CancerCompass message board discussion started by roula on 7/1/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25616,0.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Has anyone had external & internal radiotherapy as well as chemo for cervical cancer?If so, how did you go and were the side effects really bad?My mum has cervical cancer and she decided that she only wanted to have the external radiotherapy even if it meant slowing the cancer down.She is 81 and has many other health issues which may get worse if she has all 3 treatments. With the internal radiotherapy she has been told she will have 4 doses in 2 weeks and she will need a general anaesthetic each time.When we explained this to the doctor today, he hit the roof and basically yelled at us bullying her into having all 3 forms of treatment. He yelled at us and we couldn't get a word in. He told her that she would die a slow and painful death if she didn't have the treatment and that she would not die from the treatment. I don't want to tell her not to have the treatment as it is her decision, however I feel that she will not be able to cope.Can anyone please tell me how hard the treatment isand what sort of side effects you experienced.I'm really concerned and worried.HelpRoula roula Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sorry to hear about your mom. One thing I will tell you is that your mother and your family does not need a doctor to speak and treat a patient in that tone. No doctor should ever speak in that manner, especially to a sick patient. People who choose to enter into the medical profession are suppose to be caring to the sick, not rude. I would seek another doctor, you have that right.Best of Luck Wilmabc Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I would be looking for a different doctor.  Your mother deserves to have a doctor talk to and treat her w/ respect - explaining to her what her options are and then letting her make the decision as to the treatment.  It is her body and her decision.  Dlynn1210 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT hi there, i am on my 5th week of chemo-radiation treatment. I have had external radiation 5 x per week, now into my 5th week. once a week i get chemo (cisplatin).  I have overall been doing very well, just a little fatigued in the 3rd/4th week and minor side effects, nothing really major -nausea is managed pretty good with pills and immodium works great.  I have my last chemo tomorrow (yeah!) and on July 9th and July 13th I go in for overnight stay for internal packing/radiation.  It doesn't sound too pleasant but if it works i am all for it! I will let you know how it goes once i get thru the first one.  I am a clinical stage 1b, not spread but a good size tumor that they felt this was better option for treatment.  Sherriann Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/2/2008 Sherriann wrote:hi there, i am on my 5th week of chemo-radiation treatment. I have had external radiation 5 x per week, now into my 5th week. once a week i get chemo (cisplatin).  I have overall been doing very well, just a little fatigued in the 3rd/4th week and minor side effects, nothing really major -nausea is managed pretty good with pills and immodium works great.  I have my last chemo tomorrow (yeah!) and on July 9th and July 13th I go in for overnight stay for internal packing/radiation.  It doesn't sound too pleasant but if it works i am all for it! I will let you know how it goes once i get thru the first one.  I am a clinical stage 1b, not spread but a good size tumor that they felt this was better option for treatment. Thank  you very much for giving me that information. I am glad it hasn't affected you very badly....I think she is going to have the same as you. 20 days of external radio and one chemo treatment per week. Then she will have 4 doses of internal as a day patient. One of Monday and one on Friday for 2 weeks.She has been diagnosed at stage 2b. Good luck with the rest of your treatment and please let me know how you go.Take carerT roula Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT thank you to you all for your support and best of luck to you all.roula roula Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Please have your mother fire this doctor before he touches her again... As a patient you have rights... You are paying this man's salary and he can not speak to you like that and expect ot get away with it..If I came into work and yelled at my boss I would be fired wouldn't you?You and your mother need to remember that you are his boss and that his behavoir was unacceptable... I wish you and your mother the best of luck.. chemiszt24 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/2/2008 Sherriann wrote:hi there, i am on my 5th week of chemo-radiation treatment. I have had external radiation 5 x per week, now into my 5th week. once a week i get chemo (cisplatin).  I have overall been doing very well, just a little fatigued in the 3rd/4th week and minor side effects, nothing really major -nausea is managed pretty good with pills and immodium works great.  I have my last chemo tomorrow (yeah!) and on July 9th and July 13th I go in for overnight stay for internal packing/radiation.  It doesn't sound too pleasant but if it works i am all for it! I will let you know how it goes once i get thru the first one.  