Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

slyseal28, you're here... 🙂 I truly hope—for your sake and for everyone else's—that you manage to track down some information, whatever it may be. My sincere hope is that the news turns out to be good.
P.S. You don't need to refer to yourself in the third person. 🙂

Jesse Morgan3 said:Can anyone here who (unfortunately) has experience dealing with cancer tell me anything about Breussov's method—that 42-day fasting protocol?

I've heard the logic behind it is essentially starving both yourself and the cancer cells simultaneously, potentially forcing the carcinoma into retreat.

On the flip side, a lot of people argue that when you're in this fight, you need to bolster your immune system, which obviously requires fuel—food and fluids. To me, those two philosophies feel like they're at a total standstill with each other.

To be honest, a relative of mine passed away from cancer after trying this method, though it didn't work. Then again, he wasn't strictly following the guidelines, so maybe that played a role in the outcome.

Early on in this forum, a user named lepina wrote about this. He even posted his CT scan results after completing the protocol. He actually succeeded, and honestly, he’s the only person I know who did. Everyone else I've heard of who tried it just didn't make it happen.😢

Drew Allen said:P.S. You don't have to refer to yourself in the third person. 🙂

She doesn't have to, but she certainly has the right to. Given how much she fights for every single cancer patient in America—regardless of what's happening within her own family—she can damn well speak in the fourth person if she wants to.😳

As for alternatives, I think most people on this forum have made their positions incredibly clear on more than one occasion.

Angela Wright said:She doesn't have to, but she certainly has every right to. Given how much she’s fought for every single cancer patient in the United States—regardless of what's actually happening within her own family—she’s more than qualified to speak up as a third party.😳

When it comes to the alternative route, I think most people on this forum have made their positions incredibly clear, time and time again. It’s not exactly a mystery where everyone stands, is it?

Hey everyone,
I've been lurking on this forum for ages—seriously, a long, long time—but I haven't really stepped up to be active until now. That said, I’m quite involved over at the For a new day forum, where Angela Wright and slyseal28 already know exactly who I am.
I just can't sit here and stay silent while everyone talks about alternative medicine. My husband lost his battle with cancer after a grueling, exhausting eighteen-month fight. We tried everything—the possible, the impossible, you name it. When something like this happens, whether it hits you directly or strikes someone you love, you naturally want to believe in absolutely anything. You hold onto every shred of hope, praying that maybe, just maybe, one of these things will actually work. I even went as far as visiting a herbalist in Canada. But if you want my honest take based on what I lived through: there is no magic herb, no plant, no weed, or whatever else people want to call it, that is going to kill cancer cells. All of that is just noise—just empty talk meant to pass the time. Please, stick to conventional medicine and follow your doctors' advice. I’m not saying that natural supplements can't help improve blood counts or give your immune system a little boost, but they aren't going to cure CANCER. Believe me, I learned that the hard way, and I spent a mountain of money doing it. I don't regret it, though; I’d probably do the exact same thing all over again. That's just how the human psyche works when it's desperate.
I honestly don't get why some people on this forum feel the need to attack those who are out there fighting like lions against the healthcare bureaucracy and the absolute disaster of a system we have in this country. These people are just trying to ease the suffering of every patient caught in the crosshairs. In this case, I’m looking specifically at slyseal28 and Angela Wright—though if I missed anyone else, my apologies.
Look, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own take on things, but let's maybe dial it back a notch with the long-winded posts, shall we?

Hey there! How’s it going?

Angela Wright said:She doesn't have to, but she certainly has the right to. Given her tireless dedication to everyone fighting cancer in the United States, regardless of what her own family is going through, she is more than qualified to speak as an advocate for the cause.😳

Regarding alternative options, I believe most people on this Forum have made their positions incredibly clear, and they have done so on numerous occasions.

If you care this much about whether an alternative actually works, why don't you just head over to Cetinja to visit Grandpa Jovo and personally review the documentation from recovered patients? Or are you just waiting for someone else to do the legwork for you? It seems easier to wait for a third party to confirm the facts—assuming they are correct—rather than taking the initiative to go and see it for yourself. Instead, you continue to repeat the same arguments here instead of putting in the effort to verify the truth.
I have maintained this position consistently: there is no such thing as a universal cure for cancer. Every single patient is a unique case, and every individual requires personalized attention. Just because someone has successfully treated many people doesn't automatically guarantee they can help me. I never claimed that. It is entirely possible for a treatment to work for 99 out of 100 people, yet leave me as the one person for whom those drops have zero effect. There are countless herbalists out there who essentially sell smoke and mirrors, profiting from other people's misery. I have always been clear about my stance on them; people like that belong in prison. However, if we look at mainstream medicine, how many patients have lost their lives due to doctors' mistakes? I am not just talking about cancer, but medical malpractice in general. In any profession, there is a massive difference between an amateur and a true professional.

