Alternatives to Chemo??

rmap59
rmap59 Member Posts: 266
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hey everybody,
Been gone for a couple of days, did me some good. Now back to reality and my next IV infusion. I have been doing a bit of research about ph levels in the body, juicing, supplements that help fight cancer. But, I just dont have the courage to try those things instead of chemo which has been proven to beat cancer. I had such a bad reaction to the chemo I thought that I might try something else but just cant bring myself to going against my onc's plan. Any opinions on this, Chemo vs Alternatives? Thanks, Robin

Comments

  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    Robin -

    My opinion has always been not chemo vs. alternatives but chemo AND alternatives. If you can't kill the little bastards, lay seige to them and starve them out. It's been a common warfare tactic for milennia!

    Here's to lime water and avacados!

    - SB
  • Sunriver
    Sunriver Member Posts: 50
    Hi Robin,

    I know what you mean as I have felt the same way. My opinion is that whatever treatment a person chooses it should be the treatment they have the most confidence in as I really believe that a positive attitude plays a role in our continued health. When I had to choose I chose chemo although I did change my eating habits and started taking some supplements after asking my onc if it was OK. That was the course of action I had the most confidence in at the time. I'm sure you'll make the right choice for you. All the best...Mark
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    Hi Robin,

    I suggest you check out the web pages of Emily (2bhealed) and Lisa P (Scouty) who have done extremely well with natural means. There is no reason, of course, that you can't do both chemo and alternative therapy. Some of the major cancer centers, like MD Anderson, are doing that. As mentioned, whatever you decide, go forward in confidence.

    ****
  • rmap59
    rmap59 Member Posts: 266
    spongebob said:

    Robin -

    My opinion has always been not chemo vs. alternatives but chemo AND alternatives. If you can't kill the little bastards, lay seige to them and starve them out. It's been a common warfare tactic for milennia!

    Here's to lime water and avacados!

    - SB

    SpongeBob,
    I love avacados, dont know about lime water, could it involve tequilla? Just kidding but you make a good point chemo AND alternatives. Thanks for the advice. Robin
  • rmap59
    rmap59 Member Posts: 266
    Sunriver said:

    Hi Robin,

    I know what you mean as I have felt the same way. My opinion is that whatever treatment a person chooses it should be the treatment they have the most confidence in as I really believe that a positive attitude plays a role in our continued health. When I had to choose I chose chemo although I did change my eating habits and started taking some supplements after asking my onc if it was OK. That was the course of action I had the most confidence in at the time. I'm sure you'll make the right choice for you. All the best...Mark

    hey Sunriver,
    I like your screen name. Thanks for the reply and I do need to build confidence in my treatment. I will be working on that. Your friend, Robin
  • rmap59
    rmap59 Member Posts: 266
    vinny3 said:

    Hi Robin,

    I suggest you check out the web pages of Emily (2bhealed) and Lisa P (Scouty) who have done extremely well with natural means. There is no reason, of course, that you can't do both chemo and alternative therapy. Some of the major cancer centers, like MD Anderson, are doing that. As mentioned, whatever you decide, go forward in confidence.

    ****

    Hi ****,
    Your advice is appreciated as you have given me some good advice in the past posts. I will check out the pages you suggested. Your friend, Robin
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    rmap59 said:

    SpongeBob,
    I love avacados, dont know about lime water, could it involve tequilla? Just kidding but you make a good point chemo AND alternatives. Thanks for the advice. Robin

    Robin -

    In his book "The pH Miracle" (I think that's the name of the book) Robert Young (I think that's his name - UGH, it's been a while since I read it) makes a strong case for lowering your body's pH through eating alkaline foods including avacados (any diet that espouses guacamole is alright by me) and squeezing lime into your water to make it alkaline (why not just have a margarita?). So eat guacamole and drink 'ritas to cure cancer. Yeah, I can do that!

    Vive la vida loca!

