Test Results (Writing on my mother's behalf)

Options
jagmeet_hanspal
jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
edited December 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

Hello,

I am writing this from my Mother's behalf (as she does not use Internet herself).

Some 10 days back she had some pain in her right breast, which led her to go for a diagnosis to check whether everything was ok. As her real sister is also undergoing chemo-therapy, we are are now extremely worried for my mother's health.

I am mentioning some test results here, with a hope that atleast some of you might be able to help and guide.

Ultrasound Report-1 (16th May 2009)

Clinical Profile: Tenderness with lumpish feeling right breast.

Right breast shows poorly defined area with posterior acoustic attenuation at 10-11 O' clock position. Rest of the breast shows normal fibro - glandular tissue. The nipples are normal. Axillary tail appears normal. Adviced: Mammography and FNAC to rule out possibility of mitotic lesion.

Mammography Report (16th May 2009)

Large irregular mass lesion with spiculated margins see in right upper & outer quadrant. It is causing architectural distortion with retraction of nipple. Microcalcification seen inside mass & adjacent to mass. Left breast normal. Small node seen in left axilla. No node seen in right axilla.

Impression: Irregular spiculated mass right upper & outer quadrant with microcalcification & architectural distortion suggestive of malignant etiology birads-5

Ultrasound Report -2 (16ht May 2009)

All four quadrants of each breast were scanned, followed by evaluation of the subareolarregion and axillary tails. There is evidence of irregular hypoechoic lesion measuring across 2.61*1.50 cm at 9 'O clock position in right breast with posterior shadowing. The lesion appears adherent to underlying muscle. Left breast parenchyma displays a uniform echogenicity and echo-texture of the fibrofatty and gladular components. The subcutaneous, subareolar and retromammary soft tissue planes are normal. No obvious lymphadeopathy seen.

Impression: Irregular hypoechoic lesion with posterior shadowing in right breast. Suggest hystopathlogical correlation.

I am not sure of what help to ask of you guys, however, any information in this regard that can aid knowledge and thus a good decision will be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance. I would post the FNAC results once I get them tomorrow.

Regards,

~
Jagmeet Singh Hanspal

http://www.linkedin.com/in/hanspal

Senior Software Engineer

http://www.TranSwitch.com

~

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited May 2009

    Boy, I can't tell you anything from that report.  Is your mother scheduled for a biopsy?  That is usually the only way to tell if it is cancer or not.  Spiculated means "with spikes or points".  Where it says "impression" it mentions malignant- but keep in mind that 80% of lumps are benign, so the odds are in your mother's favor.  Peace to you, Tami

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited May 2009

    Thank you for posting for your mom (my folks don't do internet, either!) 

    There's a lot in there that I don't fully understand, but here's what I can decipher:

    You mom's left breast was completely clear in all screenings - no sign of anything worrisome.

    There is a suspicious area in your mom's right breast, in the upper outer quadrant (50% of all breast cancer appears in the upper outer quadrant).

    The size of the suspicious area is 2.6 cm x 1.5 cm (in the strange world of breast cancer, anything over 2 cm is labeled "large," though lots of women have had much larger lesions, so 2.6 x 1.5 is not a huge lesion by any means).

    BIRADS is a system used to rate the urgency of followup on a mammogram.  "BIRADS 5" means there is a strong suspicion of malignancy.  The official definition is "highly suggestive of malignancy." 

    "Suggest hystopathlogical correlation" means they are suggesting a biopsy to determine what this suspicious area really is.  (That would be the usual next step after the various screens she's had.)

    Microcalcifications can indicate DCIS, which is a very early form of breast cancer (considered stage 0 - preinvasive).  It is pretty common for DCIS to appear in addition to invasive breast cancer.  (DCIS, by itself, is VERY treatable.  In your mom's case, it would be sort of a side issue - they are most concerned about figuring out the story on the main suspicious area.)

    Overall, the doctors are saying there is a somewhat high likelihood that your mom has breast cancer, but that it needs to be confirmed with a biopsy.  They are not saying (nor could they know, without a biopsy) exactly what sort of breast cancer it might be, and if it IS cancer, what stage, or if it has spread outside of the breast. 

