Choose Your Treatment Carefully Part 2

In Part 1's blog post I discussed snake oil salesmen who peddle miracle cancer cures via the Internet. I want to discuss on this post my thoughts about alternative cancer treatments, mainly sites who offer raw food cures, oxygen cures and the like. Many of them are outside the U.S. because they are not approved by the FDA.


One of the blogs I followed when I was getting treatment was Green Smoothie Girl   and Kris Carr. They both advocate for alternative treatments. Kris Carr is a cancer survivor and  her cancer was not treatable the traditional way. Her cancer remains dormant after 10 years of changing her lifestyle. I think they both offer sound advice and they are the ones who got me on the 'vegan' wagon. I also learned about juicing and green smoothies from these gals. I see them as credible to get information on fighting cancer, however I still chose the slash, burn and poison route for my treatment as well.


I was at Stage 4 when I was diagnosed. It spread to my liver and the surgeon at UCI Medical cut the tumor off my liver, since it was located at the tip. He is one of the few in the U.S. that will perform liver surgery on a Stage 4 colorectal cancer patient. After the cancer was removed from my liver, I opted for chemo and radiation to make sure the cancer didn't have time to travel anywhere else in my body. Like I mentioned in my last post, we all have different medical histories and we are treated individually. I was lucky to be in excellent health, except for that nasty cancer. I opted to get my "ass kicked' (pun intended). I had an excellent support system and a great team of doctors at UCI who had no problems with me using alternative care as well.



My radiation doctor did ask me to refrain from using herbs while in treatment, which I honored. So in a nutshell the treatment I went with was; liver surgery, chemo, radiation, meditation, juicing, green smoothies, no refined sugar, vegan diet and a huge positive attitude. I still have my colon and I have a permanent colostomy bag because the cancer destroyed my sphincter muscles. The chemo/radiation combo killed the cancer, much to the happy surprise of all involved. The original game plan was to shrink the tumor and then remove my colon.  I believe it was the alternative treatment that  helped me keep my colon. As of today I am cancer free 20 months. I get monthly bloodwork done and a full body scan every six months.



Now, let's say my cancer was not treatable the traditional way, you better believe I would have sought out alternative treatments that were credible. The only downside is -- actual treatment centers are located outside the U.S. and they are not cheap.  Many of the alternative treatments require a health providers supervision.  Reading about, let's say, the benefits of vitamin C on the Internet leads you to believe that taking large doses of the vitamin will cure cancer. It isn't that simple. Further research reveals that the vitamin must be given intravenously and it's still too early to tell if it works.


I strongly suggest cancer patients do their homework before starting any treatment program and have all the facts. Like I said not all cancers are treated the same way. Your life is too important to follow the advice from someone who has a website and doesn't have credible evidence to back up his/her claims.


xo   Inge

Choose Your Treatment Carefully Part 1

Lately, I have been contacted by a few people recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer. They are in shock, confused and scared. All these feelings are normal reactions to a cancer diagnosis. God knows, the medical profession does not deliver such news delicately. I first heard about my cancer right after my colonoscopy test; I was still drugged up and a woman came up to me and very matter-of-factly said, "Mrs. Scott, you have rectal cancer" and abruptly left. My husband and son were right next to me and you can imagine their reaction. I don't know if it was because I was loopy from sedation or what, but I consoled my loved ones and told them it would be ok. But still, it would be nice if there was an easier way to deliver bad news.


I know the Internet has made access to information much easier and with that comes a great deal of misinformation. I am all for patients looking for information to help them fight cancer; I did the same thing when I was going through treatment. There are also different ideas how to fight this disease including traditional methods and alternative care. I believe its up to each individual to choose their treatment. Its our bodies and we have the right to choose what does and does not happen to it. That being said, there a certain questions I ask to those I coach, especially those newly diagnosed and who are confused which treatment is best for them.


The first line of questions are...

Do you know what kind of cancer it is?
Has it spread?
Do you have a team of doctors yet?
Is there a treatment plan?
How do you feel about your doctor?
What treatment do you want? and why?
Have you discussed this with loved ones?
Do you have a support system?


I take notes and ask some deeper questions depending on the answers. I do run into those who refuse western medicine because they are afraid of it. I completely understand their fear. I felt that way too, until my diagnosis, then I chose western medicine along with alternative care, but I made sure the alternative care did not nullify my traditional treatment. Everyone's cancer is different because we are all different -- we each bring with us our own medical histories and that means everyone's cancer treatment is different.


Like I mentioned earlier the Internet is a wealth of information but at the same time it is ripe with snake oil salesmen who claim to have "miracle" cures and charge a lot of money to buy their products. Personally, I think these salesmen need to be removed from the Internet, but I know...it's their first Amendment right to Free Speech. So I ask the patient to dig deeper into their claims. Are there actual  people cured by their product? What about references? Are there any complaints against them? Why do they think this person is credible? Why do they believe this alternative cure is better than western medicine?


I think everyone has the right to choose what's best for them but they also have a responsibilty to themselves to make an informed decision.


xo      Inge

My story is published in American Cancer Society website!!!!

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SurvivorshipDuringandAfterTreatment/StoriesofHope/rectal-cancer-survivor-looks-on-the-positive-side

I met someone the other day who is receiving treatment for cancer. He told me that he still enjoys his evening beers to help him relax. He is getting chemotherapy. I wish I had the information in front of me at the time that shows cancer LOVES sugar and beer is made up of sugar. Alcohol is also acidic and cancer needs an acidic environment to survive. I don't know if he told his doctors about his evening relaxation routine, or if he did, his doctors may not see anything wrong with that as long as it's in moderation. But I disagree completely!

From my research, food plays a HUGE part in our getting and staying well. Even my doctors told me to eat anything I want. Now, I know, I didn't go to medical school, but I did lots of research about this...we cannot just go out and eat anything we want and expect to remain healthy. Yes, the chemo killed the cancer, but it's up to me to maintain a healthy, alkaline environment that will keep any cancer cells from growing back.

Here is a link that supports my theory...http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-link.aspx?n=1025


eat your fruits & veggies!   xo  Inge

Its Colon Cancer Awareness Month

 I was more concerned how my family would react when they found out. I knew I would be ok...I had to convince them I would and not to worry.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlKheTCyThM&feature=youtu.be

I have been looking back on different "anniversaries" from last year and really thinking about where I was mentally at that time. Sometimes it's hard because I don't remember things as clearly as I would like because of the pain killers and treatments (chemo and radiation). I do remember though that I was adamant about not hearing or saying the cancer word and instead called it the c-word. I refused to let cancer define who I was. I also wanted to keep things as normal as possible. Someone recommended I go to a support group, but I was never a support group kinda gal, even when I was having trouble keeping -my-shit-together when my dad died over 20 years ago. I preferred talking with someone alone or just looking for self-help books and journaling my thoughts. I wanted to remain as positive as I could. Like I said before, I knew even when I got the news, I knew I would be ok. I have to be honest though, there were times I felt frustrated at my situation, but I still didn't let myself hang around that pity zone for long. Instead I focused on what I was grateful for.

John and I watched 50-50 last night. In case you never heard of it, it's about a 27 year old man who gets cancer. The official name is too long for me to remember but in my book cancer is cancer...they all suck! The movie was pretty good and was a good depiction of what someone goes through while in treatment. I recommend it. It is uplifting.

eat your fruits & veggies!   xo    Inge

I saw the neurologist today and that only thing that an be confirmed is that my left leg is definitely screwed. I had a nerve test done back in September 2011; doc read me the results...finally. This my 3rd visit to see a neurologist and each time I see a different doc. I don't know what's going on in that department but hopefully the doc I saw today will be my permanent one...at least until she ...graduates. The Neurology Dept. is made up of mainly residents who report to one main doc, and there have been major changes going on with the staff so it has been inconsitent and frustrating for me to find out what's going on with my legs and feet...mainly my balance issues. I would LOVE to walk without a walker but for now I will need it for awhile longer.

They are pretty certain that my problems are a result of the chemo...thank the goddess I only had 2 cycles. I can't imagine what my legs would be like if I had more. For now I will get a referral to go back for physical therapy and see the neurologist in 3 months. Oh well...there are people who have it worse than me so I won't complain.

 

Eat your fruits & veggies!   xo Inge