Getting Closer to Our Goal
March 30, 2009 by Karen
So many people are showing support in unique ways all over this blessed country!
I have added a new page to the site, “WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING”- please give it a look- and please please email me if you have news to share so I can post it. Fund Raising is up to about $7000! And we are preparing a family night of music, art, food, wine, silent auction and FUN on April 18.
If you are going to be in Denver, don’t miss it! An e-vite will be going out soon. If you would like to be included, please send me your email address asap. I will also post details here, of course.I promise to get back to my JOY Essays when I am in Mexico.
I spoke with the San Diego Clinic today and received an overview of my protocal. I will get more specific info on Wednesday when i speak with Dr. Munoz personally. I expect to be Mexico bound on about April 22, after spending Easter and my 41st Birthday with my precious Zaiden!
Thank you for all your efforts, large and small.
Every inch adds up to miles and miles of Love, Laughter and LIVING!!
$5000 reached…
March 26, 2009 by Karen
Fund raising is currently over $5,000! While this a great start and I am in deep gratitude for every effort, time is running out to collect what is necessary for my ultimate healing! I intend to travel to Mexico on April 21- three weeks from now- and require $40,000 for the treatments, travel, room and board.
It Takes a Village
March 26, 2009 by Karen
Happy to report fundraising successes from around the country!
Kerry Murray Stefko and Sandy Cowan – my old Montclair High Buddies- hosted a jewelry party, offering a percentage of proceeds to the cause. They expect to have made about $1000 from their efforts. YEA!!
Tracy Battista (a Montclair HS alumni and an old friend) is helping raise awareness and cash by selling silicone fund raiser bracelets. If you would like to purchase a box for your church, school or other group, please contact Tracy directly at margatebeachgirl@yahoo.com for more info.
Efforts on Facebook are amazing!! We have created a group, Save Karen Garcia’s Life with Alternative Cancer Treatment and have nearly 300 members. If you are a FB member – join today and encourage all your friends to commit. If you are not on Facebook, jump on the bandwagon!
In Denver we are heading up a fund raiser evening to include live music, food, silent auction and raffle on April 18th. Information will be posted here soon.
We have started the process of creating a Not-for-Profit for this cause. “Reach for the Joy” will not only assist me in getting treatment, but will ultimately strive to eradicate breast cancer one woman at a time. In the future, we intend to create Healing House- a holistic facility for families to learn body, mind, spirit techniques to avoid dis-ease. More on this exciting project coming soon.
It really DOES TAKE A VILLAGE! Thank you for all your efforts, big and small. Every dollar brings me closer to my goal of ultimate health and more time on Earth to be a Mom to my beloved Zaiden.
Create the Life you Deserve!!
Karen
Moving towards the goal
March 19, 2009 by Karen
Over $3500 has been received toward the goal of $40,000! Thank you all for your support and help.
San Diego Clinic has received my medical records and I am hoping to hear from Dr Munoz for a phone consultation by the end of the week. I will report here and on my FaceBook Group, “Help Save Karen Garcia’s Life with Alternative Treatment” when I know my treatment plan.
My oncologist here in Denver is anxious and wanting to start me on SOMETHING as soon as possible- she is concerned about the time factor. But I do not wish to add more toxicity to my body.
It has been a rough week- more pain than usual- but I am taking it in stride. Looking forward to putting all of this behind me as I know I will!! I have really gotten used to having relative health, so the idea of “going down” again kind of terrifies me… Having Zaiden with me brings me immense JOY! We are having a wonderful time together.
We went to the zoo yesterday and watched cousin Erica’s soccer game, and today we are driving up to the mountains for an adventure. She is so incredible. I posted a few new photos, too…
I am working to create a Board of Directors locally to get a fund raiser organized. Please continue to spread the word and link my website wherever you can.
Thanks for the support!
Keep Faith and Joy close
Karen
Love Lingers
March 3, 2009 by Karen
Today is a new day- a fresh opportunity to live your life the way you want to. Isn’t it nice to know that we receive that gift each and every morning? The past is GONE– VANISHED! Whatever mistakes you made, however much you hurt, all is but a dream. Yet the love of yesterday lingers.
One of the “benefits” of sitting where I do it the incredibly outpouring of love and support from everywhere. Old friends I have not spoken with in 20+ years are reaching out to me. Strangers- or new friendships waiting to blossom- ask what they can do to help. Family has often dropped their own important tasks to assist me. I feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude every single day. THANK YOU- for loving me, for reading this, for sharing your love and hopes and prayers…
I am writing with news of a decision I have made, and a request for assistance. It pains me that I am not in the financial position to save my own life- but I have come to terms with that part of my story. I chose theatre to play out my passion and to share a vision of the world with others. Like many artists, money does not always follow the dream.
20 months ago, I lay in an Austin hospital fighting for my life, newly diagnosed, doctors giving me life expectancy rates that terrified me. Many of you sent what you could- advice, cards, links, money, flowers, love, prayers, wishes, information. All of it was treasured. In my desperation, I sought a solution to cure the dis-ease that was eating my spirit along with my body. I found an amazing option: The San Diego Clinic in Tijuana, Mexico.
Many in my family were against the idea. At the time, we had little information- about my health, my options and alternative practices outside the US. The price tag made it easy to dismiss. Instead I chose the route of aggressive chemo- which nearly took my life- and then dove into my own “alternative” treatments. I have to say that overall, I have fared well with all I have been led to and chosen for myself. Here I am more than a year and a half later and I am thriving… relatively.
Yet I find myself at a new crossroads. The bone mets (the disease that has spread to the bone, namely hips and spine) are not letting up. For more than a year and a half I have heard medical professionals’ warnings that “the hips will break…” Of course, you know me…. I stick my fingers in my ears and sing Raindrops on Roses. But, I am beginning to feel a bit like a ticking time bomb.
Ironically, I have never felt stronger! I am practicing yoga- I mean REALLY doing it again! I am also starting to train for the 2 day Avon walk. I have energy to spare, enjoy wrestling and running around with my Zaiden. I am truly enJOYing my life once again.
Well, I have decided to revisit the clinic-in-Mexico idea. I have spent the week researching all sorts of theories and trials and diets and supplements. I have spoken to two separate medical doctors, unaffiliated with the SD Clinic. All signs point to YES!
Much of their treatment plans and research come from Germany- where they have had the biggest breakthroughs in cancer research. They offer a protocol that has an 80% success rate for advanced (stage 4) cancers!! It includes hypothermia and low dose chemo specifically designed to the person’s DNA. It is a 1 month treatment and people walk away with NO EVIDENCE OF CANCER!! It is remarkable! They actually target the chemo to the cancer site(s) and block it off from the rest of the body. Did you know that most people in the US die not from cancer, but from their treatment?? It is disturbing that in the 21st century there are actual cures, but as Americans we cannot get them!!
What I like most is this clinic focuses on the WHOLE person. One thing I discovered in my research this week is disturbing- over 95% of women who get breast cancer have had some sort of dental issues in their lives- botched root canals, mercury fillings, even wisdom teeth removal could be a factor. I try not to waste my energy on playing the “how did I get this…” game. But if you are a healthy female reading this, I URGE you to consult with a biological or holistic dentist as soon as possible- especially if you have mercury fillings or have had root canals (or in my case, a really bad experience removing my wisdom teeth… I went to a clinic because I was an actress and could not afford a “real” dentist… had I only known the price would catch up with me 18 years later, I would have begged, borrowed or stolen to see a good dentist!)- No use in me crying over spilled milk- but if I can help anyone else, that is my goal.
They offer supplement and dietary counseling and believe in the power of positive thought, prayer and forgiveness- all of which are on my top ten!
The clinic is called San Diego Clinic and their website is www.sandiegoclinic.info
Because they are not in the US (the clinic is literally a block from the boarder!), the San Diego Clinic and others like it are free to do treatments that have not been “regulated” by the FDA. It is frustrating to see trials and tests on drugs that actually work spend YEARS in red tape, only to sometimes never find their way to the public! I have a lot to say about the politics of dis-ease and the pharmaceutical industry, but I will save that for another day.
But, because they are not on US soil, they are not subsidized, like so many American corporations. Nor do they take insurance. This means high out of pocket costs. Namely, $40,000 for the one month recommended. (More or less based on individual needs).
I am looking into every possible avenue of financial assistance- the clinic themselves offer help to patients, which is hopeful! If you have any ideas, please pass them on to me. Of course, time is always of the essence. My current oncologist is anxious to start me on a new chemo regimen asap and I would much rather go the “holistic” way.*
I am asking if anyone might be inclined to host a fund raiser for me, or direct people en masse to my site. I know these are difficult economic times for all of us. But if everyone I know could help me raise $1000, it could be the difference in being alive for another few years- the difference in my daughter having actual memories of her Mom. Maintaining my strength is vital to my being able to parent my precious girl.
I apologize for asking for something as base as money from people who have been so important to me throughout my life. To have the emotional love and support of friends, new and old in my corner while I fight this battle… that is priceless! Please know that I wouldn’t ask if it were not so urgent.
If there is any way you can help, I would be most grateful. My address is 1118 Josephine St Denver CO 80206. My phone is 303-974-5229 and my email is kalenajoy@gmail.com
I am setting up a PayPal account on my site once again to make donations easier.
I am scared; I won’t pretend I’m not. But I remain faithful, positive and strong. And most of all, grateful for every moment I have on this planet. I am mostly grateful for the showing of love and support from my family and friends.
God Bless and REACH FOR THE JOY!!!
Love
Karen
*Standard chemotherapy is toxic and cancer patients often die of treatment, not of the cancer. It is like throwing a bug bomb on the whole block because you have ants in the basement. The immune system is taxed and the side effects are unimaginable (I know- I went through it all last summer!). The difference in the low dose is that it is a small amount combined with immune booting agents- similar to the homeopathy model. There are few side effects and the response rate is incredible. There is also the ability to isolate the cancer cells and only blast them with the drug, while keeping the healthy cells blocked. The science is amazing- why it is not done in the US is frustrating at best. One day when I am back to my healthy self, I will do what I can to change policies in our country. But for today, I believe this is the best protocol for me.
Buddha (563 BC – 483 BC)
Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC)
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Cup Half Full
Cup Half Full is a beautiful, important book of women and men on the journey with breast cancer, photographed by the incredible Katy Tartakoff. I was lucky enough to participate in this important project. It's an amazing book and 75% of all proceeds go to support breast cancer charities.
