On 8/14/2008
l8dyscribe wrote:
There are always alternatives. I was so heartened to hear of this clinic's remarkable progress in treatment, with some alternative treatments with conventional and some completely alternative. So, maybe you can reserve your judgement until the movie is out. The main hurdle most cancer patients I know struggle to over come is their insurance and I for one, would like to see this addressed. There comes a time when the insurance industry should be held accountable for the added stresses they cause patients and doctors who are trying to treat them by their denial of services we already pay for, not to mention practicing medicine without a license. Why do we allow this?
I have had alternative treatment for a life threatening condition and it saved my life. Miracles happen every day. I don't understand why some are so hesitant to open themselves to a world of possibility?
Yes perhaps it was not the best idea to show McQueen or other celebrities on the site yet in our tabloid society, this is an attention getter and might cause those not affected to look at the site and read the blog about Brett's journey and want to help to raise awareness because of those celebrities, cancer affected or not.
There is an old and very true adage about crabs in a bucket which could describe some of the responses to my post about Brett:
When you see a bunch of crabs in a bucket there is always one who will try to climb out in the attempt to be free. However sadly, the other crabs will always pull him back down into the bucket. And if the crab continues to try to climb out of the bucket, eventually the other crabs will attack that crab and tear it's claws off so he can't escape to freedom. But every now and then one is lucky enough to escape.
I am glad Brett escaped the Bucket.
Well I guess someone touched a nerve. We know that there are always alternatives but I was hoping to see some proof in the link you provided of some success with alternative treatments only. Even though Brett used chemo and alternative supplements to help reduce the effects - (which I am all for) it is not any different than can be found in the U.S. How can he make a statement that the German clinic offers more than American facilities when it is offering basically the same conventional treatments offered in the U.S. and only offers different alternatives (not more). The best you can say here is that the clinic in Germany MAY have alternative treatments that are more effective in reducing the side effects caused by conventional treatment - which is a biggie if true. However, after anyone has lied to get people's attention, I have to question their credibility.
Personally, this crab thinks it is wonderful that Brett is having success with the alternative treatments lessening the effects of his conventional treatments (chemo). I would have been more impressed if he had just related his story without using images and names of stars who were never even treated at the clinic he is advocating for. In fact, to be as straight with you as you have been - it was down right deceptive (and possibly illegal) to use their images and names. This is the problem with many alternative treatments - they are deceptive about their claims and unfortunately it makes it more difficult for a reputable alternative treatment to be taken seriously.
Brett goes on to say about the clinic -
"This, until now, has been Hollywood’s secret. This is where Farrah Fawcett somehow beat liver cancer... why Patrick Swayze calls himself a “miracle man" -
I am not 100% sure that it is or is not an accurate claim about Farrah Fawcett, because there has been no public acknowledgement that she is cured; however, as for Patrick Swayze, it is a straight out lie that the clinic in Germany is why he calls himsel a miracle man - he was never treated there. Using a picture of Lance Armstrong is another lie as he also was never treated there - and had only chemo (which he credits with saving his life).
I didn't fully understand your comments about insurance but this cancer patient did not have to struggle with insurance as my conventional treatment and alternative treatment were all covered. I paid for supplements out of pocket but it was a minimal cost - not one cost of $4,000 mentioned by Brett for a product someone he knew invented. I tend to critique anyone's claim a little closer when there is a large amount of money to be made.
Anyone undergoing treatment at the Klinik is getting conventional treatment along with alternatives rather than alternative treatments only so how is the statement true that "they continue to bypass the American medical establishment in favor of alternatives to conventional treatments that can be as punishing as the disease. Doctors at The Klinik did what U.S. doctors could not."
As for why some of us are so hesitant to believe in alternative treatments - since many of us used them in conjunction with conventional treatment, it would appear that we do believe in them. However, with claims like carrot juice as a cure for cancer floating around, we don't take every alternative at face value but question its effectiveness. I can tell you that if everyone diagnosed with cancer only drank carrot juice to cure their cancer, there would be a great many more deaths from cancer. Carrots are great (and carrot juice when unable to tolerate carrots) and do aid in our battle with cancer but they are not a cure for cancer. I even questioned the conventional treatments they recommended for me and was given a satisfactory reply before agreeing to go that route. One of two main reasons why I went to the CTCA was because they offered alternative treatments in conjunction with conventional treatments.
As for all the crabs in the bucket - there are three less as Brett, Arnold and I are already out. The three of us are cancer free as a result of conventional and alternative treatments. I guarantee you that none of us are trying to put a lid on that bucket or keep anyone in it. In fact, each in our own way, are doing everything we can to pull others out. You may be angry because the proof you provided on this board was challenged but if any treatment works it is going to withstand scrunity. There are alternative treatments that I find a great deal of hope in - like intravenous vitamin C - but don't insult all of of our intelligence here by providing a link that offers numerous lies to gain our attention AND then get angry at anyone that questions the info we find after following that link. Simply telling any cancer patient that someone has beat cancer has all of us very interested in knowing how it was done.
Instead of replying back with information that would back Brett's statements, you are only defending his right to lie about the celebrities connection with the clinic in Germany. I am having a difficult time understanding how you can defend someone who lies to cancer patients to gain attention. This is too serious of a subject to make it up as you go along. On one last note - while many of us may have disagreements from time to time as to treatments, I respect the opinions and knowledge of many - like Shemay. It's sad that you can't extend the same respect toward others just because they disagree with you in any way.
Diana