CancerCompass message board discussion started by Himmel on 4/2/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22642,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My mother was undergoing treatment for cancer for past 3.5 years (diagnosed in Oct'04). Now, her doctor has advised that she is progressing and will require support of general physician. Currently, her oncologist does not recommend any further medication, at this juncture.Request advice for any further course of action on any other alternative medication / suggested careCase History: She has been a diabetic patient for past 8 years. Biopsy taken in 2004 confirmed grade 2 left breast ER+PR+CERB [-].  Seven chemo treatments given, followed by six Taxol injections. Paclitaxel (Taxol) 260 mg injection, Put on Arimedex (Astra Zeneca) for six months, Continued with Xeloda thereafter for 2.5 months, Ultrasound of abdomen indicated growth in lesion,  Chemo started with Taxol 260 mg and Carbo 300 mg three weeks cycle,    After four cycles of above chemo, Femara tablets were recommended for 3 monthsUltrasound indicated further growth in both lobes of liver, Started chemo again with injection Gem (1400  mg) and carbo (450 mg), Three cycles recommended before ultrasound examination. Radiation was carried out on left breast to treat lesions in 14 sittings in February 2007 and was completely cured.Multiple lesions in both lobes of liver, larger size being 5.8 x 4.2 cm more on RH,  Mild ascitis observed for 1st time as compared to earlier reports, For last four months, since December 2007, Faslodex injection being taken once a month. Left shoulder was treated for radiation as muscles had traces of lesion in February 2008 through 16 sittings. Currently taking Lasilactone 50 mg since 12/03/2008.     Tapping of abdomen was done on 12/03/08 and 600 cc was tapped out. Tapping of abodemen was done on 25/03/08 and 2.4 litres was tapped out.   Himmel Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I am assuming that by progressing you mean that her disease is advancing?  I know how heart breaking that must be for you and your family.  I would like suggest some things that after much reading and researching that we have been using in my care.  I cannot say whether they will specifically help your mother, but many people have used them with favorable results.  Unfortunately, we are each unique in our makeup and so what works for one will not necessarily work for another.  That is why medicine is as much an art as a science. !.  She must boost her immune system as it is the body's main way of destroying the abnormal cells that are produced in our body everyday.  That is how we keep from getting a cancer mass, our immune system destroys the abnormal cell before it multiplies.  When we get cancer it is often because our body/immune system was not able to destroy the cells faster than they were multiplying. Medicinal mushroom supplements are a great place to start. Shop around as the prices vary a lot from site to site.  2.  Exercise daily if at all possible, even if it is just walking around the bed with a walker.  Outside exercise is best. Sunlight will cause the skin to produce Vitamin D, a critical element in the fight against cancer.  (No sunscreen for at least 15 minutes each day as sunscreen blocks the ability of the body to make Vitamin D from the sun's rays.)3. Sleeping in total darkness, at least 8 hours a night, so the body can produce melatonin.  Melatonin is a critical hormone which the body uses to fight cancer.  You can take supplements also.  Doses up to 40 mg have been recommended by some natural health practitioners.  Also  using a sleep mask will help block out all the light in our modern environment.4. Eat NO refined carbohydrates such as sugar, white flour, white pasta, cake, etc, etc.  Whole grain products must be used in moderation, fresh vegetables or lightly cooked vegetables are the best.  Fresh fruit in moderation.  Avoid fruit juice as they are so high in fructose which the body converts quickly to glucose.  Cancer cells have to have glucose to survive and all the highly refined foods mentioned above release glucose into the body in large amounts, very quickly which gives a real boost to the cancer cells.  Read more about it on the net, there are many sources.5. Deal with any emotional stress or trauma from the past or present.  This is critical.  If you are a believer in a higher power, prayer is essential.  If you don't believe, check into it more as you may find truth there that you didn't recognize before.6.  Start taking supplements to restore and build up your body's reserves.  No matter whether you are going the conventional route, conventional plus alternative, or  just alternative methods, your body needs to be strengthened for the fight.  There are many excellent sites out there on alternative or adjunctive treatments.  LifeExtention.com has a great section of breast cancer covering breast physiology, diagnosis, conventional and alternative treatments.  But there are others as well.  7. Start taking some fish oil, Cod Liver Oil is one of the best - it now comes in flavored types so it doesn't taste bad.  Don't get the deodorized as in the process of taking the odor out they take out many of the good properties.  Be sure and get one that certifies that there are not contaminants like mercury.  Norwegian source is best, but brand is not critical, in my opinion.  I always shop around for whatever is most affordable.  I was a total vegetarian, ate nothing that was produced by anything that had a "face or a mother" but finally realized from all my research that I had to start taking the Cod Liver Oil.  I had had to take it as a child because I had Rickets (lived in the forest in the mountains and did not get enough sunlight to make Vitamin D so my bones were weak and I was extremely bowlegged!).  I had the bad memory of the taste.  But this new stuff doesn't take bad although it still feels like Cod Liver Oil going down.  If you can take pills and have the money, you can buy it in soft-gels.  I gag with pills, so the oil is best for me and it fits my budget (Social Security) better.8. Learn to enjoy life in the here and now.  None of us knows if we will be here tomorrow.  There are many ways that we can die, cancer is just one of them.  Live, Laugh, Love.  Laughter truly does do good like a medicine as stated in Proverbs.Well, there are many other things I could say, but I think I had certainly said enough for now.  Do not despair!.  There are many choices and you and your Mom can make that do not require a prescription.  DO NOT DEPEND ON THE DOCTORS!  We each have to take responsibility for our own health, so encourage your Mom to take responsibility for her health. Many people who have been given up on by their docs have gone on to improve or even recover.  (I was a family doctor myself before being disabled by a car accident, so believe me, I know that doctor's are just humans like the rest of us and none of us humans are infallible.)  Consider your choices after much research and then go forward in faith, enjoying each day as it comes.  God bless you and your family.  You and your Mom will be in my prayers. AKT aktbet33 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT