Looking for Holistic Oncologist

LadyLucy

Looking for Holistic Oncologist

LadyLucy

Greetings!  I've been following a protocol designed by my nutritionist who is also a Physician Asst. which involves lots of natural meds, supplements, essiac tea, exercise, QiGong, strict diet and more.  It all seems to be working well these last 8 months and somehow, I've never felt healthier.  It is now time for testing (PET, blood, ultra, maybe) to monitor progress and I need to find an oncologist who, if not a firm believer in natural medicine, is at least understanding of it.  I'm on the Cape but will travel to Boston.  Initially I went to Dana Farber as one of my consultations but was quite put off by the people I met there.  For example, the waiting rooms are full of white sugar, empty carbs, etc. - all free to cancer patients!  Secondly, the first recommendation was mastectomy which should be a last resort technique.  Finally, I was told "nothing you did or did not do led you to have cancer and no natural methods will take it away".  ????  So... that means smoking doesn't lead to lung cancer, fatty diet doesn't lead to colon cancer, lack of vitamin C doesn't lead to scurcvy, Vitamin D - rickets, and so on.  I was appalled and will never go back there.  The fact that they barely looked at my neatly typed, in-depth description of the protocol I was using showed me that these people are not well-informed at all about natural medicine.  Now, this way of doing things as I am isn't for everyone - the self-discipline required is superhuman!  But for me, it's the best and only way to handle this.  I need a doc that is with me on this, at least enough to order the right tests and agree to a follow up sched that does not include those methodologies I have no faith in. 

If anyone out there has any suggestions, my ideal candidate will have an office south of the city, be female and have a history of helping women who are doing this the natural way.  I will appreciate ideas immensely!  I wish all of you good health, no matter what methods you're trying.

Thanks,

LadyLucy

Alaina

I'm not in the Boston area, so I don't really have any insight into that for you.

However, good luck on finding an oncologist who will support your efforts to heal yourself with alternative methods.

All doctors take an oath to "do no harm" and one of the things I learned early on from my docs, whom I respect fully and trust wholly, is that most oncologists don't know ENOUGH about alternative healing to be effective partners with their patients who wish to reject or limit the more conventional methods, chemo, surgery, radiation, anti-hormonals, etc. 

My breast surgeon was very honest and said that she could not tell me that something 'holistic" would NOT work, but that if I was going to have her as my surgeon, and my oncologist as my oncologist, I would have to make a choice.  Do one or the other.  But whatever I decide, don't mix the two, because that is where you run into problems.  A key point, a lot of supplements work to heal the body and cell damage by oxygenating the blood.  Well, doing so also allows cancer cells to thrive.  So you have to be so very careful.  I was not permitted to take any types of supplements or vitamins while on chemo.  I take calcium/VitD, a multi-vitamin, and biotin (for hair and nails) now that chemo is over.  I'm doing just fine, had a 100% response to chemo, had a successful removal of my left breast, survived radiation, and am now moving forward to reconstruction in August.

The only place where I've heard they embrace combining holistic and conventional protocols is the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  You may want to call them and see if they can recommend someone in your area.

Good Luck!

LtotheK

I think about this issue ALL the time.  Just one person's opinion, gleaned from reading and wanting to avoid the toxcity of treatments currently offered:  according to Breast Cancer:  Real Questions, Real Answers, breast cancer is distinct from other cancers in that it does not involve general health or a suppressed immune system.  It is the body's inability to recognize the invaders as "bad".  His point is that one shouldn't let the onslaught of "think positive", "don't be stressed" etc. get to us, as in fact these issues may have little to do with the cancer.

The studies are very inconclusive on the role of diet.  They are fairly conclusive on exercise.  Exercise appears to modulate estrogen.  Diet may do that as well, but low fat = lower weight and the lower body weight seems to be the main issue, not necessarily what you eat.

The reason many doctors can't advocate for naturopathy/holistic approach is that there aren't the studies to vet them.  As the doctor in Breast Cancer wrote, there are thousands upon thousands of long-term outcome studies for those who underwent chemo. It is going to be a long time before a natural cure will have the same amount of testing.

