Deborah Reed Deborah Reed

Seventeen years ago on a trip to Mexico for alternative cancer treatment for my mom, I discovered a miraculous piece of heaven on earth! My dad and I were at the end of our rope trying to care for my mom in a foreign country. The doctors we had chosen were pioneers in their fields. One hospital was using cancer vaccines, the other stem cell therapy. Both hospitals had higher cure rates than the U.S. But, mom just wasnt motivated to live. She had had surgery on her spinal tumor which had left her paralyzed. 
     So we were packed to leave for home when we asked our cab driver, a very well informed local on the alternative cancer clinic circuit what he would do if it were his mom. He immediately replied, "If you dont tell my boss, I will take you to the people who help everyone".  Within minutes we were standing in the lobby of the Oasis of Hope. I thought I had died and gone to heaven!! Stage 4 cancer patients were walking around smiling, talking and praying with each other. A glance into the patient dining hall revealed an organic vegetarian buffet that looked straight out of the Garden of Eden, complete with 4 fresh pressed juice selections. It actually looked like food that could heal someone! But, the most  compelling sight was Dr. Ernesto Contreras, the founder and head oncologist of the Oasis. He was walking around the dining room as the patients and staff were eating playing his guitar!!  He was singing to and talking with the patients. Who does that?? 
     Fast forward...4 weeks ago I went to the doctor because I pulled my chest muscles. I had an xray and several other tests. Non small cell lung cancer, Stage 4 was the diagnosis. The cancer had spread to kidney, liver, lymph node and spine. I did all the tests, listened to the treatments offered and heard the devastaing prognosis: somewhere between a 1 and 4 % chance of survival. They offered an opportunity to enter a trial for a vaccine if a regimen of chemo was followed first. 
Because nutrition and alternative medicine are my passion, over the past 17 years I learned much about the Oasis, their therapies, statistics and philosophies. I did not even have to question my plan of attack! I was on a plane to Mexico with my companion within 48 hours. Oh, BTW, did I mention, they suggest you bring a companion free of charge to stay in your room and help coordinate your care? We've been here for 6 glorious days and I could not be more excited.