Fighting the good fight

jpro650

I don't know if I'm here looking for answers as much as I am just wanting to share my wife's story. In June of 2013 she was diagnosed with advanced stage cancer of the liver and 2 lymph nodes. The doctor that gave us the diagnosis basically wrote her off by trying to hand her a prescription for pain killers and send her on her way. After an emotional confrontation from us he reluctantly started her on gemzar and abraxin (sp). His biggest concern with this was that she would lose her hair.

While she was in her first round I set up an appointment at the Dana Farber Cancer Center in Boston. They were somewhat more hopeful for being able to manage the cancer if not get rid of some of it. The concern here is that some of the cancer has spread outside of the liver. This Doctor also kept her on the same mix of chemo drugs as initially administered. She is still on them to this day.

Once this all started, I did what I'm sure most people do. I got on the internet and started looking for "cures". In conjunction with her chemo I have her on a nice little regimine of supplements everyday. I'm no doctor, but in my opinion, I believe the things she is taking is helping, and here's why. The 3 large tumors in her liver were 8cm, 5cm and 3cm approximately, and a bunch of smaller lesions in and around the liver. No exact count was ever given for them. There are also 2 lymph nodes that were 2 to 3 cm.

My wife gets a CT scan every 3 months. There is very noticable progress at each one. This past CT scan in January showed that the largest tumor which was initially measured at 8 cm by 8.5 cm is now down to about 1 cm by 1.5 cm and all the others are down as well proportionally. A couple of the larger ones are no longer visible and the smaller lesions are mostly not visible as well. Unfortunately, the lymph nodes are being stubborn, but we'll get those in due time. We just have to keep her strong like we have been so she can keep tolerating the chemo.

I think the thing that really bothers me is the doctor's reluctance to be positive in regards to the progress being made. He is certain that her cancer will become resistent to the chemo "some time this year". Could he be any more vague? Anyway, we are optimistic even if it is slightly cautious. My wife actually feels pretty good. She is basically living a normal life. She's not working anymore. That took way too much out of her with the commute and everything else. She does however do what she wants. She goes shopping and cooks and cleans and whatever her heart desires. I know that might not sound like a lot to a lot of people, but considering the alternatives I think it's great and she is happy because she is still able to contribute to the household. We have definately learned to make the most of everyday in every way.

So here's why I really think the supplements are helping. She hasn't missed a single chemo at all. We believe the chemo will work, but you must keep the body strong. Diet is very important. If you can move your eating habits more to the alkaline, I think you will do yourself a favor. The supplements I have my wife taking are no big secret and they don't cost a lot of money. There are actually studies and evidence that they have certain charecteristics that help. If you can keep the body strong then there can be a higher tolerance for poison chemo drugs.

Milk Thistle and Tumeric help produce new liver cells more rapidly. Probiotics and Wheat Grass juice strengthen the immune system. Black Cummin extract helps build new blood cells. Graviola (soursop) Tea is said to have anti cancer properties. Coral calcium and Vitamin D for bone health. I also bought an ozone generator to treat her water.

The Black Cummin extract is something we just started my wife on in December when her weekly pre-chemo blood count was starting to slide. I was looking up things that support blood cell growth and found that. Maybe it's God or magic or the Black Cummin actually works, but there is a significant increase in her blood work since she started taking it. The Doctor and his P.A. are impressed with how she is holding up considering the length of treatment and the aggressiveness of the chemo. Her blood work is that of a normal person every week.

I hope I may have helped anyone in some way. At the very least, I was able to open up and get rid of some negative emotions by saying all this. If you have any questions or would like me to explain anything I would be more than happy to. I don't really buy in to what the Doctor says about this year, but I could also be in denial. Who knows. And just to keep things in perspective, everything that we are doing could just be coincidental and her health is what it is regardless. I don't know that either. But I do know, we will keep on fighting no matter what.

Thanks for listening, Jeff

cathyhd

Fighting the Good Fight and surviving too

I am horrified that her doctor wanted to give up like that.  I am glad that you both didn't.  I have survived from dx around 10/09.  Doing great.  Miracle the doctors say.  But they are part of the reason for my miracle.  My surgeons have done surgeries that some would be afraid to do.  I am cancer free at the moment, have had two tiny reoccurrences to a lymph gland.  It is slow growing so it gives us time to blast it with chemo, then surgically remove it.  Keep us abreast on how she's doing.  My treatment history is on here.