complementary vs. alternative?

AnneW

If chilipad's description was upsetting to read, think how dificult it must be to live. It's nothing she hasn't said on some of the other threads on BCO. I appreciate her honesty. It brings home the reality of this disease that most of us, hopefully, will not have to endure. But if we do, women like chilipad will be there to guide us through.

Merilee

Both is best. I can say this because I am one who tried to beat it with alternative and complementary means and ended up with a recurrence. Now I am using both/all.

elmcity69

I don't post this in the spirit of contention or antagonism, but I cannot understand the entrenched opposition and denigration of chemotherapy that comes from various corners. Is it unpleasant? sure. I did dose dense A/C, then Taxol, and those first 8 weeks were rough. Taxol was fine, and Herceptin easy - the worst part was having my port accessed.

Are there oncologists who go overboard with chemo protocols? Definitely. But most DON'T. and MOST patients do not die from chemo. Bear in mind that as a patient group, we represent far and wide: women with advanced age, with multiple and/or serious co-morbidities, etc.

Is chemotherapy a treatment doctors should prescribe, and patients should do, lightly? No. But the idea chemotherapy widely and routinely kills women is scaremongering, and plain false.

baldness, nausea, headaches, fatigue - all better than cancer, in my book. it's CANCER that kills us.

peggy_j

patzee9, I was reading your post about your margins. I read that they want 0.2 cm margins (or 2 mm; 1 cm = 10 mm). My surgeon said she takes out 1 cm around the tumor to ensure the 0.2 cm clean margins. Cancer doesn't grow in a smooth sphere, but has little things sticking out like claws, hence the challenge for surgeons. They can get the "body" of the tumor but need to go for extra tissue to pick up the claws and still get the clear margins. (they do this for all cancers, even my dad's basal cell skin cancer). I agree with the others who have encouraged you to get a second opinion. I've known other women who had a second surgery to ensure clean margins. That seems important even if other treatments are declined.

chillipadi

Thanks to everybody who wished me well. It's not easy for me to share about my condition, because people find it unbelievable and shocking. People don't seem to understand how horribly cancer can ravage your body. It's aged me so much that total strangers have asked me if my husband is my son.

It is not my intention to frighten anybody just for the heck of it. I share in the hope that it will save lives. Even so, you will notice that I rarely post. Nobody likes to hear the ugly truth. Wouldn't we all like to believe that healthy living and diet alone, free from harmful conventional medical treatment, can cure cancer? When I was stoically pursuing the alternative route, I searched for testimonials and anecdotes anywhere that could assure me that I was on the right track. If you search long and hard enough, you'll usually find what you want to hear. Juicing, apricot kernels, Budwig protocol, garlic and harbenero peppers, IP6, medicinal mushrooms, Essiac tea, FlorEssence, alkaline diet etc. - you name it and I've probably tried it.

Most people in my situation can't find the energy or strength to warn others. It takes a lot to do so, and our intentions aren't always appreciated. So we generally keep quiet and focus on just making it through another day. 

Ultimately, there's no guarantee either way that going either alternative or conventional or even complementary will help us defeat cancer. So we must all try our best to make an informed decision that we can have peace with. It's up to each individual.

Many times I wish I could turn back the clock. I wish that years ago I had heard from somebody like me. I wish I knew about cancer boards like BCO earlier. I wish I hadn't been so stubborn and closed my mind to conventional treatment which might have helped me. Now, I feel so sad that I may have to leave my husband sooner than we ever thought would happen. It breaks his heart to see me in pain everyday, especially when he dresses my hideous tumors.

This morning I was supposed to have a meeting with a new client (I'm a freelance writer) but I had to cancel because I was in so much pain. I was invited to a nice dinner tonight but had to decline because the pain is agonising. It was a beautiful day today and I longed to go out for a walk along the river outside my home, but every movement is sheer torture. My niece will be getting married next month, but I won't be able to attend the wedding.

I have lovely clothes in my closet which I am unable to wear because of the massive growths, oozing and pain. It hurts like hell just to put on a bra. I can't travel anywhere. I can't even bake, which I used to enjoy doing. My home is a pig-sty because I can't clean and my husband can't manage. We have no children or family members who care enough to help out.

I did not mean to spoil anyone's lunch. I apologise if I did. But if what I have shared haunts you and causes you to think twice before refusing any treatment which could save your life, I'm glad I spoke up.

Chillipadi 

suzieq60

Chillipadi - again, thankyou for sharing. I do hope your experience will help someone realise that alternative treatment does not work - you may have saved someone's life.

((((((HUGS)))))))

Sue