Many hospitals have holistic treatment protocols.  My hospital has everything from massage, to acupuncture, to a naturopath and physical therapy.  With some minor exceptions, like L-glutamine and B supplements, doctors are not going to suggest using supplements during chemo.  They can enhance side effects, but more important, as Alaina says, anti-oxidants have been shown to stimulate cancer.

So complicated!!!  I want the natural approach, but as a young patient, I also have to do what is most vetted. The hardest decisions of my life.  I think chemo, radiation, and tamox are poison, no two ways about it.

LadyLucy

Hi!  Thanks to the 2 responses, however, I'm looking for suggestions of possible practitioners - not your opinions on natural medicine.  There are many falsehoods being preached on both sides of this argument and it is unfortunate that more people do not research this more fully.  It is easier to believe that Western medicine has all the answers but they don't.  The percentage of women who get BC has increased steadily for 60 years.  In that same 60 years the survival rate has not increased at all; it's just diagnosed earlier.  On the other hand, you can't pop a pill or spend an hour in a sauna and think your cancer is well and naturally treated.  The methods I am using are scientifically proven but I can't go into all that here; there are too many people using traditional treatments here that don't need a dissertation on the natural treatments.  If you are interested but not well-informed about natural meds, it is absolutely imperative that you not deal with a quack!  Do the research, find the top practitioner in your area or travel if you must.  If you are happy with chemo/surg/radiation - go with it.  But we all must have the understanding that it is not for everyone, just as my protocol would not befit everyone.   Incidentally, about 40% of all 'traditionally treated' BC patients use nutrition and natural supplements to augment their health and relieve side effects of their treatments.  Most are afraid to tell their doctors.  What I need to find is a doctor that will work with me on testing and evaluation and not push for the usual treatment methods just because that's all they know.   

SO, while I know you're trying to be helpful, it's important to me that I find an open-minded oncologist.  This would be simpler in other parts of the country but the New England medical community comes down hard on docs who don't use chemo for all patients.  I have several possibilities in California but I've been spending thousands on my treatment and can't afford to go there.  (ah, yes... the other bitter pill is that insurance covers nothing of natural medicine!  I would have cost them $100,000 by now if I followed the usual plan!) 

LadyLucy

Cancer Tmt Ctr is a 10 hr drive from here in Philadelphia - that's the closest!  Also, my insurance doesn't cover anything out of state so I'd be on my own tab.  I really only need a doctor to order testing... I guess I didn't make that clear.  I'm looking for a doctor between Boston & Cape Cod who would monitor my progress.  It seems like it should be an easy thing but so far I've had no recommendations.  The patients that I know who've used the natural are everywhere but Massachusetts!  The only Cape Codders I know of have fantabulous insurance that covered anyone and any facility they needed.  One other had a wonderful gentleman doctor in Yarmouth that has since moved to the West Coast for more freedom to integrate more of the natural into his practice.  I've only been looking for a few days and already I'm frustrated! 

ICanDoThis

OK, I'm going to say it - what everyone else is sort of pussyfooting around. If you follow this path, and do not go to a conventional oncologist, you have a significant chance of dying soon.

I agree with much of what you are saying, and am pretty sure that my own cancer was related to a severe Vitamin D deficiency. And I do believe that a significant portion of cancer is related to the garbage we put in our environment.

Cancer Treatment Centers of America combine the best of alternative medicine with conventional medicine, and some people have had very good experience with them, but alternative medicine is not a substitute for cut, poison and burn. Believe me, if there were alternatives, we would be doing them.

Last year, a member of the Young Survival Coalition posted this post about her younger sister, who had been diagnosed with Stage III cancer and found an alternative medicine practitioner who wanted to work with her:

http://www.youngsurvival.org/blocks/_Forum/index.php?showtopic=37648&hl=

The most helpful response was this one:

No, none of that will cure stage III cancer. Her only chances are conventional therapy: chemotherapy, surgery, and possibly endocrine therapy or herceptin. Her tumor is growing because that's what tumors do without medical intervention. It will keep growing and kill her if it is not removed, and the rest of her body treated with systemic treatment - evidence based medicine. I'm sorry that this is true. If it weren't there were be real evidence of it. Unfortunately, there is ample evidence, recorded since the beginning of human time, of what cancer does, regardless of what she might eat, pray, chant or anything else that people have been doing for thousands of years to no effect.

