Thank you all for this educational experience

food and vitamins
I just had to finally talk about this as I have been in such a quandry as what to do in regards to my eating habits while having cancer. To start with I have a huge sweet tooth, have had it ever since I can remember. I have talked to the many different doctors I've seen and of course the one who is in charge of my case now. They have all said that everything you eat feeds your cancer and just to try to eat a good diet with moderation in all. I have a friend who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer abour 6 months after I was. She has gone the route of eating no sugars or refined foods at all and I have continued to eat all of my sweets. She has a doctor that will operate on her everytime she has a reoccurence, and I have had a bit more chemo than she has but we are both still here. I am religious and I truly believe that our Heavenly Father will call us home when it is out time to go. I wonder sometimes if eating a bit healthier would have made a difference but quality of life is important too and cake, cookies, pie etc. do make me happy. I gained 20 pounds during my 16 rounds of carbo taxol, but have held steady ever since. I found this on the National Cancer Institute "Many people want to know how they can help their body fight cancer by eating certain foods or taking vitamins or supplements. But, there are no studies that prove that any special diet, food, vitamin, mineral, dietary supplement, herb, or combination of these can slow cancer, cure it, or keep it from coming back. In fact, some of these products can cause other problems by changing how your cancer treatment works.
Talk with your doctor, nurse, or dietitian before going on a special diet or taking any supplements. To avoid problems, be sure to followw their advice." I had a friend who brewed asiac tea for her husband any me for a year, but it really did't do anything for us. My mom died of ovarian cancer and she tried the in thing then which was laetrill (spelling?). Anyway I would hate to think that doctors only cared about money and would not tell us the truth if there was something else that would work. Sorry this is so long. I was first diagnosed September 9, 2002. I guess we all just have to do the best we can. Thanks, Patty

sofarstillhere said:

food and vitamins
I just had to finally talk about this as I have been in such a quandry as what to do in regards to my eating habits while having cancer. To start with I have a huge sweet tooth, have had it ever since I can remember. I have talked to the many different doctors I've seen and of course the one who is in charge of my case now. They have all said that everything you eat feeds your cancer and just to try to eat a good diet with moderation in all. I have a friend who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer abour 6 months after I was. She has gone the route of eating no sugars or refined foods at all and I have continued to eat all of my sweets. She has a doctor that will operate on her everytime she has a reoccurence, and I have had a bit more chemo than she has but we are both still here. I am religious and I truly believe that our Heavenly Father will call us home when it is out time to go. I wonder sometimes if eating a bit healthier would have made a difference but quality of life is important too and cake, cookies, pie etc. do make me happy. I gained 20 pounds during my 16 rounds of carbo taxol, but have held steady ever since. I found this on the National Cancer Institute "Many people want to know how they can help their body fight cancer by eating certain foods or taking vitamins or supplements. But, there are no studies that prove that any special diet, food, vitamin, mineral, dietary supplement, herb, or combination of these can slow cancer, cure it, or keep it from coming back. In fact, some of these products can cause other problems by changing how your cancer treatment works.
Talk with your doctor, nurse, or dietitian before going on a special diet or taking any supplements. To avoid problems, be sure to followw their advice." I had a friend who brewed asiac tea for her husband any me for a year, but it really did't do anything for us. My mom died of ovarian cancer and she tried the in thing then which was laetrill (spelling?). Anyway I would hate to think that doctors only cared about money and would not tell us the truth if there was something else that would work. Sorry this is so long. I was first diagnosed September 9, 2002. I guess we all just have to do the best we can. Thanks, Patty

How to say this
but if there is no study to prove that any food, diet, vitamin..... can slow cancer or cure it, how they know that is changing the way how treatment works? Or...?

And if we stop eating that plastic food (did you ever read ingredients in bread?) our body is taking care of the rest.

