Treatment or no?
Does anyone know of anyone who decided against all these "treatments" & had a good (normal) life for a few months or maybe even years?
Comments
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Treatments or no
I am in the same stage as you 3C. My surgery was end of March. I had the same hesitation as you, and wanted to flip a coin and stop at surgery. However, my surgeon who is also my oncologist at a very reputable hospital, advised me to do nothing it will definitely come back. If you don't treat those microscopics (even though they removed our cancer) it will take hold and come back. I had my 2nd chemo a week ago. My program is 3 chemos/25 radiations which will be five days a week, and then 3 more chemos. This is the standard uterine cancer treatment that most on the boards seem to be getting.
There are a lot of women in remission on these boards 2 and more years out after doing these same treatments. My doctor says we are going for the cure.0 -
Cancer Issues
This souunds like the words I would have typed last year in February 2009 when I was diagnosed - uterine 3C. I thought I was healthy, with good eating habits and lots of exercising and stretching. Guess this devil can hit anyone of us hum? I had total hysterectomy and thought they would have gotten all the cancer...didn't go my way as found in 1 lympy node in pelvic area which required all the treatments...boohoo!
I tried to research on alternatives for not having the protocol, chemo and radiation. Even had my chiropractor speak highly of a herbologist who could help "possibly". You know I didn't find enough information to make me feel comfortable with going that route, so I chose the chemo and radiation.
I have a good friend who's an RN in oncology dept at hospital in San Diego, who held my hand. She coached me on eating and nutrients (vitamins) to use to keep my system going strong, getting thru all treatments. I felt I could trust her as she went thru breast cancer 9 years prior and was doing great, therefore, I saw myself in her.
I completed 6 rounds of taxol/carboplatin chemo and 33 sessions of radiation (sandwiched in between chemo treatments), last July. Learning every day about the things to do to avoid any cancer recurrence. Yes we are all vulnerable to recurrence, but you'll read so many positives on people who have beat the odds. WE'RE A STATISTIC OF ONE~
My thoughts at start of this process, get thru the chemo & radiation, then build up my immune system and learn to heal my body with good quality foods and proper exercise, yoga and meditation. Guess I'm doing something right as haven't had recurrence. Never know do we?
I learned more from others who were in my shoes, and oh my gosh is this site a blessing with all the knowledge from others, too.
Surely you'll receive many posts on others who didn't do treatments and were successful. I can only give you my story and hope it gives you hope and guidance.
Best to you,
Jan0 -
To Jazzy 1jazzy1 said:Cancer Issues
This souunds like the words I would have typed last year in February 2009 when I was diagnosed - uterine 3C. I thought I was healthy, with good eating habits and lots of exercising and stretching. Guess this devil can hit anyone of us hum? I had total hysterectomy and thought they would have gotten all the cancer...didn't go my way as found in 1 lympy node in pelvic area which required all the treatments...boohoo!
I tried to research on alternatives for not having the protocol, chemo and radiation. Even had my chiropractor speak highly of a herbologist who could help "possibly". You know I didn't find enough information to make me feel comfortable with going that route, so I chose the chemo and radiation.
I have a good friend who's an RN in oncology dept at hospital in San Diego, who held my hand. She coached me on eating and nutrients (vitamins) to use to keep my system going strong, getting thru all treatments. I felt I could trust her as she went thru breast cancer 9 years prior and was doing great, therefore, I saw myself in her.
I completed 6 rounds of taxol/carboplatin chemo and 33 sessions of radiation (sandwiched in between chemo treatments), last July. Learning every day about the things to do to avoid any cancer recurrence. Yes we are all vulnerable to recurrence, but you'll read so many positives on people who have beat the odds. WE'RE A STATISTIC OF ONE~
My thoughts at start of this process, get thru the chemo & radiation, then build up my immune system and learn to heal my body with good quality foods and proper exercise, yoga and meditation. Guess I'm doing something right as haven't had recurrence. Never know do we?
I learned more from others who were in my shoes, and oh my gosh is this site a blessing with all the knowledge from others, too.
Surely you'll receive many posts on others who didn't do treatments and were successful. I can only give you my story and hope it gives you hope and guidance.
Best to you,
Jan
I love to read your posts. You are so encouraging and I look to you to help motivate me.
