My father was diagnosed with Lymphoma

Hi All,

My father was diagnosed with lymphoma and I was looking options treatments beside Radiation and Chemotherapy?

I heard about vitamin C IV and also Bone Marrow Transplant. Are these procedure reliable? Can someone tell me other options?

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Comments

  • ShadyGuy
    ShadyGuy Member Posts: 896 Member
    More info

    What type of lymphoma? What stage? How old is he?

    Generally, conventional treatments offer the best chance for survival/

  • armymikaelson
    armymikaelson Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2018 #3
    My Dad is 63, and he is in

    My Dad is 63, and he is in stage 3 and getting near stage 4. we discover about this cancer very late. As far as the type of Lymphoma I will ask him again. he has been through couple chemotherapy and radiation therapy but it's very persistent.

    In the meantime, wil Herbs or vitamin help to reverse this ?

  • ShadyGuy
    ShadyGuy Member Posts: 896 Member
    In my opinion ...

    as a non medical professional, no. 

  • illead
    illead Member Posts: 884 Member
    edited July 2018 #5
    My husband always says....

    You don't take a knife to a gunfight

  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    Difficult situation for you.

    Vitamines and peach pits and green tea etc. do not cure cancer.  If the current chemos are not working perhaps he should look into a clinical trial.  Are they having difficulty getting him into a remission so they can attempt a bone marrow transplant?  The doctors are usually successful in doing various combinations of chemo drugs to get people to a BMT, using either his own cells or a donors.  With most lymphomas stage isn't that important.  However there is a big difference between T-cell and B-cell lymphomas.  If it were me I would look at clinical trials and a BMT.  

  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    iLLead,

    Love your husbands saying.

     

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member

    My Dad is 63, and he is in

    My Dad is 63, and he is in stage 3 and getting near stage 4. we discover about this cancer very late. As far as the type of Lymphoma I will ask him again. he has been through couple chemotherapy and radiation therapy but it's very persistent.

    In the meantime, wil Herbs or vitamin help to reverse this ?

    Short answers

    army,

    No: vitiman C and herbals are worthless against lymphoma. No academic study has ever suggested that they have any cancer-fighting worth.  In fact, many herbs are recommended against during chemo, since they impede the effectiveness of certain drugs.  Herbals may in some cases improve patient energy levels and mitigate pain, but that is irrelevant to destroying cancer cells.

    Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT) IS chemo, among the most severe regimens. At least in the preparatory stages of the proceedure.  And, it is massively expensive.

    As others have asked, please state exactly what strain of lymphoma he has, and all drugs administered thus far for better-directed responses.  Many people here have fought advanced, Stage IV disease, and won.  I hope your father does also,

    max

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member
    illead said:

    My husband always says....

    You don't take a knife to a gunfight

    Well, maybe....

    'Don't take a knife to a gunfight.....'

    Well, maybe in California.  Soon, the laws there will allow only plastic knifes in public....  My brother bought a hunting knife a few years ago, from ****'s or one of the national chain stores,  and the box stated that "this product contains substances that the State of California believes causes cancer."  It is a piece of steel ! 

    New York City restricts what size drink a person can order in a restaurant, to "protect" residents from too much sugar.  A Los Angeles judge issued an opinion a few months ago that "coffee needs a black box warning label."  Many areas are now issuing laws against DRINKING STRAWS.  

    Areas that support legal pot, assisted suicide, and free needles for heroin addicts are worried about a cup of Maxwell House.....

    Mainstream, CNN article about Judge's coffee ruiling in LA.  Highlight article and then left-click the 'Go to https....', and it will open.....

    https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/30/health/coffee-cancer-court-decision-warning-label-california/index.html

  • ShadyGuy
    ShadyGuy Member Posts: 896 Member
    yesyes2 said:

    iLLead,

    Love your husbands saying.

     

    Good movie line

    i have seen the line used in several movies. My favorite being “Punisher“ where the main character is told that by his foe just before foe is killed by said knife. Another good one is a real quote from Colin Powell during the 1st Gulf War - “if you find yourself in a fair fight then your tactics are flawed”. In cancer war I will accept any advantage I can get. And sometimes a knife is the only weapon we have. But even that is better than a rock or stick. 

  • I have a FB friend who

    I have a FB friend who suggested CBD oils and, pot, in general as she had a friend who used all of it, exclusively.  It, sadly, shows up in UA's in the amounts needed to treat it and it's expensive and illegal in some states.  I'm not sure we would have gone that route, as a cure-all, but would have considered using some of it to supplement traditional therapies.  I have friends who swear by its medicinal value, one of whom has survived ovarian cancer for decades that has metastisized in her vital organs.  

    The traditional chemotherapy drugs are toxic, for sure, and can cause a plethora of other problems (even other malignancies in years to come after remission), but using tried and true when faced with aggressive cancer . . . I think is still the way to go.  

    None of any of this has been easy on my husband . . . but he has managed to escape some of the harsher side effects from it.  Like they say, "Everyone is different."  That is, obviously, true in just about everyone's case who post here.  I find everyone here to be of more help than the clinicians we've seen for tips and suggestions to ease the burden of all of this.  

    A sense of humor, we've found, is paramount to keep each other from going completely insane.  The worry and doubt will forever remain part of the survival phase; but, treasuring each and every second we are blessed to share has become clearer and clearer as we move forward.  

    My Terry is, also, 63, "Army" . . . Too young to fall victim to this big nasty.  I wish you all the comfort and knowledge we have found here on this site in our situation and that a remission is on the horizon for your dad.  He is lucky to have you fighting for him.  Don't give up . . . either of you!

  • ShadyGuy
    ShadyGuy Member Posts: 896 Member
    unknown said:

    I have a FB friend who

    I have a FB friend who suggested CBD oils and, pot, in general as she had a friend who used all of it, exclusively.  It, sadly, shows up in UA's in the amounts needed to treat it and it's expensive and illegal in some states.  I'm not sure we would have gone that route, as a cure-all, but would have considered using some of it to supplement traditional therapies.  I have friends who swear by its medicinal value, one of whom has survived ovarian cancer for decades that has metastisized in her vital organs.  

    The traditional chemotherapy drugs are toxic, for sure, and can cause a plethora of other problems (even other malignancies in years to come after remission), but using tried and true when faced with aggressive cancer . . . I think is still the way to go.  

    None of any of this has been easy on my husband . . . but he has managed to escape some of the harsher side effects from it.  Like they say, "Everyone is different."  That is, obviously, true in just about everyone's case who post here.  I find everyone here to be of more help than the clinicians we've seen for tips and suggestions to ease the burden of all of this.  

    A sense of humor, we've found, is paramount to keep each other from going completely insane.  The worry and doubt will forever remain part of the survival phase; but, treasuring each and every second we are blessed to share has become clearer and clearer as we move forward.  

    My Terry is, also, 63, "Army" . . . Too young to fall victim to this big nasty.  I wish you all the comfort and knowledge we have found here on this site in our situation and that a remission is on the horizon for your dad.  He is lucky to have you fighting for him.  Don't give up . . . either of you!

    CBD oil etc. ........

    ..... is one of the biggest frauds in medical history. Ranks right up there with apricot pits. My brother-in-law uses it for bladder cancer. Read the labels.  They deny it is intended to treat or cure any disease or illness. If someone wants to get high, get high. But don’t pretend it cures cancer. It definitely does not.

  • ShadyGuy said:

    CBD oil etc. ........

    ..... is one of the biggest frauds in medical history. Ranks right up there with apricot pits. My brother-in-law uses it for bladder cancer. Read the labels.  They deny it is intended to treat or cure any disease or illness. If someone wants to get high, get high. But don’t pretend it cures cancer. It definitely does not.

    Come on, Shady . . .

    Come on, Shady . . .

    Tell us how you really feel.  My friend's friend swears by it as do plenty of other folks.  I'm not personally convinced it can cure cancer; but, the one friend I have who has struggled with ovarian cancer for 30+ years, swears by its value in controlling nausea/vomiting.  ANYTHING people find along this disgusting journey we find ourselves on that helps with any of the nasty side effects or the pain cancer causes . . . . I think, is worth discussing.

    But, hey . . . we're each entitlted to our own opinions, right?

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member
    unknown said:

    Come on, Shady . . .

    Come on, Shady . . .

    Tell us how you really feel.  My friend's friend swears by it as do plenty of other folks.  I'm not personally convinced it can cure cancer; but, the one friend I have who has struggled with ovarian cancer for 30+ years, swears by its value in controlling nausea/vomiting.  ANYTHING people find along this disgusting journey we find ourselves on that helps with any of the nasty side effects or the pain cancer causes . . . . I think, is worth discussing.

    But, hey . . . we're each entitlted to our own opinions, right?

    Not really

    There is a saying in politics the last few years that "people are entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts."

    Cannabis use is a huge thing in prostate cancer, but every major study has shown that is worthless against the disease -- worthless. Every funded, bona fide study agrees on this. "Feeling better" is desirable, but ancedotal. It is not science.  I have been to numerous "medical cannibas" sites and read their "literature."  Their "Boards" consist of bongers and stoners. They are making money off of people's weaknesses, and as such are reprehensible.

