What do you think???

[~Bellydancer~]

My GF sent me this today. Many of you have probably read it already but your thoughts are welcomed. I am still throwing up. I feel like each day I am weaker. I am not done with the fight, but I'm done with the poisonings. i will take Herceptin, but no more taxotere....unless they can convince me otherwise.

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> AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ("TRY, BEING
> THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU
> THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.
>
> Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins:
>
> 1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show
> up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When
> doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies
> after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells
> because they have not reached the detectable size.
>
> 2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
>
> 3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be
> destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
>
> 4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional
> deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle
> factors.
>
> 5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and
> including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
>
> 6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also
> destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal
> tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
>
> 7. Radiation, while destroying cancer cells, also burns, scars and damages
> healthy cells, tissues and organs.
>
> 8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor
> size. However, prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in
> more tumor destruction.
>
> 9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation,
> the immune system is either compromised or destroyed; hence, the person can
> succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
>
> 10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become
> resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to
> spread to other sites.
>
> 11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not
> feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
>
>
> CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
>
> a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important
> food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,
> Spoonful, etc. are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural
> substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts.
> Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative
> is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
>
> b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal
> tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with
> unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.
>
> c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic
> and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat
> also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are
> all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
>
> d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts
> and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20%
> can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live
> enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15
> minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes
> for building healthy cells, try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables
> including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes
> are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
>
> e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a
> better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water - best to drink
> purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap
> water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
>
>
>
> 12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive
> enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads
> to more toxic buildup.
>
> 13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or
> eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer
> cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
>
> 14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac,
> anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer
> cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to
> cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing
> of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
>
> 15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and
> positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger,
> unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic
> environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and
> enjoy life.
>
> 16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily,
> and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen
> therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
>
>
>
> CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL - PLEASE READ
>
> 1. No plastic containers in micro.
>
> 2. No water bottles in freezer.
>
> 3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
>
> Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information
> is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin
> chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous
> to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in
> them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto,
> Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this
> health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said
> that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic
> containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that
> the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food
> and ultimately into the cells of the body.
>
> Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex, or ceramic
> containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin.
> So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed
> from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't
> know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware,
> etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved
> away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the
> reasons.
>
> Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when
> placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high
> heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip
> into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.
>
>
>
> This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life.






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[BonnieR]

This above report is bogus according to Snopes. Johns Hopkins has disclaimed issuing it. Check out Snopes.com

[Jackie07]

It certainly make sense. I have copied and pasted it to my file in the computer. Thanks.

[Jackie07]

It certainly makes sense. I will try to follow the guideline from now on. Thanks.

[Ann in Boston]

This is a hoax that has been around for several years. Check it out on snopes.com the site for urban legends.

[chrisy]

I think much of this is true, and in fact I have read all of this before. I would be curious to know the exact source of this information - it sound to me much like Dr. Patrick Quillen's work in his book "Beating Cancer with Nutrition". Perhaps this was an excerpt from his work? Or something else I've read, beacause heaven knows I've read a LOT of things in my search for things that might tip the scales in my favor. An important thing to note is, once you HAVE cancer, it's a bigger deal than preventing it via these strategies.

At any rate, I found that book very informative, very evidence-based with a lot of good data behind it. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.

I'm would be pleased to hear this type of information is being distributed by well respected organizations such as Johns Hopkins - but am skeptical unless it's their complementary medicine group.

I think that (complementary) is the operative word. I seriously doubt that this is recommended as an ALTERNATIVE, but rather as a COMPLEMENT to, other types of treatments. My take on Quillen's book, for example, was that you incorporate lifestyle modifications and minimize, or restrain, the use of toxic therapies.

I think adopting any or all of the recommendations you include would be a reasonable move. My personal opinion, tho, is that dropping the taxotere at this point is risky business. If it were me, I'd get help with the side effects and stick it out while building and replenishing my immunity with the complementary therapies.

Just my opinion. But I do highly recommend Quillen's book!
Hang in there
Chris

[Ann in Boston]

This is not being distributed by Johns Hopkins at all.

