Alternative To Chemo And Radiation

Having seen the ravages of chemo that my wife experienced before she died of lung cancer, I have decided to try the alternative approach of building up the immune system instead of destroying it. As a follow up  to the adenocarcinoma and colostomy surgery I had in January 2008 I have been on a high anti oxidant diet and have recently augmented it with "Low dose Naltrexone" (LDN). To date I feel well, play golf a couple of times each week and had good results from the PET/CT scan that I had in May. If all goes well I plan on having my colon reattached in November.  I realize it is early in my post surgery and cancer is unpredictable, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone following a similar approach. Thanx 

 

 

 

On 9/5/2008 BobHarb wrote:

Having seen the ravages of chemo that my wife experienced before she died of lung cancer, I have decided to try the alternative approach of building up the immune system instead of destroying it. As a follow up  to the adenocarcinoma and colostomy surgery I had in January 2008 I have been on a high anti oxidant diet and have recently augmented it with "Low dose Naltrexone" (LDN). To date I feel well, play golf a couple of times each week and had good results from the PET/CT scan that I had in May. If all goes well I plan on having my colon reattached in November.  I realize it is early in my post surgery and cancer is unpredictable, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone following a similar approach. Thanx 

 

 

Hi Bobharb,

I too have chosen to try the alternative approach. I have had surgery, 2 lots of chemo and 2 lots of RFA but I decided that that was enough.

I have just returned from a month's treatment at the Issels centre in Mexico. It is still too early to say whether it will work or not but from my blood results and CT scan before I left everything seems to be going in the right direction.

I have heard of the Low dose Naltrexone before but do you not need a doctor's presciption for that?

Dear #4: You do need a doctors prescription for the Naltrexone and it is listed in the pharmacopeia in 50mg dose quantities. The low dose Naltrexone has to be compounded. You can find out more by going to the web site www.lowdosenaltrexone.org. I found out about it from one of my sons who is a massage therapist. He was working on a woman with MS that claimed the drug "changed her life" and she is now mobile and active.Good luck and long life.........Bob

Thank goodness I have found someone who has decided to experiment without chemotherapy.  We are few and far between.  However I would not dismiss chemo altogether because in some cases it really is the only lifeline and any decisions to go "alternative" must be thought out thoroughly and it is important to discuss your options with your oncologist and your own local doctor. 

I had a tumour removed in April plus 3 infected lymph glands and classed as Stage III colorectal.  The cancer had not spread to any other organs i.e. liver, lungs but  I was still  advised to start chemo as a precaution to blast any cells that may still be undetected. I started the first course of chemo and ended back in hospital with heart problems due to the side effects.  It was then that I was given a fortnight to decide whether to carry on with the chemo (tablets), try intravenous drugs (worse side effects) or withold the chemo until January when I will be undergoing follow up tests. It was not an easy decision and I had many consultations with medics.  But ultimately it had to be my decision and my decision alone.  I finally decided to withold - mainly because apart from the side effects of the chemo - I was otherwise fit and well and recovered well from the op.  So I have opted for 6 months of high quality life and that has given me time to work out a healthy lifestyle and diet to hopefully counteract the disease. However the medication you mention is news to me and I will be investigating that further. 

n my case I feel that the chemo would have dehabilitated me more than the cancer itself - but I must stress that is only me.  If chemo is your only lifeline then you must take it - some tumours just have to be shrunk for you to survive. 

My oncologist agreed that I had made the right decision for my situation at the present time - and that was there was a good chance that there were no other cancerous cells and I may well have been put through 6 months of chemo for nothing.  A decision like this can leave your head spinning because some people are astonished that you are turning down chemo and think you are slightly  mad!!  My oncologist was of the opinion that too many people opt for the chemo "just in case" the cells are there or because they think it is something they are supposed to do whatever, and she has seen many people suffer unnecessarily.  But I must stress that this is only in cases like mine.  Many people have successfully had chemo and have gone on to lead healthly lives for a good while after.

I will always weigh up whether the chemo will destroy my life quicker than the disease and vice versa, but it will always be thought out very carefully.

I wish you luck with your methods of controlling all of this.  It would be interesting to monitor our test results over the period of a year without chemo.

 

 

 

 

Good morning annibel Your story is very interesting and I hope you will keep us posted as to your results in the year ahead without chemo. I think you are very fortunate indeed to have such a foreward thinking oncologist. I have had excellent results using alternative protocols such as diet, supplements and intravenous vitamin C. Let me know if you'd like to know more on what has worked for me.....All the best...Sheila

On 9/8/2008 annibel wrote:

Thank goodness I have found someone who has decided to experiment without chemotherapy.  We are few and far between.  However I would not dismiss chemo altogether because in some cases it really is the only lifeline and any decisions to go "alternative" must be thought out thoroughly and it is important to discuss your options with your oncologist and your own local doctor. 

