I know, I know...it's been a while since I've updated this blog and it may seem that I've neglected to keep you informed, but I have been working hard to improving so drastically in such a way that I wanted to say " I'm in remission! I'm in remission!" The latest scans came back with no further signs of cancer in any of the previously seen spots on the bones and that the only signs of cancer remaining are a small amount that has retreated inside the original tumor, which has shrunk dramatically , and are quietly laying dormant there. CT scans and MRI also showed that the T6 vertebrae that had been shown to display signs of collapsing has now seemed to recover well from the previous weakness . My balance has been mostly regained as I have returned back to the gym to begin strengthening, to improve circulation and cardiovascular exercise . I never thought I'd be able to do this 8 months ago. I look forward to the day when I can look at the next scans that reveal no evidence of cancer left in the body and that I can leave the remaining chemotherapy behind so that I can live a healthy and meaningful Life , like being able to go outside and spend some time out in the sun. What has been accomplished so far is only a small step I need to take in getting back the quality of life I desire , that includes continuing to stay positive, taking the alternative medicines available , trying to find organic and healthy foods to consume, being constantly surrounded by positive and supportive people, and just realizing that I have the power to reclaim my Health and Wellness thru action and willingness to gain happiness by shifting my thoughts. This has helped me on my current Journey. Thanks , I am in Gratitude. I am in Gratitude to all those that attended the recent OG Fest event and helped make it such an amazing and heart warming fun time. James Staake and his fellow close friends came together and put on a great Show. We had live music, kids fun houses, as well as a horse shoe tournament along with tons of dancing. It was a day to remember always! I hope to be a part of that for many years to come. Thanks Again! The next scans are coming up soon so stay in touch as I look forward to sharing more good news to update our Trip together. Til then, love and peace in every step you take.     Fondly,    Vu

OG Fest

Hello Everyone! I return to you with some wonderful recent news that can only make me smile, and smile some more! My recent scans reveal everything in containment and shrinking of the lung tumor.Apparently, it has shrunk more than 50% since the first scans were taken a few months back. Almost more exciting than that is the fact that I just completed my 6th and last round of Platinum Chemo and what a relief that is to my body, wow that did a number on me! An MRI helped show my T6 vertebrae in more solid shape and condition. I feel like I can start to try and strengthen my stagnant chi and overall self now that I can see things are looking up . I need to continue with the once a week schedule of infusions for the drugs Cytaximab and Avastin, while continuing with the aggressive Holistic methods in combatting this current condition.
      I have to say that my Life is full of Love and I have the utmost Gratitude for the recent pouring of support from some "old" and "NEW " Friends. I witnessed and experienced over 20 people making a Difference in someone's Life one day when they all surprised me and showed up at my doorstep on a quiet Sunday . It was one of the greatest days of my Life! The Group Picture was Amazing as I was holding up my T shirt that read "just Vu it". The Healing just gets better and better! Another night, a few of us met up for some quality time and good local BBQ.
     James Staake, the mastermind behind gathering the "surprise " of people and dinner at Mike's, has some amazing assistance from mutual friends of ours that show so much Love and Compassion. I cannot express the True Appreciation for their Endearing Friendships. Thanks . James not too long ago  said he had an epiphany to want to do something Greater and for a Purpose , and came up with the idea of throwing an awesome party that would include everyone together to enjoy fun times, good  company , and laughter. And in his recent discovery of my current conditions and the support of many of our mutual friends, James has decided to promote this OG Fest www.ogfest.com as a Vu Fundraiser as well as a Huge Party! It is scheduled for October 12th and goes from noon to 10. I'm not sure exactly what to think or how to feel but I know there will be a dunk tank and something along the lines of a metal rodeo bull. All I know is that I am Humbled and cannot express my Gratitude in words. I hope to help  create a successful event with James and all Friends who can be there to enjoy the Music of several bands, fun activities, and just overall good company.
      Recovery just gets better and Better!

Test results...

Hello ya all,

                I hope today is a beautiful one for you! The latest update on my situation is one of great promise and hope. So aside from the hair losss and acne like symptoms all over my face and bald head, which leaves me very itchy and ofen scratching myself into having to change my pillow cases daily. I am doing quite well and optimistic about my recovery . With all the generous donations to help keep food in our mouths and Yoga Studio running , we have been able to survive.

               Yet with all that going on, I have been able to stay as Positive as can be while going through  this Clinical Study that entails testing out this drug cituximab for lung cancer. So far after passing the chemo halfway mark, the CT and MRI scans reveal a 30- 40% decrease in the size of the tumor and nodes. That is a very promising thing to see and can truly be attributed to all the things we have been tapping into to help in the Healing, including taking Fucoidan or brown algae dietary supplement , an oral ingestion of a cell regenerating blend of pure essential oils made by Doterra , drinking papaya leaf tea, glasses of fresh juiced veggies and fruits from Mom's organic garden, and even balancing my energetic body with focused yet relaxed style of tappings intended to wake up the brain and heart, a Principle of BodyTalk . Chris was able to gift me with her session with Dr Veltheim, the Founder of BodyTalk this last time he was  in San Diego for a Course. After helping me realign my energetic meridians and focus of my Recovery, he later told Chris that he was "reasonably optimistic " of the work that took place and that I would do well in recovery.

