So in Germany when you having a baby you are given the option to stay dressed until he pops out or wear nothing and lay in a bed all day. I wonder if poor Farrah has to do the same? Poor girl get better.

This makes me so sad her cancer is back. I just love Farrah, she was my first ever fashion inspiration. I would not leave my house until it was appropriately feathered.

I wonder what the treatment is? I'm all for homeopathic alternatives for things like, allergies and colds. I've even found some I like better than over the counter. But for something like cancer, it worries me.

After watching a loved one suffer horribly from "conventional" cancer treatments, and then just die anyway, I can understand the desperate mind set that would drive someone to make this decision. If you are terminal, what difference does it make? You at least still have some hope. I know that taking advantage of terminally ill people and parting them from their money is wrong, but really, what do they have to lose?

Oh no, they said it was back but is it terminal? That's just too sad for words.

I don't know if it's terminal…I just know if it has recurred than it is in her bloodstream…that is not good.

Sadness.

Wow, I never knew of anal cancer, I always thought colon cancer was the only butt cancer.
Also, I have a neurologist who got very angry when I started talking about holistic or homeopathic alternatives to my medication. He proceeded to discuss superstitions and mystic healers and about how many people die in India every year (he's Indian) because they think that certain alternatives to modern medicine are "healthier". It was a sad conversation but it made me realize that although Pfizer is the devil, you cannot really argue with science, unless of course you are Adam and Eve. I'll get off the soapbox now.

Do you have any Tom-Ba in that soapbox? It's time for my next dose.

all out.

I would not leave my house until it was appropriately feathered.

—-

*picturing a 1950's split-level feathered ranch*

Westward ho, it took me like 3 solid minutes to figure out you meant your hair.

Also, I like that I can call you a "ho" with impunity. Westwaaaaaaard, HO!

I think it's crap to say she's being taken advantage of if she voluntarily chose to pursue other options. Traditional Western medicine wasn't working for her - if she believes the alternative methods are working (and it's possible that they are), the optimistic mindset alone can be incredibly healing.

WTF is anal cancer? I've never heard of that.

"In The End, Cancer Had the Final Say."

Headline on your shoulders for her death. Ick. I'm going back to something I can be proud of, like Britney Deafwatch 2007/08.

I believe "anal cancer" is Bunnie's sad attempt at poking fun. I was under the impression that Farrah never confirmed what type of cancer she had, merely that it involved her intestines at some point during treatment.

Did you read your own link that proves my second statement right?

"While her publicist, Mike Pingell, did not confirm the type of cancer, actor Ryan O'Neal told People magazine that Fawcett had been diagnosed with anal cancer, a relatively rare cancer that occurs in the anus."

Farrah has never confirmed it. Her ex-husband made a statement that may or may not be true. And my first sentence is "I believe," which isn't a complaint.

But I thank you for my second Besting in less than 24 hours. It's been a good week here for me at Mollygood. It took much less effort than I'd ever imagined.

*taking a bow*

Not so much, no. But that was a nice attempt at dodging that you tried to snark me and ended up proving me right, so again, I thank you.

Ok…everybody show Cord some love, and go here:http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/7976 and vote for Mollygood in all 3 categories.

Hey, what happened to my post shamelessly promoting Mollygood?

Anyways, I said go to the Blogger's Choice Awards and show Cord some love by voting for Mollygood in all 3 nominated categories. The link won't post.

Also, keep Pez Head on top for worst blog of all time.

Poor Farrah!

OMG, that is so not true. I work in this field.
America's healthcare will kill you. Chemo kills, that is a fact. The alternative places like The Gerson Institute, etc, are run by doctors that were banished because they are actually healing all these money-making diseases. I'm glad she's in Germany, everyone has a better chance outside of the U.S.

Three bests in one thread. Bunnie must be having a slow day.

Out of curiosity, are Snopes message boards generally considered good reference material, are or we focusing on the story about the 16-year-old who was forced into medical treatment?

I'm in "the optimistic mindset" that Kitchy will STFU and I must say, I feel better already (you're just so damn negative).

boring day at the office? good.

i can understand after chemo not working the first time trying something else. But I too will probably stick with the chemo.

*rofl*

Sorry, not laughing at April. ;)

I personally would also continue chemo and other Western medical treatments. I just don't think someone choosing of their own free will to pursue other options is wrong or necessarily means people are taking advantage of them.