Hissy_Fitz said:

Please feel free to eat whatever you like....
Or don't eat whatever you want. I will not attempt to deter you from any diet you choose to embrace. If you believe mushrooms, asparagus, or a sugar-free, meat-free, dairy-free diet will help restore your health, far be it from me to discourage you.

By the same token, please don't try and shove YOUR "plan" down MY throat. Don't tell me I am "poisoning" myself with white bread, or M&M's, or a glass of wine in the evening. Be respectful of other people, and they will be respectful of you. I truly believe that.

If other members don't beg you to share your new found "cure" with them, it's not because we are wallowing in hopelessness; it just means we have chosen a different path.

Believe me, the person who started this thread is not the first one to "enlighten" the rest of us, regarding the benefits of supplements, alternative treatments, diet, etc. None of this is news. We've all heard it a hundred times before. We were listening....we just aren't buying. Please don't take it personally.



Carlene

Carlene
I soooo agree with your sentiment x

Hissy_Fitz said:

Please feel free to eat whatever you like....
Or don't eat whatever you want. I will not attempt to deter you from any diet you choose to embrace. If you believe mushrooms, asparagus, or a sugar-free, meat-free, dairy-free diet will help restore your health, far be it from me to discourage you.

By the same token, please don't try and shove YOUR "plan" down MY throat. Don't tell me I am "poisoning" myself with white bread, or M&M's, or a glass of wine in the evening. Be respectful of other people, and they will be respectful of you. I truly believe that.

If other members don't beg you to share your new found "cure" with them, it's not because we are wallowing in hopelessness; it just means we have chosen a different path.

Believe me, the person who started this thread is not the first one to "enlighten" the rest of us, regarding the benefits of supplements, alternative treatments, diet, etc. None of this is news. We've all heard it a hundred times before. We were listening....we just aren't buying. Please don't take it personally.



Carlene

Carlene, so glad your back!
I always love your posts. Keep tapping away at those keys!

Lisa13Q said:

Right on MAMA
I couldn't have said it better myself... why do people who don't like this board have such a strong desire to share all their feelings about us...rather than just leave??

Come on ladies
I think we all appreciate hearing from people who have found something that works for them. Whether to halt the disease, slow it down or just feel better during the ordeal. I guess I would chew rocks if I thought it would keep this monster out of my body. I like the saying, "Everything in moderation including moderation." I know I could eat a lot healthier but I have a sugar monkey on my back and although I try really hard to kick him off, I admit to giving in more often than I should. We are in a rather one-sided battle and have a tendancy to grasp at straws in our effort to win. I try to respect people and their beliefs and I am willing to listen. I applaud people who are able to follow a more stringent regimen but expect the same respect for however I choose to deal with this issue.

Karen

Tethys41 said:

Chill "Ladies"
God knows my intent was not to stir up such animosity on this board when I posted this, or any of my other posts. I have neutrally posted knowledge and experiences I have had during my healing process. Carlene, if you really believe that if I show respect, I will be respected by others, I ask you why you have repeatedly belittled my expereinces and knowledge, when I have NEVER tried to "shove" my ideas down anyone's throat. Why does this information offend you so?

I honestly believe that when addressing this disease the method of treatment one chooses is VERY personal, and I would never insist that any of you opt for something that is uncomfortable for you. On the other hand, I strongly believe that people who are investigating the options have a right to know what the options are, in an unbiased environment.

Maybe those of you who are so opposed to taking every possible precaution against this disease did not have the same experience I did with their initial bout. My cancer came on fast, from apparently nothing to stage IIIc in 7 weeks. I had a very intense surgery and lost 5 units of blood on the operating table. I was considered suboptimal after surgery. I had a total of 20 gallons of ascites drained from my abdomen over a two month period, and prior to it drying up, it was malignant ascites. I was on IV nutrition for 3 months, 24/7. My detox pathway for taxol is compromised due to my genetics, so the chemo knocked my on my butt and I experienced nearly constant abdominal pain. I grasped at every possible treatment I could get my hands on, becaues I knew I couldn't afford to let the cancer catch its breath, not for even a second. I never asked my doctor what my chances were, but since I have become well, it is apparent that they were betting against me. Every oncology nurse I have worked with has called me a miracle. Now, I am training for a triathalon which is being held on the second anniversary of my surgery in August.