    I am not opposed to pot use or whatever. I am not Puritanical. People with or without cancer will use it. I just object to their perpetuation of a lie.  I guess it is better to feel good on pot than on narcotics. I never had nausea once in six months of R-ABVD. EMEND and other non-sedative drugs eliminate nausea for virtually all chemo patients.  Pot is wholly unnecessary in such cases. And the oncology benefit is always the same: None.   

    Even when someone swears by it.

    max

  • ShadyGuy
    ShadyGuy Member Posts: 896 Member
    unknown said:

    Come on, Shady . . .

    Come on, Shady . . .

    Tell us how you really feel.  My friend's friend swears by it as do plenty of other folks.  I'm not personally convinced it can cure cancer; but, the one friend I have who has struggled with ovarian cancer for 30+ years, swears by its value in controlling nausea/vomiting.  ANYTHING people find along this disgusting journey we find ourselves on that helps with any of the nasty side effects or the pain cancer causes . . . . I think, is worth discussing.

    But, hey . . . we're each entitlted to our own opinions, right?

    Of course

    We have our own opinions. Fine, no problem. But an opinion is not a fact. Consensus is not proof. We go to great ends to run medical trials to test other drugs. If they fail the tests then we don’t use them. With this nonsense we ignore all the evidence it doesn’t work. I frankly don’t care what you do. If you have money and days of remaining life to spend on stuff like this then go for It. More power to you. Placebo is a powerful force, kinda like blind faith. It can often make one feel better but the effect comes from within and not from the sugar pill. Easy profits are a great incentive to lie. There is NO miracle cure or easy way out of cancer. I have faith in our researchers that they would tell us if it works. They say it does not work. One scientific study says it “appears” to help nausea for “some people“ but “appears to be less effective than yoga” in that use. I repeat - go for it. Get stoned. I really don’t care. I just ask that you don’t spread untruths.

  • Evarista
    Evarista Member Posts: 336 Member
    unknown said:

    I have a FB friend who

    I have a FB friend who suggested CBD oils and, pot, in general as she had a friend who used all of it, exclusively.  It, sadly, shows up in UA's in the amounts needed to treat it and it's expensive and illegal in some states.  I'm not sure we would have gone that route, as a cure-all, but would have considered using some of it to supplement traditional therapies.  I have friends who swear by its medicinal value, one of whom has survived ovarian cancer for decades that has metastisized in her vital organs.  

    The traditional chemotherapy drugs are toxic, for sure, and can cause a plethora of other problems (even other malignancies in years to come after remission), but using tried and true when faced with aggressive cancer . . . I think is still the way to go.  

    None of any of this has been easy on my husband . . . but he has managed to escape some of the harsher side effects from it.  Like they say, "Everyone is different."  That is, obviously, true in just about everyone's case who post here.  I find everyone here to be of more help than the clinicians we've seen for tips and suggestions to ease the burden of all of this.  

    A sense of humor, we've found, is paramount to keep each other from going completely insane.  The worry and doubt will forever remain part of the survival phase; but, treasuring each and every second we are blessed to share has become clearer and clearer as we move forward.  

    My Terry is, also, 63, "Army" . . . Too young to fall victim to this big nasty.  I wish you all the comfort and knowledge we have found here on this site in our situation and that a remission is on the horizon for your dad.  He is lucky to have you fighting for him.  Don't give up . . . either of you!

    If it cured cancer, we would know about it

    I believe that cannabis and its deriatives are probably useful for controlling nausea and possibly other side-effect of cancer and chemo.  In fact, there is a prescription cannabis-derived drug for exactly that: Marinol.  But I am very sure that it these things cured cancer, we would know about it. There would be more information than just "my friend who had XYZ".

    I hope that Army and anyone else reading this does not forego important medical treatment and fall for any bogus treatments such as this.

  • ShadyGuy
    ShadyGuy Member Posts: 896 Member
    Very well put

    If it works for nausea then fine. However there are many alternatives which cost much less. The prices of this stuff are ridiculous, but so are many legal drugs. As far as prescriptions go, many in the drug companies would love to see even aspirin as a prescription. Keeps prices up and gives them control. What strikes me most is that we are talking about a common weed. Its is called "weed" , "Grass" etc for a reason. As I understand legal "weed" in Colorado is over $480 per ounce. How ridiculous. Recently the mall in Bristol TN/VA closed and was turned into a factory to produce CBD derived oils and potions from legaally grown "weed", in this case called hemp. A guy who works there joked to me that "yeah we sell the leaves for several hundred dollars an ounce. We will get even more for the stems and stalks". Ridiculous. As I said, I consider it a major fraud. People just need something to believe in I guess.

