My sister has been diagnosed with secondaries in her pelvis with small tumours in her lung and liver. She is starting chemo (again) and has been told that we’re talking “months not years”.
A second opinion has proved hopeful but we are under no illusion that this “unusal” cancer is very serious.
Aside from the shock (she’s only 28 yrs old) and the constant aftershocks of coming to terms with this devastating news, family and friends remain positive.
I’ve heard that healthy eating can assist in keeping the cancer from multiplying. I’ve also read various stories of people who have been told that they have a few months to live, but who have followed particular diet plans and increased their chances of prolonging life.
Does anybody have any advice on what we can proactively do to keep my sister from sinking into utter despair and powerlessness?
Sorry to hear Scroc about your sister’s diagnosis - she’s lucky to have you being so supportive. There are lots of threads on this forum that could help you - one about research on diet is really good about what to eat etc. Alot of us think the book by Servan- Schreiber “Anti-Cancer” is useful about food and holistic approach. Also try looking at the “re:bones-please join in” thread and “re:liver and bones met” that I have found to be very supportive and the new lung mets thread too. If you search keywords on the Discussion Forum you should find these threads.
Hope this helps - do keep in touch and be positive; there are lots of people of this site who have had secondary cancer for years and new treatments are coming out all the time.
Very sorry to hear about your sisters diagnosis. As Fran said, there are some great threads on here, I would definitely advise you to have a look through, you will find some very positive discussions. This site has helped me tremendously, although it took me about a month after diagnosis to post something myself and join in. As for diet, it definitely plays an important role. There is a saying that cancer cannot live in an alkaline body. And obviously mind over matter plays an important role. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to your sister and your family.
Nobody knows what affect diet will have on an individual patient, but this is one high profile cases where the affect was dramatic - please note that although this is an obituary, the patient did not die of cancer but from an unrelated disorder:
He made the rather extraordinary decision to reject chemo and survived for 11 years on diet alone - having been given 3 months to live without chemo, and 2-3 years with chemo.
Im sorry to hear about your sisters diagnosis, I was 29 when I was first diagnosed, so totally understand what your sister is going throught, its a shock at any time let alone in your 20s! I am now nearly 38 and have had many secondaries since, I will briefly list them! its a bit of a book tho!
Primary Diagnosed Jan 2003 lumpectomy, followed by FEC and rads and tamoxifen
1st secondary - May 2005 to sternum, received radiotherapy
Oophrectomy - January 2006 to lower oestrogen levels
2nd Secondary - April 2007 recurrance in original scar of breast, double mastectomy at my request rather than single.
3rd Secondary - November 2007 spread to both lungs, T4 and T5 vertebrae in spine. Changed hormone drug to Arimidex and rads to back.
4th secondary - April 2009 More spread to lungs and new tumours in liver and L3 and L4 in lower spine. Put on Xeloda tablet chemo and rads to my back. Changed to exemestane hormone tablet.
May/June 2011 stablised so managed to get RFA to lungs and liver, was successful and was NED until February 2011. Put on Letrozole hormone drug.
February 2011 - Liver tumours popped up and also following collapse from neutropenia whilst startin first dose of Docetaxel chemo, had brain scan to reveal 4-5 tumours. So received Whole Brain Radiotherapy. (Awaiting scan to see how liver and brain has responded).
So what I am tryin to say if you look at my history, I have lived for many years with tumours to bone, liver and lungs. I am no superhero and carry on a normal daily life. I practically work full time 9-5 5 days a week apart from the odd days ! like today I have a stinking cold! but believe you have to go out and live your life as normal and I think this is how I manage to get through this! I never dreamt Id be this far down the line, and still here. I also am careful with my diet - I am vegan and take vitamins etc have acupuncture and reiki.
I hope your sister can be encouraged that there are many treatments out there and its not over yet. She should have many years ahead - she just has to fight this and the important thing is not to give up hope. Half the treatments nowadays were not readily available when I was diagnosed and in that time many more new drugs are available. Its constantly changing. So please tell your sister its worth the fight
Have just read your posting. What an inspiration you are and how lucky we all are that there are so many different treatments that can be aimed at this horrible cancer.
I wish you continued determination and improving health.
