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Debbie in France's blog
you are most definitely not alone in this. Friends typically won't pressure you too much and if you don't do it, they will let it go. You are quite right to be concerned about complimentary (we call them complimentary now as alternative gives the idea that you are not participating in traditional intervention), therapies and your treatment. Some doctors who know little will say no because they don't know and don't want to be bothered. Other docs have researched and discussed with colleagues complimentary therapies, diets, nutrients etc., and encourage it, or know enough to tell you that it won't hurt so feel free to continue. Other docs actually use them. I don't know what kind of doc you have, its a very personal thing. Normally for most of my life I never told our docs I used "alternatives", because I got tired of being invalidated for using something, despite the fact the condition improved and went away. But with my husband's cancer and his life at stake in the sense we want to the treatment to work, I have fully disclosed and our doctors have been very supportive and welcomed having the information. While personally I don't think any of these things are cures, I do believe there are some things you can do to assist your body to heal itself. Eating properly, exercise for your own well being and remaining physically strong and active, mental/spiritual if you are so inclined, vitamin supplements. I want the traditional intervention (chemo) to be able to do its job and I want my husband to be strong enough to get through it and recover from it. Don't know if that helps really. Best, Lori