I am a clinical stage 1b, not spread but a good size tumor that they felt this was better option for treatment. I had the same course of treatment, but the internals were done as an out-patient (like the original poster's mother is supposed to get).  I had the same minor side effects--diahrrea, fatigue, slight nausea, indigestion--but nothing too terrible.  I was 53yo at the time and in fairly good health (aside from the cervical cancer). My belief is that doctors should be treating you with the utmost respect.  It is hard enough dealing with cancer and you feel so vulnerable.  SydsMom Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/2/2008 chemiszt24 wrote:Please have your mother fire this doctor before he touches her again... As a patient you have rights... You are paying this man's salary and he can not speak to you like that and expect ot get away with it..If I came into work and yelled at my boss I would be fired wouldn't you?You and your mother need to remember that you are his boss and that his behavoir was unacceptable... I wish you and your mother the best of luck.. Thank you very much for your kind words. Under normal circumstances thats exactly what I would have done, but I went into shock when he opened his mouth. It didn't matter what I said and he didn't even acknowledge my mum trying to interupt the screaming match between him and me.What made me even more angry was that on the way out he quietly said to me, "at least now my consience is clear".I am still so angry....And the thing that annoys me the most is that he has changed my mum's mind and she wants to do all 3 treatments. I know her and her medical problems and for her I think the treatment is going to be worse than the disease. For her it should be good quality for whatever time she has left.Again thank you for listening.It helps to vent my anger.  roula Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Please get a different doctor who treats your mother and you with respect and wants to work with the two of you in finding the best treatment for your mother rather than doing something to her, and especially something she's uneasy about.That doctor should be spanked. I am sorry you were subjected to such disgraceful behavior. I'd be curious to know how much money that doctor and colleagues expect to make, which might explain why the doctor was so abrasive. herenow Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I can feel your strength and optimism. Keep that way and good luck with the rest of your treatmentSilvana asilvana Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sometimes it is important to be forcefull with patients for their own benefit.  I wasn't in that room and I don't profess to know  all of the ramifications of that case.  It's your Mom's decision.  If she is not competent to make these decisions, go to court and get the approval to make those for her.  My cousin did exactly that last week so she could legally represent her mother in a very similar situation.  Yelling and screaming at patients is certainly not condoned.  When that occurs, if you are the caregiver, get some legal standing and act accordingly.  This happens all the time with elderly patients. Arnold Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT At the very least this doctor's behavior should be reported to the Medical Board and the hospital that he is affiliated with.  His behavior was despicable.  What an awful thing for you and your mother to have to go through at such a stressful time.  Your mother is lucky to have you to be her advocate.Blessings to you both on this journey. Sewwonderfulwoman Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I feel so much better after all your comments. I knew he was in the wrong all along, but having you all re-enforce what I feel gives me so much more power for when I go in and see him next time.Unfortunately my mum has been booked in to start chemo and radiotherapy on the 21st of July. I pray that things go well for her, however I just have this nagging feeling that she won't be able to cope with the treatment.Reporting him to the Medical Board is an excellent idea and one that I feel is too good for hime.Some doctors need to remember quality of life rather than quantity. I guess my mum is now willing to try anything so that she can be around for my daughter's wedding at the end of next year.Anyway thank you all for your encouragement and good wishes and I am hoping that you all use this strength for yourselves and your loved ones.CheersRoula On 7/3/2008 Sewwonderfulwoman wrote:At the very least this doctor's behavior should be reported to the Medical Board and the hospital that he is affiliated with.  His behavior was despicable.  What an awful thing for you and your mother to have to go through at such a stressful time.  Your mother is lucky to have you to be her advocate.Blessings to you both on this journey.  