Vanessa,
I appreciate very much that you felt and feel pressured because of
actively growing cancer. I am very thankful that the cancer that has
come back in my neck is slow-growing, and is not interfering with any
of my bodily processes, giving me the "luxury" of not having to rush
into any particular treatment.
I regret that you think Wilhelm was not being nice or was belittling
you. I did not read that in his message at all. I have always found
him to be kind and polite. In any event, I am certain he had no
intention of being unkind or insulting, and I think his question
about your seeming to worry more about cottage cheese than about
chemotherapy was logical, reasonable and stated without any
unkindness of rudeness. He simply said he thought maybe you were
misinformed.
With regard to chemotherapy, it is my understanding that if it is not
having significant effect by the end of the second treatment, then it
ought to be discontinued, or another drug or combination of drugs
tried. Chemotherapy either does the job quickly or not at all.
In your internet travels, did you come across IPT treatment prior to
beginning regular chemotherapy? I believe that if one decides to go
ahead with chemotherapy that IPT is a much better way to go.
But of course, I still feel that in the vast majority of cases, the
best thing an oncologist can say to a client is, "I'm sorry; there's
nothing I can do for you."
Very best wishes to you,
Elliot