You might want to peruse some of this, by a cancer researcher:

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2006/10/death_by_alternative_medicine_whos_to_bl.php
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/03/a_horrifying_breast_cancer_testimonial_f_1.php
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/05/chemotherapy_versus_death_from_cancer.php
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/03/does_alternative_medicine_use_result_in.php

I feel for you. If she continues down this road she will die.

This is what my friend Vicki posted when her little sister died:
http://www.youngsurvival.org/blocks/_Forum/index.php?showtopic=41644&hl=

I'm sorry that this is so - you will not find a trained oncologist who will support a completely alternative cancer treatment because they would be guilty of malpractice. You may find a doctor who would be willing to support you in adding alternative treatments to what they are good at doing.

Wishing you much luck

LadyLucy

Well, I can see that this was the wrong forum for my question.   I wasn't looking for information - just a referral and have thankfully received 2 today from another source.

Meanwhile, it is in very poor form to tell people that they are going to die when you haven't a clue about what it is they're doing.  Many people using conventional treatment die from their cancer but it makes no sense whatsoever to bring up such a thing on a forum such as this, does it?  My neighbor who is an 11 year survivor of Stage 3 BC was told by lots of doubting friends and several doctors that she would die if she didn't follow the traditional route.  She didn't and she just ran a marathon at 71 years old!  My husband's surgeon's mom was a 22 year survivor of BC who wouldn't go for chemo/rad and instead followed the natural medicine route.  She died at 94 of a stroke.  My husband's first wife and his mother died horrifying deaths after surgery, chemo and radiation that ravaged their bodies.    You need to look at both sides of a question before you decide to ring the death knell on someone. 

Good luck to all of you, whatever your course is!  I applaud your courage in making the decision, whichever direction that took.

TNgolfer

Lady Lucy,

I attended a seminar this past Saturday and the keynote speaker was Jeremy R. Geffen, MD a board-certified medical oncologist who is a pioneer in integrative medicine and oncology.  Let me repeat that "Integrative medicine and oncology".  He left medical school is his senior year and spent 4 years exploring eastern religions (spirituality, meditation, yoga, etc.).  Returned to medical school and opted for the oncology specialty after his Dad was diagnosed with cancer and he saw how he was (or more importantly wasn't) treated.  He firmly believes that vitamins, supplements and alternative therapies can co-exist with traditional medicine.  He created a leading-edge integrative medicine and oncology program offer in multiple cancer centers in the US.  (the program integrates state-of-the-art conventional cancer treatments with a wide array of complementary therapies designed tohelp patients and family members heal and transform at the deepest levels of the mind, body, heart and spirit.  Not sure where all the centers are, but you can try geffenvisions.com and search there.  He was truly a light at the end of the dark tunnel for me. 

I believe we each must choose our own path and I am tired of being made afraid by the traditional medical community.  I am not my cancer.  I have a mind and a spirit and common sense.  When my oncologist quoted stats to me, it was "...there is a 34% chance that your cancer will recur within 10 years if you stop treatment after surgery".  My response to him was, "so that means there's really a 66% chance that it WON'T recur, right?  It seems their job is to motivate us to accept treatment out of fear.  I had cancer.  It was surgically removed.  I am done!

I hope you find the person you are looking for.  He/She is out there!

LtotheK

I'm sorry this is getting contentious, because I know all of us are in the same boat:  we want a cure, and we want it to be as little invasive as possible.

In the spirit of community board information, I thought I'd share what I found out today.

I went to the Raby Institute, wow!  They work with my oncologist.  They are radically transforming my diet, suggesting no more caffeine, lots of supplements, even b 12 shots during chemo.  The way they work with chemo is they have to follow oncologist rules.  And that is, no supplements on the day before, the day of, or following treatment.  Then, you are back on.