roula Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I wish your mother the very best. Out of curiosity, can you get a different doctor, at this point, who will work with your mother rather than insist on doing things to her? It makes all the difference in the world. herenow Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/5/2008 herenow wrote:I wish your mother the very best. Out of curiosity, can you get a different doctor, at this point, who will work with your mother rather than insist on doing things to her? It makes all the difference in the world.Hi and thank you for your wishes..... I will make sure I see this doctor at least one more time just to make myself very clear about his behavior and then I will organise for another doctor to see my mum.He is the radiotherapist but my mum is also under the care of the chemo doctor who was excellent. She was very understanding and gave us all of the different options available, including the option to stop treatment if things get too rough. I made it very clear to her that we were unhappy with  the other doctor's behavor and she seemed to know exactly what I was referring to. Its obvious that this is not an isolated incident.I will respect my mum's wishes to start the treatment and take it one day at a time making sure she is ok. And if for any reason she isn't coping I will be on the doctor's doorstep reminding him of his persistence.Thanks again and I hope everything goes well with you. Roula roula Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I'm so grateful your mother has you fighting for her best interest! The doctor definitely needs to understand he has to work with you; not the other way around. I'm also grateful your mother's other doctor is aware of the problems with him. I'm sure she'll be happy to also monitor the situation for your mother's best interest, too, and help you find a more ethical doctor, should you choose that route.In the meantime, I'll put out good thoughts for your mother's recovery. herenow Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I'm very glad you made the decision you made and that you have the support of your oncologist.  Again, in order to be prepared, if this should happen again, I would get an attorney and be in a legal position to make these key decisions about her care in the future.  I hope it works out for you.  Go Bless and Good Luck Arnold Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Arnold, as you are a member of the medical world, wouldn't it be more respectful to honor her mother's decisions rather than encourage the caretaker to get the legal right to do something to her mother rather than decide with her? You are also the only one who commented sometimes it is necessary to be forceful for the patient's sake. Considering your position, you should know more than anyone this is unethical.I think it's important for everyone to remember doctors should educate their patients about all of their treatment choices so that they can make informed decisions about what is best for their conditions. Good and thorough healthcare is a right, not a priviledge. herenow Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/5/2008 Arnold wrote:I'm very glad you made the decision you made and that you have the support of your oncologist.  Again, in order to be prepared, if this should happen again, I would get an attorney and be in a legal position to make these key decisions about her care in the future.  I hope it works out for you.  Go Bless and Good LuckArnold thank you for your good wishes. I just want to give you some background about where I'm coming from and that the doctors aren't always 100% right.I've been through this before as my dad had lung cancer 8 years ago. He was a solid man with no other health problems, Not even minor ones. The oncologist decided that he could only give him treatment to make him comfortable as he only had 6 months to live. He started him on radiotherapy and wanted to give him some chemo as well. We told him that my dad was 81 at time and that he was probably too old for all the treatment.He said that age wasn't really an issue as he was strong and healthy. However half way through the radio treatment my dad started to deteriorate and become very frail. The doctor who was wonderfull, realised that chemo wasn't an option and said that he looked at the man on the outside and not the man on the inside. He reassessed his decision and decided against further treatment.My mum on the other hand has many complicated health problems and I know how in my heart that she won't be able to cope with the full treatment. And becoming sick and then stopping the treatment half way through to me is  worse than having limited treatment. She is at a disadvantage before she starts.I would rather treat her moderatley to give her extra quality time than have her in bed for the rest of her life however long that may be.I guess as much as we love our dear ones we need to look at each situation differently and uniquly and decide appropriately. I may be proved wrong as I'm not a doctor, and I will respect my mum's decision and be there for her, however if anything happens to her during treatment, the doctor won't know where to hide.I'm from Australia and we can report things like this to the Medical Panel for which I have already enquired. However she has decided to go ahead with it so I don't know if I will have a leg to stand on.Anyway Thank you for taking an interest in my mum and I hope everything goes well for you.Roula  roula Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT First of all, I am not a member of the medical "world".  And still, you nor the caretaker know whether that was the best decision.  The radiologist may be right.  If the caretaker and her mother don't want the treatment for whatever reason,and the caretaker is in the legal position to make decisions for her mother, she can STOP the Doctor from proceeding.  