Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

Nancy Hernandez43 said:I called my mom tonight just to check in. She’s been such an incredible support to me lately, and I’m doing the same for her. She mentioned they ordered some Noni juice for Grandma and she’s thinking about getting some for herself too. The thing is, neither of us actually knows ANYTHING about Noni juice!

Since she’s fighting cancer so successfully right now, I don't see any reason why she shouldn't try it. What do you guys know about Noni juice? How does it work? When is it most effective? Thanks for the input, though I'm pretty sure there's probably been stuff written about it already!

kisses

It won't hurt her... My mom used to drink it, but now she can't stand the taste...
But we know someone who was told five years ago they only had three months left, and they swear by this stuff.
It boosts the immune system. It’s basically for everything. It's especially good for helping people handle treatments and radiation better...
But different illnesses require different dosages. And it isn't cheap.

Hannah Thomas28 said:It won't do her any harm... My own mother used to take it, though she eventually grew tired of the taste...
But when you have someone we know who was told five years ago they only had three months left, yet they swear by this stuff... it tells you something.
It bolsters the immune system. It’s essentially a catch-all. It is particularly effective for helping patients better endure intensive therapies or radiation...
However, different ailments require different dosages. And it certainly isn't cheap.

I am well aware of the cost, but compared to everything we have already poured into her medical care, this is merely a drop in the bucket. Her blood work and overall physical condition, when compared to where she was four months ago, are actually quite enviable. We will likely reach out to her oncologist next week to get their professional opinion on the matter...

Thank you for the response.

Hey there, my dear friends!!!!

First off, I just wanted to say thanks for all the well wishes and the good vibes while I’ve been recovering. And now—get ready for some absolutely phenomenal news: as most of you know, I’ve been fighting this cancer battle for almost ten years now, and this was my third relapse... so even though every single modern scan (CT, PET SCAN, MR) showed an active, progressing tumor (my oncologist even told me straight up, "this is it"...), after getting the pathology results back, they say NO MALIGNANT CELLS :-)) I don't even know how to put this into words—first it was juice, then total disbelief, and then just pure, overwhelming joy........:-)))))). Honestly, I can't even tell you how much positive energy this gives me for the next stage of the fight. I’m telling you, I truly believe the immunotherapy and the galvanotherapy I received in Germany after my last chemo cycle played a huge part in getting these incredible results. Now, I’m gearing up to head back to Germany for another round to try and tackle the pleural issues—there are still some changes there, even though the scans show things are regressing and my markers are totally normal.....:-
Sending big hugs and smiles to everyone! :-)
Warmly, Vasa din

Grace Fowler said:Hey there, my dear friends!!!!

First off, I want to thank you all for the kind wishes and the positive vibes while I've been recovering. Now, for some absolutely phenomenal news: as most of you know, I’ve been fighting this cancer battle for nearly ten years now, and this was my third recurrence... even though every single modern scan (CT, PET SCAN, MRI) pointed toward an active, progressing tumor (my oncologist even told me straight up that it was happening...), after the pathology results came back, they said NO MALIGNANT CELLS :-)) I don't even know how to put it into words—it went from pure shock, to disbelief, to this massive wave of pure joy........:-)))))). Honestly, I can't tell you how much positive energy this incredible result has given me for the next phase of the fight. I can say with total confidence that the immunotherapy and the electrotherapy I received in Germany following my last round of chemo played a huge role in getting these results. Now, I’m getting ready to head back to Germany for another round to try and tackle the issues in my lungs; even though the scans show things are regressing and my markers are back to normal, there are still some changes we need to address...:-
Sending big hugs and smiles to everyone! :-)
Warmly, Vasa din

Oh my gosh, that is absolutely wonderful!🎉 🙂I honestly had a feeling that the immunotherapy was doing a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Whatever the reason, I am just so incredibly happy for you.😍

👍

Grace Fowler said:Greetings to my dear friends!

