Kerry and Sandy’s Jewelry Party
August 28, 2009 by Karen
Many thanks to my dear friends KERRY MURRAY STEFKO and SANDY COWAN FISHER.
These ole girlfriends from Montclair (NJ) hosted a jewelry party and raised over $1000 by having a good time with friends and doing what they normally do!
Krista Vernoff’s Letter
August 28, 2009 by Karen
My friend Krista sent out the following letter to her network of friends and family:
I have an old friend from my Portland days — she was known as Karen Stapleton then and we did a production of the Rivals together. (Her name changed for awhile to Kalena but she is now back to her birth name, Karen.)
Karen is beautiful and funny and talented and vital and the mother of a gorgeous four year old. In the summer of 2007 she was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and given 6 months to live. It’s been nearly two years now, and that is a huge victory. If you donated when last I wrote you, I thank you and I thank and I thank you. And here I am asking again. Because Karen is alive and, if not entirely well, fighting like hell for more time to watch her daughter Zaiden grow. But her chemo recently stopped working and the cancer is spreading again.
She is fundraising like crazy. She needs $40,000 to go to The San Diego clinic in Mexico where a doctor named Dr. Munoz employs very effective chemotherapies (many of them developed in Germany, but not yet approved by the FDA). The cost of the clinic isn’t covered by insurance. But keep in mind — this isn’t just “alternative” medicines — it isn’t vitamins and herbs. it’s the cutting edge of chemotherapies that have yet to approved.
I don’t want Karen to die because she got cancer before the FDA approved the chemos that can help her.
Now, here’s the thing for me. I have two other friends in their early 40’s who are living with Stage 4 breast cancer. I feel so freaking powerless to help. If I can help Karen raise the money to go to this clinic and she has successful treatment — if her life is extended by even a year or two — then I will feel less powerless. I will shout from the rooftops to all who will listen that there is more that can be done. My Mom has made a lifelong avocation of studying alternative health and medicines and she is a believer in Dr. Munoz’s work and that excites me too because she researches everything like crazy.
40 grand is a huge amount of money to one single mom like Karen. But what we now know because of email and sites like facebook, is that none of us is really single. None of us is really alone. We have all touched hundreds of lives throughout our lives and now miraculously, we’re all back in touch. I have nearly 300 facebook friends to whom I’ve already written. I’m now emailing hundreds more. If we all kicked in 100 dollars, Karen would be all the way there. And I know 100 dollars is a lot more than many can afford, but if we all kicked in 5 or 10 or 20 dollars, and then spread the word, perhaps to other people with friends affected by cancers, friends who are feeling powerless or alone or scared and would like to becomes a part of something… I think we could raise this money today. Honestly — if we each sent 5 dollars and then asked 20 friends to send 5 dollars, we’d meet this goal. There is SO MUCH POWER in numbers. And we have numbers.
It’s not tax deductible. It’s not a guaranteed cure. But it’s something we can do. Something we can try. Something important and beautiful, of which we can be a part.
If you’d like to donate, please go to www.reachforthejoy.org or join the facebook group “Help Save Karen’s Life with Alternative Cancer Treatment.” You can then go to these sites for updates as to the fundraising and Karen’s health or, you can just send a check to
Karen/ Reach for the Joy, Inc.
1118 Josephine St.
Denver, CO 80206.
If the world goes crazy and she raises more than she needs for her healthcare, the money will go into a trust for her beautiful daughter, Zaiden.
I hope she raises the money. I hope she gets the treatment and that the treatment helps. I’m a Mom now and I cannot begin to imagine the idea of not getting to see my Coco grow up, of not getting to help her grow up. It feels very personal to me. And I’ll be very grateful if you all help. Thank you. Thank you so so much.
Love and Blessings and Happiness and Health to you All. xxooo Krista
Yea! More shots!
May 23, 2009 by Karen
Mexi-coma
After nearly a month of treatment and I am feeling more and more confident that I am exactly where I need to be. The doctors truly care about each one of us. I am surrounded by wonderful, informed, intelligent people who also believe in the treatment. And having faith in your protocol and medical team enables further healing. If you believe you are going to get sick and die, you probably will. I choose to believe I am finding the answers for me. Physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Every day is a journey- some days more difficult than others. I receive more shots than an archery target- I am strarting to look like a pin cushion. At first I dreaded them- braced myself for the worst. But I have learned to say “Yea! I get 2 today!!” Forcing humor has helped me accept what is. Even when I go down- nausea or whatever- I know that I am healing- my body is responding the way it is supposed to- that comforts me.
I intend to be in full remission by summer’s end. I feel it in my heart and soul. I know that this was a part of my journey to teach me so that I could eventually reach out to others. This dis-ease was not meant to do me in, but to change me in ways that I never could have imagined. Thing is, I really like me now. And that is a wonderful feeling.
Love the moment you are in…
May 9, 2009 by Karen
Post insulin... I can't wait to eat my fresh papaya!!