My Mother Stuck with chemo…until it killed her. And that IS a true story. :(

I think you all make very good points. I also think Cord has 'ac rush' on Kitchy. And I have long since voted for Mollygood at that link.

My two cents here is that I've lost 2, count 'em, 2 people to holistic-only cancer battles. I see exactly why they went that route - the desperation is intense. And I still want to side with them, I really do, because I loved them. I don't think all people pick treatment based on what's worked best, I think a lot of them base it on what they feel the sincerest hope toward. And I don't know about Farrah Fawcett but these people both had faith issues with real medical care - I mean what can you say to someone who feels it would be morally wrong for them to go to the doctor?? (FYI, we tried to drive one of them to a hospital and she threatened to jump out of the moving vehicle. Faith can be some serious shit, no?) So that's my take on Farrah.

But Cord's link to the 16 year old's story is beyond outrageous. It reminds me of the Warren Jeffs trial. Religious belief is legally provided for — assuming you're not harming other people. But I can't help but think that it's happening everywhere like it is for that kid. And like, what can you do about it? Honestly - what can you really do? I haven't seen anyone successfully oppose that holistic-or-die kind of person.

Have I said too much?

I'm assuming Farrah's pursuit of alternative medicine isn't faith based since she did pursue Western medicine first.

Everyone has stories about people they've lost with all methods of treatment (as well as people who are in remission thanks to all kinds of various treatments). I think it's a very individual thing.

I reread what I wrote and seeing it written, I can't believe I take such a hard line. I think I need to open up a little about the whole thing.

I think we all know people who have died of cancer, whatever type of treatment (or lack of treatment) they've gone through. It's a deadly disease. Sometimes no amount of any kind of treatment can heal you, and sometimes it goes into remission on its own, with no treatment whatsoever… I feel like aside from surgery (which I still think is probably the best first option) whatever you can do to restore your hope and your body's will to fight is the best medicine you can have.

On the "holistic" note though… I met a woman a while ago who said that after some failed bouts of chemo and medication, she cured her cancer with marijuana. Hmmmm…..

Farrah did have surgery first.

"The 59-year-old actress has had surgery to remove a tumour in her lower intestine and faces gruelling radio-and chemotherapy sessions, according to reports in the U.S."

Oh yeah, I'm just speaking in general.

I just mean that, once those routes start to fail, the best thing anyone can do is put themselves on the road they believe the most in. Western medicine and holistic medicines both have their strengths and failures.

I know you're speaking in general, I just wanted to point out that she did in fact go the "acceptable" route before "being taken advantage of." ;)

Another thing that factors in that I don't think we've mentioned, is insurance coverage. If I got sick today I couldn't do anything but take some St. John's Wort and lie down.

Does anyone know what kind of "alternative treatments" these are anyway? I have a hard time picturing these reckless, German hippies.

Yeah, I'd be generally unable to pursue non-medical treatments because I couldn't afford it for very long.

I'm not at all sure I'd do multiple rounds of chemo/radiation, though. I'm fairly certain I'd be open to trying it once. Maybe - MAYBE - twice. But beyond that, I can't say either way what I'd do.

German hippies… there's a mental image.

Sometimes "alternative" can mean "experimental" not yet approved techniques, which are tried out in places such as John Hopkins or Duke. It doesn't necessarily have to be Holistic. My Mother was on a waiting list for "alternative" treatment, but did not live long enough.

I thank the heavens for my OHIP coverage… but I think with federal health coverage, you only have certain choices. Like if I wanted to hand myself over to the German hippies, it would probably have to be out of pocket. I guess there's my incentive for hospital-brand medicine.

For those disparaging western medicine in favor of 'alternative' treatments, I highly suggest the following article:

http://arstechnica.com/article.....opathy.ars

The point of the article is not to bash Homeopathy specifically, but to use its claims as a basis for understanding how to recognize pseudoscience in general and the claims of the salesmen behind it.

We do not know what Ms. Fawcett is doing in Germany, it could be a mix of 'alternative' and western medicine, or it could be one or the other. However if she is not recieving modern treatment, then her time is very limited, so I hope that is not the case…

The only person I see more firmly on the side of holistic over Western is bedbugsandballyhoo, and even she isn't "disparaging" Western medicine, merely pointing saying she's seen it fail and has her doubts.

"More firmly."

Stellar grammar.