    There is still a reasonable chance that a biopsy will come back benign.  However, even if it IS cancer, that doesn't necessarily mean it is life-threatening.  The biopsy will be the first step - it will take a week or so to get all of the information from the biopsy, and that will then give you/your mom and the doctors the starting place for what sorts of treatments would be appropriate and the pros and cons of the various options.  If there is a cancer diagnosis, once you know what it is, make sure to visit the forum for that particular type of breast cancer - you'll get lots more information that way and be able to connect with other women (and their family members) dealing with that diagnosis.

    I hope that was helpful.  I wish the best to you both.

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2009

    Hello Linda, Tami,

    Thanks for your time and all the information you presented.

    The FNAC report confirms it is "Invasive Duct Carcinoma". The doctor suggest us to go for a high-resolution PET/CT scan for disease in the the whole body, so he can check the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread to other places. If not (I am hoping its not spread), we can get her operated to get the tumor removed asap. God help us!

    Regards,

    ~
    Jagmeet

    ~ 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited May 2009

    Jagmeet,

    I'm so sorry that your mom has breast cancer.  A PET/CT scan is a pretty common next step after a diagnosis of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  Like you said, they want to check to make sure the cancer has not spread to other parts of her body.  Please know that if there are signs of cancer in her Lymph Nodes, that it does NOT mean that cancer has spread anywhere else, or that it will.  (When cancer is just in the breast and a few lymph nodes, there is a very good success rate with surgery and chemo (and sometimes radiation, too).)

    I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts.  Let us know how the PET/CT scan goes.

    Best wishes to you both,

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2009

    Thank-you Linda for the good wishes and the information.

    Got the PET/CT Scan done. Its a 2-page long report, so I am just stating the summay here:

    Brain, Neck, Thorax, Abdomen are normal.

    The uterus is bulky. Foci of calcification noted in the uterine body ? Calcified fibroid.

    Tiny sclerotic focus noted in the left sacral ala likely bony island. Rest of the bones under survey appear normal and demonstrate no abnormal FDG uptake.

    PET CT scan findings are suggestive of FDG avid multifocal parenchymal lesions in the lower outer quadrant of the right breast with FDG avid right level I axillary lymph node. No scan evidence of FDG avid disease noted elsewhere in the rest of the body surveyed. Overall PEt CT scan findings are suggestive of Stage II A (T1c N1 M0). Please correlate clinically.

    I think the PET CT legend (T1c N1 M0) summarizes it all, and I am going to take the doctor's opinion on this tomorrow and get my mother admitted and oprerated upon asap.

    I am really happy that I found this forum and the right people all the way till now. I hope everything will be fine and she gains her good health again.

    Regards,

    ~
    Jagmeet

    ~

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited May 2009

    Hi Jagmeet,

    Oh, that is very good news that there is no sign of cancer beyond her lymph nodes!!  Whew.  As you are learning, stage IIa is considered "early" breast cancer, and is very treatable.  I did want to let you know that in some cases (depending on the specific pathology of your mom's tumor), the doctors prefer to give some chemo first, and then do surgery afterwards.  (And then maybe more chemo afterwards.)  Giving chemo first can shrink the tumor - sometimes even make it disappear completely - and for some cancers it makes surgery more effective because it greatly reduces the chance of leaving active cancer cells behind.  I don't know if that will be what the doctors suggest for you mom, but I wanted to let you know so you wouldn't be shocked if they didn't want to do surgery immediately.  Also, many people find it useful to see a medical oncologist before having surgery.  Surgeons are best at surgery!  But sometimes they do not know the latest information about how each specific type of cancer responds to various new drugs.  The Medical Oncologist is most likely to have that information, and to be able to discuss with you and your mom about what overall course of treatment is likely to give her the best results.  (The Medical Oncologist would know whether that specific cancer would be best treated by drugs first, or by surgery first.)