I had my second chemo a week ago today.
What foods do you eat to prevent cancer? You also do yoga and meditation?
What foods and vitamins and things did you do to help while in treatment?
Thank you so much.0 -
chemo and radiationhopeful girl 1 said:To Jazzy 1
I love to read your posts. You are so encouraging and I look to you to help motivate me.
I had my second chemo a week ago today.
What foods do you eat to prevent cancer? You also do yoga and meditation?
What foods and vitamins and things did you do to help while in treatment?
Thank you so much.
My advice is to have the chemo and then re-evaluate. Wait awhile - have a scan - have a CT125 - and take it one step at a time. I wish I had waited with the radiation. They get frantic - you don't have to.
Mia0 -
MIA - where have you been?????lociee said:chemo and radiation
My advice is to have the chemo and then re-evaluate. Wait awhile - have a scan - have a CT125 - and take it one step at a time. I wish I had waited with the radiation. They get frantic - you don't have to.
Mia
I have been wondering about you. How are you doing? I remember your struggle with effects of radiation. How are things for you now???
Re: the original question. I personnally agree with Jan's (Jazzy 1) thoughts. I was too much of a chicken and probably uneducated at the time of crisis (lets face it, most of us were blindsided with this cancer thing) not to get the chemo. My doc did not recommend radiation for me (I was staged 3a UPSC - but there is some suspicion that I might have been stage 4 - in lymph system). I have a recurrence in lymph which they took out node and now I'm watching and waiting with vigilent diet and supplements.
I personally know 3 people who did not do treatment and are still alive many years later - but these were other virulent cancers with death sentences - stomach, liver, multiple lymphoma - these people practiced alternative methods like diet, meditation, etc. I know there are miracles. These are hard decisions to make.
I wish you all the best and many blessings,
Mary Ann0 -
To Locieelociee said:chemo and radiation
My advice is to have the chemo and then re-evaluate. Wait awhile - have a scan - have a CT125 - and take it one step at a time. I wish I had waited with the radiation. They get frantic - you don't have to.
Mia
I was curious why you wish you had waited on radiation? Did you have the sandwich therapy 3 chemos/radiation and then 3 more chemos?0 -
Hi Mary Anndaisy366 said:MIA - where have you been?????
I have been wondering about you. How are you doing? I remember your struggle with effects of radiation. How are things for you now???
Re: the original question. I personnally agree with Jan's (Jazzy 1) thoughts. I was too much of a chicken and probably uneducated at the time of crisis (lets face it, most of us were blindsided with this cancer thing) not to get the chemo. My doc did not recommend radiation for me (I was staged 3a UPSC - but there is some suspicion that I might have been stage 4 - in lymph system). I have a recurrence in lymph which they took out node and now I'm watching and waiting with vigilent diet and supplements.
I personally know 3 people who did not do treatment and are still alive many years later - but these were other virulent cancers with death sentences - stomach, liver, multiple lymphoma - these people practiced alternative methods like diet, meditation, etc. I know there are miracles. These are hard decisions to make.
I wish you all the best and many blessings,
Mary Ann
I'm okay. It's been difficult to adjust to life after they said I would die. That seems crazy, but I got used to it. Now I have to adjust all over again. I even have to buy summer cloths, shoes, etc. because I cleaned out all my stuff and either gave it away - or took it to salvation army. Very strange! But, I must say that I like being so down-sized. So..... because they zapped me so much - because I wasn't suppose to survive - I have a lot of radiation damage. Mostly my right hip and my intestines. I do yoga - workout - and unfortunately still take percocet and larazapam daily. I've been given a lot of pain killers - but those are my favs. I've been checking into the site - but haven't felt up to responding 'til now. This summer I will plan to practice some alternative things to calm down the pain. In July I'm seeing a mind or pain therapist. That should be interesting.0 -
hopeful girlhopeful girl 1 said:To Lociee
I was curious why you wish you had waited on radiation? Did you have the sandwich therapy 3 chemos/radiation and then 3 more chemos?
I had the carbo/taxol for the 6 cycles. Then doxil twice. Then radiation with chemo pills. I forget what they were called, but I took them am and pm on radiation days. All too much! It's strange. I have two friends who did more than that - they even took part in experimental chemos plus radiation - but they both died this past year. I'm left with terrible survivor's guilt. One friend still had children in high school!
