Integrative oncologist NJ area

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I've completed my chemo as of November and was put on tamox.  I had a severe reaction with multiple side effects.  When I refused to take it, my oncologist became very upset with me and told me I'd have to have my ovaries out (I just turned 42.) 

I'm now looking for a more integrative oncologist.  Does anyone know of any in the north jersey area?  I already see an osteopath and a nutritionist/nd.  I'm due to go back to the oncologist and just really don't feel like a fight.  I would just like to find someone who respects my opinion and isn't completely married to Western medicine ONLY.  Tx in advance if anyone knows of a doctor! :)

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited May 2011

    calamtykel, it looks like you can search for one here:  http://www.integrativeonc.org/index.php?option=com_civicrm&view=Profiles&layout=search&Itemid=152   (Society of Integrative Oncology).   Good luck finding a really good one you like!    Deanna

  • momoschki
    momoschki Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2011

    Not sure how far you are from NYC, but I have just started seeing Mitchell Gaynor from Weill Cornell. He is on the Upper East Side. Very open to nontraditional alternatives. Check out gaynoroncology.com.

  • calamtykel
    calamtykel Member Posts: 1,187
    edited May 2011

    Thanks!  I just came from NYC yesterday so going back in for a decent oncologlist wouldn't be as big of a deal as I thought!  going to explore these options... :)

  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited May 2011

    I seem to remember a discussion on Mitchell Gaynor on this board here, but cannot find it right now. Will keep looking.

    CORRECTION: There are several threads on Dr. Mitchell Gaynor on this Board. All are really interesting...... 

  • calamtykel
    calamtykel Member Posts: 1,187
    edited May 2011

    Hi

    I looked into Gaynor, but it says he doesn't take insurance?  That it has to be paid and then submitted.  :(  Unfortunately I can't afford to do that, I don't think -we're drowning in cancer bills as it is.  

  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited May 2011

    calamtykel:  I know what you are saying. But I would still call Dr. Gaynor to find out more?

  • momoschki
    momoschki Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2011

    This is true:  Gaynor does not take insurance.  You must pay upfront and then wait to be reimbursed.  I have only seen him once so far, but I was quite impressed.  He is willing to go quite a bit off the map, so to speak.

  • mathteacher
    mathteacher Member Posts: 243
    edited May 2011

    Gaynor is not much-liked among my bc pals.

    If you've already had your chemo why don't you go to a long time MD specialist in integrative cancer medicine? Most people I know in the NYC area go to this place.

     http://www.mbschachter.com/

    They don't push Tamoxifen or Armidex there. They use a lot of other things.

  • calamtykel
    calamtykel Member Posts: 1,187
    edited May 2011

    thanks Mathteacher- interesting about Gaynor.  The site you sent me is really interesting - it sounds a little bit like what my osteopath and naturopath do, only on a larger scale.  

  • GlennSabin
    GlennSabin Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2011

    A list of U.S. integrative onclolgists can be found in the blog section (under resources) of the FON Therapeutics Web site: http://www.fontherapeutics.com

     

  • momoschki
    momoschki Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2011

    Math teacher,

    I'd be interested to know what it is about Gaynor that makes him unpopular among your BC friends... 

  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited May 2011

    GlennSabin: Thank you for this link on integrative oncologists; they are not easy to find......

    and momoschki: I am also curious to know what it is about Gaynor that makes him unpopular. Mathteacher? 

  • momoschki
    momoschki Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2011

    Granted, I only have met with him once, but I liked him a lot.  Seemed incredibly knowledgable and thorough.  Listened to what I had to say.  Don't know if I buy into his whole Tibetan bowl schtick, but the rest of it seems legitimate.

  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited May 2011

    momoschki: You got me curious. What's that Tibetan.... Huuumm... bow schtick? (in a nutshell?)

  • momoschki
    momoschki Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2011

    @Yazmin:  there are these bowls from Tibet (i think they are made of brass?  Not sure) that when rubbed around the rim make a particular tone that some Eastern healers consider medically therapeutic.  I believe Dr Gaynor has written a book or 2 about this.  Something about the unique vibrations that they produce.

  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited May 2011

    momoschki: Oh, I see..... I don't know, either, but I am more and more curious. Perhaps I'll get Dr. Gaynor's book. Thank you.

  • nightbird2009
    nightbird2009 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2011

    Hi,

    I know you will have success in finding someone you can work with ~ you have already set your intention on receving the best care.

    I have some good supplementation I use daily, while I'm off my chemo, that helps me protect myself and fight cancer cells...

    In case you were so inclined to add natural, proven, hard-working supplements, especislly to help our bodies after such cancer treatments like chemo, you can contact American BioSciences, David Wales up there, as he is dedicated to helping cancer patients all over the country, and I have just felt so safe and good taking these supplemets from that company,  that I wanted you and others to hear about them...especially when we feel so unsure and are in-between our medical treatments and w/o our usual medical advice.  It's like putting a protective barrier around myself, I feel.  Anyway, the number there is 888-884-6110 to contact David Wales.

    I like to check with a company when I am vulnerable and I am using their products, and after my cancer treatments, that is how I find many of us feel, VuLnErAbLe.  I am reassured, and also, Mr. Wales is open to all who are looking for  info anyway.

    I hope this helps while you are looking to upgrade you medical team.

    I also use massage, guided imagery, Vitamin D3, and eat faitly green (70/30) so I'm becoming a natural enthusiast of sorts, (; 

    Meditation and yoga and gi gong help me also, as well as a non-profit (by me) that offfers a support group and writing classes, among other things to help us who are recovering from cancer and it's treatments on my town.  Perhaps you have such a place out by you?

    And books... well, I've read many, and then take a break with a magazine or work of fiction (presently, reading 'The Paris Wife', and go back for more reality.  Have you read all the 'Crazy Sexy Cancer' materials, they are good, And Rebecca Katz has a great cookbook, one for the Cancer Kitchen, and also, poetry helps releive my stress, and writing.  I even made a little meditation center/alter in my bedroom where I can be private and think my own thoughts, write to my hearts content and try out any and all healing arts I'm learning, where I can draw inspiration, and looking at some fresh flowers, pictures I love, and a few mementoes I cherish, I pray for everyone to recover and return to health from this complex disease.  I wish you well... try some new supplements, like American Bio's Ave & Immpower, you might have more energy right away and feel better pronto, as I do, and the best benefit is that the sickness feeling is gone and I can exercise again! Plus Ave Ultra and Immpower hike up our NK cells, among many other benefits, too many to number on this forum.

    Be well and listen to your heart ~ it will lead you to the best care!

    Peace, Nightbird 2009.

  • calamtykel
    calamtykel Member Posts: 1,187
    edited May 2011

    Thanks all -- going to check the link for the int onc's! 

    Nightbird - I see an osteopathic doctor who works in herbal medicine and I also see a naturopathic doctor who does kinestetic muscle testing (or "nutritional response testing") using the deltoid muscle to test the body for various supplements.  This way it is strictly tailored to your body's own individual needs - I have seen nothing less than miraculous results for my entire family through his treatment of lyme disease and a chronic kidney infection in my daughter, who has been clear now for two years, after I was told she would have it for the rest of her life by her pediatrician and would need surgery... (NOT!)  

    I also have an ionic foot bath for detox which I have been using once or twice a week.  It charges the body with negative ions which help it to detoxify. In the past several months, I have also been on supplements to detox from chemicals and heavy metals.  My immune system has been super charged it seems, as I never seem to get sick anymore (knock wood) as far as colds, flus and such, even with four kids carrying these illnesses into the house from time to time.  

    I've been trying to get out and run for 45-50 minutes a day (some days like today - don't know if it's going to happen!) 

    That being said, I just want to find an oncologlist who will 'respect" what i'm doing and not "pooh pooh" it simply because they have not been SCHOOLED in it.  It annoys me to no end that some oncologlist are so narrow minded - all they see is the treatment and not the prevention, not the whole person and NOT the whole root cause.   

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