Dear Gi Gi,
First of all, I'm so glad you're reaching out for
support. I'm a cancer survivor, and wouldn't
have made it without help from my parents,
siblings and child!
I know from experience that all the
information out there can be confusing and/or
conflicting. I also know that most oncologists
are unlikely to try any treatments outside the
clinically proven protocols. If you and your
mother are given the "There's nothing we can
do for you, get your affairs in order" speech,
PLEASE PLEASE call and speak with Dr. Ben
Chue, an oncologist at the Seattle Cancer
Treatment & Wellness Center. By way of
background, he has successfully treated
many, many women with a specific type of
recurrent breast cancer by using Herceptin --
SEVEN YEARS before its recent
announcement as a clinically proven
treatment. Recently Dr. Chue has been trying
a new treatment for pancreatic cancer (using
drugs common to oncological practice , but in
different combinations and lower doses over
a longer period of time) and has had
amazing success. One patient who was
highly jaundiced and brought in for his first
treatments on a gurney is now walking under
his own power. Another pancreatic cancer
patient, a teacher, has actually returned to
work! It sounds too good to be true, but I
know from experience that Dr, Chue is willing
to take calculated risks that other oncologists
are not. It's often only when patients feel they
have nothing left to lose that they come to see
him. I have witnessed him giving hope to
many, many people. He is highly intelligent,
has immaculate credentials and also
happens to be a very nice, humble man. His
colleagues include naturopaths,
acupuncturists and other therapists who do
amazing things to help patients feel their best
during treatment. If you'd like to
know more, please call the Seattle Cancer
Treatment & Wellness Center at
206-292-2277. Best of luck to you and your
mother!