    - SB
  • Limey
    Limey Member Posts: 446 Member
    Hey Robin. I am one who is choosing both chemo and alternatives. although I am still struggling with the beast. My oncologist is amazed that I have not had more involvement in my abdomen area based on where they say it has spread to. Although it is still there, it still does not show any new takeup on the scans, only the original site shows growth. He told me that I am his most Atypical patient he has ever had. I am convinced it is because of the alternatives, juicing, suppliments, and other therapies I am doing.
    I figure at the worst. It will only extend my life some but give me much more control in my journey, and that does feel GREAT.
    you will make the right decision for you.
    Mark.
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    Hi Robin,

    You bring up a very controversial subject on this board of late. Like Limey I have had great success with "alternatives" after stopping chemo. But after being on the receiving end of some not so nice posts here I have become hesistant to tell people that YOU can help yourself.

    I have decided to stop being hesistant and if folks want to be opininated and mean, then they can be. You can read my personal web page but mostly what I would like to convey is you have to educate yourself and/or find a licensed professional that has experience with dealing with cancer patients to help you with your treatment plan. I completely agree with the ph concept and test my urine several times a week, adjusting my diet accordingly. No I did NOT do that in Nashville!!! But I sure did as soon as I got home!!!

    You also have to be realistic; by that I mean that if you have an agressive type of cancer, you too have to be agressive; so fighting with chemo and alternatives makes sense if you can physically, mentally and financially do it.

    I did folfox with avastin every 2 weeks for 8 months for my stage IV rectal cancer. It worked great at first but then it all plateaued and the side effects were not worth it. I also knew I had to find other ways to fight the beast or it would kill me for sure. I still had active tumors in my body when I stopped chemo according to my oncologist.

    I was very fortunate/lucky to see my CEA (a good indicator for me) drop from 35 to 5.1 while on chemo. Once it got to 5.1 I decided it was time for me to let me body finish the fight and I spent the next 18 months juicing and fortifying my body with great food/supplements and absolutely no pharmaceutical drugs.

    It has worked for me so far but I also know that could change with my next testing mid Nov.

    My oncologist was wonderful about everything I did and just scratches his head today (I am now almost 3 years NED). He says it is because of C squared (chemo and carrots) and just laughs his wonderful laugh.

    I hope this helps, feel free to ask any questions.

    Lisa P.
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    Limey said:

    Hey Robin. I am one who is choosing both chemo and alternatives. although I am still struggling with the beast. My oncologist is amazed that I have not had more involvement in my abdomen area based on where they say it has spread to. Although it is still there, it still does not show any new takeup on the scans, only the original site shows growth. He told me that I am his most Atypical patient he has ever had. I am convinced it is because of the alternatives, juicing, suppliments, and other therapies I am doing.
    I figure at the worst. It will only extend my life some but give me much more control in my journey, and that does feel GREAT.
    you will make the right decision for you.
    Mark.

    "The most atypical patient he has ever had..." Mark, are you sure he's talking about your medical case? HAHA

    Be well, bubba!

    - SB
  • rmap59
    rmap59 Member Posts: 266
    scouty said:

    Hi Robin,

    You bring up a very controversial subject on this board of late. Like Limey I have had great success with "alternatives" after stopping chemo. But after being on the receiving end of some not so nice posts here I have become hesistant to tell people that YOU can help yourself.

    I have decided to stop being hesistant and if folks want to be opininated and mean, then they can be. You can read my personal web page but mostly what I would like to convey is you have to educate yourself and/or find a licensed professional that has experience with dealing with cancer patients to help you with your treatment plan. I completely agree with the ph concept and test my urine several times a week, adjusting my diet accordingly. No I did NOT do that in Nashville!!! But I sure did as soon as I got home!!!

    You also have to be realistic; by that I mean that if you have an agressive type of cancer, you too have to be agressive; so fighting with chemo and alternatives makes sense if you can physically, mentally and financially do it.

