10:14 PM (12 hours ago)
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Greetings to those who love Kathy and Mark!
I have spent the last 3 days staying with them to support Mark's juicing regime, and Kathy's need for reprieve from the stresses of this new twist to their lives. I thought I might write what I have learned, being here, since there will be an ongoing need for people to do what I have done, and to adapt, along with Kathy and Mark, to the changing needs of their situation.
To begin with, I see these two loving souls beginning to wrap their heads (and hearts) around how very many people care for and about them. This, in itself, has been a fair sized challenge for them. Having been more accustomed to being givers than receivers, the outpouring of love and assistance from friends of theirs from so many arenas of their lives, has been overwhelming, but in a good way. So, thank you to all of you who have called, sent cards, made and delivered food, stepped in to be trained in the juicing regime, offered to loan or fix things - - you probably cannot completely realize how much this support both means, and, how much it is also needed. Just know you are appreciated more than you know.
The juicing regime is daunting! Mark needs 8 ounces of freshly made juice every hour or two, 9 times a day now, increasing to 13 once he returns from the Gerson Institute. Each juicing process takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. The juice machine is top of the line effective, has a two step process, after which, each time, the machine needs to be cleaned for the next use. Training is necessary for all this. The vegetables need to be scrubbed with filtered water, and weighed for each dose, then wrapped and refrigerated until time to use them. Different juices are made for each serving, and are combined with up to 5 or 6 different supplements, all tracked on a chart. Coffee enemas happen 3 times a day with the coffee needing to be heated to body temperature before each use. In addition to these daily routines, Mark also eats 3 meals a day when he has the strength to eat the food. Although the food is repetitive and prescribed, it too, takes forethought and timely preparation. One aspect of this that I was not aware of ahead of time has to do with how many times a day your hands are in and out of water. Everything needs to be cleaned and washed with care to not expose Mark to unnecessary germs.
The sheer number of things to keep track of, timewise, is more than you could probably imagine, even reading this.
It is a complete honor to assist in this care giving. Mark and Kathy are very aware of, and appreciative, of the help and support being given. They need our love and care in whatever ways we have to offer, yet the help, itself, does need scheduling and management. It looks as if Kathy has juicing teams lined up, now, for most of the time through the end of the week after Thanksgiving by people, who, like me, are staying over for a few days, including their kids being home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Beyond this time, there is nothing on their calendar for juicing help. If people want to be trained in the process, this can be set up ahead of the date(s) when you might want to cover the juicing detail with coverage of even parts of days being useful... I have observed that the scheduling is its own challenge, and could easily contribute to extra stress if not well managed. These guys are not yet fully able to utilize all that is being offered, so be patient if you offer something and do not hear back right away. Their needs change moment to moment sometimes, so asking what is needed is appreciated.
For those who cover juicing detail, know that it is good for Kathy to be able to leave - to exercise, or just turn the page from her consistent focus on Mark's well being. She is still working full time teaching, which is a good departure from the 24/7 routines at home, but without clear back up, it is all too easy for her to overdo it once she gets home, too. This is a long haul endeavor for these guys - with Mark envisioning being on this juicing detail for several months, up to 2 years to fully heal his cancer. There will be ample opportunities to help in a multitude of ways.
Making meals for those who are still eating regular food, Kathy and various combinations of kids, grandkids, and juicing detail people, is really appreciated.... and having some advance scheduling for food being dropped off maybe 2 or 3 times a week, is extremely supportive. At this point, their friend Allison is doing the scheduling for meals. She can be reached at: 360-574-6957. Vegetarian food is most welcomed if you want to prepare food.
Every day is a new day with new needs. Some days are good ones, some are difficult. At this point, Mark does a lot of resting and sleeping between juice doses as his nighttime sleep is not solid. His body is doing a lot of detoxing, which is good, but exhausting. I did what I could to help them set up useful "systems" to ease in meeting their needs. Considering they are just two weeks in to this experience, they have already done a stellar job of setting up the kitchen and refrigerators for managing the influx of many many pounds of fruits and vegetables, and they now have two worm bins in back so the veggie pulp is getting transformed to great compost. But stablizing efforts for the long term has yet to be tackled as that becomes possible.
Their friend Rodger has been a stablizing force in these early days. Not only has he loaned his juicer to them, he shows up most days to do whatever he can, including coaching on the Gerson method. And he will accompany Mark to Mexico. THANK YOU Rodger.... And Rodger's wife Ruth keeps Mark in a supply of daily homemade soup. THANK YOU Ruth.
One place everyone can be of assistance is in visualizing a spot opening up for Mark at the Gerson Institute on November 30th. As it is now, he is only being promised a bed on December 11th, and he really would benefit from going sooner, and longer... We counted back 3 weeks from the day the clinic closes down for Christmas, and November 30th seemed like a good day for him to leave, assuming we had a collectively managed magic wand. The institute recommends a minimum of a 2 week stay, with the option of a 3rd... hence the date in late November. So please visualize Mark and his support person Rodger, flying off to San Diego on the morning of November 30th. Perhaps we can help make this happen. I know all would be greatly relieved to expedite his start date there.
Lastly, be prepared to be impacted by your contact with Mark and Kathy. Moving within their circle of love for family and each other is an incredible heart opening experience. And you may never look at food quite the same way, again.
