Hi Lynne,
I read your post this AM and a quick flood of tears prevailed as I
quickly recalled this same time in my path with my sister.
I am very relieved to hear that Tim is with so much peace and is
turning it over to God, but also doing what good things he can to
maintain his quality of life. Those are all very important. Barbara's
path was similar, but with a dad and brother in medicine and a
husband in hospital administration, she was not about to venture off
the beaten path in treatment. ;~) There were too many days
spent "overcoming side effects" (in my opinion).
I am glad you are fortune enough to have such a friend to have the
strong will to write such a book, and to have access to it.
I think the Ruta 6 is something I would look into as well. Not sure
if it is homeopathic or naturopathic (not sure it matters), but from
what I remember, it was pretty effective, not expensive, and not
filled with side effects. There is a yahoo group on this, if you want
to see and hear more. I was a member, but have dropped now. I think
it was "ruta 6" but you may have to do a little searching to come up
with it.
I looked into Burzinski a little, but he was so far from Barbara and
Bruce's comfort that for my time, it was futile. That is no put down
on Burzinski, just wasn't for our situation. I do not have any first
hand there.
I am glad Tim has that peace. I hope you and Meredith will as well
(and all the family). While this is no time to give up, deciding to
live well each of his days is a gift that God is blessing him with
and it will be a blessing to you all, too. I think that was Barbara's
biggest gift. The cancer took her life, but her faith was so secure,
that even when she could no longer swallow (food or water), she was
so confident in the love of her Lord that she could be happy and
joyful and praise God. In the end, she was looking forward to being
home. I have no doubt that she is not dead, but is transformed into
eternity. It has never been so real to me as now.
I found my "research role" pretty futile in our family make-up, but I
have a sense of peace that I did "my best" to see if there were any
open doors. The role I did end up with was setting up a CaringBridge
site to keep family and friends posted with updates and to let them
have a place to leave their thoughts, prayers and well wishes. That
has also been a huge blessing. I think a journey shared has the
ability to allow others to learn to live better, although sometimes
it makes it tough in the day to day stuff of life. Everybody does
have their opinion.
God has been in my family's journey and we have been able to "Praise
Him in the Storm." That also became one of my favorite songs during
that time.
I will be more than happy to share much more off line, or lend a ear
as the journey can be hard. If you would like to read her site, I
will give you the link. Most of this will become off topic, but feel
free to email me at mitfost @ yahoo.com (the spaces are to allow it
to come through).
Your note and Meredith's have both made me realize once again
the "why" of these journeys. It is not always that the problem can
be "fixed," but it is to make it better for the next person that has
to deal with such a difficult path. We loose that ability when we
won't share the journey.
Thank you for letting me share.
Your family will continue to be in my prayers for healing (never give
up), for peace, and for eyes to see the blessings in the journey. May
each of you feel the very presence of our Lord surrounding you and
uplifting and guiding you through your journey. I have no doubt that
if this is your desire, it will become your truth as well. "God's
grace is sufficient."
Blessings.
Martha
--- "healwithhands@..." wrote:
Martha,
My name is Lynne and I am the sister of Meredith's step Dad, Tim.
I have been reading the posts faithfully since joining this group
sometime in June, but have only written in response to one of them so
far. Thank you for all of your thoughtful suggestions, information,
insights and encouraging words. A friend of a friend has written a
book entitled "Painless Cancer Cures and Preventions Your Doctor May
Not Be Aware Of", which she sent to me at the beginning of this
journey. (After Tim's 2nd surgery, June 12). She is a licensed R.N.
with also a B.B.A. majoring in Managed Care. Her work in the medical
field along with the loss of three family members to cancer exposed
her to the "horrendous and discouraging effects that her family
members and patients suffered from chemo and radiation " and
she "started to question the appropriateness of conventional cancer
treatment". As a result. she "began an intensive study of alternative
cancer therapies which culminated in this book". After receiving her
book and reading it, I wrote to her and asked her if she knew then
what she knows now, what would she do. She responded that she would
first go on Budwig Protocol and then she would take her loved one to
the Burzynski Clinic in Texas, along with other things. I've said all
of that to ask the question: does anyone out there in this group
know of anyone going to the Burzynski Clinic and if so, what can you
tell me about the experience?
Tim has an incredible attitude, trusting and believing that all of
what he is going through is all a part of God's plan, and is set on
making sure that whatever happens, it all give glory to God,
somehow. He is extremely compliant with the BP and doing his part
and watching what will happen next. He is at peace with excepting
whatever comes as God's will. It's a little more difficult for the
rest of us, though. So, thank you so very much for your caring heart,
support and prayers, as we know that is where the only true power
is.
Lynne Shannonhouse, sister of Tim Shrewsbury
1st surgery March, 2007 (thought it was just a blood clot)
2nd surgery June, 2007 diagnosed GBM stage IV, Glidial wafers
inserted into cavity, no chemo or radiation chosen, started BP