Financial setback after cancer treatment

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Comments

  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member

    You know, Jill
    I think your new picture just says it all, you look truly radiant. Truly.

    You will live long and prosper. or as I prefer to say, prosper and then live long, makes things way easier.

    Getting again interested and looking for opportunities to do what you love will help you to stay as vibrantly interested in life, as you are today. I will begin my painting again, you your writing.

    With love and admiration, your fellow traveler,
    in creativity and life. Say hello to New York City for me, would you? I really miss it, terribly.

    Claudia

    Tears in my eyes
    Sometimes I just love you all so darn much! You get me through, truly.
  • norma2
    norma2 Member Posts: 479
    Rewriter said:

    Tears in my eyes
    Sometimes I just love you all so darn much! You get me through, truly.

    What makes me feel better???
    Dear Jill,
    You know what makes me feel better? When I take some kick@ss action about something. Have a plan. March in full steam ahead and see problems as challenges instead of setbacks. I know you are a take charge kind of gal. I can see it in your writing. So I am betting on you coming out triumphant in this battle. You paid into the system for years. We all have. Now is the time for the system to do what it was intended to do. Provide support for you when you need it. Will be thinking of you and hoping to hear you get the best of results.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    norma2 said:

    What makes me feel better???
    Dear Jill,
    You know what makes me feel better? When I take some kick@ss action about something. Have a plan. March in full steam ahead and see problems as challenges instead of setbacks. I know you are a take charge kind of gal. I can see it in your writing. So I am betting on you coming out triumphant in this battle. You paid into the system for years. We all have. Now is the time for the system to do what it was intended to do. Provide support for you when you need it. Will be thinking of you and hoping to hear you get the best of results.

    For the self-employed, you really need to go in to the SS office
    There are a TON more questions for those applying for disability that were/are self-employed. I could never have answered all of that scrutiny to my advantage without the help of the case worker at the SS office. She was really wonderful with me, very thorough in documenting the differences in my income before I got cancer and my income afterwards. I would never have been so bold or aggressive in my request as she was on my behalf; or have known how to calculate my 'hourly' wage so a fair before-and-after comparison could be made. At the time I applied I was still drawing a pretty nice paycheck and significant distributions from my company, but she was looking for documentation of CHANGES in income that would be long-standing. I strongly urge you to phone and make an appointment and fill out the rest of the application form with a SS staff person that will document the truth of things in a way that will most benefit you. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. (((Jill)))
  • RoseyR
    RoseyR Member Posts: 471 Member
    Never Feel Embarrassed by Financial Challenges!


    Jill,

    You look like the ultimate urban sophisticate, so who cares if you need food stamps? A greater percent of our entire nation is now on food stamps than in decades. Formerly "upper-middle-class" couples, too long out of work, now need them. You paid taxes for years for all these government-run benefits, so never feel embarrassed to use them.

    Though not self-employed, I too face some financial quandaries given my diagnosis last year. The college where I teach offers great benefits (hence, a generous short-term disability leave that allowed me to take 26 weeks off--while receiving full pay--during recent treatment.

    But because our med benefits are so good, our salaries aren't so great.

    And despite good benefits, the expenses during my treatment have really tallied up: from about $400.00 a month for supplements, to cab rides now to get up and back to work on days when I'm feeling really drained (big city, no car), to trying to assure that I eat high-quality food at all times. (That our nation makes good food so expensive is a political problem that enrages me, but that's another subject.)

    In short, I barely get by from month to month. I have NOTHING left over after each bimonthly paycheck--a bit scary as I've little in savings and only a modest accrual of pension funds since I didn't secure a tenure-track job (few available in the humanities in desirable locales such as major cities) until my early fifties.

    But despite the constraints, I know I'm so lucky--in this economy--even to HAVE a job, and a tenured one, at that.

    Had planned to work for another six years but given my diagnosis last year--and the questions around prognosis for our rare uterine cancers--may pare back to "half-time" in two years (receiving half my salary and benefits while collecting social security).

    And does anyone know what med expenses we can deduct at tax time each year? (If supplements are prescribed, can we deduct them? Cabs to and from treatment center?)

    Just enjoy your few glasses of red wine each week and Grammercy Park and ABC and Lincoln Center and the Strand and Union Square Cafe and all those wonderful ethnic restaurants in Chelsea and the Village--and don't give a hoot about the food stamps!

    Love,
    Rosey
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    RoseyR said:

    Never Feel Embarrassed by Financial Challenges!


    Jill,

    You look like the ultimate urban sophisticate, so who cares if you need food stamps? A greater percent of our entire nation is now on food stamps than in decades. Formerly "upper-middle-class" couples, too long out of work, now need them. You paid taxes for years for all these government-run benefits, so never feel embarrassed to use them.

    Though not self-employed, I too face some financial quandaries given my diagnosis last year. The college where I teach offers great benefits (hence, a generous short-term disability leave that allowed me to take 26 weeks off--while receiving full pay--during recent treatment.

    But because our med benefits are so good, our salaries aren't so great.

    And despite good benefits, the expenses during my treatment have really tallied up: from about $400.00 a month for supplements, to cab rides now to get up and back to work on days when I'm feeling really drained (big city, no car), to trying to assure that I eat high-quality food at all times. (That our nation makes good food so expensive is a political problem that enrages me, but that's another subject.)

    In short, I barely get by from month to month. I have NOTHING left over after each bimonthly paycheck--a bit scary as I've little in savings and only a modest accrual of pension funds since I didn't secure a tenure-track job (few available in the humanities in desirable locales such as major cities) until my early fifties.

    But despite the constraints, I know I'm so lucky--in this economy--even to HAVE a job, and a tenured one, at that.

    Had planned to work for another six years but given my diagnosis last year--and the questions around prognosis for our rare uterine cancers--may pare back to "half-time" in two years (receiving half my salary and benefits while collecting social security).

    And does anyone know what med expenses we can deduct at tax time each year? (If supplements are prescribed, can we deduct them? Cabs to and from treatment center?)

    Just enjoy your few glasses of red wine each week and Grammercy Park and ABC and Lincoln Center and the Strand and Union Square Cafe and all those wonderful ethnic restaurants in Chelsea and the Village--and don't give a hoot about the food stamps!

    Love,
    Rosey

    taxes
    Taxes - you can deduct transportations costs, wigs, non-prescription drugs (Senakot, Colace, Gas-Ex) but I am not sure about prescribed supplements. I guess you would have to talk to the prescriber. $400 a month might raise a red flag.
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    JoAnnDK said:

    taxes
    Taxes - you can deduct transportations costs, wigs, non-prescription drugs (Senakot, Colace, Gas-Ex) but I am not sure about prescribed supplements. I guess you would have to talk to the prescriber. $400 a month might raise a red flag.

    my tax advisor
    said that if I have a doctor's script I can deduct - I have RX for yoga, massage therapy, and others. If it is not a medical doctor prescribing, not sure about supplements. Mileage etc are also deductible.

    Last year was only year we had enough medical expenses to deduct on taxes. Hopefully never again!!
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    daisy366 said:

    my tax advisor
    said that if I have a doctor's script I can deduct - I have RX for yoga, massage therapy, and others. If it is not a medical doctor prescribing, not sure about supplements. Mileage etc are also deductible.

    Last year was only year we had enough medical expenses to deduct on taxes. Hopefully never again!!

    same here!
    Mary Ann wrote " Last year was only year we had enough medical expenses to deduct on taxes. Hopefully never again!!"

    Same here and same hopes!
  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member
    RoseyR said:

    Never Feel Embarrassed by Financial Challenges!


    Jill,

    You look like the ultimate urban sophisticate, so who cares if you need food stamps? A greater percent of our entire nation is now on food stamps than in decades. Formerly "upper-middle-class" couples, too long out of work, now need them. You paid taxes for years for all these government-run benefits, so never feel embarrassed to use them.

