Considering the Alternatives: Chemo or Herbs
Lately I've been thinking: If I had it to do over again, would I choose a holistic path over conventional medical treatment?
When Ann Fonfa was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer in 1993, she underwent surgery but turned down radiation and chemotherapy. Instead she researched natural therapies. By 1997, she was Stage IV, with multiple tumors to her chest wall, but she continued to refuse radiation and chemotherapy, relying on an arsenal that included Chinese herbs, spices, colonics, coffee enemas, nutritional supplements and intensive juicing.
I recently listened to her story on SHARE's website. It made me uncomfortable for two reasons: 1) her approach seemed right, and 2) her approach seemed wrong.
Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I rarely went to the doctor or used pharmaceutical drugs. Natural remedies worked for just about any illness I came down with. I admit it: I felt superior to people who dialed a specialist and reached for a pill for every ailment.
But when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I got first, second and third opinions from conventional cancer practitioners. And I chose the most aggressive surgery, the harshest chemotherapy (plus a cutting-edge monoclonal antibody), and the lengthiest radiation regimen possible for my Stage II cancer. These toxic treatments sent me into remission but inflicted painful side effects in the short term and put me at long-term risk for others.
Ann and I are both doing well now. But I wonder: If she had followed my path, could she have avoided her recurrences? If I had followed her path, could I have avoided the debilitating side effects of conventional treatment?
I feel a little hypocritical that after years of pursuing a holistic path, I couldn't stay the course when cancer put my beliefs to the test. My courage failed me. And I lacked confidence that I could sort through the mountain of research that Ann has mastered. If I were confronted with the same decision again, I would probably make the same choice. And I would probably feel conflicted about it again.
What about you? Would you choose alternative therapies or conventional treatment if you were faced with the decision now?
Posted August 1, 2011.
« Next Post | » Previous Post
Thank you for the honest description of your decision-making process in choosing your treatments. I think all of us are conflicted in making these decisions. After all, we were led to believe that our lives were in our hands, and that if we were willing to suffer enough, we would be OK. Today we know that the situation isn't that simple. The outcome may already be determined before we get to make any decisions. Some of us have cancers that will benefit from aggressive treatment; others will be fine without such treatment, and some will get no benefit from aggresive treatment. We have tools today that help with the decision-making, but it still comes down to our basic beliefs, beliefs which we may not be aware of until faced with such a difficult decision.
I don't think you were hypocritical or that you lacked courage. I think choices always engage ambivalence. I think you evaluated the situation, learned a little more about yourself and bravely moved forward on your chosen path.
— Barbara Krauser, former SHARE Hotline Director