{"id":347,"date":"2010-11-20T22:38:07","date_gmt":"2010-11-21T02:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/?p=347"},"modified":"2010-11-21T20:01:56","modified_gmt":"2010-11-22T00:01:56","slug":"if-you-go-to-a-cancer-clinic-in-tijuana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/?p=347","title":{"rendered":"IF YOU WANT TO GO TO A CANCER CLINIC IN TIJUANA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>When I got back to my apartment not only did Chaucer and Catya greet me, but there on my desk was a stack of mail about 7 inches high.\u00a0 There were of course the bills that had not gotten paid on line and the donation requests that accompany this time of the year.\u00a0 There were also the letters and voice mails from people who themselves\u00a0had cancer or were inquiring for a spouse or parent.\u00a0 They were scared and desperate and just wanted to hear for themselves if people like Lennie were really being cured in Mexico.\u00a0 I have looked at the two suitcases on the floor for 3 days now.\u00a0 They sit there opened, but still unpacked as I return all of these phone calls and e-mails because I know that it is the right thing to do.<\/p>\n

All of the cancer clinics in Tijuana are having varying degrees of success, but I can really only speak about the one that I know first hand and that is Stella Maris www.stellamarisclinic.com<\/a>.\u00a0 I learned in Mexico that Dr Alvarez who is the doctor\/director of Stella Maris is considered to be one of the top 4 doctors amongst these 30 or more clinics.\u00a0 He is known as the ‘Marcus Welby of Mexico’.\u00a0 Just that alone should tell you the type of man that he is:\u00a0 soft spoken with a Spanish accent and a voice like Riccardo Montalban (remember ‘Fantasy Island’?).\u00a0 At Stella Maris (Star of the Ocean) Dr Alvarez only accepts a maximum of 8 patients at one time so that he can give each personal attention; often there are less.\u00a0 He has been treating cancer patients for about 30 years and is also licenced in the State of California, but cannot administer substances such as DMSO and Laetrile in the US.\u00a0 This FDA restriction is the sole reason for the abundance of cancer clinics just across the US\/Mexican border in Tijuana.\u00a0 Prior to opening his own clinic he was the director of the famous Manner Clinic for 10 years.\u00a0 He has the most success with Colon, Prostate, Breast and Brain cancers.<\/p>\n

Stella Maris Clinic is located in the heart of the financial district in the cosmopolitan city of Tijuana – a city 15 miles long with 3.4 million people.\u00a0 The streets are filled with business suit clad men and extremely stylish and beautiful women who to my amazement wear very high heels.\u00a0 I am constantly in awe of how they manage not to fall and break something on the sidewalks of Tijuana which must hold some kind of record for being in the worst condition.\u00a0 There are uncovered holes that your foot would fit perfectly into, chunks of concrete heaved up 4 inches above the rest and too many cracks to count.\u00a0 You have to look down while you walk or you will fall.\u00a0 The roads however are in exceptionally good shape by comparison.<\/p>\n

