Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Below is a copy of my response to the book review Bandolier posted on their website. I will let you know if I receive a response from them. I read with great interest your review on Living Proof: A Medical Mutiny by Gearn-Tosh Scribner. What really stood out was the comment you made regarding parents having to make medical choices for their children. You stated, and I quote, " The simplistic implication is chemotherapy bad, carrots good. Simply untrue, for instance for many childhood leukaemias. Parents have to make decisions about treatment for their young child, or indeed about their own treatment with dependant others. The bad guys, the orthodox doctors, have to help with these awful decisions, and the central difficulty is communicating uncertainty. " I can only speak from a parents perspective on this comment. In 1991, at the age of thirteen years old, my son was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, an astrocytoma grade three with grade four cells. He was given only three months to live. As you can imagine I was devastated. I am one of those parents who had to make an " awful decision " . It was the most difficult decision that I have ever, ever, been faced with. I don’t know if you are a parent or not, but when my son fell down, had a cold, the flu, was teething, or any other problem, I knew how to make it better for him, or knew where to take him to make it better. But cancer?; three months to live? I just did not know what to do for him. Conventional medicine did not give him any hope. They suggested experimental chemo therapy. Why? It would not break the blood barrier to the brain, only make him very, very ill. Why would I choose that for my son? Radiation? It would have totally incapacitated him, and maybe, just maybe give him an additional 1-2 months to live, if you can call that living. Talk about being powerless! I chose to take him for unconventional (proper, alternative) treatment. I have included a brief account of my struggles to get my son the treatment that I chose for him. This is taken from my query letter for my book. Virginia Hauf, whose son was cured of inoperable brain cancer by means of an alternative and controversial treatment that remains unavailable in the United States. Ms. Hauf tells her courageous story in her new book, Saving My Son: Surviving Cancer. In 1991, Virginia’s son, Steve, is diagnosed with brain cancer. His doctors in the U.S. cannot offer any help or hope, and they estimate that he has just three months to live. Determined to leave no stone unturned in seeking help for her son, Virginia eventually finds a specialist in Mexico who has successfully treated thousands of cancer patients using modalities not recognized in the U.S. Her friends and family worry; the American doctors warn against the alternative methods; a single mother, she has limited financial resources. But Virginia presses on, deciding to take Steve to Mexico. Within six months of receiving therapy at the Mexican clinic, Steve is given an MRI; the exam shows that his tumor is clearly shrinking. Doctors in the U.S. are amazed: they think it’s a miracle and urge Virginia to “keep doing whatever you’re doing for Steve.” However, some authorities are outraged; shortly afterward, Virginia is arrested, charged with child abuse and endangerment and mail and wire fraud. The trouble has just started, however; she loses her job, holds a disastrous fundraiser, then learns that the doctor in Mexico has been arrested and the clinic forced underground to evade the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Virginia’s story is one of resolute hope and courage. Finding the faith that Steve will survive, she encourages him throughout their ordeal, despite little support from anyone around her. Is unconventional medicine for everyone? No. Does this treatment work for everyone? No. I believe that a person has the right to be given all treatment's that are out there, pros and cons, and make their own decision, for their self or their child, and not be limited by what " orthodox " doctors believe is best. Limiting my choices to surgery, chemo, or radiation, and forcing me to seek treatment in another country, away from the love of my family and friends, and being punished for saving my child's life. I am grateful to report that today my son is a very healthy, happy, successful, cancer free, twenty eight year old man, that I am able to share life with from beyond the grave. I look forward to your response to my letter. What are your thoughts? Respectively, Virginia Hauf () robert-blau@... wrote: " Living Proof " , by Gearin-Tosh: www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0743225171 A negative view (not real convincing): www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/booth/bookrevs/living.html Visit http://cures for cancer.ws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 I have to agree with you . I see people die day after day under the care of educated, experienced, highly acclaimed doctors. I also see people survive cancer day after day using alternative therapies. And " witch doctors " ? What an insult to all Wiccans, as well as to those of us who were offered no hope! I make and use herbal remedies for many things, as well as essential oils. I grow my own herbs. I make incense for aroma therapy purposes. Perhaps more people should pay attention to us " witch doctors " who are obviously winning our battles more often than not these days! I'll take the carrots, thank you very much!!! Blessings, Hauf <jennyhauf@...> wrote: Below is a copy of my response to the book review Bandolier posted on their website. --------------------------------- Autos. Looking for a sweet ride? Get pricing, reviews, & more on new and used cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hi , " witch doctors " with my experience I learned who the " witch doctors " are! I agree with you, I'll take the carrots as well. I believe all of us should respond to this " book review " . The power of the pen, or electronic keys, if you will. Judkins <msfitnes01@...> wrote: I have to agree with you . I see people die day after day under the care of educated, experienced, highly acclaimed doctors. I also see people survive cancer day after day using alternative therapies. And " witch doctors " ? What an insult to all Wiccans, as well as to those of us who were offered no hope! I make and use herbal remedies for many things, as well as essential oils. I grow my own herbs. I make incense for aroma therapy purposes. Perhaps more people should pay attention to us " witch doctors " who are obviously winning our battles more often than not these days! I'll take the carrots, thank you very much!!! Blessings, Hauf <jennyhauf@...> wrote: Below is a copy of my response to the book review Bandolier posted on their website. --------------------------------- Autos. Looking for a sweet ride? Get pricing, reviews, & more on new and used cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 I didn't respond to the review on the website due to lack of time but I intend to go back and do exactly that. I'm with . Anyone else care to join us in expressing our outrage (or at least disapproval)? Blessings, Hauf <jennyhauf@...> wrote: Hi , " witch doctors " with my experience I learned who the " witch doctors " are! I agree with you, I'll take the carrots as well. I believe all of us should respond to this " book review " . The power of the pen, or electronic keys, if you will. --------------------------------- Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 we just need to have the " other side of the coin " voiced. getting the word out to help those who are looking for it. Thanks . Judkins <msfitnes01@...> wrote: I didn't respond to the review on the website due to lack of time but I intend to go back and do exactly that. I'm with . Anyone else care to join us in expressing our outrage (or at least disapproval)? Blessings, Hauf <jennyhauf@...> wrote: Hi , " witch doctors " with my experience I learned who the " witch doctors " are! I agree with you, I'll take the carrots as well. I believe all of us should respond to this " book review " . The power of the pen, or electronic keys, if you will. --------------------------------- Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Dr. Schneider - What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You Dr. Schneider is one of the leading experts on aging and the Dean of Gerontology at the University of Southern California. His book What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You and the Health Store Clerk Doesn't Know is a guide for consumers about what alternative treatments work and the best ways of combining them with conventional medicine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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