For all who are anxious, the results from the PET scan are positive: 'Minimal glucose intake' means that the tumor is still low grade. And since this is his first PET scan they've assured us that the results are positive.
Almost halfway through the second round, and Dave is doing well. He recently experienced what we know to be called the Herxheimer reaction: which means he's showing signs of a positive response to the treatment (DMSO, glucose, laetrile, and Vit C). Herxheimer is linked with Tumor necrosis factor and is a sign that we are on the right track.
After a week of waiting, Kermit, our green 92 camry was returned to us from the workshop. Thanks to this, we were able to begin our journey westward to L.A. Now with everything crossed but our eyes, we're hoping that Kermit will keep strong.
At the moment Valley Cancer Institute are awaiting our arrival and they are keen as mustard to help us see this tumor gone. And with there method, experience and success rate we're just as keen to get there.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
BIKE DAY!!!
A new venture... taken on part by our good friends LC, Rick and MC and a horde of contributors and followers, we hope.Peek the new first post of the blog in the beginning.......
To everyone helping out, we send you a HUGE THANK YOU!
Again our gratitude and appreciation for all of your efforts is immeasurable and truly encouraging.
We're also posting some wicked pics of our wacky adventures on Dave's flickr account. Peek Amigos of Dave: Tulsa Collection.
Gratefully
Friday, January 8, 2010
A New Chapter
Dave finishes the first round of the DMSO protocol today which is the cancer treatment provided by Camelot Cancer Clinic. After this he is booked in for a PET scan on Monday January 11. The PET scan will show a more precise view of cancer cell activity and due to its high cost ($1,500 USD) this type of scan is not common practice for cancer patients, especially in Australia.
Our hope is that Dave is reacting positively to the Camelot protocol. In the meantime we've arranged to take a second round of DMSO treatment with us. The idea of this is to keep the momentum going to increase it's effectiveness. We will take this with us all the way to Valley Cancer Institute in Los Angeles.
Thankfully, both the take home treatment and the PET scan were helped paid for with the donations made through amigosofdave.blogspot.
The Hyperthermia method which is not available in Australia... yet uses ultrasound with low-dose radiation to effectively treat cancer. It makes the radiotherapy three and up to four times more effective than standard radiation and has little to no side effects.
In the U.S, hyperthermia with low-dose radiation is an approved fourth modality in terms of cancer treatment (just after radiation, chemotherapy and surgery), which means it is covered by insurance and medicare.
Considering Dave is a U.S citizen, we tried to get U.S Medicare to help with covering the costs. However, for David this treatment will neither bevcovered by U.S or Australian medicare. because he doesn't meet U.S Medicare criteria. As a result we are now having to seriously reconsidering a financial situation.
Unfortunately the costs are going to be a major barrier for David receiving treatment with continuity. They will be USD $3,000 a week and treatment will go for 8-10 weeks. So that will be an estimated USD $30,000 just for treatment.
We're also having to cover accommodation and living expenses. Our concern is that our economic situation will not get in the way of David receiving the necessary treatment at Valley Cancer Institute.
The financial and huge health costs are dwindle in comparison to those incurred by other conventional treatments, which only offer palliative treatment. And that is also considering the quality of life debate.
We're hoping this generosity will continue... continue so that treatment for David's brain cancer doesn't have to be held off due to financial reasons.
To cover the initial costs of treatment our parents are taking an advance on the mortgage. They're also waiting for the sale of the house to close, which will help cover ongoing treatment and other living and medical expenses. Until then we will continue with the DMSO mix.
We've spoken with VCI and they are optimistic that they can help Dave, and that they would treat him with curative intent... They have also recognised our economic situation and have taken a considerable amount off the original cost. We are extremely grateful for the generous discount.
Please have look at the hyperthermia links for info on effectiveness of treatment. And if you feel you can't help us... then at least educate yourself on options that you might seriously have to consider one day.
- Thanking everyone-
Our hope is that Dave is reacting positively to the Camelot protocol. In the meantime we've arranged to take a second round of DMSO treatment with us. The idea of this is to keep the momentum going to increase it's effectiveness. We will take this with us all the way to Valley Cancer Institute in Los Angeles.
Thankfully, both the take home treatment and the PET scan were helped paid for with the donations made through amigosofdave.blogspot.
The Hyperthermia method which is not available in Australia... yet uses ultrasound with low-dose radiation to effectively treat cancer. It makes the radiotherapy three and up to four times more effective than standard radiation and has little to no side effects.
In the U.S, hyperthermia with low-dose radiation is an approved fourth modality in terms of cancer treatment (just after radiation, chemotherapy and surgery), which means it is covered by insurance and medicare.
Considering Dave is a U.S citizen, we tried to get U.S Medicare to help with covering the costs. However, for David this treatment will neither bevcovered by U.S or Australian medicare. because he doesn't meet U.S Medicare criteria. As a result we are now having to seriously reconsidering a financial situation.
Unfortunately the costs are going to be a major barrier for David receiving treatment with continuity. They will be USD $3,000 a week and treatment will go for 8-10 weeks. So that will be an estimated USD $30,000 just for treatment.
We're also having to cover accommodation and living expenses. Our concern is that our economic situation will not get in the way of David receiving the necessary treatment at Valley Cancer Institute.
The financial and huge health costs are dwindle in comparison to those incurred by other conventional treatments, which only offer palliative treatment. And that is also considering the quality of life debate.
We're hoping this generosity will continue... continue so that treatment for David's brain cancer doesn't have to be held off due to financial reasons.
To cover the initial costs of treatment our parents are taking an advance on the mortgage. They're also waiting for the sale of the house to close, which will help cover ongoing treatment and other living and medical expenses. Until then we will continue with the DMSO mix.
We've spoken with VCI and they are optimistic that they can help Dave, and that they would treat him with curative intent... They have also recognised our economic situation and have taken a considerable amount off the original cost. We are extremely grateful for the generous discount.
Please have look at the hyperthermia links for info on effectiveness of treatment. And if you feel you can't help us... then at least educate yourself on options that you might seriously have to consider one day.
- Thanking everyone-
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tulsa Adventures!
For your viewing pleasure, Dave has posted some photos of our Tulsa adventures on his facebook page. simply click on the image.
They consist mainly of us riding Beverly (Lindsay's Corolla) to and from the clinic, the health food store and the house all while trying to stay warm, battle cancer and have fun. TRY being the key word there.
loving brother and side kick
They consist mainly of us riding Beverly (Lindsay's Corolla) to and from the clinic, the health food store and the house all while trying to stay warm, battle cancer and have fun. TRY being the key word there.
loving brother and side kick
...thank you...
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