Ferro-vitrious structures line the streets mixing new high-rise buildings with the beautiful Spanish architecture and colorful buildings of old Mexico.\u00a0 Looking out over the city you would think you were in any large\u00a0southern US city.\u00a0 For those of you who have been reading my blog you will remember about the horrific waits at the border, crossing back to the US side every day.\u00a0 Do not do this.\u00a0 Stay in Tijuana.\u00a0 5 minutes from Stella Maris is the Hotel Lucerna, yes the name is from Switzerland.\u00a0 The owner who has 5 hotels loved the city of Lucerne and named the hotels thus.\u00a0 At the Hotel Lucerna patients of Stella Maris get a substantial discount.\u00a0 I believe that the price worked out to about $75 per night American.\u00a0 If you choose you never have to leave the hotel other than to go to the clinic.\u00a0 168 rooms and suites, the hotel is built on 4 sides around a courtyard with a double pool in the centre.\u00a0 A small concrete bridge arches over the pool, which is lit at night.\u00a0 You can look over your balcony and watch the water rippling back and forth.\u00a0 Off to the side and between two of the restaurants is another pool with an ancient looking arch or bricks that appears to be part of a ruin.\u00a0 Cascading over this arch is a waterfall, also lit up at night.\u00a0 They have 3 restaurants where you\u00a0can dine in, eat al fresco at the gorgeous patio cafe, surrounded by palms and meticulously trimmed gardens,\u00a0order pool-side or have room service.\u00a0\u00a0As Lennie was\u00a0in such bad shape when we arrived, we ordered room service a lot.\u00a0 The prices were maybe a dollar higher than on the restaurant menu.\u00a0 The food was a real bargain.\u00a0 It was not expensive and the portions were large.\u00a0 My only problem was that in Mexican cooking there is a lot of meat dishes with an abundance of cheese used.\u00a0 What we did discover was Panela- a soft fresh Mexican cheese which does not melt when heated.\u00a0 Guacamole and those wonderful small limes are everywhere.\u00a0 There were two other hotels close by, but did not have a pool as it is not often warm enough here to take advantage of it and were extremely large, very modern with marble everywhere and looked like they were more conducive to conventions.\u00a0 I went through the Camino Real and the rooms were also lovely, decorated in the bright, hot colors of Mexico, but had no outside area.\u00a0 They did have an enormous lobby and a youngish corporate crowd.\u00a0 Trust me on this one.\u00a0 Stay at the Hotel Lucerna.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.hoteleslucerna.com\/tijuana\/welcome.php<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Looking outside the hotel from our room we realized that this section of Tijuana\u00a0sits in a bowl with the mountains on both sides which at night time was just beautiful; the flickering lights of the hillside\u00a0homes competing with the twinkling stars of the sky the seemed to meld together where the hilltops met the\u00a0sky.\u00a0 This is the safest area of Tijuana.\u00a0 We were never worried and towards the end of Len’s treatment frequently went out at night as we were getting guacamole overload.\u00a0 Across the street is one of the well-known seafood restaurants –\u00a0‘La Marina’ which offered the same menu in Spanish and English.\u00a0 If you choose to take your life in your hands and cross the round-a-bout there is the most beautiful Starbucks with a replica of an old fountain and and courtyard for sipping your expensive coffees.\u00a0 Two blocks from the hotel was a bevy of restaurants\u00a0from around the world with a distinct Mexican flavor.\u00a0 Imagine sushi with Panela cheese mixed in.\u00a0 There were some chain restaurants such as TGIF Fridays that we never ate in and others such as the Brazilian Buffet that we wanted to go to, but just never made it.\u00a0 The\u00a0Japanese restaurant became one of our favorites with its nutritional value.\u00a0 Again, these restaurants were closer to half the price that you would pay here.<\/p>\n

Fernando and Paulo became our regular drivers\u00a0who would take us to an from the clinic each day courtesy of the hotel.\u00a0 It is important to note here that about 1\/3 of the population speak some English and they at least try.\u00a0 I took a Spanish phrase book with me which became invaluable.\u00a0 Len’s treatment would typically start at about 9:15 and he would be finished usually by about 1:00 P.M.\u00a0 I took a scrabble game with me and it was well used.\u00a0 We would set it up pool-side or on our King size bed and entertain ourselves for a couple of hours.\u00a0 Lennie discovered the Oprah show and would watch it every afternoon as most of the channels were in English\u00a0as are\u00a0the movies, both on TV and at the mall cinemas, but with Spanish sub-titles.\u00a0 If you needed anything or brought clothes that were not warm enough (this area of Mexico gets very cool in the evening and some\u00a0days also) you could get almost anything at the large mall complete with Sears,\u00a0across the street from Stella Maris.\u00a0 Banks and ATMs are everywhere, sometimes 3 on 1 block – there was a Scotiabank in the mall which only offered pesos (some machines give pesos or US dollars).\u00a0 There are always money exchange marts to be found.\u00a0 The only competition the banks have for room on the block is from the\u00a0‘Pharmacias’.\u00a0 Never have I seen so many pharmacies.\u00a0 More potent versions of pills, creams and lotions at a substantially lower price.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It seemed as if for $5 American you could get a taxi ride anywhere.\u00a0 That was always our price.\u00a0 Competition in the taxi cab industry is fierce.\u00a0 Walk 1 block and you will have at least 2 or 3 taxis pull up beside you offering their services.<\/p>\n