I had a tumour removed in April plus 3 infected lymph glands and classed as Stage III colorectal.  The cancer had not spread to any other organs i.e. liver, lungs but  I was still  advised to start chemo as a precaution to blast any cells that may still be undetected. I started the first course of chemo and ended back in hospital with heart problems due to the side effects.  It was then that I was given a fortnight to decide whether to carry on with the chemo (tablets), try intravenous drugs (worse side effects) or withold the chemo until January when I will be undergoing follow up tests. It was not an easy decision and I had many consultations with medics.  But ultimately it had to be my decision and my decision alone.  I finally decided to withold - mainly because apart from the side effects of the chemo - I was otherwise fit and well and recovered well from the op.  So I have opted for 6 months of high quality life and that has given me time to work out a healthy lifestyle and diet to hopefully counteract the disease. However the medication you mention is news to me and I will be investigating that further. 

n my case I feel that the chemo would have dehabilitated me more than the cancer itself - but I must stress that is only me.  If chemo is your only lifeline then you must take it - some tumours just have to be shrunk for you to survive. 

My oncologist agreed that I had made the right decision for my situation at the present time - and that was there was a good chance that there were no other cancerous cells and I may well have been put through 6 months of chemo for nothing.  A decision like this can leave your head spinning because some people are astonished that you are turning down chemo and think you are slightly  mad!!  My oncologist was of the opinion that too many people opt for the chemo "just in case" the cells are there or because they think it is something they are supposed to do whatever, and she has seen many people suffer unnecessarily.  But I must stress that this is only in cases like mine.  Many people have successfully had chemo and have gone on to lead healthly lives for a good while after.

I will always weigh up whether the chemo will destroy my life quicker than the disease and vice versa, but it will always be thought out very carefully.

I wish you luck with your methods of controlling all of this.  It would be interesting to monitor our test results over the period of a year without chemo.

 

 

 

 

Hi Annibel: Thanks for your input. When I asked my oncologist about the five year survival rate for my post surgery cancer treatment, he stated that it was about 70% for treatment with chemo and about 50% without chemo. This average was confirmed by a couple other physicians and it made the situation easier for my family to accept my decision to reject the chemo in favor of a better quality of life. I will have some further tests done in November. Until then, I am enjoying life and my children and grandchildren one day at a time. I believe attitude has a lot to do with my health and I try to be upbeat and humerous, though my wife claims I make her "stomatose". Let's stay in touch for the next year and see what happens. Our malady's seem similar. May you be blessed with long life........Bobharb

My hubby stage 3 with 2 nodes involved also opted out of chemo.  They gave his odds 60% without chemo, 73% with, he decided to do more natural things to maybe increase his odds over the 60%.  He has done Avemar, Essaic, selenium, IP-6 and many other supplements, flax oil and cottage cheese and more organic food. Its been a year and he is doing well.  Also love the book "Cancer and the Lord's Prayer". 

Thank you for your reply. I will add your hubby to my growing list of those who have opted for a better quality of life than that offered by chemo.

Yes, it a small percentage. Having experienced the pain of a small dose of chemo and weighing up the options I am fairly sure I have made the right decision.  I am having the most wonderful quality time at the moment and I feel that  carrying on with the chemo at this particular time would have dehabilitated me for quite a time to come and may have damaged other organs and maybe all for nothing.  But that is in my case, everyone s case is different. 

So we have been thinking along the same lines and worked out our decisions via the same investigations.  I hope you will keep me informed on your progress and I will do the same.

 Thank you for your supportive words.

 

 

I am a stage 3 colon cancer survivor.  I am NED after 3 years of fighting with chemo (3times) radiation once.  I had one node with a problem in 05 and they recommended IV chemo and I opted for  Xeloda for 6 months. 1.5 years later I had a recurrence and the open operation in Oct 07 could not resect the tumor because of the location..  Xeloda and radiation for 35 days removed the tumor and they followed up with IV chemo for 4.5 months.  My PET scans in Jan and Jun of this year showed me NED (no evidence of disease).  For those of you who have opted out of chemo, make sure you have scans (PET preferred) and blood tests to check your progress.  They saved my life.  You're right - it's your decision.  I went the other direction and had side effects, but none serious.  I also maintained a good quality of life through a good diet, exercise and a positive forward looking outlook.  Good Luck and God Bless.  Again, MAKE SURE YOU ARE TESTED!!