I Did It...No Further Conventional Treatment
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Well said, GlobalGirl!!!! xo
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I agree, it must be a lonely road. You seem content with your decision.
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I just have to say that all of this stuff scares the hell out of me!! I admire the courage and ability of anyone who can step out of the box and put their faith in alternative treatment-Good luck to all of you who have chosen that path! I don't have the guts to do it. I wish I did. I don't have faith that chemo is the way to go either. I no longer trust mammograms to do the job,so that is one test that I will not waste my time with ever again. I feel like I am hanging on by a thread and if it breaks, that means all of this has been for naught.
You gals taking the road less travelled,as global puts it, I consider to be Pioneers. I wish you success and safe travels in your journey and I am one who will be applauding you--Godspeed
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I refused tamox and my onc still followed me for 8 years. He did ca27-29 and a breast exam as well as the usual stuff like feeling around the liver, listening to lungs etc. He said his job is to tell me the risks and benefits and make recommendations and to respect my decisions.
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Sarajeneeva...Thanks so very much for the wonderfully sweet words of support! Just an FYI...You CAN combine alternatives with conventional...you can do, for example, Dr. Wong's therapy with chemo...he has great success with that combo! Does not have to be all or nothing.
HLB...Your onc sounds wonderful! i am on the hunt for a new one and I know you're close by to me...do you mind sharing her info?
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Sarajeneeva...I just saw your detailed signature...I am so sorry to see you have mets! Where are your mets at, if you don't mind me asking? I am also surprised they only did a lumpectomy on a 6cm ILC tumor?
Also, check out the ILC warriors thread on the ILC catagory here...great support and info from the ladies there! ILC can be quite different than the rest of BC
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I am ("dieing") to call the first MO I visited at a respected CA center who told me I'd be dead without the ACT tx. Its been 2 years and I am NED. Something is working.
Its not the 500$ fee she charged the ins co or the additional 500$ fee the CA center charged for the priviledge of me walking through the very 'special' doors, or for the info telling me I was choosing death. I never paid the copay and won't. No wonder medicare is going broke.
Saint Barnabas Health care systems.........greedy fucks.
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joellelee - Thanks, mama!
Mardibra - I am, thank you.
sarajaneevans - Thank you for supporting us alternative girls. I agree with joellelee. You can combine alternative and conventional - successfully. I know of people who have taken supplements during chemo and rads. I know that many oncologists frown on that, but it seemed to have helped them. Plus, many on chemo have used cannabis to help with their nausea. And even though I'm going alternative from here, I did have the lumpectomy, which is conventional.
Luckies and great health to everyone!
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Global, congrats on your conventional-free path. I too decided no chemo and no tamox. When I asked my onco if she would continue to follow me if I chose the alternative road, she broke out into hives and said, "I wouldn't be happy but..." I didn't hear the rest of her response as I sensed she didn't have the training to support me in my decision. I was also a bit concerned about all the radiation from any future scans to check for mets. So my only medical support comes from my naturopath.
The decision to go alternative was probably the easiest of all the decisions I've made over the last 7 months! It was made even easier when I did the math...my onco said there was a 30-40% chance of mets and that the chemo would reduce this possibility by 30-50% so that's a 10-20% possibility the chemo/tamox would do something besides poison me! Not great odds. In addition, 7 months ago my mother's bc returned as bone cancer even though she had done radiation, chemo and herceptin 5 years earlier. She's in chemo hell again--became anemic and had to stop the taxotere.
I realize my decision was made easier by the fact none of my nodes were positive. I'm not sure if I would have made the same choice. I'd like to think that I would have.
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ValiAm - I like the "I wouldn't be happy, but..."
I'm surprised my oncologist agreed to keep seeing me. I thought that was really nice of him. I see him in 2 months.What your mom is going through is why I don't want to do anymore conventional treatment. I am hearing of these stories more often. The women go through the conventional treatment and then years later, it comes back with a vengeance. It happened to a high school classmate of mine. She had the chemo, rads, etc. and then 5 years later, she had brain mets. She passed away a few years back at 38 years old.
Whatever people choose - conventional or alternative - I really hope it works. This disease is awful.