I'm not actually clear on what you are looking for, your first post didn't make it clear whether you are going 100% natural.  If so, I don't think you are going to have more luck than I appear to be having with a very open minded oncologist, who simply isn't going to give me the green light to say "no" to the allopathic branch of this.  She is, though, happy to have me do what sounds like a whole heckuva lot of stuff that may make the allopathic part easier, and keep recurrences at bay.

But, if you do, and that's what you're looking for, I'd be really interested to know more about that person.  I'm open minded, as I don't think either side has this thing totally figured out. 

Bugs

I have no ideas or referrals for you, Lady Lucy.  I do, however, want to wish you well.  I wish more dr's would education themselves in nutrition and alternative medicine.

ICanDoThis..we all have a significant chance of dying just by being alive.  Everybody needs to choose their own road in their treatment plan.  Lady Lucy has made her educated choice and wasn't asking to be talked out of it.

flora72

Hello.  I am looking for an open-minded oncologist in the Pittsburgh area and don't know how to search.  I know there are not many.  I have just had a lumpectomy for stage 0, also called DCIS.  It is by definition not currently life-threatening but can become so.  In a small percentage of women it will develop into invasive cancer.  After surgery it can recur either as DCIS again or as invasive.  My surgeon wants me to have radiation.  She offers statistics on how it has been found to reduce by 50% the already small chance of having a recurrence.  In reading about it I've found that there is a lot of controversy among doctors about whether to do it.  I am thinking it makes more sense to wait, watch carefully, and use the more agressive therapies like radiation if and when  a more serious situation develops.  I do have a wonderful family physician who does a lot of alternative therapy, integrating the traditional and the natural.  I don't want to get into a whole program of alternative treatments.  I'm open to those as prevention but what I want is just to find an ocologist who will understand and possibly support my reluctance to use radiation at this point.  Any suggestions will be appreciated.

LadyLucy

Flora72-  I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis but as an earlier poster said "I am not my cancer!"   It's just a diagnosis of something that needs dealing with in a thoughtful, dedicated manner.  I haven't posted here in a year because so many naysayers post here and that's what you'll learn to ignore.  I'm 19 months into my journey now and doing amazingly well.  Haven't had a sick day yet - or surgery, chemo or radiation, although all 3 were recommended.  I'm also enured to those who are not educated in the science of natural medicine so it rolls off my back.  So no matter what you decide going forward, you will make the exact right choice!  Be confident. 

As to finding a practitioner to work together with your natural practitioners, it takes a lot of searching, asking, investigating, networking, blogging, and it will exhaust you.  I've just finally decided to fire my primary care because of her negative vibes and will now see a holistic m.d. who is a 22 yr BC survivor having used natural healing methods only.  She is right here on Cape Cod and she is the ONLY holistic medical doctor here.  Massachusetts does not protect C.A.M. much at all and forces doctors to use chem/surg/rad methods only.  I have been traveling to Suffern NY to see Dr. Schachter who is an M.D. practicing C.A.M. and he is amazing.  In his office I've met so many patients who were supposed to be dead by conventional medical opinion 10, 20, 30 years ago.  One even plays the fiddle after his appointment for all who are there!

I am out-of-pocket $30K at this point which has devastated the budget.  We don't care - eyes on the prize, and all that.  My insurance would have paid out $200K by now easily if I had chosen that route but they've paid nothing to my caregivers.  This is not what you are facing as your cancer is so minor, but you must deal with changing your body chemistry totally so it is inhospitable to cancer. You don't want it to rear its ugly head in a more advanced stage.   It won't take much financially but will require a dedication to diet, exercise and some supplements.  Walk, walk, walk.  Buy a rebounder for about $40 on sale and bounce 10 min a day while you watch Judge Judy!  (keeps the lymph moving)  Spend at least 10 min a day in silent meditation or prayer or whatever your spirit tells you to do.  Even if it's just staring up at the clouds for a brief time it recharges your entire mind/body.  Forget anger - it's poison.  Read all you can about natural vs. conventional medicine.  Don't try to convince someone who does not want to hear - even your doctor.  Just go get the testing that will make you feel better if that's what you want from an oncologist or primary care.  For finding a natural healer try getting a recommendation to the most brilliant nutritionist in your area.  You definitely need a nutritionist.  S/he may know just the physician you need.  Pick up Natural Health magazines and read articles, letters,  within to see who is practicing in your area.  You are so close to so many of them!!!   Go into health food stores to see what's on the bulletin board.   You may find a wonderful healer posted there.   You'll have no problem once you get started and your instincts are good - you'll know who you want to work with once you've had a chance to check out some people. 

