East meets West

Research, research, and even more research is an important lesson I have learned in deciding upon doctors and learning about cancer and care options. Which sounds like I am stating the obvious but the information out there is overwhelming. With that said I have finalized on my decision regarding an oncologist and my care routine. I will be using Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center in Renton and my oncologists are Dr. Nick Chen and Mark Gignac N.D. (naturopath). They will work as a team regarding my care…an integrated approach. The clinic also has acupuncturist and psychologist/mind healers. To quote Mike, “Honey you have found your people”. One of the many things that impressed us about the clinic was the procedure to administer chemo (for my type of tumor) weekly at low doses versus every 3 weeks with higher does. Studies have found that Taxol is more effective at lower doses and increases survival rates. Dr. Chen has been doing the weekly doses for several years whereas many large hospitals are slow to make the change. See link if you are interested in reading more about this… http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/new_research/20080417c.jsp . Dr Gignac put together a supplement and food plan for me and I will become very skilled at popping pills as I swallow about 20 a day. However I 100% embrace this plan and want to remind you all to get your vitamin D levels tested. If you live in the Northwest there are no way you can get enough vitamin D from food or the outdoors. Mr Sunshine just isn’t out enough here. My level was 25 and normal range is 33-100. I am on 10,000 IU a day to get it back to normal! There are theories out there that suggest low levels of vitamin D may cause cancer. Well, chemo starts next week for me but more on that later…