    Though not self-employed, I too face some financial quandaries given my diagnosis last year. The college where I teach offers great benefits (hence, a generous short-term disability leave that allowed me to take 26 weeks off--while receiving full pay--during recent treatment.

    But because our med benefits are so good, our salaries aren't so great.

    And despite good benefits, the expenses during my treatment have really tallied up: from about $400.00 a month for supplements, to cab rides now to get up and back to work on days when I'm feeling really drained (big city, no car), to trying to assure that I eat high-quality food at all times. (That our nation makes good food so expensive is a political problem that enrages me, but that's another subject.)

    In short, I barely get by from month to month. I have NOTHING left over after each bimonthly paycheck--a bit scary as I've little in savings and only a modest accrual of pension funds since I didn't secure a tenure-track job (few available in the humanities in desirable locales such as major cities) until my early fifties.

    But despite the constraints, I know I'm so lucky--in this economy--even to HAVE a job, and a tenured one, at that.

    Had planned to work for another six years but given my diagnosis last year--and the questions around prognosis for our rare uterine cancers--may pare back to "half-time" in two years (receiving half my salary and benefits while collecting social security).

    And does anyone know what med expenses we can deduct at tax time each year? (If supplements are prescribed, can we deduct them? Cabs to and from treatment center?)

    Just enjoy your few glasses of red wine each week and Grammercy Park and ABC and Lincoln Center and the Strand and Union Square Cafe and all those wonderful ethnic restaurants in Chelsea and the Village--and don't give a hoot about the food stamps!

    Love,
    Rosey

    Sad state of affairs
    when the politics of our nation make it so difficult for some people to survive.


    Rosey, you are in Philadelphia, correct? All of the places that you mentioned are favorites of mine. I used to live right across the street from the Strand Bookstore and spent hours and hours looking at the books. In fact, I am off to the Strand today to buy a few books. The Union Square Cafe was my special hangout when it first opened and it was still possible to get a table. These days, I am happy enough with inexpensive ethnic food and a few glasses of happy hour red wine, shared with laughing friends. If anyone wants advice on living life in the "big" city on the cheap, I am your gal!

    Love,

    Jill
  • RoseyR
    RoseyR Member Posts: 471 Member
    Rewriter said:

    Sad state of affairs
    when the politics of our nation make it so difficult for some people to survive.


    Rosey, you are in Philadelphia, correct? All of the places that you mentioned are favorites of mine. I used to live right across the street from the Strand Bookstore and spent hours and hours looking at the books. In fact, I am off to the Strand today to buy a few books. The Union Square Cafe was my special hangout when it first opened and it was still possible to get a table. These days, I am happy enough with inexpensive ethnic food and a few glasses of happy hour red wine, shared with laughing friends. If anyone wants advice on living life in the "big" city on the cheap, I am your gal!

    Love,

    Jill

    Yes, Philly and New York

    Yes, I live and teach college in Philly--but for many years my best friend lived in Grammercy when she was head of Foundation Relations for National Audubon. So would make frequent jaunts and stay many weekends. Do you remember "Z's"--the underground Greek restaurant on E. 15th? We used to hang out there a lot, and as we'd both been lit majors as undergrads, made many trips to The Gotham and Strand. ABC I loved in its debut years but it's grown way too expensive--was appalled by its prices two years ago--though still love its ground-floor restaurant with the long oak tables.

    Am sorry you're leaving the boards--but can definitely understand why; we all need a break after a while, the need to be less obsessive about "research" and to resurface into the air of normal life, unencumbered by cancer-related concerns.

