DAY TWENTY ONE

Greetings to each of you-

Today we said goodbye to all the friends we made at the clinic, both patients and staff. They're a happy bunch for cancer patients and caregivers. I gather that to go to "the Cross" in Calgary is pretty morbid. Here they laugh and even sing, and optimism is the order of the day. We managed to pack up all the meds (including 45 single use hypodermic needles for the B17 shots - oh joy. We made it across the Mexican/US border without too much trouble  -

just a brief delay to check all my medications.

We are now in beautiful San Diego. I was getting used to Mexico, and we met some delightful people there, but I have to admit to being a bit relieved to be back where people speak a language that I understand. And where you can go out on the street after dark with relative safety. We were lucky to be able to hitch a ride to  SD with a Phillipino couple who live here, but who come to the clinic each day for treatment. They have a special status, and can enter the border crossing in what they call the "medical line", which is a good deal quicker than the rest. On the way we got rear ended by a Tijuana taxi, but no apparent damage was done, and minimal whiplash, so our host and driver just said forget it, and we drove on. 

We had hoped to attend a wedding in Oakland on Saturday, but that now seems a bit optimistic...

so we will have some R&R here before heading home.

To sum up - met some very nice, caring and helpful people - 

got my health on the right track - and in general had a good experience here.This will be the final installment. Thanks for listening, and for the kind thoughts and prayers. It truly is good to have friends, and we love an appreciate you one and all.

See you in snowy Alberta, AND BUENOS NOCHES!

Hoping to successfully attach some pictures we took today....

this and two following pictures from San Diego

And a fitting final photo in conclusion!

DAY TWENTY

Hello all, it's the mysterious guest blogger again. (It's Jackie if you hadn't guessed). I see this is harder than it appears! Grant deals with the technology every day (and I think he does amazingly well for a "senior", don't you?), then I have to remember not to write too much (whoops!) and also to take the pertinent photos...pressure, pressure, pressure! haha
We walked to the nearby grocery store this afternoon and I was thrilled to see a tortilla making machine in the shop window (except there's no window); and also huge, glitzy pinatas for sale, hanging above our heads as we walked down the sidewalk. Wish we could bring one home!

Lady making  tortillas with automated machine

Tonight after dark we heard pop after pop after pop; the noise sounded louder than firecrackers, but not as sharp as gunshots (thank goodness!). After starting laundry on the 4th floor, we went out on the big open air marble patio, I stood up on a chair, and then we could see fireworks going off across the main road. A  lady here told us it was a holiday tomorrow - a big day, Dec. 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I kind of wish we weren't leaving tomorrow - I'd like to see the parades...

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DAY NINETEEN

Good evening all -

Ho-hum, another boring day in Mexico. Both of us had chelation treatments today, then Jacalyn had a dental cleaning and whitening. We also got 4 breakfast burritos from a vendor, who sells them across the street out of the back of a recent model VW station wagon (my, my, how times change). Also got a picture of the street vendor (this one with an actual cart) who slices up and sells bowls of fresh fruit out front every day.

For a thrill we walked to the mall (it's safe to walk there during the daylight hours, not so much at night, so we got a cab back). The mall, like all here, is open air, not enclosed. Lots of Christmas music playing, much of it in English! but thankfully no snow. We took a picture of a mall nativity scene, which I will try to attach.

Also met with Dr. C, who gave me a long list of meds etc that I need to get and bring back. My inflammation level had come down from 26 to 12, which is good. Jacalyn has been doing EmotionCode for me for inflammation, and that no doubt has helped.

Leaving on Wednesday for San Diego, just over the border, and will stay near and attend the beautiful San Diego Temple. We were here with 5 of our kids for the Open House before it was dedicated about 20 years ago. Architecturally it's outstanding - including a stunning "floating staircase" - Google "Mormon Temple San Diego, CA" and you'll see what I mean.

We're planning to stay in San Diego a few days and fly back next Monday.

Keeping it short, so good night,

Grant

DAY EIGHTEEN

Jacalyn outside Church

Lead singer from last night in restuarant

Grant said he finds this blog gives him much-needed routine, and he wants to keep a diary of events anyway; but he quickly took me up on my offer to "guest blog" today....
Sunday is the only day no treatments are given at the clinic here, so things were quiet this morning and we got to sleep in a little (a welcome relief to this student who prefers working early morning hours!)
We ate cooked oatmeal for breakfast, as Grant usually does here - mine with hot chocolate instead of milk on top, something I learned to love when we went to an all-inclusive Mexican resort a few years ago...
Then we got ready for church (which started at noon). Grant had ordered up the taxi ahead (Manny was driving again) but when we went to leave, our street was blocked off (we have no idea why); so he had to find an alternate route.
Manny pointed out the long lines on the freeway going to San Diego - he said the wait to cross the border was 6 hours long today - probably because so many people had come here just to visit for the weekend. He confirmed what Alexandria, Dr. Castillo's daughter who picked me up last Friday, had said: in December, people get really grouchy and miserable here when driving! Apparently they're ruder drivers and won't let anyone in line...
I found that interesting, as at home, it seems it's the other way around. When I hit the mall briefly last Thursday before leaving Red Deer, it seemed people were more helpful and cheerful than usual. Hmm, 11 months of grouchiness then one month of good cheer...or 11 months of good cheer ending with one month of grumpiness....kind of a toss up!
I don't find Grant's room here above the clinic too bad- it's quite spacious - thanks for getting this one for him, Evan! There's a perfectly adequate kitchenette, a computer table as well as a kitchen table to eat at, and a view out the east window of a hill completely covered with residences. (At home, the hill would be bare and the houses would be built on flatter land instead). Tijuana has a population of about 3 million; and San Diego, just a short drive away, has another 2 or 3 million; so we're talking numbers we don't see at home.
At church, the people were very friendly, but few spoke English, except for one full-time missionary from Wyoming. The bishop looked to be about 30 years old. They had no one to play piano, so I volunteered - they sang Christmas hymns today, just like at home; but piano was in much better shape than the one in the Bower chapel in Red Deer. (Maybe from lack of use?)
I keep being reminded of CapeTown - the razor wire on the top of fences, the security guards everywhere (Last night Manny, our taxi driver, went home and sent another driver to pick us up when we were done at the restaurant; but Manny had "Juan" dial him on his cellphone and hand it to Grant to personally confirm that's what was really going on, even tho' the restaurant was in a good neighborhood, in a gated compound, etc). The church is also iside a gated compound, in quite a poor neighborhood - we saw a long line-up in a nearby park and asked what it was - seems it was a "soup kitchen" of sorts - food and clothes were being handed out to the poor, Manny said. But at the church, the members' cars weren't locked in during services, unlike CapeTown.
When I got here to the Castillo clinic on Friday, I was pleased to see that Grant walks up and down the 2 flights of stairs several times a day, instead of taking the elevator, so I could tell his energy level was improving. The interior building stairs are beautiful - marble I think - and the table at our restaurant last night was also granite or marble, with no tablecloth on it (and none needed!) Everything is built with cement - very soundproof.

