Pet scans, Planting Trees, Pilgrimage home, Parade of Pride and Politics in China..just about wraps up the summer of 2015

5 September 2015
Greetings again from Northeast China,

Where did the summer go?  I looked at my last post and it was back in May...and as I write this it's 5 September...I can't remember where the time went or what all I did that either made me too busy to write or the events were not memorable enough to write about..probably a combination of all of the above. I've tried to catch up in this post..and perhaps I should have split it all up...but I didn't, and I'm not going to redo it so, this post is long!  If you are friends with  me on Facebook, you may have seen some of these photos..I can't remember what I've posted where sometimes!

Several friends have ended their expatriation and gone back to their home countries..bittersweet..so happy they are going back home, yet I miss them here in Shenyang.  When we first came here, we thought we would also be leaving this summer but thing changed..and we're OK with that...today!

My sister has completed a 2nd tour of cancer treatments in Beijing.  After the 1st round of treatements, the PET scan showed some  significant progress on the tumors, but that they were still active, so the Dr suggested she come back to China for a 2nd round.  Before we knew all of that, we planned a trip to the US so she was here while we were there.  Strange.  She finished that back in July and is continuing to follow her nutrition plan (no wheat, no sweet, no meat) and losing weight (she has lost over 100 pounds now!).  She needs to wait about another month before she gets the follow-up scan to see the results.  We pray for good restults!  She feels good, is working full time and is in the last year of a doctoral program...my sister... the over-achiever for life!  When she over-achieves on the stage 4 rectal cancer it will be the ultimate overachievement!  Go Trish!  Love all of my 5 siblings and hope that we don't have to repeat the cancer treatment with any of the other ones or loved ones!

Patricia with the nurses at the Baofa cancer hospital in Beijing..she brought them some gifts from the US and that was a big hit!

Sarah and Patricia do Beijing!  So happy she felt good enough to get out in the city a bit this time!

Sarah and Patricia on a walk at the hosptial...we affectionately call this place Pigshit alley...once you smell it, you'll know why!

Rod, Sarah and Patricia at the Baofa hospital just before Patricia left to go back to the US.

The Chinese Acrobat show in Beijing with Patricia..beautiful and amazing!

Another scene from the  Chinese Acrobat show in Beijing!

The cast from the Beijing acrobat show at the end...such a nice outing with my sister!

As I mentioned before, Rodney and I visited the US over the 4th of July (I think I've learned that it's better to visit and travel on non-holidays...neither in the US, neither in China...just 'normal days' are best to travel and visit!)  We had a wonderful whirlwind trip together (Rod was there longer and visited even more states!)...for me, it went from KY, OH to SC in 10 days!  Love seeing my family!

Granddaughter Olivia and Nana Sarah

Daughter in love Rachael with Sarah in Louisville, KY, our 6 year old Olivia took this picture!

Son Christopher, grand daughter Olivia, Rod and Sarah in Louisville, KY

Niece Moriah and her horse..she loves him rode in the OH State fair this year!  Very proud of her!

Brother Bill, me (Sarah), Sister Mary Nell,cousin Jenny and Aunt Freda at Mary Nell's house for the 4th of July..so very nice, Thanks sis!

Aunt Freda (My dad's sister)

2 of my nieces, Dawna (sister Becky's daughter) and Moriah (Mary Nell's daughter)

Sisters Becky, Mary Nell, (her husband Bob in the background photo-bombing!) me (Sarah) and brother Bill...only missing Patricia (who was in China at the time) and Martha (who couldn't come up from Florida) Precious time with family!  Thanks Mary Nell for hosting a wonderful 4th of July party at your house!

Aunt Freda and cousin Jenny at my sister Mary Nell's house in OH

Sarah and Rod together again in OH

Visiting my Aunt Anna (my father's sister) in the nursing home in Ohio..sadly she didn't know us.  She is a WWII vet as a nurse..very proud of her and so sad to see her living (if we can call it that) like this today.  Thanks to my Aunt Freda and my cousins in the area, she has the best of care.  Thanks Aunt Freda, Jeff, Martha and Jenny.

Cousin Jeff always the center of attention with the girls!

On to KY to see my Aunt Betty and Uncle John (my mothers brother) and their son John..my childhood idol and hero (and still is today!!) Love you Harm!

Sarah and John Harmon...Two peas in a pod!

Sarah and Rodney playing and picnicing by the creek in Bracken County, KY on a beautiful day, breathing fresh KY air!

The Walcot Covered bridge in KY, not far from my home...this is "my Kentucky"  Beautiful!

Visiting the Lavender fields of Ky outside of Brooksville, KY, not far from where I grew up.   A wonderful family farm that has transformed from tobacco to lavender..I loved it!  For more information on this place, see the link below!  Nice gift shop too!

 Lavender Fields of KY

After a quick trip to KY and OH, we ventured down to SC where we saw one of our dear friends in Greenville, then went to Myrtle Beach and visited the Alternative health clinic where we saw our friends and health practitioners to get a good detox and health booster before heading back to China.

Sarah, Glenda and Rodney at Glenda's home in SC

Rod and Sarah at Myrtle beach, SC

We came back to China together mid July and then it seems like it has been full blast ever since!

At the plant, we had several community involvement events including visiting an orphanage that we support.  This was an emotional day...such cute kids.  Instead of giving only money, this year we asked the orphange staff to get the wishes from the children and then we asked our employees to go shopping for the children to fulfill their wishes.  I was so proud of our employees when they fulfilled the children's wishes and more and we were able to give the gifts.  It was a very enjoyable way to spend the afternoon!

The kids opening up some of the gifts at the orphanage

Legos are always a hit with kids!

Sarah with one of the little girls are the orphanage

One of the little boys at the orphanage...he was just too cute!

Another commuity event we did was to plant trees here in Shenyang.  This was the first time we had ever done this and it turns out, it was the first time many people in our plant had planted anything!  It was hot and the dirt was hard...but we did it (and improved our plan for next year when I've already scheduled this for Spring!)

Sarah digging a rock hard hole for a big tree in Shenyang!

With a few expat colleagues at a park where we planted trees in Shenyang.

This past week,  we had a special holiday (3 September, 2015) to commemorate the Victory over Japan in WWII (or the War of Japanese Agression as it is known here in China).  It was a big deal for China and all the stops were pulled out for a big military parade in Beijing..alot of sabor rattling to show our US allies  of Japan across the Sea of Japan that the Chinese are big and powerful.  They honored some US veterans from WWII who were pilots from the Flying Tigers who "flew the hump" over Burma (today's Myanmar) to China to deliver food.  It made the front page news here on the China Daily.  I was very touched by the sentiment and even several Chinese told me "Thank you for helping us win over Japan in WWII".  That was very special to me.  For more on the big day here in China you can visit the english speaking state owned news website..lots of interesting pictures and articles:
China Daily

Even though I don't like the politics of the communist party of China..at all..I do admire the sense of national pride that China has been able to instill.  I can't remember in my lifetime (almost 55 years!) any National military parade in Washington DC.  I remember one in New York when the 1st Gulf War was over, but not any in Washington DC.  We have had many different big marches and protests etc, but not a Government sponsored National display of pride.  I do have pride in being American and I am proud to have served in the US military myself.  I find it sad that our country seems to be losing our collective sense of Pride and patriotism and so focused on not offending anyone...the country that stands for nothing eventually does not stand at all.    The Chinese children learn the patriotic songs in school.  Do our US children still learn the US Patriotic songs like "This land is your land", "The Star Spangled banner", "The battle hymn of the Republic", "America the Beautiful" ?  I don't know...but my sense is they don't..I think it's a shame..but that's an entirely different story!

