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Alexander J.R. Wallach (1996-2007)   -   MAIN MENU (GlobalDocumentary.com)

Our 11-year old son and big brother Alexander Wallach passed away in September of 2007, following complications from a failed bone marrow transplant. The procedure was administered by the SCCA (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance & Fred Hutchinson’s Cancer Research Center), in conjunction with Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center, Seattle. Much remains to be said about our family's experiences in some of America's leading pediatric cancer clinics, where perplexing inadequacy often clashes with uncompromised devotion. The following is a summary of the history as it pertains to our case, leaving out much important detail, for later elaboration. I'll reflect on events leading up to the 3rd of December 2006, when, after several years of a break from the hospitals, we found ourselves in-flight from Portland, Oregon, to Memphis, Tennessee, en-route to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (where Alexander was treated for 4 months, prior to the fatal BMT, or Bone Marrow Transplant, in Seattle). Our journey through the world of ‘catastrophic childhood disease’ (the official medical term) began in January of 2001, when Alexander was first diagnosed with a brain tumor (an atypical ‘Ependymoma’) at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Initial treatments began at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital and eventually commenced successfully with a treatment called Blood Brain Barrier Disruption (BBBD), at Dr. Edward Neuwelt’s Neuro-Oncology Clinic (a faculty at Oregon Health & Science University – also on the OHSU campus in Portland). Thanks to Dr. Neuwelt's treatment, Alexander prevailed against a dire prognosis. Malignant cells succumbed to Neuwelt's cutting edge 'clinical trial' (a method for delivering small doses of chemo, directly targeting malignant growth in the brain, while minimizing collective damage to the rest organism). Alexander was the first child to undergo Blood Brain Barrier Disruption for this type of tumor and as a result, the cancer finally remised (never to recur). To be thorough, I must add here, that we are leaning to attribute part of this 'miracle' (if only in a nutritionally supportive sense) to a coordinated regimen (or ‘complementary treatment’) of naturopathic options, which we had begun prior to, then continued during BBBD and beyond the final round of the protocol, in the Spring of 2003. Alexander was 'stable', a cautious term doctors use, when a relapse still looms possible. He regained vibrant health for several precious years and was gradually considered 'cured'. Our family was ‘out of the woods’, or so we thought. A magical time of relative normalcy, which we are deeply grateful to have had with him. Nearly four years later and after months of doctors repeatedly marginalizing and misdiagnosing symptoms, fate delivered yet another blow. Alexander was diagnosed with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML), whereas, 'secondary' stands for the conclusion, that this category of blood cancer had been caused by the very drugs, administered to him in 2001 (before we learned about BBBD). While it was disclosed to us in the very beginning (upon the initial diagnosis in 2001) that a small percentage of patients will develop blood cancer (Leukemia), as a result of systemic chemo therapy (which is considered 'standard' in treating a wide variety of cancers), we had also been pressed to go that route. Alexander’s primary oncologist at that time (and most of his colleagues, whom we had consulted for professional opinion) insisted on their shared view, that the only chance to treat the original disease (if only at a slim possibility of success), were the ‘standard options’, which were to include an extremely harmful protocol of radiation therapy (as a follow-up to the chemo treatments). BBBD, which eventually turned out to be Alexander’s ‘cure’, had NOT been mentioned as an option. We learned about Dr. Neuwelt due to a family connection and subsequently researched his clicnic, methods and results. As BBBD clearly presented a better choice of treatment (to fight our type of cancer), we were able to  forego further systemic chemo (and the dreaded radiation follow-up as well). Had all options been made available to us from the beginning (including clinical trials, alternative/combined treatments, etc.), we would have been in a position to make comprehensive decisions from the start. Based on a complete body of information, we would likely have decided against the excessive toxins that had not only been ineffective, but also injured our son further, bringing on a new and different disease. The grotesque shortcomings of these ‘standard treatments’ continue to be calculated by medical practitioners, as mere risk factors (among their long list of other side effects). Again, according to all the doctors we worked with, Alexander had beaten staggering odds in 2003, only to fall into a relatively small statistic of victims, who develop a 'secondary cancer'. This new malignancy was caused by the  'medicine' which failed to remedy an entirely unrelated brain tumor (the original diagnosis in 2001)... Unthinkable. Those of us, who have seen our children expire from an illness (and in most cases due to the devastation from toxic treatments - our failed bone marrow transplant is going to be addressed at a later point), will never wake up from the nightmare. The memories continue to haunt us and