Visit Revolution Street at least once before you leave Tijuana.\u00a0 This is the tourist mecca.\u00a0 Donkeys painted like Zebras,\u00a0leather, souvenirs and jewellery made of silver, turquoise, fire and cherry opals.\u00a0 Again, buyer beware.\u00a0 Shop in the stores, not from the street vendors if you want sterling.\u00a0 This is also the street that the old Caesar hotel is on; famous for the invention of the Caesar Salad.\u00a0 The story goes… Caesar Cardini was the owner of the Caesar Hotel.\u00a0 The salad was created on July 4th 1924 – a very\u00a0busy weekend at\u00a0the hotel’s\u00a0restaurant. It is said that Caesar was short of supplies and didn’t want to disappoint the customers so he concocted this salad with what was on hand.\u00a0 To add a flair to this he prepared it at the table. The salad soon became a hit and people came to the restaurant just to get the salad. In particular the Hollywood\u00a0crowd loved Caesars, as did we.\u00a0 Of course we had the Caesar Salad.\u00a0 The Real crux of the Original Recipe for Caesar Salad is in using whole Romaine leaves, not cutting or tearing them and the technique of rolling the leaves around the dressing in the salad bowl instead of tossing of it.\u00a0 The salad leaves are still placed on the plate with the bottom ends facing out so that you can pick them up.\u00a0 Here is the recipe:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Serves 4)<\/p>\n

1 head of Romaine lettuce (separate leaves only, leaving them whole)<\/p>\n

1 \/2 cup olive oil<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
Caesar’s Salad<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

4 cloves garlic
\n12 drops Worcestershire
\nJuice from 2 lemons or limes or combination
\n2 eggs (boiled exactly\u00a01 minute)\u00a0
\nSalt
\nPepper<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese added at end.<\/p>\n

For Croutons:<\/p>\n

1 baguette (sliced thin)<\/p>\n

4 cloves garlic
\n1\/2 cup garlic oil<\/p>\n

Mash the garlic in 2 separate bowls.\u00a0 Mix them both withthe oils and brush both sides of the croutons with one of the mixtures and then fry them in a pan.\u00a0 Mix all the ingredients for the dressing together and then gently toss with the whole lettuce leaves.\u00a0 Arrange on a plate with the bottom tips at the outside.\u00a0 Arrange fried croutons on top and then add freshly grated Parmesan cheese.\u00a0 Bon Appetit!<\/p>\n

Okay so I got a little off topic.\u00a0 I also made myself so hungry that I actually went into the kitchen and made myself a Caesar Salad – not exactly like this one, but still good.<\/p>\n

It is desperately frightening to be diagnosed with cancer – I myself had a rare form of lymph cancer (Micosis Fungoides) 10 years ago.\u00a0 Being in these lovely surroundings and at a clinic where we knew,\u00a0we KNEW <\/em>Lennie was being cured made our journey easier to bear.\u00a0 If you are planning on going and want more information about the treatments either log on to the link for Stella Maris in this post or look back for the treatments I listed in a previous post.\u00a0 If I can help at all with any additional information my number is 905-528-4197.<\/p>\n

I hope for you the wisdom to be led in the right direction\"\"<\/a> for you.<\/p>\n

Carpe diem,<\/em><\/p>\n

Kathryn<\/em><\/p>\n

www.kathrynsmith.ca<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I got back to my apartment not only did Chaucer and Catya greet me, but there on my desk was a stack of mail about 7 inches high.\u00a0 There were of course the bills that had not gotten paid on line and the donation requests that accompany this time of the year.\u00a0 There were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","category-lennie-and-kathryn"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=347"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":363,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347\/revisions\/363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamiltonartist.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}