Doug Prouty's Battle for Health

Thursday, November 30th

Cologne, Germany

For those of you following this blog, you are the first to hear from us - and so far, so good. Our direct flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt went great. A long haul but manageable. It was an easy walk to the train station and a short wait for a 1 hr train ride bound for Cologne. An agent in the station found a hotel for us and a 5 minute taxi ride along the Rhein river brought us to our bunks.

The most amazing thing about Cologne is its cathedral. The train station is along side of it and as you disembark, it takes your breath away. This gothic wonder was the tallest building in Europe for hundreds of years until someone named Eifel built a tower. It is impossible to get far enough back for a photo. This shot is of an artist working on a portrait of Mozart in front of the cathedral. Next to the cathedral is a large area where they have setup a Christmas Market and where we spent our evening enjoying the food, mixing with the crowd and shopping.

The next morning (11/30) Jeanette and Nick toured the famous Roman Museum while I paid a visit to Dr. Gorter to have my blood drawn and discuss Dendritic Cell Therapy. Though pushing 60, he still has great enthusiasm and blond hair that falls in his face. He was born in Holland and has spent a great deal of time working with AIDS patients at UCSF in San Francisco. It was this work that has led him to Dendritic cells and their potential for cancer patients. In 2001 he and his colleagues presented the possibility of a cancer vaccine during a medical conference in Chicago. They were the only ones and received the kind of cold reception that you might expect from the stodgy medical community. In 2005, the conference was in Atlanta and more than ten different groups presented on Dendritic Cells as a cancer vaccine.

After my meeting up with Jeanette and Nick, we climbed the 502 steps to the top of the West spire of the Cathedral for an incredible view of the city. We then climbed down and toured the inside to enjoy the stain glass windows and other wonders. Next, our flexible itinerary took its first adjustment as we decided to only stay one night in Cologne. We hopped another train and are now in Brussels, Belgium enjoying the food and beer.

Doug on 11.30.06 @ 11:33 PM PST [link]

Monday, November 27th

Auf Wiedersehen

"So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye"

I am not sure why I am quoting the sound track from the Sound of Music. It is not even the same country that we are traveling to. Oh well, it seemed to fit.

Well, tomorrow we are off. As expected we are scrambling to get it together. Busy emailing the 11 different people coming in to take care of Alex while we are gone. We have the spreadsheet that is the schedule as well as several documents on caring for her as well as the pets and house. We were reminded tonight that, while we provided the Vet’s contact info, we did not have Alex’s doctor and health card out.

So much to think about and we haven’t even begun the packing process. Jeanette asked at dinner, “What is the weather like?” So I just jumped on the Web and it looks like it will be ranging from the low 50’s to the high 30’s with overcast and a few rain showers during the two weeks. Well that helps, . . . I think.

After the stress and dust settles, we will be relaxing on the long flight. We leave out of SFO around 2 PM Tuesday for a “12 hour tour” (more song quotes) before arriving in Frankfurt. My appointment at the clinic is at 8:00 AM the morning of the 30th so they can send my blood off by 9. They will process it over a week’s time and freeze the cells if I am not back in 7 days. Our plans have us coming back through Cologne in 11.

Things are pretty flexible as we have no hotel reservations. We are on Eurail and it is really easy to arrange hotels from the station within the town. As I researched the Web, it became clear that many of the cute small hotels in the old town do not have Web booking. So thankfully, someone came up with the idea to put wheels on luggage (Why did that take so long?). It wasn’t that long ago that we schlepped backpacks and duffle bags through cobblestone streets in search of rooms.

Anyway, ready or not, wish us luck. I will have my laptop and some limited access to Internet. So my next post should be from the old country.

Doug on 11.27.06 @ 08:17 PM PST [link]

Thursday, November 23rd

Thanksgiving

I remember as a kid being asked what I was thankful for. I had such a fortunate childhood, yet it was hard to come up with an answer. I think I gave the usual answers like, my mom and dad, my toys, etc.

Well, this year, the answer is easy. There is nothing like being told you only have a few years to live to bring to light everything you are thankful for. I am very fortunate to have wonderful material things such as a great house, clothes, cars, etc. I can afford good nutrition and the best medical care. But these pale in importance to all of you.

I have had so much support and love this past year. You have all helped me tremendously and continue to do so. I am truly thankful for my friendships.

Strangely enough, I am also thankful for my health. The longer I fight this battle, the more I read about and see people who are worse off. There have been a couple of nights lately that I have felt debilitating pain and because of it, I am thankful anytime I am able to function normally. Little things like being able to rake the leafs, drive a car and hold my children are no longer taken for granted.

Thank you for reading this blog and keeping me in your thoughts.