Ahhh, this is all pretty timely for me. In two weeks I'm having a hysterectomy. I'm having more taken out than reccomened in hopes I will avoid the same fate as my mother and aunt. They both are still alive but after seeing what they went through, I wouldn't want to walk in those shoes, if I can help it.

Kitchy - Re-read the thread. My post was mostly in response to 'eeks', but several have expressed doubts based on personal anecdote, which is hardly proof of anything.

It's isn't necessarily proof, and I'm not sure anyone was trying to prove anything, just expressing doubts based on personal experience… I don't see why that would be illegitimate. An internet article isn't exactly proof of anything either.

I think it's fair to be skeptical of any type of medicine. Western medicine should not be immune to doubt and criticism, and there should be alternatives for people who don't feel it is being effective for them.

Ok I do see eeks now, I apologize.

However, the "several" who have expressed doubts don't claim to have proof of anything, just personal belief. :)

Although, that being said… I guess I have to throw on the PS that I would probably be the first one in line at the emergency room if I was sick.

I thought "more firmly" was proper grammar there - ?

Juju take care of yourself, girl. I hear a hysterectomy can be pretty challenging in itself. Good luck.

It may be, I just always get that feeling that putting "more" with an "ly" ending sounds awkward.

juju, best of luck to you! Hope it goes well and you have an easy recovery. :)

I'm going to get all hopped up on the hydrocodone and hang with the hags. Maybe Gossip Girl will be better on narcotics?

Highly possible. But isn't everything better on narcotics?

I always get mad because I recover too quickly from surgery to need narcotics long enough. I should just lie and take them anyway.

Let me know the date, I'll take some leftovers and we'll bond.

Janice - The point of the article is not to discourage research, questions or doubts, but merely to explain the tactics used by pseudoscience. The writers, there are four, are all PhD's with at least one being a medical researcher with his doctorate in biology. The goals of the article were twofold -

1) Demonstrate how the scientific method actually works so that people understand that 'unanswered questions' is not the same as a 'flawed theory'. Science is based around the idea that we do not and never will have all the answers, but most people think it is just the opposite.

2) Demonstrate the common methods used by pseudoscience to discredit actual science, often for profit related motives(modern snake-oil salesmen). The largest lesson is that disproving one aspect of a theory does not automatically make a competing theory 'correct', you still have to prove the competing theory and it still has to take into account all the same evidence that the disproven theory has accumulated(ie: the test results are still valid, they just do not add up to the same conclusions).

Its a very good read, as is the ten page discussion attached to it.

I thought that was butter? Or a dollop of Daisy maybe.

Yeah, I thought everything was better with Blue Bonnet on it.

Thanks Reflex… I have to admit I didn't read it (Too long to do without having to ride the guilt train about not working on paid stuff.)

Anyway, I work in bioethics so I get paid to question anything and everything I get my grubby little hands on. I'm also reading (right now, coincidentally) about biopharm companies working with holistic practitioners to try to discover new plant ingredients… probably contributing a fair amount to my viewpoint at the moment, that there can be a place for both. Pay no mind to the man behind the curtain.

sar and Kitchy, I think you guys are right. I keep getting confused and dropping qualudes on my pancakes.

Anyway… back to work for now.

But the fact of the matter is that regardless of whether you're using Western medicine or holistic/alternative methods, a shot of Tom-ba Juice always makes it better.

I'm putting that on my shopping list.

Narcotics
trashy novels
Tom-Ba
Beano
and
qualude pancake mix.

It is true, wash it down with Tom-ba, and you won't be sick no longa, that's the adline I've heard.

I'll be glad when Costco finally starts stocking Tom-ba and quaalude pancake mix. I spend far too much money at those and could use some help buying them in bulk.

Am I the only one who keeps getting odd post counts? It'll say 68 posts, but the 68th won't be there which I click on the thread.

Janice - My point really isn't that all 'alternative' treatments are bad, much of modern medicine was developed by observing tribal and natural medicines, and then distilling the treatment down to identify its active ingredient. Anti-biotics comes to mind immediatly. The point is only that nothing should be given credibility without undergoing the same rigorous testing that anything else undergoes(typically a double blind study with a control group).

If the effect of a given 'alternative' is no higher than the control group given, for instance, a sugar pill, then the treatment is ineffective even if some people feel they were 'cured'(placebo effect). I often see conspiracy theories about the FDA suppressing such tests and the extreme cost of running them, but the truth is that anyone can publish a study, and with the internet its easier than ever. As for the costs, my significant other does such studies in college with a budget of next to nothing on a regular basis as part of her coursework, if she can afford it I'm sure the people who sell 'Airborne' can as well for instance.

Anyways, I'm way off topic here, but I do enjoy this subject. ANd before I sound anti-alternative I will point out that ALL untested treatment is by definition 'alternative'. The only difference between alternative treatments and 'western medicine' is the studies required to demonstrate effectiveness. That is not that difficult a barrier to pass, so the real conspiracy to me is why more companies that sell such treatments are not willing to sponsor the studies required to validate them?

yeah and the comments section on the sidebar never updates right for me.

speaking of me. "test" at #69 does not bode well.

I wonder if long posts or those with reference links (other than Bunnie's, which would obviously be automatically considered safe links) need to go through an "approval" but still show up in the actual post count.

I've noticed it a few times this week. The Madonna thread told me there was 3 posts for a good ten to fifteen minutes before Mr T's finally showed up as #3.

Or said there were 6 long before the 6th showed up. Whatever. *lol*

Many people have gone to using an integrated option of Western and Alternative therapies. Contact the Cancer Control Society in Los Angeles CA and go to their labor day trade show at the Sheraton. Every year thousands of people attend and also so do many Doctors. Also, go to http://www.tumorx.org and mention Patricia M. if you are interested in a proven treatment. My best to Farrah Fawcett. Take your minerals- IndiumEAse.

I get that too. I theorize that their server is set up to reject or put in queue for moderation, certain keywords and posts with more than 3 links. After that, I really just assume their server is limited in how quickly it can update every part of a comments section.

Geez I'm a geek. Back to geeking.

What did I tell you. 69 and 74 are the same dude.

Yeah, it would appear that a link requires verification. *lol*

In response to #74:

http://steelturman.typepad.com.....or_qu.html

Thanks for providing an example of quack medicine.

Just because someone has the word 'Dr.' next to their name does not make them a biologist. Plenty of universities in the Caribbean offer degrees cheap(as do many in Asia), and not every student was necessarily the top of their class. Heck, Doctorates aren't even given explicitly to those in medicine.

Now it's all off kilter. #74 is now sar, which fucks up the reference that they're the same people as well as Relex's specifying which post he/she is responding to.

ohhh shnikes. somebody needs to report this. but i am too lazy.

got to pubmed.com for further information.

IT'S MASS CHAOS!!

Y'all know I had to go to a friend's mother's funeral on Tuesday - her mom received experimental treatment at Duke when her colon cancer returned a year ago. She was desperate to hang on longer.

Desperate times and what not…

That's perspective for ya. Weird how we would even bother to make judgments about how people ought to cope with their lives being threatened.

Reflex: Did you not know that tumorx.org-won that case. The woman was a quack trying to extort money from them and had ruined her own cancerous nose herself with a knife-proven in court and tumorx.org is still in business and given highest honors for breast cancer treatment. Call them and discuss.

The post counts are really freaking me out. Swizel sticks this is weird. I'd also like to know where I can get one of those phd's?

*I’m going back to something I can be proud of, like Britney Deafwatch 2007/08.* I love that you said "deafwatch" instead of deathwatch, lale. Is that in honour of Diddy?

Butt cancer, what a said way to go. Although, not quite as bad as hitting a tree skiing like Sonny Bono. I don't know?

or michael kennedy

I know its not funny, but I can't help but giggle when I hear someone died from colliding with a tree skiing. Kind of like when I hear someone drop the soap.

Dude, that's not funny. I dropped the soap once in gym class. I still have nightmares.

Anti-Aging: Two points -

1) I want to see the results of the lawsuit that ruled that. Such decisions are public record, so that should not be a problem to produce.

2) I want to see the peer-reviewed double blind published study that demonstrates the claims listed. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof in science, and since the claims are so extraordinary you should not have any problem producing such evidence. BTW, a double blind study does not consist of testimonials, it consists of two groups, one being a control group that is given a placebo of some kind, the other being given the treatment at a consistant treatment level. Ideally a third group would be given conventional(chemo/radiation) treatment as well to judge whether it was more effective.

Anti-Aging: BTW, if you read the actual article I linked, it is seven people who were afflicted with mutilated breasts for using the TumorX treatment, not one, and there was no court case linked, the case is about a federal raid and the loss of the prescribing doctor's license, not about anyone making claims regarding the product.