On the 2nd of September, the day before this big holiday, I had my first big political meeting as site manager in my new job.  I met with the head of the Teixi district in the morning.  A district is like a borough in New York City, then in the afternoon, I met with the Mayor of Shenyang (with 8-10 million people depending on who you ask, it's equivalent of meeting the Mayor of New York City!).  I wasn't alone..as I was with the head of Michelin China and some additional people and I was briefed before I met with these people that since I was not the senior person, I would not say anything in the official meetings..it was true.  It was really a learning experience.  I've never met with the Mayor of New York City, so I have no US reference...but I'll try to describe here my day:
It started with a ride to the head of the district office in a special van that had authorization to get through the gate and there I met the other members of the delegation.  We discussed our topics then we went in.  When promted, we went into a big cushy chair (think living room oversized apolstered chairs) filled room with a big round table (12 foot diameter minimum) and big dining room chairs around it. When the head of the district sat down, we sat down in specified places.  The most senior (in terms of position, not age) Director of the district sat at the chair directly facing the door, and his translator sat to his right and our translator sat to his right and our most senior person sat beside her.  I had met one of the government people before, and it was clear that that person had briefed the head honcho about me and my name was mentioned several times, so I smiled, laughed and made approving gestures.  It was all incredibly polite even though we talked through some touchy subjects...money is always touchy!  After we finished this meeting, we left and went to lunch with our team, and discussed the results of the 1st meeting and preparing for the one with the mayor to come in the afternoon.
We had a meeting scheduled at 2:00 and again, we arrived in our van that had been cleared to enter.  We arrived in lobby and were met by a special representative (slim-beautiful-impecably dressed in a nice business suit- high healed shoes wearing-english speaking- woman!) who escorted us into the 'waiting room".  Before entering the room, I noticed a big electronic board with a number and a time and was told that our meeting with the Mayor would be at 2:10...up to the minute scheduling!  (I think I might need one of those boards outside my office!) .  While there in the waiting room (a room similar to the one where we had the official meeting in the morning with big cushy chairs and a larger than life round table and same seating arrangements) , we met the communist party secretary for the district guy we visiting in the morning.  I've been here for 5 years and I still don't fully understand their system...but the simple explanation is that for most every 'leadership' role there is in parallel a communist party position ..and the communist  party position always out ranks the official position role!  I had met this guy before and he remembered me and we exchanged approving smiles and gestures.  From what I understand, this level person is my normal contact...I would not normally meet alone with the Mayor (that level is expected to be for my boss's boss)  but I am expected to meet alone with the district person (or communist party person) if the need arrises.  Before long, it was 2:05 and the beautiful lady from before came into the room and gestured it was time for us to meet the mayor.   We went into a room that I'll try by best to describe.  It was like a grand hall with a bright lights and probably 50 feet long x 30 feet wide with 2 cushy chairs to the left of the doors in one end and forming a U, some additional cushy chairs down each side (not against the wall, but in a straight line).  The 2 chairs at the end had a lamp table between then and had microphones for the speakers and two translator chairs behind them.  Each chair had large name plaques and it was obvious that these 2 chairs were for the speakers (our head guy and the mayor).  The mayor sat on the left and our guy sat on the right.  All of the mayors 'people' sat on the left line and all of us sat on the right side.  On each of our chairs there was a paper name card showing who was whom and their positions (in english) and I'm sure on their side they had the same info one all of us on their card.  I felt like I was sitting in a United Nations meeting with translators  and all of the pomp and circumstances.  No business cards were exchanged at the beginning...all of that was done at the end.  I was briefed on that, so I didn't make any faux pas of etiquette.  The guy who met us in the waiting room was also in the meeting and it was obvious that he had briefed everyone on the Mayor's side about the contents of the morning and meeting before the meeting contents.  Again, my name was mentioned and again I nodded and smiled and did not talk...I nodded and smiled when required!  At the end of the meeting, my boss invited the Mayor to visit the plant and of course I said with pleasure...so that will be an experience to organize that...at some point in the future!   We all got up, had the photo's taken by the Mayor's photographer (No I don't have this photo yet!) and exchanged business cards, shook hands and were wisked away by the beautiful lady into the elevator.  I was still blown away by the whole experience!  We discussed our next steps, I took my visitors to the airport and that was that!  I came home and tried to reflect on the entire day, and I'm writing about it now so as not to forget it!  It's a pity I couldn't take photos, but it wasn't allowed.   I've tried my best to recreate the experience in words, but it always seems to fall short.  I learned alot from the entire experience!

So, with that, I end this post here in China..wishing all of you in the US a wonderful labor day weekend and for my other friends around the world, a wonderful normal weekend!

Sarah & Rodney

2015 May..Sisterly love, a journey with Cancer

15 May 2015

Greeting all,
Alert...if you don't want to read through another medical update (on my sister's journey with Cancer), then skip this entry!

About 6 months ago, my sister Patricia (Trish)  was diagnosed with Anal cancer and as we are very close, I kept a private blog about her condition and my feelings at the time. It's very similar to the one I wrote during Rod's journey with Cancer, so it is quite personal.   As I write this update she has completed a series of treatments at the Alternative Medical Clinic in Myrtle Beach, SC (same one that Rodney did) and also here in China  (also same one Rod did) and is now back home in Florida.  This entry is similar to the one I did for Rodney, where I will go back in time and take excerpts from my other private blog and share it with you.  When I have them, I've added photos of her time here in China.

Does it run in the family?

29 Nov 2014

Rod’s been home for 2 weeks now, and cancer wise, feeling good.  It seems I go from frying pan to the fire in that I just got the news that my oldest sister Patricia has now been diagnosed with some sort of cancer…either lymphoma or colon cancer..not sure which one and what will be the treatment protocol. I’ve talked to her about going to see Dr Dong and also coming here to see Dr Yu. Not sure what she will do.
Of course all of this makes me think of my mother with pancreatic cancer..now my sister with some sort of cancer. What about me? Today, I try to keep eating healthy, taking nutritional supplements and exercising…all to keep my body and systems to not be a place where cancer thrives. It’s easier with Rod right here with me on the healthy regime. God bless my sister and God bless my Rodney.

Quiet Christmas 2014

28 December 2014

We stayed here in Shenyang this Christmas…partly because I had no vacation left, and partly because we didn’t want to travel from one winter to another winter. It was quiet and we both missed family. I worked every day which helped the time pass and I got several things done at work that have been a long time on my to do list. Now, we’re fast approaching a new Year 2015.