So, that is why I think the knowledge I have gained is important, at least it is to me.

I posted the following, WAY
I posted the following, WAY BACK in the beginning of this thread:
"Secondly, I sincerely hope that my posts regarding alcohol, sugar, etc did not seem like a personal attack. I surely did not mean them to be. I only wanted to point out that my doctors, both my local gyn/oncologist and the highly respected and well known research physician, Paul Sabbitini, subscribe to the all-things-in-moderation theory. I trust their judgment, and I view that trust as an essential part of our relationship , and my treatment plan. Your faith in the team of professionals that has given you such great success is admirable and I applaud your loyalty and your willingness to be so willing to adapt."

But I will say it again......IT HAS NEVER BEEN MY INTENT TO BELITTLE ANYONE'S TREATMENT PLAN.

Your information does not offend me. What offends me is anyone, not necessarily you, who joins the board to share (promote??) her personal anti-cancer regimen, then flounces when no one seems interested in following suit.

Plenty of members here are totally committed to alternative therapies, supplements, etc. Nancy Mellen comes to mind. She gets infusions of Vitamin C and Hydrogen Peroxide, among other things. And she will share information with anyone who expresses an interest. What she doesn't do is attack the board as a whole, accuse us of embracing hopelessness, and announce her intention to leave because more people don't seem interested in her healing plan.

With all due respect, Kate, your journey and mine are very, very close, time-wise. I was also on TPN feeding, 16 days in the hospital when I was de-bulked, over 10 liters of malignant ascites removed (3 prior to surgery and 7 during), plus a bowel resection. It took 6 pints of packed red blood cells to get me thru chemo. My CA125 was 4,000 when I started. Today I am as NED as you are, praise the Lord. Who's to say whose treatment plan worked best?

It is a fact that 85% of all ovarian cancer patients are NED after first line chemo. Unfortunately, most of us have a recurrence within 2 years. I don't fault anyone's chicken soup approach to OC (chicken soup, as we all know, might not help, but it can't hurt). The knowledge you have gained IS important, especially to you, and it's great that you wanted to share it. Honestly, what got people's panties in a wad was the first post in this thread. It sounded like, "I am leaving because you people don't appreciate me and my excellent advice." No one wants to run you off (least of all me), but if all you ever post about is what we are doing wrong, and what you are doing right, then you will miss out on the very best thing this board has to offer - the support and camaraderie of many wonderful friends - "sisters", if you will.

Peace and Love,
Carlene

Hissy_Fitz said:

I posted the following, WAY
I posted the following, WAY BACK in the beginning of this thread:
"Secondly, I sincerely hope that my posts regarding alcohol, sugar, etc did not seem like a personal attack. I surely did not mean them to be. I only wanted to point out that my doctors, both my local gyn/oncologist and the highly respected and well known research physician, Paul Sabbitini, subscribe to the all-things-in-moderation theory. I trust their judgment, and I view that trust as an essential part of our relationship , and my treatment plan. Your faith in the team of professionals that has given you such great success is admirable and I applaud your loyalty and your willingness to be so willing to adapt."

But I will say it again......IT HAS NEVER BEEN MY INTENT TO BELITTLE ANYONE'S TREATMENT PLAN.

Your information does not offend me. What offends me is anyone, not necessarily you, who joins the board to share (promote??) her personal anti-cancer regimen, then flounces when no one seems interested in following suit.

Plenty of members here are totally committed to alternative therapies, supplements, etc. Nancy Mellen comes to mind. She gets infusions of Vitamin C and Hydrogen Peroxide, among other things. And she will share information with anyone who expresses an interest. What she doesn't do is attack the board as a whole, accuse us of embracing hopelessness, and announce her intention to leave because more people don't seem interested in her healing plan.