    And also a note to Max. There is some evidence pot smoking contributes to male infertility and prostate isssues, including cancer. Have you seen anything on that?

     

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member
    edited July 2018 #18
    ShadyGuy said:

    Very well put

    If it works for nausea then fine. However there are many alternatives which cost much less. The prices of this stuff are ridiculous, but so are many legal drugs. As far as prescriptions go, many in the drug companies would love to see even aspirin as a prescription. Keeps prices up and gives them control. What strikes me most is that we are talking about a common weed. Its is called "weed" , "Grass" etc for a reason. As I understand legal "weed" in Colorado is over $480 per ounce. How ridiculous. Recently the mall in Bristol TN/VA closed and was turned into a factory to produce CBD derived oils and potions from legaally grown "weed", in this case called hemp. A guy who works there joked to me that "yeah we sell the leaves for several hundred dollars an ounce. We will get even more for the stems and stalks". Ridiculous. As I said, I consider it a major fraud. People just need something to believe in I guess.

    And also a note to Max. There is some evidence pot smoking contributes to male infertility and prostate isssues, including cancer. Have you seen anything on that?

     

    Not seen

    Shady,

    I have not heard of pot causing prostate cancer (PCa), but neither have I really looked for such evidence.

    The occasional writer who advocates for pot-as-curative at the Prostate Board is of course suggesting that it cures the disease.  Almost always, the links they provide are to SALES ORGANIZATIONS.  In other words, they are marketing agents. What we called in high school "pushers."   

    [[ An aside:  I managed site security in numerous apartment complexes for years (no longer today).  Truly rough places....numerous murders, body-dumpings, etc.  The zip code for these sites was rated by the FBI as the 6th most dangerous zip code in the United States  (not "city," but zip code).  At the time, the entire states of NY State and New Jersey did not have a single zip code as dangerous as this one I worked in. The only zip codes worse were in the Chicago and Detroit areas.  I mention this only to "establish my street creds" (credibility).  We were often having to open apartments for the management, in response to "stench." Usually another opoid overdose from the previous week.

    Pot used today is MANY TIMES more potent than it was in in the 60s and 70s.  Everyone I ever heard comment on this agreed.  I knew a guy who did 10 years' federal time as a cocaine trafficer (ran a delivery artery from Atlanta to the Upstate area of SC), who told me once "I would not smoke the pot that is on the street today." ]]

    Does pot cause infertility ? That seems more possible, since infertility is a lesser biological effect than inducing a cancer. But not sure there either.  Once we guys get PCa, fertility issues are ordinarily a thing of the distant past.  The guys I knew in high school who did a lot of pot were "indirectly infertile," in the sense that all they did was eat potato chips and nap.... No worry about "conception" happening from them !  Maybe potato chips cause PCa ?  California probably thinks so.....

  • Well . . . that was fun.

    Well . . . that was fun.

  • ShadyGuy
    ShadyGuy Member Posts: 896 Member
    my final comment on the topic

    From the ACS archives:

    Smoking pot causes cell damage that could make a person more likely to develop cancer, researchers report. 

    Scientists at the University of Leicester have discovered that marijuana(cannabis) smoke alters DNA, the genetic material located in cells of the human body. Some forms of DNA damage can lead to cancer.

    Many studies have shown that tobacco smoke damages DNA in a way that boosts risk for lung and other cancers, but until now, it's been unclear whether cannabis smoke could do the same. Of particular concern is a cancer-causing chemical called acetaldehyde, which is found in both tobacco and marijuana smoke. Using new chemistry techniques, study researchers showed that the chemical, when present in marijuana smoke, caused DNA damage in a laboratory setting. 

     

    The discovery suggests that marijuana smoke may be as harmful, or perhaps even more toxic, than tobacco smoke. In fact, study researchers say that smoking three to four marijuana cigarettes a day causes as much airway damage as smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day.

    "These results provide evidence for the DNA-damaging potential of cannabis smoke," the researchers write, "implying that the consumption of cannabis cigarettes may be detrimental to human health with the possibility to initiate cancer development."

     

    The findings appear in this month's issue of Chemical Research in Toxicology."

     

  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    POT or not to pot?

    Okay i'm from California and have no interest in smoking weed, havn't since the 70's.  However I do think it has it's place in treating nausea and in increasing appetites of both AIDS and chemo patients.  There are other ways of using pot, MaryJane tea, brownies, cookies, etc. so it can be used with out smoking it.  I know very few people who use medical marijuana and are stoned.  Most in my opinion don't take it so they can be high but they do get benefit from it.  It also is used in treatment of Glaucoma, I think it reduces inflamation but not sure.

    Just felt like adding my 2 cents.