Just wondered if any of you ladies are convinced you have the secret of holding off this disease for a while or for good. Absolute long shot I know but probably like most of us, I'm desperate to do my bit alongside conventional treatment.
I had over three years from diagnosis at stage 3b to recurrence. I ate a very healthy general diet and included ginger and broccoli regularly. I walk my dog but did no formal exercise. We bought a caravan and took regular breaks but I had fallen back into working too hard and feeling stressed about volume of work and waiting lists (my fault, no pressure from those around me).
I want to try even harder to do what I can to keep the disease under control and am having regular reflexology sessions, taking ginger, turmeric and bromelain supplements and taking things easier (don't have much option there anyway due to poor energy levels) but exercising when I can.
My mum had stage 1c OC 17 years ago with no recurrence. She had sugery and carboplatin. She has a healthy diet but virtually no exercise due to disability. She has been taking metformin for diabetes for many years now, which has recently been in the general press as being beneficial to cancer survival but not yet trialled.
Am open to suggestions however daft they seem.
Thanks.
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LittleSan
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I think you have a good recipe for success in having a balanced diet, taking exercise, relaxing and doing something you enjoy such as your caravanning.
There are a lot of posts of complimentary therapies and a lot of different ideas out there. I found it helpful to consult a homeopath and she gave good advice about staying fit and healthy and suggested Iscador which is derived from mistletoe. I paid for my first treatment of it and then my GP prescribed it on the advice of the homeopath. He said he had no knowledge or training in homeopathy but said it is available as a NICE approved drug on the NHS and said it hadn't done any harm and it might do some good.
There is much debate as to whether homeopathic or herbal remedies do any good. There are a few centres in the UK that offer complimentary treatments alongside traditional oncology - I think it's available at Glasgow, and UCL, or you could seek advice from the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine. I'm sure there are others.
I don't believe there is a magic bullet to keep the cancer away, but I've been in remission from Stage 1V Ovarian cancer for almost 16 years - and I like to believe that it's the 'stuff' I do that is helping keep it away. So, crazy or not, I use a zapper as per Dr Hulda Clark. I've been using it since my diagnosis and will continue to use it for the rest of my life. I follow loosely the Dr Johanna Budwig diet - starting the day with the flax-oil and cottage cheese breakfast with a mixture of fresh fruit, honey and ground flaxseed. I add ginger, cinnamon and Turmeric to the mixture along and sprinkle chopped walnuts over the top (absolutely decadent
I've been taking Usana vitamins since finishing treatment. Getting sunshine (without sunscreen) is critical for the protocol and I walk 4 miles every morning.
I believe you are doing the right thing to include ginger, turmeric and bromelain. I don't take the latter, but I know it is very good for you, so you're wise to keep taking it.
I 'm sure that all the good things you are doing for yourself will keep you healthy, and as you noted, reduce those stress levels - as I believe that's what cause the cancer (I had), in the first place.
I have seen a healer, that is about most alternative you can get. I have seen a wonderful man who has done a couple of sessions on me. I guess if that helps and keeps me postive then who can blame my choices i have no false illusions. Do what makes you happy. I want to be at peace for what is coming. I accept the journey. Lots of love. Sharon
How did you find the healer Sharon? I too believe anything that is done with a good heart and free from cynicism is positive.
Other people struggle more with acceptance than I do, I think my mum thinks it's giving in. I see it differently. I want to give myself the best chance of longevity and wellbeing because life is sweet but accept that my days on earth are very likely to be shorter than I want.
You mentioned that Metformin has been in the news & your mother takes it for diabetes. I don't know what effect it has on non-diabetics, but I take it for diabetes, & I have my 4th recurrence.
Oh that's that theory challenged then :)! It was an incidental finding that diabetic women were less likely to reapse. It was implied that it was the metformin that gave some degree of protection but was subject to more evidence. Hey ho.
Hi LittleSan. It really is a minefield out there isn't it?! I think complimentary (as opposed to alternative) treatment is something most of us look into at some point. The problem is there is so much conflicting information out there it's difficult to know what to believe. I have read quite a lot of stuff on Chris Woolams 'canceractive' website and followed some advice, for example taking vitamin D supplements. A lot of the info on there is backed up with links to research/trials but as I said before there are often other sources which disagree with findings! Im not totally convinced about the sugar argument for instance but cutting down on sugar (if not giving up completely) certainly seems a sensible option. My cousin has just started iscador and it is something I am considering. What I've tried to do isveducate myself as much as possible for a layperson and try and make decisions I am happy with. I'm also a firm believer in the placebo effect. 😃 It's tough though as generally oncologists seem a bit sceptical and yet some things (e.g metformin) sound so promising!
Certainly is MB :). I'm going to look at Iscador too. My sister is a big fan of homeopathy and has virtually been cured of asthma after suffering quote badly. Will keep you posted.
