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Hi
I am new here. My sister was recently diagnosed with breast liver mets. We were so hopeful this would never happen. But it did, and I want to go forward fighting all the way. I'm concerned cause her onc seems to be so mainstream. No dietary changes, no supplements, no tumor removals. Is this because the disease is so far progressed or because the doctor is rigid? What do we do?
Thanks for listening.
My initial onc was the same way...it just didn't sit right with me so I researched, researched, researched and eventually switched treatment facilities because I believed--for me--we needed to treat the WHOLE body. I think you can definitely help your sister address these issues outside of her doctor's office but please be aware that there are many 'natural and healthy' things that can have a negative impact on meds/disease. Always ask first before making a change. This site will offer you a world of info, welcome aboard! Your sister is lucky to have you on her 'team'!
Peace~
It never hurts to have a second opinion if you're not completely comfortable with what you are hearing. I had a regular oncologist who asked if I'd like to go somewhere where they have clinical trials. My daughter said yes Mom you're going and I'm taking you!! It was the best medical decision SHE ever made! I have to travel 100 miles each way but I am being seen at a teaching hospital by an expert in mets, every 3 weeks. In between she is working with the local onc so I can get weekly treatments here, too. It is such a relief-I don't feel like I have to second guess what treatments I am getting. Try and see if they will look for you for an expert or researcher near you.
Sistercare, I was diagnosed in Jan. with liver mets. I didn't even know I had cancer before that diagnosis. I have stayed with my local oncologist and have been NED since April. My oncologist has never mentioned diet or supplements either. I crosses my mind occasionally that maybe I should go to big hospital, but I can't argue with the results my onc has acheived. He did tell me on my second visit that he had been in touch with an onc from a big teaching hospital near here concerning my treatment.
I've read so much about supplements, diet, etc., but I'm not convinced they make a huge difference. I just take a multivitamin, calcium, Vitamin D and D3. I try to strike a balance between eating healthy foods and eating the foods I really enjoy. Quality of life is important too, and an occasional piece of apple pie or dish of ice cream is real quality in my book! Good luck to you and your sister. I know how you feel. I watched my two sisters go through ovarian cancer. It's not easy being the sister either.
Dear Sister - Don't panic. But do not hesitate to get another opinion. You simply cannot make an informed decision without more clear, concise information to move into treatment for your sister.
If you find that you need to have a friend as an advocate then ask them to come with you to the visit if your sister will allow it. Take a tape recorder so you can hear what their advice is (aka - the protocol) as this is an emotional roller coaster for you both right now.
I did this and my Onc at UCLA in CA was receptive to it and we we're able to have one more tool to utilize in treatment.
This website is invaluable. Visit us and we will be here for you & support you and you sister.
Tara
Thanks so much for all of your good advice. My sister did go for a second opinion and it was the same as the first. I think we're both relieved.
I have one liver met. It is shrinking right now. Liver mets are seldom removed - removal usually makes matters worse - or so I have read on the internet. I agree with Beachbabe.... get a second opinion. Your doctor should not feel threatened by this. In the course of doing so, you will learn more about your own situation.
I have also done a lot of research on the internet. Is there a separate section for research issues? I have read about interesting things being done in Germany. Happy to discuss it further if it's okay to do so. Interesting thing about the second opinion was that it was totally mainstream, like the first doctor at Sloan. I hope my sister will think outside the box, but I am realizing that it's her life and she will live it the way she wants to, not the way I think she should.
thanks.
There is some innate goodness of people who go into oncology. At the time when most oncologists practicing today made the decision to become oncologists, there was no chemotherapy concession. Most of them probably had a personal life experience which created the calling to do battle against the great crab. At the time when people make their most important decisions in life, they are in the most idealitstic period of their lives. Social science research shows that people can be biased by self-interest without being aware of it. There are so many ways for humans to rationalize their behavior.
Hey 'Sister'
And what a good sister you are! Wish had one up my sleeve!
To research on the net, find the facts and figures on 'Google Scholar' - if you're unfamiliar with it, at the top of the google home page, you'll see:
Web/Images/Videos/Maps/News/Groups/Gmail/more
-click on "more" and you'll see:
▼Books
Scholar
Blogs
Translate
YouTube
Calendar
Photos
Documents
Reader
Sites
even more »
-click on scholar and off you go, type in your search and get research articles, journal articles,etc.
Hope this helps, I wonder if the 'German' thing you mentioned was Iscador/Mistletoe?
xxxGGC
PS. Gregory- Your statement: "At the time when people make their most important decisions in life, they are in the most idealitstic period of their lives." -How true, made my think over my major choices to date..hmm.....wrinkles do bring wisdom...or at least hindsight's 20/20 vision!
Hi
Thanks. I didn't think about Google scholar. The research out of Germany has to do with chemoembolization of liver mets. They use Laser Induced Interstitial therapy(LIIT).
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