Edward Reed69 said:Hello everyone,
I have been reading this forum for a very long time, though I haven't been active until now. Instead, I've been participating on the For a new day forum, where Angela Wright and slyseal28 know me well.
I simply cannot stay silent regarding all this talk about alternative medicine. My husband lost his battle with a malignant disease after a long, grueling struggle lasting a year and a half. We tried everything possible and impossible. When something like this happens—whether to us personally or to those we love most—of course, a person wants to believe in absolutely anything. We just keep hoping that maybe, just maybe, something will work. I even went to see a herbalist in Canada. My personal stance and my experience with alternative treatments is that there is no herb, plant, weed, or whatever you want to call it, that can kill cancer cells. It is all just empty talk; essentially, just whistling in the dark. Please rely on conventional medicine and follow your doctors' advice. I am not saying that certain natural preparations cannot help improve blood counts or boost the immune system, but they cannot cure CANCER. Believe me, I learned this firsthand and spent a fortune. I don't regret it; I would probably do the exact same thing again because that is simply how the human psyche works.
That is why I feel it is wrong for certain users on this forum to attack people who are fighting like lions against the healthcare bureaucracy and the terrible system here in our country, trying to ease the suffering of all patients. By this, I am primarily referring to slyseal28 and Angela Wright (if I missed anyone, please forgive me).
Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and viewpoint, but let's take it a little easier with the posts.

Kind regards!

My deepest condolences. Sometimes, we simply aren't meant to succeed in the things we want most. 🤷
I think you are making a huge mistake by saying there is no herb, tea, or weed that can kill cancer cells. My very first comment on this forum was about hemp oil. Can anyone give me a single reason why someone would appear in a documentary (I'm talking about the film about Rick Simpson) and claim they were given an extra month or two of life because that oil helped them, and that they are now living a perfectly normal life? I don't see any personal interest in that, as it is well known that the man making it gives it away to people. I don't understand why you are all so against alternative medicine. To me, alternative medicine is just something natural that your doctors certainly won't recommend, yet I am sure we have all used things like noni or aloe vera before.

Drew Allen said:My deepest sympathies. Sometimes, life simply doesn't allow us to achieve certain things we desire with such intensity... 🤷
I truly believe you are mistaken when you claim there isn't a single herb, tea, or plant capable of destroying cancer cells. My very first contribution to this forum was actually regarding hemp oil. Can anyone provide even one logical reason why someone would appear in a documentary—specifically referring to the film about Rick Simpson—claiming they were given only a month or two to live, only to find that this oil allowed them to return to a perfectly normal life? I fail to see any ulterior motive, especially since it is widely understood that those producing it give it away to people... I simply don't grasp why there is such fierce opposition to alternative methods. To me, "alternative" refers to the natural remedies that your doctors certainly won't prescribe, yet I am quite certain you have all utilized at some point, such as noni or aloe vera...

Fine, you champion alternative medicine with quite a bit of persistence, and I have nothing against that per se. However, since I cannot possibly focus on every single argument, I am curious about one thing: what specific illness are you treating, or perhaps one of your loved ones? Let's clarify your motivations here, because the reality is that if these alternatives were truly as revolutionary as you suggest, everyone would be turning to them...

I suppose you expect me to forgive dozens of physicians, biochemists, and various specialists involved in my mother's care, assuming they are all merely fools with degrees when they insist that alternative routes can lead straight to death...

My own view of alternative medicine encompasses anything we can prepare ourselves using natural means, through various fruits, vegetables, and a more balanced, proper diet. As for everything else—if there is a herbalist providing tinctures or teas that come with a full, transparent list of ingredients and proportions, then I respect them, but most of these practitioners hide behind "secret recipes." Personally, I have no interest in "secret recipes"... I could easily concoct my own herbal tea from various plants to boost my immunity, but that is just my own opinion...