    I did folfox with avastin every 2 weeks for 8 months for my stage IV rectal cancer. It worked great at first but then it all plateaued and the side effects were not worth it. I also knew I had to find other ways to fight the beast or it would kill me for sure. I still had active tumors in my body when I stopped chemo according to my oncologist.

    I was very fortunate/lucky to see my CEA (a good indicator for me) drop from 35 to 5.1 while on chemo. Once it got to 5.1 I decided it was time for me to let me body finish the fight and I spent the next 18 months juicing and fortifying my body with great food/supplements and absolutely no pharmaceutical drugs.

    It has worked for me so far but I also know that could change with my next testing mid Nov.

    My oncologist was wonderful about everything I did and just scratches his head today (I am now almost 3 years NED). He says it is because of C squared (chemo and carrots) and just laughs his wonderful laugh.

    I hope this helps, feel free to ask any questions.

    Lisa P.

    Hey Lisa,
    Thank you for the info, I started accupuncture today, felt great afterwards but then nausea creeps back in late afternoon. I took some of the herbs he gave me and nausea is gone for now. I went to the store and bought all organic foods, quite expensive but I'm worth it. What is juicing?? If its what I think using a blender with vegies what vegies do you use, please give me a recipe for juicing. Thanks, Robin
  • hopefulone
    hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    Whatever regimen you choose to do I wish you the best of luck. I believe that chemo for stage IV cancer is worth doing , but I also believe that alternative measures should not be ruled out and there is a place for both. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for the other, ( either way chemo or alternative) but I still suggest you check with your oncologist about which alternative measures your adding. Best of luck and I hope you are posting a NED soon! God Bless, Diane
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    Hi Robin!

    I can chime in on the alternatives to chemo because that is exactly what I did for my Stage 3 colon cancer. I was lymph positive but no mets. I opted not to do any chemo and I don't regret a day that I made that decision. It was the best for me. I am so allergic to stuff (tylenol for one) and quite frankly the chemo scared me more than the cancer....long term side effects are pretty serious.

    Also, my healing philosophy is that of a holistic approach. I am alive due to Western Medicine diagnostics and surgery and Eastern Medicine healing. Mind Body Spirit. Eastern meds address this and I embraced it wholeheartedly.

    That is key. Embracing your approach and believing in it.

    I made juicing and a macrobiotic diet the foundation of the body-healing. To that I added acupuncture, massage & bodywork, among a host of other things like body brushing, yoga, exercise, detoxing, enemas, herbs, supplements.....you name it I may have tried it!

    Counseling was pivotal since I needed a lot of toxic emotions to be released.... and I had to walk away from toxic relationships too.

    Prayer, meditation and belief in a Supreme Being (for me is Jesus) kept the Spirit chugging along....which in turn kept all the other pistons firing--mind and body.

    So back to the juicing. You don't really juice with a blender. The thing about juicing is releasing the LIVE ENZYMES from the fiber of the veggies. A good juicer (Champion or Omega) is the way to go. (www.discountjuicers.com)

    The juicer acts like a predigester as it separates the juice (=nutrients and live enzymes) from the fiber which is what your body has to do when you chew your raw veggies. (cooking kills the live enzymes and defeats the purpose).

    Juicing is a way for the body to easily assimilate vital nutrients that otherwise your body's digestive system would have to work hard to do. We as colon cancer survivors have some faulty digestion happening (obviously) and juicing gives your body a reprieve to rejuvenate your organs and restore your health.

    And the key, which I cannot stress enough is LIVE ENZYMES. Juicing will also restore your pH and as we know, cancer likes an acidic environment in which to thrive. Sugar and alcohol and meat and dairy are all acid foods. Green veggies are alkalizing.

    GREEN = LIFE

    This is just scratching the surface, but if you are truly interested there are so many good resources out there.

    I have a library full. :-)

    Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

    peace, emily the juice chick