    There is some other important information that should be coming soon from pathology.  The tissue taken out at biopsy will be sent to a pathologist to test for "hormone receptivity" (referred to as "ER" for "Estrogen Receptor" and "PR" for Progesterone Receptor") and "Her2 status."  They should also tell you the "grade" of the cancer (number 1, 2 or 3).  Some labs also test for other "markers."    All of that information together will also help the doctors to determine which course of action is most likely to be effective for your mom.

    Your mom may also want to consider having genetic testing.  (It's a blood test.)  Since her sister has breast cancer, too, there is a higher chance of a genetic link.  This could be important information for any other sisters they have, and for any daughters and granddaughters of either of them.  (If they find that your mom has the gene, then it is simple and inexpensive to test other family members for the exact same mutation.)  It might also impact what treatment the doctors recommend for your mom, because if she were to test positive, it could mean she has a higher likelihood of a recurrence.  She might want to be treated more aggressively now to help prevent that from happening.  It is usually best to talk with a certified genetic counselor who specializes in cancer to discuss your family history and the pros and cons of getting tested.  They can also help write up the request in such a way that insurance is more likely to pay for the test (the initial test is quite expensive). 

    I hope that is helpful!  I will continue to keep you and your mom in my thoughts.

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2009

    She is scheduled for an operation today. Doctors said, its a clear case of surgery and chemo shall follow afterwards, as it is localized and can be removed by operation.

    They suggested a Mastectomy instead of the Lumpectomy because of a few factors (ill definition of tumor, the small size of breast, less risky proposition) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited May 2009

    Hi Jagmeet,

    I hope surgery went well and that your mother is resting comfortably now.  I'm so glad she's got you supporting and loving her so well.

    One other suggestion I would make that surgeons often do not think to recommend is to have your mother see a Lymphedema Specialist soon for "Lymphedema Education/Prevention" sessions.  The Specialist (usually a physical therapist with specialized training about lymphedema and breast cancer) will help your mom learn exercises and movements to allow her body to heal in the best possible way to prevent lymphedema from developing.  I found this HUGELY helpful.  Often, surgeons do not refer patients for this service until AFTER the patient already has developed lymphedema - and then it is too late to prevent it (once a patient develops lymphedema, it is a lifelong condition).

    Good luck to you both!  I'm continuing to keep you both in my thoughts.

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2009

    Yes, the doctor told her some exercises that she needs to do on a daily basis. I think those were for the condition you have mentioned. She has a small swelling after the operation and I think it is due to the same. She is back to the hospital again to show this to the doc. Also, we are still waiting for the reports of the kind of tumor and whether they would suggest a chemo-therapy.

    Anyways, lets see how it all goes from here...

    I would really like to thank you for all your time Linda. Its just like I am talking to most appropriate  person who is showing the next steps to be walked. My complete profile is at http://www.linkedin.com/in/hanspal and I am a Software Engineer by profession. So anything technical, just remember me. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited June 2009

    Hi Jagmeet,

    I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.  We have been out of town (first vacation since my bc diagnosis!) and ended up without internet for 5 days.

    That's great that the doctor has shown your mom some basic exercises.  Make sure that someone also teaches her how to do "Lymphedema Massage."  If they say she doesn't need it unless she actually develops lymphedema, this is wrong. (But many surgeons don't have the correct information.)  I asked my surgeon for a "prescription" for physical therapy/lymphedema prevention, and she was willing to send me.  I think it made a big difference in my recovery.  I don't have lymphedema, but I do the exercises (lymphedema massage) every day and have special instructions for what to do and not do to prevent lymphdema from ever developing.

    I do want to say that it is very normal to have some swelling after surgery, and that is not the same as lymphedema.  It's great that your mom is going to the doctor to check and be sure, though.  Does she have drains?  those should help.  It may still take a few weeks for the post-surgery swelling to go down.

    Jagmeet, I'm really glad I could be of help to you and your mom.  Thank you so much for your generous offer of technical support.  I really appreciate it.  I'll keep checking back in as you and your mom get more results and are figuring out the next steps.  And I'll continue to keep you both in my thoughts.