I already posted this once, but my message was deleted. I am talking about a dear friend of mine whom I care for deeply. She has cancer. I won't dive into the specifics here; I don't believe in airing other people's private struggles on a public forum. The thing is, even the top doctors with all their degrees and certifications have essentially given up on her case. Was it supposed to be that we just accept whatever they tell us and do nothing at all?
Yes, I have asked myself that very same question, quite sincerely. Why would they guard their methods if they truly work for the good of humanity? Is it purely about money? Or is it because they fear sharing their knowledge might lead to someone using it improperly? Perhaps it is something else entirely. However, I do know there are those who hold nothing back when facing illness, and I have nothing but respect for their courage.
Here Nancy Hernandez43 , I have one question for you. Imagine you are an oncologist. You graduated from medical school, spent years studying how to treat cancer, and you work at a major oncology institute providing chemotherapy and radiation. Now, let's assume you personally know several people you trust who actually cured their cancer using some herbal remedy suggested by an uneducated individual. There is no doubt about it; it really happened. If a patient with cancer walked into your office, would you abandon the standard chemotherapy and radiation protocols to tell them that this alternative way is much better and safer for them? Or would you still put them on chemotherapy? Just try to step into their shoes—into that medical position—and it will become perfectly clear why they say what they say.
I think it is quite obvious to everyone what chemotherapy does and what its consequences are, just as it is obvious what herbs and natural medicine can do.
Envy is a terrible thing. Speaking as a physician myself, I could never permit an uneducated person—someone who hasn't even finished high school—to treat cancer patients. I, on the other hand, have spent twenty years in training, and I would never dream of sending my own patient to someone like that. Please answer my previous question if you have a stance on the matter.

Drew Allen As follows:
I already posted this once, but someone decided to scrub my message from the board... It concerns a dear friend of mine, someone I care for deeply. She’s battling cancer. I won't go into the specifics here; I have no desire to broadcast someone else's private struggles on an online forum... But the reality is that even her own doctors—men with all those prestigious degrees and fancy certifications—have essentially thrown up their hands and given up. Are we truly expected to just sit idly by and accept their verdict, as if doing nothing at all was the only option left...
To be perfectly honest, I have found myself pondering the exact same question... Why would anyone guard their specific formulas so closely if their ultimate goal is truly to serve the greater good? Is it simply a matter of financial gain, or perhaps they fear that sharing their specialized knowledge could lead to someone misusing it for nefarious purposes... or maybe there is yet another reason entirely that we haven't considered. That being said, I am well aware that there are those who hold nothing back when facing illness, and I truly respect the sheer courage displayed by such individuals...
Here it is... Nancy Hernandez43 I have a question for you... Imagine, if you will, that you are an oncologist. You’ve completed your residency, spent countless years studying the intricacies of cancer treatment, and you now practice at a major oncology institute where you personally administer chemotherapy and radiation to your patients. Now, let's add a layer of complexity: suppose you personally know several people—individuals you trust implicitly—who actually cured their cancer using nothing more than some herbal tea concocted by an uneducated layman. In this scenario, there is absolutely no doubt about the efficacy of the tea; it truly works... The dilemma is this: If a patient came to you with a diagnosis, would you abandon the standard protocols of chemotherapy and radiation for your own patient? Would you tell them that this alternative path is actually far superior and much safer for their specific case... or would you ultimately insist on putting them through the rigors of chemotherapy? Just try to step into that medical professional's shoes for a moment, and perhaps the reasoning behind why they say what they say will become quite clear...
I believe it is abundantly clear to everyone here exactly what chemotherapy entails and the heavy toll it takes on the body, just as it is equally obvious to all that there is a vast distinction between herbal remedies and conventional medicine...
The whole situation is truly appalling... As a physician myself, I find it utterly inconceivable that I would ever permit some half-educated individual—someone who likely hasn't even finished high school—to attempt to treat cancer patients. After dedicating over twenty years to my own medical training, the idea of me actually sending one of my own patients to someone like that is simply beyond the pale... If you have any actual perspective on this matter, please answer my previous question...

Let’s dispense with any pretense of modesty here—my answer is a firm no. In fact, if I were actually a doctor—which, let me be clear, I am nowhere near being one—I would still be the exact same person I am today... a perfectionist who would never dream of washing my hands of a patient only to send them off to fight chemotherapy with nothing but some herbal tea...

I feel a profound sense of sorrow knowing that the doctors at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have essentially given up on your friend... It is truly disheartening that she has had to turn to herbal remedies for support, though I sincerely hope there is some measure of success to be found in such an approach, because believe me, as difficult as it is to witness my own mother fighting for every single day of her life, it is equally heavy to hear about the struggles of others...

There are moments when I feel a profound urge to lend support to others, only to be struck by the realization that I am currently struggling under the weight of my own mother's illness... But perhaps there is a silver lining, if one can call it that, in the way her care is being managed out in the world at a major research institute. In those sterile halls, truth is often reduced to mere statistics, and whenever the question is posed to the oncologists—asking what happens if she can no longer tolerate a specific medication—they will invariably offer a clinical "there is another option"... yet, beneath that professional veneer, you can almost hear the unspoken sentiment that they are simply giving up... Another reality we face is that for over forty years, our family has been surrounded by an incredibly diverse array of specialists who have nothing to do with oncology: some are standard engineers, others work in pharmacology, then there are transfusion specialists... and even surgeons...

While the way it’s phrased sounds almost perfect, I have to admit that it has already been ten years since our grandfather passed away, and believe me, none of us have truly come to terms with it even now... which is exactly why we are doing everything humanly possible for our mother...