My sister Patricia has been diagnosed with cancer of the anal tract.   She has 3 tumors they know of…1 in her rectum, 1 in her anal canal and 1 somewhere in her groin. She is going to the Alternative medical clinic in Myrtle Beach, SC tomorrow and she says she has started changing her diet. She plans then to go through a very intensive Chemo and Radiation therapy. She told me yesterday that if they recommend surgery, she wants to come see what Dr Yu could do before she has surgery, assuming he could do something to help her. She will see the oncologist after she completes her week at the AMC.
Obviously, this disturbs me…my mind can go crazy…my mother died of pancreatic cancer, my oldest sister diagnosed with rectal cancer…both with type A blood type, both with cancer in the digestive tract…both with diets similar to mine before I changed…did I change in time?  Who knows?

My sister's cancer

29 December 2014:

Below is an update on my sister’s cancer, taken from a private message she wrote to our family members today:
..." I am writing this to update you on my health. I am writing to ask for your prayers.
I have been diagnosed with cancer of the anal tract. There are two masses, on in the anal tract and one in the rectum. (I really did not know there was a difference between those two!). There is also I inguinal lymph node involvement. So after much testing I have an intense several weeks ahead of me.
Today I am at the Natural Healing Center in Myrtle Beach that Rodney went to. I will be here for a week to look at nutritional and other wellness issues. When I get home I will see a radiation oncologist. I will then have a port placed Thursday and see the oncologist again on Friday. I think treatment will begin on the 12th. The treatment is a combo of both radiation and chemotherapy. The first week will be continuous chemo 24/7. Along with daily radiation. The next three weeks are radiation daily and the last week is both continuous chemo and radiation. So the next 5-6 weeks will be intense. I will need your prayers.
Thanks
Patricia"

Come on Trish, we’ll praying for you non stop and ask God to bless you and our family as you embark on this journey.

My sister is coming, my sister is coning

11 Jan 2015

My sister has finished up at the Alternative medicine clinic and she is determined to stay on the nutrition and supplements and in fact she made the decision to come to Dr Yu here in China first to get the cancer treatment before taking the chemo and radiation in the US. She cancelled her appointments at the cancer center in Florida and I will call her tomorrow to find out the date she is coming to China. Should be either late Feb or early March.  Rodney said he would stay with her for 3-4 days to get her set up and able to cook for herself and be self sufficient. I will go for a few days too to spend some time with her and keep her company.  Trish said she found the Alternative medical clinic to be a very caring and healing atmosphere and that even if there was a place closer she is not sure she would ever feel as comfortable anywhere else. We will take care of her logistically here on this side and Dr Yu and his staff will take care of her medically. I continue to pray that nutrition program shows it down, the chemo will stop it everywhere she has a tumor and the nutrition will keep it gone. She has already said she will go back to the clinic in 3-4 months to continue to get a treatment like a tuneup…and hopefully show good progress on her cancer, liver functioning, blood, circulation and diabetis. She is not well, and until the cancer diagnosis, she was in denial about the problems the weight was giving her. I ask God to bless her.
Otherwise, Rod and I are doing well. We got the results from Rod’s last PsA test and it was 0.04, so we were happy with that. All of his other lab. Numbers came back good too. 😊😊

Let the healing begin

25 Feb 2015

Rod left this morning to go to Beijing to help her get settled and guide her to the hospital from the airport .  There is no food service in Chinese hospitals and so one of the major things Rod will help her with is to get her able to find food and cook.  He took several kitchen appliances and tools with him and has now got his "mobile kitchen" set up. Below are some pics of his set-up in the hospital room

Rod's Mobile kitchen..veggie steamer, borrowed juicer, egg cooker and misc other items!

The fully stocked fridge in the hospital room

So begins her healing journey in China. I ask that God will bless her and heal her.  Rod will stay there for some period of time (duration to be determined, depending on her mobility) to make sure she can take care of herself for food and treatments. I will go to visit her on weekends as time allows.

Trish and Rod in the lobby of the Baofa hospital.  The banner welcomes Trisha on the 26th of Feb 2015!

Rod tending his mobile kitchen...doesn't he look great!?  This is in Trish's room

Happy Birthday Chinese style

28 Feb 2015

Trisha arrived safe and sound and 1 day later her luggage arrived. Rod is an absolute angel cooking for her and helping her adjust to her surroundings. Today is her birthday and she got flowers so that was just as it should be! They did the CT and drew fluid off of the tumor in her groin and I assume they will start treatment tomorrow once they get the results of these diagnostics. She is in good spirits and anxious to get it all started. God bless my sister Trisha and my dearest husband who has been a more than welcome host, helper, caregiver for her.  Love you Rodney!

 Happy 64th birthday Trisha! Let's pray this is the 1st day of your healthiest year ever!

Dr Yu with Trisha in her 64th birthday in his hospital.

A thousand mile journey starts with the first step

1March 2015

Yesterday was my sister’s 64th birthday. She spent it getting the first diagnostics for the cancer and hopefully the healing. They did the CT scan and also an ultrasound and also pulled some fluid off of the tumor in her groin. I don’t have the full results but so far it looks like the anal tract cancer has not spread, so that is at least good news. The fluid from the tumor in her groin was positive for cancer, so they will treat that too. No news yet about the place in her aorta. She has started in the IV’s and drinking the anti tumor tea, and we believe they will start with the direct inject Chemo today. The first day of the most healthy year of her life! Rod is cooking her her and also for another man (who is man from Switzerland, that is a spiritual guru of a chinese woman friend of Rod’s…a very connected world!)…so Rod's international food service support is up and running at Baofa hospital! This guru’s name is Stephan and his "followers" here in China put up the money to bring him here, but they didn’t know his dietary requirements, so consequently, Rod Said this guy was going down hill fast…on top of the cancer, they man was getting nothing to eat…so Rod started feeding him, and showing the chinese followers what to feed him and how to prepare it and so hopefully now, he will start to thrive. I’m amazed yet again at how great my husband is!
After her 1st treatment, she said she didn’t feel too bad. She was hungry but couldn’t eat yet. She said they went through her back to get to the tumors in her anal tract and went at the one in her groin from the front. She said when they went after the one on the front, it did hurt some. Afterwards, she said that she felt a little achy, but not too bad. I’m so glad Rod is there to cook for her and also provide moral support. He’s helping her in so many ways and for that I’m grateful.

Trisha shopping at one of the markets by the hospital in Beijing

Rod and Trisha walking in Beijing

Trish with Dr Ma at Beijing

The hopes and fears of all the years...

6 March 2015

I talked to my sister Trish this morning and she didn’t have a good night. Lots of rectal bleeding and didn’t feel well. Emotionally she is full of fear and thank God that Rod is there for her. He is talking over a lot of emotional and real feelings with her and he told me tonight that he thinks she has accepted that this lifestyle is what she is going to be on for the rest of her life. I hope that is true. She really needs Rod to cook for her right now and since being here she has lost 4.7kg…and that is 1 week. She says she’s not hungry..and is eating the right foods. Rod fixes her a cottage cheese/flax seed oil and fruit blend and a green drink for breakfast, a salad for lunch (if she wants) and brown beans for dinner or some variant. The doctor told her he could stop the cancer but the weight was going to kill her. He also told her that if she would have stayed on the U.S. Treatment protocol she would have died. Both of those news are very sobering. Rod told her that he was going to stay with her until she leaves to go back to the U.S. That was a relief to her. I will go down there next Friday 13th and stay the weekend to at least give Rod a break.
I write this small prayer:
God, I thank you for helping both Rod and me to lose the weight we did when we did and I ask that You help my sister Trisha stay on this lifestyle no matter what. I ask that you give her the strength she will need around her family to stay the course and know that her life depends on it. She is such a good woman and serves you and I ask that you bless her and heal this cancer and lose the weight so that she can live the rest of days serving you and helping others. Father I ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Come on Trish, you can do it! Hang in there Rod, so grateful for guy! Love you!

