I am near the end of a three-week stay at a Mexican cancer clinic. After a year of trying to stop the progression of anal cancer using non-traditional methods, I decided I needed additional guidance. So here I am at Hope4Cancer three blocks south of the Mexican-American border.
I don’t know if one newspaper column can even begin to convey the impressions and information I’ve gained in 10 days’ time.
The people ... the atmosphere ... the treatments ...
So instead of details, I’ll tell you about just one of the many wonderful people I’ve met.
He’s 19. His name is Dustin. He comes from out east. He plans to become the fifth-generation farmer of his family’s dairy farm after he gets well. At age 19 he’s already graduated from college. He’s a smart kid. Bright. Funny. Engaging. Responsible.
He has a form of pediatric brain cancer never before seen in someone his age. The first doctor told him he might have “some side effects” from the prescribed treatment. The second doctor said Dustin could expect rather significant brain damage from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The odds of him living a normal life after treatment were slim. The third, fourth and fifth doctors said the same.
Dustin’s mom began the search that all of us here are on — the search for “a better way.”
His bill at this clinic will exceed $50,000 and none of it is covered by insurance. He’s here on his own dime. Literally.
To get the required funding together, Dustin gave up the $6,000 he’d saved for a pickup. His two married sisters and their husbands donated thousands of dollars they’d saved for down payments on houses, and his parents borrowed against their property.
He plans to pay them all back when he gets well.
What strikes me about his story is the level of responsibility this kid is taking for his own health. First of all, he’s paying for it. (All of the treatments at home would be “free.”) Secondly, he’s not looking for someone to give him a magic bullet or a quick fix. Beating this cancer is going to require hard work on his part.
He has a remarkable lack of a sense of entitlement.
Meeting Dustin and others like him has been the highlight of this trip for me so far. At this clinic there is an amazing spirit of hope and strength — even among the people who are gravely ill and most likely won’t live much longer regardless of the kind of cancer treatment they receive.
It’s been a joy and a delight to spend time with these amazing people in this clinic.
Of course the Big Question remains: Does their treatment work?
I’ll keep you posted.