    Wish I could resolve my quandaries about dairy, however (of course I know that regular dairy is dreadful for us, with its hormones and antibiotics, but keep wondering if organic dairy--grass-fed dairy, esp lowfat--is actually good for us as it's high in CLA (conjugated linolenic acid), which according to Michael Pollan, PREVENTS cancer and according to Dr Bruce West, is essential to preventing cancer. (West claims that the last thing he'd feed a cancer patient is a very lowfat diet; he cites his mother's metastasized uterine cancer, which reached her lungs (she sought tradiational treatment without TELLING him as she knew he'd object to it), yet she's still alive nine years later on West's prescribed Meditteranean diet and supplements ONLY from Standard Labs--which produce not denatured, artificial, or partial supplements, but what West calls "phytonutrients," always as they exist in nature, never as mere derivatives. He is also very insistent about the role of the thymus gland in bolstering our immune system and asks all cancer patients to take a thymus peptide supplement. It all seems ot make sense to me--and now that I'm "done" treatment (let's hope for a few years, at least), am deciding what supplements, if any, I want to keep taking for maintenance. Had noted in prior posts that your own doctor doesn't believe in supplements: interesting. Wonder if it's for similar reasons that West is skeptical of most vitamins and supplements.

    Best,
    Rosey
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    RoseyR said:

    Yes, Philly and New York

    Yes, I live and teach college in Philly--but for many years my best friend lived in Grammercy when she was head of Foundation Relations for National Audubon. So would make frequent jaunts and stay many weekends. Do you remember "Z's"--the underground Greek restaurant on E. 15th? We used to hang out there a lot, and as we'd both been lit majors as undergrads, made many trips to The Gotham and Strand. ABC I loved in its debut years but it's grown way too expensive--was appalled by its prices two years ago--though still love its ground-floor restaurant with the long oak tables.

    Am sorry you're leaving the boards--but can definitely understand why; we all need a break after a while, the need to be less obsessive about "research" and to resurface into the air of normal life, unencumbered by cancer-related concerns.

    Wish I could resolve my quandaries about dairy, however (of course I know that regular dairy is dreadful for us, with its hormones and antibiotics, but keep wondering if organic dairy--grass-fed dairy, esp lowfat--is actually good for us as it's high in CLA (conjugated linolenic acid), which according to Michael Pollan, PREVENTS cancer and according to Dr Bruce West, is essential to preventing cancer. (West claims that the last thing he'd feed a cancer patient is a very lowfat diet; he cites his mother's metastasized uterine cancer, which reached her lungs (she sought tradiational treatment without TELLING him as she knew he'd object to it), yet she's still alive nine years later on West's prescribed Meditteranean diet and supplements ONLY from Standard Labs--which produce not denatured, artificial, or partial supplements, but what West calls "phytonutrients," always as they exist in nature, never as mere derivatives. He is also very insistent about the role of the thymus gland in bolstering our immune system and asks all cancer patients to take a thymus peptide supplement. It all seems ot make sense to me--and now that I'm "done" treatment (let's hope for a few years, at least), am deciding what supplements, if any, I want to keep taking for maintenance. Had noted in prior posts that your own doctor doesn't believe in supplements: interesting. Wonder if it's for similar reasons that West is skeptical of most vitamins and supplements.

    Best,
    Rosey

    Rosey
    You have had such a good response with your alternative treatment. What kind of doctor are you working with? I did see a naturopathic doctor (not sure if that's his official title) (he might be a chiropractic doc who has extra training in supplements). He sees cancer patients for FREE and I liked him alot. He prescribed a diet which I strictly followed for about 6 months and recommended some supplements which I got (he didn't mandate them). I liked his style. I think he is the type of practitioner that has one of those quantum machines. Have you (or anyone else) heard of that type of thing?

    While I believe in the natural approach, I am not brave enough to put all my eggs in that basket. I am integrating both approaches.

    My continued well wishes to you. Mary Ann
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    RoseyR said:

    Yes, Philly and New York

    Yes, I live and teach college in Philly--but for many years my best friend lived in Grammercy when she was head of Foundation Relations for National Audubon. So would make frequent jaunts and stay many weekends. Do you remember "Z's"--the underground Greek restaurant on E. 15th? We used to hang out there a lot, and as we'd both been lit majors as undergrads, made many trips to The Gotham and Strand. ABC I loved in its debut years but it's grown way too expensive--was appalled by its prices two years ago--though still love its ground-floor restaurant with the long oak tables.