Palliative care...not what we are shooting for!

9 March 2015

Talked to my sister again yesterday and she seems to be doing better. She has had 2 treatments on the tumor on her groin and 1 on the tumors in her anal tract. Rodney and I put two and two together and have determine that she has stage 4 anal cancer that has metastasized into the lymph system and that is where the tumor on her groin is coming from. They are treating the tumor on her groin much more aggressively.  When she read the medical report herself and saw it say ” palliative chemo” she knew that it meant no cure. Of course we know there is no guarantee that this treatment will work, but we all believe it will. Who knows.. I just pray this Treatment works and that she has the courage and strength to be committed to the clean eating lifestyle when she gets back to the U.S.
Rod had told her that he will stay the entire time with her, helping her prepare meals and being a companion. I will go down this weekend to be with her and take some re-supplies for his mobile kitchen! He really is an amazing man and has helped me and my sister to no end. Thank you Father once again for putting and keeping us together. We really do share real love.
Keep that positive energy going Rod and Trish! Father, I ask that you continue to open my sister’s mind and give her strength to stay the course and lose the weight by eating the menu prescribed to her. We ask that you energize her body to heal itself once the doctors have the cancer stopped. We ask that you guide the hands and hearts of the doctors here to stabilize the cancer and give her many more years to be a messenger of Your word, power and salvation. Thank you Father for Rodney being willing to help her and stay with her. Amen

The storm before the calm...or so we hope

15 March 2015

It’s Sunday morning and I have seen my sister face to face during her cancer treatments here in the Baofa cancer hospital here in Beijing. It is clear, she is sick. She is alert, she is ambulatory, but she had no energy. She is over weight, and since I have been here she has no appetite. They are loading her up with the treatments… Once per week with the direct injection chemo on the anal rumors and once per week on the groin tumor, and every day with IV’s. She is getting a special IV at some frequency to treat the cancer around her aorta as they cannot treat that with the direct injection method. She feels good in the morning, and gets her treatments in the morning, then after some rest, we went for a walk on Friday and Saturday afternoon (1 mile) and she had to take breaks in the middle both times, and by the time she was back here at the hospital, she was really pooped. Last night she went to bed at 7:00pm. She gets nauseous with the direct injection anesthetic in the evening.  She is losing weight quickly here, as she is not eating much…is that the cancer?
So, I pray for her constantly, I ask God to heal her, to help her lose the weight, to give her peace of mind and courage to continue her lifestyle changes in the US.
Rodney is absolutely an incredible care giver. He fixes breakfast for her, the Guru and has been a gem to help her confront the issues with her weight and is encouraging here all along the way. Thank you father for helping her and helping my Rodney help her. He was tested here too, and so far he is doing well…good results and he is on no treatment here at all…a miracle man compared to this time last year! Thank you Father!
So, I hope and pray this is her low period and that the tumors can be stopped and that now new ones can’t form. I hope and pray that this is the storm before the calm.

First signs of "the calm"

16 Mar 2015

I went with Trish yesterday for her treatment. This was with ultrasound so it was one of the ones on her lymph system (they are treating 2 on her lymph system and one in her anus). I saw the one in her groin yesterday and it is quite large..looks like a sweet potato. The treatment was quick and she said not painful. She had an appetite yesterday, so that was really good news for me. When I left Beijing, she was taking more IV’s…not the “special brown bag” stuff, but IV’s.
After I got back from Beijing, my sister sent me a text to tell me that the Doc’s had said that one of the tumors (the one they zapped yesterday?) was shrinking and dissolving on the inside! This is really good news! Thank you Lord!
If one is dissolving, then maybe it’s happening for all 3 they are treating? Who knows, but we take the good news when we get it!

Calm comes in many forms

22 March 2015

After a particularly tough week at work, I came to Beijing to see my sister (and then take Chinese lessons!) and see how she was. Rod had told me during the week that he had had some tough treatments this past week. I was relieved to see that she was up and about and in good spirits. Trish and I spent the time just talking, and it was delightful. We talked about all kinds of things from her cancer treatments to diet and nutrition to memories growing up, Mom and Dad and grandparents, the importance of her friends and church group and students etc.
The doctors made their rounds and stopped in the room and discussed with us （ I was trying to translate, but I just didn’t know the words!). We found out that she will finish her treatment on the 26th of March (all 3 tumors would have been zapped 4 times each) and after that she should stay here in the hospital until she flies out in the 2nd of April and rest and let them monitor her. Rod said he will stay with her and take her to the airport, which made her very happy. The doctors think the treatment is going OK, but they won’t really know a lot until the do the blood test the day after their last treatment. To be determined if she needs to come back or not. After she goes back to the U.S., she will get a followup PET scan to see what the results are, then send the results to Dr Yu for him to determine if she needs to come back.

Sister time in Beijing

More Sister time in Beijing

Walking in the sunshine and plum blossoms in Beijing

selfies in Beijing

Supercharged calm!

22 March 2015

I got some good news today from my sister Trish! I have copied her exact note below:
"What a great day!! I felt so good even with doing the external lump. Rod and I did the same walk we did and we stopped at the end to wash my hair. Then Rod took me to dinner. It was very good and I ate like a pig!! All good stuff. We had steamed lettuce with sauce, lichens with egg, seaweed soup, and mushrooms with Chinese cabbage. It was all very good. It was so great to have an appetite and things tasted great today all day. I had two Budwigs and a bowl of watermelon and an apple earlier. Something happened on the night. I slept 9 hours. Longest since I have been here without waking up. I woke up and I knew something had changed. No nausea hungry and full of energy (relatively). God must have done something. Anyway a great day for me!"

How do you top that?? Thank you father for the healing you are making manifest in my sister. Thank you for her weight loss and giving her energy and an good appetite. Thank you for continuing to give Rodney a good attitude of service and helping her. You have blessed me beyond measure in letting me share my life with him.
Let’s go Trish, keep that great attitude and knowing of healing and stay in your new lifestyle of healthy eating. Let’s get the cancer gone and keep it gone!

Trisha eating out with Rod at one of the Chinese restaurants by the hospital

The last treatment (in this series) for Trisha

29 March 2015

Today Trish got her last direct injection treatment today. The doctors said the tumors are shrinking so that is good news! We really won’t know if these tumors are stopped until she gets a PET scan in the US. She has an appointment to see Dr Dong at the alternative medical clinic on the 9th of April.   She is really looking forward to going home, and I can’t say I blame her…those hospital beds are really hard! I hope she gets her appetite back and can continue the healthy lifestyle eating and menu! We are all convinced that is her best chance for survival long term and so far she seems willing to do it.
Rodney has been her rock and counselor through all of this. He has counseled her on her eating habits and tries to give her tips on things he has done to to change his lifestyle.
Thank you Father for a good job so that we could offer her this opportunity for healing. Thank you Father for giving her the strength and courage to take this big step. I ask you to bless her Father and heal her and if it be Your will, give her many more days in this earth sot hat she can bear witness unto others of Your power. Thank you Father for giving Rodney the right words to say and giving him patience to comfort her. Bless them both Father and thank you for Healing that we have experienced so far.