Jacalyn at railing at front door of Clinic

Manuel (Manny), our main cab driver

I cooked veggies and scrambled some eggs for supper; forgot to put the rice on first, so we had toast instead; then organic peppermint tea I'd brought from home. Grant had half-heartedly offered to cook; but I think that secretly he's glad his chief cook and bottle-washer has joined the excursion.. (Grant's added comment: Yes, indeed!). OK, now we'll try again to add photos....

DAY SEVENTEEN

Sorry, folks, this instalment is a bit late. Hmmm, as I write that, I realize that I am probably operating under the mistaken impression that anyone would notice....:-)

OK, so Day 17 was a Saturday, yesterday, as this is being written on Sunday afternoon, and we had a very busy and interesting day. I had a double treatment while Jacalyn worked on her paper (you know, the one that never ends). We will be eternally thankful to Katie Harris-Taylor for helping on the footnotes and APA format (whatever that is...). Then Jacalyn started her chelation treatments to get rid of the mercury poisoning from her dental work.

I also learned a new skill. How to give yourself a needle in the leg. When we go home I have to continue to get B17 shots 3 times a week. As Evan is often in Calgary, and Jacalyn will probably be away at Block Week in January, seemed sensible to learn how to do it myself. Not my favorite, but not as bad as I had imagined.

After that we went over to the little restaurant (lunch place really) and had pancakes and eggs etc. They serve fresh squeezed juices, including grapefruit juice, which makes your eyes water.

When we got back the front desk had a message from Joe (Lehane), and so I phoned back. He met on Saturday at length with a couple of young lawyers who may be interested in joining the firm. That was good news - hope it comes to pass. We have outstanding and loyal staff members, and that would mean they would continue to have a place to work - not at all a sure thing if my health continues to be a bit dodgy. It was, as they say, Good News.  (see "1066 and All That").

We were then trying to decide what to do for dinner, and the rock band next door started up around 5:00 p.m.. As I knew from the last 2 Saturdays that they played until 8:00 p.m., we decided to go out for dinner. We went to a place not far distant which was very nice. The food was great, and interesting (Jacalyn had grilled beets with blue cheese crumbles, and enjoyed it thoroughly). I had a boatload of shrimp, grilled and buttered, with veg etc. Then we shared a wedge of Thousand Layer Cake, with strawberry sauce, which was to die for.

 Then, as we were waiting for our cab to return, 3 guys in overcoats walked in, 2 with guitars, one with a full size bass, came to our table and asked if we wanted them to play us a song. Jacalyn chose "Imagine", and they did a fabulous job - very moving. The main singer has a very good and very strong voice. They aren't paid by the restaurant - they just get whatever you pay them, and we tried to make it worth their while. (Did I mention earlier that the older men who work at bagging groceries and helping you out with them don't get paid by the store either - they just do it for whatever tips they get - no social safety net). Anyway, they sang beautifully, and then moved on and 2 or 3 other tables had them play and sing. It was a perfect end to a really great dining experience. I'm going to try to attach a couple of photo's of the singers, and maybe the food. (great food photography it ain't).

Then we came home and collapsed - hence no blog last night.

God bless you all. We appreciate your love, prayers and support.

Here, I'll try to add photos....

DAY SIXTEEN

Good evening (as Alfred Hitchcock was wont to say - if that doesn't date you, nothing will)

So, the bad news is that Evan is gone. The great news is that Jacalyn is here! She and Evan crossed paths in the San Diego airport, and got to talk to one another for about 20 minutes. If you can believe it, Ev was looking forward to getting back to the snow. Jacalyn, on the other hand, was really happy to see palm trees and warm weather.

The day started out normally, with blood tests, and then IV treatment - just a single treatment today, so I was finished before 10:30, a very rare occurrence. Today I sat beside a couple from Camrose - thye've been coming down once a year for 11  years (for 10 days) and are hale and hearty. They drive down in a truck, and this time brought down furniture from Alberta for their kids, who just bought a house in Arizona.

Jacalyn arrived at about 12:30, in style - a new Mercedes SUV, driven by Dr. Castillo's daughter, who works here part-time. She has a psychology degree and is married and lives in San Diego. She explained to Jacalyn that in Mexico they are much more family oriented than in the States or Canada. As teenagers, they do stuff with their families, not their peers. And families tend to stay closer as they grow up. Sounds good to me!

At 3:00 Jacalyn had an appointment with  Dr. C  - I told her that was close to VIP treatment, as I don't think he usually does first appointments. He's a very nice guy, and very thorough - sort of like Canadian doctors used to be 30 years ago. After the appointment we took a turn around the block, just to get some exercise, and show some local color. It was a very nice day here today, and warm, although a little windy and cooler later in the afternoon.