With all due respect, Kate, your journey and mine are very, very close, time-wise. I was also on TPN feeding, 16 days in the hospital when I was de-bulked, over 10 liters of malignant ascites removed (3 prior to surgery and 7 during), plus a bowel resection. It took 6 pints of packed red blood cells to get me thru chemo. My CA125 was 4,000 when I started. Today I am as NED as you are, praise the Lord. Who's to say whose treatment plan worked best?

It is a fact that 85% of all ovarian cancer patients are NED after first line chemo. Unfortunately, most of us have a recurrence within 2 years. I don't fault anyone's chicken soup approach to OC (chicken soup, as we all know, might not help, but it can't hurt). The knowledge you have gained IS important, especially to you, and it's great that you wanted to share it. Honestly, what got people's panties in a wad was the first post in this thread. It sounded like, "I am leaving because you people don't appreciate me and my excellent advice." No one wants to run you off (least of all me), but if all you ever post about is what we are doing wrong, and what you are doing right, then you will miss out on the very best thing this board has to offer - the support and camaraderie of many wonderful friends - "sisters", if you will.

Peace and Love,
Carlene

Carlene -
Amen!

Tethys41 said:

Chill "Ladies"
God knows my intent was not to stir up such animosity on this board when I posted this, or any of my other posts. I have neutrally posted knowledge and experiences I have had during my healing process. Carlene, if you really believe that if I show respect, I will be respected by others, I ask you why you have repeatedly belittled my expereinces and knowledge, when I have NEVER tried to "shove" my ideas down anyone's throat. Why does this information offend you so?

I honestly believe that when addressing this disease the method of treatment one chooses is VERY personal, and I would never insist that any of you opt for something that is uncomfortable for you. On the other hand, I strongly believe that people who are investigating the options have a right to know what the options are, in an unbiased environment.

Maybe those of you who are so opposed to taking every possible precaution against this disease did not have the same experience I did with their initial bout. My cancer came on fast, from apparently nothing to stage IIIc in 7 weeks. I had a very intense surgery and lost 5 units of blood on the operating table. I was considered suboptimal after surgery. I had a total of 20 gallons of ascites drained from my abdomen over a two month period, and prior to it drying up, it was malignant ascites. I was on IV nutrition for 3 months, 24/7. My detox pathway for taxol is compromised due to my genetics, so the chemo knocked my on my butt and I experienced nearly constant abdominal pain. I grasped at every possible treatment I could get my hands on, becaues I knew I couldn't afford to let the cancer catch its breath, not for even a second. I never asked my doctor what my chances were, but since I have become well, it is apparent that they were betting against me. Every oncology nurse I have worked with has called me a miracle. Now, I am training for a triathalon which is being held on the second anniversary of my surgery in August.

So, that is why I think the knowledge I have gained is important, at least it is to me.

"Maybe those of you who are
"Maybe those of you who are so opposed to taking every possible precaution against this disease..."

I struggle with this comment and as I posted way back I felt like we weren't even reading the same board. It really suggests that some of us may be lackasdasical about our treatment. I am intrigued by many of the suggestions you posted, and quite frankly they weren't something I hadn't already heard about. There are some that are of interest to me but I also have limited resources to pursue those that are not backed by my insurance. Since I early retired I must pay my full benefit cost ($900 a month) plus hefty deductibles. I also have a son in college and we all know what it happening in that arena. I will take every possible precaution, and I have done so, within my avaiable resources. I simply will not sacrifice my son's college because I got ill. Nor will I sell my house as that will be a major part of any estate I leave for him. Others, perhaps yourself, may have access to resources that not all of us have. That is simply the state of health care in this nation as well as differences between those with supplemental resources. I don't begrudge anyone what they have but please do not show disdain to those of us that must carefully allocate our resources towards our recovery and maintaining responsibility we have to others. In the end, it isn't always about me.