Parting shots at Bejing before Trish goes home

Now the real choices begin

4 April 2015

My sister is back on the ground in the US having made her flight yesterday from China. The last 5 weeks have been a very controlled environment with Drill Sgt.Rod doing all of the cooking, cleaning, exercise coaching and counseling! Now, she has had all her treatments and has been on a very regimented nutrition plan (when she had an appetite) and no opportunities to ‘cheat’. We hope and pray now she has the resolve to continue her healthy lifestyle and continue to lose the weight by making good choices with her food. Only time will tell. Time will also tell just how effective her treatments have been here in China. She has either 3 or 4 tumors …still not sure how many..I know they treated 3 main ones in China with the direct injection method. The small ‘micro tumors’ could be anywhere along her lymph system. So, we wait and pray for good decisions on her part!
Thank you Father for healing so far and we ask that you grant her the resolve and ability to continue eating well and we ask that you send your spirit to her and heal her body.

A tune up for the road

11 April 2015

Just heard from my sister Trisha and over the weekend while she was at the Alternative health clinic in Myrtle Beach, SC for a visit and 3 day session of treatments. Dr Dong said Trisha has made good progress  and she is treating her exterior tumor that is now open and draining.  Patricia said she has a little better appetite but still not back to normal. I pray there are no other tumors in other places that are causing this. Time will tell. She has decided not to return to her Doctoral studies until the Fall. I think that is wise so that she can focus on her own health.

Appetite restored and PET scan scheduled

29 April 2015

Talked to Trisha this morning and she happily reported that her appetite is back to normal and she is doing well with her eating plan.  She went to her family physician in FL and they were all pleased with her progress on weightloss.  She now has a PET scan schedule in May, so of course everyone is hoping that shows good progress.  Now we wait.  In any case, I was pleased to hear that her appetite is back and things taste right and that she is eating well.

The results are in

  15 May 2015

Talked to Trisha yesterday and she got the results of the PET scan.  The good news is, 2 out of the 3 tumors have shrunk and the 3rd one is stable (did not grow, did not shrink) and the micro tumors are not mentioned at all.  She sent those results to Dr Yu here in China and he wants her to come back for another 6 weeks of treatment in Beijing.   She is a little disappointed with this results and so am I.  But when we look at where she has come from, either stage 3b or stage4 rapidly growing and 'palliative care' being the treatment after heavy duty chemo and radiation and the prospective of feeling horrible to where she is feeling great and the belief and conviction of the Dr who says he can stop the cancer and still keep her feeling good...it's a big difference in her longterm outlook.
Father I ask that you keep my sister in your healing hands and bless the Doctors as she goes on the next leg of this journey.

So that's where we are now...preparing for the next leg of the journey and figuring out how we can help.  Thanks to keep my sister Patricia in your prayers.

Sarah & Rod

Aug 2014: One Couple's journey with cancer

Greetings all,
It has been a long time since I posted...best laid plans of mice and men, blah, blah blah as I thought back in March when I had great intentions to keep up my monthly posts!  Well, life happens, so we adjust.

Back in April 2014, we had to change our focus due to Rod's recurrent prostate cancer.  I havn't told many people about this news and now only after several months (and a positive outcome so far) are we ready to tell the story now.  This story has a good ending and is reaffirmation that we do indeed live in the age of miracles.  Below, are some of my thoughts (Sarah) that I kept in a separate diary going through this journey...and yes, it is a journey and with cancer, I'm not sure we ever arrive at a destination...so think of this as a rest-stop break update!  It's a long post, so if you are not interested in a health-o-log, skip this entry!

The anxiety before the facts

5 April 2014

Finally, we talked about it one evening when he told me he counted the number of time he went to the toilet one day…43. 43 times to the toilet in one day…that is not quality life in my book…but it’s not me. He finally decided that he had to do something about it. Praise The Lord!
He called the dr’s office where he received treatment 7 years ago and started all of the inquiries, and at the same time started the process for insurances. He is over 65, so Medicare is involved…and the back and forth between my company insurance and Medicare has begun. In the meantime, I’m getting a flight schedule set up to get him to the US to see a Dr and try to get the cure process started. Of course everything hurts on him now,which makes me suspect that the cancer has gotten out of the prostate gland itself..I have no proof, but sometimes, my mind just inserts anything and calls it fact. At least now, it looks like on 28 April, he’s going to be in the US to see a Urologist and he can start to get some facts on which he can make decisions. After he gets a prognosis, then I can make some plans. For now, I will stay here in China and work as normal as I can.

Tickets to the US bought, alternative treatment begins

9 April 2014

So, today, I ordered the tickets to go to the USA to start the treatment for suspected prostate cancer. I say suspected treatment because today, we have few facts. We have PSA numbers trending over time…starting 4 when he first got treated with radiation 7 years ago to now 15 and increasing faster and faster as the months go by. He has an appointment on the 28th of April with a urologist in Lexington, SC. Once he gets examined, then we should get some information and get a treatment plan.
Also today, Rod started the alternative medicine treatment. He read about a treatment Plan using food grade hydrogen peroxide, and today he started this regimine. I don’t know if it will work, or if it’s a bunch of snake oil…but I figure, what has he got to lose, so I’m going with it.
I will make my personal plans when he gets some news after the dr visit…one day at a time.

Cure could be worse than the illness

18 April 2014 

So, after about a week on the hydrogen peroxide, he got sick…cold, fever,etc. So he stopped taking the treatment for 3 days. I know he was not feeling well at all and couldn’t blame him. As of today, he’s back on the treatment. It is 1 week from today that he will go to the US. He has had flip flops on the conventional treatment plan. Of course it’s all speculation right now…we still have no facts. Each time he listens to the internet on some different alternative medicine cancer treatment, he flip flops. He did say a couple of days ago that he didn’t have the urge to go to the toilet as much and thought the alternative treatment was working. Today he said the urge to go often has returned. I just think he’d be better off without the prostate at this point. Not my body though.

Flight day...-1

25 April 2014

We celebrated 31 years of marriage last night…a wonderful dinner and a very thoughtful traditional Chinese wedding gift. He told me he was flying out at 4:00 so we would leave the apartment at 2:00 to go to the airport. At around 11:30 I asked to recheck the tickets for some reason, and it was then that we discovered that he misread the itinerary and he had actually missed the flight! He was heart sick. We were able to get it changed to tomorrow..all is well.  The good news is that his appointment is not until Monday the 28 th, so no big deal. I know it hurt his pride, made him think he was going crazy, made him mis-trust himself and his ability to travel alone. He’s not well. He knows it, I know it, and we’re both hoping for good news with the doc appointment, but the signs are not so good…and part of me is just trying to prepare for what could be bad news…like most times where there is fear of the unknown, it’s the not knowing and not able to plan that is the worst.
One day at a time, I try to stay in today and not project too much into the future

Biopsy done, now we wait

2 May 2014

He went through the biopsy today…no we wait…they told him about a week until they will know anything. I’m grateful the biopsy went well, he was put completely under which was a surprise to me. I don’t remember that from last time. I am here in China, and he is in Lexington, SC… 12 hours time difference. Our friends in SC are taking care of him there, and our friends in China are taking care of me here.
So far God has helped me keep my mind focused on other things most of the time…it’s been a week since he missed his plane to the US. Seems like it has been forever.

