• Registered: Mon, 16 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 148

Topic: Bristol (UK) Cancer Care Centre

Last week we spent 5 days at the BCCC. WE found it wonderful. The centre is dedicated to holistic approach to dealing with cancer, believing that the body is influenced both positively and negatively by the mind and emotions. They stress the importance of calm, peace and acceptance to start a healing journey. During their 20 years they have seen some remarkable recoveries as individuals change their lifestyle.

We spent five days in a group of 12 (8 cancer sufferers and 4 supporters) Much time was given to relaxation, meditation and visualisation. We had healing, massge, shiatsu, psychotherapy, art therapy and music therapy. Everyday we had group discussions looking at feelings and issues around cancer, for both those with the disease and family members who are also affected. The food is totally vegan, no milk meat eggs or cheese.

This approach fits my husband's life view. He believes that the stress of his life in the 5 years before he succumbed to cc, caused his cancer. He believes that only be changing his lifestyle and attitudes will be be able to fight this disease. he had 2 very stressful experiences in hospital which he thinks set him back and delayed his healing. Now he relaxes and meditates every day and we are enrolling in a local cancer centre for shiatsu and healing.

I get rather scared at his reluctance to consider orthodox treatments, but one thing I learned as a supporter at Bristol was that I cannot cure this disease; not by prodigious research on the internet, adding even more supplements to his diet, encouraging him to sleep/relax/visualise/exercise. He must be in control of his own healing and my role is to support him in the decisions he makes.

2 Reply by jules (edited by jules Mon, 06 Mar 2006 05:17:25)

  • From: uk
  • Registered: Sun, 08 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 200

Re: Bristol (UK) Cancer Care Centre

patricia, i think the bristol centre sounds like a wonderful place..i do not dismiss alternative healing methods at all, i can understand that at a time like this it must be so nice to be in such a place of calm and comfort.

i think it is so common for a cancer patient to feel a loss of control, your husband is taking a degree of control over his body and what happens to him and i can appreciate why he wants to go down this path.  Maybe a combination of orthodox treatment with alternative healing methods is the best way forward.. many people believe so.  I hope that you have a better experience with the PDT this time, hopefully going private your husband will be cared for in a more understanding environment, i certainly hope so.

very best wishes, jules

3 Reply by ukmember (edited by ukmember Mon, 06 Mar 2006 09:31:40)

  • Registered: Mon, 16 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 148

Re: Bristol (UK) Cancer Care Centre

Thank you JUles.
At the moment my husband is in good form, eating well and sleeping only once during the day. His weight remains the same although he does look better. Today we went for a walk in the park and he found it quite difficult. He hasn't really taken any significant exercise since he became ill and he feels the lack of it. We will have the PDT next week and a metal stent will be inserted at the same time and his biliary tubes internalised. That will make him feel a lot better; he is longing to have a good soak in the bath! He will have a CT scan and blood tests on Thursday and we will see what has been happening since November when they last did scans. Feel rather nervous about this but am hoping for the best.

How is your father doing? did he decide to have the chemo? I spoke to a radiologist this morning and he made several good points about chemo. 1. They only give chemo when the patient is strong enough to deal with the adverse effects. 2. Chemo is effective against cancer  'seeds' which are not visible on scans and they are nipped in the bud by chemo which is systemic. 3. Gemcitabane is widely used and well tolerated.

What he didn't say (but I have said to my husband) is, --if you start the treatment and it makes you feel lousy, you can stop it! if you are one of those people who can tolerate it well then there will be advantages to you.'

In the meantime we will wait to see how things have developed.

  • Registered: Thu, 12 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 45

Re: Bristol (UK) Cancer Care Centre

I just read an interesting article about a new treatment using Atiprimod developed by Callisto Pharcaceuticals, Inc.  The Company announced its commitment to initiate a new Phase I/II clinical trial of Atiprimod in carcinoid cancer patients.  The article stated that Atiprimod may provide new hope for patients with advanced carcinoid tumors of the liver and GI tract.  I have requested information from the company as to the locations where the trials may be conducted.

  • From: uk
  • Registered: Sun, 08 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 200

Re: Bristol (UK) Cancer Care Centre

patricia,  my dad is doing okay apart from quite severe abdominal discomfort - he cannot sit/stand for long and is only really comfortable lying flat, he is going to see his surgeon soon, he thinks it could be due to 'scarring' (he had problems with the wound healing).  he is also due to see an oncologist on friday to discuss chemo options.  the problem with his lungs turned out to be a chest infection (although quite a nasty one) so we were really relieved.. getting away has done him good, especially being somewhere warm, after all him and my mum have gone through a break was long overdue.  I just hope that the PDT and stenting helps to make your husband more comfortable, it should do - my dad had a metal stent and it relieved all his symptoms at the time (jandice,itching etc). - we carry on, not knowing what this beast is going to throw at us next, just hoping i suppose for some respite in between.

jules