Re: Question re: Chemo

[Guest guest]

hi karen,

i can understand your anxiety - i'm going fo chemo this monday and wonder the

same thngs you are - i have anti-nauseua med, anti-vomiting meds and antibiotics

if i get i get a fever - but i still don't know how i am going to react - the

drs. are fairly certain i will lose my hair which i can live with -the goal is

to shrink the tumor and get it in remission - i don't know what kind of cancer

you have but hopefully it will be cured  - the next step i believe is remission

and let's hope that happens - people have lived many years with cancer in

remission - hope to hear from you - Helen

I'm seeing the Chemo Dr. tomorrow and wondering if any of you know anyone who

has actually had Chemo and survived 5+ years? I've heard so much conflicting

information and I'm torn between getting Chemo and the Budwig protocol. I have a

dependent young adult son and have to try and go with what will keep me around

the longest. Thanks, karen

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen,

Thank you so much for your reply, it's comforting to hear from someone who's

going through the same thing. I know people who have lived a long time by taking

Chemo when the cancer resurfaces or gets out of hand. I'm interested in making

sure it never comes back and as far as I can tell from all that I've read the

Budwig Potocol is the best I've found so far. Do you know anything about this

protocol? I have had a mastectomy with 3 tumors however, my lymph nodes came

back clean except for one stain that they couldn't identify (so there maybe

something). I hate losing my hair  (it's the only thing that still looks good )

however, it's nothing compared with knocking out the cancer. There just so much

about Chemo vs alternative proocols that it's a tough call. One thing I do know

for sure is if I do go for the chemo I will definately do the Budwig Protocol

after. I did take a potion of 8 herbal powders (from my local Witch Dr.) and I

think that's why my nodes came back clean. Wishing you peace this Christmas

Season,

________________________________

From: HELEN CHRISMAN

hi karen,

i can understand your anxiety - i'm going fo chemo this monday and wonder the

same thngs you are - i have anti-nauseua med, anti-vomiting meds and antibiotics

if i get i get a fever - but i still don't know how i am going to react - the

drs. are fairly certain i will lose my hair which i can live with -the goal is

to shrink the tumor and get it in remission - i don't know what kind of cancer

you have but hopefully it will be cured  - the next step i believe is remission

and let's hope that happens - people have lived many years with cancer in

remission - hope to hear from you - Helen

[Guest guest]

Before I share my experience, let me say that I do NOT believe in chemo ... I

have a Stage IV breast cancer and I have not done it this time around and I'm

almost 3 years out from dx. That being said, I DID do it ... LOTS of it

(standard dose as well as high dose w/stem cell transplant) the first time

around in '99. I'm still here, 10 years later and would be healthy as a horse

if this freakin' cancer hadn't spread. Anyway, please don't think that everyone

who does chemo dies from it. It does do horrendous things to your body, and

sometimes it will kill a patient ... or complications from the chemo, but

certainly not all the time ... and probably not even most of the time.

In the end, this decision we each must make about what to do to survive ...

well, it's a very personal choice to make. Conventional, alternative, or

integrative? Only you can decide what's right for YOU. Do your homework (don't

just believe what the drs say), read up on everything you're considering, then

follow the path that brings you the most peace inside. I know that's a tough

task in this time of sheer terror and chaos. But consider each of your options

.... and the one that makes you feel least like crying is your protocol.

Hang in there ... we're here for you!

xxoo

>

> I'm seeing the Chemo Dr. tomorrow and wondering if any of you know anyone who

has actually had Chemo and survived 5+ years? I've heard so much conflicting

information and I'm torn between getting Chemo and the Budwig protocol. I have a

dependent young adult son and have to try and go with what will keep me around

the longest. Thanks, karen

>

[Guest guest]

Of course people have survived cancer for more than five years and after having

received Chemotherapy and in many cases, in spite of it.

Speaking with someone that has seemingly survived five years, is no indication,

not even a hint it will do the same for you just as whether NOT doing Chemo

would do the same thing.

There is much evidence for spontaneous remissions with no apparent reason

causing some, and not the 'some', physiciansand researchers to think that

perhaps, just perhaps, heroic treatments may not always be in the patients best

interests. There is also much evidence chemotherapy has shortened lives.

