question about Integrative holistic Dr

HLB, that personal contact you've found sounds like a wealth of information.  From the expanded info' you added about Dr. Neely, I can see why you'd be leery of what he's really offering for $375.  If he's still affiliated with and/or practicing at a hospital, it seems unlikely that he's offering too much beyond standard of care tx.  Even @ UCLA, which has an entire integrative department and is training future integrative docs, their integrative approach is very much what I'd call complementary stuff -- acupunture, mindful meditation, herbal supplements, etc. for SE control, as well as nutrition & lifestyle changes.  My ND, OTOH, while she's also concerned about all those things, also focuses on balancing hormones and other things that are out of whack in our bodies that set the stage for or contribute to the bc or other illnesses.  I guess my point is, there may not be one doctor or resource that provides everything, and you may need to piece together several resources, as it sounds like you're doing.  

Have you ever considered going to the Block Institute in Chicago?  I know it would be a trek for you, but they're rated as one of the very top integrative oncology places in the world.   And here's another resource that might be helpful, if you haven't already found it:  http://www.integrativeonc.org/        Deanna

Sorry, I didn't realize your onc recommended him. That would make me comfortable enough to go. Worth a shot anyway.

HLB, have you read Anti-Cancer, A New Way Of Life, by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD?  It's chock full of science-based cancer-prevention nutrition information -- he's highly respected in the medical community -- and an enjoyable read.  Lots of good info' on their website, too!  

http://www.anticancerbook.com/

Another excellent nutrition book I can highly recommend is Beating Cancer With Nutrition by Patrick Quillin, PhD, RD, CNS, who was the VP of nutritional services at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  He does a great job explaining how food impacts our health and cancer.      Deanna 

Hi Deanna,

I went to the same UCLA integrative doctor you went to see.  You must have gotten a good guy rate because they charged me $350 and barely met with me for a full hour.  The doctor cut me short because someone else was waiting who needed an interpreter and the interpreter was going to have to leave too.  I only got limited advice, a bunch of computer print outs from a website I could have accessed myself, and was very disappointed in general.  In fact, I felt a little ripped off.  When I called back to ask for clarification on some of the points she made, they refused to advice without an additional fee. 

MsBliss, you're right.  Dr. Hardy was $350.  My mistake.  And I never understood why my insurance wouldn't cover it -- even though her office had told me it wasn't covered by insurance -- because my insurance does allow up to $300 for "nutritional counseling."  But that's horrible that she cut your appt short and wouldn't respond to a followup question.  I felt kind of ripped off about the total lack of insurance coverage.

HLB ~ Glad your appt went well!  It's kind of sad that we have to piece this stuff together ourselves, and sometimes one alternative medicine doc isn't enough.  But it sounds like you did get your money's worth and some excellent advice and guidance.  What is the NAC for?   And would you be willing to share the recipe for detox broth?     Deanna

Google the Moss Report - he is a medical researcher who has focused on every cancer treatment there is, he debunks myths and wacky treatmetns and gives informed opinions and research results on other non mainstream treatments - what I like is he will happily say something is rubbish if evidence shows it is but has an open mind on everything.......the brest cancer report costs money but it is 500 pages long so saves months of your own research, he aslo recommends centres that he has visited personally.

My Naturopath charges me $900 per month all vitamins and herbal extracts etc. included when I have any questions I just email him and he gets right back to me. It's alot of money but I know many people that use him and he is very good.

Hi for me I filled in the form on the webpage with all the information I could, then I got an email back asking for some more information, then I was given a paypal payment link and a few weeks later got my box full of extracts and vitamins. I have emailed the clinic lots of times and always get a response. I was asked what sort of food I ate and was given a little list of things to add to my diet and things to cut down on.

It was a bit strange for me to begin with as you don't have any contact with the clinic just emails but its really worked out great for me as I am very shy and like being able to ask questions via emails.

I just looked again at that website and see that there actually are 3 doctor names on it that either weren't there or I somehow missed last night.   Two of those names appear to be out of India.  And it's interesting to me that they have a photo of a U.S.-looking waiting room -- to support the premise that they have a real, live practice  --  but no photos or other info about the docs.  Sorry, but $900 a month for internet advice just raises a huge red flag for me.    

Also, Kelly, I noticed that you have only 4 posts -- all within about an hour -- and regarding this on-line clinic.  I think it's great that you are so high on it, but I can't help also wondering if you might have some affiliation with it beyond being an apparently satisfied client?  Just askin'...          Deanna

kelly, I apologize if I came across as mad at you.  We occasionally get participants on this forum who join only for self-serving reasons, such as to promote sometimes dubious health products and services.  I'm sorry that possibility crossed my mind when I read your first 4 posts that each talked about an on-line clinic.  I'm glad to know that I was wrong. There's no need to remove a link if it's posted in the spirit of sharing information.         Deanna

Hello:  I'm the type of member who reads the boards a lot, but rarely joins in.  I would like to change that as I believe I would gain so much more, plus I believe I have much to offer.  Kelly, I'm interested in seeing the link you had posted and then took down.  Maybe you could PM me if you don't want to publish it generally.

I am Stage 4 since June 2011 and have a long (1994) and interesting BC history.  After this Stage 4 dx I had lung surgery to remove the met lession and was then NED until January 2012.  Since that January 2012 the existing lession (just one in my lung) had been slowly growing and is resistant to all chemos tried (navelbine, gemzar and doxil).  Within the next 1-2 weeks I should find out whether I am eligible for a clinical study at the NCI center in my area.  Plan B is halaven.

I have long been interested in doing what I can do for myself - hopefully to give an edge or somehow enhance traditional medicine.  DH is extremely supportive and together we have made some very significant dietary changes.  I am seeking information from you - this wonderfully insightful and caring group - about steps I can take to promote health and healing.  I'd like to feel as if I am regaining some control by doing whatever I can do on my own.  My healthcare team is supportive of such steps but not forthcoming as to what I can do other than "eat healthy and maintain activity."  The nutritional counseling I received at my primary provider's facility was a joke and strictly based on the current "food pyramind."  

My request to this group may seem vague at this time, but I want to get started on some structured appoach to living with and surviving Stage 4.  I have a very open mind and the ability to implement and follow through.  I am grateful for any advise.

Regards, love and hugs, Stephanie