natural girls
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Read, learn and INFORM YOURSELF.... as many have said, knowledge is power. It may be a crap shoot as far as who gets this bloody BC, but it's certainly not a crap shoot when it comes to staying healthy afterwards ! As far as a"Eating for your blood type", I'm returning the book to my friend. It seems too one sided....
Susie, Sorry to hear your Rad's Dr. let you down. It's totally disheartening to have someone you trust be so blatant or arrogant when answering your concerns. I've been there, done that as they say. Most of us on this thread have. I guess that's why we're here.....
Terri
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"stay off the internet"...i'm new to this and that's what my onco said too, he thinks it's making me "hysterical" and that i should "not worry about it" and just listen to him because he's been doing this for 32 years. he never answers any of my questions really, everything i've learned i've either learned through research on my own or from here! defintely don't stay off the internet! i'm off to see a naturopathic oncologist next week - i think having a healthy body makes a huge difference in this. nutrition is so important, especially on a cellular level. i'm hoping i see my regular oncologist as little as possible over the next 12 weeks & basically just see him if i need to before treatment. i'm doing cmf or the so called "light" chemo & going to change once i get to the tamox part, i want a woman onco. i can't deal with 5 yrs of "don't worry about it'.
he actually said to me once that lifestyle changes & changes in diet "wouldn't make that much of a difference". ???? i am so glad i found this placde!
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JS
The next time he pulls the " Ive been doing this for 32 years " card, ask him when was the last time he went to any type of continuing education and what was it.
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no kidding! i think what it comes down to is he's a chemo doc tried and true - the more aggressive the chemo, the denser the dose, the more he gives you, the better. everything else is just fluff in his mind.
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Wouldn't be great to find a BC survivor who is an ONC? I believe you have to live this experience to really understand it
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I wonder if they teach that in oncology 101: "Tell your patients to not read or go online". They sent me home with all kinds of legal mumbo jumbo and worst case scenerios, but every time I would try to get a straight answer, all I got was "trust us". Don't get me wrong. I really really liked my doctors. I do believe that I had a wonderful group of women doctors who honestly cared. But unless they have actually had cancer, they have no idea what it is like. And I just hated all their negative crap that there is no cure and all. I only saw my onc twice. I was so depressed going there, and I was feeling so good because I was doing so well with my diet and exercise routine, that I just did not want to go near that place. When I begged my PC to "monitor" me so I would not have to go back, she balked. She said she did not feel comfortable giving me exams. So I picked up and started doctor shopping until I found DC's who helped me to get healthy. I did not want to be "monitored" for cancer. I wanted advice on what I could do to prevent it from coming back! Since they had no answers, I finally came to the internet and found the likes of FLLady and a few others here who were always fighting for the right to speak about alternatives. Something in what they were saying made a lot of sense. Even though most of them moved on, or were driven off, or lost their battle like dear Deb, they put me on the path to true wellness for the first time in my life. I am so glad our forum has survived, though we have to stay here in our little corner. If we venture out, we get attacked as seaotter just found out. But we are all in this together. I really believe we are the pioneers who eventually will grow to so many that we cannot be ignored and our success will be proof that lifestlye choices has a huge impact on cancer recurrance. I just keep thinking that it took 20 years for US doctors to finally accept that in many cases, lumpectomy, could replace routine mastectomies. French women had been demanding the less drastic procedure for many years before doctors would do it here. It takes forever for them to change protocols. I sure hope we will be the winds of change. I sure hope that the prevention convention and my new website will be the beginning of a movement to stop putting all the money into cancer research, and start putting it into teaching prevention. And I hope that all the money is not just put towards breast cancer. Those with other cancers, are much more alone than we are, and have a lot less empathy that we get. When I went through rads, one of the women in there with me with uterine cancer was going through hell. Imagine getting your insides fried. I still cry when I think of her pain, because I had none. She could not even walk. When I asked her if she was able to sit in a bath for some relief, she said no. She said that she thought that all the stuff she use to put in her bathwater probably caused her cancer. That really got me thinking. I only use epsom salts nowadays. No perfumes or bubbles.
Sorry about the ramble. Guess you can see that this topic still gets my dander up. And it has been 2 years since I finished rads.
