An Alternative approach to Stage IV Health and choices

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  • plumblossom
    plumblossom Member Posts: 68
    edited October 2013


    To my surprise, the tumor markers did drop 2 points. Just finished the second cycle, hope the tumor markers keep dropping.

  • scoutmom
    scoutmom Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013


    I was recently diagnosed with stage IV cancer and told there was no treatment, that the cancer was spread too far. I am only 41. I tried B17 vitamin after watching A World Without Cancer online. My latest scan showed significant reduction in tumor size. My oncologist was surprised at the results. To me B17 is a miracle drug. I was told surgery or chemo wont work for me. I don't know what that means and the doctors wont tell me. How many years of quality life can I expect? Should I be planning for the worst?

  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 862
    edited October 2013
    scoutmom ... I don't want to interfere; however, when I read your posting it just didn't sit right with me. I'd highly encourage you to get a second and if need be, third opinion. There are a host of treatment options out there. I'd encourage you to see an opinion at a major cancer center as well.
  • scoutmom
    scoutmom Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013


    Thanks for the advice. I have been so confused about what to do. There is so much to know and I don't know where to start.

  • scoutmom
    scoutmom Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013


    I was just wondering if you were diagnosed with stage IV in the beginning? what kind of treatment have you received? If it is too personal I understand.

  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited October 2013


    Scoutmom, I see you are on a hormonal treatment. I don't understand when you say that the dr says there's nothing to do? usually you start with the hormonal treatment and when that stops working you switch to a different one. There are a few different hormonal treatments and when you use them all up then you start chemo. No one can say how long we have. It all depends on how we respond and it could be one year or 20 years! I agree if your dr is not giving you any hope you should definitely get another opinion! especially since your tumors are shrinking. that has proved him wrong already! if B17 is working would keep taking it and if the hormonal is working keep taking that too. if you have taken it and it is not working anymore then the dr should start a new treatment plan. where are your mets?

  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 862
    edited October 2013
    Scoutmom ... I was diagnosed stage iv from the get go in 2010 (after having a biopsy in 2008 and being told no cancer!). Originally my mets were in the bones ... mult. areas. Was on femara for 18 mo and had great response, then femara failed. On to faslodex, then Xeloda - neither of those worked. In the meantime, it moved into the liver. Now on my first iv chemo, taxol. Should know the week before Thanksgiving if that is having a positive effect. There are still many, many options out there. Hang in there and do not give up!
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Syrmom, I hope the taxol does its thing for you. My aunt has been NED for a good 18 months and counting after doing 6 rounds of taxol.

  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 862
    edited October 2013
    Wow, thanks Momine, encouraging. Did you Aunt have weekly or dose dense, every 3 weeks? May I ask where her mets were?
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Syr, I am not 100% sure of the details, but I think she had dd every 3 weeks for 6 rounds. Her mets were in the liver and in the abdominal cavity (because the old ladies are not good with medical details, I am not sure exactly what kind/where the abdominals were).

  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 862
    edited October 2013
    ok, thanks for the info ... encouraging.
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Syr, you are welcome, and like I said, best wishes.

  • scoutmom
    scoutmom Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013


    thank you for the info. I feel so confused and alone. I am glad I found this site to help me through. my doc just said I would be on tomoxofin forever. I hope I can become as strong as everyone here.

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2013


    scoutmom,


    Once you're stage IV, you are on one tx or the other forever. The goal is to control the cancer as the possibility of cure is pretty slim.

  • thats-life-
    thats-life- Member Posts: 1,075
    edited December 2013

    hi all, i logged in after many months to see how everyone is going, and responded to private messages asking if i was ok, so though i would let you know...Its now 3 yrs 3 months since i was diagnosed stage IV. I had a little bit of progression in august, though still only in the bones, so went on to femara and zoladex shots every months ( i remembered heidi mentioning breaks in hormonals and then going back on them, so thought i would keep my ovaries and just shut them down every month) plus i didnt want surgery at that time. I will be scanned again late january. I feel relatively well, though the hormonals mess with my ability to handle stress etc, or maybe its just living with this dx.....my oncs arent offering any more hormonals once i progress (have only had 2..!?) and say chemo for me when femara fails, im still saying no, but havent had that decision to make yet. I havent tried any alt treatments, and havent even stuck to the idea of a low caloric diet, if anyone wants to encourage me, i will welcome messages!! i suppose i have lost inspiration, but not all hope :) .I hope all who visit this thread are as well as can be, and good luck with your treatment choices. 

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited December 2013

    That's life:  So good to hear from you and know that you are doing well.  I think it's hard for any of us to stick to diets for any length of time....I've had the same problem, but when I cheat I know I don't feel as well, so I'm trying to get back to basics for the new year.  

    I send you lots of prayers and positive energy to get you through the new year.

  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited December 2013

    Hey, great to hear from you, TL! (Kaara, too.) I think your Combo is a powerful one. I am now on your old med, Tamoxifen, myself. I hope we both get many, many years on these. At some point, they can even stop the Zoladex, I would think, depending on your menopausal status.  A low-calorie diet is very tough. But maybe you can try something called the fast diet, which is two days low-cal and 5 days normal eating.

