Looking For Stage Iv Treatment Ideas

Hi all,

My dear Dad was dx just over a year ago with Stage 3B EC.   Went through chemo/rad (during which my Mom passed away from emphysema) and then surgery in May.   Was fine in spite of huge weight loss (from 300 to 175 lbs - clearly he had it to lose, but is now almost skeletal - he's 6'6") but started getting weird scan results just before Thanksgiving - long story short - after numerous scans with conflicting results, the last MRI decisively shows that his hip has been almost completely devoured.   He's in huge pain.   Having a full body ct/pet to look for more mets again on Tues.   He had new lung/liver lesions on last ct which were clear on pet, but I am now terrified those will be lighting up.

 I know the situation is very bleak, and I don't need anyone to tell me that - I am looking for stories of hope - and more importantly SPECIFIC details of protocols people have followed to pull through such a horrible prognosis...   PLEASE help us!   I fear with his grim outlook (esp. if there are more mets) no one will help us.   He is in NJ, and we are trying to get him up to Boston.   I have been researching alternative therapeis, but think he needs something radical to halt the progression of the disease first.   Any ideas??

Go to www.eccafe.org there are many survivor stories on stage four EC

I always think about Lance Armstrong, he had testicular cancer with mets to the liver and brain.  He is such a living testimony to those of us that are surviving cancer.  Good luck!!!  This can  be beaten!!!!

Gerri

Lance Armstrong is an amazing inspiration to many people, and put a human face on cancer.  I wish stage 4 EC had the survival statistics that testicular cancer has-something like 95% at 5 years out. Won't even allow myself to repeat esophageal stage 4 statistics-they are so dismal. You always have such a beautifully positive attitude, and are so encouraging to those of us in the trenches. I really appreciate it even though I'm a bit cranky this morning. Going for PET results and am mad at myself that we are doing this again, and I feel responsible for not making sure copy of early December CT found way to primary care because I believe the cancer wouldn't be back if he hadn't needed such big emergency surgery on Christmas. I'm also mad because I've allowed myself to believe that maybe in the week plus between CT and PET it stopped metabolizing once his immune system ramped up again, and although I know it's not realistic I can't let it go even though I know it's leaves me open to a major crash in a few hours. Sorry to be so negative, but i have no one to say these things to and it seems best to get it out sometimes. I think many of us maintain a particular stance just to get through day to day with some sense of normalcy, but sometimes it all falls apart. Pat has been doing tongren conference calls along with the regular Saturday class we attend, and I have been using the laser treatment on his lungs regularly. He has made a lot of progress much more quickly since starting the conference calls which is really why I have any expectations at all that a clear PET could be possible. As always, I may have discouraging moments, but will not give up!

I am replying to my own negativity of yesterday.The PET showed no metabolic activity. I got so scared right at the end, and tend to start blaming everything on myself. I will continue my daily regimen of tapping my tongren doll, setting up a laser alternating back and forth between the dolls lungs where the mets have been, and working with the group as often as possible each week. All painless compared to the regimen of chemo, radiation and surgery. The chemo regimen went much more smoothly with tongren than without. There was a noticeable difference in quality of life, so that is an option for stage 4 that you can add to whatever regimen your doctors have recommended. Can research it by googling tongren healing. 

Hi there

I won't go into too many details but my father was diagnosed with stage IV EC with mets to bone in Sept. Doctors have basically stripped us of all hope, given him a very short timeline and very little treatment options. My father tried 2 cycles of chemo but felt the quality of life was not worth it. So during all this, my personal coping mechanism is to research like crazy. I knew nothing before about alternative medicine and have now a very firm belief (although I am still learning) in its power. I will pass on some of the treatments I have looked into and let you draw your own conclusions, just keep in mind that the people who write this stuff passionatly believe in this, so it may seem a little "hookie." I make my dad green smoothies and follow the budwig diet daily. He has really cut back on meat (maybe twice a week) and dairy. I don't know if they are doing anything to the cancer but they are working on him. He has more energy and is feeling better on a daily basis. He still gets tired and has bad days but there are more good then bad. Most doctors are not supportive of alternative medicine but that it because our health care system is very compromised. Doctors actually can't recommend alternative therapies due to insurance policies and contracts they have with pharmaceutical companies. The John Hopkins center has just released research that indicates positive effects when animal products are eliminated or decreased. Hope this helps

try looking into www.cancerfightingstrategies.com

the Budwig diet - Dr. Johanna Budwig six time noble award nominee

Macrobiotic diet  - every conventional doctor will tell you not to

Green Smoothies - many of my family members and friends are now also having these daily. We all notice some positive benefits.

Dear Friends,

Has someone used the CancerFightingStrategies.com recommendations and/or supplements?