Based on the examples I have observed within my own family and immediate social circle, I can say that I have seen enough people successfully treated through conventional means, yet I have also seen plenty of individuals who attempted to combine standard medicine with alternative methods only to pass away... I don't know a single soul who relied solely on alternative paths, and perhaps that is precisely why. Furthermore, there is the simple fact that unlike our "average" oncologists here, doctors abroad will actually be honest with you; they won't guarantee a cure, and they'll make it clear that if a patient decides to take anything outside of the prescribed regimen—even though they receive a full protocol detailing exactly which chemotherapy drugs and specific ingredients they are permitted or forbidden from using—they do so entirely at their own risk, or rather, it is simply "not recommended"... They will also tell you quite plainly that there is no universal cure and that, unfortunately, a sudden reversal can occur where, despite positive test results, the patient still dies... The body is much like an automobile; no matter how focused you are on repairing the engine, the final axle can still snap at any moment...

Personally, I maintain a rather deep skepticism toward doctors... I tend to stick exclusively to those who have successfully treated me thus far, and when it comes to anything alternative, my perception is limited strictly to natural-based preparations purchased at reputable pharmacies where I can verify the exact percentages listed on the bottle. Physicians are certainly not omnipotent, and I am well aware of instances where even oncologists have succumbed to cancer themselves; however, I feel far more at peace knowing exactly what I am introducing into my system rather than consuming some unverified herbal tea...

Of course, I accept that there are individuals who have recovered through alternative means, but personally, I refuse to believe such claims until I see them with my own eyes. This space seems designed for everyone to offer advice, lend support, and ease one another's burdens in some way. Unfortunately, regarding my mother’s illness, I haven't known more than the bare essentials... for two years, I wasn't even aware of which chemotherapy protocol she was following, nor did I pay close enough attention to her immune support. Many here will likely claim that, as her daughter, I failed in my responsibility, yet she would insist that I acted correctly by leaving it all to the professionals—she is in the capable hands of those who truly know their craft, while I am merely a child...

Drew Allen said:If you care so much about whether this alternative actually works, why don't you just head over to Cetinja to see Grandpa Jovo and look through the medical files of the recovered patients yourself? Or are you just waiting for someone else to do the legwork and tell you it’s true—assuming it is—so you can just sit here repeating the same script instead of actually putting in the effort to go verify it?
I’ve been saying all along that there isn’t some magic, one-size-fits-all cure for cancer. Every single patient is a unique case that requires individual attention. Just because someone might have successfully helped a massive number of people doesn't mean they'll be my silver bullet! I never claimed that. It could work for 99 out of 100 people, and I could still be that one outlier for whom his drops do absolutely nothing. There are plenty of herbalists out there "selling smoke" and getting rich off other people's misery, and I've already made my stance clear on them. Those scammers belong behind bars! But let's look at conventional medicine too—how many doctors have caused patients to lose their lives through negligence? I'm not just talking about cancer; I'm talking about medicine in general. In any profession, there is a massive chasm between an amateur and a professional!

Drew, seriously, stop terrorizing people, please😳! You've already been warned by the admins multiple times. It's painfully obvious to everyone here that you mostly show up just to troll and derail the conversation.
Do you honestly think we're all here just for fun and petty bickering?! 😠
Try reading this thread from the beginning to see what I've actually been through before you start judging me or suggesting I go hunt down some old man or uncle! Based on your logic, I should probably be searching through archives in some remote town just because you think you're so smart. Why don't you go scan those documents yourself and send them over... honestly, give me a break. 🙄
Man, you are just repeating the same nonsense over and over. We processed everything you wrote a long time ago, but please understand that your attitude is incredibly grating—especially to people who have fought through hell and back, and who are still fighting even after losing battles, like I am.

Hey everyone on this thread... I honestly don't even know where to start with this question because my search hasn't turned up anything useful. Basically, my mom has this spot on her back that keeps bleeding, scabbing over, and then doing the whole thing all over again. It's started spreading too, and when her primary care doctor saw it, she marked the referral as an emergency for dermatology and casually dropped the "C" word—told her it looks like cancer. Naturally, we’re all freaking out right now. 😢 I mean, how can someone just throw diagnoses around like that??? She isn't even a dermatologist. Of course Mom is terrified (even though she's trying her hardest to act cool about it over the phone), but I'm stuck far away from her and feel totally useless. I called her this morning trying to convince her to just go private, but she won't hear it. She basically told me to leave her alone and stop panicking. She actually went to the dermatologist yesterday, even though the referral said it was urgent, but they just sent her right back because they said she had to schedule an appointment. Honestly, if she had made a huge scene, they probably would've seen her immediately, but since she played by the rules, now we’re just stuck waiting until next Tuesday. 😢😢😢 😢 I don't even know what I'm really asking you guys, maybe just wondering if anyone has dealt with something similar? I've been losing my mind with worry since she told me yesterday.

sorry, my spelling is totally trashed today...