Nobody can tell you exactly what you will experience, not list members not even

the Oncologist. Try them.

One has to always ask their Oncologist exactly what is he/she trying to

accomplish.

Ask the following questions:

1. Is this a palliative effort on your part or a 'curative' effort? Also, when

researching medical terms, use Google because you will get the information you

need to figure out what someone is saying.

2. Is this effort at chemotherapy an aim to actually kill cancer cells

completely or reduce (shrink) the tumor?

If they use the term " response " , understand that usually means tumor

shrinkage and ask whether or not that always means Survivability

increases. Tumor response does not necessarily mean survivability.

By politely asking questions, your Oncologist may recognize you are

smarter than the average person and may deal with you differently. When they

give you percentages of 'success' or 'response', ask whether or not it is a

'Relative' or 'Absolute' percentage. This will really make them stop and

think. When you learn the answers to these questions, go on line and find out

that they mean.

Without knowing the terminology, one can easily be thinking something the

doctor isn't and it can be by design. I let my Urologist know I was not

interested in 'Response' but rather survivability. When he suggested a

particular chemotherapy I advised him I had studied it and it wasn't very

effective and he said, " you are right " and that was the end of that

conversation.

To be sure, your question is an odd question to pose to an alternative oriented

list. We recognize your anxiety and concerns and all of us have had them. We

joined this list for a number of reasons but if we stayed, it was because we

have come to the conclusion that conventional medicine does not hold the answers

we seek. I find it safe to say most list members have little confidence in

Chemotherapy and radiation.

If you are seeking Conventional medicine's treatments then do as much research

as you can on the type of chemo to be used, it's record and where you are

getting treatment and of course, whether or not you have sought second and maybe

a third opinion.

Good luck in whatever you choose but do not expect someone else's history to

apply to you. There are too many variables.

Joe C.

Here's a site you may get some information from:

http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/Ldrugchoices.htm and a more critical one where

Australian Oncologists really take Chemotherapy apart can be found at:

http://www.cancerdecisions.com/030506_page.html

[Guest guest]

I would be doing high dose antioxidants, preferably starting at least 1 or 2

weeks before starting the chemo. You are likely to get far superior results and

go some what to protecting the body.

Just recently I found these interesting papers on antioxidants and conventional

therapy from the University of Kansas. Research from 280 peer-reviewed articles

and involving 8,521 patients should go some way to reassuring people that

antioxidants are a very good idea with conventional therapy!

Vitamin A which many people are afraid of, seems to be very good, and one of the

cheaper supplements. Injections of about 50,000 IU intramuscularly before

chemotherapy would be even more effective. Cancer cells seem to deplete the body

of vitamin A, so it's unlikely that one would get too much. Some studies used

300-500,000 IU oral vitamin A (not beta-carotene).

Examples:

In an observational study of 40 patients with stage IIIB or

stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, patients were treated with

cisplatin (120 mg/m2 divided into 5 days), vindesine (3 mg/m2

on days 1 and 5), 5-flourouracil (500 mg/m2 on days 1 and 5),

beta-interferon (1 million IU 3 times a week), and retinyl palmitate

(50,000 IU twice a day). Vitamin A produced fewer side

effects, a higher response rate, and increased survival compared

to historical controls.

In an observational study of 36 patients with stage IV breast

cancer, patients were treated with cyclophosphamide, 5-

flourouracil, 4-epidoxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone every

3 weeks for 6 courses, followed by 2 courses of methotrexate,

mitomycin-C, and mitoxantrone. Treatment continued with

tamoxifen and vitamin A. Sixty-four percent of patients had a

clinical response, 19% had stable disease, and side effects were

minimal. Median overall survival was 32 months. These results

compare favorably with historical controls.

Testing blood vitamin A levels about once every 1 or 2 months is probably a good

idea for peace of mind. In my experience, so far I haven't seen anything over 60

ug/dl (60%), more usual was only 40-50 ug/dl.

Antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with chemotherapy or radiation

therapy and can increase kill and increase survival, part 1

http://integrativemed.kumc.edu/documents/Antioxidants-Nutrients-Chemotherapy.pdf

Antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with chemotherapy or radiation

therapy and can increase kill and increase survival, part 2

http://integrativemed.kumc.edu/documents/Antioxidants-Nutrients-Chemotherapy-2.p\

df

Links to all articles

http://integrativemed.kumc.edu/ivvitaminc.htm

>

> I'm seeing the Chemo Dr. tomorrow and wondering if any of you know anyone who

has actually had Chemo and survived 5+ years? I've heard so much conflicting

information and I'm torn between getting Chemo and the Budwig protocol. I have a

dependent young adult son and have to try and go with what will keep me around

the longest. Thanks, karen

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I know many young women who have had chemo for breast cancer and survived

without a recurrance for five years or more. I also know women who are stage 3

who have done well with chemo. And, I know women who are stage 4 and have been

treated with chemo and have survived over five years.

>

> I'm seeing the Chemo Dr. tomorrow and wondering if any of you know anyone who

has actually had Chemo and survived 5+ years? I've heard so much conflicting

information and I'm torn between getting Chemo and the Budwig protocol. I have a

dependent young adult son and have to try and go with what will keep me around

the longest. Thanks, karen

[Guest guest]

My better half was on Chemo for a whole year it was a mild pill form, he

did survive longer then 5 years but the chemo damaged his liver and he

died a slow painful death from mutiple myeloma and liver failure.

Donna ACS

>

>

> I'm seeing the Chemo Dr. tomorrow and wondering if any of you know

> anyone who has actually had Chemo and survived 5+ years? I've heard so

> much conflicting information and I'm torn between getting Chemo and

> the Budwig protocol. I have a dependent young adult son and have to

> try and go with what will keep me around the longest. Thanks, karen

>

>

[Guest guest]

I had the choice of chemo or something else and did choose BP. I have shown

great improvement and fel better than I have in long time. With chemo and

the low single digit " response " and survival rate, I made the right choice

for me.

Diagnosed with High Grade Neuroendocrine Carcinoma with mets to liver from

unknown source. Given few months without chemo and maybe a year with. First

CT showing mets was in first week of July.

Bill Corley

www.mofoxtrot.com/twinspringsfarm

Unworthiness is simply a case of mistaken identity.

     -- Alan Cohen

[ ] Question re: Chemo

I'm seeing the Chemo Dr. tomorrow and wondering if any of you know anyone

who has actually had Chemo and survived 5+ years? I've heard so much

conflicting information and I'm torn between getting Chemo and the Budwig

protocol. I have a dependent young adult son and have to try and go with

what will keep me around the longest. Thanks, karen

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Most of the time, the oncologist will tell you to not use any antioxidents while

doing chemo. Though there are studies that show they can help, if you choose to

do chemo, I would do what YOUR doctor tells you to do.

[Guest guest]

Hi

I wanted to write this yesterday, but didn't have the time.

I am a stage 3 colon cancer survivor of nine years. I did have surgery to

remove the tumor and did 1 month (4 treatments) of a " triple-whammy

cocktail " (doctors words) chemotherapy. To say the experience was less than

horrendous would be lying. The chemo landed me in the hospital with severe

and life-threatening dehydration. I went from being on no meds to being on

more than six to deal with the side effects from chemo. IT IS NOT A WALK IN

THE PARK like some TV commercials portray it. While it may seem to help in

the short run (tumor response), the long term effects can be not only

dangerous but devastating. And while I appreciate what people have to say

about chemo, unless one has experienced it, they really have no idea what it

is like.

Do people survive long periods of time doing chemo? The short answer is

yes. However, as I previous cancer patient, I know that the short term

thinking for a cancer patient is " I just want to live and I want my life

back. " However, being on and off of chemo (make no mistake that the docs

push chemo at the drop of a hat) and/or radiation can be a miserable way to

" survive. " Many people end up spending their days in a easy chair -- too

sick to move or do anything else. Quality of life becomes a huge issue. The

toxicity of these chemicals to the body is tremendous and like I said can

have detrimental effects later on in life.

