Stage IV - seeking alternative treatments to CHEMO/RAD

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited October 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY
Stage IV - seeking alternative treatments to CHEMO/RAD
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  • auroraguy
    auroraguy Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2017

    My wife had Stage2 BC in 2003. It was ER+/PR+/HER2- .

    We did surgery and then CMF chemo then tamoxifen for 5yrs.

    Fast forward to 2016 and she was now diagnosed with Stage IV recurrent BC.

    She has several skin lesions (reddish thick bumps) around the entire area her mastectomy was

    and up towards her neck. The opposite side of the body appears clear.

    This time around it appears to be ER-/PR-/HER2-. A big change.

    The doctor started her on Xeloda but she developed really bad HFS and had to cease.

    Then they tried Gemsar and it was inaffective.

    Her most recent PET showed nothing in any vital organs and the armpit area lit up as I would expect.

    They basically told her she now needs Abraxane (sp?) and want to do it soon. We opted to get a 2nd opinion

    at the Medical College and they stated same but requested a biopsy and then Foundation One testing for a more

    targeted med vs a one-fits-all solution.

    Either way, my wife isnt interested in IV chemo this time and I'm inclined to pursue alternative options along with her.

    Im looking for alternatives to Big Pharma here. Our Oncologist is not even remotely interested if we stray aware from the "Standard of Care" model. I mentioned things like raising PH or Tumeric and was practically laughed at.

    So basically I'm looking for anyone that either has or knows someone personally that went through a more natural approach such as holistic or homeopathic treatment options. There are several clinics in the country that will offer this approach but their testimonials - you need to take with a grain of salt.

    My father is a physician although retired several years but firmly believes that the body can and will heal if helped along and that chemo (ironically carcinogenic) should be avoided..... But there is no big $$ in homeopathic remedies so our normal docs are of no value.

    I am going to call some clinics I found in AZ (USA) this week but my wife wanted me to ask the group in the meantime.

    Thanks to all in advance that respond.

    PS If this is in the wrong forum - Moderator, please move.

    -AuroraGuy

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited October 2017

    Aurorally,

    Most of us on this list are firm believers in conventional treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Sure, we use a lot of supplements in addition to chemo or anti-hormonals, but modern medicine has kept most of us around.

    Your wife is in a fairly unique situation in that she is Stage 4, but has no bone lesions or major visceral issues. It can seem like she almost doesn't really have cancer, which makes considering alternative care easier.

    Treatment for Stage 4 is much easier than it was for her early stage diagnosis. The horse is out of the barn, so the therapeutic intent is longevity, not cure. So, the doses are smaller and more frequent (in most cases).

    I'm going to be quite frank with you: if you pursue alternative treatment without conventional care, you are most likely asking for your wife's hastened death. Cancer does not joke around. However, since she does not appear to have a raging case of cancer, she might get a good solid remission out of a drug like Abraxane. Remissions vary in duration, but they are like the Lotto, you can't win if you don't play.

    Remind your dad that cancer cells do not have a Hayflick limit, so they can't be treated like normal tissue.

    It might be best to find an oncologist who doesn't demean your need to talk about unique treatments. Most of us here take tumeric supplements (and cinnamon, boswelia, turkey tail, etc).

    Best of luck.

    Jennifer

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2017

    As Jennifer mentioned, the stage IV forum participants, for the most part, have pursued conventional treatment. Many of us do you supplements to ease discomfort from both treatment side effects and the bc itself.

    Here is a link to the alternative forum:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/121

    Please note the forum header saying that bco does not endorse or recommend alternative tx. I point this out because if I were serious about pursuing alt treatment, bco would not be my go to source forinformation . That being said check it out, because we do have a few members who are committed to alt treatment, though most are not stage IV. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

    Good luck to your wife

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  • auroraguy
    auroraguy Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2017
    My wife isn't interested in chemo (not my choice) and I will respect her decision.
    This is her decision after all - right?

    I've worked in health care 20+ years (although not directly in medicine) and I've seen too much of this crap and recurrence that it's time to seek out alternative treatments. Seriously, with the current odds - you're almost better off flipping a coin. I too wouldn't go through the hell of chemo for a 50/50 chance.

    But I dont want to get into a heated discussion on here so I will explore other sites and research.

    Thanks for the responses.
    Best wishes to everyone here.

    -AG
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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited October 2017

    Auroraguy,.

    You may find several books that offer insight:

    Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds by Kelly A. Turner, Ph.D.

    Mind Over Medicine by Lissa Rankin, M.D.

    I believe in complimentary treatment along side conventional. I do take tumeric, vitamin D, a calcium supplement and fish oil.

    I get turmeric (two capsules daily) from Amazon: NatureWise Curcumin Turmeric 1650mg with 95% Curcuminoids & BioPerine Black Pepper Extract, Advanced Absorption, Cardiovascular & Healthy Joints Support, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, 180 Vegetarian Capsules

    Also, vitamin D (1 capsule daily) from Amazon, NatureWise Vitamin D3 5,000 IU for Healthy Muscle Function, Bone Health and Immune Support.

    Also 1600 mg capsule daily of fish oil

    1000 mg of calcium daily...it is a supplement called Bone Up and has other minerals in it, too. These I get from an online company, Vitacost.

    I am dealing with metasteses to the bone and am almost seven years with it from the start.

    Please, if you return to this thread, let me know you saw my post.


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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited October 2017

    AG, I hope you do return. If you want to go the non-conventional route, it would be best to go to a licensed naturopath which you can find here

    http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=60

    Another option might be to try a non-conventional conventional treatment like cryoablation. 

    https://meyercancer.weill.cornell.edu/news/2016-10-19/cryoablation-freezing-away-breast-cancers

    They are doing this for early stage but might be able to accommodate a skin mets patient (not just metastatic mice). You may not be eligible but it may be worth pursuing because freezing tumors may actually wake up the immune system to fight the cancer (abscopal effect) as mentioned in the article. 

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