One wait over, another begins

10 May 2014

I got the news today, the biopsy results are not good, 9/12 biopsy samples are Gleason score > 7 and that confirms that the cancer is back with a vengeance. Now they must do a bone scan and see if the cancer has spread to the lymph system. That will be done in a week, and he should have the results rather quick after that. The doc said that surgery is not really an option right now as the survival rates with and without surgery are about he same. He will not make a treatment plan before the results of the bone scan are known except to say that he should go on hormone therapy to slow down the growth of the cancer.

Good news!

17 May 2014

Got the news yesterday that the cancer has not spread! It’s still stage 3, but it’s not stage 4! He has decided that he will go to an alternative medicine treatment facility in Myrtle Beach, SC to get on a regime aimed to kill the cancer with nutrition. I am all for it…just hope he will also take the hormone therapy. My view is shrink it with hormone therapy in the short term, and kill it with nutrition in the long term. All in all, it’s been a much better weekend for all concerned, than the last one. He is not out of the woods yet, but he’s on a good path. Strange thing is the insurance co will not pay for any of the alternative medicine treatment, so all of that will come out of pocket..good thing we have the money.
The nutrition will be a big adjustment of his lifestyle..no sugar, all whole foods. I haven’t seen the regime, but it sounds a lot like what I already have been doing since I started the new lifestyle that helped me lose 100 pounds and keep it off. I pray for his willpower to keep doing it.
Thank you God for giving my husband divine thought and leading him to a path that will hopefully keep him living for many more years!

Alternative treatment in myrtle beach

22 May 2014

3 days ago, Rod started the alternative medicine treatment. They have put him on a special vegetarian, super vitamin rich diet to help him lose weight, multiple cleanses for the intestine, colon, acupuncture treatments to help revitalize his liver and not sure what else. He had his blood analyzed in front of him and the chinese doc pointed out things that were not right in his blood. How would you know if she was telling your the truth!?? He’s also having a treatment of high frequency radio waves to set up a sympathetic vibration in cells to destroy the cancer cells, getting a high frequency light treatment and I’m sure I don’t know all of them.
Here’s a link about the radio wave machine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w0_kazbb_U
Here’s how he found the alternative medicine treatment center.
http://www.cancertutor.com/?utm_source=The+Quest+for+the+Cures+1&utm_campaign=The+Quest+for+The+Cures+1&utm_medium=email
He did commit today to take the hormone shot in addition to this treatment, which I was glad to hear. I think it can work well together! I am fascinated about the treatment he is receiving and I would like to do the things he is doing just to experience it. Maybe one day we will do it together.
He said he was a grump this morning…3 days and no sugar, I’m sure he is miserable now that the new has worn off …that’s why I want him to do the hormone therapy…
Stay with it Rod! God’s not done with you yet!

Hormones and such

27 May 2014

So, the alternative medicine treatment is over, and so far Rod is staying on the new diet. He met a Chinese doc there who has a special chemo-injection treatment that is not approved in the US but is approved in China, and he has offices in Beijing. He will go to the Dr in Lexington, SC to try to get the hormone shot today to try to shrink the cancer chemically. Hopefully, the cancer will be shrunken with hormones, killed by the special chemo tumor injection treatment in Beijing, and stayed gone with the nutrition plan. That’s the plan!
After he gets the shot, he is planning to make a circle in KY and OH to see family, then he will come back to China.

Coming home!

6 June 2014

Rod is now at the airport in Columbia, SC enroute back to China! He is now 3 weeks on the cancer fighting diet and seems to be doing well! He did go down to Myrtle beach for another treatment before he left and also brought some additional vitamins to bring back here to China. He is engaged to check out the Beijing doctor next week to get the 3rd prong of the approach going…prong 1 nutrition and the alternative treatments, prong 2 hormone shot, prong 3 direct inject chemo. He is very positive and so I am too. We’re going to treat this together and if I need to be on this diet too, I’ll do it.
Love you Rod, we’re in this together!

The rush to get the 3rd Prong going

9 June 2014

Rod arrived home safe and sound on Saturday night. He jumped right in and started getting a bunch of tasks done like taxes, doctors appointments, etc done
Today (Monday) he went to the doc here in Shenyang and got a PSA blood test and got results the same day (gotta love that about China!) and the PSA went down slightly from what it was before the trip to the US. I don’t know if this is a normal fluctuation or real progress of the hormone /nutrition approach, but I’ll take what I can get!
He also now has an appointment for the doc in Beijing and we’ll take the train to Beijing on Friday, then he’ll have the treatment on Saturday, then come back on Sunday.
Here is the website of this doc in Beijing, Dr. Yu: http://en.bfyl.com/newsview.php?id=11

He will go there to Beijing for 4 weekends in a row, and depending on how he does with this procedure will determine if I need to go with him. It’s all done as outpatient, so we’re not sure of anything yet. I’ve cleared my schedule to go with him this 1st time. According to the website, they anticipate it only taking 4 procedures to get the cancer killed, and he should be able to see progress each time! Almost too good to be true! The key will then be for his ramped up immune system to take over and keep the cancer out once it’s killed this time…big difference from his radiation treatment 7 years ago. I just hope and pray it works.
God’s not done with you yet Rodney !

1st treatment done

14 June 2014

It’s Saturday evening and Rod is sitting with me after just taking a little walk in the suburbs of Beijing. We arrived yesterday afternoon after the train ride, then 1hr metro ride to the Shi he station way on the outside of Beijing. We arrived at the station and the doctor himself came tower is and drive us to his hospital. He had reserved the VIP suite for us on the 1st floor. 2 beds air conditioning and we were all set. No need for hotel which was nice! We ate at the hospital canteen as the doc’s guest last night. They came to have us fill out the paperwork and pre-pay (20000 RMB on the account) which is normal in China.
This morning, they came early to draw blood and take urine and stool samples and ten later to give Rod a pain medication shot for the procedure. At 9:00am they took him upstairs for the procedure. This is what he told me: they put him in the CT scanner (still had his normal clothes on except he had his shorts down to expose his butt!) they scanned him and then took the long needle with the chemo stuff in it and went in through his hip area into the prostate. With the anesthesiology it was hard to tell when what injection happened, but he said they went back and forth in the CT machine several times, then several shots. After about 10 minutes it was over and Rod said all he really had the urge to do was pee! Of course when he had to pee, he couldn’t. He walked by on the way back to our room, dressed the same way as he left! No ICU hospital gowns here!
When he got back to the room, they put him on 2 IV’s, 1 for immune building and a 2nd for pain (although he said he wasn’t feeling any pain). He did say he felt the burning sensation around his prostate and when he did finally pee, he felt some burning and some blood passed which the doc said was normal. After the IV drips were done, he was hungry and we walked outside to a little restaurant we are at the day before when we arrived and had chinese dumplings with fresh grated cabbage and egg..sounds bad, but really tasty!
After that we sat and discussed the miracle of the day…finding the alternative medicine doc in Myrtle beach, this doc visiting at exactly the same time, living in China to easily get this treatment! Now, we just pray for it to work! He will come back next Sunday and get treated the same day, then stay Sunday night, then go back to Shenyang on Monday! In and out! Very efficient and hopefully effective! 1 down 3 to go.
All in all, I’m very pleased with the days events. I will not come back with Rod until the last treatment where I hope to see the before and after pictures and analysis of the treatment. The doc is confident and so is Rod, so I must be also!