J. is still putting the finishing touches on her paper for her Master's program. It's like the song that never ends, it just goes on and on and on. (which reminds me of a support group for relatives of people who can't, or won't, stop talking - it's called Onandon.anon) - I knew you'd like that - and know people to whom it applies.

Anyway, after some hairpulling and cussing about Windows and Microsoft Word and the Internet in general, she finally got it wrapped (almost completely), and sent it to Katie (used to be) Harris for some help on the footnotes. Thanks Katie. I'm sorry I forget Katie's husband's name - early onset Alzheimers is my excuse - I notice people aren't contradicting me as much when I say that....

J. is generally pretty healthy, but had a bad experience with a dentist about 8 years ago, and has had mercury poisoning since then, so she's going to have some chelation while she's here, to remove the heavy metals.

What I notice about the people here in general is that they are happy, and not burdened down with a lot of worries and troubles. They have worries and troubles, no doubt, probably lots more than we do, but they have a better outlook on life, and they just don't seem to fret as much. And they're friendly, a big plus.

Well, time to hit the hay (have you ever noticed how much we speak in idioms? - we sort of tuned into that a few years ago when Jacalyn volunteered to teach English to some Korean folks at the Library - take out the idioms and our vocab goes down significantly.

Speaking of vocab, and at the risk of being accused of being a doting grandfather..... Jacalyn was as McDonald's with Joshua, DaveandLisa's son who barely turned three a couple of weeks ago. They were eating chicken nuggets, and Jacalyn said "Where did yours go, Joshua"?. He didn't reply immediately, so she said "Must have gone down the hatch" - pointing to his throat. And he replied "Actually, Grandma, that's my esophagus". Gotta love these superbabies - if you know anyone who's pregnant, get them taking EMPower vitamins - the Moms do very well, and the babies are incredibly bright.

Anyway, I'm going to try to attach a picture, which is self-explanatory. I'll follow Ev's instructions, and hope it works...

All the best to you all.

Yes, it worked! Night all...

DAYS FOURTEEN AND FIFTEEN

You know that story that kids tell when they don't have their homework done - "My computer ate it"? Well, last night it ate my blog. Admittedly the blog was short and no heck, but I resented losing it all the same. No amount of fussing and cussing could recover it either. So I'll try to cover the highlights of the last two days tonight.

Yesterday - actually was quite a full day. Started with a blood test (I'm so used to getting needles now I hardly cry at all :-). Then a double treatment on IV. Then a visit with the dentist, in the early afternoon.

Then an appointment with Dr. Castillo. He said the partial results of the blood test were good, but he didn't have all of them. I was concerned mainly about the level of inflammation, which was 24, and that was part of what he didn't have yet. He said check tomorrow with Dr. Espinoza. Evan asked him why the 4 cancer marker tests showed no cancer, and he said they don't work for everyone. Apparently I'm "special" - think Bevy Warren, for those of you who know Innisfail. I asked him why the bleeding had not ceased or diminished, and he said that the longer you have it before you arrive here, the longer it takes to heal. Kinda  hard to argue with that reasoning. Still don't like it much.

Then a bit of a break, and an extended dental appointment. The fellow's name is Jesus, pronounced in the Mexican way of course. His English is impeccable (altho' he says his wife doesn't think so...). His kids (2) go to a Catholic school in Chula Vista, which is just north of the border, part of San Diego. Very nice guy, and his office is state of the art. He has stuff I've never seen in a Canadian dental office (and I've seen too many of those). Guess it's a little early to tell, but he seems very competent. Let you know in 6 months....

THEN TODAY..

Much the same. Three hour dental appointment to start, then 3 hours of IV, then 2 shots in the butt (apparently I have to learn to give those to myself before departing, as the shots go on). Only you give them to yourself in the leg, the butt being notoriously hard to reach with a needle.

Christmas has arrived in Tijuana. There's a huge (real) Christmas tree in the lobby, and another one on our (3rd) floor. No snow tho'. Took a pic of the one downstairs, and I'll ask Ev to put that on. He leaves tomorrow, so pictures on the blog might be scarce, as I don't know the drill.

Ev in front of the new christmas tree!

I'll be really sad to see Evan go. He really is a great travelling companion, and much sharper than I.  And stronger, which means he totes and carries the really heavy stuff. On the other hand, it will be really nice to have Jacalyn down here. I really miss her, and am really looking forward to her arrival on Friday.

(Did I tell you about the executive that was looking for a one armed consultant at his office - he was really tired of hearing them say "On the other hand...".) Lame, I know. I got a million of "em. Ask Evan - he's groaned thru many of them in the time we've spent together.

Well, time for bed. Thank for tuning in. Love you all,

Grant

DAY THIRTEEN

Well today was something completely different. We were getting cabin fever (Tijuana style), stuck in our rooms. So we hired a taxi, manned by Manny, our Mexican cabbie who speaks English well, and headed out for Rosarita Beach.

 The ride out and back was very interesting. Mexico is a place of great disparity, and a lot of poverty. This experience has actually made me a fan of zoning bylaws. You often see homes which are obviously very very expensive, right next to slums and vacant lots full of garbage. There are nice neighbourhoods too, but very few. Also, in a newer area, we saw rows and rows of exactly identical tract housing. I guess it's good to have good housing, but it reminded me very much about that old folk song (Pete Seeger or Woodie Guthrie, for those of you who are older), that talks about "and they're all made of ticky-tacky, and they all look just the same." Anyway, Chris told me long ago that when you travel internationally, you ought not criticize, but simply observe. So I'm observing :-)

When we got to Rosarito, the cab dropped us off near the beach and we walked down to the sand. It was mostly deserted, except for a few stands where people were serving various kinds of drinks, and sliced up fruit. There is no social safety net, so people do whatever they have to do to put bread (tacos?) on the table. I'm sure family is very much more important here, of necessity.

