stage III choosing alternative

Check this out about Steve Jobs:

"According to Steve Jobs' biographer, Walter Isaacson, the Apple mastermind eventually came to regret the decision he had made years earlier to reject potentially life-saving surgery in favor of alternative treatments like acupuncture, dietary supplements and juices. Though he ultimately embraced the surgery and sought out cutting-edge experimental methods, they were not enough to save him…
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…But Jobs refused surgery after diagnosis and for nine months after, favoring instead dietary treatments and other alternative methods. Isaacson says that when he asked Jobs why he had resisted it, Jobs said "I didn't want my body to be opened...I didn't want to be violated in that way." His early resistance to surgery was apparently incomprehensible to his wife and close friends, who continually urged him to do it." 

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Fufu how frustrating. As I mentioned earlier these people can come up with some very convincing augments if only looking at the surface. My heart goes out to you both.

fufu:  I live in SE Florida, so when you said this holistic clinic was in W. Palm, my curiosity was aroused.  I googled it and read all about it.  The diet promoted is vegan, and I do have a friend who put her Mysthenia Gravis in complete remission by following a strict vegan diet.  MG is a very serious debilitating disease that causes your muscles to waste away.  My friend was very ill and almost died several times.  The conventional doctors could not do much for her, so she took matters into her own hands.  The last time I saw her..two years ago..she was the picture of health.  She takes no prescription medications...just follows her diet and supplementation program, and does tai chi, qigong. and yoga.

While I am not a vegan, I do follow an alkaline diet, and since starting it, I feel much better and have more energy.  I wanted my body in optimal condition as  I certainly intend to do surgery for my breast cancer, and will wait to see the outcome of the sentinel node biopsy before deciding on any radiation.

My point is, the diet your friend is on is not going to hurt her condition, and can only help it, so try not to panic about that part of the program.  

Fufu, you are to be commended for all your effort with your cousin.  I understand how difficult this time is for you both.  It sounds like she has her "blinders" on right now and will only see what she wants.  She might be in a bit of denial and trying to regain control of her life, I experienced the same thing at the beginning but still did chemo tx.  My thoughts & prayers will continue to be with you both.  Please let us know how things go.

fufu, it sounds like she is following the Gerson Therapy protocol. That's used for cancer and other diseases. You should look it up online.   

Was wondering how she was Staged without biopsy, lumpectomy, surgery? Perhaps Shelley is correct as to Grade 3 DCIS, which makes quite a difference. You said she refused all surgery, so how exactly did she get a definitive diagnosis?.

Scuttlers wrote: You said she refused all surgery, so how exactly did she get a definitive diagnosis?.

I hadn't even thought about that.  Good question Scuttlers!

Shelly it took almost 2 weeks just to get an appointment with my BS after the mammo (and that's only because I got in on a cancellation). It took another 2 weeks just go get my biopsy because the place that I had my mammo/US done sent the incorrect images (and I physically brought them over twice and they still messed up). So that was just a month right there. Then I had to wait for an MRI (and my cycle) etc. Basically my Mammo was on June 11th but I didn't have my surgery till August 31st do to tests and getting results and when both the PS and BS could preform the surgery… and mine was a fast growing, 6.7cm tumor and HER2+.  I too was "what are we waiting for" but it appears that unless its IBC they are not too worried about a few weeks.

As far as her BS following her. I bet she got a call but told them she was going with another treatment center. Even the place that I got my mammo/US called to follow up about 7 weeks later.

Fufu you are not wrong but there is still a lot of information she doesn't have and won't have till she has surgery. The true size, if it's in her lymph nodes etc. Has it been tested for HER2 yet? If she is HER2+ this is a very aggressive tumor that needs to be treated with Herceptin to have significantly better outcomes. Problem is Herceptin is rarely given without chemo because it works better with chemo. Hopefully she will not be HER2+ . Typically they test everyone for HER2+ these days because Hercepin makes that much of a difference in prognosis for those of us who need it. It seems breast cancer tends to be more aggressive in younger patients. Even I was considered young (diagnosed at age 49) and as you can see had a very aggressive fast growing tumor. 

Sounds like she is slowly coming to terms with her condition. Just don't overwhelm her but she does sound like she is listening. Remind her that the drug companies may make a lot of money on chemo but the insurance companies don't like to pay for it. It is kind of a check and balance in my mind. I know a lot of alternatives claim that the drug companies have a cure but make too much money on cancer drugs so they won't publish the info on alternative. They also claim that the doctors are getting kick backs from the drug companies. There is this big conspiracy theory that is just BS. If you are going to a good treatment center this is not the case. I don't know of one oncologist out there that wouldn't love to see a cure or a treatment without so many SE.

BTW chemo is supposed to work best on fast growing cancers (ones that are grade 3, and/or HER2+, triple negative etc.) Hopefully this info will be presented to her.

Fufu......I am so relieved that your cousin is seeing a surgeon.  I looked at this as "putting the cancer factory out of business".  I was elated to have the nasties out of my body.

I also waited about six weeks before going for help for the tumor I found exfoliating in the shower.  I also thought I was most likely Stage III going into surgery.  However, with only one lymph node affected, I was Stage IIb.  I am just fine now.

As Lago says, you won't have a final diagnosis until after surgery.

You should be proud of yourself for forcing the issue and seeing that your cousin gets the treatment she needs.  Not a fun journey ahead, but we get there.  The chemo issue is important, but mostly in the sense that her medical team know.  Because so many options, and I am sure her medical oncologist will pick different combinations based on her family history.

Here's hoping that she feels a lot better once she gets a treatment plan in place.  That is the next milestone. - Claire

why thank you, princess!  The people in my life (except for my immediate family) do not realize the extra lengths I am going to stay healthy.  They think, "hey, you have hair, you must be fine."  But my family sees me working extra jobs to pay for alternative treatments, following a strict diet, getting up early to do yoga or qi gong, etc.  it's a lot of work but worth it!  

Thanks for the clarification, Fufu. It does sound like your concerns are well placed. I think at minimum, the tumor needs to be removed so that the cancer "source" at least will be gone.  It does sound like she is beginning to listen and consider other treatments, so stay positive with her that she should hear the treatment plans from the MDs. She cannot make an informed decision without it. Encourage her to take a tape recorder or notepad to take notes so that she can get as much information as possible before making a decision. The fear of losing one's breast/s cannot be understated, it is a huge thing they are asking her to do. For many of us though, it was a relief to get the cancer OUT. I was glad to be scheduled quickly before I lost my nerve. I have not regretted my decision. I think with her, it will be a one step at a time process.

One other thought, if she gets in to see a breast surgeon, they often have the ultrasound equipment in the office and can measure the tumor right there. If they could compare the two ultrasounds and tell her whether or not the tumor has shrunk, it might help her to make a decision. Remind her that her images from mammos, ultrasounds, MRI, etc. should be taken to the surgeon appt. Sometimes it takes a couple of days for them to get these ready, so she should call and ask for them in advance.

Fufu you have done what you think is right to help her but of course it is ultimately her choice. I hope thay with time you can find some peace with her decision and can continue to support her as you've shown real care and compassion uptil now. She is going to need you and having tried to encourage her to look at all her options you have nothing about which to reproach yourself. Very best wishes to both of you x

fufu:  Our prayers for you and your cousin.  Just love her unconditionally and send lots of positive healing energy her way.  If her scans are not what she likes, who knows, she may make a different decision than she has made thus far, particularly about the surgery.