Stage 4 breast cancer

Stage IV
Dana,
Please, please, do not stop treatment by qualified doctors, however harsh and difficult it is and go to this quack Burzynski! I know it is difficult, every time I drive by his "institute" I get mad. He promises much and delivers only empty pockets. Believe me, I feel for both of you. From the bottom of my heart I wish that no-one would ever reach Stage IV. Hope the beautiful ladies on this board who have lived a long time with Stage IV will respond.
Hugs, hugs, hugs,
Margeaux

I have never heard of this place,
But I would go to MD Anderson in a minute or Baylor for a second opinion. I live in another state and I traveled to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion, and sent all of my medical info to City of Hope in Duarte California. The doctors at City of Hope, have been right on board with my oncologist. The doctor at Johns Hopkins was looking at me more for a trial than a second opinion, so she didn't want me on any chemo yet, as it would have disqualified me from the trial. My insurance denied the trial, and I chose to stay with my oncologists recommendations. I am stage iv also with mets to almost all my bones, skin, connective tissue in the ribs and chest wall, and a small lesion to my liver.

In Sept. 2010 with mets diagnosis, they didn't think I would make it to Christmas. First I had RT to pelvic, hips, tailbone and I have been on weekly chemo since January, 2011. Chemo sucks, no doubt about it, but I believe it is the best chance I have.

Stanford, UCLA, University of PA, all have great research going that works with our own immune systems and stem cell research. So promising. They are expecting it to go to human trials withing a year. It would take this disease from terminal to chronic. My goal is to be part of this. I want to live!

I am on my 3rd chemo now. I have been on it weekly since January 2011. It sucks, but if it keeps me alive and I am still able to enjoy life it is doable. I would be so hesitant in stopping as it is keeping my cancer stable for the most part.

I have no problem using alternative medicine (acupuncture, yoga, diet change, etc) along with the chemo, but I would personally not stop the chemo, unless it was not doing anything to slow the growth, and then there is always another. I realize that some of us will still not make it even on chemo, but from all of the research I have done, I still think it is my best bet as to staying alive until they find a cure.


Please, really look at this before stopping or changing. Nothing wrong with getting other opinions, but make sure it is with a reputable Doctor, and get as many second opinions as you need to feel good about your choices. Life has no guarantees and I wish you all the best, this is a huge decision.

Carol

jessiesmom1 said:

Dr. Burzynski - not a good choice
These are the same comments that I posted in your other thread about Dr. Burzynski:

First let me say that I think it is wonderful that you are trying to support your wife in her battle with Stage IV breast cancer. From everything that I have heard Dr. Burzynski is a quack and his "research" is completely unproven. You would likely be better off seeking a doctor at MD Anderson or Baylor.

I went to the Texas Medical Board website (www.reg.tmb.state.tx.us) and found the following information:

1. He is not a Board certified oncologist or hematologist
2. His primary area of practice is listed as Internal Medicine
3. He has received no graduate medical education in the U.S. or Canada
4. He has NO hospital privileges in Texas
5. There are a large number of TMB filings, actions and license restrictions listed under his name.

Good luck to you and your wife.

I have to agree that you
I have to agree that you should not seek treatment with Dr. Burzynski. Jessiesmom1 posted some of the exact reasons why.

I am wishing you the best of luck.


Noel

Double Post Sorry
Double Posting