Anyway, we walked down the beach and watched a couple of guys surfing. Not great surf, but the ocean is always awe inspiring, to me at least. The power, the beauty, the massive strength - unbelievable. Anyway, then we went and checked out a giant pier, that goes way out into the water and is very high (I think Ev has a picture or two). It connects back to a hotel, where there was a wedding going on (they wrap their chairs in that white stuff, like in Canada). We skirted the wedding and checked out the hotel. It was connected to a "condo hotel" which looked really neat from outside, but really only had a small lobby/sales area, and otherwise was just rooms, rooms, rooms, with nothing that a hotel would normally have inside. I guess they did have a pool and lawns (all greeen, of course), and some recreation stuff, all of which was pretty well deserted.

Our highlight of the day was to rent a couple of quads (Yamadog 125's), which we raced up and down about a mile of mostly deserted beach. We really did have a blast. It was Ev's first time on a quad - figure he's a convert. We did high speed runs, then lots of donuts, and near the end realized that on the landward rim of the beach there were some semi-trails which you could race around. We just went for a half-hour, and that was enough. It was starting to get boring; the mountains are lots more fun!

We then ate in a very interesting restaurant. We wanted lobster, and had been told they would have it, but they didn't, so we had different seafood (shrimp and some sort of flat fish, bass?), and it was good. I think Ev has pictures of that too.

Then a taxi ride home, and a 2 hour nap, and some phone calls, and again it's almost time for bed. Big day tomorrow.

God bless you all,

Love, Grant

DAY THIRTEEN

As the Internet on the 3^rd and 4^th floors of the Clinic continues to be very dodgy, I’m typing this as a Word document, which Evan will copy and paste into the blog, and we’ll go down to the 1^st floor, where it is working.

I sat on a chair in the stairwell between the 1^st and 2^nd floor and watched most of the First Presidency Devotional there. What a treat! It took about 15 minutes to figure out that 1^st floor was working, and Ev got it up and running for me. He’s really been, and is, a great help.

Went to Church today, just stayed for Fast and Testimony Meeting. It was all in Spanish, of course, but it was good to be there and to be obeying the commandment. I got there too late to take the sacrament – actually I could have taken it, as I was in the foyer, and rapped gently on the glass door to the chapel to let the usher know someone was out there and wanted the sacrament. I guess that isn’t done here, because he just held on tighter to the door, so I couldn’t open it. Kind of made me mad. Oh well.

And I was already mad at myself, because I thought there was 1:00 Church at a church close by, and I was wrong, and by that time I had to go a long ways, and pay too much for the taxi, and it was hard to find and we got there late. So it was good to be at Church, but a pretty frustrating experience.

I took a couple of pictures of the Church, one inside, and one outside. Hopefully Ev can get those put on the blog.

The rest of the day has been pretty restful (that’s a euphemism for boring). And I’m still tired. Ev says that’s because I’m healing, and that’s a happy thought J.

Love you all. Good night.

Grant

DAY TWELVE (TREATMENT DAY 10)

Evening all-

I may have mentioned that I normally sit in a little room at the end of the treatment room. Yesterday and today I sat mostly out in the regular area, in front of a big aquarium, with exotic fish. Apparently 10 years ago, instead of an aquarium they had a big room filled with birds. Then they needed more space, so they scaled it back. Anyway, that really confused me, b/c I thought the building was only built 18 months ago. I'll have to ask some questions about that.

Anyway, I sat next to a young man from Calgary by the name of Nelson Matheson. He must be 28-30 now, but when he was 18 he had stage 4 skin cancer. He took chemo at Tom Baker for a year, at far more than the usual dose, and after a year he told his Mom he'd rather just die - he was SO sick, not from the cancer, from the chemo. Then his Mom found this Clinic and brought him down. In 2 weeks here he felt really good. He came back several times, and has never looked back. This time is his first in 7 years, and he's just accompanying his Dad and step-mom. He said he's just getting a "tune-up". He used to ride a quad, so we talked cut lines, and makes and models of bikes, and engine sizes etc. It was a lot of fun. Nice kid. He's upgrading and bar tending part time. Makes $200-300 per night in tips - the girls make $500.00. One of them drives an Infinity SUV. Sure glad I went to law school.

Then Ev came down, Nelson had left by that time, so we repaired to our private room, and played cards. I know 2 card games - solitaire, and now Crazy 8's, which Ev is teaching me. He's much better than I am, and wins most of the time. I say things like "I was really close that time" and "You're just lucky", which is what one says when one gets trounced :-)

After treatment we got a cab ride to the nearest mall and looked for new glasses for Ev (no luck), and liquid iron tonic for me (think Floravit - no luck). Then we went to this huge supermarket - maybe bigger than the RD Superstore, and found lots of fruit and vegetables. So far we've eaten mostly out of cans (as boys will), but it was getting old, and Jacalyn suggested a more balanced diet. Tomorrow we'll have chicken stir-fry. Aaahhh!

So tonight it's laundry (there's 2 free washers and dryers on the 4th floor, available 24/7), then an early night and Church tomorrow. Going to a 1:00 Ward, hoping that it's YSA. Maybe they don't have those down here (YSA wards, that is)

They installed a new President today - saw a bit of the ceremony on TV. When we got a ride to the mall, there was a big protest. They have traffic circles here, and at one of them there's a huge round edifice with a huge statue on it, and the protesters were up there, and around it at the bottom, and protruding onto the street. Denouncing the new President.

Anyway, that's it folks. I'm going to go downstairs and see if the security guard will let me in to take a picture of the aquarium. If he doesn't, sorry, no pictures with todays installment :-(

All the best to you all. Thanks for tuning in.

Grant

DAYS TEN AND ELEVEN.