Angela Wright, ever since I first showed up on this forum, you’ve held a negative view of me. First off, show some respect and stop being insulting!
Stick to your own rules and stay "on-topic," especially since you seem to prefer using English terms over words from your own language. I don't even understand your use of the word "troll." Please, translate that into a language I can actually understand.
I have stated my problem clearly. The fact that you are stubborn, refuse to listen, and lack any empathy is YOUR problem, not mine. From what I can tell, your mindset is basically "if you don't go to a doctor, you die" or "if you see a herbalist, you're doomed." It's as if you aren't happy if someone actually recovers through an alternative method. I am open to every story and every possible way to heal, but you’ve retreated into your little shell and refused to budge.
I see right through your performance here. You are trying to convince people of things you aren't even sure of yourself. Yes, my posts will be deleted because you are pushing for it, not because I insulted anyone. No one is going to delete your messages just because you have 5,500 posts; your word carries more weight only because of that number.
Have you ever stopped to wonder if you are irritating the people reading this who might not even be participating? Likely not, because you are too self-centered and convinced you know everything. In my opinion, you should realize there is a lot you don't know.
It is a MASSIVE shame that we have split ourselves into two camps—those who trust doctors and those who don't—instead of joining forces to try, with everything we have, to find a cure for cancer, no matter where it comes from!

Drew Allen said:Angela WrightEver since I first showed up on this forum, you’ve had this weirdly hostile attitude toward me. First things first, though—maybe try being a little more polite? There's really no need for the insults.
If you're going to insist on sticking so rigidly to your own rules and being such a stickler for staying "on-topic," then maybe you should try using more English words instead of constantly reaching for your own language. Honestly, I have no clue what you mean when you say "trollati." Could you please translate that into a language that actually makes sense to me?
Look, I’ve laid out my situation clearly enough. If you're going to be this stubborn and refuse to actually listen—not to mention showing zero empathy—then honestly, that’s YOUR problem, not mine. It seems like you’ve adopted this rigid "my way or the highway" mentality, where it's either follow the doctor's orders or just accept death, or if someone tries an alternative route, they're doomed. Is it really that hard to be happy for someone when they find a way to get better through a different method? I'm open to hearing about every possible approach and every way someone might heal, but you? You've just retreated into your little shell and decided you aren't moving an inch.
I’ve finally seen through your whole routine here. You’re out here trying to convince everyone of something you aren't even certain about yourself. And let's get one thing straight: my posts aren't being deleted because I insulted anyone—they're being wiped because you're pushing for it. You want them gone. Nobody else wants to touch your messages; it’s just that since you’ve racked up 5,500 posts, you think your word carries more weight than mine simply because of the sheer volume. Is that really how we're playing this?
Have you ever stopped to wonder if you’re actually irritating the people reading this—you know, those who might just be lurking without saying a word? Probably not. I suspect you wouldn't, mostly because you're too wrapped up in your own bubble, convinced you've got all the answers. It might be worth considering, though, that there's actually quite a lot you don't know.
It’s honestly such a massive shame that we’ve split into these two camps—those who put their full faith in doctors and those who don't trust them at all. Instead of tearing each other apart over individuals, shouldn't we be pulling together? If we actually want to find a cure for cancer, shouldn't we be working with every ounce of strength we have, regardless of which side of the aisle the solution comes from?

Look, we haven't split into factions here, and it’s not like Angela Wright has divided us either. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own perspective. But I truly don't follow your logic about how we should all be throwing every ounce of strength we have at finding a cure for cancer if it's even possible... Just think about it for a second. If such a cure actually existed, do you really think the billionaires, the politicians, and those types of people would still be dying? At least they can afford everything we regular folks can't touch. When someone says an alternative therapy "worked" for them, in my view, it just means that every single organism is its own individual; everyone reacts differently. We can't start generalizing based on one person's experience. How on earth are we supposed to stumble upon a cure in the weeds when the actual experts—people who spend their entire lives researching this stuff—can't find it? I don't want to be rude, but I honestly think you've gone way too far down this rabbit hole, clinging to your beliefs like a drunkard on a sinking ship. Seriously, man, my husband tried an alternative approach and it did absolutely nothing. There isn't some local herbalist out in the sticks who can cure cancer with roots and blades of grass. And as for those "studies" various herbalists use to prove their treatments work? I'm not buying it. I saw exactly how that works back when I was in Canada seeing a certain guy. Everything he showed me was just a bunch of photocopies. It's incredibly easy to forge documentation when there's money to be made. When I asked him for the phone numbers of the people he supposedly cured, he couldn't produce a single one. Does a local healer really hand out contact info for all his former patients? I highly doubt it.