    Am sorry you're leaving the boards--but can definitely understand why; we all need a break after a while, the need to be less obsessive about "research" and to resurface into the air of normal life, unencumbered by cancer-related concerns.

    Wish I could resolve my quandaries about dairy, however (of course I know that regular dairy is dreadful for us, with its hormones and antibiotics, but keep wondering if organic dairy--grass-fed dairy, esp lowfat--is actually good for us as it's high in CLA (conjugated linolenic acid), which according to Michael Pollan, PREVENTS cancer and according to Dr Bruce West, is essential to preventing cancer. (West claims that the last thing he'd feed a cancer patient is a very lowfat diet; he cites his mother's metastasized uterine cancer, which reached her lungs (she sought tradiational treatment without TELLING him as she knew he'd object to it), yet she's still alive nine years later on West's prescribed Meditteranean diet and supplements ONLY from Standard Labs--which produce not denatured, artificial, or partial supplements, but what West calls "phytonutrients," always as they exist in nature, never as mere derivatives. He is also very insistent about the role of the thymus gland in bolstering our immune system and asks all cancer patients to take a thymus peptide supplement. It all seems ot make sense to me--and now that I'm "done" treatment (let's hope for a few years, at least), am deciding what supplements, if any, I want to keep taking for maintenance. Had noted in prior posts that your own doctor doesn't believe in supplements: interesting. Wonder if it's for similar reasons that West is skeptical of most vitamins and supplements.

    Best,
    Rosey

    Whole food nutrition
    I totally agree with Dr. Bruce West's philosophy about phytonutrients and whole food nutrition. I think the supplement company that Dr. West endorses is "Standard Process" rather than Standard Labs--unfortunately, their product line is only sold thru health care professionals and can't be found in health food stores. Many chiropractors carry the Standard Process nutritional supplements.

    Colin Campbell (author of the China Study) did some research on high protein diets with rats and basically, concluded that a diet that was 20% "casein" (the protein in milk) was associated with liver tumors in the rats whereas a diet that was high in plant protein (gluten/soy) was not associated with liver tumors in rats. I found this info in the Aug/Sept 2011 issue of the Townsend Letter.

    Now, we are not rats and wild rats are not likely to eat a diet high in dairy protein. Nevertheless, I limit my dairy intake except for butter. There is some research that showed a higher rate of cancer (depression & suicide, too) was associated with very low cholesterol levels (below 150).

    Campbell thinks that a diet high in animal protein increases cancer risk overall--there may be some truth to this. Yet, I can't agree with the "no animal protein diet" (based on Weston Price's research). I try to stay on the "anti-inflammatory diet" as much as possible.

    Carolen
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    daisy366 said:

    my tax advisor
    said that if I have a doctor's script I can deduct - I have RX for yoga, massage therapy, and others. If it is not a medical doctor prescribing, not sure about supplements. Mileage etc are also deductible.

    Last year was only year we had enough medical expenses to deduct on taxes. Hopefully never again!!

    scripts
    My medical doctor advised me to have acupuncture and massage therapy, but said that scripts for this would do not any good as far as insurance was concerned. But I deducted these on taxes and have not been audited — yet!
  • Lois B.
    Lois B. Member Posts: 10
    Financial Burden
    Hi Jill,

    Just want you to know that I had worked for a group of doctors. If you don't have insurance, they charge you the going rate which is significantly more than if you had insurance. Hopefully you have a great team of doctors who would be willing to negotiate with you - probably you will be dealing with the office manager. I know the doctors I worked for would give self-paying patients a discount.

    Also, if you file for Social Security Disability - you might also qualify for Medicare which would significantly cut your out of pocket expenses.

