Getting Started With First Things First

Mark and I are in the middle of our third day here at the Gerson Clinic. It is a great relief to
no longer wonder if what we are doing with the Gerson Therapy is according to what the people
who know and use it would recommend. It was gratifying to know that even though we were a bit
too aggressive with some of the things we were doing that no damage was done.

The doctor explained the immediate challenges we faced and the things that are in
Mark’s favor with regard to his long-term recovery. He has abdominal bloating which is most likely
from an accumulation of abdominal fluid complicated by being slightly de-hydrated generally. He
has very little energy from not being able to eat very much. Our immediate challenges are to re-
hydrate him without adding to the fluid in his abdomen thus restoring his ability to take
nourishment. His sodium was low which may explain the tissue de-hydration and even the liquid
in his abdomen so that is be corrected by adding celery to his soup and giving him whole raw
celery to eat. Yesterday they gave him an IV with vitamins and minerals to replenish what he has
missed from not eating enough. The doctor did not explain it in detail but we believe that by
replenishing the minerals and sodium in the tissues they will retain water better and stop leaking it
into the abdominal space from where it will eventually get reabsorbed. Once those issues are
resolved we will be in a position to more aggressively start to rebuild his metabolism to fight the
tumors. Mark has some very important things going for him; his liver and kidney function is still
strong, which is critical. He has the benefit of a methodology with a proven track record of
success being utilized by committed doctors and staff. Lastly, but not least, he has the thoughts
and prayers of a lot of concerned and loving people being directed to him.

The staff here at the clinic are extremely dedicated people. Work begins before 6:00am in
the kitchen, which is right next to our room, and they are busy in there all day long. I view them as
the “kitchen pharmacists”. They are truly turning food into medicine!

The man who drove the van here from the airport was loaded with stories about the
people he has transported here over the years and with whom he has stayed in contact since their
departure. One person, a cancer patient, had to come to San Diego by air ambulance because
he was in too bad a shape to travel commercially. The clinic was able to start him on the road to
recovery and he is still alive about ten years later. The driver himself has had prostate cancer and
followed the therapy on his own without the help of the clinic and his PSAs have gone from the
mid nineties to 3.5 as of his last test.

Mark wanted me to do this posting to keep you apprised of how things are going because
he was tethered to an IV pole when the first draft of this was getting typed. Besides, at least for
the time being, it is important for him to rest and conserve his energy to battle the disease. Even
though my fingers are doing the typing, we both are editing the final result in order that you know
that the messages are from both of us. Postings may be a little more frequent now in as much as
there is nothing I can do to help Mark when he is resting except to not bother him; so I will have
the time.

Wishing Every One of You The Very Best
Rodger