Doug on 11.23.06 @ 09:01 AM PST [link]

Monday, November 20th

Shrimp and Grits

“When in Rome…” or “A Break from my Diet.” Whichever way you want to say it, I figured if I was in the South, I might as well experience the South. That meant my health-food diet, took a few days off.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a wonderful little city. The center is clean and comfortable. I was surprised at how close the entertainment centers were. The football stadium, basketball/hockey arena, theaters, and museums are all within walking distance of downtown hotels. Everything feels new, yet historic areas are well preserved and protected. There were lots of new buildings going up and commerce seemed to be thriving.

But since this is the South, we need to talk about the food. Another big thanks to our hosts, Mary and Dave Miller for keeping us entertained, well lubricated and well fed. Their fully hosted party featured soul food such as black-eyed peas, collard greens, shrimp and grits, etc. Friday night, we went out to Mert’s Heart and Soul Restaurant in uptown. There the “Daily Fixin’s” included Blackened Pork Chops, Southern Fried Chicken, Red Beans and Rice, Fried Catfish and the best corn bread you will ever taste. Before we headed home, we enjoyed lunch at Mac’s Speed Shop – Beer, Bikes and BBQ. The slogan written on the wall says, “Where Bikers stare at Cowboys, who are laughing at the Hippies, who are hopping they make it out alive.” The menu features Hand Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket, BBQ Chicken and St. Louis Style Ribs to name a few.

I found the meal choices a challenge for a pseudo-vegetarian like myself. I dabbled on the fringes with Grits, Red Beans and Rice, Green Beans, Collard Greens, Quesadillas with Guacamole and Black Beans, etc. The meat and fish eaters in the group raved about the food.

Doug on 11.20.06 @ 07:15 AM PST [link]

Wednesday, November 15th

Vacation Time

Before we head to Germany, Jeanette and I are off tomorrow to Charlotte, NC for 4 days! We have great friends, Dave and Mary who date back to our days in Vienna. They both taught at the American International School with me and helped us so much to understand life overseas. Before moving home, they hosted our wedding reception in their apartment downtown. This photo is of our host, Dave at the reception, some 13 years ago.

Since then, they have taught in Switzerland and China. And this past year, after many years abroad, have settled back into the United States. I am not sure how it happened, but somehow Dave is turning 60 this weekend. So friends are all converging from the corners of the globe, to their new home in Charlotte to spend three or four wonderful days together. I feel a little like a housewife whose husband has finally brought her along on a business trip. Four days in a great hotel, no kids, adult conversation, great food, museums, etc.

Truthfully, I will be connecting with people that I haven’t seen in over ten years. I like how that takes me back and makes me feel ten years younger, at least for that conversation.

Doug on 11.15.06 @ 10:10 PM PST [link]

Monday, November 13th

Getting Ready for Germany

I have been so engrossed in planning our trip that I often forget that the main purpose is to have me receive the Dendritic Cell Therapy. We have never taken a two-week trip with just Nick and thus have never left Alex for that long.

This weekend, I think we finished our itinerary. We need to be in Cologne the morning of the 30th and return after nine days. Other than that, we are on our own. At this point, we have our flight, my doctors appointments and our Eurail Passes. Next, come hotel bookings. Here is what we are considering.

11/28 - Fly SFO to Frankfurt
Arrive in Frankfurt and hop a speed train to Cologne (2 hours)
Three nights in Cologne, Germany with time to enjoy the museums, old town, Christmas markets and day trips on the Rhine to view castles and small towns.

12/2 - Speed train to Brussels for three nights
Visit with our friend Mike, tour the city (sample the best beer and chocolate in the world), see the most impressive art nouveau architecture and add day trips to Bruges and Ghent. For Nick, the Belgian Center for Comic Strip Art.

12/5 – Travel through Antwerp on our way to three nights in Amsterdam.
Lots of art museums with a chance to see the best collections of Rembrandts and van Gogh (only sold one painting while alive). Time to walk the city and cross a few of the 1281 bridges. Maybe a side trip to Volandam and country side. Nick may enjoy the famous Anne Frank House (or not).

12/8 – Train to Dusseldorf, Germany for one night.
Fond memories of my first visit here some 25 years ago. One of the most modern cities, yet still holds a wonderful old-world charm, with its cobblestone pedestrian-only old town and beautiful castle.

12/9 – Return to Cologne (1/2 hour away) for live cell injection at the clinic. Travel south down the Rhine through the highest density of medieval castles in the world and stay at pensions in quaint towns such as Boppard, Koblenz, Bacharach and Mainz

12/11 – Frankfurt for an evening and flight home the next afternoon.

Of course we are open to suggestions from any of those European travelers out there. I imagine we may be adjusting the schedule as we go but at least we will start with a plan.

