Support for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses (Part II)

We’ve finally started radiation; today was just the seventh session out of fifteen. Honestly, things seem to be heading downhill. My joints are still killing me, and now my head is acting up again. The hospital isn't exactly opening its doors to us right now, and I’m feeling completely lost on what to do next. She’s stopped eating much—just the bare minimum to get by. I feel totally overwhelmed. We were actually laughing about how long we had to wait for this treatment to start, but fast forward a week, and everything has spiraled into a disaster. What am I even supposed to expect from here?

Just dropping in to send everyone a massive 🙂 and wishing you all tons of strength for the fight ahead.

Over here, we’re just taking it one day at a time. My dad had his stoma surgery, and honestly, it's working fine. Post-op is looking okay—he can get up, walk around, sit down... he's just pretty weak and gets wiped out easily. I mean, the illness is still right there, and he hasn't been able to eat a decent meal in weeks. He's still stuck in the hospital. We're really hoping he can head home soon so we can get him over to oncology for chemo. Just one day at a time...

feralsurfer72 said:My dad still doesn't have a definitive diagnosis. The abdominal CT showed stomach cancer, enlarged lymph nodes near the pancreas, and multiple liver metastases—the largest one is about 80mm. I tried to make sense of the reports while we were waiting over at the surgical wing, but... I can barely understand half of this medical jargon. All I could grasp was that his heart and kidneys are functioning okay...
They’ve been running us in circles through this hospital from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM.
He had blood work done again on Monday, provided urine samples, another scan, and they’ve scheduled him for yet another endoscopy. And the last one was back on March 5th.
In the interim—between the CT, the colonoscopy, and the endoscopy and before we even got these results—he spent the weekend vomiting what looked like coffee grounds. Massive amounts of it. It wasn't until later that I realized it was actually blood.
At first, they didn't want to admit him, but since he lost so much blood, he's been stuck in the internal medicine ward since Monday.
He's on an IV drip and receiving transfusions... He can't eat, can't drink anything... I cornered the doctor today. She told me they still aren't certain where the primary tumor is located.
They initially thought it was the pancreas, then they thought it was the duodenum. But after that bleeding episode, nobody is sure anymore.
They took a biopsy during the endoscopy; we should have the results in a week.
I asked the doctor if surgery would even be an option if it turns out to be stomach cancer.
She said no, because of the multiple liver metastases.
Today marks exactly two months since my father fell on the ice. Since then, it’s just been one frantic dash from one department to another... And then they have the nerve to say, "Oh, if only you had come in a month earlier..."
Just when I thought I finally "wrapped my head around" everything regarding the pancreas, now they're bringing up the stomach (though they don't even know for sure if that's it, or if it's something else entirely, or maybe a perforated ulcer...).

I feel like I've stepped into some twisted, horror version of Alice in Wonderland. I honestly have no idea what to hope for.

It’s the exact same situation with my dad; it's inoperable because of the multiple liver metastases. The only thing we know for certain is that the primary site is the colon.

He went straight into chemo without surgery—12 cycles total. We've finished the fourth cycle and just did a CT scan, and the metastases have actually shrunk by half!!! And they were even larger than what your dad is dealing with...

The only issue is that the lymph nodes are enlarged and more numerous. I assume that's bad news?! Is that a really terrible sign??
And I don't get it—there isn't a single word mentioned about the primary tumor in the colon. How is that possible? Is it a doctor's oversight or what? My dad didn't have his previous records on him, but they claimed they had everything in the system. What are the odds they haven't even looked at them? I don't know...

Angela Wright said:Not really. I’d say three max—and you have to be smart about it. Pick one to fight off infections, one to boost the immune system, and maybe one other supplement that actually makes sense for you personally. Then just stick to that routine from start to finish.

I'm going to have to disagree on the glioblastoma front. Most long-term survivors are taking a whole laundry list of stuff...

Nancy Robinson26 said:I have to disagree regarding glioblastoma. Most long-term "survivors" are actually taking quite a few supplements...

I haven't come across that specific data yet. Can anyone drop a relevant link?
I was referencing Dr. Schreiber. Back when his book was released here in the States, he did a book tour and gave a lecture that I attended. He spoke specifically about the importance of being strategic—focusing on just three key supplements, a high-quality diet, and regular physical activity. His whole point was that if you try to juggle everything, you end up overwhelming the system; too many variables can actually work against each other and create contraindications.

