Ask me the question: What is the one thing you could not live without? My answer: .. Hope
I know how precious hope is, and what it is to live without it
Hope is the only feeling that kept me and my husband, Brian, standing on the day doctors diagnosed mesothelioma. At this point in time, we were hoping for a cure. When we found that not - we were hoping for a miracle
A few weeks after the diagnosis of mesothelioma Brian, a friend told us about colloidal silver and how it had been successful in the treatment of cancer .. Wishing it would provide the remedy he expected Brian soon found a therapist who supplied.
We also tried a number of other remedies and devices that are supposed to help cure his cancer or at least relieve symptoms.
Miracle in a Bottle
We thought that colloidal silver would be useful.
Colloidal silver is a non-essential mineral that people have used for many years as a homeopathic treatment for cancer and a host of other conditions, including the conditions of the lung, bladder , prostate and colon. It is also used in the treatment of diabetes, arthritis, lupus, and a number of skin diseases.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 decided that colloidal silver is not "generally recognized as safe and effective," according to their report. Despite the decision of the FDA, there is a dietary supplement widely used.
The mineral does not seem to affect the health of Brian somehow or reduce tumor.
cancer cells 'Shattering' with electromagnetic frequencies
Because we were ready to try anything, we paid $ 4,000 for a Rife machine. Our therapist, who recommended colloidal silver, said he would certainly reduce tumor Brian and perhaps save his life.
American inventor Royal Rife Raymond has developed a frequency generator in the 1920s Rife and his supporters believed each disease or condition has its own electromagnetic frequency. His theory :. Producing a pulse of the same frequency to kill or disable the diseased cells
The medical community discredited his camera, but that has not stopped others to create similar devices bearing his name. In fact, many of these devices became popular in the 1980s and 190s, and led to numerous lawsuits alleging fraud.
In Australia, one person died because they stopped the standard treatment of cancer and depended solely on the device. Although the devices are not FDA approved, they are not banned in the United States or Australia.
Brian received a list of frequencies that could target the type of cancer and educated to use the machine twice a day. There was no need for Brian to visit a therapist again. Grateful to have some control over his life, Brian patiently and carefully adjusted the machine to the recommended frequency. Reluctant to miss a day of these treatments, the Rife machine and colloidal silver traveled with us every time we spent a night away from home.
Despite his diligence, his tumor did not hesitate, and his health continued to deteriorate.
green-lipped Mussel Extract
About a year in sickness Brian, we learned of another alleged cancer treatment - a green mussel from New Zealand. It has been turned into capsule form and sold on the Web.
In a clinical trial in 08, extracts of Perna canaliculus molds can be effective in the treatment of arthritis, asthma and other inflammatory diseases. However, there are no clinical trials that justify claims it is effective in treating cancer.
Again, willing to try anything, Brian spent a recurring order and the capsules were added to his daily routine.
I'm not surprised when the green mold treatment also failed to reduce tumor Brian or improve health. At that time, I was wary of anyone promising a cure against cancer, and sick and tired of charlatans who made false promises to fill the pockets with the suffering of others.
Brian and I spent an exorbitant amount of money on these false promises. The money we could not afford to lose.
No Wonder Cure
My grudging acceptance that there would be no miracle cure for Brian removed all hope I wanted to survive. Regardless, I understood and supported his need to pin its hopes on these quackeries. They were all he had. The chemotherapy only improved symptoms and are not intended as a cure.
The only thing left for me to hope for was that Brian would not suffer unnecessarily. Fortunately, this hope was realized. With proper management of pain and love and support he has received from me and the rest of our family, he was able to achieve a remarkable quality of life, especially given the nature of his disease.
Although I do not endorse Brian alternative treatments used during his illness, I acknowledge with regret the false hope they provided did help to emotional well-being of Brian.
if Brian is not unique. Everyone needs to live in hope. Every cancer patient will find something to pin on these hopes. With little progress in remedies against cancer to date, cancer patients will continue to look for miracles and believe in false promises -. Even those that cost a fortune
Anyone who decides to try alternative treatments for their first cancer should speak with their doctor.
When we are providing care for a loved one with cancer, all we can hope is that self healing will be found before it is too late.