Over the two weeks, we will be running a tag team of friends and family caring for Alex. She will be in school during the weekdays. Our nanny, Jonathan will be doing after school and overnights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We will then try to fill Tuesdays and Thursdays after 5pm with overnights and two weekends from noon on Saturday. If you are interested in enjoying our house and getting to know our special daughter, let us know. We have family that can help but will need some friends as well. Naturally, we promise rich rewards from Europe upon our return.

Doug on 11.13.06 @ 09:32 AM PST [link]

Friday, November 10th

Alta Bates Comprehensive Cancer Center

I knew it was the right decision to switch my care over to Alta Bates when, as I pulled up, the valet came out to take my car. This is the Alta Bates Comprehensive Cancer Center in Berkeley on Dwight and Shattuck. It is a bustling place but clean and professional. What impressed me initially is their use of technology. All scheduling is done on a computer system and when I checked in for my appointment, they handed me a pager like they use in some restaurants. My new doctor, Dr. Martha Tracy is a casually dressed older lady but very sharp and forward thinking. She specializes in bone marrow and stem cell transplant work. When she heard I was going to Germany to try the Dendritic Cell Therapy, she was excited and wanted to know more about the process. Quite a contrast to what I have been used to.

Dr. Tracy ordered several baseline blood tests and recommended a flu shot. Both were expedited and taken care of across the hall. She also thought I should consider acupuncture for my nerve pain. There is great doctor at the center who has been certified in both China and in the US. I have been called twice now as a follow up to schedule various appointments. One call was from the Nutritionist. The doctor thought I might want to meet with her to go over my diet.

I can drop by the center any Monday from 1 – 4pm for massage therapy. Tuesdays is Stress Reduction Group and Thursdays includes Healing Yoga, Jin Shin Jyutsu and Guided Imagery. All days of the week offer a support group of some kind. And all treatments and drop-in services are covered by my insurance, which the Financial Counselor told me was one of the best plans she has seen.

My new doctor was not in a rush to get me back into chemotherapy. She was impressed with my summer exercise and didn’t feel like the work accelerated my cancer. Looking over the latest PET scan she felt like the tumors, though present, are not too big. Since my current anti-inflammatory drug seems to be helping with the pain, we both agreed that the neck tumor is inflamed from the radiation and should not be a permanent issue.

I like this place.

Doug on 11.10.06 @ 09:42 PM PST [link]

Wednesday, November 8th

Insignificant Other

Lately, I have been thinking about how hard it is to be married to someone with cancer. At least I feel like I have some control over treating my cancer. I can do the reading, change doctors, and seek treatments all over the world, while Jeanette can only watch. She is very supportive and I depend on her so much. But she must feel helpless most of the time. I have suffered with some pretty severe pain the last few days and all she can do is watch me as I lay in bed shaking. I guess it is a little that way for anyone who is close to me. Do you hold back your emotional connection for fear of suffering more from the loss? Sometimes I think reading this blog is a little like driving by a car wreck, you don’t want to look but you can’t help yourself.

The phrase, “Insignificant Other” comes from the title of a book being written by a man I met in the clinic in Mexico. He is in his 80’s and was a long-time reporter/photographer for the Associated Press. Thirty years ago his wife was close to death from cancer. And as a last resort they managed to get her to a clinic in the Bahamas that saved her life. Not long after her full recovery, she left him with 8 kids to take care of. In the book, he relates the experience of being her caretaker for so many years. He was unable to maintain a social life outside as his time was tied up caring for her and all of the children. During her illness, visitors, mail and phone calls only came in for his wife. He certainly felt insignificant.

One of my best friends shares the phrase, “Someone has to take care of the caretaker.” A couple of years ago, his wife was involved in a car accident that left her in a coma for months and now unable talk or move well enough to care for herself. He has found himself handling everything from her care, to Medicare, to their family run business and the household. Add all that work to the emotional strain of losing your loved one and it all gets compounded.

So I not only fight to save my life for myself, but to stay longer on this earth as a husband, father, son, uncle, cousin and friend. And a big thank you to my significant other for all that she does to take care of me.

Doug on 11.08.06 @ 09:20 AM PST [link]

Sunday, November 5th

Essiac Tea

Some time ago during my search for alternative treatments for cancer, I came across Essiac Tea. Doing some research, I found enough naysayers to cause me to move on. My brother called the other day and asked if I had heard of it. Figuring I would give it another look, I found a family run business in Colorado called Natural Heritage Enterprises. They only sell Essiac Tea and provide clean, high-quality herbs.

