Gill,

In 1994 my dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma. This rare cancer is caused by asbestos. (Not all people with asbestosis get mesothelioma!) He had a left pneumonectomy (complete removal of the lung) and underwent traditional cancer treatments. He was in the hospital for three months. At the time he was the second person to undergo this type of surgery (lung, pericardium, diaphram). Four years later the cancer was back with a vengance! His entire body was consumed - he was covered with tumors that could be seen and felt - he was told there was nothing else they could do - they sent him home on hospice and in six months we buried him. This was the worst time of our lives - the hopelessness and helplessness was overbearing, the pain and suffering we witnessed him go through tore our hearts out! I was a graduate RN at that time - I had faith in our medical system. It is now six years later and my 23 year old nephew has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. We do not have the final pathology report yet (this friday we will). It has been decided that we will try every alternative treatment before considering radiation or chemo as an option. If I had known then what I know now I would have done everything in my power to stop my dad from using those treatments. Chemo is poison and cancer is the only disease that is ever treated with poison. We all know that poison kills us - why do we choose to allow doctors to inject us with it time and time again? This is insanity in my humble opinion. Radiation causes cancer yet we expose our already cancerous bodies to something that causes what we are trying to heal! Again, this is insanity in my humble opinion. I can not and do not have the right to tell anyone what they should do regarding their health care, but I can voice my opinion and tell my story. Knowledge is power! Inform yourselves, learn everything you can about what you are dealing with - "Know your enemy and it's weakness". Do not follow any doctor blindly - ask questions and question everything - that is your right - use it! There are many wonderful sites on this world wide web - utilize them. There are many Alternative and complimentary therapies available. You may want to consider talking with a naturopath. Learn the difference between Allopathic medicine and hollistic medicine and naturopathy. They all have something to offer. God Bless you and your fahter - and may he keep all of you in his care.
Dawn