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i think it's all about balance. i believe that pumping our bodies full of the maximum amount of chemicals is actually a detriment, as i said to my onco - i want to put the minimum amount of chems in my body. i don't think more is better. i think there are many things we can do, in addition to chemo if that's what we choose, that can be effective in keeping us healthy and recurrence free. i really look at chemo as something they do after the fact - it's used after something has gone wrong on a cellular level. so shouldn't we be doing healthy things - through nutrition and herbals and diet and exercise - that will keep our little cells happy & healthy and strong and not want to mutate to something bad? and if a few do, don't we want a strong immune system fueld by the things i mentioned that will recognize & kill those mutant cells as our immune system was meant to do? i don't want to live my life afraid of every single little thing, but neither do i want to be oblivious to what a life of unnatural foods & constant chem exposure does to our bodies. that's why i'm so looking forward to working with a naturopath oncologist, and i'm very lucky in that my pcp is very open to seeing me regularly and watching things that my onco is dismissing as nothing to worry about. his attitude is that if something happens, we just pump another drug into you. i'm almost to the point of calling him my chemical pusher. ;p
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I guess what I mean by the crapshoot comment is this: There are very specific reasons that certain people develop cancer. Now, we may not currently KNOW all the specific reasons, nor do they (obviously) line up with the currently accepted list of risk factors. But IMO, that just means we don't KNOW what tiny variable exists in one person who gets cancer but not in another person who doesn't, when they may otherwise seem to have the same risk factors.
In my mind, there's a big difference between "completely random and unknowable" and "something that the current collective set of knowledge hasn't identified yet."
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Vivre, Standing Ovation for what you posted here!! Amen to all of that!!!
I wonder if they teach that in oncology 101: "Tell your patients to not read or go online". They sent me home with all kinds of legal mumbo jumbo and worst case scenerios, but every time I would try to get a straight answer, all I got was "trust us". Don't get me wrong. I really really liked my doctors. I do believe that I had a wonderful group of women doctors who honestly cared. But unless they have actually had cancer, they have no idea what it is like. And I just hated all their negative crap that there is no cure and all. I only saw my onc twice. I was so depressed going there, and I was feeling so good because I was doing so well with my diet and exercise routine, that I just did not want to go near that place. When I begged my PC to "monitor" me so I would not have to go back, she balked. She said she did not feel comfortable giving me exams. So I picked up and started doctor shopping until I found DC's who helped me to get healthy. I did not want to be "monitored" for cancer. I wanted advice on what I could do to prevent it from coming back!
The whole "monitoring" thing really is creepy now that you mention it. Basically, they're saying, "There's nothing whatsoever we can possibly do other than watch you like a hawk and 'WHEN' the cancer come back, we'll zap it with more drugs and poison and cutting and burning." What a pathetically passive way to deal with it. I love that we all are focused on PROACTIVELY preventing a recurrence, not waiting around for it to happen!!
js37, I totally agree with everything you wrote too!
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Hi Natural Girls. I haven't been here for quite some time.
I am taking Tamoxifen. I finished chemo 11 months ago. About 1 month ago, my hair started falling out again. My scalp is showing again, my leg hair is gone, under arm hair and pubic hair is going fast. Even my nose hair is getting sparse enough that I have a runny nose all the time. I've been taking Bioten since chemo and use Nioxen shampoo as well as Yerba Negrita shampoo. My PCP did blood work looking for metabolic reasons for the hair loss. None found. She's sending me to a dermatologist.
My question is, have any of you heard of or used Beta Sitosterone? A nurse told me about it. It's a food based supplement found in avocados and such. She said it blocks the androgens produced by testosterone that cause hair loss. By the way, my onc told me the hair loss was not caused by Tamox and to go see my PCP.
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Ferni
Do you think you need more protein? Also there is a product called Biosil that is supposed to help with healthy hair. Maybe it would be worth a try.
I would like to know about Beta Sitoserone when you learn more.
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Hi gals. My father-in-law passed away today. He had fallen a couple of days after Christmas and fractured his back. He was in intensive care then moved to hospice. Gee-sh, these old people fall and get a fracture and thats the end. I guess I just don't understand! It has just been really sad here.
Have you gals checked out the IP-6 cancer treatment thread. It is very interesting and sounds like it is good for hair also!!!
