Lately...

I am very happy to say that I have not had a detox flareup in about a week. Man-oh-man are those flare-ups tough. Thank goodness there's so much time between them this far into the therapy. I sure hope I haven't just cursed myself! Now, I'm still not pain free. I am still managing the pain I created from putting too much coffee in my coffee breaks. However, I am also happy to say I have had some relief from that pain as well.

As I have had time to think about all of this (time is one thing I have a lot of), I've realized that I have had conflicting thoughts about this therapy. I am clear that it as a very powerful therapy, yet at the same time, I altered my coffee intake and thought, "No problem. This will make things even better." Well, now I can see that I was not thinking it all the way through. If I can just alter the therapy here and there, it ain't saying much about the therapy. Well, the piece I was leaving out has is now real clear. This therapy is powerful and is not to be messed with. And with that in mind, I am following the doctor's orders to a "T."

Life here at the house has also been a little easier for Daniela and Kate who currently don't have to do the 10-juice regiment for me every day. I can't say it's a vacation for them (I'd probably get hit in the head with a flying shoe!) but it has provided a little free time for them and I know they appreciate that (even if it's not under ideal conditions).

Doctor's Recommendation

The good doctor has recommended that I not take a break from coffee breaks, but instead do two
a day and only six juices a day for 10 days and then see how I feel. I started yesterday.

Also, the benefit show was also last night. I hope everyone had a great time. Thanks again.

Relief...and How!

We have a new live in aide with us. Her name is Kate and she started last week. Kate will be with us until the week before Christmas. She is absolutely wonderful - she brings joy and ease to our home. What a treat.

Note: It's our intention to find a replacement for her once she is done here, so keep your ears open - you may find the one!

Oh Yeah...I Might Let You Know How I'm Doing

I am doing fairly well. I am not 100% over this pain situation. I think the extra coffee I used in my coffee breaks really did a number on me because I still haven't shaken it. I am waiting to hear back from Dr. Cervantes - I asked if I should just take a couple days off from the coffee breaks so the irritated area of the tumor can get a couple of days free from all the bile that's passing it by and irritating it on the way out. Maybe if the tumor can get a break from all of that for a couple days, I'll be "100%" again.

I have not had any flare-ups in the last couple days. While the internet was down and I wasn't able to post anything, I was having a lot off flare-ups. My legs ached all the time and my appetite was really minimal. And they usually happened together. I would sit down to eat and then my body would start to feel warm and then hot. Then my stomach would get a little off - not nauseous, but a little...queasy I guess, along with a lack of appetite. Then my legs would start to ache and it would get bad enough that I would lay down and Daniela would rub them for me. And now, as it goes, I am not experiencing that at all. So, once this butt pain (oh that's right - this Hmm-mm-mmm pain) goes away, I might even be able to feel some what normal again.

Thanksgiving was great. The house didn't smell of turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce (actually, I don't know if the house ever smelled of cranberry sauce...?), although it did smell of Gerson stuffing and sweet potatoes. I wouldn't call it a close 2nd, but family and friends were present and that's what matters to me most on Thanksgiving as it is my favorite holiday. And I felt deeply grateful to them as they each sat down at our table and ate a Gerson Thanksgiving with me. They said it didn't feel like much of an effort - they were happy to do it. But to me, it was a great honor to have them step away from their traditional Thanksgiving meals to support me on my not-so-traditional path to wellness. I was honored.

I am incredibly grateful to all of you whose support shows up in countless ways. Reading my blog, sending cards, sending emails, telephone calls, helping at the house, sending a gift, growing produce - I'm sure I've missed many of the ways so many of you have somehow contributed to us, so know that if I didn't mention how you contributed, we are indeed grateful and can not thank you enough. I never experienced so much love in this world or at least not this much love so close by.

If you need a cheer up from all the bad news in the world, check out The Good News Network (GNN). You'd be amazed at the incredible things that are being done every day around the world. The GNN sounded a little corny to me at first until I checked it out and learned about the wonderful generosity of a lot of people and corporations as well.

Have a great weekend!

Benefit Show on Saturday November 24th!

On Saturday November 24th, Don Bazley's annual benefit concert (at Castaway's in Ithaca, NY) will be a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and all funds will be donated to the Bert Scholl Fund.

