HewRon wrote:
>
> Dear Firefly,
>
> I guess leukemia, which is what I have, involves immune therapy pure and
> simple. As I understand my condition, it involves the undermining of the
> immune system, and all treatments are aimed at getting rid of those elements
> that have undermined it and bringing it up to a level where it can fight off
> illness in general. Certainly if your immune system is down, flu shots are out
> of the question. My dearest friend has had flu, or a cold, I don't know one
> from the other, for a couple of weeks now and we have been in contact by phone
> -- period. This is because recently I had chemotherapy for five days, which
> always makes your immune system do a nosedive. As you may have read in these
> notes, I am now taking neupogen shots daily, which should bring my count up to
> normal, in which case I won't be so vulnerable. I'm hoping that by Christmas
> Day we will both have got back to normal and we can actually sit across the
> table from each other. If not, this will be the first Christmas we have not
> had visual sightings of each other for more than 30 years.
>
> All that to say no, I wouldn't get anywhere near a flu shot if I were you, and
> stay away from sick people as much as you can until your doctor says your
> immune system is up to coping with that sort of thing.
>
> Mind you, my doctor says it is all right for me to go shopping etc., so long
> as I stay out of crowds. But he is giving me Cipro, an antibiotic, twice daily
> for protection. If you ask me, doctors themselves don't entirely understand
> the mechanisms of the immune system, but they certainly know more than we do,
> and we have to trust them. And get second, and if necessary third, opinions if
> we have our doubts. (Most insurance covers second opinions, I think. Mine
> does.)
>
> Immune therapy ranges from vitamins and herbs up to extreme chemotherapy. If
> you haven't already done so, do web searches regarding diet etc. and keep in
> touch with this MOL correspondence. There are some knowledgeable people here,
> but I'm not one of them. I can't give specific recommendations, but one that
> might be borne in mind is straight from my doctor -- avoid uncooked
> vegetables. Salad, usually thought of as so healthy, is not recommended -- at
> least for me. Vegetables, yes, but cooked.
>
> As regards chemicals bringing you down, I agree with you. My doctor tells me I
> will start feeling better some time after my final consolidation. One may no
> longer be attached to a bag, but the melody lingers on, for quite a while.
> Mind you, my symptoms are not all that dreadful, I suppose -- tiredness and, a
> comparatively recent development, a tendency to dizziness. He says they come
> from the chemotherapy, and will end after it ends.
>
> If you are feeling great anxiety, don't be afraid to tell your doctor. He
> should be able to help you. Some people are too brave for their own good!
>
> God bless you at this season of hope. May things improve for you, and for the
> rest of us.
>
> Keep in touch.
>
> -- Ron
>
Dear Ron and Firefly,
This is a message I just sent to another cancer support discussion list
about immunotherapy. Ron you are right on as usual.
Kari: I applaud your vision and belief about naturalpathic therapies.
WE have researched at great lengths into immunology and revitalization
of the immune system which includes the dosages of the anti-oxidants a,
c, e and selenium and other supplements and foods that have been proven
to detoxify organs, revitalize the immune system thereby proving a more
quality life which includes the reduction of allergies, colds, major
diseases, etc. I would also suggest, as I believe you have, that we are
fed with so many alternative therapies that when one is on more than a
few remedies or therapies as a result of what we hear or read about, the
fact is we don't for the most part know which one is working or not and
the cost becomes prohibitive as well as frustrating and time consuming.
We have found and firmly believe that a medically controlled program,
one in which that performs many tests, (blood, markers, scans, etc)
which results in the specific determination of the deficiency of the
individuals immune system would be specifically beneficial for the
individual because at that point a custom tailored program may be
provided. BEcause what may work for me, may not work for you and
thereby we seem to lose confidence in some therapies. There are a
number of very reputable medically controlled programs that I have
learned and read about and actually attended this year. Some of them
that have very positive successful results from their programs to
revitalize the immune system are:
1 - The Livingston Foundation in San Diego
2- the Gerson Clinic in Tiquana Mexico and Texas
3- The Health Quarters in Colorado Springs, Col
4- Dr. Walter Crinnions clinic in Bellevue Wash.
WE have attended the Livingston Foundation this summer and are following
their program. As a matter of fact we just came back from a followup
visit with our doctor there. Their program includes exactly the
therapies you suggested, but every individual that attends is first
evaluated by testing and then is administered a custom tailored program
for them. So, that if 5,000 to 50,000 mg of vitamin c is good for you,
it is determined by our immune system that 20,000 mg daily may be good
for us. And that goes for the rest of what they provide as far as immune
system vaccinations, antigens, vitamins, supplements, cooking
suggestions, etc.
To make a long story short. I totally agree with your message and have
found that their success rate is greater than many conventional
therapies for quality life and that the key is that each individual is
different thereby requiring a custom tailored program to meet the needs
of the deficiency in the immune system. For many this becomes very
expensive for this type of program, but may I suggest reading a book
called "The Cancer Battle Plan" by Anne Frahm where we originally got
the idea for a naturalpathic way of lifestyle to rebuild the immune
system. She is a long time survivor of metastatic breast cancer. Its
worth the reading.
So, Kari thank you, we are in total agreement and we have experienced
and know of many that are long time survivors including ovarian that
seem to be seeking the alternative methods. And for that matter of fact
many hospitals are recognizing the benefits of alternative treatments.
God Bless and keep up the great work and information
Marty Auslander
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