I would highly suggest doing a tremendous amount of research. Go walk the

halls of a cancer hospital and talk to the patients -- not the patients that

the doctor suggests but patients that you see at the hospital. Talk to

their families as well. The biggest regret that I hear from cancer patients

who have been chemo/radiated to within an inch of their life is " I wish I

would have known...I wish I would have done more research but my doctor said

I needed to get started right away and we were soooo SCARED. " And getting

to this point -- chemo/radiated to where they send you home to get your

affairs in order -- can happen before one realizes it.

Many, even on this list, are afraid to recommend " don't do chemo/radiation. "

And it is because we are still fearful that IF we say this we may cause

someone to lose their life. You see, there is a lot of FEAR in going against

mainstream medicine, even on lists such as this. Certainly no one would

presume to make your decision for you; however, people that take the time to

really research, ask questions and demand answers as well as not allowing

friends, family or even a list such as this to make their decisions for them

will usually choose exactly what is best for their situation. Humans are

not always as stupid as the medical community implies with their " we know

what is best for you " philosophy. Remember that cancer treatment in the U.S.

has become a huge industry -- one that fills its deep pockets and yet

provides a cure in only 2-3% of cancers. In my book, those are not good

odds. In my particular case, the oncologist told me there was a 30% chance

of no recurrence (many cancer patients would love to be given a 30% chance)

using his chemo cocktail. However, if we turn that around, it meant that I

actually had a 70% chance of a recurrence!! See how they twist the meaning

of what they are saying? I stopped after one month because I was not going

to go through that hellacious treatment for only a 30% change of getting

well.

The following is from a blog I recently wrote. Possibly it will help you.

I would also suggest reading Suzanne Somer's book, Knockout.

Ten Things to Do When the Diagnosis is Cancer

1) Research & Education. Take a deep breath! You are now on a mission

and your first and most important step is to do your research. Most people

skip this step and end up regretting it later. Contrary to what most

oncologists will tell you, you do have time to educate yourself and think

things through. Resist any high-pressure tactics. Many cancers are slow

moving and even with those that move faster there is almost always time for

research. Thoroughly research recommended treatment on both sides of the

fence - alternative medicine and conventional medicine.

2) Studies & Trials - Proof. We always seem to want " proof " about

natural medicine; well, let's ask for proof of conventional medicine also.

Ask your oncologist to provide you with 2-3 studies/trials that PROVE that

the treatment he/she is recommending is better than no treatment at all.

You may be surprised. Again, because of words such as " response rate " ,

" reduction of tumor " , " remission " , " recurrence " etc. RESPONSE RATE DOES NOT

MEAN CURE. (Read that again.) Patients usually " hear " the word " cure " when

the oncologist is using the word " response. " Be careful and be VERY

specific with your oncologist as to what questions are asked.

3) Cancer Words. Ask your oncologist if his/her recommended treatment is

considered palliative, in nature. If you are looking for a cure/to get

well, then palliative treatment will probably not take you there!

4) Tests & Labs. Always get complete copies of all your lab and test

results. Insist on this.

5) Second Opinion. Get a second opinion; especially if your oncologist

tends to exhibit " ego " rather than being a team player.

6) Determination. Determine to do whatever it takes to get well. Yes,

one CAN get well! Most conventional doctors will not tell you this because

of liability issues and because conventional treatment is effective (by

effective, I mean getting one well) in only 2-3% of all cancers. Their

closest word for " wellness " is " remission. "

7) Life Style Change. Understand that how you have been treating your

body (life-style) has not worked; therefore, you will need a new plan and at

least a 90 degree-turn-around in order to get well. If you are not willing

to do this then don't make alternative medicine your first choice.

8) Third Opinion. Get the opinion of an alternative medicine

practitioner. Write down your questions and schedule an appointment for an

initial consult. Take one or two family members with you to this

appointment.

9) Ask God for wisdom. Ask Him to bring people into your path who have

answers for you. Then open your mind and heart so that you can see and hear

those answers!

10) Once YOU decide on a treatment..GO FOR IT! Do what you are supposed to

do when you are supposed to do. Be militant with the program that you

choose. Do not allow anyone or anything to get in your way. Do not allow

negativity or the continual questioning of your choice. Remove anything

that could make you stumble - this may include relationships, friends, job,

etc. Remember that this is only for a season; but remember that this season

is most likely one of the most important ones in your life!