Daniela, the boys and I are all very grateful for the generosity of Don Bazley, everyone at Castaways, and the following bands and musicians who will be performing:

Don Bazley Projectiles
Chemical Flaw
John Parkins Project
Candy Pants
Mortal Combine
Farenheit 420
Peggy Lecuyer & Fabulous Friends

Click on this link to read the article in the Ithaca Journal's Ticket.

Unfortunately, will not be present, so thank you in advance if you attend. I'm sure it will be great show.

If you can not attend and you would like to make a contribution you can mail it to:

The Bert Scholl Fund
c/o Jane Schantz
48 Marsh Road
Ithaca, NY 14850

All Is Well!!!

I have not posted because we were having major problems with our internet connection [this is the part where I bash the provider and tell you to never use them - just kidding].

I am well and will post more later this evening.

Flare-Up

I had a whopper of a flare-up today (Monday): legs hurt, upper-half of body ached, slight headache and just about no appetite. I haven't had a flare-up like this in a while. I slept a lot which helped. I try to remember that a flare-up is a sign of the therapy working.

I am finally tired (1:05 AM). I went to bed at around 10:30 PM with no luck. I'm going to try and fall asleep again right now...we'll see...

Over and over and over and over and...

Last night I got pretty angry about this whole thing. Just being so sick of doing this therapy - everything the same time every day over and over and over and blah, blah, blah. It's like the movie Groundhog's Day.

And it's also frustrating to not have the means to do this therapy without the support of others. Don't get me wrong, I love the support we have receive and it's a wonderful experience having so many generous people in our lives. And, there's a certain sense of powerlessness that I experience relying on others - family and friends. Especially as I watch Daniela doing all there is to do daily to make this therapy work then add in taking care of the kids and the household - doing this from the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to sleep - occasionally getting a break for an hour or two within any given week. I find myself thinking a lot about this world we live in and looking at life in ways I've yet to find a way to articulate.

I mean, I guess that's just what's so. And all there is to do is accept what's so. But last night for whatever reason, I found myself blood boiling mad about being in this situation. Having to alter our lives and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah in order to live. In order to live. WOW! Just getting my head around that every once in a while is such a trip. Sometimes I forget what this is all about - the seriousness of it all. Partially because I believe 100% in the Gerson Therapy I am doing. And, ya want to know what? I just want a break from all of this and, well...you want to live, you do what you have to do. I can have my break once I'm in the clear. Nothing more to talk about and that's all this entry really is. Just letting you know how I'm doing and last night, well, I went to a very ugly place. A necessary road, but not a pretty one. And I'm glad I got it out. I mean, I'm no stranger to getting angry if I see reason to, but last night, even I was surprised.

I feel better today. Thanks.

Positive Change

I have experienced some very positive change today. I did not take any pain killers for my Hmm-mm-hmm. And, I didn't use my donut pillow at all today - a wooden chair was more comfortable (although I would love a wooden kitchen-type chair with a thick seat cushion. Any ideas where I might find one, please met me know - bertscholl@gmail.com).

So, it's pretty great to be almost pain free - after all I put myself through. Funny how listening to the doctor now and again seems to make a difference...

A Very Different World

I see cancer very differently than I did when I was first diagnosed. I used to view cancer as a nightmare situation in which you hope to be alive when it's all said and done. Now that I am just under six months into the Gerson Therapy, I view cancer as a serious obstacle to any one's life, but I have begun to see it as a circumstance that, in many cases, can be managed so that the body can be returned to optimum health. I am clear that there is yet to be a "silver bullet" that will heal us all, but there are many types of cancer that can be healed naturally with the utilization of the correct therapy. I am by no means opposed to Western Medical approach to cancer - people use it and they survive and that is a beautiful thing. However, I am deeply moved and inspired by what the Gerson Therapy brings to the conversation of cancer as a curable disease.

I have read about one third of the way through "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell and I have again found myself inside of another profound conversation about how animal protein feeds and stimulates cancer growth and that without animal protein cancer cannot live. And, in "The China Study," Campbell provides the double blind studies that the the scientific world relies upon. The news it delivers - bottom line - is that cancer and other degenerative diseases (heart disease, diabetes, etc.) are curable diseases. Not just survivable, but curable based on the food we eat.