Ok- can I eat now??
Week 2 has come to a close… already! It is amazing how the time is flying by.
I am truly happy that I made the decision to come to the San Diego Clinic in Tijuana. Dr. Munoz and his staff are wonderful people- so caring and informative and cutting edge, really. Some of the protocol that Dr. Munoz is able to do here have been stuck in trials in the US for 15-20 years!!
The woman who is in charge of patient relations and I have become friendly and she has explained to me that she is working in partnership to get more solid information out there on the internet, but the place is so busy with word of mouth clients that it keeps taking the back burner. I wish they had a better web presence so that I could share more with you. And if you know anyone dealing with cancer issues- especially breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers- PLEASE urge them to research this themselves.
As for my protocol, it has been relatively easy- my energy is better here than it was in Denver over the past few months- and that is saying a lot! I am walking 2 miles a day, going to the beach, eating fantastic food, meeting interesting people from all over the globe. I am still in school and taking classes on-line. I really do feel great. Oh- and I met a woman from Las Vegas who owns a restaurant here with her husband who has invited us to her yoga classes!!
I am receiving hour-long Hyperthermia daily- they put me in a machine that resembles a tanning bed and turn it up to 104 degrees. The idea is that heat heals, while it makes the cancer cells more susceptible to treatment. (They just announced a new hyperthermia clinic in Long Beach, CA.) It is not easy- I listen to spiritual books and lectures on my iPod and try to block it out… but the last 20 min or so I find myself getting crazy-restless!
I am getting vitamin therapy in the form of C and K and a few others, as well as a medicine designed for bone strengthening (not unlike the Zometa I was on for a year and a half). And once a week is IPT day- the toughest day of the week, but that was today and I am feeling pretty fantastic. IPT is Insulin Protein Therapy. What they do is have me fast and then give me insulin to lower my blood sugar and make the cell walls more permeable. Then as my blood sugar drops, all I want to do is sleep!! But I have to stay awake- sheer torture! Then they give me glucose and then my chemo- a low dosage of Navolbene and Gemzar combination. THEN I am allowed to eat (while the chemo drips)- Whew!! It is quite an exhausting morning!!
The “Greek test” is a blood test that is sent to- yep, Greece (I keep forgetting the actual name of it but I will post it when I can). The first day I arrived I gave multiple vials of blood and sent em off. Yesterday the results came and I had a long consultation with Dr Sanchez (Dr. Munoz’s partner in life and business) and she explained the findings. Essentially it broke down for us exactly what medications were most beneficial for my treatment. There will be some protocol changes next week to further advance what is being done. It is remarkable to me that this technology is not used in the US. It seems so simple! Anyway, I have ultimate confidence in this treatment.
One thing that was explained to me earlier this week is that based on his experience, Dr. Munoz expects 50-100% remission by the end of 8 weeks- thus the 8 week commitment. After that, depending on where I am (I am visualizing the 90-100 range!!) he will send me home with a program to do in Denver. After 2 months of the home program, his “normal” response rate for Stage IV cancer is complete remission. After that, we keep an eye on things and if necessary I will make another trip down here in a year (more or less depending on my personal progress). He is confident and so am I!
My daily treatment is typically at 8 am so I am free from noon or so most days. Laura and I usually walk to the beach and get some sunshine or go back to the room for an afternoon cat-nap. Dinners are fantastic!! Whether we cook in the room or go to a local restaurant. Believe it or not, some of our favorites are two little Italian bistros!
Laura is amazing! She arrived last Wednesday and is by my side all day- except the moments when one of need some space and we respect each other’s needs for that as well. We work well together. And when I am not feeling well, she is a wonderful nurturer- but knows how to handle the balance. When I need to indulge myself in the “why me”- which still happens now and again- she lets me cry and offers no judgment or advice- just active listening. She is truly a soul sister in so many ways!
Not much else to report. But I am feeling strong enough to venture into San Diego for the weekend. If you are in So Cal and feel like trekking south, please email me- maybe we can connect.
The only thing that will make my two months complete is to have Zaiden come visit for ten days. I am really hoping to make that a reality. I miss her sooooo much! Thank goodness for “Jetsons technology!” We Skype whenever possible. She wanted to see my hotel, and I was able to indulge her with my handy web-cam- she loves hotel rooms! “Oh, Mommy, I LOVE your hotel!!” Never mind the beach J She will have a wonderful visit and I think it will give her peace of mind seeing where I am and meeting my doctors. I know it would me.
She told me before I left “Mommy, I asked God to make you all better at Mexico because I really love you a lot. So Ok? I hope you feel better soon.” She also told me “even if you get bald again, I will always love you and think you are the most beautiful woman in the whole world!” She is my precious angel baby.
As always, I count my blessings- Life is loaded with them if you look in the right places. I am at peace and loving the moment I am in.
REACH FOR THE JOY! (It’s right in front of you…)
Karen
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
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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.