There are also some great cancer articles at

http://www.oasisadvancedwellness.com/learning/cancer-articles.html I would

also suggest looking at the Ralph Moss site http://www.cancerdecisions.com/

It is imperative to get pro-active about cancer. No one cares more about

you getting well than YOU! Do not give away your power to anyone --

doctors, oncologists, cancer internet groups, friends, family, etc. It

takes desire, discipline and determination to get well. Many do not have

what it takes because we have been programmed to give our power away when we

have ANY type of medical condition. Certainly it is a choice but a whole

lot of people end up regretting this transference of power that conventional

medicine wants you to make.

There is no for-sure cure for cancer -- meaning a cure that works for

everyone, every single time either in conventional medicine or alternative

medicine. None. This does not mean that one cannot get well; it just means

that because we are all different and because the cause of cancer is most

likely from a multitude of reasons, treatment whether conventional or

natural, must be individualized.

People do live with cancer for long periods of time -- using conventional

medicine and natural medicine or a combination of both. However, as

statistics tell us, chemo/radiation eventually brings the body down because

of its toxicity.

Ultimately it is YOUR decision. However, I would be amiss in not sending

out a warning and with this warning also encouragement to get all your

" ducks in a row " first and foremost. What happens with others who are using

or have used chemo/radiation may or may not be what happens with you -- this

also applies to alternative/natural medicine. We are not cookie-cutters and

there is no " for sure " when dealing with cancer or most disease, for that

matter.

I do wish you MUCH SUCCESS as well as a huge amount of DETERMINATION to find

ANSWERS that will lead to getting your body healthy...

Be Well

Dr.L

" In finding solutions to challenges don't be afraid to 'step out of the

box.' Your willingness to do so may mean the difference between life and

death. I have found that most things are not 'as they seem'. Educate

yourself thoroughly and meet each challenge with the determination that

there is always a solution and that the solution may not be what is

'normally accepted'. The road less traveled may have the most answers. "

[Guest guest]

Look into taking AHCC. Japan has done most of the studies. They say it goes good

with chemo and helps protect you and also increases the NK cells.

[Guest guest]

Most oncologists don't know much about nutrition, let alone high dose

antioxidant therapy in conjunction with conventional therapy. So I'm not sure

I'd trust their advice about this. They only ever read research that involves

double blind trials, and ignore all the other mountains of quality research

that's been done in this field. Good research which could be helping patients

achieve much better outcomes is being ignore!! Crazy!

Here is what the University of Kansas researchers had to say in a 2007

publication:

Some in the oncology community contend that patients undergoing chemotherapy

and/or radiation therapy should not use food supplement antioxidants and other

nutrients. Oncologists at an influential oncology institution contended that

antioxidants interfere with radiation and some chemotherapies because those

modalities kill by generating free radicals that are neutralized by

antioxidants, and that folic acid interferes with methotrexate. This is despite

the common use of amifostine and dexrazoxane, 2 prescription antioxidants,

during chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Design:

To assess all evidence concerning antioxidant and other nutrients used

concomitantly with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, the MEDLINE and

CANCERLIT databases were searched from 1965 to November 2003 using the words

vitamins, antioxidants, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Bibliographies of

articles were searched. All studies reporting concomitant nutrient use with

chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (280 peer-reviewed articles including 62

in vitro and 218 in vivo) were indiscriminately included.

Results:

Fifty human clinical randomized or observational trials have been conducted,

involving 8,521 patients using beta-carotene; vitamins A, C, and E; selenium;

cysteine; B vitamins; vitamin D3; vitamin K3; and glutathione as single agents

or in combination.

Conclusions:

Since the 1970s, 280 peer-reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies, including 50

human studies involving 8,521 patients, 5,081 of whom were given nutrients, have

consistently shown that non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients do not

interfere with therapeutic modalities for cancer. Furthermore, they enhance the

killing of therapeutic modalities for cancer, decrease their side effects, and

protect normal tissue. In 15 human studies, 3,738 patients who took

non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients actually had increased

survival.

(Altern Ther Health Med. 2007;13(1):22-28.)

So I think if your doctor says don't take antioxidants, ignore that advice and

read up on the literature yourself, go seek other advice, or find another doctor

who might be more open to complementary therapies.

