The First Week

Kloey and I get a little bored hanging out in the hotel room, I should say more Kloey than myself. I am taking advantage of the opportunity to focus on writing and some future projects. But we both definitely look forward to Todd’s lunch breaks and the nights that we get to spend together in the room. We are still a little nervous about adventuring out of the hotel at all. We have gone down to the beach (which is too cold for me, lol) and to the 7-11 on the corner, but our favorite place is right down the street called “H-U” the huerto urbano kitchen which means urban garden. This little bakery type kitchen offers a variety of juices, smoothies, baked goods, and also include gluten-free and vegan options.

On Wednesday August, 21st Todd’s day started with an IV of B17 (Laetrile) through his chest port, without any port complications so they were able to remove his arm pick line. Then they drew his blood for the Ozone treatment, which is done differently here involving UV lights to stimulate the oxygen in the blood and when the blood i replaced the pigment was lighter. After that, they started his IV vitamin C, so this is something that is being pumped into his system daily compared to them only once a week (what we could afford for a short time while back home).

This day Todd was started on the Coley’s through the IV and it was given in a bigger dose than the first injection that was given the day before. This time he definitely felt the side effect from it. The fact that he got a reaction is a good thing, that is what we are looking for that immune response so that we know it is working to fight off the cells that should not be in his body. Todd experienced fever, extreme shakes, and a bad headache. The elevated temperature and chills only lasted about two hours while the headache lingers for a while. He said it was awful and the worst shivers he has ever had, We applied some PastTense, DōTERRA’s tension blend that we use a lot for headaches.

The doctor went over the ultrasound report with Todd and found somethings a little odd, that this radiologist does not mention melanoma…I want a copy of the report for myself to explain before posting about it, Todd has asked for the copies and we are waiting on them. It is really difficult for me not being there to get these things and ask all my questions as most of you that know me can probably imagine. He finished off the day with GCMaf sprays and was able to come back a little early that day.

Thursday, began with PA which is the B17 given with the insulin, prior to the low dose chemotherapy to be given later on. Another IV vitamin C dose was given along with the GCMaf before his lunch break.

When he returned from lunch, Todd received the first round of IPT, the low 20% dose of the chemotherapy drug, Dacarbazine, that is used for conventional melanoma and lymphoma cancer treatments. The IV only took about 30 minutes to drip in and the only side effect he felt was a bit fuzzy in his head, although he was given an RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) before and may have had that effect from the mixture?

Todd was able to come back to the hotel before he was transported to the main CHIPSA hospital for the HBO (hyperbaric oxygen), this is scheduled once or twice a week at this point. He described it as a dome room that fills up with oxygen under intense pressure that he sat in for an hour. This is important because cancer stem cells thrive in a hypoxic environment. HBO treatment enhances the amount of dissolved oxygen in the plasma, thereby increasing O2 tissue delivery independent of hemoglobin.

Today, Friday started off a little rough as the end of this first week has hit, it has not been easy. Like I mentioned before, things here are different and maybe that is an understatement and hard for me to explain. We trusted our decision and when you actually make a goal and end up where you want to be, where we feel is the right place its harder than we thought. Although it is what we expected it is not exactly how it was pictured in our minds if that makes any sense. I think when there is a lot of unknown it is hard to trust the process in this current moment for Todd.

His treatments today went pretty well he had ozone, B17, The Coley’s which triggered the same fever response that is not pleasant to handle but again that is what the doctors are looking for is that immune reaction to ignite. After the Coley’s the GCMaf and vitamin C IV was given. Today was the first VG 5,000 injection and it was given in Todd’s stomach, this injection will be given once a week. After lunch, Todd went back quickly to get a B12 injection and pick up his RSO’s for the weekend.

The day has ended better than it started and we are happy to have him here for the weekend and spend time together relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather, it is in the low 70’s most of the time and has not rained once since we have been here. Hope you all have a great weekend too.

I will be working on getting a home protocol together for Todd’s treatments he can still do once we are home. It’s unfortunate that the few things that are available in the states are not covered by health insurance. So we are asking that you please keep sharing and consider making a donation. We couldn’t do this without you all.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/todds-stage-4-cancer-journey?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet