Many of the non-traditional cancer therapies have shown such promise that American doctors are testing them in clinical trials. Sloan Kettering is testing a Chinese drug now, and many cancer patients at Sloan go to a Chinese doctor in N.Y.C. who is also an M.D. and works with the American doctors. Sloan has an alternative meds section in their web site. The AIDS patients have found that the Chinese meds work well to strengthen and improve the immune system. Check out the Gay Mens Health Crisis web sites. These help during chemo to stave off things like shingles, and opportunistic infections, etc. To date they don't cure lung cancer, but as part of a strategy to use whatever you can to strengthen your body for the fight, you might consider looking into them, I think.

One of the Chinese M.D.s at Mt. Sinai in N.Y.C. used Chinese and American medications to cure his mother of lung cancer. The Chinese meds shrunk it, and then surgery removed it. He markets the Chinese meds as a soup. I will find the web site and send it.

You will be interested in the story.

Good luck today with your chemo.

Sent by Cathy Wilder | 8:48 AM ET | 08-07-2006

I read an interesting article on the Lustgarten website. Of course, when I went back to find it so I could give the link, I couldn't find it. But the essence of it was that the difference attitude makes is more in the life quality of the patient than in the effectiveness of the cure. Personally, I found that rather comforting, actually. Having Stage III pancreatic cancer is very scary and it is not always easy to be positive. And, frankly, no matter what my attitude, I may very well still die of it. The article went on to say that to follow the thinking that attitude affects treatment/cure is to blame the patient if/when treatment ultimately fail. That all made sense to me. And relieved me. So if I did succumb, it wasn't because I didn't fight hard enough, wasn't positive enough, etc.

On the other hand, quality of life is well worth trying to maintain a positive outlook as long as possible.

Keep up the good work. And thank you for giving so many of us a place to share our thoughts and feelings. I do have a blog which I use to keep my scattered family informed about my progress. Since they are so far away, they don't have the additional feedback of seeing me. Therefore I do not tell all. I certainly can't discuss my fears at least, not without getting a lecture in response. After I recieved my first scan results (clear), I didn't feel as positive and hopeful at they all did. I was afraid to hope, and I had nowhere to express that. It is a lonely and isolating feeling. Even though our families and friends are supportive and loving, ultimately, we walk this path alone.

Sent by Stephanie | 10:29 AM ET | 08-07-2006

Good luck in your fight, Leroy. Don't forget to trust in God and pray. You have to believe there lies a better life ahead for all of us have faith. I've only read today's posting and know nothing of your religious background or lack of and please don't see me on a pulpit preaching. I only suggest what has worked for me in the bad times and the good and a chocolate sundae certainly wouldn't hurt. Best wishes and you are in my prayers.

Sent by Karen M. Pealer | 10:33 AM ET | 08-07-2006

Leroy,

Your comments today sound like you are telling everyone that you have done some research regarding alternative medicine, contrary to Chris' comments last week. You don't have to justify your reasons for choosing traditional medicine; it's your life, your decision. I too trust the doctors, I question them like crazy but never doubt them. This is their job and they've kept me alive this long, my first cancer was diagnosed in 1990 and I'm still here, hopefully this too will get fixed. Isn't there another drug option for you besides this bleeding in the brain drug? Question them some more.

Sent by Ruth | 2:23 PM ET | 08-07-2006

Before cancer, I rarely used med's of any sort. When I was sick, I just toughed it out or used herbs and drank lots of water. I must have had one of the healthiest diets on the planet. Then, with the cancer diagnosis, I went with Western medicine complemented with a naturopath, acupuncture, and meditation. I decided that since my immune system had failed so dramatically, I needed to throw everything I could at the cancer rather than to rely on strengthening my immune system (though now that I'm out of treatment, I'm doing that as a follow-up). I have met some other women with the same cancer and pathology reports very similar to mine who chose the absolute minimal treatment that they could. All of the options are confusing our doctors give us their best advice, but ultimately each patient has to find his or her own path through this, and no one has the right to judge us for our decisions.

Sent by Maggie | 4:11 PM ET | 08-07-2006

Hi!

Go to www.emofree.com and read about all the amazing results with this technique. Expose yourself 0NLY to people who have healed their cancers. Read The Nature of Personal Reality. Consider alternative lifestyle considerations: raw foods diet, colonics, massage, prayer, healing. Search for people who have healed their cancers... or lived with them for a long time! In our culture the word cancer is synonymous with death. The medical world has not searched out people who have healed, and how. They call it miracle or remission or ignore it.

Your belief system is seeped in this thinking and you are polluting the rest of us with it. I have just learned the technique. I am a counselor, among other things. Call if you want to chat. I am not as morose as I am sounding and I do wish you WELL because I believe it is possible. I am in Mt. Shasta, Calif. After you have inquired about the above and are interested in talking or having sessions, I am available at 775-783-9435. Laugh. It is truly the answer. EFT will heal your fear. If YOU learn it, think of what YOU can do.

Sent by Lynda Schroeder | 4:16 PM ET | 08-07-2006

Hi Leroy!