There are some freaks who say they can cure cancer with a magic pill, tonic, machine... it's mostly crap. You need a wonderful guide to teach you all of the things you need to do to preserve your health and save your life and that's quite a large menu.  One thing did not give you cancer; one thing will not take it away.  It takes a a whole change of lifestyle. 

Good luck to you and may angels always be around you to lead the way!

Janice

faithfulheart

LadyLucy,

Only God knows when we will die,  I don't think anyone here is telling you not to take your path,

No matter what road we take we have to fight this beast like hell. I have 2 small children, I took western medicine, when I was done with all of it,  I became a fanatic about my health!  I have found a happy med now. Good luck in finding what you are looking for. Have you tried the alternitive, holistic thread, you would have much more luck there. After all you do need to understand this is a stage 3 thread. Most of the women here have aggresive cancer, we just pray are chemo ,rads, surg ect.... works, again only God knows what our future holds, and that goes for the whole world.

Don't be angry,  we care and want all our sister's to survive this beast!

God bless you,

Stephanie

LadyLucy

Faithful Heart! 

Good luck to  you on your journey.  I responded here in response to FLora72 as she is concerned about finding the right natural healer.  And as for dying, I KNOW I'm not dying but ICanDoThis said I'd die if I didn't choose conventional medicine.  Maybe you didn't read the whole thread.  That is why I stopped responding here - I had no time for sharing what I know with people who can't hear it.  Flora responded directly to my thread and she is where I was a year ago and I wanted to inspire her to keep looking.  Maybe it is time to shed a little light to others, in spite of the fact that some don't want to hear it. Flora does.  If you read only the books and literature written by allopathic doctors who are taught just what Big Pharma wants them to learn, you have only one side of this very important story.  Here are some myths I was told at Dana Farber:  Nothing you did or didn't do caused you to get cancer.  (Really?  So lung cancer isn't caused by smoking?)  There is no proof that anything other than cut/burn/poison will help you.  (Wrong, you just have to read from the right sources and talk to the right physicians.).  And then my own PC tells me that the many cures I've witnessed were all 'spontaneous remissions' that can't be explained.  (so hocus pocus is not silly but the science of proper nutrition, exercise and supplementation is silly - in fact NOT science?)  So, if I listen to the people with one view, I never see the whole picture.  I needed to see it all and it was difficult to know where to go as some of the best healers operate under the radar or are forced by the FDA to say that all patients should seek the approval of their med. oncol. before taking any supplements, etc. 

A better source of information for Flora would be The Definitive Guide to Alternative Medicine Cancer Treatment as it is written by a couple of dozen Alternative and Complementary practicing doctors - an amazing book that was forced out of print by the powers that be.  You can still find it on Amazon and in libraries.  That's one example of the power of the FDA.  If you think they operate in your best interest you are sadly misinformed.    They persecute health practitioners time and again, destroying their practices because they do not want any moving away from chemical medicine.  The money is in cancer.  Just think of the billions made in the last 60 years by Big Pharma, the ACS, the physicians who are paid a portion of every chemo treatment they prescribe!  And then know that in those 60 years cancer cases as a percentage of population has increased every single one of those years and life expectancy has not increased by one day for those patients.    Some will survive, if they are strong enough to fight cancer AND the treatments currently given.

There is not much difference in the stage of your cancer in this respect... if you've got it you must do something to eliminate it from your body or it will worsen.  Flora doesn't want rad/chemo and I don't blame her but she needs to know that something must be done.  I hope my advice leads her to the right doctor, nutritionist, etc. who will guide her on the path to true health.

