So Far So Good~
April 29, 2009 by Karen
EnJOYing a walk on the beach
Well, I have been in Tijuana for 5 days now and I am truly happy. I know I am exactly where I need to be.
I arrived Saturday and was greeted by a charming young man who drove me to my hotel, Dali Suites. The climate is lovely- a cool 60’s and my hotel is blocks from the Pacific. I can see the ocean from my balcony in my 2nd floor “apartment.” There is a beautiful courtyard with flowers and a fountain, and the staff is wonderful.
I have met many fabulous people who all feel they were Divinely led to Dr. Munoz as well. Many from Colorado!! I am, of course, making friends easily and getting around the neighborhood with no problem. It feels a lot like Venice Beach!
There is a Starbucks and other comforts of home within blocks. The other evening I walked to the beach and stumbled upon a small “carnival” and treated myself to a tostado con civiche. The prices here are unbelievable! And everyone is so helpful. I am working on my Espanol- but everyone speaks English.
So… as to the clinic. I am currently sitting in the treatment room receiving meds through my “port” (for those who do not know, when you are receiving intravenous meds indefinitely, a portacath is inserted surgically into your chest- I got mine in Austin in July 2007. It saves you from having to find a vein every time and they can even leave it accessed for several days.). I am getting a med for my bones today for the first time- similar to the Zometa I have been getting in Denver.
The first day- Monday- I had a long meeting with Drs. Munoz and Sanchez. They are lovely people and very informed. I trust them completely. They took blood samples and sent them to Greece for a diagnostic review of what chemotherapies will be most effective for ME (called Papasitiriou). For example, a drug commonly used for lung or prostate cancer might be the best choice for me, but in the states they would not allow this, because there is a protocol for breast cancer… I also had a bioenergetic test called ASYRA to determine where my body needs attention.
Started Hyperthermia- no day at the beach 
They get your body temp up to 104 degrees to shed toxins and it allegedly helps the chemo’s effectiveness. I start that tomorrow- Gemzar and Navelbine combined in a low dose.
Laura is on her way- she will be here at the clinic in an hour or two. I thank God for Laura- she has been so dear to me.
Regarding money, we raised an astonishing $15,000 in less than 2 months! I am grateful and proud… However more is needed. As difficult as it is for me to ask, I know that I have no other choice.
I am asking that everyone who reads this please find a way to contribute just $5. And send your friends to this link and ask them to send $5. Please do not think that this small amount will make no difference- it will! Money like love is positive energy, and it flows where it is most needed. I know that the money will be here for my needs. Do not think about the large amount, as every little bit helps.
Thank you from the depths of my heart!
Every prayer, every dollar, every positive thought adds up to ultimate healing- not just of my body but of the whole planet!!
“God doesn’t give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.” -author unknown
FUN-raiser a complete SUCCESS!!
April 20, 2009 by Karen
WE LOVE YOU!
Thank you thank you thank you to each and every person, angel, elf, fairy and helper for making the first annual Reach for the JOY FUN-raiser an amazing success!
We raised about $3000 and had an incredible turn out in spite of 2 feet of snow in some areas of Denver and freezing rain in others. The silent auction was a blast! The musician- Matt Nasi- was incredible! (I will post a link to his site when I get it) The clown was entertaining (ditto)!
The food was great and everyone enjoyed full bellies as well as wine and beer and other donated beverages.
I really could not have asked for a more perfect evening.
Annette Lucero put together a beautiful video presnetation that I will post this week. I also gave a brief presentation about my journey and Reach for the Joy’s goals.
Everyone had a wonderful time and I am in deep gratitude.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Laura Casselli, Annette Lucero, Janice Deverell, Magan Garcia, Joe and Renee Garcia, Kim Sproule Wright and family, Penny, Sherry Scebi, Louisa, Matt Nasi, Rob (the sound guy), Revs Nate and Suzanne Carter, Trish (of Unity Church), Cherryl and Alex Rhoades, Ray Garcia, Peter Wilms, Kerry Murray, Sandy Cowan, Tracy Battista, Selket Allen, “handy Randy”, Audrey and Michael Mayer, Bobbi Solis Bibb and family, Elisa Garcia, Rainbow Milo, Susan Egan, Krista Vernoff, Mira Rubenstein, Melissa Ripey, Jeffrey Nicholson, Warren, Femi, Unity Church of Denver and SOOOOO many other amazing, generous folks- If I forgot to mention you- you sure know who you are!
While we have come sooooo far so fast- further than most believed possible (NOT ME!!) I am still about $20k short of my financial needs for treatment. I leave for Mexico Saturday and will be in touch here and on FB and email. Please, please, keep up the efforts. We will be non- profit officially soon. If you can ask your company to “match” your donation, it sure would help!
In deepest gratitude-
REACH FOR THE JOY!!
Karen
Protocol Update
April 4, 2009 by Karen
Sunshine and Rainbow Grass by Zaiden
Today is all there is…. and today is a beautiful day!
I have promised details on my protocol for Mexico. I received an overview from SDC this week and am following up by doing my own research.
I have a meeting with my Denver oncologist (the fabulous Ioana Hinshaw) on Wednesday (4/8) and plan to discuss it all with her. I still feel confident in my heart and soul about this treatment.
Some of what SDC has to offer is “out of the box” and very non-traditional. I am looking forward to the immersion of the whole treatment. The protocol includes IPT (insulin potentiated therapy) modified chemotherapy, ‘The Greek test’, Whole body Hyperthermia, Pamidronate, Metabolic therapy including Vitamin C & K IV therapy, Selenium IV therapy, Neurolax IV therapy (a unique therapy developed by Dr. Munoz and not what is found on the internet), Amigdaline IV therapy (Layetril), Polypeptides IV therapy, Immune Therapy including Allergostop vaccin, Mycoplasma vaccine, Autogolous vaccine, Neo Springer vaccine, Orthomolecular vaccine and GC MAF vaccine. There is also a supplement program to support the immune system. I am researching all of this, but some of it is particular to SDC and the Dr. It is a bit overwhelming! If you have any information to share regarding any of these treatments, feel free to share with me. Some of the treatments listed are controversial and I am working on clarifying it through research and discussing it with my current oncologist. I will be heading to San Diego and then a shuttle to TJ (Mexico) on or about April 25 to begin treatment on Monday the 27th. I will know more as the week progresses. Things are going so well with our efforts to raise the funds. If we do not meet our goal by the day I leave, any further funds will be forwarded to my bank, where I created a REACH FOR THE JOY,Inc non- profit bank account. If you are able to provide any “in-kind” donations (Memoriabelia, tickets to sporting events, gift certificates, etc.) please email me for my mailing address at kalena@kalena.org – the fund raiser and silent auction will be held on Saturday April 18th. Donations of items will be the biggest fund raiser yet! Anything not sold at the auction will be posted on Ebay or Craig’s List. Reach for the Joy, Inc. is non- profit pending, which makes every donation a tax deduction. And if we exceed the goal, all proceeds will go into the account toward helping another woman dealing with breast cancer.
Thank you for reading my updates, your prayers, love and thoughts.
In gratitude-
Karen
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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.