Anyway, I think I should have waited a few months between the chemo and starting radiation. Things may have quieted down on their own - and if not - I could still have done radiation. I don't know - It's just so hard to make this life and death decisions - and I basically suck at them. I have a hard time deciding which pair of jeans to buy - imagine having to make big decisions.0 -
mialociee said:Hi Mary Ann
I'm okay. It's been difficult to adjust to life after they said I would die. That seems crazy, but I got used to it. Now I have to adjust all over again. I even have to buy summer cloths, shoes, etc. because I cleaned out all my stuff and either gave it away - or took it to salvation army. Very strange! But, I must say that I like being so down-sized. So..... because they zapped me so much - because I wasn't suppose to survive - I have a lot of radiation damage. Mostly my right hip and my intestines. I do yoga - workout - and unfortunately still take percocet and larazapam daily. I've been given a lot of pain killers - but those are my favs. I've been checking into the site - but haven't felt up to responding 'til now. This summer I will plan to practice some alternative things to calm down the pain. In July I'm seeing a mind or pain therapist. That should be interesting.
So glad to hear from you. The first post I read from you awhile ago really touched me - you preparing to die. I remember the responses you got. I have to hand it to you. Death is a subject that is hard to deal with for me, at least. I am slowly growing more accepting that it will come (duh!!). I am downsizing too - partly for that same reason, though I am also planning to hang around here as long as I can and have a good quality of life.
I commend you for being the positive person you are, for working, and making the best of this situation. You probably are eligible for SSDisability if you want. I am working and think that this is good therapy for me but with your pain issues if you decide to not work, check out the regs on ssa.gov (look for links to the Blue Book). If you want some guidance on applying let me know.
Abundant blessings to you. Mary Ann0 -
To Hopefulhopeful girl 1 said:To Jazzy 1
I love to read your posts. You are so encouraging and I look to you to help motivate me.
I had my second chemo a week ago today.
What foods do you eat to prevent cancer? You also do yoga and meditation?
What foods and vitamins and things did you do to help while in treatment?
Thank you so much.
Glad I can help as we're all in this trip together.
Are you reading the Anti cancer book? If not pick one up and start as it's loaded with lots of goodies on everything associated with cancer. So many people on this site mention different ideas and I'll bet most are from this book.
I try to eat plant-like foods and watch the lists of the worst vegies and fruits loaded with pesticides. Those I get "organic" otherwise most like pineapples, melons and bananas are fine at the local grocery store. Getting more into varieties of vegies and fruits. Do not eat any red meat and if eat chicken it must be grass raised (I try as it's quite expensive $7/lb). Fish yes I'm a fish lover but get the ocean not lake type fish. Green tea and now getting into it a couple times per day as don't do soda. No milk or milk products.
Vitamin wise -- I use this line called Isotonix...you can google it. It's powder and just a great help for me. Do you take calcium and Vit D3? Few of them are loaded with antioxidants and Resveradrol (the ingredient in red wine).
Exercise -- I love to run, but haven't been doing it as much due to my pain in hip area. So...do lots of fast walking, and yoga. Do weights 2 times per week as need it for bone density.
Hope this helps as I have more, but not sure how much I should throw out. I've learned so much from others on this site, so follow other posting with comments on eating, etc.
Best to you..
Jan0 -
to treat or not to treat?
hello,
i've had the major surgery and the standard 6 rounds of chemo, one infusion every 3 weeks. i am now 6+ months post treatment. in terms of radiation, i've said elsewhere on this board that 5 different doctors plus a panel of doctors all had a different opinion as to whether i should even have radiation, to full out pelvic and abdominal radiation to in between. hardly a n exact science. i am now going the alternative way: major change of diet, exercise, meditation, acupuncture, etc., it can't hurt, and will probably help. i do know of at least one person on this board who elected to do no chemo or radiation and was told she wouldn't live more than 18 months. she's still here after 2 years, educating herself re: cancer, and treating herself in healthy ways. i'm sure there are others as well. all i can say is don't rush and don't let them rush you, get lots of opinions, medical and otherwise, read up on cancer, especially the anti cancer book, and trust yourself to make a good decision.
best to you,
sisterhood,
maggie0 -
Jazzy1jazzy1 said:To Hopeful
Glad I can help as we're all in this trip together.