There would be no bullying.  This is very important to all who are facing this problem with their loved ones.  I know the law as it relates to this case.  If anyone is in this situation needs to be in control, get a lawyer and TAKE control. Arnold Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I did and still do as an attorney and you cannot be sure of anything in this case - you are not in control.  And by the way, read the post where she thanked me for my advice in eastablishing a legal position.  As much as you would like to you can't speak for her. Arnold Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I found her to be very polite, insightful, and caring. And after reading some of your other posts, there is still a question mark about your motives, especially since you are posting on a cervical cancer forum.. herenow Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/5/2008 herenow wrote:I found her to be very polite, insightful, and caring. And after reading some of your other posts, there is still a question mark about your motives, especially since you are posting on a cervical cancer forum.. I am 8 months post treatment and I have never been happier about it than now.  Shortly after diagosis and throughout my treatment I was scared about my future and looked to this site as a source of comfort and advice from those who had been there.  I don't believe the ongoing argument between Arnold and herenow has any business on this site (and I would be willing to speculate that there are others who feel the same way).  I have read on two different posts your continuing war w/ words.  You both have different views - which you are both entitled to.  I took a class in college where we had to view a problem from 5 different viewpoints - psychologist, social worker, theologist, historian, etc.  The point was that the same problem was looked at differently from the five different professions involved.  It did NOT mean that 1 was right and 4 were wrong.  Herenow - who cares what Arnold is doing on this forum?  If he can give any good advice pertaining to legal matters to someone who might need it - the more power to him.  Those who don't need it can ignore it.  If an alterative treatment worked for you that is wonderful but many - myself included - are here because of some excellent doctors who treated our cancers.  Patients and caregivers are going through enough - they need to hear postive comments and answers to any questions they might have.  They do not need added stress which is what this public forum war w/ words is laying on them (I assume this because it has added stress to my life from reading them and I'm post treatment).  Herenow - you are obviously a strong willed person but please think about the individual who reads your post before you type something to Arnold or anyone.  Do you really think your negative comments about doctors will help those whose lives are depending on oncologists?  Do you really want to convince someone NOT to get treatment from an oncologist - which could cost them his/her life?  I wouldn't want that responsibility.  Even though I chose conventional treatment - chemo and radiation - I would never tell someone that less conventional methods are suicide.  As I believe both of you have said - we all need to be informed and them make the decision that is right for us as to what treatment we will endure.  I'm sure you both care about others who are now battling cancer, which is why you are on this site, so PLEASE put them first and end this war of words NOW!  IF you must continue - then please do it with private replies.    Dlynn1210 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi, First I wish your Mom a full recovery , 2nd as the others have said, get rid of that person who calls himself DR. and before you do shove the patient bill of rights and the Drs. code of ethics up his rear end!!!! I have worked in hospitals for over 30 years and NO ONE should talk or treat anyone that way! His treatment plan may be correct (I really don't know one way or the other) but his forcefulness and insensitivies are not appropriate. It is your Mom's body and she has a right to do what she wishes. His job is to inform you of the treatments available and the pros and cons of all of them including poss. side effects and what might happen if treatment is not done. He is not G-d, he is just a man who "practices" medicine. Also report him to the Hospital or better yet, the Medical Licensing Board. (But do that after your Mom's treatments etc...) . Best of luck and health!! Ellen eljoy18 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT My apologies about the flame war. It started on another thread and got dragged here. I would never tell anyone to refuse treatment. Just to consider all of their options. I'm sorry you interpreted it that way. I am also not the only one to have tangled with him.I am glad your treatment has worked so successfully. herenow Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Again, In response to Arnold about the Medical Community having to sometimes be forceful "for patient's own good" is wrong. Their job is to inform , give pro s and cons etc as I said in my last post. There are very clear guidelines the Medical Community are supposed to follow with regards to how they treat and inform