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2009

    Hello Linda,

    Our oncologist has adviced to wait till June-end  or first-week of July to start the chemo-therapy sessions (6 in total) so that my mother can get some rest and recover from the surgery. Also she is taking 6 points of insulin 3 times a day as she is diabetic.

    However, we consulted another experienced doctor, who said that we are just wasting time waiting for the Chemo, and that it should start ASAP. 

    And this makes us confused. Do you hae information or any link which says usually when does a chemo start after the mastectomy? I know everypatient and case would be different, but what are the deciding factors? Should we wait as the first doc said or get Chemo ASAP as the second one said? 

    Regards,
    ~
    Jagmeet
    ~ 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited June 2009

    Hi Jagmeet,

    I was just thinking about you and your mom this morning!  I think it is great that you sought a second opinion.  (One idea would be to seek a 3rd opinion.)  I do not know very much about Chemo, as my bc did not require Chemo.  Because I don't know the answer to this one, I posted your question in the Chemotherapy Forum.  Here is a link to the question I posted:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/735909

    I expect the people in the Chemo forum will have information for you.  Let me know if you don't get what you need from them.  (I will watch that thread, also.) 

    In my case, I had surgery and then radiation.  I sought several opinions, and all said it was important to wait 4 or 6 weeks after surgery to give my body time to recover before radiation began.  The lymphedema specialist strongly suggested a full 6 weeks, to give the best chance of my lymph system healing and avoiding lymphedema.  So that is what I did.  But my situation was different than your mom's, because I had no cancer in any lymph nodes.  I don't know which is more important for your mom - to get a chance to heal well before starting Chemo, or to start Chemo right away.  I do know that Chemo can be pretty hard on a person, so it makes sense to me to have time to heal before starting.  But I do not know which is medically best to do.  So I hope the people in the Chemo forum can give you good advice!

    Please do keep me updated on how things are going for you and your mom.  I'm very happy to help with other questions as they come up.  I'll continue to keep you both in my thoughts,

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited June 2009

    While you are waiting for responses from the Chemotherapy forum, I found a few links within Breastcancer.org that might be useful.

    This link has lots of good information about chemotherapy - and there are several links to specific topics:  http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/

    This link includes useful questions to ask the oncologist about chemo:

    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/your_chemo_combo/tips.jsp

    This link mentions starting chemo "as soon as possible" after surgery:

    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/overview/questions.jsp

    Hope that helps!

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited June 2009

    Hi Jagmeet,

    I don't know if you have seen the replies on the other thread I posted for you mom.  Everyone said that they waiting 6 weeks or so to start chemo.  Once chemo is started, it is much harder for the body to heal from surgery.  I would guess that would be even more true for a diabetic, since healing takes longer anyway.

    I hope that helps!  The other suggestions were to tell each doctor what the other doctor said, and then ask them to explain WHY it was important to either have chemo right away or wait.  The last suggestion was to get a 3rd opinion.

    Good luck to you both with making this decision.

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2009

    Hey Linda,

    What a wonderful person you are, following up with my questions with others. I am really humbled by this endeavour. That link could not work out for me, so I couln't check the replies myself, till now. But today I managed to find what you posted in the Chemo Forum and also the replies everyone made. Thanks a ton!

    We are hoping to get the Chemo started for my mom before the end of next week. Also, there are alternative medicine (Ayurveda) doctors that we consulted in parallel and they have herbal and natural preprations for treating this. Just want her to get better by any means that we can employ.

    Thanks once again. 

    - Jagmeet  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited June 2009

    Jagmeet - you are very welcome!  (How frustrating that the link did not work for you - darn!)  Sounds like you and your mom have the timing worked out now.  And that's great that you are also seeking out alternative medicine to assist in her healing.  I have been receiving treatment from a Homeopath/Naturopath in addition to the surgery and radiation.  I think the alternative treatment really helped me heal and prevent problems with radiation.  I continue to see him to prevent the cancer from coming back.  Anyway, it sounds like you and your mom are doing well.