Back in 2005, Jan Wallace handed over her database of top-tier cases to the NIH/NCI. Their survival curves looked damn good, proving that patients following a strict nutritional program were doing incredibly well.
One of her clients has been holding steady for 13 years now: http://www.cherylbroyles-gbm.com/
Here’s her daily routine:

Ben Williams is another prime example—he’s still on supplements after 18 years and ditched the meds entirely.
http://www.healingcancernaturally.co...ultiforme.html

I can't track down all the specific links right now because I've been deep in this rabbit hole for two months. I originally dug this up on the CancerCompass forums.
That said, these are some of the protocols I managed to save from actual survivors.
Siberian ginseng, astragalus, cat's claw, Mycosan, Essiac tea.
Genistein, bromelain, nerverine, glutathione, quercetin, alkylglycerol, St. John's Wort, proanthocyanidins.
During chemo, they swear by 1000 mg of germanium, 500 mg of niacin, and beet juice.
An hour before chemo: 1500 mg Vitamin C and 800 IUs of Vitamin E.
Then there's 200 mg fish oil, 5 mg melatonin at night, 900 mg St. John's Wort, and 4 tablespoons of whey protein daily,
plus scalp massages with frankincense.

2.
Flaxseed oil and cottage cheese.

Curcumin.

Ginger.

Borage Oil.

Barley tablets.

Shark Cartilage.

MSM.

Cellular Liquid Zeolite.

Beta Glucan.

3.
This one comes from a young guy's regimen.
Genistein (soy-based).
Silibinin (milk thistle).
Green Tea Extract.
Curcumin (turmeric).
Resveratrol.
Lycopene.
Maitake D-fraction (or PSK).
Berberine.
Melatonin.
Fish Oil and Borage Seed Oil.

Found the link.
http://www.cancercompass.com/message...htm?mid=349545 That's his story. He's still kicking.

Most of what I'm looking at is based on Jan Wallace’s work; she’s basically the walking Bible when it comes to integrative medicine.

Nancy Robinson26 said:Back in 2005, Jan Wallace was...

Looking at these specific claims, some of them are scientifically proven to be absolutely useless. Take shark cartilage, for example—it’s based entirely on the myth that Great Whites don't get cancer, which is total nonsense; biologists have known that for over a century, yet nobody listens. Then there’s the zeolite myth. It works great for gardening because it holds onto water and minerals in the soil to release during a drought, sure. But the idea that it acts as a toxin absorber in the body—how would it even distinguish between good and bad substances? How would it bind them and then just flush them out? It’s just another fairy tale. As for MMS, that gives me an instant headache. It isn't just illegal; it's the kind of toxic sludge that deserves a death sentence under any reasonable legal code.
There’s plenty more, but I don't see the point in rambling because none of this has any actual peer-reviewed scientific research to back up the idea that throwing random supplements at people actually helps. We can't even reliably talk about the placebo effect here. There are things that are genuinely healthy, like basic nutrition—cheese, turmeric, ginger, stuff like that.
Here is what we know for a fact:
1. Quitting prescribed medication to switch to alternative treatments—especially those proven to be dangerous—is a game of Russian roulette that usually doesn't end well.
2. Everything we swallow has to be processed by the liver. Taking a cocktail of various preparations and supplements—more than five different capsules a day, whether they are meds or supplements—is an incredibly dangerous gamble with your liver and your life in general.

Basically, most of what you mentioned belongs in a "Natural Alternative" PDF group, and those are off-limits here. This forum is tied closely to conventional medicine. Check the rules.

Maybe it's fitting to wrap this up with a quote from Dr. Schreiber, who cuts right through the noise on this topic:

I realize my story might trigger two types of reactions, typical of people who can't stomach anything that deviates from the norm. Some will say, "He's only alive because he didn't suffer from a deadly cancer." I wish that were true—despite the recurrence, the two surgeries, and thirteen months of chemotherapy. Even my neuro-oncologist said, "That's strange. Our genetic analysis shows your tumor has aggressive biology, yet according to you, it’s behaving quite civilly." Maybe it's luck. Maybe it's everything I do to live differently, as I've shared here. Regardless, my case isn't a scientific experiment. It doesn't settle the debate. Only clinical studies can change our collective methods for preventing and treating cancer.
***
But there might be another "typical" reaction to my case—a reaction that feels like a bet against life itself. Skeptics might say, "Before you listen to his advice, wait and see if he even survives until next year." In other words, they would rather see no one break the mold than have them question established views. To them, I'd say: I don't know if I'll be alive in a year, two years, or sixty years. They have a right to say that. I am not invincible. But I am certain of one thing: I will never regret living this way, because the health and heightened awareness I've gained through these changes have added immense value to my life. At the end of this book, I wish all my readers just one thing. Regardless of whether you are healthy or sick, I hope you embrace this awareness—you have every right to it—and that you enjoy a long life in the sun.

