Anyone with Any Info

L.,
I have not experienced Breast Cancer, but about a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Melanoma. I had all the lymph nodes removed from my arm. I finished a year of chemo; I was taking interferon. I had to give myself shots 3 times a week for a year. I was VERY tired, nauseous, and had a lot of headaches, but it is all worth it to think that I have stopped the spreading. The chances of cancer coming back after chemo is far less than if I had not gone through the agony that could save my life. Chemotherapy does save lives, however, I also am a firm believer that your mind and spirit can work wonders. My family stood behind me all the way and we kept laughing and joking and having a great time. There are weeks now where I don't even think about my cancer. The mind can heal the body and if you have a healthy mind, your body can handle any amount of chemo.

I have a friend who also had both breasts removed and went through chemo. She wanted to make sure it was completely gone because she had never had kids. She said if she was older or had kids already, she may have gone the natural route. She also told me that it is entirely up to the person which route to go. Your friend just needs to decide what is best for her and the only thing you can really do is be supportive. I don't know about a natural healing doctor, because my family and friends have all done the radiation and chemo. If she does choose chemo, it's very rough, and she will need a lot of support. Both of my grandmothers went through it, and my mom (a hairdresser) had to get both of them wigs. I will be praying for you and your friend. Hope this helps a little!

Hi L.,
I hope this isn't too presumptuous of me-- but I read your question about your friend's struggle with breast cancer. Then I noticed that the next question was ALSO posted by you, this time about a relative with Alzheimer's.
It sounds to me like you're just in a world of hurt right now-- people you love are suffering, and there's not a thing in the world that you can do about it. Being empathetic and "bearing one another's burdens" can be very frustrating and emotionally draining.
I had a friend who after years of fighting cancer with no improvement (other than dragging out the inevitable) finally decided to stop fighting. Once she did, she went pretty quickly. In just a few months she lost almost 100 lbs, and finally got to the point where she was bedridden and couldn't even feed herself. She didn't want to be in a hospital, she just wanted to be at home. So the ladies from our church took turns watching her and being with her, giving her pain meds, etc, in 2 or 3 hour shifts, with someone spending the night.
There was nothing we could do other than BE there- talk to her, read to her, hold her hand, even sing to her. It might not have changed the situtaion, but she wasn't alone, and she knew that people cared and loved her. And in the end, that's all that mattered to her-- it's why she wanted to pass at home.
So, just know that even though there isn't anything you can do to CHANGE their situations and 'make it all better', that just your support, love and willingness to help DOES make a difference. It doesn't take away their burden, but it helps to lessen it, and help an otherwise dreary day seem at least a little brighter.
And don't forget to take care of YOURSELF to -- don't let your sad feelings for them overpower the joy you have in your own life. You have 4 little ones who need you and who I'm sure bring you a lot of happiness. So when you're feeling overwhelmed with sadness-- read a story with the kids, play patty-cake or peek-a-boo with the baby, make cookies with them-- let them remind you of everything that's GOOD and joyful in your life so you can be rejuvinated.

Blessings to you and those you love!
T.

L.:

My mom is a breast cancer survivior. She has one breast partially removed, went through chemo and radiation. It was awful however, knock on wood, she is a "survivior". She is doing great now. I am big believer in natural healing as well however, if her Doc feels chemo is still required, I was suggest finishing treament. If she had a double masectomy, where are they still seeing cancer?
A. L

L.,
I'm so thankful that you care enough about your friend to seek how you can be the best of friends to her, while giving her sound advice. I am an Oncology Certified Nurse, and I have worked with a great majority of breast cancer patients. Many of them VERY Young 20's-50's and older. Breast Cancer is usually curable if appropriate treatment is received, the sooner the better. I'm not an oncologist,so it is out of my scope of practice to discuss specific treatment options, however, I am saddened when I have patients who did not adhere to standard treatment options in exchange for a "homeopathic alternative" only to be devastated when the alternative not only didn't work, but now the cancer had metastasized and the chance for cure is gone. I don't say this to scare you, however, my heart aches when I hear of people who choose to play russian roulette with their lives- "homeopathic alternatives" are NOT approved by the FDA, that means there's no scientific research that proves they work, usually it's just a lot of "personal testimonials" that seem attractive because they promise "few side effects"- chemotherapy and the treatments for breast cancer are very tolerable, we (science and research) have made great strides in symptom management, significantly decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy. I would advise your friend to deeply consider the long term effects of her choices for treatment, because what she chooses now WILL determine her chance for survival...If she's not comfortable with her oncologist or just wants another opinion, I would recommend she get a second opinion with a board certified Oncologist. She needs to make a list of specific questions that she has for her doctor, including the request for percentages of patients who survive after 5 years with surgery alone, vs with chemo, vs with radiation...only her Oncologist can give these factual numbers, so she can most of all make an informed decision. Finally, I know this is a very emotional undertaking for her, her family, and her friends, you can best help her by lending a compassionate ear and offering to go with her for doctors appointments, treatments, etc-
If you'd like to e-mail me or have her e-mail me, I'd be happy to do what I can to help.
____@____.com

God Bless,
C.

Although not breast cancer I am a cancer survivor. Chemo was helpful to me even though it was very hard. In the end it was worth it. I have also provided health care for breast cancer patients and know that it is painful to witness. Your friend is lucky to have someone who cares about her as you obviously do. I know with my friends a lot of them shied away from me during my illness and treatment because it was hard for them.I am sure her doctor have given her plenty of advicce as to whether chemo will help her, it is a diffcult decision. I would think that your support would mean a lot to her.

I think seeing a natural healer would probably be the best thing. I dont know how advanced is her cancer, but there is a healing center here in wichita that their whole focus is mainly on patients with cancer and just the overall well being of everyone. This facility also has a all organic restaurant, they have seminars etc. Do you know if your friend knows anything about it. It is here in Wichita on Woodland or hillside. What I've heard about chemo is that it does get rid of the cancer temporarily but also weakens the inmune system and people usually get sicker. But them I have heard success stories of someone that had cancer and the cancer did not come back. I think she needs to look for all the options. I am sure that she is very greatful to have a friend like you that really cares.

I am so glad to hear that she is open to something other than conventional treatments. PLEASE go to this website www.cheriesroadtohealth.com. You will learn my friend's story of her battle with cancer, conventional medicine and finally taking control of her health on her own. There are links to many other resources on the website also. I wish you the best!

Hi L.,

I know how hard it is to watch someone suffer through cancer. My husband was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago and spent 2 years going through chemo. (Fortunately he is now cancer free.) I struggled with ways to help him and to stay strong for him and my two kids. It was very tough. I searched the internet (we lived in a small town at the time) for support groups/info. for caregivers but couldn't find much. Since then I've stumbled upon www.cancercare.org. It might help you understand more about your friend and maybe what she needs. I'm sure she appreciates having such a wonderful friend. Take care of yourself, too!

L., I am so sorry to hear about your friend. My mother found out she had breast cancer just two days after I discovered I was pregnant with my son. She had a double mastectomy and has undergone chemotherapy. I think if your friend's doctor recommends chemo it is really the way to go. My mother completed her chemo last September and is cancer-free now. It was difficult for her, but she feels so much better now that she has completed the treatment. Chemo is really challenging because it makes you sick and tired, but just call your friend often and hang out with her and it will help a lot. I hope she gets better. It's nice that she has a caring friend like you!

I am a breast cancer survivor and would love to get in touch with your friend (I was diagnosed at 25 and still in treatment) depending on the staging of the cancer some people take an "oncotype" test to determine their risk of reccurance and therefore the benefit of chemo-sometimes the side effects of chemo don't outweigh the risk of reccurance. Also things to consider are hormone status-if the tumor is ER+ there is hormone therapy that can be done with or instead of chemo, if it is her2neu+ herceptin is great and has just been approved by the FDA, I am currently on herceptin and it has little to no side effects (the main one being heart risk but they monitor it very closely and stop the drugs if the heart has any sign of trouble). Radiation is also an option depending on lymph node status. I don't know anything about the natual healing, but feel free to contact me if you want to talk further

Jennifer's help is the best I could offer too. My heart goes out to you and your friend...

Hi L..

One web site I heard was highly recommended is www.cancerdecisions.org. Created by Ralph W. Moss, PhD, a leading author and consultant on cancer treatment, The Moss Reports provides you with a detailed, yet very readable, explanation of your particular cancer diagnosis. Each report contains Dr. Moss's top recommendations of the most successful treatments in North America and Europe, as well as innovative therapies given at cancer centers that you really should know about.

Also, I know several cancer patients who take and are benefiting from a whole food supplement called Juice Plus which contains 17 different fresh, raw, vine-ripened fruits and vegetables in capsule form. Juice Plus contains no sugar, herbicides, pesticides or bacteria and maintains the synergy and nutritional integrity of the whole food.

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Please feel free to call me at ###-###-#### if you would like to learn more about Juice Plus. You can also visit this web site for more information: www.YourPartnerInGoodHealth.com.

Take care!
L.

L.,
I hope your friend is doing well now. I an so sorry she has to go thru this stage. My mother is 76 years and was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 4 , it spread to the liver. She has been on Chemo for a year now. BAD STUFF. To me, FDA approval just means the drug companies say it works - remember all the drugs being taken off the shelf! FDA approved doesn't necessarily mean it's safe to me. Anyway, no matter which way a person goes for treatment - chemo or natural - make sure you give them all the support you can. Faith in the treatment is as healing sometimes as the medicine.
Take care
Blessings
V. Clavin
Hugs = Priceless