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joellelee: thanks for the post and I don't mind at all. but I am not much help.This is where my confusion lies. My final path reads Positive for metastatic carcinoma,BUT I don't know whre that is. I had a pet scan that says negative for new tumors, so I am confused about this. I hope to have my oncologist explain it to me when I see him next. I don't normally see him when I go for my treatments.
A mastectomy was never mentioned to me by my surgeon. I decided after the second lumpectomy if it came back still needing wider margins I would just tell him I wanted a mastectomy b/c I don't want to be sliced up piece by piece.
I wonder if once the 'conventional treatment' is completed if you can then go to alternative to help keep the monster out??
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GlogalGirly- thanks for the post- I have the utmost respect for each and every one of you here fighting this thing. I have respect for all and the choices we each make regarding the treatment we choose. I don't think anyone needs to be condemned or criticized for the choices they make. This thing is hard enough with out that. I cannot say what works and what does not..all I can do is pray for all of us that the choice we make is the best one. Such a crap shoot- I did ask my onc about four supplements recommended here on this site.. he tossed two out and let me keep two...he said the other two would conflict with the chemo... it's a very scary road we are all travelling..
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GlobalGirlyGirl,
I just wanted to say congrats on making your decision! Being stage 4, I can tell you I feel like I made a lot of mistakes in this journey. I did the best I could at the time but I know so much more now. And I personally know 2 people where I live that said no to treatment (one for cervical cancer and the other for colon/rectal cancer) and they are both cancer free. I do think it is about changing not only our bodes but our minds. Baggage, trauma, etc...it takes a hit on our bodies and immune systems. Anyway, I just wanted to say congrats and continue to surround yourself with POSITIVE PEOPLE and inspiring stories of healing from cancer because it can be done.
Also, I would like to mention that when I first got on these boards I asked about Dr. Burnzyski or whatever his name is in Texas on the ALTERNATIVE forum. Mardibra posted some typical comment that you see here. Not a believer in alternative but seems to visit these boards all the time. Funny to see that Mardibra is still surfing the alternative boards and still nasty. Too bad this forum isn't like FB where you can "block" the person.0 -
Hi,
I just got my final results and treatment recommendations today. After weeks of research, and visits with two holistic practitioners, and even a tooth consultation, I am leaning towards alternative from here on out instead of radiation (probably)and Tamoxifin (even more probably).
However, it's not easy dealing with the docs, and family and friends (half, the other half are the other way, so I can't win here either way I go!). How do you all deal with the doctor and family piece of not doing all or some of the standard/conventional treatments? Any advice or thoughts?
Not easy! Thanks! Shira0 -
That was the hardest part for me...My parents/sister were vehemently against anything alternative and it turned into arguments which led to more stress for me, which is unneeded. Fortunately, I have a very supportive husband and his family as well. I agreed to surgery and that seemed to calm my parents' fears. But, here on out, I am alternative. Keep prayers going up and find the peace in yourself to follow your own path....xxoo
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gary recently spoke about joseph thissells (SP?) in germany? switzerland? says he got the most cures to date for terminal cancer: 20% as I recall. gary seemed to think the main factor was strenuous exercise in clean air0 -
I'm not sure if we can say "I've done it" but I want to start alternative treatment having given up tamoxifen a few weeks ago.
I am buying organic meat and vegetables (I don't eat much meat - it's eaten by my partner, Dave). I am thinking of going on a diet similar to "The Budwig Protocol" or a diet consisting of raw foods (and juices) that the website www.chrisbeatcancer.com talks about.
I have an appointment with the hospital breast cancer specialist coming up in the next few weeks (awaiting a date) to discuss my going off tamoxifen. I'm going to ask for a referral to a naturopath who specialises in oncology. If there is such a specialist here in the UK or Europe.
If anyone on this thread is on a special diet I would really appreciate suggestions. Please PM me if you would prefer to remain anonymous.