First and foremost, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all of you for the kind wishes and the positive energy you’ve sent my way during my recovery. It truly means a lot. Now, for some absolutely phenomenal news: as many of you know, I have been locked in a relentless battle with cancer for nearly a decade, and this was my third recurrence. To make matters worse, every single modern diagnostic tool available—the CT scans, PET scans, and MRIs—pointed toward an active, progressing tumor. In fact, my oncologist told me straight to my face that there was no doubt about it. However, following my pathology results, the reality is quite different. There are absolutely no malignant cells here. :-)) What can I even say? It started with a juice cleanse, followed by a healthy dose of skepticism, and ended with an overwhelming amount of congratulations... :-)))))). Honestly, I can’t quite put into words how much positive energy I’ve received to fuel my continued fight, especially given how incredible these test results look. I will state this with absolute certainty: the immunotherapy and galvanotherapy treatments I underwent in Germany following my last round of chemo played a massive role in securing these results. Now, I am preparing to head back to Germany for another round of treatment. We’re going to try to tackle the pulmonary issues where some changes still linger, even though the scans show everything is in regression and my markers have returned to normal levels... :-)
Sending my best wishes, a few smiles, and a warm hug to everyone out there. :-)
With my sincerest regards, Vasa din TOOOOOOOOOOO

Thank God, I have been keeping you in my thoughts constantly—especially when your surgery date was approaching. It is truly good to see you checking in with us every once in a while.
Well, that is simply fantastic.👍
Could you please provide us all with a bit more clarity regarding these treatments? Specifically, I am interested in what exactly is being utilized in this immunotherapy and galvanotherapy approach—how do they actually work in tandem? Furthermore, what was the sequence of events that led you to seek medical attention over in Germany?

Look, here’s the deal—an acquaintance of ours was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma last year. By February, she had pretty much exhausted every standard treatment option available (we're talking both lungs, liver, and the spine), so she was left with nothing but alternative routes. Since she’s only in her thirties, everyone jumped in to help research where, how, and what could be done. That’s how she ended up at Dr. Rohde’s clinic, where they use galvanotherapy—basically high-frequency electrical currents that target the tumor mass directly. Anyway, long story short, that therapy combined with immunotherapy (delivered IV) actually worked; she’s doing great now, the tumors have shrunk, and she’s moving forward. I actually went through something similar back in May—I had a suspicious mass in my small pelvis that was progressing rapidly, plus metastases in my right lung. My test results were a total disaster, and the prognosis? Just as bad. So, I started my fourth cycle of chemo. But, since there wasn't the expected response to the chemo—and I nearly lost my kidneys due to some insanely harsh nephrotoxicity from the drugs—plus I couldn't even do radiation because my abdominal area was already maxed out, I figured I had nothing left to lose. At the end of October, I headed over to Germany for three weeks. For the first time in almost nine years, my blood counts were excellent, and I just felt... good. I don't know if I'm allowed to talk about the specific clinic or the costs here, so if anyone wants the details, just shoot me a private message. I'll just say it isn't outrageously expensive.
pozdrav din
how did it go?

Good evening, everyone!
Like someone else mentioned once, I really wish I didn't have to spend time on sites like this... but hey, I guess it’s good to have a place where I can read up on things and share what I'm going through. I had surgery for breast cancer way back in 1999, but then it metastasized to my lungs in 2002. I fought my way through it—mostly just pure willpower and some seriously grueling treatments. I’ve got a check-up coming up soon. My results are looking pretty good overall, except for my sedimentation rate, which is sitting at 42 (standard is usually under 24). I wouldn't say I'm easily spooked—I'm used to being in constant combat after pulling myself through 32 cycles of chemo—but I've been feeling off lately, especially tonight... there's just this nagging anxiety gnawing at me. I can't tell if it's just my imagination playing tricks, or maybe just some deep-seated subconscious fear. Does anyone know why my sedimentation might be spiked like that? (My ALT is 34, while the normal range tops out at 30). I'm the type of person who needs to be prepared for everything—I need to know exactly what I'm up against... and honestly, I'm just feeling a little worn out... and sad...

Grace Fowler said:Here’s the situation: an acquaintance of ours was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma last year. By February, she had exhausted every standard medical avenue available—the cancer had spread to both lungs, the liver, and the spine—leaving her with nothing left but alternative options. Since she’s only in her thirties, everyone rallied around her to research where, when, and how to proceed. That’s how she found Dr. Rohde, who uses galvanotherapy (essentially high-frequency electrical currents applied directly to the tumor mass) on oncology patients. To make a long story short, combining that therapy with intravenous immunotherapy worked wonders; she’s doing well now, the tumors have actually shrunk, and she’s moving forward. I had a similar experience back in May. I had a suspected tumor in my small pelvis that was progressing rapidly, along with metastases in my right lung. The labs were a disaster, and the prognosis was just as grim. I started my fourth cycle of chemo, but there was no response, and to make matters worse, I nearly lost my kidneys due to extreme nephrotoxicity from the drugs. On top of that, radiotherapy wasn't even an option because my abdomen had already reached its maximum radiation limit. I decided I had nothing left to lose, so at the end of October, I headed to Germany for three weeks. For the first time in almost nine years, my blood counts were excellent, and I generally felt quite good. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to disclose the specific clinic or the costs here, but if anyone wants more details, please send me a private message. I will say this: it isn't prohibitively expensive.
pozdav din
how did it go?

