We had never really stopped to think about the effect cancer has on people and their families 

until it happened to us! 

We did not really know very much about it as it had never really been "in the family" so to speak and we are sure there are quite a few of you who will unfortunately relate to this. Cancer is one of those diseases we, like many others, took for granted and never thought it was going to happen to us or a member of our family but when it did, as anyone who has already experienced this will know, its a huge shock and has changed our lives forever. 

We now have a completely different outlook on cancer and other diseases.

 

It was May 2008 that we were informed that dad had cancer. 

It all started with malignant melanoma (skin cancer) where the primary tumor was on the side of his chest. The crazy thing is, dad is not and has never been a sun worshiper, is a non-smoker and not a "drinker". He is a good honest man, always willing to help those in need and he did not deserve this! Of course the first questions we asked ourselves is "How can this happen, why was this happening to him" 

The news hit us so very hard and it was unfamiliar and very unreal.

Following an operation to remove the melanoma, more testing and scans, we found that we did not catch it in time, the cancer had already (Metastasised) spread to his lungs, (Stage 4) Yet another shock for all of us.

The oncologist told us there was "no cure" for his type of cancer. He offered chemotherapy but made it clear that this would not cure it. Dad was given an approximate time of 1 year left to live which was due to the fact he had the most aggressive form of Melanoma and they had no more promising therapy to offer him. The UK doctors basically gave up on him! 

 

Time To Act For Ourselves

I cannot describe the emotions we experienced during that time but we were very clear on the following: First there had to be something we could do and secondly we would do what ever it took to save dads life. Against the odds we decided he was not going to become another victim of this disease, he was going to be another cancer survivor. 

 

Dad refused the advised chemotherapy, which we were very happy about, we could not see the point in him having to go through chemo with all its negative side effects only to extend his life - if at all - for and additional year or for it having the opposite effect of shortening his life.

As for Dad, he also wanted to spare us from going through all that pain.

 

Since the news of dads cancer I spent days, nights and hours upon hours researching and looking into different ways we could defeat this disease. We know people do survive cancer and knew dad could too. Of course all this did not make me an expert, but it gave us a good understanding of the disease itself and the shattering truth about the lack of success rates fighting it through conventional methods, especially at stage 4. Most of it being negative and depressing, I decided to stop looking at those aspects and to focus on finding a cure instead. We were mainly interested in alternative methods and I came across various websites with some amazing and eye opening information. (You can find more about that journey on the 'Our Research' page)

 

This is when I came across an alternative hospital in Mexico. As soon as I saw what they do we just knew this was the place dad needed to be.

Mexico????...... we hear you say.......of all the places!

 

So Why Mexico?

Simply because this alternative hospital had everything I had been looking for and I could not find a program like this one offered anywhere else. Prior to finding this place I had found various things but none of it in the same place and therefore not really an option as unnecessary stress was to be avoided at all costs.

So the most important reason for sending dad to the Mexican Hospital was because it combined all methods of treating cancer all in one place and it's also a full service hospital.

 

Their program is Alternative, Complimentary and Conventional and includes Immunotherapy Vaccines. The hospital has had and still does have amazing results and I felt this would give dad the best chance of becoming a cancer survivor.

To find out more about the hospital go to www.issels.com 

 

Our next step was taking action and contact the hospital where I spoke to a lovely woman called Ellen (who was just brilliant in helping us and continues to do so) I got all our questions answered, both dad and I spoke with a former patient to find out more and everything just ticked all the right boxes for us. We were then sent an application form to fill in and were accepted for treatment. It was from this point on I started to raise the money we needed to get dad there. (you can read more about that on the 'Progress Diary' page) None of it comes cheap but you cannot put a price on a life and this is also why I am also raising funds to help others to go to this amazing hospital!

 

By September 11th 2008 we finally had the money to go to Mexico and arrived at San Diego Airport where we were collected by a driver from the hospital and driven over the border to Playas De Tijuana, arriving at the hospital around 10pm. Not really knowing what to expect we knew within a day that we were in the right place. Dads treatment started early the very next day and continued for the full 4 week program.

The way we were treated by all the staff was amazing, they could not do enough to help. This was probably the most positive place I (Soozi) have ever been too. We also met a lot of other patients and their companions, who's stories are truly inspiring. From this whole positive experience we have made life long friends from all over the world.

People go there to LIVE, not to die and we cannot recommend it highly enough. 

As the end of our 4 weeks came to a close, dad had another scan and the very next day the doctors took us to actually see the results. The radiologist explained everything to us, first showing us the original scan with all the small tumors on dads lungs, he then showed us the new scan side by side with the old one for comparison. The result was absolutely outstanding, every single tumor had completely vanished, the lungs were clear, dads cancer had gone!

As you can imagine we were thrilled and shocked all at the same time. Thrilled because of the exciting news and well, in shock because we never quite expected results like this and certainly not in such a short period of time.

Emotions were high, IT WORKED! We had done it. We had done what we set out to do: To kill the cancer which was invading our dads body.

Still in shock! You can see dads testimonial here 

and on the Issels website under testimonials.

 

 

     

We also have a recording of the actual results when they were given but due to this being very personal and emotional it is not posted on the site but available to listen to should anyone wish to hear it.

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