Last night's research left me feeling ‘down.’ I found a website that 'exposed' alternative cancer therapies: www.quackwatch.com. A doctor who, I imagine, has seen plenty of patients try plenty of things writes it. For him to be so condemning and complete in his list makes me wonder. Did he personally have a loved one die after trying out a number of natural therapies? It would seem that every single alternative cancer therapy is on his list. Every single one! ("Dubious treatments" include coral calcium, Essaic, Vitamin C, grape cure, immunotherapy.)
One can understand his crusade but on the other hand, he has probably never have been in his cancer patient's shoes. HOPE helps cancer patients fight. What does conventional medicine leave when all their treatments fail? Much too often a patient goes the conventional medical therapy route and when it’s too late, then they turn to alternative cancer treatments. Considering alternative cancer treatments right along side of conventional is considered complimentary medicine. In my opinion, both should be used.
Rex and I talked about this website for a long time. I feel Rex and I are truly 'one' in this decision making process. Our discussion was quite insightful as it highlighted our different roles quite clearly. In my case, he's always been more favorable to conventional medical therapies, especially radiation and possibly chemotherapy if it came down to that. While I recognize that his thinking is at least based in part on his fear and anxiety for my health, the truth is that Rex is more likely to grab an alternative medicine when he feels a cold coming on. He'll reach for the homeopathic flu prevention vial or grab some zinc if he feels his throat begin to tickle. He rarely takes aspirin and when he does get a bad cold, he never takes over-the-counter medicine. (Perhaps once in his entire life he's agreed to take Nyquil?) Oh, to be sure, I'll measurably increase the vitamin C, etc. but as for me, just give me one Contact and my cold symptoms are knocked out entirely!
So, we have come to see that in this decision making process, our differing attitudes brings us balance when we're willing and open to listening to the other's point of view. It takes practice and patience but it's really a good thing.
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