Dear Dina,
please write a more detailed post on our forum about that galvanotherapy and immunotherapy.

We’ve been thinking of you. This is wonderful news—truly wonderful!!! 🙂

Matthew Watson9 said:Hey everyone!
Like someone once said, I honestly wish I didn't have to visit these kinds of forums... but, hey, at least I have a place to read up on things and share what I'm going through. I had surgery for breast cancer way back in 1999, but then it eventually spread to my lungs in 2002. I fought my way through it—pure willpower and some seriously grueling treatments. I’ve got a follow-up appointment coming up now. My results look good overall, except for my sedimentation rate, which is sitting at 42 (it's supposed to be under 24). I'm not exactly a scaredy-cat—I'm used to being in a constant battle after surviving 32 rounds of chemo—but I've been feeling a bit off today and through the night... just this gnawing anxiety deep down. I can't tell if it's just regular human fear playing tricks on me, or maybe my subconscious trying to tell me something. Does anyone know why my sedimentation might be spiked like that? (My AST was 34, where 30 is the norm). I'm one of those people who needs to be prepared for everything—I need to know exactly what I'm up against... and honestly, I'm just feeling a little worn out... and kind of blue...

I meant to say "AST," not ALT😉

Hey everyone, wishing you all nothing but strength in this fight. Just keep pushing forward—I truly believe we have to, and we can.🙂
So, here’s the deal. I think the whole story about a clinic treating people with Laetril actually stems from my dad’s situation... To clarify, he was receiving care in St. Louis. There was a man at the hospital with him whose son had sourced Laetril (B17) in Canada, along with enzymes, Vitamin C, B15, and a few other components. They administer the Laetril and Vitamin C intravenously, while the rest are taken in capsule form. Even though the doctor there is a proponent of conventional medicine, she was actually looking into alternative options. She’d heard about this type of treatment yielding massive results in certain cases, and to her, it seemed logical, so she suggested it to my father (since chemo wasn't an option for him anymore). Even though we managed to get everything we needed from Canada (you can see the details on the website www.b-17.hu) and started his therapy, his body just couldn't handle it. His system had already been completely trashed by the chemotherapy. Chemo hit him hard; he was wasting away, the cancer spread incredibly fast, and he passed away on January 10th. That was only three and a half months after the diagnosis, though the cancer was caught at a very advanced stage to begin with.
To be clear, there isn't a specific Laetril clinic in St. Louis, but there are doctors at the local hospital who are aware of the drug and aren't running away from it like those hardcore conventional-only types.
And yeah, you can buy the medication in Budapest (I don't know the exact address right now, but it's on the site along with a phone number—unfortunately, everything is in Canadian). Basically, the medicine actually originates from Mexico, where there's a clinic that treats cancers using Laetril alongside various supplements. I even heard later that the owner of a soccer team from Mexico was successfully treated with Laetril in Mexico. The word is that chemo actually decreases the chances of treatment success... I don't really know what to tell you. I'm just so sorry Dad didn't make it, otherwise, I'd be telling you how we all recovered... You just have to try everything!
Best to everyone!
p.s. So happy about Grace Fowler's great news!

Hannah Thomas28 said:Yeah, exactly...
She takes it based on a "recommendation" from Mexico.
But I heard there's a clinic in St. Louis (Iowa) that treats patients with Laetril via IV. Here at home, I haven't found anyone willing to encourage me or give me any advice... I practically cornered a doctor with questions about B17, acting like I'd discovered it myself, and he almost had me detained for a psychiatric evaluation.
For my mom, it might be okay, but for someone already undergoing other treatments, dropping them for B17... that's a huge gamble...
And as for the Hunz tribe, they take it starting from the womb. Maybe we should all be taking it😕?
Man, it all sounded so amazing at first, but now I just don't know🤷
Even though they "gave" my mom 2-3 months, she's already entered her fifth month, and she has a massive appetite (B17 apparently boosts appetite), which is good... even if she doesn't look any better.
She isn't having any contraindications; I know some people feel "poisoned" by it. And honestly, her skin is gorgeous and soft. I read somewhere that if B17 were allowed for over-the-counter sale and used in cosmetics, every cream on the market would be obsolete.

