Hello and questions

[Bill]

Shadow, you have come to a great group. May God give you comfort and guidance. You've received alot of experience and wisdom from these wonderful women, already. Please do keep us posted. Taxol is not like the "old-school" chemo. of 15 or so years ago. Treatment has come a long way. Love, Bill

[BonnieR]

I just thought of something else that a social worker said to me that really impacted my decision. She asked "if it was a loved one who was facing the same choices as you, what would you want THEM to do?"

Holiday love, Bonnie

[Shadowpilot]

Thanks Bonnie for bringing in that perspective. I will give it some thought from this angle.

I have to say that if the chance of recurrence was higher this decision would be easier. I believe the body has a natural ability to heal itself. That what we take in and surround ourselves with is about supporting, encouraging and nourishing this ability. I am having a hard time fitting the "toxicity" of chemo into this framework of thinking. I know that it is helping the body to fight against the cancer cells but it seems to me there must be other more "glass half full", and less systemically challenging ways to support the healing process. An Oncologist told me I could reduce the chance of recurrence 20% by eating a low animal fat diet with increased fruits and vegetables. I know there are targeted therapies. For it is Herceptin but they won't give it without the Chemo.

We don't hear much from women who choose the natural (non western medicine) route. Why is that? Are you out there? I would like your input too.

Thanks for listening and sharing.