[BonnieR]

But Johns Hopkins has denied issuing either of these reports. Check the site Snopes.com . It is a great reference site to check out the validity of "facts" that come across the Internet.

[Jackie07]

I have found this on the Johns Hopkins site. It does provide some
kind of advice on how to avoid the problem.

[Jackie07]

Johns Hopkins denied it because it was listed on the Mayo Clinic site.

[Jackie07]

Sorry. I meant that I found the answer posted by the Mayo Clinic people.

[Gerri]

I think your girlfriend is doing you a huge disservice by sending you this. You are in a very vulnerable condition and she should be offering you encouragement, not feeding your feelings of despair. This is similar to the claims that lead in certain lipsticks causes breast cancer. A copy of this email appeared in my mailbox at work. Let me tell you, I was more than a little pissed off. Lipstick causes breast cancer - c'mon people, let's use our heads. The same thing happened when Cheryl Crow came out saying that plastic water bottles left in cars contain carcinogens. Breast cancer happens - pure and simple.

Here is the link to Johns Hopkins website denying the claims.

http://www.jhsph.edu/dioxins

If it doesn't work, just go to the website. The link is on the Home page. This claim is a hoax - don't be taken in by false claims.

Bellydancer: We do what we have to to get rid of this beast. Yes, some changes in lifestyle are necessary but unfortunately the road we must travel is not an easy one. It sounds like you need to see your onc regarding the difficult time you are having with your treatment.

Don't give up. In the end it is all worth it. Take good care.

All my best,

[~Bellydancer~]

I don't think that she meant harm. I know that she is shocked at the news and is trying to help. I was hoping for some discussion on dietary and lifestyle changes used in conjunction with this "Western" approach. It does make sense does it not, when you think about how many of us use ready made, everything is processed and quick and easy. I had longed for the day when I could be a "Mom" and take care of my family. I love to cook and bake, cleaning is another story, but I love to make from scratch everything. Because I was working full time I got "lazy" and didn't do as much because of lack of time.
My questions are why are so many young women get Dx with BC? What is different, is it the food, lifestlye choices, Birth Control Pill? Microwaves WHAT? I also wonder about long term health. I am overwhelmed about all of this info. I read about Mets and reccurence. I thought that I was going to be "cured" after my surgery and some chemo. Am I deluding myself? I really felt that this was my fork in the road and I had a choice to make. My Grandma had BC when she was in her late 60's she did have a reccurence but was treated with surgery(Mast) and RAD. (The Doctor initally only choose to do a lumpectomy.) She now 93 yrs. PTL

[Gerri]

Hi Michelle,

First off, I hope you are feeling better. You seem to have been hit really hard by your treatment. I hope you can hang in there and finish what your onc has recommended. Have you found something to help with your nausea and vomitting? There are a lot of drugs out there, hopefully you will find the one that is right for you.

I'm sure your friend meant well, but sometimes I get a little crazy with all the bogus claims floating around. When I was first dx'd I got emails, and suggestions from family and co-workers of what I should or should not do to get rid of my cancer. I thanked them, but let them know that for me an aggressive, scientifically based treatment plan was what I chose to follow - poison, if you will. I feel that I did everything possible to get rid of my cancer, and if God forbid, it comes back I won't ask 'what if'. I did what I had to do and just hope and pray it was enough.

Why are more young women getting bc? Great question, but I don't think there is a simple answer. Environmental? Probably. Pestisides, hormones fed to animals that we use for food - they probably all play a part. But why do some women get bc and others don't? That is the question. Why do women who are vegetarians and lead active lifestyles still get bc? How do women considered to be in the high risk group manage to avoid it? I don't know, but I wonder if it is a combination of lifestyle, environment and our genetic makeup. Hopefully someday (in my daughter's time) there will be answers. For now, we just do the best we can, try to eat 'right' and hope for the best.

I know this is scary stuff but I truly believe that we are 'lucky' to have gotten bc today (as opposed to five years ago) because of the treatment options we have now. So many new drugs coming out every day, and many of them targeting HER2+.

Hang in there, and get the help you need to get through this. It does get better.

All my best,