               Well ya know what? That session with continuing sessions with Chris have given me very good reasonable optimism as well and thus I am feeling better with each passing day and handling each chemo session as though  each session has a special unique experience and lesson I get to benefit from and use for the good in my Recovery.Physically, I feel great as the muscles are beginning to regain strength and my balance is starting to maintain better. Mentally, I am weakened by the physical strain my body gets put through with the chemo and my blood pressure is high usually around chemo time. I am confident going forward that my body will respond better with these final sessions and that the pace of recovery and removal of cancer in my body will remain at a fast and efficient high level.

              Thank you for checking in and the continued flow of Love and Support!

More adventures...

So I sit here at Thornton Hospital today waiting to be called in to do my next CT scan. Yesterday, the 17th of July I went thru my fifth round of the Cetuximab drug and it went well with no adverse reactions. It seems as though my body has slowly become used it and now benefitting from it's use rather than from the  the side-effects! The loss of hair from the Taxil has made me have the true appreciation for  hair and what the loss of it really means,referring to all the stares and assumptions. Next weeks set of 4 chemo drug infusions will mark a mile stone as it will be my halfway mark through chemo. I look forward to that as I prepare to get positive results from today's CT scan and tomorrow's bone scan. I feel very good about this recovery moving forward and that I can't wait to  share this experience to help others that are going through similar scenarios as well. It is my mission: to recover and help others Heal Themselves at the Deepest levels. I will have such a different perspective then! Now to focus on the Now! I will appreciate each breath to the fullest and take each step in the lightest form,appreciating life and all it has to offer. I am in full Gratitude for all my support from Family and my ever-expanding Fan of Friends. Thank You!

 

Moving along...

The past few weeks have been a combination of Fukoidan (sea weed supplement), healthy food, chemotherapy & and a mind blowing treatment from Dr Veltheim of the International BodyTalk Association.  That session with him has been followed with at least couple sequences of tapping of the brain cortices while reminding myself of the formula Dr. Veltheim used to treat me that session. So far, I feel like most of  my energy and meridian points are more open and flowing to allow an improved sense of relief. However, pain still associated with the different surgical areas linger and force me to be active with my maintenance of it with a variety of pain-killers.
       Today, I began my new full series of the 4 chemo drugs and began the day with premeds and the Case Study drug called herbitux or cituximab. I did great this time as no allergic reactions were noticed or detected. That sequence took took 4 hours to complete and I am now another 3 hours or taxol, which has been known to make u lose your hair, something that dramatically started a couple days ago for me and I now have a fresh shaved head.( fun thing to look forward to!)
      So I find myself laying here for another 4+ hours getting this poison infused into the body hoping to expedite the Healing Process. It will work cuz I am willing it to, for the Mind is the strongest of all!
       Please continue sending me your Love and Support! I am filled with gratitude !

6/12 Chemotherapy Begins...

My chemo began yesterday 6/12 and it was a long one. I had premeds saline and  IV Benadryl to get me relaxed and ready for the aggressive drugs  to be administered.  It began with Taxol and after completing, was told from the nurse that we didn't have enough time  to complete the whole protocol of chemo drugs.  Still freshly frustrated and diappointed from the recent messups from the different facilities I've had to work with, we didn't have any reservations about letting them know we didn't have any more days to waste and that something needed done was gonna have to happen today.  A few calls were made on my behalf to get things expedited and it was affirmed that we were going to proceed with treatment of Carboplatin & Avastin minus the Cetuxamab that would have required about 4 hours to complete, which we needed to be there at 10:00 am the next morning to get done.  I was able to keep my pain more managed and got a good nights sleep. 

6/7 FINALLY test results & visit to Spinal Neurosurgeon

We found out Friday morning from  Chemo Oncology...the mutation type was FINALLY found.  Of course this mutation they have NEVER seen before, can't find it in any data base.  Something about region 19 showing mutations that would be receptive to the oral Tarceva drug, but that region 20 has 2 amino acids that have been "kicked out" therefore they do not think it would respond to the oral meds.  This is based on ONE person in the database that had 1 amino acid "kicked out" and this person did not respond well to the oral meds.  Therefore the most aggressive chemotherapy cocktail will be used (including the clinical trial drug cetuximab).

Spinal surgeon's office later that same day...not such good news:

The T6 vertebra (below the surgery site) has now begun to collapse as well.  I must wear the back brace now until they can either inject it with medical cement or do another surgery with another rod & 2 screws.  Either way, we need to get chemo started first. Then they can make a decision when to address the T6 area & how.  Now it is critical to keep it supported so it doesn't cause more damage.  If it gets worse, it could effect my legs again.