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TREATMENT IN GERMANY We really didn't discover Germany as a center for cancer treatment until we received the report from Dr. Ralph Moss. He pointed out that many of the treatments currently practiced in Mexican clinics were actually originated in Germany. Further, Germany has a long tradition of these clinics, so they are priced for everyday German use, which is much less than the American-targeted pricing of Mexico. Nor does Mexico have a long established tradition of this kind of holistic treatment. The more we thought about Germany the more sense it made to us. Ruth is of German extraction. When we went to Bad Krueznach several times (on Hildegard of Bingen pilgrimages) Ruth felt like she had reconnected to her roots. Consider, too, the difference in the whole setting. In Mexico it is a rambunctious, third-world sort of atmosphere, whereas in Germany we picture a sedate and orderly kind of setting. We haven't done research on the Internet for German centers in general. We simply looked at the several that Dr. Moss recommended. One, St-Georg, is oriented towards Americans. Located in very spacious and beautiful surroundings, it is no surprise that the price there is an exception to the affordability rule, and is more like the clinics in Mexico. It is excellent, just expensive. Several others were interesting to consider, including one that is actually in Denmark. Some combine traditional treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy, with a strong holistic protocol so as to ameliorate some of the disadvantages and side affects. One clinic, located in Bad Mergentheim, seemed to be the most applicable to our situation. The doctor there, Wolfgang Woeppel, frequently lectures at international cancer conferences regarding the results obtained with his protocols. So I wrote two emails to him, introducing our situation and asking some questions. (Note: Dr. Woeppel passed away in 2007, but as far as we know, the clinic continues to operate as usual.) He made an interesting statement about chemotherapy. He said that its purpose is to help the patient live longer, yet any oncologist can tell you that it really doesn't stop the spread of cancer. Of course, that's its whole intended purpose, once the cancer has spread in the body. Dr. Moss likes Dr. Woeppel's place, his only criticism being that it isn't as aggressive in its treatments as some clinics are. Indeed, in Mexico, you spend the whole day going from one treatment to the next. In Germany you have several hours free in the afternoon so as to take a walk , plus there is only one treatment on Saturday morning and then nothing until Monday, so one can relax or be a tourist over the weekends. Heidelberg is not far away, and has always seemed like an interesting place to visit. Ruth went to Germany in March of 2001 and stayed for three weeks. First, in a rather hectic manner, she had to have all of her amalgam (mercury) fillings removed. Hufeland wouldn't treat her cancer while there is still mercury poisoning present. It could even be a contributing factor. The bill for her entire stay, including all treatments and room and board, was $6,200. Our health insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield) refused to pay any of it, calling it "experimental" and not approved by the FDA. Hogwash. Why are insurance companies in cahoots with the horrifically expensive treatments in this country? They should be chartering planes and sending all of their patients to Canada or Germany, at a fraction of the cost and healthier treatment. Here are some links to Ruth's experience in Germany. This is being updated in early 2008. I'm not sure what changes may have been made at Hufeland. As we have said elsewhere, we recommend anyone looking into cancer treatment should engage the services of Ralph Moss, at www.cancerdecisions.com. He is the most knowledgable source, with no agendy or product to push. The website (rather slow in opening) for Hufeland Clinik is: www.hufeland-klinik.de .
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