patients. It is never to be the Doctor's decision , it is to be the patients (or representative) and if they are not informed correctly or do not understand then he did not do his job well.You may also want to talk to a patient advocate if she is in the Hospital (in America). Not sure where you are from. But, in any event , try to concentrate on your Mom and not that insensitive Boob. Do you have time to get a second opinion or can you use an Associate? Good Luck!! Also ,treatments are more effective than they used to be and even though he is insensitive he may be correct. A second opinion would possibly help. eljoy18 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/2/2008 roula wrote: On 7/2/2008 chemiszt24 wrote:Please have your mother fire this doctor before he touches her again... As a patient you have rights... You are paying this man's salary and he can not speak to you like that and expect ot get away with it..If I came into work and yelled at my boss I would be fired wouldn't you?You and your mother need to remember that you are his boss and that his behavoir was unacceptable... I wish you and your mother the best of luck.. Thank you very much for your kind words. Under normal circumstances thats exactly what I would have done, but I went into shock when he opened his mouth. It didn't matter what I said and he didn't even acknowledge my mum trying to interupt the screaming match between him and me.What made me even more angry was that on the way out he quietly said to me, "at least now my consience is clear".I am still so angry....And the thing that annoys me the most is that he has changed my mum's mind and she wants to do all 3 treatments. I know her and her medical problems and for her I think the treatment is going to be worse than the disease. For her it should be good quality for whatever time she has left.Again thank you for listening.It helps to vent my anger.  "What made me even more angry was that on the way out he quietly said to me, "at least now my consience is clear". I am still so angry....And the thing that annoys me the most is that he has changed my mum's mind and she wants to do all 3 treatments. I know her and her medical problems and for her I think the treatment is going to be worse than the disease. For her it should be good quality for whatever time she has left." Dear One,Though I was Originally APPALLED by what I was reading on this thread and how the doctor "Bullied" you two.... PLEASE, I Beg ALL OF YOU ... Understand where He is coming from and Focus Upon his Last Quote, "Atleast now my conscience is clear".From My Understanding of the original post, your mother .. a very frail 81yo .. would have to go under GENERAL ANESTHESIA Each Time... 3x total.  Even for a healthy person, General Anesthesia can be Very Dangerous!  To CONTINUALLY go under, given her condition .. for my own mother, self, or anyone .. No, I would NOT recommend doing it multitudes of times for something which they (the Specialists) want to do at ONE time.Sweetheart, the Radiologist (though I disapprove of how he was unable to effectively communicate to help you understand) ... You Must Realize that these folks Dedicate Their Lives to HELPING others .. and, they WANT Your Mother TO LIVE!  As her Oncologist told you, she may stop the treatment at Any Time if it gets too rough.That said, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND MEGA SUPPLEMENTATION prior to her going in.  Go to LEF.org and read the various Cancer Therapies and whatnot.  Your Mom's Immune System NEEDS STRENGTHENED ... DEFINITELY BEFORE she undertakes this Major Challenge that is coming up soon!I completely understand (and commend!) your focusing upon her Quality of life for whatever time she has left.  Just because treatment has been Scheduled already .. that does not mean that you cannot RESCHEDULE for a later date.  Just EDUCATE your self, mother, and all those involved with her care.  And, ASK QUESTIONS!  Do NOT, I beg you, get into arguing matches with her specialists.  That does NO GOOD for ANY of you.  EVERYONE is trying to look out for your mother and HELP her.Take the information they give .. digest and assimilate .. BEFORE you respond, ask questions, and Tell them of YOUR concerns.  My heart and prayers are out to Each of You with the battles you're facing and the Pharmaceutical Treatments which we must endure, if we so choose.Much Peace, Love and Healing your way,God Bless,M. Best Isnt Easy Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I thank you so much for your kind words and I do see how I need to calm down and actually communicate with the medical team.Thats something that I will do no matter what, but this doctor has made me so angry that I see red everytime I think of him.I also agree with boosting my mum's immune system and I have started juicing all sorts of fruits and vegetables for her as well as using Flaxseed oil capsules and seeds.Again thank you for your interest  to all of you that have responded to my original message and although I don't know exactly why you are all on this site I wish you all well for yourselves and your families.Cheers Roula roula Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Get another doctor. While most are compassionate and caring, some, obviously, are not. Your mother and her family don't deserve to be treated this way...find someone who will listen, and work