I'm back after 21/2 years:(

Brendatrue

Rachel--I'm glad to hear from you but disappointed and angry that you have such a struggle getting needed care because of the insurance issue. I am assuming that Sloan will work with you regarding your self pay status; is that correct? I am sorry that I do not know about Issels; perhaps someone else will come along with some info. I will stay hopeful that the Tamox and Zometa will begin doing positive work for your health and that all the other things you are incorporating into your lifestyle will help, too. I will continue to hold hope for you!

LittleFlower

Hey Rachel,

Just checking in with you... hope your appointment at Sloan went well, and that you're feeling well.

Big Hugs,

LittleFLower

JeninMichigan

Rachel

Just wondering how your appointment at Sloan went yesterday?    I am hoping they will work with you on the insurance.    I am sure they have a social work at the hopsital that can give you a list of numbers you can call to get help from various cancer foundations to help with your bills.   Even many of the drug companies offfer assistance. 

One thing I want to stress is that you need to take control of your treatment.   You need to be actively involved in the drugs and the available drugs you can take.    And of course question what is right for you.    I can see that you are already researching supplements and natural remedies... good for you!!    I have a naturalist I see in conjunction with my oncolgoist.   My oncologist is OK with it ... not necessarily a believer.   I take ALOT of supplements.  I spend about $300 on just supplements and have for over a year now.    Can I afford it ... nope not at all.  I am deeply in debt.  But I can't afford not to take them.   LIke you  I have two kids and unfortuantely their dad is not in the picture or them or me.   So I made up my mind I will live with cancer and I will live a long and happy life.    There are so many options for you that it seems overhwhelming.    I hope they will do a liver biopsy so you can confirm your ER/PR/HER status.

Jennifer

rpailleret

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for checking in!! I went to Sloan and the Onc. said that my cancer was still there since 2006...it did not go away. She asked me if My previous dr. shut off my ovaries (he did not) She gave me a shot (each month) She is going to continue the Tamoxfin (although she said if I would have seen her earlier she would have started with chemo first) She will continue the zometa (tuesday) Tomorrow I have to return for EKG. I will have a liver biopsy in a few weeks.

The only problem I had with her is she wants me to stop all my suppliments (she said it was bad for my liver) She was a little upset I was getting vit. C infusions, she said it feeds the breast cancer cells.

I talked about organic with her and sugar that feeds cancer...she was not on board with this. She said I could have dessert and the only organic I should eat was chicken. Now I have read over and over that sugar feeds cancer....

It is so confusing...Do I take the alternative route or this one??

I really need some adivce here.

Hugs......

Rachel

Brendatrue

Rachel--I am glad to hear from you but sorry that you have confusion over what to do next. I was told by my onc earlier this year that mixing supplements with aggressive cancer care can be dangerous and also cause the conventional treatment to be less effective. I have tried to use my best common sense about what to do: I make dietary adjustments as I would like and I see no harm in doing so. So what if she does not think that dietery adjustments might help? At least you know they won't hurt. I have reduced my use of supplements, but that was a very personal decision and one that might not be best for you. Perhaps you don't need to think about either this route or that route; perhaps a blend of "conventional" and "alternative" treatments would work for you. That's the approach I tend to take. Also, you might want to post on the forum about alternative and complementary approaches in order to get more input. I'll check with you again later. In the meantime, keep searching until you find what is right for you, and remember that this may change over time!

KKing

There is a member who did go to Mexico last year.  She was chatting with the Junies of 2008 and her member name is Chocolate Lover...you may be able to ask her about this.

Karen

rpailleret

KKing,

I tried to locate member choc. lover and I could not find her....any suggestions?

CatherineS

Wish I had some answers for you, Rachel.  Just wanted to let you know you're in my prayers.

legalbeagle

Help!   I have been battling a recurrence for 2 years. I developed positive lymph nodes in my chest area.  At first, Aromasin and Herceptin seemed to work; the last two scans showed some of the lymph nodes were no longer positive and the rest were stable.  Now, my most recent scan shows more positive lymph nodes in the clavicale area and the others are more positive.  What do I do now?  I'm scared out of my wits....can't stop crying.  Any suggestions would be great.  My onc. has suggested either a different endocrine regimen or something like Xeloda and Tykerb.  I'm getting second opinions, but we haven't started new treatment yet, as I just got the results of the scan a few days ago.  I have no evidence of disease elsewhere. I've been on Aromasin and Herceptin. 

Love to you all,

legalbeagle

rpailleret

I met a 7 year stage four breast cancer survivor...She is taking tykerb. I will try to get more information regarding her treatment. She had mets to the lung 7 years ago. Now mets to the bones and liver 2.5 years ago. She feels great, she looks great. I plan on seeing her dr. in a week for a third opinion.

Hugs,

Rachel

Fitztwins

Honey, trust your oncologist. They know. They have seen a ton of cases. The whole sugar thing is up for debate. The supplements can be hard for your liver, because most of what you take, you end up peeing out.

I just watched something on a dr. who wrote a cancer diet book, he said that it helps, but eating a cancer diet will not cure nor prevent. For example blueberries...you can eat a ton? will that cure your cancer? no.

Alternative treaments, like in Mexico, scare the shit out of me.

AS BC patients we have some of the best drugs available to us. Are you Her2?

If you want to go agressive, then go for it. The path she is describing sounds great and can give you many years and good QOL.

I am not going to sugar coat this, many of us may reach NED, or Stable, some of us won't be as lucky.  I prefer using proven methods then some clinic in mexico or juice.

I have a chemo buddy who is 10 years out with mets and doing great!

I hit my 5 year anniversary next month. 1.5 into mets. I feel good. I am holding a full time job.

When I was first diagnosed I research everything. I am a realist and put my trust in modern medicine.

Dolores81035

Hugs to all and I wish everyone well.

melissa-5-19

kittycat

what is the anticancer book?- newbie here with bilat mx scheduled on 10/19,frankly I can't wait, and waiting 10 days???? the medical system needs changes-i am not a genius but think we should start on the NOT WAITING and with the dx of even "possible Ca" each should get an rx for xanxa- so scary- and so many worse off than me that I feel guilty , lucky, blessed, hopeful, scared, guilty and sad, for me and ALL my sisters and brothers  from  a different mother. BIG baby and pushy-still polite BUT persistant and consistant- pitbull determination and I won't quit. I counldn't wait and did not wait- used every sneeky nurse trick I knew and did get results and appointments, prior approvals etc moved up.

HUGS TO YOU ALL- ALL AROUND AND I WON,T BE THE FIRST TO LET GO SO HUG ME BACK AND WE WILL STICK TOGETHER

Brendatrue

Hi, Melissa- Anticancer: A New Way of Life is a book by David Servan-Schreiber. I read it recently, and I thought it was useful for exploring ways in which we can change our lifestyle in order to reduce cancer risk and to promote well-being. One of his ideas is that adopting some or all of his suggestions won't hurt you and will likely promote your well-being anyway, so why not try them? I also liked the book Picking Up the Pieces, which offers a holistic approach to rebuilding your life after a cancer diagnosis. I hope your surgery goes as well as possible and that your recovery will be without complications. Gentle hugs to you....