Source

So now we have people acting like cancer is some brand new phenomenon. As if we weren't already losing people to it way before this.

I’ve never once told anyone to skip chemo or ditch their prescribed meds.
Besides, that’s not even what we’re talking about here—everyone mentioned already went through their full chemo rounds following specific protocols, and let’s be clear, Jean Wallace didn't just invent those medical standards on her own.

To me, these personal stories carry weight, and I’m sure they do for others too. Clearly, those unverified supplements didn't cause them any harm.

People just didn't panic about cancer quite as much as they do these days...

Nancy Robinson26 said:I’ve never advised anyone to skip chemotherapy or ditch their prescribed medications.
Besides, that isn't even the point here. Everyone mentioned followed through with their chemo while simultaneously adhering to these specific protocols—and none of these protocols were cooked up by Jean Wallace herself.

Scott, you brought up Ben Williams as an example of someone who is strictly on supplements and has stopped taking his meds. Even if that wasn't your direct intention or your actual stance, people are going to interpret it that way. On a forum like this, where things can get misinterpreted easily, you can't play around with health advice. People get banned for less than that.

To me, these experiences actually mean something, and they probably mean something to others too. And as for those unverified supplements? Clearly, they didn't do any harm.

I think you’re being a bit overly precious with that conclusion. The reality is, we have zero insight into their actual medical histories, their precise physiological states, or the complex lives that influence a massive range of biological variables. Some consequences might not show up until much later, though they might not show up at all... but life and the odds are far too precious to gamble with so casually. Shark cartilage certainly won't hurt him, but will it actually help? Probably not. But as for MMS—I wouldn't dare put my neck on the line there. For me, these stories simply show that there are people still fighting the disease in their own way, and honestly, that's something beautiful to read.

Cancer wasn't as big a deal back in the day...

That’s partially true and partially wrong.
Basically, over the last two centuries, the human lifespan has extended specifically because of leaps in technology and medicine. Today, we can successfully treat diseases that would have wiped out entire populations and halved the census in a single year just two hundred years ago. Back then, people died young from dehydration or the flu; kids died from simple stomach bugs. They never lived long enough to reach the age where cancer incidence spikes due to DNA mutations caused by aging. Furthermore, people died of cancer without ever even knowing they had it. Thanks to modern tech, we have diagnostic tools that let us catch cancer incredibly early, allowing us to remove it or treat it effectively for many types.
Of course, we can't ignore the massive number of triggers that cause early mutations in young people and drive up cancer rates—environmental pollution, ozone depletion, food being saturated with hormones, pesticides, herbicides, GMOs (whatever people want to call them these days), and, in my opinion, STRESS is the primary trigger. In the past, the amount of information a person received in a single day would have taken them a year to process bit by bit. Nowadays, you could find out about an earthquake in Japan and see a live stream of the resulting tsunami wiping out 20,000 people—seeing the rescue efforts, the bodies being pulled from the mud, children screaming, mothers pulling their hair out in horror—and you're expected to digest all of that and stay unaffected. You can't tell me that doesn't take a toll.😉
Unfortunately, cancer has always taken lives, and it always will. Even if we eventually stumble upon a cure that turns it into a manageable chronic condition—much like how diabetes was once a death sentence but is now something people live with daily—we aren't out of the woods. People still die from complications related to diabetes today, and that’s exactly how it’s going to play out with cancer too.
From what I’ve gathered looking at the data, the raw number of cancer victims has essentially stayed within a consistent range. You have to factor in that the global population has exploded over the last twenty-five years; when you account for that massive surge in people, the actual scale of the issue hasn't shifted as much as it looks.