    I wish her the very best with chemo.  If she has any problems with chemo at all, make sure to tell the doctor right away.  There are many new medicines that can help reduce chemo reactions, but some patients don't say anything until they are really miserable.  The doctors usually say it is better to say something right away.  (Of course, the Ayurveda treatments might help prevent those side effects.)

    Best to you both!

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2009

    Hello Linda...

    My mom just get her 3rd chemo session done 2 days back. She is feeling fine.

    Just found an article on the internet and I thought it might interest you:
    http://www.naturalnews.com/026536_cancer_brst_cancer_cancer_patients.html

    ~
    Jagmeet
    ~ 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited August 2009

    Jagmeet, I just found this thread...So glad you have gotten your mother such great care.......You are a wonderful son to do this for her.......Glad to hear your mom is doing well with the chemo......

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited August 2009

    Hi Jagmeet,

    Thanks so much for the update!  I'm so glad to hear your mother is doing well with her chemo.  Yay!!!!  Will she need radiation after chemo is finished?  Or no radiation?  (It usually depends on the size of the margins after surgery, and sometimes on the doctors' opinions about what should happen with the nodes.)  Anyway, if she does need radiation, most women find it easier to handle than chemo.  (She probably doesn't need radiation, but let me know if she does need radiation, and I can give you some suggestions about ways to protect her skin that worked for me.)

    I know I have said this before, but your mom is so lucky to have your love and support right now.  What a great son you have been!

    Please do keep me posted as your mom goes through her treatment.  I've been thinking about the two of you and sending warm thoughts your way.

    Take care,

    Linda

    PS:  Thank you for posting that website for me.  I will check it out.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Manishawaghmare
    Manishawaghmare Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2009

    Hello jagmeet,i am posting on my mom's behalf as well.....my mom is diagnosed with intracystic pappillary carcinoma and dcis and the oncologist has suggested a mastectomy......as i read on linkedin about you,i found that you are from india......have some queries,hoping for some answers....where in india are you going for alternative medicines and what all problems your mom faced after mastectomy,where do you reside in india if at all and where did you get your mother operated?I know there are many questions.....please be considerate.

    Thanking you for listening and hoping for a quick recovery of your mom.

    Warm regards.

    Manisha.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2009
    Hello Manisha,

    I read your post in the morning but it took me some time to reply. I have put my answers to your questions below and tried NOT to miss anything important.

    Ques: What all problems your mom faced after mastectomy?
    Ans: Well, I would say our doctors were very supportive in this regard and surgery was our first priority too, as we wanted to get the tumor removed at the earliest before the malignant cells start spreading into the rest of the body. The doctor provided all the medication needed for recovery, and we were given enough time before the Chemo would start. The doctors advised the food/drinks pre and post surgery and the hospital took care of it.

    We were really appalled when my mother was brought out from the operation theater and the recovery unit after the surgery. She was all drowsy and would throw-up due to all the anesthesia and suffered pain in the operated areas and around. There was discomfort for sure, but the pain-killer and other medication really helped. They had a small plastic bag attached through a long pipe to the operated area for draining out the unwanted fluid and blood. It had to be washed daily and compressed to generate vacuum for sucking out the unwanted liquid from her body. Someday a damaged/cut nerve/vein would get sucked in the pipe and would have to be removed manually, but doctors said it was nothing to be worried about, although it was upsetting. She was bed-ridden for 2 days and the docs advised not to lift anything heavy from that side of the body. Also avoid taking Blood-Pressure measurements on the affected arm or administering any injections on that particular arm. Another extremely important point, which Linda and our doctors suggested was the exercise for preventing Lymphedema. During the surgery a chemo-port was implanted in my mother's body which is really helpful for administering the Chemo-drugs to the body. My mother was advised not to sit idle considering herself sick when she was discharged. Besides proper rest, she was told to do her regular work but just prevent heavy work and strictly avoid getting any kind of infections...

    Also, after the mastectomy, my mother had started the Ayurvedic alternatives, so that really helped in recovery too... And, steadily in about 4 weeks she was healed enough to get started with the Chemo-Therapy. Mastectomy was important and inevitable.