Drew Allen said:Angela WrightEver since I first surfaced on this forum, you have maintained such a consistently hostile attitude toward me... First of all, perhaps you could try being a bit more civil and refrain from the insults...
If you insist on clinging so tightly to your own rules and being strictly "on-topic," you might find it more efficient to use English terms rather than constantly reaching for words from your own language... As for your comment about "trolling," I honestly don't follow your meaning at all. Perhaps you could translate that into a language that actually makes sense to me...
I have already laid out my situation, but since you are being so incredibly stubborn and refuse to actually listen or show even a shred of empathy, that is quite frankly YOUR problem... It seems like you’ve adopted this rigid mindset where it’s either "go to the doctor or die," or perhaps "go to some herbalist and you're doomed." As if you couldn't possibly care if someone actually finds healing through an alternative path... I am completely open to every perspective and every possible method of recovery, yet you have simply retreated into your little shell and refused to budge...
I have seen right through your little performance here... You are desperately trying to convince people of something you aren't even certain of yourself. And as for my posts being deleted, let’s be clear: they are being removed because you are rushing the process, not because I insulted anyone. No one is actually interested in deleting your messages, but since you have 5,500 posts, your word carries more weight than mine simply by virtue of volume...
Have you ever paused to consider whether your presence here might be irritating those who read your posts without feeling the need to participate? It seems unlikely that you have, given the self-centered assumption that you possess all the answers... though I suspect you ought to realize there is quite a lot you still don't know...
It is truly a massive tragedy that we have allowed ourselves to become so fractured by certain individuals in this community—split between those who put their absolute faith in doctors and those who refuse to trust them... if only we could set aside these petty divisions and join forces instead, working with every ounce of strength we possess to find a cure for cancer, regardless of which side of the aisle it comes from...

Let’s lower the tension just a little bit, because frankly, there is no need for all this... after all, we all want the exact same thing, which is simply to help one another...

First of all, if it weren't for Angela Wright, this thread probably wouldn't have even been started, and many people likely would have never shared their stories, voiced their struggles, or sought out advice... If you had actually taken the time to read through everything from the very first post to this final page, you would realize how few people here were actually advocating for alternative medicine or claiming to have been cured by nothing but alternative methods alone...

One really ought to step into the shoes of people like Angela Wright, slyseal28, or Blaise... along with all the other fighters who have been present since the very beginning and have endured the absolute worst of it. Don't take this the wrong way, but there is a profound difference between being a comrade-in-arms and being a husband, a wife, a mother, a father, a brother, or a sister... and it is infinitely more difficult to witness the struggle when it is someone you live with, someone whose pain and suffering you face every single day...

When you find yourself spiraling into that realization where you see that your supposed friends are actually just adversaries, that you have to practically drag your doctors along by the sleeve just to get them to listen, and that when you’re desperate for simple, honest advice there isn't a single soul worth asking... that is when the truth finally hits home. You realize that if you don't take matters into your own hands, absolutely no one is coming to save you. This is what cancer truly is—it is a relentless battle, and it brings to life that old, tired cliché that "to live is to fight"... Once you experience that sense of injustice firsthand, you understand that no one can ever convince you of anything other than what you have discovered through your own struggle...

Therefore, those of you posting here, myself included, aren't actually split into two opposing camps; rather, most of us seem to share the same sobering realization that alternative medicine offers no real solution... It wasn't just a single opinion from Angela Wright that convinced me, but unfortunately, my own lived experience and observations. When my grandfather was passing away, they kept me at a distance, and only during those final two weeks—at both his and my insistence—was I allowed to see him, leaving me with images I shall never forget... In a relatively short span of time, a professor also insisted that I examine lung cell slides, ranging from healthy tissue to terminal stages of cancer, knowing full well that my grandfather had died from lung cancer. When you look at those slides and then recall the sight of a man slowly wasting away, you finally understand that there are no miracle cures or magic drops... once cellular destruction begins, nothing exists but actual medicine...

What this forum has truly transformed for me is the fact that when I was at my absolute lowest, Angela Wright encouraged me through her posts... and reading everything shared here has opened my eyes, teaching me to be less self-centered and giving me the confidence that my mother is fighting this the right way. Believe me, it isn’t easy watching her grow weaker by the day, even if her current test results look good. Still, no one and nothing could ever convince me that some herbal tea would help her now. Besides, she wouldn't touch it herself, as she categorically refuses anything that her conscience doesn't deem right...

