Early Stage Natural Girls!

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited August 2012

    Mini1

    You are far from being alone.  You must be strong, however!  Be prepared.

    I have not had a single dink on 4 mos and my diet was a 360 degree tuirnaround until 4 days ago...virtually no bad carbs.

    Then, I was offered cake at a party, and decided to have  apc. For the last 4 days , I have bene eating like my PRE cancer self-

    cake, cookie, candy dish etc ... MUST STOP!!

  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    graced - we'll have to compare notes on our journey. I am discussing Strontium for my bones with my Rheumatoogist tomorrow. And I believe I am going with DIM. I am still looking for a good nateropath (sp?) around here to help with that. Keep me posted on your journey. We can compare notes. Feel free to PM me any time.

    Hey Purple. I'm doing pretty good with diet. I had to go gluten-free pre-diagnosis, but I do still slip and have a soda now and then. Most of my no-no foods make me sick enough that I don't often fall off the wagon. I have eaten more vegetables tis summer than I have in the last 5 years thanks to the co-op, but worry about how I will do in winter. More frozen I suppose. I don't trust fruits and vegies from out of the country anymore. I hardly trust the ones here. I think I may try a small vegetable garden next year. Will be my first attempt. Right now we buy from a local co-op which has been great except for the drought. I also do hormone-free meat and very little red meat now. The high prices help with that. :-) $19.99 a pound for a decent steak.Ouch.

    Anyway, I'm glad I'm not out here by myself. I feel like people think I have a death wish, when if fact it's just the opposite. I have a life wish. And I want it to be a good life!

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 2,329
    edited August 2012

    Hi ladies: want to say that I have made many changes since my dx.....became vegetarian, no dairy, totally organic, and heavy on the supplements. I am however taking Letrozole because I am Er/Pr+. That is my story in a nutshell. I was not as brave as you ladies to forego "the pill". I was discussing with a friend a story I had heard about another woman who had a lumpectomy but refused everything else (her tumour was a grade 3) I remarked how brave she was and she remarked perhaps "foolhardy" and went

    On to talk about a programme she watched last week on W5. ....."Homeopathy and cance" the bottom line, according to my friend and W5. HOCUS POCUS. I want to see if I can get a copy of that programme....perhaps you ladies could try also.....just for our information. Take care.

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited August 2012

    Hi Scottie

    I think labels like foolish or brave are inappropriate.

    We each have our own reasons, for the tx we choose. 
    For myself, I dont consider my refusal of certain TX brave, and I dont brag that it is. I have underlying health problems which I believe would make me " foolhardy" to accept the ADD'L risks of some of these tx.


    For other people, their reasons are different, but I don't judge.  We all have the same hopes, and  we are all sisters in this.


    Good luck to you on your meds.

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 2,329
    edited August 2012

    You have misunderstood me. I certainly do not judge anybody. I'm sorry, but Imthinknyou are wrong. The woman I am talking about had a grade 3 TUMOUR which is quite aggressive, which she knows, but because of her principals, she chooses to do the homeopathic route, this is a VERY BRAVE thing to do, I could not ....too chicken. And, BTW, I also think foolhardy is inappropriate,mbutnit came from someone who has NOT

    had cancer, so that is a whole other issue. Take care.

  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    I am going to work closely with my onco doc. I'm much like Purple. I have some other issues that right now seem to be more aggravated by the meds. I'm trying to avoid doing more harm than good.  However, if my numbers change, or my mammo in Oct. show anything, I will jump back on them. I have a very good progonosis. My husband on the other hand had chemo almost 30 years ago now for his cancer. If I got to the point where more surgery or chemo was needed, i would most likely do it. I'm just trying to deal with what I believe is best for me right now.

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited August 2012

    Scottie


    Perhaps I did misunderstand .  You said :
    "I am however taking Letrozole because  I am Er/Pr+.    That is my story in a nutshell. I was not as brave as you ladies to forego "the pill".

    Because of that , I believed you were referring to yourself- stage 1.

    In any case, as I said, we are all in this sisterhood together. (like it or not)

    Peace

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 2,329
    edited August 2012

    Mini1.....of course, we all have to do what we feel is right for us. I was just a little offended by purple 32's comments. I'm here with you people, struggling and also trying to do the right thing for me. These comments were made by a friend who has never

    Had cancer (thank God) and, of course doesn't get what we go through physically and emotionally. But, I thought we could all be open minded and curious enough to see and listen as to why the W5 programme concluded that Homeopathy and cancer is hocus pocus. BTW I come from a city where they have one of the most famous homeopathic

    Hospitals in the world. My own mother attended this hospital (a true believer) for her

    Rheumatoid arthritis, for more that 20 years, and it helped her so much. I do not judge

    anybody, rather on the contrary, I will encourage and be there for anybody regardless

    of their choices in treatment.

  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    I don't think Purple meant anything. I had the same thing happen to me when I first came on here. I made what I thought was a very benign statemnt and felt attacked by another poster. Someone pointed out to me that the downside to this site is that we don't have the benefit of nuance, facial expressions, body language, tone of voice etc.

    I have found Purple to be quite open-minded and like the rest of us searching. Sometimes we take things the wrong way. Sometimes we say things the wrong way. I'm sure I've rubbed someone the wrong way along the line. I think it was just a misunderstanding. I hope you stay with us. Most of us belong to several threads. We're all in this together.

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 2,329
    edited August 2012

    You are right. This will not cause me to leave you wonderful women. We are all in this

    struggle together, working together and gaining strength from one another. Thank you

    For your caring comments.

  • Windy5
    Windy5 Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2012

    I was diagnosed august 2011 and I had a lupectomy and radiation, no node involvement. Still trying to find a doctor that would not push the als on me. They just do not seem to exist. Saw a new oncologist today they said she did some alternative medicine. She would not discuss anything except talk up the als. She said people come back years later with bone cancer and I asked her if they had been on als and she admitted yes. My cancer was 100% estrogene progesterone positive and I do not know if I am doing the right thing not taking the drugs. The als are not a cure, people that take them still have get cancer again. I would like to here some encouragement for not taking the als also, do not know what to do. I keep looking for someone with a good alternative that has had good results. Have not found that yet.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited August 2012

    Windy, you have to know by now that there is no cure. All we can do is try to increase our chances of keeping the cancer away.

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited August 2012

    Windy

    Have you looked into a naturopathic dr in your area? Google one with your zip code.  That is where I am at aight now.

    Momine is right ..there is no ' cure'. The Al cannot promise that either  :>(

    Best of luck to you .

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 2,329
    edited August 2012

    Windy there are other threads where they discuss alternatives to Al's.....might be more

    Helpful to you than this thread. Good luck with your decision.

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 2,329
    edited August 2012

    Windy...just found a thread for you, it's called "Natural replacements for Arimidex"....hope this helps.

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited August 2012

    Scottie

    Your posts confound me. First you say you were referring to   a stage  3 cancer woman, then a woman who never had cancer at all, then I thought you were referring to yourself at stage 1 ( who's on first ?!) I too was offended by YOUR remarks.  Surely, I would not think you would find that odd when you are on the " Natural Ladies " thread talking about all of it being HOCUS POCUS in caps.

    Under those circumstances, I'm not quite sure how I *should* have interpreted your post, I can only say for certain that mean no harm. I am on my own quest, and I respect the paths that others have chosen as well.

    That's my story- and I'm sticking to it !
    Best Wishes.

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited August 2012
    Good luck to you graced !
  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 2,329
    edited August 2012

    I am on this thread because I am trying to be OPEN about all forms of treatment, whatever that might be. My "non cancer friend" watched the programme....NOT ME...

    But I thought I was dealing with mature adults here who would be open to watching the programme perhaps, or at least be OPEN to a discussion. I am for ANY treatment

    that will help us survive. Hope Purple this has cleared up any confusion you seem to have.

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 2,329
    edited August 2012

    I am on this thread because I am trying to be OPEN about all forms of treatment, whatever that might be. My "non cancer friend" watched the programme....NOT ME...

    But I thought I was dealing with mature adults here who would be open to watching the programme perhaps, or at least be OPEN to a discussion. I am for ANY treatment

    that will help us survive. Hope Purple this has cleared up any confusion you seem to have.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    You are not alone.

    There are other choices for hormones. You have not filled in the dx for the signature area, so wondering if you are ER+, PR+, etc.   It does make a difference, esp with the

    Do you know if you have hypothyroidism?  Or secondary?  There are tests, and it is linked to BC per med drs, not per me.

    There are so many!!!! alts who have been here and left due to the flack against alternative choices, but many are still around.

    The bottomline, it is your decision, we will not sway you, we will support you. 

    What we do is research, then take what we need and leave the rest.

    Read, read, read, go through the threads on bco for alternative treatments, natural girls, early stage natural girls, natural progesterone, hormone info and many other threads here, even on the conventional threadsthere is info on what you are looking for. 

    You will find support, info, experiences, fears, hope, friends and more choices than you ever imagined.  You will find suggestions for books.  As far as books, way back in the threads, not in the last months.... some of those may have affiliate links attached to the live link, so just watch for those and go to the book itself w/o the unfair attempts of some to get a commission.  

    What I am reading now ---  You Did What?  Saying No to Conventional Cancer Treatment, by the Quinns.

    Edited to add that this book and the ones below innclude information on the alt choices for hormone regulation.  Like Kaara mentions below, we must choose a way, we cannot just decide not to do the prescriptions and then do nothing, alt tx for breast cancer must be aggressive of its own right, aggressive yet gentle enough to make us stronger, incuding immune system. Just wanted to clarify, these books have info on choices for the hormones as was asked. (end edit 8/4/12 in afternoon) 

    More books ---- Herbal, Medical Healing and Cancer, by Yance

    Breast Cancer, Breast Health by Susun Weed

    Voltaire's Bastards by John Ralston Saul

    What your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer by Lee, Zava and Hopkins

    The Secret History of the War On Cancer by Derva Davis

    Questioning Chemotherapy by Moss

    Websites

    cancerdecisons.com

    alternative-doctor.com

    sourcewatch.org

    thinkbeforeyoupink.org

  • graced
    graced Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2012

    Diane, thank you so much for the info you shared in your post.  Someone recommended the Mederi clinic to me (which is Yance) and I am thinking about using them for a phone consult to review my alternative choices.  Will definitely check out your other recommendations.

    Thanks!

    Grace

  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    Thanks for all the books suggestions, Diana.

    Three months into the AI's and I'm already thinking of going alternative. I feel the what are you nuts looks already. I had a friend that had his throat cancer "cured." Unfortunately, the cure gave him bone cancer which he died from. Still trying to figure the upside to that treatment plan. I want to fully particiapte in my treatment and in no way deny it's existence, and if my CA were further along I wouldn't even consider not taking an AI or Tamox, but I'm considering it long and hard now. Tough decisons to be made.

  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    Thanks for all the books suggestions, Diana.

    Three months into the AI's and I'm already thinking of going alternative. I feel the what are you nuts looks already. I had a friend that had his throat cancer "cured." Unfortunately, the cure gave him bone cancer which he died from. Still trying to figure the upside to that treatment plan. I want to fully particiapte in my treatment and in no way deny it's existence, and if my CA were further along I wouldn't even consider not taking an AI or Tamox, but I'm considering it long and hard now. Tough decisons to be made.

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited August 2012

    I am one who had low grade low stage 1, with no chemo or rads.  I am taking tamox, but only 10 mg, 1/2 the recommended dose.  So far, the only SE's I'm having is some tiredness in the late afternoon, and some minor hot flashes, which I can deal with.  It was an easy choice for me because I don't have a uterus or ovaries.

    I'm very careful about my diet..mostly gluten free, no white carbs at all.  I only drink wine on occasion and rarely eat dessert.  I take a load of supplements!  If we aren't going to do the conventional treatments, then we must take alternative measures to make sure this beast doesn't rear it's ugly head again! 

  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    Kaara - I had radiation, but now wish I hadn't. I may consider the 1/2 dosage. What is that dosage anyway, if you don't mind my asking. I don't know what is "normal." I'm adding as I go, but I have a tender stomach and a cranky pancreas, so I have to be careful. The blood clots and uterine cancer scare me about Tamox. Makes me think of my friend. Saved him from one kind of CA, but hurt him by giving him another. That's why I am thinking of trying just DIM and other supplements.

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited August 2012

    Mini1:  The usual dosage is 20 mg and that is what was prescribed for me.  I decided on my own to cut the pill in half and only take 10mg daily.  For one thing, I'm very petite and think that a "one size fits all" pill is not right.  I wanted to start on a lower dose and work up to the larger one, but now I'm going to stay on the lower dose and just take my chances that it will work for me.  Studies in Europe have shown that this lower dose works just as well as the higher one.  It's just never been studied here in the USA, so the doctors by their "standards of care" cannot prescribe the lower dose.

  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    I agree. I weigh appx. 100lbs. I don't think I should be taking the same dosage as someone twice my size. They don't do that for any other medication. Why would they do it with a med so powerful?

  • painterly
    painterly Member Posts: 602
    edited August 2012

    Hi Kaara,

    Can you show me some European studies where 1/2 a dosage is as effective as a full dosage of tamoxifen. I will be taking tamox in a couple of weeks and will also be cutting the dosage in half since I am slim and don't have much of an appetite. I found this website in the U.K. and it only talks about 20mgs as the usual dosage.

    Interesting...I had no idea that tamoxifen was used for infertility; I noticed on another website the dosage  was 40mgs for infertility.

    http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/tamoxifen

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited August 2012

    painterly:  Someone else shared the studies with me and I've long since deleted them from my files.  I should have kept them for future reference.  I will look and see if I can unearth them again.

    I didn't know that tamoxifen was used for infertility either..wonder how that works? 

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited August 2012

    DOSAGE STUDY for TAMOX:

    here is one -

    http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/95/11/766.long

     I've been trying to find something similar for arimidex as that would be my ' drug of choice' if I didnt  already have

    bone disease , but I am thinking it is too new ...

    Sure wish EVISTA was used as TX , but only for prevention.

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