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited December 2013

    I started back on my low carb diet several days ago, and once I got all the carbs out of my system I began to get my energy back.  Amazing how much better I feel, and I've already lost a couple of pounds.  Combine that with some exercise for the new year and I'm back in business!   I let my new BF lead me astray last year because he doesn't follow a healthy diet at all, and doesn't understand my logic regarding nutrition.  My failure to stand firm was hurting nobody but me...lol!

    Wishing everyone a very happy 2014!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2014

    Good to see everyone. Scoutmom - you left? But we are wondering why there have not been other aromatase inhibitors and estrogen receptor blockers used. The cancer in ER+ PR+ will shrink up to small when given the right tx. B17 can be great for cancer for some. Good to know it has made a difference for you.

    I am working still, writing some, getting family photos and my photo art together. Taking forever because I keep forgetting how to use the camera and printer, really, then have to go through the hell of learning again and troubleshooting what I messed up.   Like taking the empty color cartridge out and opening the noew box then putting the empty cartridge back in the printer. ugh.

    Still taking the raspberry seed powder and oil, also black. Added black cumin seed powder and oil.  Everything is under control no fears.

  • plumblossom
    plumblossom Member Posts: 68
    edited August 2014

    Haven't been here for a while, just update my profile. Hope everybody are doing well. 

    Finally, I made a big decision in my life - no chemo, whatever it happened. After 8 months struggling, things turn the right direction. 

    It's too early to say I am successful, but I can say, I have hope. 

  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited August 2014

    Plumblossom what type of alternative treatments are you on?  Are you getting any conventional treatment?  Just wondering as I do all standard treatments please Vitamin C and Vitamin B complex infustions.  Sounds as if you are comfortable with your decisions.

  • plumblossom
    plumblossom Member Posts: 68
    edited August 2014

    I try a lot of types of treatments, including VitaminC&B. I believe the local hyperthemia to my liver an emergency method, otherwise I will die of liver failure, then I got energy to do Qigong,  anti-cancer Qigong, or Guolin Qigong, that's more important than any treatment.  I started tamaxifen recently, hope it gives me a little bit help. Because I rejected the chemotherapy, my doctor want me have something. Tamaxifen is the only drug that I can accept. I had taken tamaxifen for 5 years in the past, and stopped it 6 years ago, no any sideeffect.

  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited August 2014

    Plumblossom have you considered an Aromotase inhibitor or Faslodex.  All are effectiv again ER+/PR+ and would probably be effective if Tamoxifen does not work in the future.

  • inga6060
    inga6060 Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2014

    I am new to this website.  I have been dealing with stage 4 cancer with Mets to the bone, for over 2 years.  I just recently was admitted to hospital.  They drained a gallon and halfof fluid. From my chest cavity.  So i was forced to see a an oncologist for the first time since I discovered a mass December, 2010.  There r so many natural remedies for cancer, I believe 200 researched and another 200, that arent.   look for an integrative Dr.  You need to align yourself with someone.  You need to do a "greek blood test".  There is a lab in Greece, only one in world, that can take your cancer cell and test against all of the known treatments put there.  From chemo to natural.  And see what your cancer cell responds to.  I believe only an integrative Dr can order this test. . A lot of the cancer healing centers do this.  cancer is totally treatable.  Stay positive.  Don't give up.

  • 3littlegirls
    3littlegirls Member Posts: 853
    edited September 2014

    oncanp.org is a site for Naturopathic Oncs.  They have to be certified and it's well screened.  They all specialise in cancer and there is a tab top middle to help find one in your area.  It is only for North America.  But I am sure if you asked one of them they could help you with finding someone overseas as well.  

    I did the Greek test and got a very thorough listing of what will work etc.  The only downfall is my Onc's will not use it and don't believe in it's reliability.  It cost me 2K.  So it's frustrating.  Make sure they will use it.  

  • new_direction
    new_direction Member Posts: 449
    edited October 2014


    that Greek test sounds very interesting... How frustrating 3little girls  that you cannot use the result. I noticed it tested for both natural and conventional treatment options - did you not have any natural options which you don't need your treatment center to administer?

  • 3littlegirls
    3littlegirls Member Posts: 853
    edited October 2014

    I do go for a ton of alternative treatments but yes very frustrating. I do Vit C IV's , mistletoe, etc. 

  • new_direction
    new_direction Member Posts: 449
    edited October 2014

    good luck with those. I believe in an additive effect and that the alternative can be just as effective or even more than conventional...

    were there any plain food involved in the test. Like substances in e.g. berries or veggies?

  • 3littlegirls
    3littlegirls Member Posts: 853
    edited November 2014

    No there was no food testing. Just found out my tumour in my liver has grown to 10cm and there are now 3 more new ones. Pretty devastated.

    Looking at doing halavan with hyperthermia as well as high dose IV curcumin. Fingers crossed it will work.


  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited November 2014

    Crossing all fingers and toes, Michelle! This plan sounds very viable to me. Are they using nano-emulsion curcumin? I just saw an article on this. In any case, I think IV is the way to go as very little curcumin remains after passing through the gut.  

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