By the way, I have to say that cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me!  I had stage 2 and stage 3, incidentally, and my markers have steadily fallen, the tumor has shrunk to almost nothing,  I haven't had one sick day, I am feeling healthier than ever, have not had so much as a sniffle in 19 months and am losing weight the healthy way.  I also meditate a bit more... not enough but it is a journey after all.  I never felt that my goal was to simply get rid of a silly tumor that was no immediate threat; I wanted to eradicate cancer cells from my entire being forever and that's why I chose natural medicine.

I did find the guides I needed and am so grateful for that.  Flora, I wish you the same grace and success that I have had.  Bless all of you cancer thrivers!

Janice

faithfulheart

Janice,

have you heard of the anti-cancer book?, someone told me to get it.. They said it was amazing!

I am starting to think I should be drinking asparagus everyday, how do you feel about that?

See I want to do everything in my power to keep this cancer from coming back. After all my treatment, I lost 40 pounds,  because all I ate was organic fruits and vegie's. along with major supplements, juice plus , 5000 vd-3 a day 1200 calc, A 1 a day lots of antioxident fruits, berrie's ect... But my stomach got really racked out. I have been trying to find a happy med. I too worry about any  stray cells in there, I don't just want to block them with tamoxifen,  I want them gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have 2 small kids that keep me very busy, I am at a good weight, but I am defentily

not getting all the excersise I need!!! Oh and I love to have a glass of red wine, I am Italian, what can I say!!!  Do you really believe if they discovered a cure, they would not reveal it, due to all the money they would loose off all the drugs? That thought haunts me. Well did I ramble long enough.

I'm sorry. You seem very passionate about this, I'm happy your doing so well, please share your knowledge with us. We may have done all the traditional meds, that was are choice, but it would be great to have more knowledge on how to maintain being cancer free!!!  Thanks for listening, take care!!

Stephanie

LadyLucy

Dear Faithful - I can't IMAGINE drinking asparagus but I sure do like to eat it.  My nutritionist said it's fairly magic and I should have it every day but I don't.  There are just too many wonderful veggies but I do try to include the good ones often (broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, asparagus) as well as lots of berries, lots of raw nuts (no smoked or roasted) and lots of seeds (pepitas are my favorite lately - pumpkin seeds, I think they are).  I eat free range chicken and some free range turkey, although that's harder to find.  I eat wild caught fish especially if hubby catches it.  I believe I'm gluten sensitive so am staying far away from that but there are some nice gluten-free things at our natural food store and at Trader Joe's.  I keep sugar to the minimum, even fruit I restrict to 2-3 small servings/day.  I like to make soups with kale, chicken, lots of herbs, veggies.  I, too, like the red wine and I'm Irish!!!  But I stear clear and maybe have one drink a month as alcohol sugars are the worst.  Red wine is about the only indulgence in the alcohol group that I'd have - even white wine is worse for you.    I eat eggs but only soft boiled or poached... bringing them to high heat turns them into a bad protein so I buy organic eggs only.  Organic produce when available.

Staying away from bread and sugar is so hard on me.  Have to keep the eyes on the prize, though.  I know that cancer loves sugar (think about that PetScan... they shoot you up with radioactive sugar and then watch it travel immediately to your cancer!)  CANCER LOVES SUGAR.  Also cancer hates oxygen so I do deep breathing whenever I think of it.

I can't get into the juicing thing.  I tried it and found that I'd rather eat a whole plate of veggies than to drink them but I know many patients juice daily and my doctor would love it if I'd give it a shot. 

I don't know about that book but will google it.  Thanks for suggesting it.  I have quite a little library building up on just cancer. 

If you roached your tummy with all the supplements and the diet then perhaps you did too much too soon, the supplements weren't the best quality or you have some hidden food allergies.   I take 10,000 mg of vitamin C daily and never have diarrhea but I had to build up slowly to that level.  It's not a good idea to self-prescribe even vitamins, minerals and herbs... you need someone to lay out just what you need for you which could be so different from what I need. WHEN you take them is important, too.  And you could have been detoxing when that happened.  I hope you have a fantastic nutritionist or naturopath who can work with you.  It's expensive, I know, but you're worth it and you only have one visit, then maybe another in a few months, then none until needed.  It's just the ongoing cost of supplements. There's a big difference in the bio-availability of the vitamins out there - some at CVS, e.g., are from man-made elements and you get very little value out of them.  You want the most natural ingredients hence you spend more.  I wish there were a better answer than that.