    Ques: Where in india are you going for alternative medicines?
    Ans: We consulted the "Swami Ramdev" centers for the Ayurvedic medicines as an alternative treatment. These centers are very popular now-a-days and you should be able to find one in (or near) your town too. This was besides the surgery and Chemo-therapy that our oncologist had suggested. A positive frame of mind, with regular yoga helped us tremendously. They also suggest the food/juices and other things that help maintain a healthy body. The consultation is free and they only charge for the medicines/potions and tonic, that you buy from them. Very Very helpful. Although the person whom we met in the Ayurvedic center was quite young (and seemed naive) and we didn't know whether we could trust him, but we realized they had standard-package for cancer and other diseases, which mostly consisted of health potions/herbs etc and certain other medicines, and they would modify it based on the patient's condition, state, stage and preferences.

    Ques: Where do you reside in india if at all and where did you get your mother operated?
    Ans: We got all the diagnosis, surgery, chemo-therapy (still continuing) from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. We didnt want to take any chances with such a disease so wanted to go for the best that was available. Also the medical insurance helped us offset the cost of treatment. We reside in Faridabad, its a satellite town to New Delhi.

    This forum has a lot of information, helpful members and personal expereinces which is indispensable. You can also post the FNAC/Mammography reports and PET scan reports, if that has already been done, and check with other members who had similar diagnosis and what kind of treatment they followed. 

    I wish you a lot of courage and good luck. 

    Best Regards,
    ~
    Jagmeet
    ~

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farila_1966
    farila_1966 Member Posts: 224
    edited August 2009

    Hi there Jagmeet. I am happy that you are so much involved with your mother. I am not talking much about any alternative medicines because I do not believe in them. I live in southern part of India. I have had very good support from Harmala Gupta who runs Cancer support group in Delhi. I think it will be very helpful for you to get in touch with her. She herself is a BC survivor and also great lady. This is where you can get in touch with her

    Harmala Gupta
    President
    CanSupport
    Kanak Durga BVK
    Sector 12, R.K. Puram
    New Delhi-110022
    India
    Tel. Nos: +91-11-26102851, 26102869
    Fax. No.: +91-11-26102859
    Mobile No.: +91-9810606841
    Website: http://www.cansupport.org/

    Sending prayers to your mother...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2009

    Thanks for the CanSupport details Farila. We didn't get too much into the Ayurvedic "medicines" either. As noted, this was, but, an alternative track, a parallel track. The main track being what the doctors/oncologists suggested. However, there are certain natural/herbal things that are good even for an otherwise healthy person. Things like Neem, Tulsi, Jowar, Aloe Vera, Ghiya (Gourd)  can be taken by anyone, it just helps anyway, not specific for cancer. So we had chosen from the list the ones that are but health/energy or immune boosters. As we know the immune system, besides other dynamics, is the one that suffers tremendously from the harsh Chemo drugs. And most of these we could grow at home just to avoid getting adulterated/inorganic food from market/ayurvedic center, which is very very common here in India. 

    And, I am sorry, I didnt want to annoy your belief system. Even I shared your perspective before this happened to us, however, I just wrote here what helped us. Even the doctor seemed surprised when my mother went for her first chemo-session that she had recovered so well and had that glow on her face which not even some healthy people have (touch wood). But, anyways, everyone is free to choose.

    There are other sites which say about "curable cancer" like Munir Khan's CancerCurable.com and others that try to cure it through balancing the pH of the body or even through Reiki and distance healing. But, what matters is what helps particular patient. Each diagnosis and prognosis is different and even for oncologists today, adminitering the quantity of medicine is selecting a particular medicine is a "statistical" process. Oncologists have annual meetings where they disucuss the improvement in the results by changing one out of many factors that affect, and then follow the new model for treatment, only to come back the next year with the new results. What I mean is there is no sure-shot way, "yet". I even provided a link to an article which stated that whole BC thing is a scam as you are deliberately scanning over 2900 women and exposing them to X-rays to save the life of 1. And even that survivor does not lead a normal life as she is undergoing chemo or radiation and having all those Chemo/radiation adverse-effects.. Somebody researched this and posted it here: http://www.naturalnews.com/026536_cancer_brst_cancer_cancer_patients.html

    However, thanks for the link. I think we will contact her too. Anything to help her get better. This forum is wonderful. :-)

    Regards,
    ~
    Jagmeet
    ~

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited August 2009

    Jagmeet thank you for the URL to the Natural News article.  It is definitely food for thought and raises many questions about standard treatment protocol.

