• From: Treasure Island, FL
  • Registered: Mon, 23 Apr 2012
  • Posts: 11

Topic: I think I've had enough...

Wait....that's a good thing! Tomorrow will be treatment number 4, the end of Cycle 2. I have Cycle 3 and 2 more treatments before the doctors will conduct another PetScan, etc. However, I am feeling a pull away from the chemo towards a herbal approach. Now, before you guys start sending emails telling me that I should,"stay the course", you should know that I have not taken one step, nor have a made one move without FIRST hearing from the Lord.

From faxing my medical records to Mayo and obtaining a second opinion, (which still blows my doctor's mind. he can't believe that they would actually give me a WRITTEN opinion based on faxed medical reports without a face to face!); to my willingness to undergo chemo because I heard His voice as the nurse from Mayo explained the procedure and advised that I would feel better after the treatments.

Now, I'm feeling that uncertainty again, and that means it's time to take a break and free my mind and heart so that I can hear Him clearly. I promise to keep you posted on what He advises; as my life is now and has always been in His wonderful loving hands!

Helen

  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 773

Re: I think I've had enough...

Helen:
Good luck with your decision. I will not blast you for any decision you make. It is a hard enough thing to deal with. Some people have posted positive results with herbal or "alternative" treatments.
I hope your decision is the correct one for you.

Hugs,

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,165

Re: I think I've had enough...

Helen...I doubt that anyone will argue with you. The  decision of possibly stopping chemotherapy is your's to make only.  More power to you.  I wish the best of luck.
Hugs,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • Registered: Fri, 15 Oct 2010
  • Posts: 1,735

Re: I think I've had enough...

Hi,
Please write to me after 6/5. If you are interested in herbal medicine.but for now Sloan-Kettering web site is a good place to start to learn as well as our experiment forum on complimently and alternative (CAM) section.
God bless and may Him guide you to the correct path to praise Him.
God bless.

Please know that my personal opinion is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If  provided, information are for educational purposes.Consult doctor is a MUST for changing of treatment plans.
  • From: Australia
  • Registered: Fri, 11 Nov 2011
  • Posts: 9

Re: I think I've had enough...

Hi Helen,

I have taken the Natural pathway,  9 months down  the track still doing well accept when I have gone off the special diet.  I have had a few bad days.. I have learnt my lesson though STAY ON THE DIET take the medication and I will survive.

We all have to do what is right for us. For me its prayer, meditation. and natural therapies.

God bless and guide you on your journey.

Jill

  • From: Treasure Island, FL
  • Registered: Mon, 23 Apr 2012
  • Posts: 11

Re: I think I've had enough...

Thanks for all of the positive support for my decision to get off chemo and on to supplements. It's only been 3 days, but so far so good! I'm on an Anti-Cancer diet. I eat only organic foods, no sugar, no flour, nothing that I can't spell or pronounce. It's downright scary how many products are out there that have preservatives and other supposedly beneficial things. Be careful when purchasing "Organic" foods as they too sometimes have added preservatives or sugar. I believe the additives to our food is contributing to the dramatic increase in cancer rates in this county!

But I digress....along with the supplements and new diet, I have begun to exercise again. My Yoga instructor (who is a certified to teach Yoga to cancer patients, comes to my home once per week to help me stretch and breathe deeply). I used to walk 8 miles per day...now I'm excited that I can walk a mile without getting winded! I've also started a very low level weight training circuit for my arms. I'll add legs next week. I've noticed that my belly is started to shrink! Of course I will need a Pet Scan to really know what's going on, but that might take a while since my Oncologist is very upset with my decision to stop chemo and advised that he won't have time to "partner" with me since I'm going the "natural" route. He even said that it would be pointless to have any more scans since nothing will have changed since I've decided to do nothing..he things the supplements are a joke!

Of course his nurse (out of his earshot) reminded me that I am VETERAN and that despite what the doctors says, I will always be served at any VA in this country and abroad. I simply wanted to continue to have blood work done and vitals reviewed on a regular basis! Anyway, I will continue to get those things done through my Primary Care Doctor, who is excited about my decision, because she said, "it seems to make you happy."

Well, that's all for now. I'll check back in at the end of the month. My 2 year old grandson is coming to visit. Something he could not have done if I were still on chemo...I simply didn't have the energy! But, now...I can't wait to hang out with him!!!!!!!!

May God continue to order your steps and bring Peace and Blessings to you all!

7 Reply by PCL1029 (edited by PCL1029 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:57:04)

  • Registered: Fri, 15 Oct 2010
  • Posts: 1,735

Re: I think I've had enough...

Hi, Helen,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Even it looks like we both travel on the same road via different buses; nobody will truly understand God's intention until He review His final plans for each of us.
Therefore I respect your decision despite otherwise.
Below is the link that I posted not long ago. I use it when I am on the off week of chemotherapy.
http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb … pid=61727#

I am not good at computers;therefore if the above link does not work;you just go there under the experience forum look for the above title,and you will find it.

I do not have any financial in the company at all; other herbal experiences that I wrote on the same board may be of interest to you too.
God bless.

Please know that my personal opinion is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If  provided, information are for educational purposes.Consult doctor is a MUST for changing of treatment plans.
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 773

Re: I think I've had enough...

Helen:
I, too, recently cut out added sugars and am trying to stay away from processed foods and meats. My decision is not permanent, however. Well, parts of it, anyway. I will go back to meats eventually, but will try to find free range around here that I can afford. It's SO expensive to try to eat healthy.
I agree that the processed foods, fast food, and "ease" of it all is what has caused this rise in cancer. That, and many people that would have never been diagnosed previously are now being diagnosed. I think many people that would have died otherwise are now being "caught" beforehand with cancer.
Anyway, now I digress.
The tumor in my liver has reacted well to chemo. Unfortunately I have a group of lymph nodes that they call 1 node that had absolutely no problem with the chemo. I think it rather enjoyed the experience. It has exploded in size even while on Xeloda. My surgeon was astonished that I am not sick, either. He basically was ready to tell me to put my affairs in order until he walked into the room. We are now going to try radiation. In the meantime, when asked, he suggested strongly that I cut out any food that has sugar, high fructose corn syrup, etc. in the first 3 or 4 ingredients.
Tumors feed on sugar. They also feed on meat proteins. So, for the next couple of weeks, until I get a schedule in place, I will be a mostly vegetarian.
You might find this link interesting: http://www.eattodefeat.org/

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • From: Treasure Island, FL
  • Registered: Mon, 23 Apr 2012
  • Posts: 11

Re: I think I've had enough...

Hey Kris:
How is your food lifestyle change going? I know you will find it so beneficial that you won't even consider going back to the foods that are feeding the tumors! I don't even taste my food anymore. I simply don't care what it taste like! All I know is that I am getting better and better and my food choices have at least 80% to do with that, so I'm good with organics, fruits, vegs and a minimum amount of organic chicken and eggs...maybe 1-2 servings per week. I hope to eliminate it completely. But for now, I cook for both me and my son, and I have to prepare things that he will eat. He knows he has to change the way he eats, to prevent cancer from becoming a part of his life.

Again, I trust you are doing well!

Helen