Holistic Medicine For Cancer

Hi. I've mentioned before that my 5 year old cat has spinal lymphoma and her prognosis is terminal due to lack of effective treatment. Surgery is not an option because not only is the tumor big and aggressive, but it wraps around her spinal cord. Chemo isn't an option nor radiation because of the blood brain barrier will not let the treatment get through the spinal cord.

My girl is a fighter! She's on palliative care and exceeding expectations. She's gaining weight. I feel strongly that I need to help her survive this. (I must sound like a broken record).

I had a long talk with the vet today. I will be giving my cat Chinese skull caps and frankincense essential oil. We discussed dosages and to implement giving this to her. Both supplements seem to be safe for cats.

Does anyone have experience with holistic medicine for cancer?

Inanna said:

Hi. I've mentioned before that my 5 year old cat has spinal lymphoma and her prognosis is terminal due to lack of effective treatment. Surgery is not an option because not only is the tumor big and aggressive, but it wraps around her spinal cord. Chemo isn't an option nor radiation because of the blood brain barrier will not let the treatment get through the spinal cord.

My girl is a fighter! She's on palliative care and exceeding expectations. She's gaining weight. I feel strongly that I need to help her survive this. (I must sound like a broken record).

I had a long talk with the vet today. I will be giving my cat Chinese skull caps and frankincense essential oil. We discussed dosages and to implement giving this to her. Both supplements seem to be safe for cats.

Does anyone have experience with holistic medicine for cancer?

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I understand your need to help her get cured, yet i suggest you try very hard not to let that desire cloud your judgement when the time arrives and she is at the point of suffering without relief.  Given what you have described, it sounds like pain relief and palliative care are the only real options.  The final gift we can give our animals is relief when the end is near, and when suffering is all that is left.  Those who wait too long must live with that judgement and that memory forever.  It's wonderful that she is comfortable now, keep a close eye on her and be prepared to help her at the end.

@StephenQ

I hear what you're say and I do agree. When the time comes and she's suffering and / or paralyzed I will P.H.T.S. She's an innocent, sweet animal that places her trust in me. As her owner it's my responsibility not to fail her or force her to live a life in pain. I won't do that to her.

The thing is by doing the palliative care - she's thriving right now. So I feel bad just sitting around, giving her her meds, and knowing that the tumor is growing despite how she is doing now. I realize the holistic treatments may do nothing, but to me, it's going to make me feel like at least we tried. But in trying I also don't want to give a secondary health issue. She's got enough going on.

Thank you so much for your kind words and making sure I remember not to let my sweet princess suffer.

Inanna said:

@StephenQ

I hear what you're say and I do agree. When the time comes and she's suffering and / or paralyzed I will P.H.T.S. She's an innocent, sweet animal that places her trust in me. As her owner it's my responsibility not to fail her or force her to live a life in pain. I won't do that to her.

The thing is by doing the palliative care - she's thriving right now. So I feel bad just sitting around, giving her her meds, and knowing that the tumor is growing despite how she is doing now. I realize the holistic treatments may do nothing, but to me, it's going to make me feel like at least we tried. But in trying I also don't want to give a secondary health issue. She's got enough going on.

Thank you so much for your kind words and making sure I remember not to let my sweet princess suffer.

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It's interesting some studies have shown that people can live longer with palliative care than with curative care.  Perhaps the aggressive and toxic treatments vs the benefits of pain relief contribute to this, and perhaps she's thriving because she simply feels good.  Whatever the reason, when you have a completely untreatable cancer (from a conventional perspective) the notion that something miraculous will happen with a mild "holistic" treatment is probably more for your benefit than your cats.  But if it makes you feel better, and doesn't make her feel worse and provided you aren't taken advantage of by someone who wants to profit off you, then why not do it?

I have a friend who was prepared to spend $1000's on a vets special and unknown to the public "vitamin" regimen to cure her cat of wet FIP (100% fatal by the way) and i had to tell her over and over, if this guy has figured out what the entire medical community over the past 50+ years since FIP appeared hasn't been able to do, then at the very least he would have publicized it and become rich and famous.