Enough! Too much, likely! Let's make an unbeatable team to help these sweet ones we all love, survive and thrive well into 2013 and beyond.... they are depending on our love. Judy Alexander
I have spent the last 3 days staying with them to support Mark's juicing regime, and Kathy's need for reprieve from the stresses of this new twist to their lives. I thought I might write what I have learned, being here, since there will be an ongoing need for people to do what I have done, and to adapt, along with Kathy and Mark, to the changing needs of their situation.
To begin with, I see these two loving souls beginning to wrap their heads (and hearts) around how very many people care for and about them. This, in itself, has been a fair sized challenge for them. Having been more accustomed to being givers than receivers, the outpouring of love and assistance from friends of theirs from so many arenas of their lives, has been overwhelming, but in a good way. So, thank you to all of you who have called, sent cards, made and delivered food, stepped in to be trained in the juicing regime, offered to loan or fix things - - you probably cannot completely realize how much this support both means, and, how much it is also needed. Just know you are appreciated more than you know.
The juicing regime is daunting! Mark needs 8 ounces of freshly made juice every hour or two, 9 times a day now, increasing to 13 once he returns from the Gerson Institute. Each juicing process takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. The juice machine is top of the line effective, has a two step process, after which, each time, the machine needs to be cleaned for the next use. Training is necessary for all this. The vegetables need to be scrubbed with filtered water, and weighed for each dose, then wrapped and refrigerated until time to use them. Different juices are made for each serving, and are combined with up to 5 or 6 different supplements, all tracked on a chart. Coffee enemas happen 3 times a day with the coffee needing to be heated to body temperature before each use. In addition to these daily routines, Mark also eats 3 meals a day when he has the strength to eat the food. Although the food is repetitive and prescribed, it too, takes forethought and timely preparation. One aspect of this that I was not aware of ahead of time has to do with how many times a day your hands are in and out of water. Everything needs to be cleaned and washed with care to not expose Mark to unnecessary germs.
The sheer number of things to keep track of, timewise, is more than you could probably imagine, even reading this.
It is a complete honor to assist in this care giving. Mark and Kathy are very aware of, and appreciative, of the help and support being given. They need our love and care in whatever ways we have to offer, yet the help, itself, does need scheduling and management. It looks as if Kathy has juicing teams lined up, now, for most of the time through the end of the week after Thanksgiving by people, who, like me, are staying over for a few days, including their kids being home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Beyond this time, there is nothing on their calendar for juicing help. If people want to be trained in the process, this can be set up ahead of the date(s) when you might want to cover the juicing detail with coverage of even parts of days being useful... I have observed that the scheduling is its own challenge, and could easily contribute to extra stress if not well managed. These guys are not yet fully able to utilize all that is being offered, so be patient if you offer something and do not hear back right away. Their needs change moment to moment sometimes, so asking what is needed is appreciated.
For those who cover juicing detail, know that it is good for Kathy to be able to leave - to exercise, or just turn the page from her consistent focus on Mark's well being. She is still working full time teaching, which is a good departure from the 24/7 routines at home, but without clear back up, it is all too easy for her to overdo it once she gets home, too. This is a long haul endeavor for these guys - with Mark envisioning being on this juicing detail for several months, up to 2 years to fully heal his cancer. There will be ample opportunities to help in a multitude of ways.
Making meals for those who are still eating regular food, Kathy and various combinations of kids, grandkids, and juicing detail people, is really appreciated.... and having some advance scheduling for food being dropped off maybe 2 or 3 times a week, is extremely supportive. At this point, their friend Allison is doing the scheduling for meals. She can be reached at: 360-574-6957. Vegetarian food is most welcomed if you want to prepare food.
Every day is a new day with new needs. Some days are good ones, some are difficult. At this point, Mark does a lot of resting and sleeping between juice doses as his nighttime sleep is not solid. His body is doing a lot of detoxing, which is good, but exhausting. I did what I could to help them set up useful "systems" to ease in meeting their needs. Considering they are just two weeks in to this experience, they have already done a stellar job of setting up the kitchen and refrigerators for managing the influx of many many pounds of fruits and vegetables, and they now have two worm bins in back so the veggie pulp is getting transformed to great compost. But stablizing efforts for the long term has yet to be tackled as that becomes possible.
Their friend Rodger has been a stablizing force in these early days. Not only has he loaned his juicer to them, he shows up most days to do whatever he can, including coaching on the Gerson method. And he will accompany Mark to Mexico. THANK YOU Rodger.... And Rodger's wife Ruth keeps Mark in a supply of daily homemade soup. THANK YOU Ruth.
One place everyone can be of assistance is in visualizing a spot opening up for Mark at the Gerson Institute on November 30th. As it is now, he is only being promised a bed on December 11th, and he really would benefit from going sooner, and longer... We counted back 3 weeks from the day the clinic closes down for Christmas, and November 30th seemed like a good day for him to leave, assuming we had a collectively managed magic wand. The institute recommends a minimum of a 2 week stay, with the option of a 3rd... hence the date in late November. So please visualize Mark and his support person Rodger, flying off to San Diego on the morning of November 30th. Perhaps we can help make this happen. I know all would be greatly relieved to expedite his start date there.
Lastly, be prepared to be impacted by your contact with Mark and Kathy. Moving within their circle of love for family and each other is an incredible heart opening experience. And you may never look at food quite the same way, again.
Enough! Too much, likely! Let's make an unbeatable team to help these sweet ones we all love, survive and thrive well into 2013 and beyond.... they are depending on our love. Judy Alexander
Judy,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your update.
God's blessings.
Kip and Barb Walker