It was great to hear you yesterday on NPR! Wow! I called but wasn't on the short list to field your calls. My question for you is sort of a question/thought... Why is it that people say you "battle with cancer?" Does that mean when you die you have "lost the battle?"

I have fourth stage metastatic breast cancer that has spread to bones and my liver but I wonder about the "battle." It just seems as if the cancer and I are trying to figure out who gets a bigger part of my body. I hope it doesn't mean that I am a "looser" when I die, because yes I will die from cancer. Nine years ago I was pretty sure that breast cancer was beatable — just like you, I had no symptoms. But then three years ago, a pain in a bone....

Cancer can be a good thing also. Most people think of it as AWFUL. But I can honestly say that it is one of the best things/tests that I have encountered. I have read many books, researched and have decided to just enjoy every day. I know I could do alternative sorts of things, but just like you I want to enjoy every minute and eat what I want to! I walk every day, play with my dogs and at 57, after working for 30+ years, decided to retire and just enjoy every minute. I used to rush everywhere. I would run from the parking lot to the grocery store and back and then back home the same. Now I just ENJOY every second. I am very fortunate and fell fortunate to have you connected in this process. Know that you are appreciated Leroy. Maybe one day we will meet! I am going to Vermont next week — do you live anywhere close?

Cancer is not a bad word, just a misunderstood word. After all we are all afraid of dying, right? Some of just know what we may very well die from!

In friendship!

Sent by Marylou McDowell | 4:19 PM ET | 08-07-2006

I have beaten colon cancer but the price I have to pay is astronomical. I went from living in a million dollar mansion to about to go on welfare and then prison. The discrimination is worse than any I've witnessed racially. I chronicled my story here and I wish to share.

Sent by Tom Walsh | 4:26 PM ET | 08-07-2006

Have you talked with any doctors about radiofrequency ablation?

Maybe this site can help you find a pioneer in the procedure of radiofrequency ablation.

Sent by Marilyn Milam | 4:29 PM ET | 08-07-2006

I have enjoyed hearing the tale of existence which has become your life. There is familiarity in your calm. Cancer has never been far from my own family. Too many to list have met their ends at the hands of the big C. Now, my own little demon is calling. My cervix and ovaries are my weak links. At 35, having had one blessed daughter, I have asked my doctors if they can just remove the offending parts. They are concerned that I won't be able to have children later. I HAVE a daughter, besides do dead people need the equipment to breed?

Sent by Heather Brown | 4:33 PM ET | 08-07-2006

Dear Leroy,

Thank you for sharing your journey with cancer publicly. I heard you on the radio last week and have since followed your blog. I was deeply moved by your candor as you walk this path.

I have a dear friend who has been diagnosed with a relapse of lung cancer. She has asked me to be part of a small group of women who walk along this journey with her. While it has felt frightening at times, I am honored to do so. At this point, she has decided to forego further chemotherapy with clear memories of its difficulties the first time around. Your column and commentary has helped me to understand that perspective.

I wish you the very best on your journey and will be following your posts. Thank you again for sharing this gift with others.

Sent by Linda Tyllo | 4:37 PM ET | 08-07-2006

*laughing* Oh my, I can so hear you about the food. I've tried Macrobiotics, and it did help heal my condition, but brown rice is not a lifestyle for me!

Alternate treatments aren't always considered a cure. Western medicine mostly ignores what the cure does to you, while other healing modalities also treat your discomfort and your exhaustion. Also remember that in China, treatments like herbalism and acupuncture aren't alternative they are solid, trusted parts of medical treatment for a very, very long time. For me, acupuncture removed a lot of pain and discomfort from my life, until a diagnosis became apparent.

The bottom line is this... one way or the next, all of us will die of something. I cringe inside as I type that, but it is true. The more comfortable you are, the easier it will be for you to stay in the positive state of mind that you know is crucial for your healing.

Sent by Marsha Goldberg | 4:46 PM ET | 08-07-2006

f you would go to the culinary academy that Hallelujah Acres puts on, you would find that you could eat tasty food while avoiding those foods that cause or encourage cancer. Animal products in food encourages cancer. Tests by religious and non-religious agree. Dr. T. Colin Campbell from Cornell University wrote the book called The China Project, which I highly recommend. He is a doctor who has done decades of research. He went from being a meat and milk guy to a 98% vegan. I juice carrots everyday and my health has improved 100%. I feel great. I swam a mile and biked an hour tonight. Six years ago, I couldn't get out of bed. I'm not kidding. After M.D.s told me I don't know I started searching many other avenues. Herbs and accupuncture didn't work. But juicing carrots, beets, grapefruit, cukes, apples DOES.

Sent by Debra | 6:59 AM ET | 08-08-2006

On 7 August, you wrote about not so traditional treaatment. I gave lung cancer IIIB and in the middle of the 4th chemo. The prognosis after the 1st two session was not very encouraging- minimal shrinkage of the tumor. If my CT scan tomorrow again is not very encouraging, I will serious look at the IV Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Read through all of the following link, especially the right sidebar on Ascorbic C etc. Many letters from people close to the gravesite, but now after x,y, or z years later, enjoying a happy life, some cancer free. Worth a try!

Sent by Dave Adams | 10:37 AM ET | 08-10-2006