     For many years I turned to alternative treatments for another family member when standard protocols seemed to offer little.  Some things appeared to help, most didn't.  You couldn't help being drawn in by the personalities and enthusiasm of the providers.  Often markedly different from the coldly clinical behavior of your typical health professional. 

    The only thing that bothers me about this article is the background of the author.  I would feel far more confident in the information if it had been authored by someone with a background in science or medicine, provided references to support the conclusions in the article or at least had been co authored or reviewed by someone with such training.

    Here is the authors stated background:

    Barbara is a school psychologist, a published author in the area of personal finance, a breast cancer survivor using "alternative" treatments, a born existentialist, and a student of nature and all things natural.

    The article is, however, full of information worth learning more about.  Perhaps there is a better supported discussion of this lady's assertions somewhere online.  Thank you for posting this provocative link.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farila_1966
    farila_1966 Member Posts: 224
    edited September 2009

    LOL.. There is nothing annoying in this post. I don't take things seriously ...my beliefs are just there. They are not strong and bothering in anyway. I am survivor of 13 yrs and I have lost my Mom and sister to BC. So what I say is based on my experience but I don't want to discuss that here. Everyone should do what suites them the best.

    What you say about women not having life after cancer is just a bullshit. Sorry for the language. Take back that sentence where you say even the survivor does not have a normal life because there are women on this board who can prove you wrong.. me being one of them.

    Good luck for your Mom

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2009

    Hello Liane,

    Thanks for pointing that out. I, kind of, overlooked it. The stated background does seem flabbergasted, but the content doesn't. She could have included some references for authenticity.

    Also, we are still following standard treatment protocol for my mother, and whatever our oncologists suggest. I think that's the best bet too, and "alternative" is still an alternative.

    However, one fundamental difference is while "standard treatment protocol" focusses on tearing the body down to "treat/kill" cancerous cells, the "alternatives" focusses on building the body up to "cure/prevent" cancer. And since none of the above is a 100% solution, none of them is a sure-shot thing, I believe having best of both the worlds would be more synergetic.

    Regards,
    ~
    Jagmeet
    ~

    PS. I started this thread to get advice for my mother's treatment, but it somehow got highjacked to some other kind of discussions. Sorry! I think I should be back to minding my own business than giving advice to others. So, I am all ears again... My mom would have her 4th chemo session on 4th Sept. The chemo was planned as 3+3 sessions, each set with a different chemo-drug. I hope she regains her normality soon...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2009

    Hello Farila,

    You may not realize how much confidence it gave me when I read your reply regarding surviving and having a normal life after the treatment for BC (Stage IIIa Grade 3, 8/10 nodes). Thanks a big ton! It is you and Linda and others in the forum that show us light at the end of the tunnel. I wish and hope my Mom gets through this ugly phase too...

    But, I ask for an apology, for what I mentioned was from the article I provided the link for and not my own words or research. However, besides that I did mention what we tried and what helped us. Like you say, "Eveyone should do what suits them the best". 

    Regards,
    ~
    Jagmeet
    ~ 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farila_1966
    farila_1966 Member Posts: 224
    edited September 2009

    LOL Jagmeet.. What makes you think your mother should gain normality. She is normal now. Don't think her to be abnormal and she will be fine...

    Chemo is hard on a person and she deserves a lot of love and affection. Just be there for her.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2009

    I think that is what I am trying my best to do...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jagmeet_hanspal
    jagmeet_hanspal Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2009

    I said "regain normality", Farila. And "cancerous cells" ARE an abnormality. This is how Wikipedia defines a Tumor:

    "A tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells" and a malignant tumor is cancerous...

     Communication Gap, maybe....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories