Alternative Treatment

Self diagnosis of breast cancer and parkinsons?  Really?

But you dont even know that you have IBC or any breast cancer.  Alternative treatment, conventional treatment, combo of both, are all fine with me.  Get diagnosed, dont get diagnosed, whatever makes you happy.  However, I could understand some women on this site actually feeling insulted that someone who does not have BC (not confirmed) is actively posting as if they do.  Do you have any specific thoughts on that Abigail48?  Just genuinely curious about your thoughts.

So you have/had HIV, Parkinsons, and BC which were all self diagnosed?  What would lead you to believe that you have any of those ailments?  Rash on the breast doesnt necessarily mean IBC.  Shakes doesnt necessarily mean Parkinsons.  What would make you think that you have/had HIV?  The only thing that can diagnose HIV is a blood test.  Have you had an HIV test?

HIV/AIDS didnt exist in 1972.  And, a blood test is hardly "conventional medicine".  Its a blood test.  Simple. 

Ya, I sort of figured I would be attacked for "bullying".  So, c'mon Maud/Ruby et al...start the attack.

Now this is getting really interesting! Let me get my organic popcorn!

Mardibra,

Abigail's story and her feelings about conventional medicine are very clear and she has been very open. I really think, whether one agrees or disagrees, that the whole issue needs to be left alone. I will take you task on one issue however. Why do you seem to be spoiling for a fight? What's in it for you? And soyaandpepper, what joy would you get from being an audience? Ladies, we are all adults, aren't we? If if another adult chooses to make choices, decisions that we find terrible or even unbelievable, why can't we let it go? I have had conventional tx, I am stage IV and I think self diagnosis is never a good idea but neither is trying to bait others into an online dust up.

Caryn

Baiting others into a dustup is not a good idea.

Neither is encouraging someone's self-destructive, possibly delusional behavior.  

I don't generally argue with my relatives or acquaintances with a learning disability, Down's syndrome, Schizophrenia, Parkinson's dementia or Alzheimer's.  None of them realise their beliefs are the result of their condition, just as my mother has no idea she has Alzheimer's.

I'm not suggesting that Abigail has any such conditions, but we never know what another person is going through. Abigail is old enough and wise enough to decide her own medical appointments and treatments and it's distressing to see her criticised by those who don't know her individual situation.  Wow, how many heroin addicts are expected to make it past 70?  She deserves a medal for that!  Therefore I prefer to accept people as I find them. 

I can understand the frustration when people don't act the same as society expects and we fear for their health and well-being.

I'm pleased to see people giving Abigail emotional support as that's all we can really offer here since people will rarely change their entrenched treatment choices no matter how persuasive we are.  Anyone receiving sufficient emotional support might decide to let go of their fears and get the help they need, but criticism tends to make people dig their heels in. 

Do those who criticise really want to help?  I'm curious to know how people think that being critical or insulting can help in any way, especially those who claim to follow evidence based medicine, as anyone who has studied psychology will know that the evidence is firmly established that people will resist such tactics.  Also medical ethics state that people have the right to choose their own treatments.  Are we to abandon science and ethics now just because we feel uncomfortable with someone else's choices?

Mardibra, we don't exclude those who are worried they might have BC or are waiting for a diagnosis. A lump and skin lesions sound pretty valid reasons for posting on BCO. If we excluded people like Abigail and then read their obituary would we feel good about having excluded them due to their choices?

I assume that was your question as some posts have been deleted.  Thank you moderators.

I hope Abigail is enjoying her art at the studio.

abby still here:  jicing then walking/carrying.  mornings are usuallyokay & exercise usually helps a great deal as well

joy, vvvvvv glad to see you are here & listening

talk to you all soon 

Oh my. This is not a supportive group. I only stuck around because I might learn something, but I only learned how judgmental so many of you are. I know the conventional treatment people are entrenched in their beliefs, and I have been criticized by them and by people in the alternative forums for not doing things the way they think it should be done. I swear, though. I do believe this group is even more inflexible than the conventional group. I think you ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

That's the way our lives are Dunesleeper.  Our egos just love something to complain about.  Our health, relationships, jobs, neighbours, the government, weather etc.  All forums are the same, all relationships are the same.  We all have a certain map in our mind of how the world "should" work then feel hurt when things don't go to plan.  It's not about this thread or forum, it's just life.  Acceptance is the key but so hard to achieve. 

Ironically, we're all the same despite our differences.  It must be late, I'm getting all philosophical!

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."  John Lennon

Yorkiemom ,

Abigail has made her position clear. She is an adult and is free to do as she chooses. Why keep badgering her or making armchair diagnoses about hypochondria ? What 's the point ?

Caryn