Matthew Watson9 said:Good evening!
Like someone once said, I wish I didn't have to visit these forums... but honestly, it's good to have a place to read up and share what I'm going through. I had breast cancer surgery way back in 1999, though it eventually metastasized to my lungs in 2002. I beat it through sheer willpower and grueling treatments. I'm heading in for a checkup these days. My results look good, except for my ESR, which is at 42 (normal is up to 24). I'm not one to panic—I'm used to constant fighting after enduring 32 cycles of chemo—but something feels off tonight... a sense of dread is just gnawing at me. Is this just standard human anxiety, or is my subconscious trying to tell me something? Does anyone know why my sedimentation rate might be that high? (My ALT is 34, where 30 is the limit). I like to be prepared; I'm the type of person who needs to know exactly what I'm up against... and I'm just feeling a little tired... and sad...

Come on, hang in there, everything is going to be fine. ESR can spike because of a simple inflammation, much like how an iron deficiency can mess with things. If your white blood cell count is within the normal range, you might have just fought off some minor infection, and the ESR is just lagging behind since it naturally takes longer to settle down. Your AST is barely above the line; it's negligible. Don't drive yourself crazy over it. Everything in the human body fluctuates constantly and is subject to all sorts of variables that shift your bloodwork. The bottom line is that you feel okay and the critical markers are fine.
Stay strong. You've already survived the worst part.👍

Hey everyone!!!!

So, here's the deal: I've got a question for you all... has anyone actually messed around with shiitake, maitake, or beta-glucan supplements? What was the verdict? I haven't scrolled through this whole thread from the top, but I'm asking for a client who comes to see me for Imuno Max... Honestly, it breaks my heart because one box costs $60, and she burns through it in like a single day...
I really want to give her some solid advice and suggest a different supplement that won't break the bank, but I’m just flying blind without any feedback from people who actually use that stuff.

Grace Fowler said:Hey there, my wonderful friends!!!!

First off, I just want to say thank you so much for all the sweet wishes and good vibes while I've been recovering. And now, some absolutely incredible news: as most of you know, I've been fighting cancer for nearly ten years now, and this was my third relapse... even though every single modern scan (CT, PET, MRI) showed an active, progressing tumor (my oncologist even told me point-blank that it was happening...), after getting the pathology results back, they say NO MALIGNANT CELLS :-)) I don't even know how to put it into words—first shock, then disbelief, and then just pure, overwhelming joy........:-)))))). Honestly, I can't tell you how much positive energy this gives me to keep fighting with such amazing results. I truly believe the immunotherapy and galvanotherapy I received in Germany after my last chemo cycle played a huge part in getting these results... Now, I'm getting ready to head back to Germany for another round to try and clear up the pleural changes, even though the report shows regression and my markers are totally normal.....:-
Sending huge hugs and smiles to everyone :-)
Warmly, Vasa din

🙏🙏🙏 THANK YOU for sharing such beautiful news!
I don't even need to explain how much this means to me, dealing with the same thing, or to anyone else on this forum!
I KNOW that feeling of total shock and pure bliss when your doctor tells you: NO MALIGNANT CELLS... in that exact moment, nothing else in the entire world matters! Absolutely nothing!
Grace, you are on the right path, just keep moving forward and grabbing life!👍

Even though I read everything posted here religiously, I haven't had a moment to actually write anything myself until now...
My dad is doing pretty poorly. He's been stuck in the hospital for over three weeks now, unable to move, and even though it’s incredibly hard to admit, things are bad. Some days he can talk more easily, other days it's a struggle; sometimes he's exhausted, sometimes he's just weary. One minute he's okay, the next he's sad. But what really breaks my heart and keeps me up at night is that for the last few days, he won't stop talking about death... It honestly feels like my heart is being ripped in two. I want so badly to help him, but I feel completely powerless.
We have tried everything under the sun, from standard medical treatments to alternative medicine. I have scoured the internet for every single thing regarding brain tumors, yet there's still this nagging feeling deep down—this gut instinct telling me there might be something else out there, something we haven't tried yet that could actually help him.
The despair is just starting to take over...
In all of this, I have to say that, unfortunately, I've had some pretty lousy experiences with doctors. Not all of them, obviously, but some act so strange—answering my questions with simple "yes" or "no" responses. When I ask about specific therapies, they get vague or defensive, acting like I'm stepping on their toes or interfering with their job. They do absolutely nothing to ease the burden on a family that is already struggling, and it's just one more fight we shouldn't have to deal with.
Sending strength to all the brave people fighting for a new day!!!!!!!!!!!

