To whom it may concern:

Regarding my experience in using the Medical Research Services of the Life-extension Program.

Beginning in early 1992, my mother, Teresa Bernie, became increasingly ill, experiencing progressive fatigue. In March, she was admitted to the emergency ward after fainting. A blood analysis showed that her red blood cell count was very low, and she was hospitalized for a transfusion and further evaluation, including a bone marrow biopsy. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed as having multiple myeloma, a cancer involving the bone marrow. A friend told me about the Medical Research Services, and I immediately ordered one. My experience in using this information to get proper medical treatment for my mother's cancer may help others in using the report in their own situation.

We were told by the treating oncologist that my mother was in Stage IV, multiple myeloma, that it was urgent that she receive radiation and chemotherapy, and that she would have about 2 years to live in a relatively diminished quality of life. Because my mother has the belief that the body heals itself, she was reluctant about the recommended treatment; and my brother and I had some time to read the report thoroughly. The first thing which we noticed in the PDQ section of the report was that multiple myeloma has only three stages and that there is no Stage IV. The most advanced state, Stage III, in which the most aggressive therapy is indicated, is characterized by a low red blood cell count, high serum calcium, and high protein. Again, my mother only had a low red cell count. Further in the Medline section of the report, I noticed a case in Japan in which a man who had the same profile and was treated successfully with alpha interferon and interleukin 6 only and without any chemotherapy or radiation.

I presented this information to the oncologist who, after considerable resistance, finally said: "Look, Kevin, I treat 25 different kinds of cancer, and I am unable to keep up with all the different stagings and new drugs." (This was a top oncologist, at a good hospital, in a high income section of California.) Further, using the information in the report, I discovered that high protein diets are improper for this type of cancer and that the hospital dietitian had my mother on a high protein diet. Thus, her kidneys were being unnecessarily stressed. I was also told, in confidence, that the reason alpha interferon and interleukin were not routinely used was because they are expensive; and radiation and chemotherapy are much more "cost effective". After considerable tussle over the approach to therapy, I finally had to place it on this premise. I wanted state-of-the-art therapy for my mother; I did not want her to be unnecessarily damaged by radiation and chemotherapy; and I am an attorney and will litigate if she is improperly treated. By this time, my mother had rebounded and was released without any therapy. Subsequently, she has been monitored routinely; and on only two occasions has she received low doses of chemotherapy, which did not have any side-effects. She has never received any radiation therapy. To this date, she has remained healthy and fully functional, traveling to Europe and enjoying her grandchildren.

I sincerely believe that, if I had followed the initial advice of the oncologist, my mother would have suffered greatly in the treatment which was originally proposed and would probably have die by now. If I had not had the Medical Research Services, I would not have understood the variables and alternatives and would not have been in a position to "fight" for the most appropriate therapy in my mother's individual case.

I honestly feel that modern medicine is increasingly treating "by-the-book", which is fine for many types of problems. But in cancer, there are so many individual variables and there seems to be an absence of patience, time, and interest to work with all of them. This is where each individual must assume some measure of responsibility and a willingness to be properly informed and then question authority, if warranted. It is very difficult, but it can be done; and the process is rewarding in itself.

These are just my personal experience and opinions. Hopefully, they may be of some use or insight to people who are dealing with this difficult problem.

Sincerely,

Kevin Bernie, Esq.