Hello,
Am I to understand we have to choose between conventional and alternative
treatments? Is everything either black or white? Is there no middle of the road,
no gray areas?
I believe in alternative methods, but not everything seems to work for
everyone. So should we allow our health to decline while looking for the right
thing(s) that work for each of us. Can we not do conventional treatments (if they
help) either along side alternative things or long enough to get a hold on an
illness while we look for the right alternative treatment(s)? Even once we
find the right alternative for us, it takes time to learn the "HOW TO" with
them. For example I am still trying to find Cottage cheese around me that isn't
filled with preservatives and what not. I used to take FLAXSEED whole, because I
didn't know it needed to be ground. I also didn't know that flaxoil without
the right protein would cause more ham than good. It takes time, patience and
the right resources to grow in the right areas.
"I" in all good conscience couldn't tell someone to stop treatments as long
as there was a need. I am not a medical Doctor. I would tell them things that I
think may help in addition to what they were doing. Even things that may help
stop or reverse side effects or physical/emotional damage of the conventional
treatments.
I think the best things that we can offer eachother after information - is
support and respect of eachothers' choices. I appreciate being supported in my
decisions to do converntional treatments as well as my alternatives. I don't
want anyone telling me I can't do my alternatives, but by the same token I don't
want anyone telling me I can't do conventional ones either. They can tell me
what they would do in my situation, but then the decision is mine. I am the
one who has to live with or not live with the decisions made, one way or
another.
I have cancer, I tried some alternative things, unfortunately for me THEY
DIDN'T STOP OR ERASE THE CANCER. My Doctors are aware of what I do/or not do with
my alternatives. They are very supportive of my doing it. Once in awhile
they tell me not to do something, but that is rare. The only one thing they told
me not to take, that I can think of off hand, was NOT TO TAKE SOY. Now with
new findings I find that was good advice for me.
I was down the last time MY CANCER CAME BACK AND SAID WELL MY ALTERNATIVES
DIDN'T HELP -- My Doctor told me: "You don't know that, your cancer could have
come back sooner or been worse had I not done those things." They always
encourage me to do whatever I think helps! Infact, as a rule they offer me
something alternative whenever possible to help with side effects of treatments. Some
of the things prescribed to me was: B6, B12, Potassium, Ted hose for
swelling, chew ice during treatment to avoid mouth sores and some other things along
these lines. My GYN prescribed Vitamin E to help with female issues after my
hysterectomy, instead of hormones. Believe this or not, my ONC told a fellow
Breast cancer patient to eat: Ground flax seed in her yogurt! I realize that
many Doctors feel threatened by their patients doing things outside of their
practice, but I guess those are doctors we need to avoid. I try to find supportive
doctors. As it stands now, they tell me if I can find something that will
help me, in my situation, I should go for it. I should be sure to let them know
about it so they can make note and possibly help another patient of theirs.
I have just completed a little more than a year of CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS.
Although I never liked the idea of Chemo and hated every treatment ... IT DID
TAKE THE CANCER BACK. My doctors have told me from the start, there is no cure
for my type of cancer and they don't even know for sure what causes it. They
are just doing the best they can to control a chronic illness for as long as
they can.
NOW ONCE AGAIN I AM AT A CROSSROADS AND NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER DECISION. Since
my cancer is under control, I am choosing to do ALTERNATIVE more, in hopes it
will stop the cancer forever. But to be honest if the cancer comes back again
anyway, I will do whatever it takes to live, even if it is conventional. I
would hope that the group would understand and support me if it is what I decide
is best for me.
Sue
