Twenty to thirty liver and gallbladder stones came out of my body at the finale of the Paracelsus liver cleanse. A few of them measured almost 2 centimeters in length and 1 centimeter in width. Stones are compromised of old proteins, cholesterol, and toxins that have been collected for years. I can hardly fathom that those stones were lodged in my organs. Undoubtedly, those bundles of waste were impairing my organ functions, immune system, and vitality. The liver cleanse for me was completely painless. Malolactic acid tablets loosen up the bile and open up the ducts, which allows pain free passage of the stones out of the liver and gallbladder. Some people drink apple juice instead since it contains the malolactic acid. The liver cleanse involves much more and must be carefully and precisely executed.

Dr. Rau’s new book, The Swiss Secret to Optimal Health, explains the concept of biological medicine and the philosophy of the Paracelsus Clinic with emphasis on their diet for whole body healing, including detailed information about the liver cleanse.

My schedule during my third week at Paracelsus was similar to the first 2 aside from the liver cleanse and the addition of intravenous EDTA chelation. Copper, arsenic, and palladium were significantly elevated in my body according to a heavy metals test. EDTA pulls heavy metals out of the system. Although some people don’t feel anything during EDTA, others experience discomfort. I fell into the latter category, but can certainly handle pain with a constructive purpose. Okay, I didn’t handle the pain very well. I cried and a kind nurse named Lisa held my hand. Fortunately, the second EDTA administration was less painful due to the inclusion of a painkiller.

After 3 weeks at Paracelsus, I was exhausted. Most of my days started around 6 am and ended at 8 pm, with clinic appointments from 7:30 am until between 3 and 5 pm. My appointments often were back to back, and I struggled to keep up with such a busy schedule. Although I am accustomed to tracking and managing multiple tasks, this was an entirely new level of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual engagement. Other patients reported a similar experience. After clinic appointments, I then returned to the Hotel Säntis for an infrared sauna and vegetarian dinner.

Despite my tiredness during and post-Paracelsus, I feel more energized, clear, and most of all deeply relieved to have finally arrived at a facility providing high quality, comprehensive medical care. My entire being feels transformed and I continue to define these changes. To start on the physical level, the face reflects what is in the body. My face has less puffiness, better color, clearer skin, and a rounder shape. Yes, my face transformed through my 3 weeks at Paracelsus.

With tremendous joy, I’m settling into my increased confidence about my healing. I asked Dr. Rau what he thought about my case given my test results and potential for Paracelsus therapies transforming my brain tumor. He emphasized that Paracelsus treatments focus on treating the entire person with focus on the internal milieu, or environment. As my entire system transforms, the tumor may do the same. However, there is no way to predict that. Time will tell how my Paracelsus treatments impact my long-term health and tumor.

Dr. Rau and his assistant physician, Hester Ladewig, MD, expressed their enthusiasm for my positive and quick response to Paracelsus treatments. For one, my live blood improved immensely in only 2 weeks. Dr. Ladewig conveyed it is very unusual to see such a significant improvement in a short time period. Dr. Rau said that my live blood, which reflected an extremely depleted immune system upon my arrival at Paracelsus, illustrates why I continue to struggle with fatigue occasionally. He predicted that within 2 to 3 months I would have a lot more energy. And I’m already beginning to feel an improvement!

I left Paracelsus with a suitcase full of homeopathics and supplements that I take several times daily. I also took contents for intravenous injections once weekly. And I’m scheduled for a return visit in July for 2 weeks. The Paracelsus program must be continued over time. Most patients return every 3 to 6 months for 1 to 2 weeks.

Healing requires focus, and perseverance. After my MCC therapies and MRI scan in December 2006, I thought momentarily about abandoning my search for alternative treatments— that moment past quickly. My profound belief in my own healing, and the existence of answers to cancer, inspired me to push onward. On the long road of life, sometimes we only need to continue a little bit further to find what we are seeking.

The arrival is bitter sweet. The arrival causes celebration. The arrival also precipitates reflection about the journey. Part of me is quite tired. Part of me is very angry at the perils and betrayals I’ve negotiated along my path. And much of me relishes in the triumph of my current destination.

The Paracelsus Clinic— my dream is that someday this amazing medical model of top-notch health care, treatments, diagnostics, creative thinking, compassion, and integrity will exist in the United States and other parts of the world.