"He who does not know food, how can he understand the diseases of man?"

-Hippocrates, the father of medicine (460-357 B.C.)

So where am I left with all of this?I live in a different world than I lived in six months ago [something I said in the not so distant past]. I now live in a world where people facing the possibility of death from a disease such as cancer have a far greater chance of living a long and healthy life. I am not saying that all people diagnosed with cancer should do the Gerson Therapy, but with therapies such as the Gerson Therapy available and known to others, the chances of life after cancer greatly increases. As far as I'm concerned, the odds of life after cancer just ain't high enough yet and increased odds are a damn good thing. And the internet has provided us the opportunity to take responsibility for our health and wellness like never before. Daniela, my incredible wife and partner in this healing process, found out about Gerson Therapy from the internet - thank goodness! The information is at our finger tips - now we are just required to invest the time in the research.

And where does that take me? Back to my life pre-diagnosis when I had fallen off of the vegetarian "wagon" - miles and miles ago! I wasn't interested in eating as healthy as I knew how. I like cheese burgers. I like pizza. I like milk shakes. I love Krispy Kreme Doughnuts thank you very much. We like to eat what we like to eat. Macaroni and cheese for cryin' out loud. Who doesn't like macaroni and cheese??? If you don't, I don't want to hear it - I'm proving a point [Ha-ha!]. We love our food and it's tough to step away from what we find absolutely delicious. And fortunately, some folks have the genes to not have to worry about it or so it seems. However, the truth is on it's way out. Those of us at risk or in the midst of serious diseases can be free of them by altering our diet if it is the path we choose and that is great news. We ain't talkin' about Nutrition 101, we're talkin' about healing people.

Thank You Sir. May I Please Have Another? Or Maybe Not...

I had a flare-up today - something I haven't experienced in a while or at least it seems that way considering the pain I was dealing with (it has greatly diminished). The flare-up started first thing in the morning with lethargy and...well, just feeling lousy, like when you're at the start of a cold and you feel it in your body. I slept if off this morning.

After lunch aching in the backs of my thighs then it moved into my calves and arms and eventually into my neck, chest and back. I took a triad and it vanished the pain in minutes. Amazing. God Bless you Max Gerson. Then this afternoon I took a dose of pain killer for the great discomfort I've been feeling. I'm feeling slightly ache-ie right now, but nothing I notice unless I stop to think about it. It's the end of a tough day and I finally feel relatively good.

I must say, I still find it to be quite fascinating that something as simple as juices, clean vegan food, coffee enemas and some supplements can create a detox that delivers such whoppers of a detox flare-up - especially the ones I had when I first started the therapy - and then heals the body so it can heal itself of degenerative diseases - what a trip!!! When I'm not in pain, I truly feel blessed.

Volunteer SIgn-Up Calendar

If you would like to put yourself on the Volunteer Sign-Up Calendar and assist us here at the house (we would love to see you and could definitely use your help), simply click on this link http://bert.freevillemusic.com/ then follow the instructions.

Thanks a million!

Love Bert & Daniela

Request for Support

We are currently without a live-in-aide. We are searching for a replacement person, but until we find that person, we are very much in need of assistance here at the house.

If you have thought about putting yourself on the calendar and have not done so yet, now we be a great time. If you have assisted us before, we would be very grateful if you would review the calendar and see if there are any open slots that work for you.

We could very much use your help and we are incredibly grateful to all of you who have made such a difference in our lives. We love you.

If you have any questions, I can emailed at bertscholl@gmail.com.

CoffeeCoffeeCoffee

I believe I have found the source of my extreme discomfort. During my conversation with Dr. Cervantes this afternoon, he let me know that the 10-12 oz. of coffee I had been using in my enemas was causing my liver to release too many toxins into my digestive track and thus irritating the tumor. He explained that with a rectal tumor, no more than 8 oz. of coffee can be used in an enema because of the direct contact the toxins make with the tumor as they pass out of the body.

As soon as I began feeling the discomfort, I reduced the amount of coffee from 12 oz. to 4 oz., so I am already well ahead of the game. I have taken no pain killers today because I have had no pain. I believe with sufficient bed rest, I should be in good shape very soon. It am quite relieved.