As a follow-up to my message I went with my mother to the oncologist last week. She will know after a bone scan if the cancer has progressed beyond the tumors that were removed from her scar. Since her surgery her lymphedema has become much worse. What suggestions do you have for this condition. She is having therapy and wraps her arm nightly. I will let you know what the course of therapy is after the bone scan.
In Reply to: Re: breast cancer posted by Sally on July 14, 1998 at 00:09:06:
Dear Sally,
Unfortunately, the only thing the "bone-scan" will show is if the tumor has spread to the bone (and then only if it is well established in the bone-------NOT in the early stages of that establishment). Bone is just one of the common places to which breast cancer prefers to spread. Lung, brain, liver, etc., are more common than bone. Her oncologist doesn't know what to do but he feels he should do something---thus the bone scan.
What if cancer IS found in the bone???? What will be the treatment THEN?
If I were her, I would become a sudden student of effective alternatives whether or not cancer is found on the scan.
So far as the lymphedema is concerned. It is likely that the surgery is not the only cause of its worsening. Tumor cells would clog up the lymph channels too. I have no magical solution to the lymphedema although things like acupuncture & herbology associated with the ACP would be rational things to consider trying.
If she becomes interested in REAL alternatives, and needs help finding information about them, let me know & I will be happy to point.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: breast cancer posted by Walt Stoll on July 15, 1998 at 09:49:23:
Today we received the results of all the lab work, scans, and tests which were run on her yesterday. All came back in the normal range and the doctor feels the cancer was localized. She has been put on Arimidex. Because of her original radiation, they have decided to only do medication. She is becoming more open to other options. She is a RN and some of the ideas you have in your site are new to her. I would be very happy to point her in a direction you feel would help. She is in southern Indiana. Are there any good places for her to investigate in this area? Thanks for your help.
In Reply to: Re: breast cancer posted by Sally on July 16, 1998 at 11:14:36:
Dear Sally,
I am glad to hear that our crude tests do not show any residual of cancer.
If I were in this situation, I would get started on a Macrobiotic Diet immediately to give me time to do any other options I might learn about. Any library would have a section about Macrobiotics for her to learn whether she would be willing to do that for a while. I would not try to do it myself but would hire a Certified Macrobiotics instructor to get me started while I studied it. Call the Kushi Institute at (413) 623-5741 for a listing of the closest instructor & for more information & references about this approach.
THEN, I would call the Cancer Control Society, a lay organization that exists just to get effective alternative options TO people like her. Their number is (213) 663-7801.
Please share what you learn with the rest of us.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: breast cancer posted by Walt Stoll on July 17, 1998 at 10:30:18:
Thank you for your reply. In an earlier reply you indicated that you had some suggestions on the lymphedema and if we were interested that you would point us in the right direction. We are interested. Where do we go next?
In Reply to: Re: breast cancer posted by Sally on July 22, 1998 at 16:19:14:
Dear Sally,
I have to know if the increasing lymphedema is caused by lymphoid metastasis. If it is, only dealing with the person's immunity to reverse the tumor will be effective (by everything I know).
If she is free of tumor (unlikely from your note) THEN, I may have some helpful suggestions. Let me know.
Walt
Hello again, all. Walt, I am hoping you can give me a lead, or perhaps some advice, for a friend of mine.
Her nephew, 19 years old, has Anaplastic Astro Tycoma, Grade level 3. He's had 4 surgeries, 3 traditional chemo sessions, radiation and stereoradiotactic surgery. He's participated in 2 clinical trials as well.
After a recent MRI showed massive increase in the brain tumor, the doctors have basically given up, his body can't take anymore of their treatments. They pronounced that he has from 2 to 6 weeks left. He has started taking shark cartilage. He is not giving up. He lives in New York.
I work with his aunt, and told her I would ask about some options here - they have nothing to lose at this point. I am writing from work, so I may not see your response until Monday.
Thanks as always, for any and all information.
trish
In Reply to: Anaplastic Astrotycoma posted by trish on July 17, 1998 at 17:16:49:
Dear Trish,
I am disturbed that his docs have tried to hide the diagnosis from him by not telling him that this was cancer from the beginning. Calling it Anaplastic Astrocytoma is just a fancy way of confusing the issue.
Were I him, I would IMMEDIATELY get started on a strict Macrobiotic Diet. Because he has so little time, he needs to GO to the Kushi Institute in MA and spend 2 weeks learning to do this right from the beginning. His second choice would be to hire a local certified macrobiotics instructor to move in with him for a few weeks to be sure everything is done right from the beginning. Call (413) 623-5741 for information.
Also, the simplest book in the library (about Macrobiotics) would at least tell him whether or not he would be willing to do this right. If not, he should just live till he dies & not waste his time working at this.
THEN, if he is willing to do that, he should also call the Cancer Control Society to learn about any other options he may have. Call (213) 663-7801.
He should also learn about skilled relaxation & imagery ASAP. At the very least, these two things would greatly improve the quality of life for the time he has left.
A good inspirational book for him would be by a physician who also had terminal cancer who is still alive & well 15 years after HE was supposed to be dead. He used Macrobiotics. The book is "Recalled By Life" by Dr. Anthony Sattilero.
Let us know what happens.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Anaplastic Astrocytoma posted by Walt Stoll on July 18, 1998 at 09:09:09:
Walt,
Thanks so much for the quick reply. I printed it and gave it to my friend. She is grateful for the information and is planning on picking up the book and sending it to her nephew and looking into your other suggestions. She may be writing here soon.
Also, I wanted to clarify that his doctors WERE in fact calling it cancer. I used the technical term here to be more specific.
As always, you've been a great help!
be well,
trish
Dr. Stoll
I have a friend who got her breast removed. She told me that fluid is building up in it I think under the arm. Anyway, she wondered about any alternative treatments rather than having it drained. By the way, I contacted Betty today.
Thanks,
Melva
In Reply to: Breast Fluid Retention After Removal posted by Melva Smith on July 28, 1998 at 16:24:17:
Dear Melva,
I am glad that you made contact with Betty. Let me know what happens.
My guess is that the breast removal included a "radical dissection" of the axilla---even though that kind of surgery has been discredited for more than 20 years.
If I am mistaken, let me know since, then, I may have some suggestions. If this IS the case, the pathways for lymphoid drainage have been destroyed (or removed) & few things other than more surgical procedures (drainage via another pathway) will help: "To a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
Walt
In Reply to: Breast Fluid Retention After Removal posted by Melva Smith on July 28, 1998 at 16:24:17:
Yes, I think she said they removed all the glands etc. She is MCS and didn't think she could under go chemo and had it all removed. As for myself I have cystic breast disease now. I had it checked out and it seemed ok, but I sure don't like it. I'm Taking Vitamin e and flax seed oil.
Melva
Hi, Melva.
The protocol for removing fibrocystic disease of the breast in in my book & I know you have it.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
Melva,
The only thing for this lady, that I know of, will be physical therapy, and prayer. The actual structures that allow fluid to drain from this area have been removed.
It is possible that Doc Dave will have some structural ideas. If you don't hear from him in a few days, I would send the problem to him with his name in the title to draw his attention.
Walt