>

> Most of the time, the oncologist will tell you to not use any antioxidents

while doing chemo. Though there are studies that show they can help, if you

choose to do chemo, I would do what YOUR doctor tells you to do.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dr. L. That is a very well written post.

>

> Hi

>

> I wanted to write this yesterday, but didn't have the time.

>

> I am a stage 3 colon cancer survivor of nine years. I did have surgery to

> remove the tumor and did 1 month (4 treatments) of a " triple-whammy

> cocktail " (doctors words) chemotherapy. To say the experience was less than

> horrendous would be lying. The chemo landed me in the hospital with severe

> and life-threatening dehydration. I went from being on no meds to being on

> more than six to deal with the side effects from chemo. IT IS NOT A WALK IN

> THE PARK like some TV commercials portray it. While it may seem to help in

> the short run (tumor response), the long term effects can be not only

> dangerous but devastating. And while I appreciate what people have to say

> about chemo, unless one has experienced it, they really have no idea what it

> is like.

>

> Do people survive long periods of time doing chemo? The short answer is

> yes. However, as I previous cancer patient, I know that the short term

> thinking for a cancer patient is " I just want to live and I want my life

> back. " However, being on and off of chemo (make no mistake that the docs

> push chemo at the drop of a hat) and/or radiation can be a miserable way to

> " survive. " Many people end up spending their days in a easy chair -- too

> sick to move or do anything else. Quality of life becomes a huge issue. The

> toxicity of these chemicals to the body is tremendous and like I said can

> have detrimental effects later on in life.

>

> I would highly suggest doing a tremendous amount of research. Go walk the

> halls of a cancer hospital and talk to the patients -- not the patients that

> the doctor suggests but patients that you see at the hospital. Talk to

> their families as well. The biggest regret that I hear from cancer patients

> who have been chemo/radiated to within an inch of their life is " I wish I

> would have known...I wish I would have done more research but my doctor said

> I needed to get started right away and we were soooo SCARED. " And getting

> to this point -- chemo/radiated to where they send you home to get your

> affairs in order -- can happen before one realizes it.

>

> Many, even on this list, are afraid to recommend " don't do chemo/radiation. "

> And it is because we are still fearful that IF we say this we may cause

> someone to lose their life. You see, there is a lot of FEAR in going against

> mainstream medicine, even on lists such as this. Certainly no one would

> presume to make your decision for you; however, people that take the time to

> really research, ask questions and demand answers as well as not allowing

> friends, family or even a list such as this to make their decisions for them

> will usually choose exactly what is best for their situation. Humans are

> not always as stupid as the medical community implies with their " we know

> what is best for you " philosophy. Remember that cancer treatment in the U.S.

> has become a huge industry -- one that fills its deep pockets and yet

> provides a cure in only 2-3% of cancers. In my book, those are not good

> odds. In my particular case, the oncologist told me there was a 30% chance

> of no recurrence (many cancer patients would love to be given a 30% chance)

> using his chemo cocktail. However, if we turn that around, it meant that I

> actually had a 70% chance of a recurrence!! See how they twist the meaning

> of what they are saying? I stopped after one month because I was not going

> to go through that hellacious treatment for only a 30% change of getting

> well.

>

> The following is from a blog I recently wrote. Possibly it will help you.

> I would also suggest reading Suzanne Somer's book, Knockout.

>

> Ten Things to Do When the Diagnosis is Cancer

>

> 1) Research & Education. Take a deep breath! You are now on a mission

> and your first and most important step is to do your research. Most people

> skip this step and end up regretting it later. Contrary to what most

> oncologists will tell you, you do have time to educate yourself and think

> things through. Resist any high-pressure tactics. Many cancers are slow

> moving and even with those that move faster there is almost always time for

> research. Thoroughly research recommended treatment on both sides of the

> fence - alternative medicine and conventional medicine.

>

> 2) Studies & Trials - Proof. We always seem to want " proof " about

> natural medicine; well, let's ask for proof of conventional medicine also.

> Ask your oncologist to provide you with 2-3 studies/trials that PROVE that

> the treatment he/she is recommending is better than no treatment at all.

