Naturopathic Prescription

Hello.
I just joined this community today after reading some of the posts and finding them supportive and informative.
Last month I was diagnosed with stage 3c, had surgery April 10 and my first chemo (IV Taxol & carbo) last Monday. This month I'm going get an IP port installed and will also get Cisplatin via IP.
I'm 45 and had stage 1 breast cancer 12 years ago.
I've been a Buddhist for 8+ years and find that it's given me real refuge - protection and comfort during adversity. I can say more about that in another post if anyone is interested.
I assume there are a lot of discussions here already about naturopathic advice for OV cancer, but a quick search didn't turn up some of what I was looking for. I hope I'm not repeating too much here but thought some of you might find this interesting.

Thursday I went to see the naturopath recommended by my oncologist. I was impressed that this N.D. is also a "Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO). This is a new certification and the first of its kind in naturopathic medicine. The Board is the certifying arm of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP)." according to his website (http://www.seattlecancerwellness.com/naturopathic_oncologists.html)

The naturopath recommended ...
* melatonin - he puts everyone on melatonin and says studies show a better survival rate
* glutamine powder, to prevent neuropathy from the Taxol
* green-tea extract
* 30-minute walk every day, even when I'm completely exhausted by chemo
* lots of fluids, especially during the IP chemo treatments, to protect my kidneys
* lots of protein, to help my body repair itself from chemo damage
* vitamin D - he thinks everyone in the Northwest is deficient; I'm also going to have my level checked the next time I get bloodwork done
* vitamin E, to help protect against effects of chemo
* general multivitamin, without iron - he likes powdered vitamins in gelatin capusules because they dissolve more easily; he'd add iron only if bloodwork showed it was needed
* the book The China Study by T. Colin Campbell (http://www.amazon.com/China-Study-Comprehensive-Nutrition-Implications/dp/1 932100660/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241296026&sr=1-1)
* vegetarian diet - I've been a vegetarian for several years, out of compassion for animals, not for health reasons
* meditation - as a Buddhist, this is right up my alley : )

This all sounds reasonable enough to me, but what do I know? I'll be learning more about all of these as time goes by but would certainly appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with any of these, positive or negative.

By lovemnms
Posted May 2, 2009 at 6:23 pm
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Hi there and welcome to this site!

You'll get lots of info here and find that there are many wonderful women on it to offer you help, comfort, and wisdom.
----------------------------------------
The glutamine powder worked for me when I had a lot of muscle aches. It hasn't helped my joints.

I'm trying glucosamine pills for the joints.

I eat tofu, alternate between soy milk, skim milk and rice milk and use an energy soy powder.

I try to avoid sugar but when I do use it I use evaporated cane sugar

vitamin E- I use it for my heart

Look for my post on the immune system drink to fight chemo fatigue. All I can say is it worked for me.
I also like to do yoga to stretch my muscles.

By Brown_Eyes
Posted May 3, 2009 at 12:14 pm
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Thank you for posting that list from you ND doctor. I just was looking at a book yesterday about how to eat/supplement when you have cancer... And everything your doctor told you is right in line with the key points I wrote down to try, which is very encouraging to me! I have been really struggling with all of this and just wanted to say thank you.

I don't care about extending the length my life, I'm interested in increasing my quality of life while I'm alive. I'm not into the "alive at all costs" philosophy and it doesn't make sense to me. I probably shouldn't say that here but that's how I feel. I've decided to make as many of my health care etc decisions based on my quality of life, that helps me sort things out much more easily. I'll get off my tangent, sorry...

Anyway, thanks for the information, it's very helpful.

By MarthaMcQ
Posted May 4, 2009 at 7:06 am
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Hi Mimzi, Thanks for sharing your ND's recommendations. I travel from New Orleans to San Anselmo in Marin County just north of San Francisco to vist the Pine Street Clinic and I have seasonal telephone conferences there. The advice is close to yours with the detail of a vegan, not just vegetarian, diet being recommended and I'm supposed to walk an hour a day which I have trouble fitting into my schedule.

I am on additional supplements which change over the course of time and depending on what my lingering side effects may be. I will be 5 years since diagnosis this October and am now 3 years since my last chemo.

Sounds like you are right on track for a good response to treatment and eventual recovery! :)

Blessings,
Martha

By Patricia123
Posted May 4, 2009 at 8:25 am
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Glutamine is miraculous for me. !
10 grams three times a day from the day of chemo for five days then twice a day.

ANd water, lots of water especially the two days before and five days after chemo. I detest water but can now chug a lug it like a pro. Three or four quarts a day.

Good luck!!

By dollycat6
Posted May 4, 2009 at 8:50 am
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I pretty much go by your list except I drink almond milk I never cared for soy just me but I had an after taste.

But since I'm on Budwig and essiac tea I can't add too much more or nothing is left for my juicing.

dollycat6

By BarbP
Posted May 4, 2009 at 9:26 am
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Mimzi, I have a friend, not on this site, who has been to a naturopathic dr and would love to share her experience with you. I told her about you....but, have no way of connecting the two of you. Do you want to share your email address? Are we even allowed to do that on this site??? Barb P.

By HootyOvO
Posted May 4, 2009 at 1:28 pm
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Hi Mimzi,

I too had breast cancer in Dec 2003 (stage 2) and then got (unrelated) OV cancer Dec 2007 and had the IV and IP chemos which ended May 2008. Then my counts were good. Then an OV reoccurrence (floor and wall of my pelvis) Dec 2008. Feb count was 220 & Mar 315. I go for another CA125 test and get the results on May 20th.

Have you been offered the BRCA blood test to see if your cancers are genetic? I am waiting for my results (it takes months a year to get these results though as the Drs have to go through all my genes to find the faulty one (or the pair)) of genes.

Please keep us posted on the advice of your Naturopath as I am very interested in what
he has to recommend.

Thank you, and Huge Hugs to you.
Jennifer

By Shelter
Posted May 4, 2009 at 5:54 pm
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thanks for posting

This helps to enforce.... what I have learned in teh past few months.,..

now implementing it... and sticking to it.... are my present goals...

I keep falling off wagon

sometimes due to fatigue... and just not having any desire to cook.. or even preapre a raw veggie

HUbby's sorta given up his role in helping with meals....
lately
and I really need him to cook
etc...

I am sooooo tired

my ND suggested the SOY also..
but my nutrician consultant,.. said only fermented soy
and to watch how much.. becaue it can make cancers growmmm

sheesh....

we try.. then someone pops our balloon

lol

was in Hospital last 5 days.. and of course the food tehre was NOT>.. on my organic/ ND diet.../ "Change of lifestyle"

and freinds brought in chips, pop,.. chocolate bars.. as "Comfort food"

mna I tell ya...

I would ahve LOVED BLUEBERRIES!!!!!!!!!!
organic yogurt..... some strawberries...
almonds...

but friend doesnt think like me..

oh well
k
ttfn for now
MA

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