A lot went on today! Very pleased and we both took a little nap this afternoon..both of us relaxed and are now ready to take the next steps!
Thank you Lord for bring us here, we trust in You to heal him up! We trust in Rod to keep on his diet afterwards to make his body healthy and a place where cancer does not grow!
Keep it up Rod!

The day after the 1st treatment in Beijing

15 June 2014

The morning after…Rod didn’t sleep well last night…said he always felt like he had to pee but when he got up several times to pee he couldn’t. He finally took another flow max and eventually could pee. This morning he said he felt really queezy and sick to his stomach.  He said there was a difference between how he felt today vs yesterday. He could tell he had chemo inside. He’s not feeling really bad, just doesn’t doesn’t feel good.
While he was getting showered early this morning, I was out running..run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute HIIT. I can “run” for a long time like this. The little road and canal beside the hospital, even though heavily polluted, were a nice change of pace to the fitness center in our hotel and a good place to clear my mind. Lots of local people walking, buzzing by in small 3 wheeled trucks etc out and about before 6:00 in the cool of the day. I know that in order for me to be my best, I have to get the endorphins flowing and the most reliable way to make that happen is a good workout.
After I got showered up we went to the hospital canteen to see what would be for breakfast..some type of porridge..I passed and decided I would finish the cherries and nuts I brought here!
They brought him another 2 bottles of IV (same as yesterday, 1 for boosting immune system and 1 for pain relief, although like yesterday he says he has no pain other than the nausea). I’m sure that is why we have at least 1 week between treatments!
Rod will come back next Sunday, spend 1 night and go back on Monday. Next time he will fly! Train takes too long!

More not so good news

15 June 2015

When we were getting ready to leave the hospital today, we were surprised to see the doctor with a bunch of colleagues and students. It seems he was being visited by the president of the Peking Medical university and that doc wanted to discuss Rod’s case. He wanted to know all about his care in the US and how he came to find out about Dr Yu’s center in Beijing. When he and dr. Yu discussed his case in English in front of us, Dr Yu mentioned that the cancer was also in Rod’s bladder. This was the first time we had heard this. We talked about it after the visitor left and reasoned that Dr Lamb in Lexington only did a biopsy on the prostate and then did a bone scan…he did not do a CT scan, so he would not have known it had spread. Dr Yu’s treatment uses the CT scan, so at least he found it and hopefully his treatment with T cells and chemo will kill it…prostate and bladder. I’m not sure to have absorbed all of this yet…trying to keep positive, but real at the same time. We’re at the train station now, getting ready to board the train back to Shenyang. 4.5 hours on the train and 6 hours sleep and I’ll be at the fitness center and then I’ll be going to work..focus on work is a good thing right now.
Come on Rod, give it all you got and let’s kill this thing!

The side-affects begin

16 June 2014

Rod was not feeling well last night…up all night trying to pee, couldn’t pee, then today, had diarrhea and still does not have any energy. Some blood blisters came up on his arms and he says he just doesn’t feel well. The general not feeling well, fatigue and diarrhea we think are from the chemo injection. The not being able to pee, we ‘re not sure, but fearing it is from the bladder cancer. We have a dinner scheduled for tomorrow night, but if Rod is feeling tomorrow the same as today, I will cancel it.
We anticipate he will feel bad like this for the entire time he is taking this treatment and still for a month afterwards…it’s part of the chemo, but if it kills it, it’s certainly worth it!
Today, I didn’t feel so well either…physically I’m fine…but mentally, I’m struggling…this info yesterday about it being in the bladder is weighing on my mind and it’s hard to shake it.
Rod is trying to stay positive and reassuring me that it’s going to be ok…but I know he is struggling with it too.
Love ya baby, let’s kick this thing out!

Back for treatment 2

21 June 2014

After a couple of days, Rod felt better and seems to be ok again now…just in time to get another treatment tomorrow. He’s continuing to lose the weigh and stay on the Gerkin diet, no sugar and linseed oil and lots of greenie drinks. He says he thinks the treatment is doing some good…he doesn’t seems to have so much pressure to pee.
He’s going to Beijing early tomorrow morning (Sunday) alone, get the treatment, spend the night, then come back Monday evening.
Praying he will be ok during this trip.

Whacked again

26 June 2014

This time after treatment, he hasn’t felt good for 3 days…no energy and still passing blood. He’s going back this weekend and still says he’ll do it alone, but I’m not sure it’s the best idea for him to be alone on the return trip this time…we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.

3rd ones the toughest so far

29 June 2014

I just talked to Rod and this 3rd treatment was the toughest so far. He had to have a catheter and he said it hurt while they were doing the procedure and afterward he has had 4 IV’s instead of the normal 2. He says he’s “ok” but I hear in his voice that he’s not feeling too well. He said he talked to the doc and the doc seems pleased so far with the result, but then again, we’re not sure how much this doc really understands English. Not sure how much “normal peeing” he can expect after all this is said and done. He found out today that a month after the 4th treatment he will have to go back…not sure if that is for another treatment or if it it for a checkup.

4th and goal

6 July 2014

The 4 the treatment has now been done and I got to witness this one. They brought him the pain medication injection, then about an hour and a half later they came to take him for the procedure. I followed him to the room where the big donut MRI was. He went into the MRI room and pulled down his shorts, laid on his stomach. The docs put a plastic target thing on his buttocks then lined him up and then put him into the MRI machine. I saw on the screen an image of his butt and prostate and watched as they looked at the target in reference to where they targeted in his prostate and they measured the distance and angle needed for the injection. They took a few more images to make sure which one was best. Then the main Dr came in and injected the long needle in part way and they sent him back Into the MRI and scanned him. On the screen I could see the needle pointing towards the area on the prostate. they pulled him back out, then pushed the needle in farther and scanned again.
  This time it was closer to the spot, but not quite there yet. They pushed the needle in further, and scanned again. This time it was right where they wanted it, so they injected the chemo solution. I could tell this hurt Rod as he laid there on the table, fully awake. After the injection,they scanned again, and the solution was dark black compared to all of the prostate area I was looking at. The doc said the white spots on the screen were “dead” fibrous areas of the tumor…the image I saw had 1 small part I. The middle that was white, all the rest was grey. The doc said the entire prostate was tumor other than the small white spot. The doc said he would answer my questions tomorrow morning. They will draw his blood tomorrow morning and measure his PSA.

