kentuckyjack
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Andie: I take Coriolus (Versicolor) Mushroom extract, Silymarin (a form of milk thistle extract), pomegranate, and Omega 3s. I first discovered the milk thistle in Jean Carper’s book “Miracle Cures”–where she identified it as the prescribed cure for liver toxicity to poisonous mushrooms in Germany. Versicolor (Coriolus mushroom) extract, on the other hand, I have been told is the number one prescribed treatment for cancer in Japan.
Suffice it to say, I take many vitamins, minerals, herbals, and other supplements, some on advice from a Naturopathic Physician (N.D.) at Life Extension Foundation. (And some I choose to take against his advice!) Right now, my tumor is shrinking probably due to the chemotherapy treatments from my “regular” oncologist, and due to the naturopathic supplementation.
For good advice and guidance on supplementation the “Miracle Cures” book by Jean Carper and the Life Extension Foundation are my main sources. You might want to check them out on your search engine. Good luck, and may God Bless you in your efforts.
Note: I’d say more, but the prospect of facing charges of practicing medicine without a license limits my boldness!!
Lainy–you were certainly right in every way. An update from my oncologist last week indicated that both tumor markers are continuing to fall, and the tumor may have shrunken by 15-20% in size according to MRI and CT scans. I was referred to an interventional radiology group, and they’re now considering radioembolization or chemoembolization as procedural alternatives just in case the current chemo regimen begins to falter.
The oncologist seems to be getting more confident about surgery to remove the remaining tumor completely–although he stresses that everything depends on the continuing response to the current chemotherapy regimen. If that succeeds, then the next move might be direct to surgery. If not, then most likely the next step is radioembolozation followed by possible referral to surgery.
I think, given my circumstances, I have been given the most hopeful news imaginable. Your encouragement and shared history about other patients was entirely accurate, appropriate, and very much appreciated. Thank you and Praise God!
Many moons ago I learned that exercise fights depression. I’ve been down in the blues many times, and a walk or a hike or a session at the gym has always helped. CC can be depressing so I vote for exercising all you can(without overdoing it!).
As for me, now that I have cc and am on chemo every other week–the overwhelming fatigue stops me completely on week one. During week two,I fight the remaining fatigue, and take walks after 3:30 PM or go to the gym almost every evening during the second week. The staff and members at the YMCA have been very supportive as I regain my balance, do the bicycle and the treadmill, then slowly move on to stretching and weight-bearing exercises–just in time to go back to chemo for the next week! This routine makes me feel better physically and emotionally.
So ” angry liver disease” may be another name for cc? I’ll have to research traditional Chinese medicine a bit and learn more. Very interesting!
Anger is an emotion that has become politically incorrect. Anger often inspires fear in others who are sensitive, because it is an emotion that sometimes precedes and aggressive act, which is threatening to a person who is a potential object of that aggressive act.
Anger is related to, but different from hate. The truth is, I am in a very angry phase and hate my cancer at times. I have called it evil-wicked-bad-and-nasty names. I have self-censored (type, erase, type, erase, type erase, edit, re-write, etc.) as I began to post a few comments on this forum–but I’ll not always be able to do so. Oddly enough, I have also thanked God for this cancer, on faith that he is working his purpose with it. At one point, I even said “I love my cancer.” Changed my mind on that one.
I am also very angry with a very politically powerful and biased cancer medical establishment (AMA, FDA, Big Pharma) who holds our lives in their hands yet lies to us about the efficacy of nutritional supplementation, complementary and alternative treatments. My anger borders on outrage at times–but I try to control it within my posts.
Anger is also a motivator–an angry man will fight to survive. If you can maintain your anger, you will more likely continue in a fight. Sometimes you may have no logical reason to be angry, but if you can make yourself angry enough, you will fight. I intend to fight this cholangiocarcinoma for a while, and I need my anger to fight it.
If an unreasonable fear of offending another member prevents me from feeling comfortable posting on this site, then I cannot be a part of it. I fear many who would post on sites such as this are already intimidated to the point of non-participation.
I never have been accused of being blessed with an excess of tact or sensitivity, but I will keep self-censoring as best I can. However, if I can’t call cancer some very bad names on this site without hurting another cancer-fighter’s feelings, then what?
Kristin, God bless you and all of us in this battle with OUR enemy, cholangiocarcinoma. Let us all keep up the good fight, and with lovingkindness support all who fight our common enemy.
Thanks for the kind feedback. I saw the nurse yesterday, and summoned up the assertiveness to ask her if she meant what she said or if in fact what I thought I heard was different from what she meant to say. She clarified that she did not mean to rule out surgery. “Every patient is different.”
Thanks for being positive and supportive. There will come a time again, I hope, when I’ll be better able to be more supportive to others as are you.
Jill–I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas now called Anthem. They’ve paid for everything so far, but I don’t think they’ve processed a PET scan yet. I’ll be re-checking my bills in a few days. Will post more as I learn what is up. By the way, I’ll be giving up BCBs 8/31 when my Cobra runs out. I’ll be forced to go onto Medicaid in one of the worst states for Medicaid coverage. And I won’t be allowed to go out of state for care. Both the old and new healthcare systems seem to omit me in their plans. God will help anyway!
I was taking Super Bio-Curcumin from Life Extension Foundation for its proven cancer-killing effects. Then I read the warning label on the back: “Do not take if you have a biliary tract obstruction. Use during chemotherapy should only be performed under the direct supervision of a qualified medical professional. Curcuminoids may enhance the action of anti-platelet drugs and the effects or Warfarin.” Then I discussed this with one of the Cancer Naturopathic Doctors at Life Extension Foundation who recommended I dc the Curcumin (Tumeric).
Now after more careful review of the notes on my own case, I find that my common bile duct is distended, not yet blocked. The ND’s concern was that because the Curcumin causes an increased flow of bile, It might cause a problem. My more major concern, however, is killing cancer–and more research shows that Curcumin/Tumeric may kill cholangio and other cancers–according to other posts. My chemotherapy is not of the anti-platelet variety. So I’m probably going to try going back on the Super-Bio-Curcumin from Life Extension. The revised formula I believe omits bio-perine and uses another method to increase absorability. If I encounter a problem, I will dc it.
Yes I do take it in a alternative form called R-Lipoic acid. It may, according to some internet sources, limit the side effects of some chemotherapeutic agents which would other wise cause hearing loss. Its also always been recommended for liver support. Check out the Life Extension Foundation for information.