I’m writing to let you know that my Mom has passed away due to complications from metastasis. I want to thank everyone here—and specifically Angela Wright—for the posts that truly helped us navigate this situation. Unfortunately, the cancer spread far too quickly and aggressively. To all the other fighters out there and their families, I wish you immense strength, faith, and the patience required to overcome this terrible disease. 😘

Carol Bailey98 said:I wanted to let everyone know that my M. has passed away due to complications from metastasis. I want to thank you all—and a special thanks to Angela Wright—for the posts here; they truly helped us navigate this situation. Unfortunately, the cancer spread far too quickly and aggressively. Sending strength, faith, and patience to all the other fighters out there and their families as you battle this devastating disease. 😘

😢
I am so sorry. Please accept my deepest condolences. I wish you nothing but peace in your heart.

Angela Wright said:Just thinking about MMS gives me an instant headache. It’s not even just about whether it’s illegal—it’s practically criminal how dangerous that poison is.

You’ve got your wires crossed here. She mentioned MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane) earlier, and that is absolutely nothing like MMS (Miracle Mineral Supplement).

MSM is actually used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and similar issues. You’ll find this ingredient in plenty of natural joint support supplements. Check these out: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...ONYLMETHANE%29, http://www.msmguide.com/. For instance, this is what I used to take for my joints, and it had that specific stuff in it: http://www.vitamini-hr.com/calivita_...nt_protex.html

We need to keep these two things separate. One is literal poison, while the other is a standard ingredient found in many over-the-counter supplements you can grab at a CVS or Walgreens—stuff doctors frequently recommend to help slow down disease progression.

edit: To jump back into this debate, I didn't take Scott Harris14 to mean anyone should ditch their prescribed meds for supplements. Sure, supplements can be incredibly helpful, but you have to know what to take, how much, and from whom. Like anything else, moderation is key. My take? Pick two or three products, stick with them for a while, maybe rotate them occasionally, rather than just swallowing everything in sight. Especially with cases like that guy—you can't generalize. Every body is different. You have to look at medical history, the patient's overall condition, the specific type of cancer, all that stuff. (And let's face it, we don't even fully understand why certain diseases start, so my cause for rheumatoid arthritis might be totally different from my neighbor's, and we could react to the same thing in completely opposite ways).
My advice is to find a doctor who isn't biased against alternative options—someone who can actually tell you, "This is fine, but skip that because it'll clash with your treatment." There are doctors out there who won't roll their eyes the second you mention something natural; you just have to find them. If you try to play doctor on your own, you're more likely to do damage, especially if you're taking things long-term.

Carol Bailey98 said:I’m writing to let you all know that my M. has passed away due to complications from the metastases. I just wanted to say thank you—especially to Angela Wright—for all those posts. They honestly helped us navigate this nightmare more than I can say. Sadly, the cancer just moved way too fast and hit way too hard. To everyone else out there fighting this hellish disease, and to the families standing by them: stay strong. You're gonna need all the faith and patience you can muster to beat this thing. 😘

I am so incredibly sorry. My heart goes out to you. 🙂

Ben Williams went through chemo following the standard medical playbook, which he actually documented in his book *Surviving "Terminal" Cancer: Clinical Trials, Drug Cocktails, and Other Treatments Your Doctor Won't Tell You About*. On top of the usual stuff, he was experimenting with things like Metformin for diabetes, chloroquine for malaria, and Cimetidine... He wrote a whole book about it, basing everything on actual research and deep dives into neuro-oncology.
He pops up here every year with the same story. Check it out here: http://www.virtualtrials.com/surviveben.cfm

melloworca6 said:You’ve got your wires crossed here; she mentioned MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane) earlier, which is absolutely nothing like MMS (Miracle Mineral Supplement).

MSM is used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and similar conditions. You'll find this ingredient in plenty of natural joint support supplements. Here's the lowdown: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...ONYLMETHANE%29, http://www.msmguide.com/. For instance, this is what I used to take for my joints, and it definitely contained that stuff: http://www.vitamini-hr.com/calivita_...nt_protex.html

We need to keep these two things separate because one is literal poison, while the other is a common ingredient found in many over-the-counter supplements you can grab at a CVS or Walgreens—stuff doctors actually recommend quite often to help slow down disease progression.