Look, Linda Peterson37, there isn’t much of a profound way to put this, other than the fact that you have to stay strong—for your own sake and his. You just have to hold it together, no matter how ridiculous and impossible that feels right now... I remember how patronizing and honestly pathetic it felt when people tried to offer me their "sympathy" during those dark stretches with my parents (first my mom, then my dad). From where I’m standing, the only logical move is to try and lighten his load as much as possible with a smile and some genuine support. It helps him, sure, but it helps you too, because that's the only way through it. Wishing you and your dad nothing but the best.

Grace Fowler, you are absolutely amazing!
I find myself reading these posts with so much anxiety, and there are so many times I want to ask how someone is doing—but then I get hit with this fear of what the answer might be. These updates are just wonderful. Honestly, they aren't just wonderful, they're perfect. It’s hard to imagine anything better than this! :-))) Hang in there!

Grace Fowler said:Hey there, my dear friends! pozdrav din!

There aren't any malignant cells to worry about... Sincerely, Vasa din TOOOOOOOOOOO

Vasa din TOOOOOOOOOOO, Grace Fowler!🙂

Linda Peterson37 said:And if anyone needs advice or has questions regarding my father's illness or his treatment, please don't hesitate to ask. It would honestly make me so happy if our shared experiences could help someone else. I finally feel like I truly understand the purpose behind founding the Association for a New Day; being part of this community gives me a sense of strength to support people through their own struggles. Which actually leads me to my next question—how do I officially join the Association?
Greetings to everyone...

You can find a few details about joining under the information section on our site. You can fill out the application online, or if you prefer the old-fashioned way, just download the PDF and mail it in. The annual membership fee is $17, and once that's processed, we'll send over your membership card. If you hang around the forum, you can also keep up with our current projects (and what we have planned for the future). We're actually organizing a meetup for members soon so we can all finally meet in person. We're working hard at full tilt...

Grace Fowler - seriously, you just made my entire day!!!!🙂

Hey everyone, sending nothing but strength and the absolute best vibes to anyone out there fighting any kind of cancer right now;

I’ve got a question for the group, if anyone here has dealt with something similar;

A coworker’s daughter (born in '82) was diagnosed last year with this specific type of cancer:

Osteosarcoma of the right femur, lateral side.
Pathological fracture of the distal part of the right femur.
Pathology report: High-grade malignant mesenchymal tumor with destructive growth. Differential diagnosis includes osteosarcoma with elements suggesting malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Basically, about two months into last year, they found a tumor in her right knee. She started off with three rounds of chemo (doxorubicin at 40+30+30mg, plus 120mg of CDPP), and after that, the knee was pretty much shot, so they had to go in and install a prosthetic joint. Following that, she did another three rounds of chemo just to try and wipe out any lingering micro-tumor cells. Everything seemed to be heading in the right direction, until they ran a PET scan at the 12-month mark, which showed this:

Whole-body imaging performed. In the neck and shoulder girdle area, there's some slightly increased FDG uptake due to mildly elevated metabolism. There is also more intense FDG accumulation, measuring 7mm, in the right inguinal lymph node area. Most concerningly, in the distal part of the right thigh—specifically in the soft tissue near the prosthesis—there is a very intense pathological accumulation of FDG, measuring 43x45mm, with an SUV max of 16.8. Additionally, there is increased FDG uptake noted in the abdominal region.
All other parts of the body appeared normal.
FINDINGS:
The PET findings indicate a recurrence of the tumor process with ill-defined margins. It is necessary to refer the patient for further chemotherapy under the care of Dr. Šantek at the Mayo Clinic. A follow-up PET SCAN will be required; if the results remain positive, radical surgical intervention will be considered.

So, yeah, that’s the short version. Look, we all know that once a tumor is back in the picture, things get heavy, but my colleague (and I) are trying to wrap our heads around just how serious this recurrence actually is. If anyone has any insight or advice, I am all ears. Seriously, anything helps.

Hang in there, everyone.