Firni - It has been awhile since I read the side effects of tamox but I thought one was thinning hair. Your onc could be wrong.
Patty
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Hi, Patty:
I am sorry to hear about the passing of your father-in-law. May he rest in peace. I know the next few days are going to be hard on you and your family, and I cannot believe it, either, every time I hear about a senior who fell and then died as a result of that fall.
I guess life is really, really fragile, whether one has a potential life-threatening condition or not.....
Also: I thought, like you, that one of the side-effects of Tamoxifen was hair thinning/loss......
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Oh, Patty, I'm so sorry... Your entire family will be in my prayers ~ Deanna
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Oh gosh Patty... I'm SO sorry!! (((hugs))) BTW - do you happen to know if he was on morphine while in hospice? I have lost several elderly relatives over the years to accidents/minor illnesses that should not have killed them. My theory is that there is an "accidental-on-purpose" overdose of morphine. I hope I'm wrong, but it all seems part of "standard of care" when a patient is over a certain age. Anyway... I pray you and your husband and family are able to grieve and begin to heal during this difficult time.
Hi, Firni - I know that a major cause of female hair loss has to do with hormones being off kilter. Both a lack of sufficient estrogen, and estrogen dominance, can cause it. That would make sense since you're on Tamoxifen. (I'm sure you have a great oncologist but they are NOT hormone experts and can be wrong.)
Would you consider tapering off of Tamoxifen and moving toward a more natural means of hormone balance? If you do, consider seeing an MD and/or naturopath who specializes in hormones (regular doctors are clueless about what all to test and look for re: the complexity of hormone balance). Getting your hormones back into balance is SO good for not just hair growth and cancer prevention, but a whole lot more.
BTW - I had started getting really "thin up top" after my second or third miscarriage. By my fourth, I was afraid I was going to have to start wearing a wig! (This was before my cancer diagnosis.) I know my hormones were way off kilter because of so many pregnancies/miscarriages back to back. Well, now that I'm doing an anti-cancer diet and lifestyle, I can tell my hormones are getting back into balance... and one of the ways I can tell is that my hair is growing back thick and full. It's amazing.
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Julia: Are you saying that they purposely overdose elderly people??????????
Terri
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Julia - He was on morphine at first but changed it quickly. He had a ton of other health issues so it really wasn't a big surprise that he just could not bounce back after the fall.
Julia - When my dad was dying of cancer and in a coma the doctors told us to continue with the morphine and use as much as we wanted. We took care of him at home. So yep, I think it is done all the time for the terminally ill.
Gosh, I'm such a downer today. So sorry girls. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them all.
Love to all, Patty
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Aw, I'm sorry he had so many health issues... it's hard to lose a dear family member no matter what the situation.
Terri, there are at least 6 specific situations I can think of in my own and my husband's families that were very suspicious, but I hadn't ever looked into it as a possible phenomenon generally before... but if you Google "intentional morphine overdose in hospitals," some horrible stories come up. I'm sure it's one of those things that's never talked about or publicized. Hopefully it's only done in very end-stage terminal cases when the patient has a DNR order. (Just to be clear, I do NOT believe in doing this... I'm anti-euthanasia in all cases... although I think there's a big difference between allowing nature to take its course, vs. overdosing someone intentionally.)
Patty, you're not being a downer, and even if you were, I would say you're entitled!! xoxo
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First of all Patty, let me give you my condolences, I'm very sorry for your loss. I've lost many family members throughout my life and it's never and easy thing to go through. Sincere regrets to you and your family.
Julia: I'm sorry, I guess I was just taken aback by your initial comment. I suppose in the case of the terminally ill, hospitals may be more"relaxed" with their dosing in order to make the patient as comfortable as possible. I certainly believe that all should be done to make this happen. One should go out with dignity and not writhing in pain....
Terri
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Hi Ladies, I am knew to this group but I am hoping to get some information on my concerns. I have been though the surgeries, chemo, radiation, have the BRAC1 gene, both ovaries removed and now I am on Arimidex to block estrogen. I am very concerned about being on this and was hoping to find a natural way to go. Any suggestions?