with your Mom. God bless you. BJ1111 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/1/2008 roula wrote:Has anyone had external & internal radiotherapy as well as chemo for cervical cancer?If so, how did you go and were the side effects really bad?My mum has cervical cancer and she decided that she only wanted to have the external radiotherapy even if it meant slowing the cancer down.She is 81 and has many other health issues which may get worse if she has all 3 treatments. With the internal radiotherapy she has been told she will have 4 doses in 2 weeks and she will need a general anaesthetic each time.When we explained this to the doctor today, he hit the roof and basically yelled at us bullying her into having all 3 forms of treatment. He yelled at us and we couldn't get a word in. He told her that she would die a slow and painful death if she didn't have the treatment and that she would not die from the treatment. I don't want to tell her not to have the treatment as it is her decision, however I feel that she will not be able to cope.Can anyone please tell me how hard the treatment isand what sort of side effects you experienced.I'm really concerned and worried.HelpRoulaHi, I sent you a personal reply - hope you got it.I noticed one more thing when I re-read your message.This business of having to have a general anesthetic each time she has internal radiation therapy sounds really fishy to me.  #1:  she's 81 and has other health issues.   4 doses of general anesthetic in 2 weeks is A LOT.  #2  I question that she needs a general anesthetic in the first place.  Even if they have to dilate her cervis, they still should be able  to do the internal packing with local anesthesia and IV meds - there are some WONDERFUL IV drugs for such procedures that your mom would likely tolerate much better than being put to sleep. Some of these drugs act as amnesiacs - which means your mom will be really happy during the procedure, and she won't remember the procedure after the drug wears off, That would be much better than risking lung and other complications of general anesthesia. I recommend that you clarify with the doctor just exactly what this treatment involves, so your mom can make a more informed decision.  You might also ask her to see her family doctor first, to make sure she is well enough to tolerate these treatments. Hope this helps,  Tre   trehouse60 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/6/2008 Best Isnt Easy wrote:Dearest Roula:I was happy to be able to respond last night .. and to read your message this morning.  One Thing you Must REMEMBER ... DO NOT Allow That doctor (or anyone!) the Power Over You by getting Mad!  Do that, and Evil has succeeded!Jucing is a wonderful thing.  That said .. BE CAREFUL there and with her (and yours!) diet.  CANCER FEEDS ON SUGAR!!  Carrots, which I've eaten thousands of through the years and Many folks do carrot juicing alone ... Carrots are VERY HIGH in Sugars!Along with the Flax Seed, I would Highly Recommend OMEGA 3's EPA/DHA.  Also, Turmeric (Curcumin) and Green Tea Extract (ECGC).  From NutrCancer 2007 59(2):152-162, "Cucumin & ECGC increased cell doubling time.. inhibited clonogenic growth by 55-60%".  Vitamin E .. Short term supplementation (750mg ... be careful and read other supplements she may be taking) during Chemo .. "Reduces Loss of White Blood Cells associated with Chemo".  Melatonin, "10mg improves immune function in pts suffering from wide variety of cancerns.  .. Clinical studies support 20mg/day <though I wouldn't give your mom that much right now> .. can improve immune function in cancer patients predominantly by enhancing the immunity driven by the 2 chief anti-tumor messengers, Interleukin-2 & Interleukin-12.Go to LEF.org (Life Extension Foundation).  They have studies and Protocols from all over the world on sooo many physical ailments.  Research.  Learn.  Take Action. (you can buy supplements anywhere .. just make certain they talk about purity and/or their refining processes!)That said, DO let the doctors know whatever you two decide to do.  Possibly you can find a doctor in your area which supports complimentary medicine.  If your doctors give you hell, remind them:Hippocrates teachings are Still TRUE:  "Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food".  Best wishes, sweetheart.  Lots of Peace, Love and Healing your way!Always,MichelleMichelle thanks for all that information on nutrition. I found it really helpfull and the most common denominator from everyone on this site is that sugar is the enemy for cancer. This is something I had no idea about and something I will take on board as well as I have Essential Thrombocythemia which is a blood malignancy.I am trying really hard to boost my mum's immune system and I have also asked her to drink heeps of water so her veins can withstand the treatment.I feel so blessed that so many people have responded to my message and offered help and I thank you all.CheersRoula roula Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/6/2008 trehouse60 wrote: On 7/1/2008 roula wrote:Has anyone had external & internal radiotherapy as well as chemo for cervical cancer?If so, how did you go and were the side effects really bad?My mum has cervical cancer and she decided that she only wanted to have the external radiotherapy even if it meant slowing the cancer down.She is 81 and