Hi Julie: I understand the whirlwind you and your sister's family and friends are going through. My wife is a 15 yr. breast cancer survivor and I am a 6 year non-hodgkins lymphoma survivor. We also lost my sister's husband in Sept. of 2002 to an aggresive lung cancer, 5 months after my diagnosis. You hit the ground running with an overwhelming sense of urgency that overtakes your thoughts and actions.
I have learned through experience and study over the last 6 years that the medical profession is limited to what they can recommend, based on federal law, to what has been clinically tested. When it comes to a matter of life and death, I have learned to be objective and open minded to sensible and sound alternatives. Backed by many medical organizations, and recommended by federal review panels, the application of a group of cannabanoids has been proven affective in treating various forms of cancer. In particular pertaining to your situation, you may want to ask your oncologist for his opinion and recommendation on this. One example from many, many reputable reports are as follows. In 2004 a Dr. Manuel Guzman of Madrid's Complutense University, School of Biology, and colleagues reported that cannabinoids inhibited glioma tumor growth in some animals and in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumor samples. Dr. Guzman also reported that THC administration decreases recurrent glioblastoma multiforme tumor growth in patients diagnosed with recurrent GBM as well as inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) which cancer cells don't know to do. In other words the chemicals found in marijuana are being used to treat many forms of cancer as well as the devastating side effects, nausea, loss of appetite, neurological and neuropathalogical pain associated with standard chemo applications. You can find more info and research at www.SafeAccessNow.org or at www.normal.org.
From my own personal experience with my cancer and treatments, I was helped immensely with nausea, appetite, painful neuropathy and overall sense of wellbeing. In all fairness it did nothing to help with radiation illness.
Unless you are familiar with the documented research in this area, I understand the possible hesitancy that you may feel, but when it comes to matters of life and death, all rational options should be considered in helping prolong our chances of success in fighting such a horrible disease as cancer. My families prayers go out to you and we wish you great success in your fight. Sincerely, a fellow fighter, Robbie