Posts by mellowbadger5

I got in touch with them and sent over my mom's test results—they told me to expect an answer in a day or two. Since there are several different types of these supplements, they’ll look at her specific diagnosis and how far things have progressed to recommend a particular combination of mushrooms or extracts. You’ve already read their website, so I don't really know much more than that, but honestly, I feel like we have nothing to lose—and if God is willing, we might actually gain something—by giving this a shot. We're in a desperate spot because the illness has reached such a critical stage, and the doctors aren't offering anything beyond just managing the symptoms.

Huge props to you for sticking with it and actually pulling this off!

My mother-in-law is actually doing much better too—her digestion has finally leveled out, she’s starting her mornings with fruit, and she's keeping things varied. Honestly, I think mental stability plays such a huge role here (I actually discovered the magic of warm water!), but in our specific situation, it's one of the most critical factors. She's scheduled for her second round of chemo this week, and I'm just praying everything goes smoothly. Wishing you all some good days ahead!

Nancy Thomas18 said:Thanks to everyone who sent such kind words of support—it really means a lot. To be honest, these last few days have been rough. I’ve been feeling pretty awful, and honestly, the anxiety is starting to kick in because I’m worried I might have to go under the knife again. Things have gotten complicated. I just can't seem to shake this abscess forming under my liver, though it is much smaller now than it was after the first surgery. This Friday, I finally head in to set my chemo schedule, and the whole thing is just a massive headache. Reading through all these posts, it seems like everyone deals with some pretty horrific side effects, and I’m terrified of how I’ll manage it all—but I know I don't have a choice. My biggest wish is just to hold on long enough to see my son graduate. He’s only three years old... there's still a lifetime ahead of him, and I truly hope I get to see that happen. I refuse to believe I'm that unlucky.
Hang in there, everyone fighting for the people they love. For those of us dealing with this, we just have to keep scrapping our way through, one day at a time... hoping for better days ahead. Sending my best to everyone, and my deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

I want you to know I'm standing right there with you in this fight. Stay brave. Just keep thinking about your son and that love you have for him—that's what's going to carry you through the coming days. Hang in there!

Sorry, does anyone know where I can pick up some ground flaxseeds?

Melissa Kim45, thanks for the input. We’re going to try incorporating some yogurt and flaxseeds alongside everything else we're doing—I totally agree that those little suppositories should be our absolute last resort. Sending my best to everyone!

I have a quick request—can anyone tell me what actually works to prevent constipation? I know what the standard advice is for healthy people, but after chemo, things change. My mother-in-law has been drinking Bekunis and mineral water, trying to eat a varied diet, but her digestive system just seems to have completely stalled out. It got so bad she actually had to go into the hospital to get an enema.

I’ve been reading through your posts for quite a while now, and honestly, most of the time I just feel completely helpless because of how little I know. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, and after four rounds of chemo, they actually stopped treatment because her follow-up showed the tumor was in remission. We were all looking forward to her recovery—we were even planning a trip down to Miami—but then everything just took a turn for the worse. Now she’s back at the University Hospital receiving chemo and she feels absolutely terrible. She’s dealing with body cramps, extreme weakness, constipation... it’s just one thing after another, and nothing we try seems to help. Right now, she’s using Heder Propolis, royal jelly, and drinking whey since that's what the hospital staff suggested. I’m really grateful this place exists where you can actually learn something, especially when doctors barely say anything at all. I truly wish there were fewer of us here and that we could finally put an end to cancer once and for all.

coppergardener said:IBM (http://www.gemzar.com/index.jsp; http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...therow=393964)... well, I'm not entirely certain about the specific protocols—you know, when it's used as a standalone treatment versus when it's paired with something else—but one of the substances it's frequently combined with is Taxol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paclitaxel). And, oh my, if you read about how they harvest it from century-old trees, it turns out to be obscenely expensive! I don't have much information regarding its availability in our local hospitals or what the price tag looks like, though. From what I've gathered while reading up on IBM, it seems to be primarily utilized for non-small cell lung cancer—not the microcellular variety. It is reportedly much more effective than cisplatin, largely because the side effects aren't nearly as punishing, which, wouldn't you agree, significantly improves the patient's overall quality of life?

Thanks so much for the info. Our doctor at the Mayo Clinic told us it should be given specifically for small cell lung carcinoma, but honestly, with this massive flood of information, we're just lost on what's actually smart or effective anymore.

I recently heard someone mention IBM during a conversation—apparently, it’s some kind of additive used in chemo cocktails that’s supposed to be incredibly effective at fighting cancer. Does anyone know if this is actually being administered in hospitals? If anyone has any insight on this, I’d really appreciate an answer.