Scan Results & Protocol Update

January 30, 2008

Last week, I had a “stable” scan. This was an especially big deal after the growth reported from my September 2007 MRI. Two of the three measurements were even .1 cm smaller, which my Stanford doctor says is unremarkable. However, I am grateful for a conversation in that direction versus the other.

Dr. Gonzalez was extremely pleased, especially since the enzymes cause inflammation initially and sometimes the appearance of tumor growth.

I continue to feel very well on the Gonzalez protocol. I did feel inflammation around the tumor the week of my scan from starting the enzymes and supplements again after my second liver cleanse on this protocol. Yes, I loved the thought of berries and cream again on the last night of my cleanse until I started to eat them and felt sick in my stomach.

I also performed an intestinal cleanse around Christmas time in between cycle 1 and 2 of enzymes and supplements. (As a reminder, I take pills for 20 days and then rotate off for 5 days to either do a liver or intestinal cleanse). I became quite bloated during the intestinal cleanse and my appetite increased exponentially. I could not stop eating and even at night! Gonzalez told me that the body requires more food when it is repairing. When I resumed my enzymes and supplements, my appetite gradually became more balanced within 1 week, and the bloating took most of cycle 2 to diminish.

About one month ago, I suddenly could not go back to sleep after my 3:30 am enzymes, which has resulted in an accumulated lack of sleep and tiredness. Gonzalez suggested I take either melatonin or GABA with the 3:30 am enzymes to help me back to sleep. I have ordered those products and look forward to having a natural sleep aid. The last few days I’ve been catching up on rest and my body has expressed appreciation. I also perceive the message that my body needs more rest in order to restore and heal. My version of productivity is generally administering my protocol, working, and connective activities with myself and friends. And my body’s version of productivity is sleep and stillness.

I hope to be up and running in February with more postings! Thanks to Jodie for posting these blogs until I’m able to reconfigure that program on my computer.

Technology Woes & Opportunities

January 23, 2008

For those of you that have been emailing me checking in, thanks for you care! As I’ve explained to some, 2008 welcomed me with a break from my computer! My hard drive literally crashed as I checked my email arriving home in the early morning hours of January 1st! My new friends at Compu-Data in San Francisco were able to recover my information, and of course I had saved files. However, the process took over two weeks, and alas I was without my computer for emailing, blogging, and most importantly working. I’ve been hustling to catch up on work deadlines and more.

I was quite frustrated since I had spent the week in between Christmas and New Year’s working on new proposals and preparing to launch early 2008 outreach to potential clients. Once again, I was reminded that I’m not in control, and I used the opportunity to organize my office, business administration, thinking, and tend to some neglected areas of my home and life.

In truth, part of me loved not having my computer. Of course I need my computer for work, and especially for my writing. However, my goal for 2008 is to spend less time at my computer. If my emails are shorter, please do not be offended.

Before my computer crashed I began writing a blog about my first Christmas without family. In short, I’ll say that I learned not everyone has my mother’s sensibility of inviting those without family into their circle for a Holiday gathering. My friend Erica and I created our own joy through volunteering at a nursing home. We led the 10:45 am Christmas sing-along to a group of 20 primarily female elders. While many of them were heavily medicated, several engaged in the holiday cheer as they remembered song lyrics. Several ladies held out their hands craving physical contact. Dorothy was especially enthusiastic and even bounced to the rhythm in her chair caressing Erica’s hand against her cheek. Another woman glowed with joy as Erica swung her arms. I also held hands and worked the room with enthusiastic smiles. Erica and I then cooked a Christmas lunch and went for a Christmas stroll. I returned home mid-afternoon to do my coffee enemas and juicing, and ended my day with a quick visit at my friend Janet’s house.