Surviving Breast Cancer Using an Integrative Approach: Madeleen Herreshoff's Journey
Welcome to the April 2005 Edition of CancerWire. Like Cancer Monthly, the focus of CancerWire is on treatment results. While, Cancer Monthly summarizes the cancer treatments results published in the peer reviewed medical literature, CancerWire reports on results that have not yet enjoyed the visibility of a major clinical trial. This may include the extraordinary results a patient experienced by trying a new or innovative approach or the results achieved by a researcher or physician as they treat patients in their hospital or clinic. This month, we focus on one woman's journey to survive her diagnosis of breast cancer.
(PRWEB) April 29, 2005 – In 1991, at the age of 49, Madeleen Herreshoff was
diagnosed with aggressive poorly differentiated invasive breast cancer and told
that without radiation, aggressive chemotherapy and 5 years of tamoxifen that
she would be dead within 5 years. She decided to say no to chemotherapy, yes to
radiation, and took tamoxifen for 6 months only. Fourteen years after her
diagnosis Madeleen is alive. She blended mainstream and alternative therapies
creating her own personalized integrative approach. Today, as Director and
President of CANHELP she helps other cancer patients by providing treatment
information and referrals. http://www.canhelp.com
The Interview
Cancer
Monthly) Madeleen can you give us some background about your diagnosis and
prognosis?
MH) Yes, in 1991, when I was 49, I was diagnosed with
aggressive poorly differentiated invasive breast cancer in my right breast. My
diagnosis took place at the PolyClinic in Seattle, Washington, and it was
confirmed by pathologists at the University of Washington. In fact, the
pathologist at the university, whom I knew through a friend, called me and said
“Madeleen, this is a very aggressive tumor. I have seen a lot of breast cancer
tumors, but rarely do I see one this aggressive. You need to go see the
interdisciplinary cancer team here immediately and follow their
recommendations.” I did what she suggested. The interdisciplinary team, a
surgeon, radiologist and oncologist at the University of Washington reviewed my
case and I made an appointment with the oncologist to hear her recommendations.
My husband and I had to wait a long time in the waiting room, which,
unfortunately, was right next to the chemo room where men and women were hooked
up to IVs. We had a clear view of what was going on in there. Nurses were trying
to make these cancer patients happy by talking cheerfully and passing out
balloons. We were not impressed.
Once in the oncologist office, the
oncologist was adamant that I do radiation therapy for three months, followed by
an aggressive chemotherapy protocol plus tamoxifen. She did not beat around the
bush. She said that I had a very aggressive tumor and this is what I should do.
I tried to bargain with her about lesser therapies such as just radiation and
tamoxifen. She would not hear of it and drew diagram after diagram on the board
to impress us with the seriousness of the situation. I was trying to get her to
think of other options because I was reluctant to do the chemo and she just
looked me in the eye and said you will be dead in 5 years if you don’t do this
entire protocol. My husband and I left her office in tears. I swore I would not
go back there.
Cancer Monthly) Why were you reluctant to do
chemo?
MH) It was a feeling, perhaps partly fear. But I felt that if I
did the chemo I would not survive. Ultimately, it was just intuition. I didn’t
like the idea of radiation therapy either, but back in 1991 it was even more
difficult to say “no” to orthodox therapies than it is today, and I just didn’t
think that I could fight everybody. So I reluctantly did radiation for 3 months
for 5 days each week. The tamoxifen was prescribed for 5 years. I did it for 6
months. I was having serious side effects from the tamoxifen, so my oncologist
and I agreed that I should stop taking it. This was a more open-minded
oncologist, not the one who had said I would be dead in 5 years if I didn’t do
what she said.
Cancer Monthly) When did you start using alternative
therapies?
MH) I immediately plunged into every book on alternative
cancer treatments following my diagnosis…To read the rest of the interview go to
http://www.cancermonthly.com
Comments:
Alternative
Therapies & Breast Cancer: Steven Johnson, D.O., The Foxhollow Clinic http://www.foxhollow.com/treatments.html
Mrs.
Herreshoff is a remarkable person. Her perseverance and journey serves testimony
to the power of the human spirit and that healing is always about the “whole
person” and not the disease alone. Her story has something in common with other
breast cancer patients I have treated. Namely, that she took responsibility for
her own illness and pursued levels of change on many different levels of mind,
body and spirit. This is a powerful prescription for healing…To read the rest of
Dr. Johnson’s comments go to http://www.cancermonthly.com
Learning from Exceptional
Outcomes: David Simon, M.D., The Chopra Center for Well Being http://www.chopra.com/siteindex.asp
This heroic woman’s
story highlights that fact that statistics apply to groups not individuals. We
regularly tell our patients at The Chopra Center that they can accept the
diagnosis but not the prognosis. Statistically speaking, Madeleen’s course is
amazing. But, what is often forgotten is that regardless of the health
challenge, there are always people whose illness does not unfold as it is
“supposed to.” Rather than ignoring these exceptional outcomes, we should be
learning from them…To read the rest of Dr. Simon’s comments go to http://www.cancermonthly.com
Better Breast and Hormonal
Health: Christine Horner, M.D. http://www.brevail.com
The cause of breast cancer is
attributed to a multitude of possible factors. However, and despite popular
belief, family heredity is not the primary cause for breast cancer accounting
for less than 10% of all cases. What comes as a shock to most women is that the
female hormone estrogen is the most well known cause for breast cancer. Estrogen
may both initiate breast cancer or stimulate the growth of an existing tumor. In
fact, the world’s most popular and widely used breast cancer drugs all address
the estrogen connection as their primary mode of action…To read the rest of Dr.
Horner’s comments go to http://www.cancermonthly.com
For more information about
immune boosting products in cancer go to http://www.cancermonthly.com/immune.asp
For more
information about financial support for cancer patients go to http://www.cancermonthly.com/financial.asp
For more
information about important tests before you start chemotherapy go to http://www.cancermonthly.com/chemotherapy.asp
Of
course, none of this information in CancerWire is a substitute for professional
medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment and you should always seek
the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before
starting any new treatment or making any changes to an existing treatment. No
information contained in Cancer Monthly or CancerWire including the information
below, should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without
the supervision of a medical doctor.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb234250.htm