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So sorry about your loss Sea Otter. <<<Hugs>>>>
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CrunchyPoodleMama wrote:
But IMO, that just means we don't KNOW what tiny variable exists in one person who gets cancer but not in another person who doesn't, when they may otherwise seem to have the same risk factors. In my mind, there's a big difference between "completely random and unknowable" and "something that the current collective set of knowledge hasn't identified yet."
**********
Aye.
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Patty-
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Beth
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Dear Patty,
I'm so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Your family has had enough! I will join the others in sending blessings to your family. We are with you.
xox Anom
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Patty, sorry to hear about your father in law. Death at any age for any reason can be difficult.
Yes, morphine can be used as much as needed for comfort for people in hospice. It is still against the law to over dose them to death tho.
Julia, I do take a bunch of supplements and I take DIM which complements Tamox. I do not have the self discipline or finances to do a more healthy diet and exercise more. I'm hoping the DIM and beta sitosterol might be a good combination for hair re-growth and hormone balance and estrogen blockage. I have to do some more research tho and I want to wait until I see the dermatologist before I do anything. I have the feeling he'll tell me there is no physical reason for my new hair loss.
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Hugs to you seaotter.
Welcome meandmypet. It is pretty hard to answer such an open ended question. We invite you to read this thread, and then see if we can help you with specifics. The best advice I can give is just read as much as you can about getting healthy and go with it.
Merrilee-how are you feeling?
You guys may have seen the thread about the effects of two people who were over radiated. Here is a very profound video link to this story:
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Hello everyone. I've been off the boards for quite a while, but wanted to re-visit this one, as I'm one of the Tamox Rebels who said Enough With The Chemicals after chemo. I'm taking 400 mg indole-3 carbinol, 1000 mg milk thistle, 2000 i.u. vit. D3, a multi, and flaxseed sprinkled on whatever it works with. (For the record.)
Finished 6xTC in 9/08...oddly still have sparse eyelashes and eyebrows. A minor issue, of course, but kind of interesting that it still persists after all this time. I'm just helping Revlon a little more than I used to.
I'm still mystified as to why some people are so hostile and threatened by people who choose the natural route. I'm a vegetarian, and I've also gotten this response about that...like it just mightily pisses off the steak-eaters that I choose not to join them. They oughta be glad--more for them!
This is an awesome thread--I unfortunately have dial-up and it takes forever to read all the posts, but the spirit of everyone here is right on. God gave us what we need to be healthy, even though humans have created things that screw with the works....we can still go back to what's good and try our best to avoid the bad.
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catlover-welcome to our little corner of the world, where we have to stand up for ourselves because no one else does. I think some people just need to feel vindicated that they chose the right route by judging anyone who follows a diffferent path. I will never understand this way of thinking. We need to continue to speak out, even if we have to feel defensive at times, and let others find their own way, even if some of them come back in our direction as you did after trying the regular protocol, just as many of us here have. I think our mindset has a lot to do with whether or not we are successful. I just never felt taking a drug was for me, and I had so much anxiety about radiation. I literally got sick to my stomach and overcome with anger whenever I took that little arimidex pill. It made me feel so weird. I only made it a few days. I nevr felt so much relief as the day I tossed them and I have not looked back. Going this route has been such a relief. There is definitely a placebo effect to anything we do. We just all have to do what we each believe in our hearts is the right thing for us personally. There is no one size fits all, so why does the medical establishment try to convince that only they have the all the answers?
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Firni, I can understand that. Just keep in mind it doesn't cost much (if anything) to cut out poisons (most processed food) and eat more whole produce and walk outside for a few minutes each day. Whatever it costs in time, the benefits are tenfold.
I have to do some more research tho and I want to wait until I see the dermatologist before I do anything. I have the feeling he'll tell me there is no physical reason for my new hair loss.
Probably so... I just have to say, please don't let the dermatologist talk you into some synethetic chemical "treatment." As cancer survivors we have to protect ourselves from any drugs that are not absolutely necessary. I sincerely believe FDA-approved chemicals are what got a lot of us into this situation. I shudder to think that when I was going through hair loss, I actually considered trying that Rogaine for women. Scary!!
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I think you all might like this link-the theory of cancer:
http://www.new-cancer-treatments.org/Theory/CancerTheory.html
It might especially be helpful for those of you struggling with decisions on what to do, because it explains everything in a very concise way. I hope you will check it out, and it helps in some way.
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