    Hope some of these suggestions help you.

    Lois
  • RoseyR
    RoseyR Member Posts: 471 Member
    carolenk said:

    Whole food nutrition
    I totally agree with Dr. Bruce West's philosophy about phytonutrients and whole food nutrition. I think the supplement company that Dr. West endorses is "Standard Process" rather than Standard Labs--unfortunately, their product line is only sold thru health care professionals and can't be found in health food stores. Many chiropractors carry the Standard Process nutritional supplements.

    Colin Campbell (author of the China Study) did some research on high protein diets with rats and basically, concluded that a diet that was 20% "casein" (the protein in milk) was associated with liver tumors in the rats whereas a diet that was high in plant protein (gluten/soy) was not associated with liver tumors in rats. I found this info in the Aug/Sept 2011 issue of the Townsend Letter.

    Now, we are not rats and wild rats are not likely to eat a diet high in dairy protein. Nevertheless, I limit my dairy intake except for butter. There is some research that showed a higher rate of cancer (depression & suicide, too) was associated with very low cholesterol levels (below 150).

    Campbell thinks that a diet high in animal protein increases cancer risk overall--there may be some truth to this. Yet, I can't agree with the "no animal protein diet" (based on Weston Price's research). I try to stay on the "anti-inflammatory diet" as much as possible.

    Carolen

    Interesting re Bruce West

    So, Carolen, you're the first respondent who seems to know Bruce West's work. (Do you get his newsletter, "Health Alert"?)

    Am wondering how you "limit" your dairy--do you ever eat organic yogurt or even goat or sheep cheese (which I read is pretty free of estrogen or other harmful additives)? I do, just occasionally, in small amounts and keep organic butter in my frig, which I use in small amounts on yams.

    Be honest if you think I/we need to totally cut out milk products--even if they're from grass-fed, hormone-free animals.

    As for cholesterol, yes, the entire American "cholesterol pananoia" is so overwrought: relatively high levels are GOOD for us, so Bruce West insists; it's the low levels that can wreak havoc with our hormones, mood, and even cancer-vulnerability, supposedly.

    Just out of curiosity: are you on the East coast?

    Best,
    Rosey
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Rosey
    You have had such a good response with your alternative treatment. What kind of doctor are you working with? I did see a naturopathic doctor (not sure if that's his official title) (he might be a chiropractic doc who has extra training in supplements). He sees cancer patients for FREE and I liked him alot. He prescribed a diet which I strictly followed for about 6 months and recommended some supplements which I got (he didn't mandate them). I liked his style. I think he is the type of practitioner that has one of those quantum machines. Have you (or anyone else) heard of that type of thing?

    While I believe in the natural approach, I am not brave enough to put all my eggs in that basket. I am integrating both approaches.

    My continued well wishes to you. Mary Ann

    Quantum machine & vibrational medicine
    Dear Daisy

    I am familiar with the Quatum Xeroid device if that is what you are referring to. I think it is useful as an assessment tool and it can 'imprint' remedies, too. However, the device is only as good as the person operating it. This stuff can all be explained in Michael Gerber, MD's book Vibrational Medicine.

    Vibrational medicine is like Star Trek medicine. It may seem too far out for some people to grasp but conventional medicine has already taken advantage of "vibrational medicine." One example is when jaundiced babies are put under lights to help them break down bilirubin--light has a vibrational frequency--that's vibrational medicine. Certainly radiation therapy, laser and ultrasound technology qualifies. MRI technology uses a magnetic vibrational frequency as well.

    I've done some training on sound/light therapy and gained an appreciation for the impact that music and color has on healing. Has you seen the book Miraculous Messages from Water by Masaru Emoto? Check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss69kfHqN1A

    I apologize for going so far "off topic."
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    RoseyR said:

    Interesting re Bruce West

    So, Carolen, you're the first respondent who seems to know Bruce West's work. (Do you get his newsletter, "Health Alert"?)