Thanks for this thread Global Girly Girl.0 -
Hello ladies. I am 38yrs old with IDC right breast, between stage 2 and 3. (unknown until surgery) ER+/PR+/HER-). I was wondering if anyone can relate to my situation. Unfortunately, I have already done 8 rounds of chemo (AC/C,Taxol). Barely any shrinkage. I am having double mast. on Nov. 18th. I really do not want to do radiation. The doctor said she will not know for sure if I need it until surgery. Furthermore, I definitely do not want to be on Tamoxifine for 5-10yrs. Has anyone stopped conventional treatment after surgery? Did you start the Gerson Therapy or other naturopathic therapy right after surgery? Did you refuse radiation and/or Tamoxifine? Finally and most important.....are you healthy now? I really could use some help on this. I am in the process of gathering all my needs to start the Gerson therapy.
Thanks for reading! Please PM me!!0 -
Hi Budrfligal,
The only positive thing I've done since getting cancer is lose 45 lbs. I haven't changed my eating habits all that much ... still drink coffee and love my chocolate.
However, I did stop taking Tamoxifen after six weeks. I was also on Arimidex for one week only.
That was 6 1/2 years ago. I was Stage I, Grade 2, HR2 2, and my tumor was small. I had a lumpectomy and radiation, but no treatment since then. It was a very difficult decision for me to quit taking the anti-hormonals as my cancer was 100% estrogen positive. I just could not live with the side effects of these medication.
I wish you all the best.
Bren0 -
Welcome Shira, lifelover, and budrfligal! Rollercoaster of a month having to do with my alternative treatment plan. I read Dr. Block's book Life Over Cancer which is integrative therapy. I went completely vegan, gluten free, very little sugar (only in fruit) after that, which didn't turn out well for me. 18 days of hell. I ended up taking this test suggested to me:
http://products.mercola.com/nutritional-typing/
I came out a "mixed" type, so I added organic meat back into my regimen. I still don't eat dairy. I am still gluten free and eating very little sugar (apples and berries). This has worked out so much better for me. Everyone is different, and these plans aren't "one size fits all."
I still recommend Life Over Cancer because it tells you what you should be eating if you're doing chemo. Very helpful.
Shira - Family, doctors, random strangers make it really hard to be comfortable with your decision. I've always been a "my way" type, listening to my gut, so the only people who were surprised were the doctors and random strangers.
The thing is, now, I'm glad I had the surgery done - the lumpectomy part. I got rid of the tumor. I see it as the "ultimate" detox. The decision not to do chemo, rads, and Tamoxifen made sense to me. They call those treatments "adjuvant" for a reason. The primary weapon is surgery. Sometimes, for early stages of BC, surgery alone can be the "cure."
lifelover - I love Chris' site. The zesty Italian dressing recipe he used for his giant salad is so tasty. I still use it. Great decision about the organic veggies. Glad you will be talking to the BC specialist to help you with your decision.
budrfligal - I had the surgery, but I am going alternative now. It's a hard decision no doubt. The side effects of Tamoxifen weren't worth it for me. I wasn't willing to mess with my bipolar cocktail.
Whatever all of you decide - conventional, alternative, integrative, I'll support you! We all are doing the best we can. I don't want anyone to feel worse about their decisions because making them is so hard already! God bless all of you!
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Global, glad to hear you got your diet tweaked. I can see being extremely wary of tamox and AIs, if you are also dealing with bipolar.0 -
I got a pamphlet of Immuno-Augmentative Therapy (IAT) from a neighbor who's aunt has not only had cancer 33 years ago with tumors, but decided on this treatment back then and the tumor stopped growing, reversed itself and the cancer was stopped. The info is as old as breast cancer has been around and it is exactly what every doctor is against. I wonder why? Has anyone ever heard of this before?0 -
Wellaware, apparently you are not a cancer patient, judging by your other posts.0 -
yuck0 -
Abigail, that was my reaction too. Sort of like turning into a vampire
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yes. but as I recall, & I may remember incorrectly, now they make the (antineoplastons?) out of you re own blood which lessens the vampire effect some. however if you're a recovered intravenous drug user you've probably had much too much foreign blood proteins injected already0 -
Could be, but either way, there is no evidence that it works.0 -
Actually, antineoplastons are made from urine. Also, no evidence it works either.0 -
they don't work meaning they don't cure. but I wonder if they improve life length. It seems nothing cures, except that surgery will give a naturally long life if the surgeons are tallented and the surgery is done at a young age, say age 40 +/-.0 -
There is no evidence to support that they improve mortality at all.0