You're right, my bad, Scott Harris14!

edit: Just to jump back into this discussion, I didn't mean to imply that Scott Harris14 was suggesting anyone should ditch their prescribed meds for supplements. Look, supplements can be incredibly helpful, but you have to know what you're taking, how much, and who's giving you the advice. It's like anything else—moderation is key. I'm a firm believer in picking two or three specific products and sticking to them for a while, maybe rotating them, rather than just swallowing everything in sight. Especially with cases like that guy; his experience isn't a blueprint for everyone. Every body is its own unique ecosystem. You have to look at medical history, the patient's overall health, the specific type of cancer, and all that jazz (and let's face it, we don't even fully understand why certain diseases trigger in the first place—so my reason for having rheumatoid arthritis might be worlds apart from my neighbor's, and we could react to the exact same thing in completely opposite ways).
My advice? Find a doctor who doesn't turn their nose up at alternative options—someone who will actually tell you, "Okay, this is fine, but stay away from that because it'll mess with your treatment." There are doctors out there who won't roll their eyes the second you mention something natural; you just have to hunt for them. If you play doctor on your own, we're all just asking for trouble, especially when we're talking about long-term use.

I never said she was making that suggestion. I was simply referring to the example of Ben Williams to point out how someone might mistakenly conclude it's okay to swap medication for supplements and go rogue. I thought I made that distinction clear in my last post.

Tonight, CBS aired a segment on "Perspectives: Tiziano Street." At that address in San Francisco, there’s a hospice facility dedicated to patients facing terminal illnesses—people who are, unfortunately, nearing the end of their journey where medical intervention can no longer offer a cure. Families choose to transition their loved ones there specifically to ease those incredibly heavy final moments for both the patient and themselves. Even though watching it was emotionally grueling and honestly quite painful, you could feel so much warmth and genuine tenderness radiating from the staff. It brings me such peace of mind knowing our friend is in such wonderful, capable hands there. His mother, who has no one else to lean on, made the difficult decision to take this step; since she can't be there twenty-four hours a day, she accepted this help...
I wasn't sure if anyone had mentioned this specific hospice here before, but apparently, it's the only facility of its kind in the entire country. If anyone finds themselves needing this level of specialized care, please feel free to look into it or perhaps track down a replay of the broadcast if you want to see what they do.

I truly wish I never had to share this information, because I hope nobody ever finds themselves in this position. My heart goes out to all those fighting illnesses and their families; I wish them nothing but lives filled with joy and light.🙂

cosmiclynx14 said:It’s the same situation with my dad; surgery isn't an option because there are multiple metastases in the liver... all we know for sure is that the primary site is in the colon...

He started chemo immediately without any surgery—twelve cycles total. We just finished the fourth, and after his latest CT scan, the metastases have actually shrunk by half! And they were even larger than what your father is dealing with...

The only thing is that the lymph nodes are enlarged and more numerous now, which I assume is bad news? Is that a really significant warning sign??
And I honestly can't wrap my head around why they haven't mentioned a single word about the primary colon tumor in the reports; how is that even possible? Is it a doctor's oversight or something else? My dad didn't have his previous files on him, but they said everything was saved in their system, so I wonder how likely it is that they haven't even looked at them...

I’m finding quite a bit of this confusing myself. My dad has been in the hospital for ten days now. For several days, he wouldn't even touch food or water, though he's finally eating again today. They still haven't identified where the primary tumor is located, and we're still waiting on the official results. The doctor mentioned today that they might need to run an MRI as well. I had always assumed a CT scan provided more comprehensive information than an MRI.🤷

Does anyone have any practical advice on how to manage nausea in a patient undergoing radiation therapy following the removal of brain metastases? We started the radiation sessions today, and the nausea began as early as this morning, steadily intensifying throughout the day. There are 12 days of treatment scheduled, and I am genuinely concerned about how they will endure the full course, especially considering this is far from the end of their medical journey.😕

feralsurfer72 said:I’m just as lost as you are. My dad’s been stuck in the hospital for ten days now. He went through a stretch where he wouldn't touch food or water, but he's finally eating again. They still haven't pinpointed exactly where the primary tumor is—we're still waiting on the actual results. The doctor mentioned today that they might need to run an MRI. I honestly thought a CT scan would give us more information than an MRI. 🤷

Vomiting blood is one of the classic symptoms of stomach cancer... though, for all I know, it could be some other organ entirely.
As for the MRI, from what I understand, it picks up things on the bones that a CT scan misses. They told us we actually have to specifically request head imaging when he goes in for his MRI.

I really hope things start looking up for your dad. I hope he regains his strength soon so he can get started on treatment.