Edward Reed69 said:Look, none of us here are divided, and Angela Wright hasn't split us apart either. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and perspective. However, I don't quite follow your comment about how we should throw all our resources at finding a cure for cancer if possible... Just think about it for a second. If such a cure actually existed, would the billionaires, the politicians, and people like them still be dying? At least they can afford everything the rest of us common folk cannot. In my view, when an alternative "helps" someone, it just means that every organism is an individual; everyone reacts differently, but we shouldn't generalize based on that. How could those of us just sitting in the grass find a cure for cancer when experts who spend years researching this field haven't found one? I don't mean to offend anyone, but I honestly think you've dug yourself into a hole and are clinging to your beliefs like a drunk sailor. Man, my husband tried an alternative approach and it didn't work. There isn't some local herbalist or neighborhood healer who can fix cancer with roots and weeds. As for the findings various herbalists use to prove their therapies work, I don't buy into that at all. I saw similar "proof" back in the US with a guy I visited. All he had were photocopies. It's easy to forge all of that for profit, and when I asked for phone numbers of the people he supposedly cured, he couldn't provide them.... Does your local healer hand out contact info for his former patients? I doubt it....

Believe me when I say I am ten times more skeptical than anyone else here. I don't trust either side until I have verified things for myself. I know why I am saying all this. I haven't gone into the details, nor will I do so on a "public" forum where anyone can read it; I have no intention of exposing someone else's deepest privacy to the world. But everything I am discussing has a deep background—much deeper than any of you realize.
I don't know if he provides them or if he even has them, but I would love to see that investigated! But who is going to do it? I don't believe anyone will actually go there to investigate and verify him, though it would be a good idea.
You are misinterpreting my messages, and I won't sit here explaining myself further.
The only question that persists through my posts here is this: if a doctor tells you they have exhausted every possible treatment option and believes they can no longer help you, will you believe them 100%, or will you not?! I'm not expecting an answer to this; I'm just saying it.
I sent a well-intentioned message to Angela Wright a few months ago, which she never answered. Regardless of whatever she might have against me, she could have responded, and I would have replied to her. Instead, she bombards me constantly and likely begs the administrators to delete my posts (I'm not claiming this, just assuming). What kind of respect did she show me? None. Why should I respect her? I see no reason.
Go ahead and get angry at me or hold whatever grudge you want, but I mean no harm to any of you, NOT THAT I WOULD! I am simply trying to reach what we are all searching for here. If my posts bother anyone, please speak up (as long as it isn't just Angela Wright), and I will stop writing. If it would mean something to you, I will do it.

Drew Allen said:Just imagine you’re an oncologist. You’ve finished medical school, spent years studying how to fight cancer, and you work at a major research hospital where you administer chemotherapy and radiation. Now, let's say you personally know several people—people you actually trust—who claim they cured cancer using some herbal tea recommended by someone who barely finished middle school. In this scenario, there isn't even a doubt; it's clearly happening. If a patient with cancer came to you, would you walk away from chemotherapy and radiation just because your own trusted sources suggested a different way? Would you tell your own patient that this alternative method is actually much better and safer for them, OR would you stick to the chemo? Just try putting yourself in their shoes—the doctor's shoes—and it becomes very clear why they speak the way they do.
I think it's pretty obvious to everyone what chemotherapy does and what its side effects are, just as it's obvious to everyone what herbs and natural remedies are.
Resentment is such a nasty thing. As a doctor myself, I could never dream of letting someone without even a high school diploma treat cancer patients, especially when I've spent twenty years in training. I certainly wouldn't permit myself to send my own patient to someone like that. Answer my previous question if you actually have a stance on it.

As someone who spent a long time in school and now spends twelve hours a day working in a biomedical research lab (not focused on tumors, but definitely in the biomedical field) for a salary that's honestly below the US average, I find this incredibly insulting. Every scientist—and every decent physician—bases their treatment conclusions on reproducible experiments that have been vetted by their peers. All documentation regarding any drug or experiment is PUBLIC. Unlike a herbalist, there aren't secret ingredients or mysterious patients that you can never track down. Of course, doctors vary—some are better, some are worse, some are more easily swayed... but the vital point is that in evidence-based medicine, you have the entire establishment standing behind you, ensuring that what you receive has been tested countless times and represents the absolute best that human knowledge currently has to offer. How can you even compare that to some local folk healer?

Furthermore, I’d suggest picking up a textbook and learning the basics of biology. You might realize that cancer isn't just one single disease, but a massive, heterogeneous group of various disorders. Because of that, there will NEVER be one single "magic bullet" cure for everything. It’s like asking for one pill that cures a cough, varicose veins, and a hernia all at once! Also, you might stumble upon data regarding certain types of malignancies that are actually quite curable today with modern treatments—take testicular cancer or Hodgkin lymphoma, for example. Naturally, we want therapies to be less toxic, and work is constantly being done to make that happen.

Also, I am quite fed up with the blanket excuse of "every organism is different," which seems to be used as a catch-all justification for everything. Well, it isn't—we are all made of the same molecules and subject to the same laws of physics. Sure, there are differences to a certain extent; some people might handle chemo better than others, or react differently, but that's mostly due to our still-limited understanding of cross-reactivity between drugs, genetic influences, and so on.

Drew Allen said:Nancy Hernandez43, Amanda Grant56 mentioned how doctors didn't have solutions for the people she brought up, even after they went through numerous therapies prescribed by them. What does that tell you? That they aren't all-knowing, and even when they say they can't help, there's always enough time left to try something else. There’s really nothing to lose if they've already said "it can't be done."

Why do all the alternative medicine folks cling to this argument so stubbornly, when the exact same logic—perhaps even more so—applies to their herbal remedies? In fact, there are far fewer documented cases of people being cured *only* by alternative methods compared to those who have beaten cancer. What do you actually lose by trying an alternative? A bit of money and some precious time that you could have spent with your family instead of wandering around some remote herb patch. Time that could have been used engaging with actual science (even if that means botanical research, provided it's done properly) to truly contribute to the fight.

Dear holloweagle6 — first off, maybe take a deep breath and slow down a little. Your GP was way out of line throwing a cancer diagnosis around so casually; you simply cannot diagnose cancer without a proper cytology analysis. Of course, any mole that bleeds is incredibly suspicious, but you did the right thing by checking. If you can, please try to convince your mom to see a specialist as soon as possible, even if it's a private clinic, because with melanoma, every single moment counts. I'm not sure where you're located, but I know there are plenty of great private specialists in Washington, D.C., with top-tier equipment who can tell you immediately if something looks suspicious and can even remove a suspect mole or spot on the spot. I'd be happy to send you the contact info for the Dermatologica specialist my mom and husband used to get their moles removed via PM.

gentletiger46 said:What exactly do you lose by exploring an alternative—aside from some cash and precious time you could have spent with your family instead of wandering around those various clinics? Time that could have been dedicated to pursuing actual knowledge (even if that means studying botanical research, provided it's done rigorously) and truly contributing to the fight.

With all due respect to your profession, I have to say that this perspective goes against basic human nature—specifically, our fundamental will to live.

So, what you're essentially arguing is that it’s smarter for a patient to spend their remaining time (after "conventional" medicine has basically given up on them) with their family or buried in scientific research (though I'm not quite sure how that works), rather than grabbing at that last straw of hope and turning to alternative treatments? To put it bluntly, you're suggesting they should just wait to die instead of fighting for a chance through other means.

Look, I’m not some radical advocate for alternative medicine, nor am I a hardline believer in the "classics." I just try to stay open to every single possibility, which I believe is the only right way to approach this.
That’s why I just can't wrap my head around the logic of: "better to wait for death surrounded by family than to try an alternative."

Or did I completely misinterpret what you meant? 🤷

Jesse Morgan3 said:Or did I just completely misinterpret you? 🤷

You definitely misread the situation. The real issue with alternative medicine is that the ingredients haven't been properly studied; someone battling cancer shouldn't just be tossing random herbs and concoctions into their system without consulting a doctor first. As for your comment—"I'd rather wait for death surrounded by family than try alternative routes"—well, sometimes that actually is the better choice. It beats poisoning someone and causing them more agony and harm than the disease itself.

We'll hear the story about Jovo Andrica soon enough. I'll make sure we track him down, and if Drew Allen is anyone of consequence, he'd probably handle the introduction himself.

But it doesn't matter; we'll get it sorted regardless.

Jesse Morgan3, I believe she understood him perfectly well. She stated her position explicitly; there was no hidden subtext there. I can only hope she doesn't truly feel that way—perhaps it was just a moment of heated anger fueled by pride. I simply cannot wrap my head around people who surrender themselves entirely to the opinions of others. 🤷
To let someone pass away without trying every possible avenue that might offer help is, in my view, nothing more than blind acceptance of whatever a doctor or another individual says.
gentletiger46I never suggested that we should completely reject conventional medicine. In fact, I am the first person to see a doctor when I am in pain. However, I once had an experience where I went to a physician because my lungs were aching and I couldn't stop coughing, only for him to prescribe nothing but painkillers. 🙏 Should I have taken them, or was I wrong to crumple up the prescription right in front of him and toss it in the trash? It felt like all those years of medical school and professional practice meant absolutely nothing to that specific doctor. He didn't even bother to listen to my lungs, which is the most basic part of the job. Because of incidents like that, I find it difficult to place my trust in many doctors. Perhaps I am just unlucky, living in a city where the quality of medical care is perceived as quite low. Every decent physician I knew eventually left for private practice or moved to a different hospital. Unfortunately, that is just the reality here...