In regards to yesterday's post, I want to say that there is ample room in the world of cancer treatment for alternative methods in addition to the medical treatment we might be receiving.
With my stage III-C ovarian cancer, the routine (for most) is debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy. Chemo brings its own problems but hopefully the benefits outweigh the problems.
Statistics with ovarian cancer are not good, so you will bear with me when I say that ovarian patients get a teensy bit anxious about their future. I'm one of the fortunate 4 out of 10 that has made it to the two-year mark. And in their anxiousness they desire to have the best chance possible for not only long life but also quality life. And so many of us do a certain amount of research about established medical treatments as well as alternative methods.
But enough of that. This post is about alternative treatments...the world of supplements, special teas, special diets, and the sale of a multitudinous number of books with titles similar to "How I Cured My Cancer and How You Can Too!"
(This is a title I made up...but similar to those on the market.) Many of these books are written by people with no medical background and who have a financial stake in selling their book, so excuse me if I get a bit skeptical about their personal recommendations for my life (and or death).
Basically, I try to eat well. I take calcium, Vit D3, and magnesium (which is doctor ordered) in addition to my meds. I do not use other vitamins/supplements/teas/yada. That's my personal preference after doing much reading.
Others use supplements after their own period of study in hopes that their use may be beneficial. And it may. That is each one's personal decision.
(I hope they run those past their Oncologist for while some supplements can be of benefit, other supplements may actually work against the effectiveness of chemo/radiation/yada.)Having said all of the above it concerns me when cancer patients swallow the idea that
"doctors are in this for the money".
To refute that, I will say that I doubt there is an Oncologist out there who, if his most beloved came down with cancer, would tell them to NOT use the established medical treatments. I'm betting he would advocate good medical care because he thinks that is the very best option. He might or might not include supplements/dietary changes, etc. But he would NOT advise his beloved wife/child/parent to EXCLUDE medical care IN LIEU of relying solely on an alternative treatment.
I've browsed the internet in regards to Essiac tea, the Budwig protocal, various cancer gurus, and now in regards to a book by Kelley Eidem, "The Doctor Who Cures Cancer". His book is apparently a biography of a Dr. Emanuel Revici who researched diet in regards to cancer during the 1940s-1990s.
Those enticed to try Eidem's method should check Eidem's personal claims carefully. First of all, he claims (according to his words) to have discovered, almost overnight, blotches on his skin that he apparently self-diagnosed to be cancer stage IV. And he claims to have cured his Stage IV cancer in
two weeks with use of garlic/hot peppers/oils etc. I'll leave it to you to check out his exact methods. He desires to sell you his book about Dr. Revici wherein this method is supposedly laid out...I haven't read it myself so I'm just guessing this by his website. The book sells for approximately $27 for softcover or $21 download.
Cancer patients should be aware that many of the websites that "recommend" Eidem's book are somehow tied to him and/or his book sales. I have not found an established medical website that recommends this method as a cancer cure.
Those interested in reading Eidem's book can buy it and decide for themselves. However, I would ask them to FIRST read what the following medical websites have to say about the man that Eidem wrote about, Dr. Emanuel Revici.
The Univ. of California, San Diego, Moores Cancer Center writes here:
http://tinyurl.com/6hla693The MD Anderson Cancer Center mentions Revici here:
http://tinyurl.com/6jahx2zThe American Cancer Society mentions Revici here:
http://tinyurl.com/65hocua
AFTER you have read these three reviews, THEN if you are still interested, you can google Eidem to find where you can buy his book.
At least the medical establishment (and your Oncologist) will tell you the truth about the statistics. Alternative practitioners who have not followed appropriate research methods cannot give you accurate statistics. They can only say things such as "a 23-year-old woman was cured" or "a 55 year old man with brain tumor was cured". They will not tell you of the large number who died while under their care. Nor how soon they died.
I hope my words do not sound harsh. It is extremely important, that if one wishes to make an educated decision, that they carefully research BOTH what the medical people can do and what the alternative caretakers can provide.
Many alternatives are beneficial. For instance, if acupuncture was available close by, I might consider it for my neuropathy. I wouldn't mind doing some juicing of veggies/fruits to enhance my diet. There are probably supplements I could take for neuropathy but
if I take them, I will first run them by my Oncologist.
But while many alternatives might be beneficial, you should also use some skepticism when reading claims by those out "to sell something". "Something" being their book or their personal brand of vitamins, teas, supplements.
This is my opinion only. And I hope you won't think I'm being harsh in my words.
I wish all my fellow ovarian cancer patients (and other cancers, too!) well and pray that each might have a full, long life instead of dealing with this disease.
Now. It's past my bedtime. And this is long enough. Bless you all. And may you seek God in the midst of your affliction, asking him for peace of mind, wisdom, reassurance. Remember that even Job, that righteous man of God, was not spared affliction.
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