> You may be surprised. Again, because of words such as " response rate " ,

> " reduction of tumor " , " remission " , " recurrence " etc. RESPONSE RATE DOES NOT

> MEAN CURE. (Read that again.) Patients usually " hear " the word " cure " when

> the oncologist is using the word " response. " Be careful and be VERY

> specific with your oncologist as to what questions are asked.

>

> 3) Cancer Words. Ask your oncologist if his/her recommended treatment is

> considered palliative, in nature. If you are looking for a cure/to get

> well, then palliative treatment will probably not take you there!

>

> 4) Tests & Labs. Always get complete copies of all your lab and test

> results. Insist on this.

>

> 5) Second Opinion. Get a second opinion; especially if your oncologist

> tends to exhibit " ego " rather than being a team player.

>

> 6) Determination. Determine to do whatever it takes to get well. Yes,

> one CAN get well! Most conventional doctors will not tell you this because

> of liability issues and because conventional treatment is effective (by

> effective, I mean getting one well) in only 2-3% of all cancers. Their

> closest word for " wellness " is " remission. "

>

> 7) Life Style Change. Understand that how you have been treating your

> body (life-style) has not worked; therefore, you will need a new plan and at

> least a 90 degree-turn-around in order to get well. If you are not willing

> to do this then don't make alternative medicine your first choice.

>

> 8) Third Opinion. Get the opinion of an alternative medicine

> practitioner. Write down your questions and schedule an appointment for an

> initial consult. Take one or two family members with you to this

> appointment.

>

> 9) Ask God for wisdom. Ask Him to bring people into your path who have

> answers for you. Then open your mind and heart so that you can see and hear

> those answers!

>

> 10) Once YOU decide on a treatment..GO FOR IT! Do what you are supposed to

> do when you are supposed to do. Be militant with the program that you

> choose. Do not allow anyone or anything to get in your way. Do not allow

> negativity or the continual questioning of your choice. Remove anything

> that could make you stumble - this may include relationships, friends, job,

> etc. Remember that this is only for a season; but remember that this season

> is most likely one of the most important ones in your life!

>

> There are also some great cancer articles at

> http://www.oasisadvancedwellness.com/learning/cancer-articles.html I would

> also suggest looking at the Ralph Moss site http://www.cancerdecisions.com/

>

>

> It is imperative to get pro-active about cancer. No one cares more about

> you getting well than YOU! Do not give away your power to anyone --

> doctors, oncologists, cancer internet groups, friends, family, etc. It

> takes desire, discipline and determination to get well. Many do not have

> what it takes because we have been programmed to give our power away when we

> have ANY type of medical condition. Certainly it is a choice but a whole

> lot of people end up regretting this transference of power that conventional

> medicine wants you to make.

>

> There is no for-sure cure for cancer -- meaning a cure that works for

> everyone, every single time either in conventional medicine or alternative

> medicine. None. This does not mean that one cannot get well; it just means

> that because we are all different and because the cause of cancer is most

> likely from a multitude of reasons, treatment whether conventional or

> natural, must be individualized.

>

> People do live with cancer for long periods of time -- using conventional

> medicine and natural medicine or a combination of both. However, as

> statistics tell us, chemo/radiation eventually brings the body down because

> of its toxicity.

>

> Ultimately it is YOUR decision. However, I would be amiss in not sending

> out a warning and with this warning also encouragement to get all your

> " ducks in a row " first and foremost. What happens with others who are using

> or have used chemo/radiation may or may not be what happens with you -- this

> also applies to alternative/natural medicine. We are not cookie-cutters and

> there is no " for sure " when dealing with cancer or most disease, for that

> matter.

>

> I do wish you MUCH SUCCESS as well as a huge amount of DETERMINATION to find

> ANSWERS that will lead to getting your body healthy...

>

> Be Well

> Dr.L

>

> " In finding solutions to challenges don't be afraid to 'step out of the

> box.' Your willingness to do so may mean the difference between life and

> death. I have found that most things are not 'as they seem'. Educate

> yourself thoroughly and meet each challenge with the determination that

> there is always a solution and that the solution may not be what is

> 'normally accepted'. The road less traveled may have the most answers. "

>