we must help broaden a rather self-serving mindset, processing patients and their families like merchandise (as opposed to extending genuine care and all-integrative service to a ‘customer’, often distraught and with nothing to give back, due to circumstance). While physicians must find their way back to the credo “first do no harm”, we urge their staff to begin now. Rethink and reinvent an environment that’s more conducive to the healing process. This aspect of reform does not require additional funding and research. The basics for positive change are already in place -  but, this is where it must start, if we are ever to find a ‘cure’, ending this calamity for all. Those who take offense to our plea, have no business earning their living an environment, where people fear for the lives of their loved ones. As is the case with everything, a change of attitude will attain a change of heart (or vice versa). The promise (if not the proof) is "in the pudding". We have seen it in action - exercised by medical professionals, called to contribute beyond their personal needs (examples will be forthcoming in our film). The history of medicine has given us many role models, their spirit of service and subsequent contributions. Some of them have built remarkable hospitals to care for the sick, while simultaneously providing employment opportunities for physicians and caregivers alike. The visionaries weren’t necessarily medical doctors, architects, or influential figures. Their inspiration ranged from firsthand experience with loss, or illness, to religious devotion. Whatever it was that drove them, they acted upon a vision and its realization often exceeded their expectations. Pediatric oncologists and medical personnel are able to practice their chosen professions in a workplace, provided to them by these pioneers. They have a moral obligation to distinguish their efforts toward the definite purpose of healing the patient.  In the U.S. alone, cancer claims the lives of 3000 children annually and the number keeps growing (we are also seeking accurate data from other countries). In the United States, the loss of young lives exceeds the fatalities of September 11, 2001, recurring EVERY YEAR. How much relief (for afflicted families) and research (toward more effective treatments) were possible, if the government invested only a small fraction of our monthly 'war on terror' spending, into preemptive measures against the ‘terrorism of childhood cancer’? We urge public resolve against an atrocity that has played out in silence for too long. Let's begin, by learning more about the limitations of exclusive approaches to cancer treatment. Let's investigate both, the pharma-industry's monopoly on big-budget cancer research (which in turn determines the curriculum for universities that train our oncologists), as well as the 'mavericks', who lay claim to curative success, outside the box of medical convention. And let’s inquire as to how research funding and charitable contributions are currently applied and question a medical paradigm that has'nt changed much since my grandmother died of lung cancer in the 1960s. As we speak, more than 35,000 families in America are fighting for the lives of their kids, in hospitals throughout the nation. Society's attitude toward their plight (as reflected by mainstream media), translates to the quality of medical care they receive... Randomly selected from our midst, THEY represent a minority that supersedes race, creed, social status, etc. The indifference toward this minority symbolizes and reflects the depths of denial, that characterizes our era. A hundred years from now, our descendents will remember this, much as we remember the lunacies of the past. We can continue to evade the truth only in the knowledge that it could catch up with any of us. The misfortunes of others are everyone’s business. Yet, it is astounding to realize again and again, how divided we truly are and how vast the delusions, that distract us from building on the rock of reason and ultimately, for the benefit of all. However, the human experience has taught us many times over, that in the long term indeed, ‘we shall overcome’. ### The documentary: "A Living Legacy" (working title) Our original thoughts toward a potential film revolved around the hope to contribute an inspiring story about a child's healing journey. This was to be an integral part of a proactive approach toward my son's envisioned recovery from illness. In loving memory of Alexander we'll continue to develop his story for the screen. In doing so we want to address the medical industry's obligation to reform current methods of working with childhood cancer patients and their families. The film will illustrate the stark realities pertinent to exclusive treatment options, standards and results. We plan to produce the film as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit project, through the International Documentary Association (IDA) in Los Angeles. Additionally, we hope to inspire/design/sponsor an annual childhood illness awareness event, to serve children and their families in the midst of medical crises. This is to be an integral part of  The Living Library of AJRW (a medical research sanctuary and foundation, dedicated to Alexander and the 3000 children who perish silently,  each and every year - victims of the cancer epidemic). More will be added to this section in time. Please contact us for further information.  - Andreas Wallach

Photograph by Tricia Ilima Hamasaki (Alexander Wallach in Waikiki, Hawaii , Sept. 2005) Page Content © Andreas Wallach