has many other health issues which may get worse if she has all 3 treatments. With the internal radiotherapy she has been told she will have 4 doses in 2 weeks and she will need a general anaesthetic each time.When we explained this to the doctor today, he hit the roof and basically yelled at us bullying her into having all 3 forms of treatment. He yelled at us and we couldn't get a word in. He told her that she would die a slow and painful death if she didn't have the treatment and that she would not die from the treatment. I don't want to tell her not to have the treatment as it is her decision, however I feel that she will not be able to cope.Can anyone please tell me how hard the treatment isand what sort of side effects you experienced.I'm really concerned and worried.HelpRoulaHi, I sent you a personal reply - hope you got it.I noticed one more thing when I re-read your message.This business of having to have a general anesthetic each time she has internal radiation therapy sounds really fishy to me.  #1:  she's 81 and has other health issues.   4 doses of general anesthetic in 2 weeks is A LOT.  #2  I question that she needs a general anesthetic in the first place.  Even if they have to dilate her cervis, they still should be able  to do the internal packing with local anesthesia and IV meds - there are some WONDERFUL IV drugs for such procedures that your mom would likely tolerate much better than being put to sleep. Some of these drugs act as amnesiacs - which means your mom will be really happy during the procedure, and she won't remember the procedure after the drug wears off, That would be much better than risking lung and other complications of general anesthesia. I recommend that you clarify with the doctor just exactly what this treatment involves, so your mom can make a more informed decision.  You might also ask her to see her family doctor first, to make sure she is well enough to tolerate these treatments. Hope this helps,  Tre Tre thank you for your private reply. I found it very helpful and have taken alot on board.With the internal treatment and the anesthetic, I have enquired and it is only done this way here. It is done this way so that the paient doesn't move creating problems. It can also be done with something similar to an epidural. I am investigating this at the moment.My mum  broke her hip 2 years ago and has all these rods and screws in her hip and leg. But due to her being on cortizone for the past 4 years for her lung disease (COPD) her hip hasn't healed and is still broken. This is also an issue affecting her future treatment as she is in constant pain and is on morphine patches which relieves the pain a little, but hasn't been able to control it.These are two health issues which the doctor didn't seem to be very concerned about when I questioned his treatment plan.Again thanks for all your info. and I will keep you all posted.CheersRoula  roula Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am facing a treatment which is to consist of radiation (5 days per week for 5 weeks)  and chemo of 5FU and cisplatin - (4 days continuous every 3rd week for 4 times)I am to start in 2 weeks.   I am recovering from a radical hysterectomy.I was staged as a 1 B 2.    I am terrified to be honest.   I have never been sick in my life (49 years old)   I cannot imagine being so tired and sick for so long.   I am trying to find info on nutrition with the treatment, I am wondering if anyone has tried any supplements along with their treatments to lesson the side effects, and /or how you are doing with the side effects.I am on a high protein type diet right now and juicing, trying to establish a regime I can try to stick to during the treatments.   I am working with a naturpath.thank you for ay help! blistery Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Well its been 2 months since I posted the original message about being bullied by the doctor for my mum to have treatment for cervical cancer.She finished the 20 external radiotherapy treatments, and 3 out of the 4 chemo treatments and she is currently undergoing bracytherapy. She is on the 3rd and her last treatment. She has been very unwell and has spent the last couple of months in bed. For the bracytherapy treatments she has been given general anaesthetic. After the 2nd one she wasn't that well and took quite a while to recover. I'm not looking forward to tommorrow's treatment and am really concerned.We saw another doctor to get a second opinion and he also agreed with the original doctor that she should undergo all 3 treatments as cervical cancer is very curable. They could not understand how someone could refuse treatment that is used to cure a cancer. I understand where they are coming from, however I can see how this treatment has affected her and at 81 cannot see her becoming her old self. She has also developed diabetes since starting treatment. She is also in alot of pain and although she has been told the plan is to cure this disease, she is very negative.Can anyone tell me how long after all 3 treatments before you start to regain some strength back and whether anyone has developed diabetes from this treatment.Also thank you to all of you for your previous messages and support and I hope that everyone is healing and on the way back from this awful disease.CheersR  roula Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT