Survivors who have used only alternative treatments

The coast is clear here too. Jimmy Buffett is singing Margaritaville. I'm ready!

Oh Margaritaville I will have one to go thank you.

Yes it is but the poor man thinks I've totally gone off my rocker laughing like I am. Little does he know what we've been talking about.

One thing I'm pleased to have learned about on these boards is "overall survival" vs. "disease free survival".  But, correct me if I'm wrong:  even if a drug shows now overall survival, the road is littered statistically with those who succombed to the disease.  You can't look at these numbers and say, "oh, that drug only gives me four months advantage overall".  That is totally incorrect thinking.  The point is to survive the disease--and this is where the science is inexact.  No oncologist would suggest otherwise. 

I guess I'm still befuddled how anyone could debate the efficacy of Herceptin.

I also think it's not right to suggest that by educating ourselves about alternative treatments, we can come up with the way to eschew allopathic avenues.  There just are no sure-fires in this game in either camp.  Lots of great leads and thoughts, but nothing that screams:  "come this way, and you'll never need chemo again."

Oh bummer!!!!!

As someone of part-Jewish extraction, I take huge offense to this:

It is no coincidence that women who receive chemotherapy visually resemble the women of the Nazi concentration camps. They become emaciated through dangerous losses of muscle mass and bone mass. They lose their hair, vomit their food and suffer the devastating effects of massive nutrient loss.

LtotheK, It is an awful thing to compare chemo that way. My sister-in-law is Jewish, and if she were to see that I can't even repeat what she would say.

So do some threads in their entirety, i must say

It's very obvious it was all in fun. If you go back and read the whole thing it was really about feeling comfortable with our bodies, just done in a light hearted way. I know for me one of the hardest parts has been coming to turms with how I look, and feeling ok with it. It takes time.

bluedahlia, it's our private pool. We know how clean it is we take care of it, and other than the family no one uses it. By the way one needs to be careful of any pool or hot tub ect. for infections nothing to do with sex.

I don,t like the idea that some people read my posts, wish forums were more private

Kira, it's still not a good idea.

I am careful using the hot tub now because of LE. I also know I was told to stay out of the water till I was completely healed. Not sure why I need to be careful now. To be honest I have no interest since taking Femara, but that's another issue.

Luan - if you went to Facebook, only your little "friends" could read your posts. I sure wish I didn't have to read them.

I am so sorry Kira.  One area where I feel extremely fortunate is that I am physically relatively untouched by this whole experience.  Of course, I look like I ran into the Slasher with my left breast, but that can't be seen under an ordinary bra.

Having said this, I went through a period when my hair was growing out where I felt I was wearing my father's head of hair.  While it beat "no hair", it wasn't a look I wanted either.

Finally, about 2 months ago, my hair grew in to the point where I actually could see the start of final hair style I have in my mind....a just above the shoulders bob.  My hairline has filled in, so no patches there either.

The rest of my body is fit and toned, and looks just fine other than my swollen ankle and purple toes.  (Bicycle wipeout.)

I don't have lymphedema, so can only imagine.  But wanted to point out the HAIR part too.

One other thing is that skincare and flattering makeup do wonders.  And haircolor.  Important for our morale.

The "sweats" discussion made me smile.  I don't wear them all that often, and when I do wear sweats, it's usually my cashmere ones I slide into after skiing and a hot bath.  Just so heavenly then.