Dear Folks - Have to apologize for lack of blog yesterday. Probably a traumatic event for most of you 

:-)

The Internet was down, so no chance to publish. On the other hand, I got IV Flagyl yesterday, and it made me so sick that I didn't eat supper, and went to bed very very early - I couldn't have done the blog in any event. Flagyl orally is bad; I thought IV would be different. My advice is... try to avoid both.

The major event of yesterday was that Evan went across the border to San Diego and went to the San Diego Zoo (eat your hearts out Steve and Sarah :-) ) It's just about a 20 minute walk, for Ev at least, from here to the border, then an hour to cross, on foot, and then there's a trolley to the Zoo. He said it was fantastic. I was really glad he went, because I worry about him getting bored. I've asked him to put a few pictures up.

Oh, and yesterday I also had an appointment with Dr. Espinoza. They got the results of my next 2 blood cancer marker tests (actually 2 new tests on the blood I gave when I first got here). They were both negative, which I took as very very positive. Now, Jacalyn has been doing energy work for me for months, and has been telling me for almost that long that my cancer is gone. She's very pleased with the results. And I have to give her credit for the work she's done. Thanks, J. So say we all. Now the question is , Why all the interminable bathroom trips. Guess we'll have to hope that the  good folks here at the Clinic can help with that. One of the first things Dr. C mentioned (did I mention this earlier?) was that they measured inflammation in my body. Normal is 0-8, mine reads 24. Not good. They're giving me anti-inflammatories by IV, so hopefully when that takes effect there will be a change.

Also yesterday had an appointment for an examination with the dentist whose office is on the second floor. He's relatively young, speaks impeccable English, not even an accent, and has a team he works with for various procedures. The fellow he has do tough extractions is one of his professors from dent school, and I have one of those. He comes well recommended by the people I've spoken to here, and his prices are 20 - 25% of Canadian. Guess I'll get a little work done.

Sat next to a lady from LaCrete - 6 hours north of Grande Prairie? - anyway, way up north. Her name is Gertrude Froese, and is here with her husband George. George got diagnosed with cancer in April 2011, and the Drs "gave him" 1 month to live. I'm here to tell you that he's very much alive, and doing fine. They came down last spring, and are now down for their 2nd or 3rd trip, and he looks pretty hale and hearty to me. They heard about it from a friend, also from LaCrete, who 8 years ago got prostate cancer, with lymph node spread, and was told to get his affairs in order, as they wouldn't even bother doing surgery. He's healthy, working, and doing fine. He comes back down here once a year. It's expensive, but what's your life worth? Another lady told me that a physician, whose wife is a nurse, both from Medicine Hat, just went home after 21 days of treatment, and she's doing well. Also, my client from Spruce View told me of a visit with a judge from Red Deer, Darryl Reimer, who's orginally from Grande Prairie area, and he and his wife just finished up. The stories are legion. 

Anyway, I'm going to turn this over to Evan in hopes that he can add pictures. Wishing the best to each of you....

Grant

DAY NINE (TREATMENT DAY SEVEN)

Just a word of explanation about the new heading. The course of treatment here is 21 days, i.e. 21 days on which you have treatment. But they only work days a week (only!), so 21 days takes longer than 21 days. And we were travelling for a coupe of days before treatment began, so thus the revised title. Boy, isn't all that fascinating?!

As I type, Evan is playing his guitar. I had reservations about him bring it (it was his only checked luggage), but I'm really glad he did. I love to listen to him play. Yesterday a lady said to me - ARe you the one with the son that plays banjo? I told her it was guitar, and yes I was. She suggested he entertain on the patio. So far mainly he just plays here in the room, altho he did go to the patio last night, but the lady there mainly wanted to talk. Seems like a universal need.

And today when Ev came down to the treatment room, Ellwood Thompson (Woody to his friends here, and probably in Spruce View), complimented Evan on his playing. He said something like "Next to spirituality, the most important thing in a family is to have music - very important". I happily informed him that we'd always had lots of music in our home and that Jacalyn was an accomplished musician. That was fun.

Took a few more pictures today. One of Dr. Castillo's daughter, who sometimes covers the desk on the third floor where we live (just outside our door, actually, but it's never noisy). Also one of Evan and Theresa, who is the lady normally here, and also the hyperbaric chamber (a few of those, actually). Anyway, I'll ask Evan to put those up when I've finished my part.

Slept better last night than for a long time - as long as 2 hours without jumping up to go to the bathroom. Sorry for the bathroom talk, I find it embarrassing, but it's been a huge factor in dealing with this illness, so might as well talk about it. Some might call it gross, I 'll just call it self-disclosure, something which (those who know me will agree) I like even less than gross.

Evan cooked today for our noon meal. We had salmon, canned vegetables, and warmed up rice that Ev cooked the other day. We get along well as roomies (I think - I haven't dared ask him yet what he thinks :-)

So, I'm 1/3 of the way thru the course of treatment, and think I can see improvement.

Today a fellow came into the treatment room, an older Mexican fellow, carrying a huge and heavy basket (like probably 28-30 inches across heaped up with baking etc. Unfortunately, neither Ev nor I had any money with us. We discussed when he'd gone that that would be a tough life. We in Canada don't really appreciate how good we have it, and I'm one of the guiltiest. And this Mexican fellow doesn't have it as rough as many many others. We're really lucky.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with one of the other Drs (who isn't Dr. Castillo). More on that after the appointment (for those of you with a really high boredom threshhold - woo woo).

God bless you every one.Good night.

Grant

DAY EIGHT

Hello again-

The big excitement today in the treatment room was that "Scott" had a birthday, and someone got him a "Hoxsey approved" cake - in other words, no white flour or sugar. It was delicious, and was topped with strawberries and kiwis.

The secondary excitement was that I found out today that I did not dodge the bullet on the shots in the hip. Had 2 today. The nurse gave me the first one, and Ev gave me the second one (she's teaching him how, so he can do it at home).

Went to hyperbaric at noon, then a nap, then out to the mall shopping for PJ's, a sweater, and a jacket. Evan is too warm, and I'm too cold. go figure.

Evan is going to attach a few pictures. Two of them are of Emily and Mika, the two nurses, and one of the treatment room, where all the fun happens.

Sorry, but I'm really really tired tonight.

All the best,

Grant

DAY EIGHT

Hello again from chilly downtown Tijuana-

And yes, I realize chilly is a relative term :-) Maybe chillier would be a better choice.

So, another day at the salt mines. Today I went downstairs at about 9:15, and didn't make it back until after 1:30. I was advised before we came down that the IV would take maybe 2 hours a day, and then we'd have the rest of the day free. Not. Got my regular bad of IV stuff, plus B17, plus IV Flagyl (which is way easier to take than the oral stuff), plus a bag of sodium bicarbonate, to alkalinize the system.

There are two ladies who put the IV in your arm, and keep you supplied with new stuff. I particularly like the older shorter one (I'll try to send a picture soon). She is a Christian lady - says she loves Christmas, but not Santa Claus. At her house they only allow presents for kids 6 and under, lest present giving become pre-eminent. She has 4 kids, 2 girls and 2 boys, and is just expecting her first granddaughter. Her biggest regret is that she will probably only see her grandchild once a year, as her daughter and son-in-law live a 3 hour flight away, near Mexico City.

When I was 14 I read a book called "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living". I thought that I had mastered the principles at that time, but lately I realized I've been spending a LOT of time worrying about all kinds of things -J, kids, health, MLW. I'm guessing that it is a factor in the cancer. And worry is a most unproductive activity - debilitating actually. So I started reading the book again today - it's excellent, and I'd recommend it to anyone. I know people always say that about the books they're reading, but seriously folks, its very useful.

After IV session, we helped Peter (Parkinson's) and Lorna (his wife - has ALS) get to the little lunch restaurant near the clinic. They're going home to Edmonton tomorrow. He was a dentist in his previous life, which ended when he got Parkinsons. Both very nice folks.

After that it was an hour in the hyperbaric chamber, where we watched a video called "Little Monsters" - I don't recommend it - the video I mean. Apparently the chamber is good stuff.

Evan and I haven't gone much else of note today. Tomorrow we may go out and try to find a sweater and a jacket. Like it really is chilly.

Sorry to not have a livelier blog. Our life is boring, my blog is boring. In literature we call that verisimilitude. On the Net we just call it a boring blog.

God bless you all. There is much to be said for living in Alberta (or Canada anywhere, really), although clearly weather at this time of year is't really a plus.

Love from the South,

Grant

DAY SEVEN

Hello to all from beautiful downtown Tijuana. Have you ever noticed we all pronounce that name as though it has an "a" in front of the "j"?, but it doesn't. The English major in me obviously dies hard :-). Tijuana is a very large city - it has 20 LDS meetinghouses, if that gives you some idea.

Today I went to the Independence Ward. They meet in a proper meeting house - my taxi driver didn't know exactly where it was, even from the address, and tried to drop me off at a Pentecostal Church down the street. I assured him it wasn't the right one - you could tell from the blue paint. And the name.

The people were friendly, and 2 or 3 spoke English. I didn't understand any of the service, which was the Primary Presentation, which was really sweet (of course). I did recognize the Primary songs, and the spirit of the meeting was a great deal like a Primary program at home. Lisa said her Ward did theirs today too. Gotta love that world-wide Church thing :-).

Taxi's are interesting here. You negotiate the price before you get in. Here at the Clinic they have an arrangement with one cab company, and the drivers all speak at least some English. I asked the driver if it would be $10.00, and he said "$10 there and $10 back". I countered at $15.00, and we settled at that. I think gringos pay a lot more than the natives. He says he rents his cab for $100.00 a week, so if he gets a few significant fares, he can pay for it in a day, and the other 6 days he takes the money home. I think the Clinic is a plum assignment.

Once back from Church Evan and I walked to the Mexican Cultural Center, which is maybe half a mile away. It's a complex of buildings, some of which are very modern and beautiful. All the exhibits were very well done. I especially liked a large one about the settling of Mexico by the Spanish. Lots of replica's of missions and (especially) different types of ships. Very very detailed. Astonishing really. It took somebody years.

Some of you have been looking for pictures to spice this blog up. Evan and I took some today, and he's going to try to put them on the blog tonight.

Anyway, we left the Cultural Center around 4:00, as it starts to get dark shortly after that, and you don't want to walk around much after dark. During the day it's no problemo.

So the Sabbath was a physically demanding day (sort of like the YSA Branch :-), and I'm whacked. Skyped with Lisa, Squinch and Moogie, and Steven phoned, and spoke briefly to Jacalyn, who had the Sisters and Jessica over. Anyway, I'm whacked and on my way to bed. I'll leave it to Ev to do photo's. Then tomorrow another 6 days in a row of treatments.

Love you all very much. God bless and keep you.

Grant

DAYS FIVE AND SIX

So, pretty worn down last night and just couldn't summon up the energy to type. A friend here said they were having the same problem, and Dr. Castillo said that's pretty normal and they should sleep if that's what they feel like doing.
Had an appointment with Dr. Castillo yesterday afternoon. He reported that of the two cancer marker tests they had done, my marks are normal and revealed NO cancer. He said there are a couple of other tests that they will now do (on the blood that they took that first day) which will give a more complete picture. Dr. C. outlined the treatment plan and some oral meds to take, which I won't bore you with, and then sent me upstairs to the hyperbaric chamber guy. The HC is like the inside of a (very small) submarine - 4 chairs inside, and a video screen. You wear an oxygen mask, and they increase the pressure, the idea being that you breathe pure oxygen and the pressure infuses it into your body. The Dr. in charge of the Chamber says all the professional football teams etc have them to help athletes heal from injuries. Cool- I've always wanted something in common with a professional athlete :-).

For supper we ordered Chicken on the Way (Mexican style) and ate in our room. Evan is great company. Good sense of humour, very patient, interesting, willing to help, gets along well with other people, helps me understand and deal with the language and customs (don't ask me how he knows, but he does).

Today was more of the same. IV in the morning, HBC in the afternoon (at 3) and between the two, a trip to the local supermarket (Ley's) to buy a bit of food, but most importantly two foamies to put on top of our rock hard mattresses. My hip got so sore the first night that the next day I took about 6 pillows and laid them crossways down the middle of my bed to make it softer. Unfortunately it's a little like sleeping on a ridge (a soft ridge, mind), and so the foamies are a big improvement. We anticipate a more peaceful sleep tonight.

Earlier there was a rock band, with a very heavy drum beat, playing next door. They played for about an hour, then stopped. Then they started up for another hour, then stopped. We were worried they were opening a nightclub next door, but nothing for the past 2 hours, so we are relieved.

Sorry - no pictures so far. We're going to try to move to that tomorrow. It's Sunday, and we've already scoped out which Church to go to (a 1:00 Ward, which hopefully means it's YSA - we'll see).

For those of you who have written, thank you so much. I appreciate your interest and prayers very much. God bless you.

Time to turn in. Love you,

G.

Days One, Two, Three, and Four

Well, this is my/our blog from Mexico. I say "our" because Ev has been such an integral part of this trip. It didn't become a blog until Day 4 - up to that time it was just a family email. So I've just copied and pasted Days 1,2,and 3 into this (or Ev has :-), and I'll do the blog thing hereafter. I was going to try to edit down Days One and Two particularly, because I have it on good authority that it was much too detailed, and reading it was like watching paint dry, but.... just too darn tired to edit, so feel free to speed-read, or skip, it. So here goes...

Hello to you all-

 I've never really wanted to do a blog, but can see that this is the right situation for one. Unfortunately, because the computer is connected to a Mexican port, Google thinks I read Spanish, and has responded accordingly. Fortunately Evan figured it out, and we are now blogworthy and blogcapable (or at least he is...)

Day One-

Started WAY too early. Woke up around 4, laid there dozing till 4:15, did normal morning ablutions, then finished the last remnants of packing.  Had family prayer by the front door, said our goodbyes, then off into the frozen dark. Evan drove, for which I was grateful. I was reminded of Thoreau's advice that one should try to avoid any venture that requires new clothes (Ev tells me that's from the first chapter of Walden), and suggested that the corollary should be "Try to avoid any trip that requires getting up at 4:00 in the morning." He agreed. We went to Vincent's house, and he drove us to the airport. We left the house 15 minutes late, and got to the airport exactly 15 minutes late, but in lots of time to get thru inspection etc. 

Ev had booked us aisle seats across from each other, very near the bathroom at the back, and each of us had 2 free seats beside us, which was nice. Spent some time dozing, but more looking out the window, noticing how much of the US is barren, desert, or mountain, and thus mostly uninhabitable. Also noticed, when we were coming down into San Diego, that there were lots of "acreages" sort of near, but not in, communities, and that there were tons of little roads and tracks perfect for dirt biking. Some dreams die hard. 

Landed in SD, and took a shuttle to our motel, a Super 8 in a section of SD called National City (Part way to the border). At first they put us in a room that they said had a king size bed (it was a double), and in which the toilet didn't flush. We asked for a change and they gave us one with a queen size, which was much better. We walked about a mile to find a restaurant for some dinner (which for a geezer in bad shape was a chore). I had a rice and chicken dish, which for vegans is a no-no. I'm rationalizing my food choices right now, and have been for perhaps two weeks. I figure I have been on a vegan protocol, but don't know exactly what the new diet protocol will be from the Mexican clinic, so I might as well enjoy the interim, until the new diet forbids new stuff. Rationalization I know. Regrettable, but I have enjoyed the food. 

Ev and I visited a place calling itself the "SAn Diego Leather Factory" (whose web address is "leather.com", so they must have been around when the internet started and got in the game early). My favorite leather coat there was made in China :-(. , but they do have some stuff that they themselves have made. We retired early (I had a nap in the afternoon), and slept relatively well, except for a brief interlude when a couple were screaming down the place at each other and the police came to quiet them down.

DAY TWO

When we got up and went to the continental breakfast it was warm and sunny. Gotta love it. At 11:00 a.m. precisely, out shuttle from the Castillo Clinic showed up and we headed south. It was maybe a 15 minute drive to the border. The Mexican government has just built a huge new port of entry, brand new and just opened, and getting thru was relatively quick and painless. 

Got to the clinic around 11:30, and the first people we met were from La Crete Alberta. Most of the people here are from Canada, and the majority of those are from Alberta. We parked in the underground garage, and took the elevator to the 3rd floor, where the suites are. We were greeted by "Theresa", the lady that I've been talking to to book the room. She showed us to our room, which was supposed to have a king bed, which again was a double. Maybe that's a southwest thing? Anyway, a lady from across the hall named Joanne immediately mother-henned us, and told us that our room was unacceptable, as it was on the freeway side of the building, and went with us down to see Theresa to see if we could get a different room across the hall. Theresa apologized profusely, but explained there weren't any available. Joanne showed us where a little restaurant is, and where the grocery store is, and gave us some food items that she doesn't need because she's almost done her course of treatment. We met a lot of other people as well. No one, except us, closes their doors on their rooms - it's kind of like a family, and kind of like a ward, and everyone here either has compromised health, or is here with someone with compromised health, so it's a bit of a bonding thing.

Anyway, after a trip to the grocery store, to buy some staples, we came back and I took a 3 hour nap. Since I quit taking all my supplements about a week ago, in preparation for the trip, I've really lost energy. At least that's what I attribute it to. We'll see. While I was sleeping Evan was busy making another trip to the store to pick us some heavier items, and meeting more people. When I woke up at 5 he said "Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that we're going to have to pack up our stuff - the good news is that Theresa has given us Room #1, which has two beds, and is one of the largest rooms in the place." Now, you have to know that earlier in the day I had showed Ev one of the books I brought with us, a Dale Carnegie number called "How to Win Friends and Influence People". He said I'd given him a copy of it years ago, and he wasn't interested then, or now :-). Seems he didn't need it, then or now :-). Anyway, so now we're in a beautiful (relatively - the whole place is more utilitarian and hospital-like than motel-like - but very pleasant and clean) room, with two double beds, both of which, get this, have waffle like foam pads on them - the bed in the first room was like sleeping on a board - so we're pretty thrilled. It's also on the side of the building AWAY from the freeway, and is much quieter. 

Tomorrow I go down at 9:00 to the lab to start assessment and blood tests etc., and I have an appointment with one of the physicians in the afternoon. Then they will decide on a treatment protocol and get started. Apparently they also test for other stuff, besides the complaint you come in for, to make sure they get whatever it is you're suffering from identified and treated. Met a lady from Grande Prairie who has colon cancer, and whose mother is here with rectal cancer. She said they found 3 or 4 other things wrong with her as well. I'm happy they do that. We'll see what they come up with. I've been happy telling people that apart from the cancer I'm really healthy :-), but we'll find out tomorrow. 

Evan has been and is an excellent travelling companion. Cheerful, strong, willing, and obviously possessed of outstanding people skills. He helped a couple of people get set up on internet while I was sleeping, and has been very patient with me being boring, and sleeping a lot.

A couple of other things. The clinic is like 18 months old, and is very nice. And Tijuana has really been cleaned up, and is not the snake pit and drug war ground that is was a while ago. Which is comforting. We can see the Costco from the balcony at the end of the hall, and apparently there's a Sears close by as well (as in, a $4.00 taxi ride). There's a dentist on the 2nd floor, in case you need dental work done. I'll check that out a bit. 

I'd appreciate feedback. Not sure what degree of detail anyone wants to hear. 

Time to sleep almost. Certainly time to sign off. God bless you all - we very much appreciate your love and support and prayers.

DAY THREE

Not much to report today really. I went down at 9 a.m. to do blood tests etc. , then was free till 3:30, when I was scheduled to have an appt with Dr. Rubio. So in the interim, of course, I napped:-). Boy, don't know what it is, the altitude change, the humidity, the warmth, or the lack of my normal supplements, but I'm really really whacked. All I want to do is rest. We did go over to Costco to pick up some groceries, and try to pick up a better waffle top for the bed - no luck on that part of it. 

Dr. Rubio gave me a very thorough questioning, and then examination, the type you used to get from Canadian doctors. He prescribed a course of treatment which involves chelation, vitamins, and some other stuff, on a 3 day rotation. Starting tomorrow I start on a new diet regimen, involving no white sugar, no white flour products, no pork, no vinegar, no tomatoes, and (alas) no added salt. There are some other don'ts, but I can't remember them at the moment. He suggested that before the new diet cuts in, that we go out an have a final supper, so we did. Went to a smorg in a mall nearby, and just got home. For those of you who know what it is, they had some very good horchada. 

Now the plan is to go to bed early and get some sleep, and go down tomorrow morning and start on the treatment. I'm excited to get started, and anxious to see some sort of improvement in bathroom frequency and urgency (the bane of my life for the past year). 

We learned some taxi etiquette today. There's a fellow named Manuel (Manny) who does mainly clinic related trips. YOu are supposed to ask him "Is it still $4.00?, and he will agree or disagree - at least you know in advance what the cost is.

I find it nerve-wracking to be in a country where I never know what's going on - I suppose some would opine that that's the same in Canada :-). What I mean is that with no knowledge of the language it can be very awkward. One really ought to learn a bit of the language before one travels, or at the very least have a phrase book, or even better, a phrase app. I guess that was my least favorite thing today, not knowing what's going on.

I sure appreciate the thoughts and prayers of each of you. I know that there are lots worse trials in this world, but this is as bad as I want to see anytime soon. Love you all, 

DAY FOUR

So today was the first day of treatment. You have to put your name on a list the night before so that you'll be in the first shift - they can take about 20 people at a time for the IV treatment. It's supposed to start at 9:00 a.m., but as a friend here says, "it's Mexican time", so it really doesn't get started until somewhat later. I'm used to Mormon time, so no big sweat. Most of the people sit in one room, and it's very convivial. For some reason, they put me in a seperate room with an easy chair - guess I'll have to check my deodorant. 

Anyway, they hook you up to an IV, which takes about and hour and a half to drain into you. Near the end the lady came in and inserted a needle into the apparatus, and told me to squeeze it over 5 minutes into the tube. The hypodermic had Vitamin B17, or laetrile, in it. I'll get that every day apparently, at least for the forseeable future. The main fluid was chelation, to remove heavy metals etc from your system. 

After the IV was done, they spirited Ev and I off to a different clinic for a chest X-ray, then quickly back. Ev and I cooked and ate, then he escorted one of the ladies to a pharmacy nearby - she was scared to go on her own, even in the day. I was proud of him for helping out.

Lots of nap time for the halt, lame and weary. I saw an article today that showed a very gaunt Matthew McConaghy, who lost 38 pounds for a role he was playing. He said his energy was down by about a third, which I found heartening. Hopeful he and I will soon be fat(ter) and happy. 

The excitement tonight is that an alarm on the next building over went off, very loudly, and has been going for the last 2 hours - looks like it will go on all night. AS we are at the opposite end of the building, it's bearable, but one of our friends is right next to it, which will make sleep impossible. The security guard was called, but obviously had no idea who to contact to get it shut off. 

Tonight we had rice, salmon and canned vegetables. Very nourishing, and tasty. 

Getting late - time to turn in. 

Tune in tomorrow for the next fascinating instalment...

Love you, Grant