Hello there everyone! First of all Mom and I (Michelle Margaret-the middle one) would like to thank everyone very much for your love, concern, and prayers. We started our trip on Sunday morning (5/25) and we're grateful that God provided us with smooth skies and friendly airline staff to get us safely to Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, FL.
Sunday was a very challenging day for Mom and frankly the first night was terrible. Mom had edema in her right leg prior to the trip but by the evening of the 25th the edema was so bad that she could barely walk. After settling into for the night she fought a losing battle to nausea and pain all night.
Monday began with both of us feeling exhausted instead of ready for treatments and classes. The schedule is busy here, and there is a constant decision between resting, attending lectures or taking Mom to treatments. I opted to take Mom to her treatments, hoping to get her some relief from her pain. The first treatment we went to was Oxygen therapy involving infrared technology. It looked like something out of the movie 2010! At that point I was wondering what we had gotten ourselves into and wondered if we had just spent multiple thousands of dollars on quackery. After that treatment we went to a "H-Wave" treatment. They hooked Mom up to special electrode devices which made her legs jump around on their own. I'm sure she has not danced like that since her hippie days back in the 60's! :>) Later that same evening Mom got her first vitamin implants and we both went to bed thinking we would sleep like babies due to our exhaustion. Boy were we wrong! I can honestly say that it was the single most miserable night of my life, and I can't imagine a worse night it Mom's life either. She was in so much pain (right leg and lower left ribs) and so sick to her stomach that there was no way to console her. When she did lay down to sleep her breathing would get more shallow and out of fear that she would not be able to get another breath she would jerk awake causing major rib pain which led to her being sick to her stomach again.
When Tuesday morning came, I was a frazzled mess. I went to a therapy session of my own first thing in the morning as Mom had finally fallen asleep. As I walked through the doors the cheery staff asked how Mom was and I burst into tears. I really felt like I needed to get Mom back to VA before she did not have any strength to do it on her own. The staff was very encouraging and several of them told me their personal stories of coming to Hippocrates with Stage 4 cancer like Mom's and today they are living proof of the healing and miracles that God preforms every single day. One lady that has been particularly sweet has been cured from Hodgkins Lymphoma and another from cancer like mom's! Still, I left the therapy center and called Kerry while quite an emotional wreck. I felt sure we needed to pack our bags and head back to the comfort of our family. I scared Kerry and Mike half to death and headed back to my room after talking to them and not knowing what to do. I was shocked to enter our cottage to see Mom out of bed, rosy cheeked and asking to get into the shower. I looked at her feet and people can doubt all they want, but Mom's edema in her leg and ankle were completely gone! It's the first sighting of her ankle bones since the Reagan administration! I asked Mom if she wanted to stay and she seemed shocked that I would even ask the question. She noted improvements like being able to move better and some pain and edema being gone. We decided to stay but I knew that we needed some help to get Mom through the nights so we decided to have a portable oxygen machine delivered to the room for Mom to use during the nights. Last night was the first night of using the oxygen and it certainly did the trick! She slept approximately 6-8 hours (interrupted only by having to get up to take pain meds). Mom has much less nausea and has only thrown up twice in two days. This is a HUGE improvement as she has been sick to her stomach constantly for about two months now. Some other improvements are a reduction of pain, getting around on her own, and generally being much stronger. Today, Friday Mom ate the first significant amount of solid food she has had in nearly 2 months and kept it down. This is a tremendous answer to prayer!
We are so thankful for those of you that are so supportive and are praying for Mom. Here are some specific prayer requests:
1) Removal of all nausea... period.
2) Desire and ability to eat and keep solid foods in her system. Mom has been living on green drinks. The green drinks are nutritious, but man cannot live on green drinks alone :>). If there is to be any significant turn around or slow down of the cancer she has to be eating solid foods. When food is mentioned Mom grimaces and acts like she may be getting sick to her stomach. Please pray that a) Mom is able to change her thinking about solid food b) Mom would not be so sensitive to the smells of food.
3) Pain management. While she has come a long way since the day of arrival there is still a way to go. Specifically pray for removal of pain from Mom's right leg and lower left ribs.
4) A miracle cure from God. I put this last on the list not because it's my last thought, but rather the first. I have questioned myself repeatedly over the question. Can God cure Mom? Am I fooling myself? Is this all nonsense and should Mom be back in VA near her family? The answers that come to me with no doubt in my mind are YES, God can cure Mom. YES, God can slow her cancer down. YES, God can take Mom's pain away. YES, God can totally alleviate Mom's nausea. YES, we are in the right place, a place where God purposely directed us. Please pray resolutely in this same regard.
Mom has been greatly encouraged by some of the notes of encouragement and encouraging Christian music which have been sent her. She is in good spirits and believes that God has brought her here to Hippocrates for Healing and has much hope for complete healing. If you'd like to send Mom a note here at the institute the address is:
Hippocrates Health Institute
----
----
I have been receiving many phone calls and text messages which I appreciate greatly. I'm sorry that I've been unable to respond. However, I've been a bit busy! And I also dropped my phone in a glass of water today... (don't ask):>) I will have to catch up with everyone after June 14th. I plan to update this BLOG everyday with news on how Mom is doing and if possible some pictures.
Once again, Mom and I both thank you for your continued prayers.
Much love,
Michelle