SherriG - hope all goes well with you!

All:  please google the Emerald Heart Cancer Organization.  She went through this and did it naturally and went broke along the way as I am.  Now she started a non-profit to collect funds and give grants to BC patients following the alternative med. route.  She's lovely and if you have the opportunity to donate, she would welcome you with warm hugs.  Also, the Annie Appleseed Project is, among many other things, working on enforcing Medicare coverage of C.A.M. treatment!  Another good google for everyone. 

I hope everyone finds what they need.  I was lucky enough to meet a myofascial massage therapist who barters with me for services!  I bring her organic dinners, some of Rick's fish, etc. and she treats me weekly for free.  It's not the fun relaxing massage - this is a workout - but it keeps the lymph working well and relieves those joint aches and such that go along with all the detoxing.

WIshing you enough of what you need!

Janice 

victoria2012

I recommend Christine Adamo in Encinitas, CA.  She is a holistic medical physican and acupuncturist. She specializes in oncology and has provided me a tremendous amount of help and education as I continue to go through conventional treatment.  I chose conventional treatment becuase I have stage IV and this is a recurring condition for me.  She also treats patients who choose to only use alternative treatment.  I completely trust her.  She is extremely knowledgable and compassionate.  She explains things better than my oncologist and I feel comfortable asking her all the questions I have about treatment, side effects, diet, vitamins, etc...  She is a rare find, being so well versed in Western medicine yet specialzing in holistic care.

MandalaB

Both my dad and I did the standard treatments for our cancers- but our hospital (his is in Philly- mine is in NJ but affiliated with the Philly hospital) is/was extremely receptive to the alternative complimentary treatments both of us did/are doing...
Reiki, juicing, holistic, acupuncture, guided imagery, raw foods, chiropractic, etc---
I was raised in a very holistic house- I wasn't even vaccinated -I still continue this lifestyle....
My dad lived much longer than his prognosis. His doctor attributed to his attitude, the fact that he didn't smoke and his lifestyle of managing his cancer on his own terms, rather than leaving it all to the docs.
I have taken all but 3 vicodins other than the traditional chemo this whole time- and my own RN and oncologist were ok and very supportive of my complimentary mushroom powders, hitting the chiro 3 times a week, meditation, positive thought process, medical green cookies, etc.....
Never once have they made me feel like a freak. They loved that i took charge of my treatments to my best ability and never once poo-poo'd my choices, or what I did.


But- please research what you are being told to take.
I recall finding essiac for my father- and I was starting it on my own cancer when I found out thru my own research that it was very estrogenic. I have an herbalist friend who keeps me updated on things too.
I hope you can find someone in your area that's good that you feel all right with.

Momine

Mandala, I think that is a really good point about taking charge of your own treatment.

hopelives

I recently had a friend pass away after a two year battle with breast cancer.  She was diagnosed with a small tumour but 9 nodes poisitive.  She chose not to do traditional chemotherapy and radiaiton even though it was recommended by her oncologist and instead went the naturopathic medicine route.  Toward the end of her struggle after the cancer now had metastisized she reached out to her oncologist, but by that time the cancer was too far advanced for any chemo to help her.  I was diagnosed 6 yrs ago with a small tumour and 9 nodes also, I chose the gold standard care recommended by a traditional oncologist ( including lumpectomy, chemo, radiatio and now hormone therapy). It has been a difficult journey but I am so glad I followed the advise of brilliant , highly educated medical oncologists rather than these people who call themselves naturopaths, because I am still here.  My friend is not.  Don't fool around with your life !!!!!!   

mary625

Hopelives--I agree about not declining conventional treatment, but want to point out that there are many good naturopaths who will work in a complementary fashion. I have been going to one since I finished treatment. I did not go during treatment because I just didn't have the bandwidth so to speak. I think she is doing wonders for me. She is helping so much more than the onc is with things like Vitamin D level, the role of insulin in the body and the immune system. I take my Femara. The naturopath has never once asked me to not do something that any of my doctors recommended.