I am just about to start treatment for recurrence, and over the last 3 years since my original diagnosis I , like most people on here, have done a lot of reading , partcularly around diet and exercise, and it really is a minefield with conflicting advice. This time round I was interested in trying Iscador as I know that it is often prescribed for cancer patients in Germany, and many women in the USA seem to be using it- the research evidence is not as strong as I would like, partly I think because there is little of it, but anecdotally it appears to be helping many cancer patients, As mummybear says it could be the placebo effect! Anyway I had a look at NHS homeopathy clinics but was not in the area for a referral. I did however manage to pay privately to see a qualified doctor and homeopath who works in one of the clinics. The consultation was really helpful, not just in terms of Iscador but we discussed diet, lifestyle, stress ( which I am also convinced was a factor in my original diagnosis and recurrence). She also recommended Chris Woolams canceractive site and book, and another book called "Radical Remission" by Kelly Turner. In addition she recommended a nutritionist who has a particular interest in diet and cancer. As I am really interested in diet I also had a consultation with the nutritionist yesterday- wow, her knowledge was incredible, she took a full history and then we discussed some adaptations to my diet and supplements and homeopathic remedies to help during treatment and then afterwards- she is writing up a detailed plan for me which I am looking forward to receiving and implementing. I think in my case I have really benefited from seeking advice of qualified professionals rather than trying to decipher my way through the minefield of advice which is out there! The other thing, which I think is important, is to discuss with your oncologist- I told my onc I was thinking of trying Iscador and he said he did not object to this- but really at the end of the day its down to individual choice!
The other thing I am doing is actively looking at ways I can deal with stress- such as Yoga and meditation.
I know that radical changes in diet and lifestyle are not for everyone, and certainly there are some who would say its all nonsense and just carry on enjoying what you normally eat/ do, but at the end of the day its down to each of us to decide what's best for us and not judge others on the path they take- that's my view anyway, so good luck with whatever you do and i hope it works for you,
Thanks Jan. I had a look at Iscador but one of the side effects is raising blood pressure so as I'm currently on avastin, I think it's wise to give it a miss until I see a specialist in homeopathy.
Where did you find the homeopath? I live the Manchester area.
I'm hopefully retiring soon so will have the time and energy to devote to an altered regime.
I too attribute my cancer to over concientiousness and stress. I put myself under too much pressure and I know I am doing it now stressing about retirement, loss of role and income and also about if I'm doing enough to combat my cancer. Guilt guilt guilt. If I wasn't me I'd be telling myself to be much kinder to myself!!
I've tried lots of complementary and alternative treatments including Gerson diet, iscador, acupuncture, reflexology, lots of vitamins, exercise, tai chi, yoga, v low carbs, reiki, etc. I've survived and been pretty well and fit since diagnosis of stage 3 oc in july 2004 but I'm on 6th line chemo now so not got rid of it yet. I have produced a website cancerselfcare.com detailing all I've tried and discovered. i'm in stockport and if you fancy a chat or sharing ideas let me know
Thanks for your reply Francesca, your website is great. Would love to chat - will message you soon. My head is too mashed up with trying to work at the moment to have intelligent conversation :).
agree with SandyL and Whippet. I have survived OC3C since 1997 and took Iscador injections, Vitamin C, selenium and a healthy diet with exercise. I still take Vitamin C - 3 grams a day but for years I took 6 grams a day. I also changed my life so I had less stress as I felt it was this that started the cancer. I still try to have reflexology twice a month as it gives me an hour of deep relaxation.
As for retirement, you will find you need far less money than when you work. It can also be good to do some voluntary work, go to your local library and become involved in local politics etc. There is a new, stress free life waiting for you!!
Be kind to yourself and try to make life as happy as possible!
Thanks Jacquie, I love good news stories :). It's lovely to hear how positive and encouraging you are.
Am really looking forward to retirement and plan to make my life, as rich (in experience terms) as I can.
A family member has met a medical doctor who went into full remission with stage 4 bowel cancer and he attributes this to taking salvestrol supplements. It's also indicated for ovarian. Am going to ask my consultant what he thinks.
I do think being relaxed and content is the healthiest foundation of all though.
Thanks for your lovely reply. Hoping good health stays with you.
It may be worth looking at Chris woollen website canceractive. A lot of information about supplements and vitamins. I have started taking some and have had a much longer remission, 27months compared to8months. I am a strong believer that stress reduces the bodies ability to fight cancer and after my first reoccurance have no returned to work. I have found it difficult not working but I know I would just be sucked back into the rat race. I also think acupuncture has helped me.
Thanks Sharon, Good to hear you've had a longer remission. I'll have a look at the Cancer Active Site. I'm taking things much easier and feeling better for it 😃. Long may it last for both us. X x
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