Dear Angel
Sorry I have not written back to you , the weeks just flew by.
Mark was diagnosed with a primitive neurodectermal tumor on both hemisphers of the brain. The left side affected his speech, loss of strength in his right arm and right leg. The doctors did a biopsy of the tumor, which caused a bleed, which led Mark to have massive siezures, which led him to be intubated till they got his medication right till the siezures were controlled. This bleed in the brain and the siezures caused a mini stroke to Mark, which have made things worse for him.
In September 2002 they commenced the chemotherapy for Mark, this treatment made his immune system very weak, he could hardly stand up, he was very upset as he thought the chemo would kill the tumor, but it did nothing to the tumor. As Mark was so weak, they decided to stop treatment.
In December 2002 they decided the next step was to try the radiation treatment, which was administered over six weeks. The treatment seemed to help, but not long after it stopped Marks health suffered again.
He was given oral chemotherapy at home, the first treatment lowered his platlet count to a very dangerous level, that he had to have a platlet transfusion immediately, as if he had a cut he could have bled to death.
Mark was on his second treatment of oral chemotherapy, and was not getting better, he had lost a lot of weight and was very weak, he could not even stand up. Mark asked me by typing on his language maker, that he wanted to have a tube inserted in is stomach so he could be fed, and he could put on weight and get stronger to fight his illness I contacted Marks Specialist and told him what Mark wanted, he replied to me, "WHY PROLONG THE INEVITABLE".
I could not believe my ears, it was at this time that i decided to make more enquiries about the Laetrile Treatment, there was no other road to go, so I contaced the Fountain of Life in Arundell and completed all the appropriate forms, got my GP to complete the form. Paid for the treatment in advance, booked the flight for my son and I. Booked accomodation. My son Mark wanted to have this treatment, I as his mother would do anything that he wanted to try as if we had stayed in Sydney and not tried this treatment I believe my son would not be here.
We went to clinic in late August 2003 for the six week treatment, it was very difficult for both of us as we were away from home and family, I rang around and got into contact with the appropriate people to hire equipment to use while we were away, I contacted nursing sisters to help me with Marks personal care, as I did not have the help that I had at home.
We returned to Sydney in late September, Mark was stronger and looked much better than he did before we went for the treatment, he was eating well and had was putting on weight.
In November 2003 it was time for a follow up with the Sydney specialist. Mark has a MRI, we saw the specialist the same day, Marks Tumor had calcified and the specialist said it was a miracle, and that he wanted to show the MRI,s to the Neurosurgeon who operated on Mark and Neurogolist.
Mark is still on the Laetrile tablets, he had another MRI in February 2004 and there has been no change, the tumor is calcified and not active, which is the result we were looking for.
Mark still cannot talk, move his right arm or leg, and can only eat pureed foods, but the cause of this was the bleed in the brain due to the biopsy.
Mark is currently in rehabilitation, as he has a very strong spirit and is very positive, his family and friends are very supportive and positive for his recovery, it may take a long time but we have plenty of time, love and support, Mark has hundreds of family and friends praying for him.
I would also like to add that the doctors and staff the the Fountain of Life are very caring and supportive towards their patients, they call frequently to see how Mark and my family are going and miss us. We were treated very well while we were in their care and are being cared by them even though we are so far away.
Kindest Regards
Dorothy