    Am wondering how you "limit" your dairy--do you ever eat organic yogurt or even goat or sheep cheese (which I read is pretty free of estrogen or other harmful additives)? I do, just occasionally, in small amounts and keep organic butter in my frig, which I use in small amounts on yams.

    Be honest if you think I/we need to totally cut out milk products--even if they're from grass-fed, hormone-free animals.

    As for cholesterol, yes, the entire American "cholesterol pananoia" is so overwrought: relatively high levels are GOOD for us, so Bruce West insists; it's the low levels that can wreak havoc with our hormones, mood, and even cancer-vulnerability, supposedly.

    Just out of curiosity: are you on the East coast?

    Best,
    Rosey

    Limiting dairy and Royal Lee
    Dear Rosey

    I don't drink milk or eat cheese (from cow's milk) intentionally even though I LOVE cheese. If someone sprinkled cheese on a salad and gave it to me, I would eat it as I really don't want to be such a food freak that I can't enjoy eating anymore.

    There may be a good reason to cut out casein from the diet altogether. I think goat's milk/cheese is probably OK for cancer survivors. I found the following info from a goat husbandry web site:

    "Structurally, the milk protein casein of the goat's milk is sufficiently different from that found in cow's milk to be easily differentiated in the lab. The casein miscelles typically exist either as much larger or much smaller aggregations than are found in bovine milk. Because of this it has been suggested that, although the quantity and distribution of amino acids in the casein fractions of the milks of the two species are similar, the sequency of assembly is almost certainly different. This difference is further substantiated by the fact that goat casein is associated with a lower mobility in an electrophoretic field. A similar difference appears to be found in the lactalbumin portion as well, with perhaps more clinical significance. The lactalbumin of bovine milk elicits an allergic response from many individuals, a serious problem, especially for young children. These individuals are often able to consume the milk of goats without suffering that reaction, an effect attributed to the dissimilarities in structure of the two proteins."
    *******************************************************************************************
    Although I have read Dr. West's newsletter on occasion, I am more familiar with the work/writings of Royal Lee, DDS regarding health/nutrition (I think Bruce West makes Royal Lee's info accessible for people).

    During the time of the second world war, Royal Lee was targeted and threatened with arrest by the US Federal Trade Commision for selling his "endocardiograph." The alleged crime was promoting a medical device to sell nutritional products. The endo was just a microphone that recorded heart sounds on a paper (the tracing is done similar to an EKG tracing--only the configuration looks different because it is SOUND rather than ELECTRICAL activity). I have used the ACG or acoustic cardiograph (the second generation endo) to evaluate heart sounds on people. I can tell you that when people are taking man-made B vitamins, their ACG heart sound tracings look a mess. That's the best way to describe it. And when they stop taking the man-made B vitmins, the ACG tracing look more organized/cohesive.

    Here's a link from the Quack Watch web site on the ACG--even though I think the device is legit, this site is really a very good description of what can be learned from the ACG. Just ignore the "trash talk" part: http://www.devicewatch.org/reports/acg.shtml

    Oh, I am not on the East Coast, I am landlocked in Central Ohio. I am an ovarian cancer survivor (papillary serous, stage IIIc, grade 3) since August 2010. Haven't been in remission yet but I have been able to keep things quiet with surgery, one round of chemo and a LOT of integrative medicine (including 50Gm IV ascorbic acid aka "vitamin C" twice/week).

    The ovarian cancer discussion board has wonderful, supportive survivors but that place is "too close to home" for me which is to say, I want to stop focusing on the fact that I have ovarian cancer to deal with in my life. I like coming here to share information and see what you all have to say about integrative medicine, nutrition and anything "outside the box."

    Sorry for going "off topic" again...sigh.
  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    Carolen
    Off topic is where creative thought originates. While you think you are concentrating on something else, your brain is putting things together in the background and an entirely new and interesting thought evolves. Those thoughts give us other things to consider.

    Thanks for your input here.

    Claudia