,000. There was a story in a newspaper up here about a well known man who went to this same place about 2 years ago. He was a Stage 4. He was not in good shape. He's still alive and doing very well. My daughter has talked to both him and his wife and they highly recommend this place.

I don't know what to think about all this. We are going to help her by making some house payments so she doesn't lose it, plus pay for airfare for her sister and daughter to go down and be with her during the 3 weeks, but basically she is going into big debt for this. I'm wondering if any of you know anyone who has been to any of these places in Mexico. We are all so heartbroken over this. She is a joy of life to anyone who knows her, and I swear she knows EVERYBODY !!!

[nolari]

I know of three friends who went to a Tijuana cancer clinic:The late Jason, the late Margaret, and her late cousin. These people are, without exception, charlatans who prey on desperate people. An actual cure has never been documented, and evidence for even palliative help is highly suspect. I wish I could offer reassurance, but I can't. So sorry for your situation.

[Sunshine]

I'm so sorry about your daughter. I'd be afraid to go to Tijuana for any reason. It isn't safe there and I've also heard of people crossing the border for treatment and then either being worse or end up dying. Have you tried any of the U.S. Drs.at Sloan Kettering or Cancer centers of America? I have cancer too, but will be having chemo at my local Oncologist's facility.

[docsgirl]

AnnMary,

I am so very sorry about your daughter and will keep her in my prayers. I know nothing about a clinic in Tijuana but am wondering if the cancer your dear daughter has is called 'primary peritoneal mesothelioma.' It is very rare and there are only a handful of doctors in this country that will even attempt the surgery. At 40 years of age, my friend's niece had it. She lived in Colorado and went to UPMC in Pittsburgh for a very, very long surgery. She had a smile that would light up a room and fought valiantly. She came through the surgery with minor complications and lived for a year after. I wish the very best for your daughter. I know it's difficult but try to remain strong for her. Please keep us updated on her progress as we care. God bless. docsgirl

[Qlady100]

I am very sorry about your daughter's health, but if she were my child I would not dare risk her health by going to anything in Tijuana , Mexico. Nothing good can come out of it but losing hope and humongous amounts of money. I see you are in Alaska. I would expect articles like that might run there trying to induce sales, probably because they have been run out of the lower 48.

There is good medicine all over the world, but Mexico, no way for a child of mine. If it were a cure, it would be national news and herds of people would be flocking there and getting well. PLEASE don't fall for this out of your despair.

There are some things medical, especially with types of cancers and such, that you can do all that is known and offered, and then the rest you have to turn over to God. I went through this last year myself so I know a little of what I speak.

I know she will get the best that medicine has to offer for her condition, and my hope is that she can live pain free and comfortable while doing all that can be done. This is the hope we all have when facing life's difficulties.

We are not guaranteed the gift of time, so we must make the best of every day we have.

Only God knows our Master Plan that he has for us.

I don't think it would be good to go chasing all over for "miracle" cures and treatments, as I'm sure she is receiving the best in the comfort of her town and staying in her own home.

Family around her and the prayers of all who care are the best medicine, along with what doctors can do, for her now. Acceptance and understanding are needed as well.

I will be praying for her and all of you that are family. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart.

Blessings.

[okiebug]

I am so sorry for what your daughter and your family are going through. I know how devastating this is for you. You need to research whatever you can find about the clinic she is going to. There are several, some are worse than others. I have had several friends who had cancer and chose to go to Tijuana for treatment. None of them survived the cancer.

If you aren't aware, the clinics in Tijuana are not medical clinics - they treat with herbal and homeopathic medicine. You are treated there, then sent home with various tonics and a strict diet regime. You need to return to replenish your tonics because the last knowledge I have it can't be shipped to the US. The $29,000 is just the initial cost.

As an example, I had three friends diagnosed with breast cancer within 6 months. Two went through traditional cancer treatments, which is horrific enough. The third one decided to take the wholistic approach and went to a Tijuana clinic. She made trips down there every 3-6 months, was still battling her cancer after the other two were recovering. The two who went with traditional treatments are still alive and cancer free, she did not survive, but if she had, her entire life was given up for the trips to the clinic - her savings, her house, her children's money. And she went to one of the "honest" clinics, one that used herbs and homeopathics. Others have their secret tonics and treatments that no one knows what's in them.

Please, try to get your daughter to go to a Cancer Treatment Center, MD Anderson or Sloan Kettering. They are on the cutting edge of cancer treatment. My cousin had stage 4 tongue cancer, was given 6 months to live here, went to MD Anderson and is alive and cancer free 5 years now. Not saying they can cure everything, but it's a much better chance and they will give your daughter the truth if they can do anything for her or not, not just take her money and give her false hope.

[Vivian]

I am terribly sorry for what your daughter, and you, are going through. Sadly, all that will happen in Mexico is money loss and more heartache. When my father was dying of incurable gastric cancer, his brother wanted him to go to Mexico for treatment. My uncle was one of those who saw conspiracies whenever doctors couldn't cure patients. I know he meant well but when he sent me the brochures from this "clinic," I was shocked. These places are a travesty, taking money and energy from very sick people. I can understand seeking further opinions at Sloan Kettering or another American cancer hospital where state of the art research and treatment are conducted, but going to Tijuana is the worst thing any cancer patient can do.

[violann]

Please, PLEASE investigate legitimate resources here!

[bluejeansluvr]

never mind.

[NanaS]

Tijuana is the LAST place you want to go for medical treatment !!!!

Consider CANCER TREATMENT CENTER OF AMERICA