Paracelsus biological medicine reflects both common sense and intellectual sophistication. Paracelsus doctors evaluate each patient as an individual. They perform many diagnostic tests assessing specific components contributing to the balance between health and disease. They assess live blood. They test heavy metals, genetic abnormalities, food allergies, dental problems, viruses, immune function, intestinal flora, organ function, and more. They feed patients healthy food. They administer intravenous infusions of customized supplements, homeopathics, materials to remove heavy metals when necessary, ozone, heat treatments (localized and whole body hyperthermia), colonics, electromagnetics, and other detoxification and immune stimulatory therapies.

Many factors contribute to a disease state. So far, my doctors have isolated genetic abnormalities contributing to inhibited detoxification and oxygenization in my body, infections and immune function blockages within my teeth and mouth, food allergies, a burden of heavy metals, blockages within my lymphatic system, as well as immune under and over stimulation, all of which are likely contributing to my health challenge. My therapies at Paracelsus are targeted toward cleansing toxins and building immune function within my body, in part through removing and transforming the specific elements inhibiting my vitality.

During my first few days at the clinic, Thomas Rau, MD, the Medical Director and my physician at Paracelsus, expressed concern for extreme depletion, and also partial over stimulation, of my immune system as reflected in my blood analysis. These findings were of extreme concern to me, especially given that I spent six months (and a lot of money) in Germany receiving immunotherapy treatments that were supposedly targeted at improving and balancing my immune function.

After two weeks, my cellular and immune function improved tremendously. As I learn about the specific causes of my disease state, and interventions to reverse those conditions, I feel more positive than ever about my healing. I wish I found Paracelsus sooner. I’ve pondered all of the guidance I received that led me in other directions, especially as I was evaluating treatment options in Europe. And then I remind myself that I live life forwards, and often understand it backwards.

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware. (Martin Buber)

I’ve met many wonderful souls at breakfasts, in between appointments, lunches, and long dinners at the clinic and Hotel Säntis. There are patients at Paracelsus from around the world, including many from the United States. Each of us arrived at Paracelsus with cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other conditions. Each of us is seeking a novel approach to health and disease. Some of us are without any conventional treatment options. Each of us is a pioneer.

We must tell our stories. And these are several brief snapshots about people that I personally met at Paracelsus and Hotel Säntis.

Allan went from severe pain due to his metastatic prostate cancer, not eating, not talking, and not smiling, to experiencing no pain 10 days later, gaining some physical strength, and shining his bright spirit into the world. Sara’s Stage II breast cancer went from two centimeters to half the size within 3 weeks of treatments. Cecelia’s ovarian cancer marker’s decreased in half after her first 3 weeks at Paracelsus last December (she uses chemotherapy in combination with the Paracelsus protocol). Jeff’s PSA dropped from 5.7 to 2.6 after his first 3 weeks at Paracelsus last December. His home care consisted of the Paracelsus diet and supplements. He returned for treatments in March and a PSA count of 3.3. Rob’s PSA went from 49 to 4.6 in 3 weeks. Ned’s rheumatoid arthritis, which entered his eyes and was severely impairing his mobility and dexterity over the last year, improved dramatically in 3 weeks, in large part due to the Paracelsus diet and his avoidance of cow dairy products. He is now able to take walks, as well as eliminate or reduce many of his conventional arthritis medications. Lisa’s autoimmune arthritis was so debilitating that her husband carried her up and down stairs in their home. After a year and a half of Paracelsus treatments, Lisa is completely mobile and feeling terrific.

And there is my beautiful friend named Candace with multiple sclerosis, also 33, and her loving, debonair, and totally hip husband, Dean. Candace started coming to Paracelsus for treatments just over one year ago, and has seen some improvements, but also symptom advancement. Although we are dealing with different diseases, I see myself through her. We are both young women striving to restore our health and vitality. And may we both succeed in our respective quests, and cherish the journey as much as the destination.

There are many other stories. I hope to share more with the world.

Unfortunately, Paracelsus treatments are costly to patients that must pay for them out of pocket. In the midst of my delight for finally arriving at Paracelsus, I have felt some stress about how I will continue to pay for my treatments that I must continue when I’m at home, and for my return visits that are recommended every 3 to 4 months. These costs will total between 40,000 to 60,000 per year for at least several years, and then less annually into the future. I trust that I’ll have the resources for the healthcare I require. I will work as hard and creatively as I possibly can.

Swiss insurance covers approximately 50 to 60 percent of Paracelsus treatments. It is my hope that someday a funding source will exist to cover costs of Paracelsus treatments for people that cannot otherwise afford them. Quality health care should be accessible to all. Quality health care is a birthright. I have the goal of starting a foundation in the United States to offer people without funds the opportunity to pursue treatments at clinics such as Paracelsus. If anyone has interest to join me in this effort, please email me.

The end is nothing, the road is all.