Are you reading the Anti cancer book? If not pick one up and start as it's loaded with lots of goodies on everything associated with cancer. So many people on this site mention different ideas and I'll bet most are from this book.
I try to eat plant-like foods and watch the lists of the worst vegies and fruits loaded with pesticides. Those I get "organic" otherwise most like pineapples, melons and bananas are fine at the local grocery store. Getting more into varieties of vegies and fruits. Do not eat any red meat and if eat chicken it must be grass raised (I try as it's quite expensive $7/lb). Fish yes I'm a fish lover but get the ocean not lake type fish. Green tea and now getting into it a couple times per day as don't do soda. No milk or milk products.
Vitamin wise -- I use this line called Isotonix...you can google it. It's powder and just a great help for me. Do you take calcium and Vit D3? Few of them are loaded with antioxidants and Resveradrol (the ingredient in red wine).
Exercise -- I love to run, but haven't been doing it as much due to my pain in hip area. So...do lots of fast walking, and yoga. Do weights 2 times per week as need it for bone density.
Hope this helps as I have more, but not sure how much I should throw out. I've learned so much from others on this site, so follow other posting with comments on eating, etc.
Best to you..
Jan
Why no milk or red meat? In the American Cancer diet books for treatments lists milk and meat for protein and dairy.0 -
Jazzy1jazzy1 said:To Hopeful
Glad I can help as we're all in this trip together.
Are you reading the Anti cancer book? If not pick one up and start as it's loaded with lots of goodies on everything associated with cancer. So many people on this site mention different ideas and I'll bet most are from this book.
I try to eat plant-like foods and watch the lists of the worst vegies and fruits loaded with pesticides. Those I get "organic" otherwise most like pineapples, melons and bananas are fine at the local grocery store. Getting more into varieties of vegies and fruits. Do not eat any red meat and if eat chicken it must be grass raised (I try as it's quite expensive $7/lb). Fish yes I'm a fish lover but get the ocean not lake type fish. Green tea and now getting into it a couple times per day as don't do soda. No milk or milk products.
Vitamin wise -- I use this line called Isotonix...you can google it. It's powder and just a great help for me. Do you take calcium and Vit D3? Few of them are loaded with antioxidants and Resveradrol (the ingredient in red wine).
Exercise -- I love to run, but haven't been doing it as much due to my pain in hip area. So...do lots of fast walking, and yoga. Do weights 2 times per week as need it for bone density.
Hope this helps as I have more, but not sure how much I should throw out. I've learned so much from others on this site, so follow other posting with comments on eating, etc.
Best to you..
Jan
Why no milk or red meat? In the American Cancer diet books for treatments lists milk and meat for protein and dairy.0 -
so difficultmaggie_wilson said:to treat or not to treat?
hello,
i've had the major surgery and the standard 6 rounds of chemo, one infusion every 3 weeks. i am now 6+ months post treatment. in terms of radiation, i've said elsewhere on this board that 5 different doctors plus a panel of doctors all had a different opinion as to whether i should even have radiation, to full out pelvic and abdominal radiation to in between. hardly a n exact science. i am now going the alternative way: major change of diet, exercise, meditation, acupuncture, etc., it can't hurt, and will probably help. i do know of at least one person on this board who elected to do no chemo or radiation and was told she wouldn't live more than 18 months. she's still here after 2 years, educating herself re: cancer, and treating herself in healthy ways. i'm sure there are others as well. all i can say is don't rush and don't let them rush you, get lots of opinions, medical and otherwise, read up on cancer, especially the anti cancer book, and trust yourself to make a good decision.
best to you,
sisterhood,
maggie
such difficult decisions and if the medical community cannot have concensus how can a patient with a new cancer diagnosis decide under a time factor and if you start treatment then they say to stick with it and complete it especially radiation treatments. even pathology reports are interpreted differently. they used to do more hysterectomies for fibroids and such it makes you wonder if you are safer to have a hysterectomy if family history or fibroids especially since ovarian and uterine are silent and really no screening like pap smear??0
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