Dr Ma operating the CT scanner with Rod inside

Rod taking an IV after one of the treatments

The statue in front of the Baofa Hospital outside of Beijing

Rod paying for the services up front

Rod and Dr Ma, getting ready for his driver to take us to the Metro station

Rod getting prepped for the CT scan and treatment

After it was over, Rod had to go to the toilet and he said he passed a lot of blood, but then it cleared up and he had a good stream, which he was happy about. He said it still hurt to pee, but better than before. This time I think they gave him several pain medications. After he got back to the room, he laid down and they came to give him the IV’s. Since then he has seemed OK. He said he didn’t feel bad, only during the treatment and immediately afterwards.
We talked a lot today about health, lifestyle, nutrition, where we might live after retirement, when could be my retirement, staying here in China or not etc…it’s all “bubblegum” today, but good to talk.
After he was comfortable in his bed taking the IV, I went for a long walk…just to listen to a podcast, get my mind off and get some exercise for today. It was good to clear my mind.
I’m glad I came today, glad I got to see it, will be glad to talk to the doctor tomorrow morning. Whatever he tells me won’t really change anything, but I hope it can satisfy my curiosity and help us make future decisions. We both feel it is still the right path, and the. 3 prong approach is the best approach for us! We are both looking forward to the 3 day visit to the alternative health clinic in September in Myrtle beach, SC… As we said today, it’s a new chapter in our lives where we are focused on taking care of ourselves…adventurous, but of a different type!
So proud of you Rod, what a transformation you are making! Keep up the good work!

Some questions have answers

7 July 2014

This morning Rod says he feels good and he sounds good. While Rod got his 2 IV’s today, I met with the doctor this morning and so glad I emailed the questions in advance. He was able to answer all of my questions and provide some reassurance. Below is a summary of the questions and answers.

Cancer questions:
When the treatment is over, what PSA should we expect? PSA should go down. He does not have PSA results yet today, will email when he gets it.
He did have the evaluation of Rod’s immune system and said it was getting stronger. (Good news).
1) How often to get a PSA test done? Every month.
If we see PSA rising, what to do? Come back to get evaluation

2) Can he expect to have “normal” urination? Yes, not sure when, but he thinks this will happen. He mentioned the case of another patient who was worse than Rod who now is able to urinate normally now he just saw 2 weeks ago. He said after the tumor shrinks he should be able to pee normally.
Is there anything in traditional chinese medicine that can help improve urination? No need for this now.

3) Is the cancer any place else (bladder?) it is up against the bladder, touching it, but has not crossed over.
How often should he get a bone scan to confirm cancer has not spread? Every 3 months
Should he also get an MRI? If so at what frequency? No need for MRI

4) What about the continuation of the Hormone therapy after this six months? Yes, need to continue for at least 1 year. Also need to continue the nutrition therapy.

5) Please take the time show me the before and after MRI photos and explain to me exactly what I am seeing. White portion is fiborous and is dead. That is what we want to see get bigger and more spots start to appear.
where is the tumor? The entire prostate is considered tumorous with the results from the Biopsy.
how you you tell what is “live” and what is “dead” in the tumor? White is dead, grey is alive.
6) how long to take anti tumor pills? You can take these forever. It is traditional chinese medicine. Need a prescription to get more? No need for prescription, they are over the counter. Take to a pharmacy to get refill.

So, that’s where we are today…much more uplifting that I felt on Saturday night.
Keep up the good work Rod!

Good news travels fast

7 July 2014

Rod just got a call from the Doc at the cancer hospital and received the good news that his PSA value was 0.19! That is what it was after the 1st radiation treatment! We are both excited with this news! Now, hopefully his ability to pee will come back, and there will be lots of white spots on the CT scan when we go back at the beginning of August.
The 3 prong approach is working!! Not sure which prong is driving the PSA down, or if it’s all three working together…doesn’t matter… We’re going to continue with all 3 until we can do no more!

Pee at last, pee at last, Thank God Almighty he can pee at last!

8 July 2014

Rod reported today that he felt ok today (normally after the treatments he feels really bad). He actually exercised today and when I asked him about his ability to pee, he said he had a good stream and didn’t have the urgent urge to go but 2 times today. He said he guessed he went to the toilet about 10 times total today and it didn’t hurt much (still some burning, but nothing like what it used to be)…this is compared to 45 times when it was when it was it’s worst.

The numbers don't lie

11 July 2014

Today, Rod went to the hospital today here in Shenyang to get his PSA double checked, as he was not sure if the numbers were the same with a different lab. The good news is, they were confirmed at 0.20… Same as it was last time in Beijing at 0.192. So we were really happy about that!  

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

3 August 2014

Yesterday, Rod got scanned and according to the doc the cancer is stable…not all dead, but not growing. He did not have any more treatments yesterday. Today, we had some time to talk to Dr. Yu and he explained our next steps. Below are the questions and answers:
1. Follow up treatment, what to do next? What we just did for the 4 weeks was: 1st 2 treatments were direct inject chemo, the 3rd treatment was immune booster, and the 4th treatment was a slow release chemo. This, along with the hormone therapy and his nutrition therapy all helped drive PSA to almost 0. After a 4 week break, he will need to start an anti-metastasis treatment. This will be a 2 day treatment x 8 series. It is a US patented targeted organ treatment dr Yu has withy the aim to prevent spread of cancer to bone and other organs. It is a type of immune vaccine to go all over and get the organs (brain, liver, pancreas, lung and bones for example) to be immune from cancer. Rod will start this in September. 2. Status of Rod’s cancer today? Cancer is stable, not growing, Most of the cells in the prostate are either fibrous(dead, as a result of the radiation therapy in 2007 or this therapy now here in Beijing) or normal, however still some cancerous cells. Prostate has shrunk which is why he can urinate normally again.
3. Should he still consider surgery? No. The prostate has been chemically cut out and doing a physical removal at this point adds complications that are not necessary. No good quality of life afterwards.
4. Does he still need the hormone shot? Yes. Keep doing this. This gives us even more hope for a normal life! We have driven the PSA down, Rod continues to stay on the nutrition and immune boosting therapy, he continues to lose the weight and now he will try to inoculate himself from the spread of cancer with this prevention therapy.

So, of course he treatment is not over…we must continue down this path until we can drive the reoccurrence risk down! We know there are no guarantees, but we also know we must do everything to hedge our bets! Thanks for your continued prayers! 

We leave here today confident and hopeful! up anti-metastasis treatment. It is 2 day treatment x 8 series. It is a US patented targeted organ treatment to prevent spread to bone and other organs. It is a type of immune vaccine to go all over and get the organs (brain, liver, pancreas, lung and bones for example) to be immune from cancer. Rod will start this in September.

So that's where we are now...we're getting ready to leave China for our required 30 day absence (due to taxes and visa) and when we come back, we'll get the treatments set up in Beijing and I'll do another update at some point in our journey.

There are many miracles here...the miracle that Rod learned about the Alternative medicine treatment place in Myrtle Beach and that he was open-minded enough to try it.  The miracle that he met a Chinese doc, Dr. Dong and experience her healing at the clinic.  The Miracle that he went to this clinic at exactly the right time to meet Dr Yu who was there only this week giving a presentation to US Doc's on his treatment methods. The miracle that he has changed his entire lifestyle and diet to eliminate sugar and experience the needed weight loss.  And of course, The miracle that he now has 'normal urination' without medication, his PSA is almost 0 ! 

Is it the hormone treatment, or the frequency treatments or the direct injection chemo or the nutrition or all of the above that have lead to this outcome so far?  I don't know and honestly, other than to satisfy my curiosity, I don't care...I'm just grateful we are where we are both physically here in China and with the results!

Thanks for your continued prayers and support along the way...please keep us in your prayers as we continue this journey!

Rod and Sarah