Wardell Fights, Overcomes Stage 4 Breast Cancer

curveball

@lightandwind, if you want those questions answered, you should find someone who is doing the things you are asking about, and ask them why they are doing it. For me, or anyone on this thread, to give answers or explanations for someone else's behavior would be the opposite of the reasonable discourse which you said you wanted to promote. If you object to what someone has said on a thread in the alt forum, go to that thread, and ask them for an explanation. If someone on an alt thread has violated the forum rules, report them to the mods. If you saw or read something you object to, the appropriate place to deal with that issue is where it took place, not on this thread, where nobody has engaged in any of the behaviors you are asking us to explain.

exbrnxgrl

Oy vey! I thought we were have some reasonable discourse about Ms. Wardell. How did it devolve?

Momine

"Momine, in the spirit of reasonable discussion, I was wondering if you or anyone else can answer why "anyone" would ridicule someone who's tx choices are different, challenge someone to support their treatment choices, or judge another person facing the same disease, or if you or anyone else could answer any of my other questions that I've already posted."

Light, I am sorry, but I honestly can't see how any of that question has anything to do with the sloppy reporting of Ms. Wardell's story. I also can't see how it has anything to do with this thread, this forum (comp forum) or me. Curveball asked a question related to the article and I tried to answer it, or begin to anyway.

Momine

Having read the remainder of the thread, the one thing I simply do not understand, in any way, is why or how it is considered "challenging" to ask someone for backup/evidence for an opinion [and why asking this is bad], when we are talking about cancer treatment. However, I respect that there is a contingent of people who feel this way and so I do not ask anymore on the threads specifically designated for those people.

Also, for some of us, it is not conventional vs alternative that is the duality. The real duality is reality-based vs belief/myth/fantasy-based. There is a big difference.

exbrnxgrl

momine,

Regarding your post, the one that precedes mine, you've expressed my thoughts exactly. 

Anonymous

Thank you, Momine. 

Ms. Wardell's story is complex, her blanket statements about the SE's of chemotherapy, after she has been so successfully treated by chemotherapy, are confusing at best. 

Anonymous

lightandwind wrote: "Threads such as the vain thread are polluted with unkind, ridiculing
comments towards the alt thread and other bco members and their choices."

Irony, the person who asked the posters on that "vain thread" to leave and stop posting on the thread she was primarily posting on in the Alternative Forum, and so those women went and started ANOTHER thread, should be criticized for their comments on that thread.  Hmmmnnn... if there is a "bully" - I wonder who it is.  As the "vain thread" is meant as a humorous gathering, sometimes with interesting information, but definitely living up to it's creative OP, a place of gathering for light heart conversation among women dealing with breast cancer.

Off topic: Happy Snow, hope all those effected are staying safe & warm.

SelenaWolf

The "vain" thread was posted in "Humour and Games" for a reason.  Although we often discuss fashion and style issues that affect us, we also post comments on a number of other issues, finding the humour in each.  I know that finding humour in breast cancer and breast cancer treatment (both conventional and alternative) is not to everyone's taste; hence the thread was put in "Humour and Games".  We laugh, we point out the funnier aspects of treatment (ANY treatment), we swap style tips, but we always welcome DISCOURSE, DISCUSSION, DECONSTRUCTION, DEBATE and DEBUNK ( no matter what the topic).  If we want to get serious, we do.  If we want to laugh, we do.  If we want to point out the ridiculous things in life, we do.  That's why we are in "Humour and Games".

The alternative ladies wanted us to leave their "informed" thread alone.  They asked us to not post there unless we were going to be 100% supportive.  The Mods requested that, if we don't agree with the opinions in the alternative threads, then to not read- or post there.  So, I - for one - respected everyone's wishes and stopped posting there.  I keep my opinions now on the "vain" thread.  In "Humour and Games".  As requested.  And where I'll stay.

 

Anonymous

I was wondering, selena, what "forum" it was in - just have it marked in my Favorites, so I forgot.  Thanks for the reminder: Humor & Games, some snark allowed, some good advice too, wonderfully generous women.

cp418

Okay - let's end this now.  We all agree this was poorly written story certainly lacking in medical background or knowledge of breast cancer.  Instead I had wished to celebrate this breast cancer survivor as someone who was initially misdiagnosed but managed to overcome her overwhelming odds.  So sending warm wishes to Linda who continues her fight with this miserable disease.

Momine

cp418, and you did well to post it. Thanks!

Fallleaves

Wow, what an amazing story! I imagine the reason Linda Wardell attributes her survival to the alternative therapies she has used is because her doctor originally gave her 3 months to live. If the expected survival using standard of care is so short, when you go on to live much longer, you would naturally give credit to the other things you've done. But of course no one will ever know what turned things around in her body.

lrsreyes

Thanks CP418 for posting. The article gave me tremendous confidence that with Femara & complimentary therapy my cancer is not coming back. I will be more diligent with my complimentary therapies (  add maitake mushrooms & essiac tea) & keep on exercising.

JeninMichigan

I did not read all the replies on this thread.  However, I have a similar story as this woman and a similar success.  I think no matter how it was reported the points she is stressing is that it is an integrated approached involving chemo, natural/homeopathic and diet/exercise that have brought her to the state she is in now.   I didn't read that she is discrediting medical treatment but that after two years it was enough for her and she opted to try to remain healthy by exercise, diet and supplements.   I have been NED now since June 2008 after multiple liver mets, bone mets and chest node involvement.   I was diagnosed stage IV from the start and after doing my 6 rounds of chemo, I continue to take Herceptin every three weeks but I do a whole lot of natural supplements and therapy along with aggressive exercise.   I couldn't never say one over the other caused my success but it was the  total package along with a very positive attitude and support system.   I think we should applaud anyone at stage IV with those odds to survive and thrive as she has done and perhaps glean some information on what she did.

Jennifer

lrsreyes

Thanks JeninMichigan for posting.  My goal to see my granddaughter ( age1 ) get married looks more attainable. 

lightandwind

Apologies CP, I was not attempting to divert the thread but zoom in on the underlying controversies that are barriers here and in the world of treatment to saving life. I find it frustrating that the "duality" exists, and that it rules our healthcare and determines what kind of help is available to us all, especially when we all have differing needs. I also find it frustrating that these dualing sides (on here and in the world) spend so much time and energy trying to discredit and hurt the other, when the time and energy could be better spent coming together, to figure out how to combine efforts in order to extend life and change the stats on survival for breast cancer. I hold Ms Wardell's journey in high regard and I do believe it does deserve to be celebrated. Apologies again...and thanks so much for posting all the great info and articles!

Jenn, I was inspired by you and your story when I first came to these boards in 2012. I am so glad you are still doing well, and admire your courage to take advantage of the freedom to do what you see is necessary to power forth as I believe we all should.

cp418

lightandwind - no need to apologize!  This is such a tough journey dealing with a BC diagnosis and personal in how each of us is treated.  This is all about learning, sharing and supporting one another IMO.  Only those who have walked in our situation understand our fears and ongoing struggles with health issues.

Scandophile

Ms. Wardell's cancer is healed and that is fantastic!!  Ok, so the article is a bit "light" on some details but its a small newspaper article and that is just the way they are. Its not a full account on her cancer oddyssey and isn't meant to be.