The name Essiac comes from the backward spelling of nurse Rene Caisse. In 1923, she had noticed that a patient had cured herself using an herbal remedy from an Indian tribe. She visited the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indian Medicine Man who gave her the recipe for a medicinal tea. It included Sheep Sorrel, Burdock Root, Slippery Elm Bark and Rhubarb Root.

From her own home, Rene Caisse treated patients over a span of 40 years with her Essiac Tea. Before her death in 1978, she managed to cure thousands of certified “incurable” cancer patients. In the 1960’s she worked with the Brusch Clinic in Massachusetts. After 10 years of research on Essiac Tea, Dr. Brusch (JFK’s personal physician) claimed, “Essiac is a cure for cancer, period. All studies done at laboratories in the United States and Canada support this conclusion.”

Sheep Sorrel leaves have been used for hundreds of years in France for salads and cooking. The American Indians used it for seasoning meat and bread. It has been observed by researchers to break down tumors and to alleviate some chronic conditions and degenerative diseases. Viewed as the primary healing element in the tea it is known to reduce damage of radiation burns, improve the vascular system, purify the liver, reduce inflammation, stimulate tissue growth and raise the oxygen level of tissue cells.

Burdock Root is a member of the thistle family and its young leaves and stems are used in salads. The Burdock plant is mostly used in China, Hawaii and by the Native Americans. It is considered a powerful blood purifier. Beneficial against arthritis and rheumatism, its principle ingredient Unulin helps strengthen the liver, pancreas and spleen.

Slippery Elm’s inner bark has been long used as a food supplement and herbal remedy. The pioneers used it as a survival food. Rich in vitamins and mineral content, it is still used today as a food additive. It is well known amongst herbalists for its ability to cleanse, heal and strengthen the body.

Turkey Rhubarb grows mostly in China and the roots are harvested for food when they are at least six years old. Used since 220 BC as a medicine, it has a strong detoxifying affect cleansing the liver and gall duct.

So add Essiac Tea to the list of supplements I am using. You only need to drink about 2 to 4 ounces a day, which is good because it tastes a little nasty.

Doug on 11.05.06 @ 08:58 PM PST [link]

Friday, November 3rd

The CARROT, the EGG, and the COFFEE BEAN

Yesterday, my buddy Kurt, sent me this parable. I was touched and thought it was worth sharing here.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as if as soon as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen.

The mother filled three pots with water.

In the first, she placed carrots.
In the second she placed eggs.
And the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil without saying a word. About twenty minutes later, she turned off the burners.

She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she said, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did, and noted that they felt soft.

She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg inside.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter then asked, "So, what's the point, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid center. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its insides had become hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water...they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your
door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot , an egg, or a coffee bean?"

The carrot seemed strong, but with pain and adversity, it wilted and become soft and lost its strength?

The egg that started with a malleable heart, changed with the heat?
It had a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship, or some other trial, it become hardened and stiff? The outer shell looked the same, but on the inside it was bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

The coffee bean actually changed the hot water - the very circumstances that bring the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor of the bean. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you instead of letting it change you.

How do we handle adversity?
As a CARROT, an EGG, or a COFFEE BEAN?

Doug on 11.03.06 @ 08:42 AM PST [link]

Thursday, November 2nd

Rebounding

For the past 8 years or so we have been a trampoline family. We bought a big one for the back yard and it is still the favorite activity out there. We also have a small one in front of the TV which my daughter, Alex, uses daily. Rebounding is bouncing on a mini trampoline with an aim to perform a series of small, controlled movements. NASA claims it is, “the most efficient and effective exercise yet devised by man.” If you are purchasing, be sure it has 6 legs as the 4 leg ones are a little unstable. You can also get one with a handle if you need it.

This is a simple and easy way to get in an exercise that is great for you. You can place it in front of the TV and trade it for the couch once in awhile. It is a zero-impact exercise with benefits that include:

Improved circulation

Increased the capacity of heart and lungs

Lower cholesterol levels

Improved co-ordination and balance

Reduced stress and tension

Improved muscle tone (particularly legs, thighs, hips, abdomen and arms)

Increased energy and vitality

A boost to the lymphatic and immune system

100-280 calories in a 30 minute session

Rebounding is considered a cellular exercise, which is recommended by medical doctors, physical therapists, professional trainers, massage therapists, personal trainers and chiropractors. It was the French physiologist, Claude Bernard (1813-1878), who discovered that it was the cellular environment that needed to be clean in order to promote health and prevent illness. When the environment in which the cells live gets overly polluted and toxic the cells begin to loose their ability to function properly. This in turn causes the cells and, consequently, the body to get sick.

Did I mention that Alex is rarely ever sick?

Doug on 11.02.06 @ 09:57 AM PST [link]

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Doug's Battle for Health

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