Monday, June 14, 2010

The Shadowlands

Mom's cancer has returned and spread.  
With a bit of vengeance it seems.
The oncologist's conclusion of the matter?  
A year and a half with treatment - treatment being the operative word here...
Conventional Chemotherapy (somewhat indiscriminately applied here in North America) 
annihilates the immune system at the same time, a route Mom has gone before and is understandably, unwilling to repeat.
That makes a bleak prognosis even bleaker.
So, after much due consideration we are headed to Germany's Leonardis Klinic
where optimal individualized care is the founding principle.
The Leonardis Premise
Our individual treatment concept encompasses
special innovative methods, such as
chemosensitivity testing, gene molecular and
enzyme tests. The results of these tests enable us
to find out which substances the patient optimally
reacts to and to determine the maximum doses of
these tested substances which the patient can
tolerate (in order to reduce the side effects to a
minimum) as well as the type of metabolization of
these substances in the patients body.
At the same time we can determine prognosis
methods and lay down preventive measures (among
others reduction of heavy metal load etc.) on the
basis of these immunological tests (of blood, urine
and mucous membrane). According to these data
we can develop an optimally individualized therapy
and nutrition concept for the specific patient in
concern.
It just seems to make a whole lot more sense given the circumstances.
Tentatively, this may be a three week stay for mom.  My sister and I will share the privilege of making this journey with her.  Many of you go with us in spirit and for this we are humbled and grateful.  Your prayer support is earnestly sought for traveling mercies and especially for finding peace and comfort in whatever God ordains.  
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will  fear no evil.
For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

8 comments:

  1. We're praying, Joanne. Brian and Joyce Hendricks

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  2. Your in our thoughts and prayer!! May God grant your mother the strenght she will need!! Harry and Jolene

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  3. We're praying continually for Aunt Ina, and you girls as you head out to Germany with her. All of God's strength and comfort and peace!! Jeff and Rachel

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  4. Praying for Aunt Ina and you ladies as you go with your mother to Germany. Hope and pray everything goes well. May God give Aunt Ina and us a family strong during the difficult time.
    My love!
    Katie

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  5. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Praying God will give peace and that treatment will be a good option and have the desired effect.
    With love,
    Rich and Cynhtia

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  6. Just wanted you to know that my thoughts and Prayers are with you!Our God is an awesome and Mighty God.And He is with you throughout this journey.And Praying Aunt Ina that you feel his Presence and Love from Him and all his caring brothers and sisters in Christ.
    Love Elaine Scharringa

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  7. Praying for you!
    love Melanie Leichty

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  8. My Grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes. She is someone you can tell your secrets and worries to, and she hopes and prays that all your dreams come true. She always loves you, no matter what. She can see past temper tantrums and bad moods, and makes it clear that they don't affect how precious you are to her. She is an encouraging word and a tender touch. She is full of proud smiles. She is the one person in the world who loves you with all her heart, who remembers the child you were and cherishes the person you've become. ~Barbara Cage

    I love you Grandma

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