My Decision

re: My Decision

gillian parsloe — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:15:30 GMT

I made the ssame decision as you three years ago. I would be interested in hearing what treatment you think is invaluabe. I have found all the supplements and alternatives extremely expensive

re: My Decision

Suzanne Cannings — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:59:50 GMT

I had breast cancer which had already spread to my lymph nodes under my right arm five years ago. It was the most intense experience in my life but though a very frightening time for anyone I could only recommend that what the doctors recommend whether it be surgery, chemo, radiotherapy or a combination of all three I cannot urge you enough to please take there advise and go for it, you have not got time to waste the sooner you do the sooner you start the recovery and you will stand a much better chance. I too remember hearing such information when I was young about 'opening you up and it spreading further' but they have so much information before they 'go in' to guide them now and that is just old fashioned scare mongering. The doctors work from their knowledge and statistics often keeping their own statistics individually by themselves and they DO know what works....and you WILL, and CAN get through it all. Even chemo is not what it used to be although so many still expect it to make them ill, my oncologist told me there is no need for anyone to feel nausea and if they do a good oncologist will deal with it and bring it under control....I worked all through my six months chemo only compromising with the hospital and work by having my 7th to 14th days off work because my immune system was low and to avoid catching anything else such as colds and flu while vulnerable. I had a lumpectomy, auxiliary clearance, chemo and then mastectomy and reconstruction followed by hysterectomy and I am well, fit and doing even more than I used to do. I had good support while allowing me to make my choices, at first there was an option to have a very extensive lumpectomy which would have left me more noticably disfigured or the full mastectomy with reconstruction. When I made my decision to go for the full mastectomy I remember a friends reaction was one of relief 'she said she was so glad that I had made that choice as she had hoped I would because her neighbour had just lost her 29 year old daughter who had opted for the lumpectomy 2 years earlier' I have a friend who had a full mastectomy at 29 also who 12 years on is still in very good health, she even had a 'boob' job on her remaining breast as age has caught up and she wanted to even things up with her implant and she got married again recently to a younger guy. She is in her early 40's now. I was diagnosed at 46 and didn't expect to see my 50th...I am 51 and healthy, working fulltime enjoying life. It is not the end of the world to lose a breast, it is life changing but worth your life! My aunt is in her 11th year since her breast cancer and remains disgustingly healthy. Please think again.........it will give you the best chance, I know it is fashionable to knock hospitals and sometimes doctors and our care but I could not have wished for better treatment by all during my illness and it was under the National Health.

re: My Decision

Michelle Dumelie — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:06:03 GMT

I fully agree with Susan Cannings! I also had a full mastectomy in 1999, full treatment (chemo and radiation), reconstruction and I had 13 lympnodes which were cancerous. I am now very healthy. My immune system is strong again and yes, I am very careful of my diet (macrobiotic to start with) control stress, do yoga,visualisations, affirmations etc.......In my opinion, it is better to do EVERYTHING to "fight back" and the traditionnal treatments are part of it. The supplements and naturopathic treatments should only be COMPLEMENTARY. Michelle.

re: My Decision

shelaghheath@hotmail.com — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:02:40 GMT

Congratulations Sue. Never forget that the strongest part of you is your mind - use it to believe that your body will heal itself if you help it.

re: My Decision

LANA G — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:42:41 GMT

MY HUSBAND HAS HAD A RESECTION OF THE BOWEL DUE TO RECTAL CANCER HE IS 84 AND WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO HAVE RADIATION. I AM WORRIED DUE TO HIS AGE. IF ANY ONE HAS BEEN THROUGH SOMETHING SIMILAR PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO HANDLE IT. IT WAS STAGE .2. NO LYMPH GLANDS. DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF CANCER CELLS THAT MIGHT BE IN THE LINING OF THE BOWEL THE ABOVE TREATMENT WAS RECOMMENDED.

HE HAS TROUBLE WITH BOWEL MOVEMENTS (FREQUENT AND SLUGGISH) THEY MEDICAL STAFF DO NOT SEEM TO HELP US WITHIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A PROBLEM.

re: My Decision

LANA G — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:42:43 GMT

HE HAS TROUBLE WITH BOWEL MOVEMENTS (FREQUENT AND SLUGGISH) THEY MEDICAL STAFF DO NOT SEEM TO HELP US WITHIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A PROBLEM.

re: My Decision

Susan Insole — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 13:55:14 GMT

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me about your medical treatment and I am very glad you are recovering. I acknowledge that medical treatment can work for some - but to me the risks of medical treatment were unacceptable. I have had too many negative experiences with medical treatment. The first one was when my father went in for medical treatment to treat what was thought of as an ulcer, only to die after 2 months following the operation from cancer. My sister had two mastectomies after the first one did not stop the cancer spreading. Eventually it went to her bones and she died in a hospice of an internal haemhorrage. My daughter died after only 2 months following her diagnosis - the last month of her life was attached to a ventilator in a coma after she caught a virus that turned to pneumonia when the chemo compromised her immune system. A friend of mine died after massive doses of radiation to her breast after she discovered a lump after just 6 months... SO I calculated the risk Vs benefits and went with alternatives. I have been a nurse and have also seen people dying in pain from cancer in wards, so I do not have faith in orthodox treatment and it is what you have faith in that counts when you opt for whatever treatment you decide upon. All I can say is that is has definitely worked for me - for almost 4 years after diagnosis, I am still fit and well, with my immune system uncompromised. All the other ailments have I used to suffer with have gone too, like asthma, sciatica, exzema, acid reflux and IBS.

re: My Decision

Susan Insole — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:25:31 GMT

In answer to Gillian's question, I have found the following to be invaluable: Essiac tea, B17 tablets and apricot kernels, MSM, Indole 3 carbinol, A and E emulsion, Vitamin C (to bowel tolerance) and colloidal minerals. A diet rich in fresh vegetables (as close to the raw state as possible) and fruit, very little meat, no dairy as well as plenty of water. The supplements I shop around for as you can sometimes buy in bulk and get them cheaper, but good quality ones are more expensive.

To Lana's question, I would advise that you contact a naturopath as the medical staff don't seem able to help with your husband's health problems. It may well be that he needs to change his diet in some way especially in relation to the bowel problems. A nutritional therapists fees can vary - the average being about £30 a for a consultation.

Becoming a Practitioner

My Alternative Cancer Diary — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:50:43 GMT

My decision to become a nutritionist was directly related to my own experiences using nutrition to cure