One Random Blog Commenter can't be wrong!

I'll see you in court. You'll need to speak to my lawyer. I need a lawyer, April.

Not to pry… but did April and Cord mean they were personally experiencing chemo? Or they supported it, in theory?

I may have misinterpreted their posts but I thought they meant if they had to choose.

If Cord was on chemo that would explain the experimentation with wigs.

Not that experimentation with wigs needs explanation. In my books, that's a regular Saturday night!

They both read to me as meaning if they had to choose.

Yeah… that's the impression I got too.

tumorx paste is bloodroot. The cancer has already mutilated the breast or skin tissue anywhere and the tumorx paste draws out the cancer and yes it is very painful. The Dr. was not supposed to prescribe pain killers legally. The raid was unfounded,brought on by the woman who ruined her own nose and lost the case. I don't have a link to the court case they won unfortuanately, but I'm sure the company has one on their website. Bloodroot has helped alot of people. The skin tissue grows back and heals nicely.

100th!! Biatches!

Hahahahahahahahaha.

It seem she is here:

http://www.leonardisclinic.com

It is very hard to find any more information, even in German, apart from the fact (seems like one) that Roy of Siegfried and Roy was treated there. I found an article (in German) about a staff member who told the press that they use cells from chicken foetuses. The hospital owners have refused to confirm this. Eveything else is very secretive. It reminds me of something which many people with enough money did in the early 80s: Go to the Philipines and have a Philipine healer remove your cancer tissue.It was very prominent on German TV, those healers penetrating someone's belly and removing stuff. It is now known that those people were just magicians hiding chicken intestines in their hands, but it really looked like they penetrated the skin without leaving scars. Still, I understand very well that you use every straw if you can.

By the way, the quote below just made my day. I never knew this but I am going to pass this information on to my pregnant friends and colleagues! They will be so excited about the options they have as German parents!

"So in Germany when you having a baby you are given the option to stay dressed until he pops out or wear nothing and lay in a bed all day."

Germans don't produce breastmilk, either.

True story.

Ausgezeichnet! Speaking of Germany…it's Oktoberfest here in NOLA, y'all!

Bring on the Spaten und sauerbraten!

Did you know that in the shooting for Pat Benatar's video "Shadows On The Night," Bill Paxton got so into his Nazi role that he spoke in a German accent the entire time?

True story.

Anti-Aging: In the absense of links its simply anecdotal. I'll take the official press version of the story over yours(especially since it claims seven victims and does not mention any court case). I have yet to see any study provided to demonstrate any claims.

Still waiting.

"Germans don’t produce breastmilk, either."

Well, yes, this depends on whether you pop them out dressed or naked.

I love Shadows of the Night! Unfortunately, I can't think of it without thinking of that damn SNL skit. "Today's my birthday! And I'm getting drunker."

jujubees, I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago, but I think, based on one of your posts, for different reasons than you. hystersisters.com is a great site with some awesome forums if you haven't checked it out.

I'm not saying chemo, radiation and other therapies are not viable options. In a great many cases, they are quite successful. In cases where they are apparently failing, and the person is dying, or getting progressively worse, (after all, with either it is a race to see which succumbs first, you or the cancer), seeking other options may give them hope. And as I stated before, experimental may mean a method that is being scientifically tested in clinical trials and supervised by medical doctors.

In all actuality, I know absolutely nothing about Homeopathic medicine. I have nothing against it, but I just associate experimental and alternative treatments as those in clinical trials not yet approved for use by the general public by, say, the FDA. I suppose I wasn't too clear on that. Basically, you give yourself up as a human guinea pig for the good of the future of mankind. And possibly add a few years to your life.

BTW…TFYS…it was fun.

Why not do both? Fact is modern science can't do much for Cancer. Their way of "curing" it is to cut out the infected part. That like taking your car down to the shop because the alternator is failing, so they just chop it out and now your car "fixed". You just got to charge the battery after ever trip.
We are still very much in the dark ages when it comes to medical conditions and I don't see it changing, there is a great deal more money in treatment, not cures. Ever notice how we created vaccines for so many bugs up until about the 50's, then it died off??

Anyway, look up Montmorency cherries and Apricot Seeds for cancer. Interesting stuff.

Thanks, Rakemama, I'm going to check it out. I keep having this weird dream that once I have my surgery I'll just collapse into my hips. No more crack before bed.

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