snappy@ihlpa.UUCP (m. schulpiet) (10/30/85)
My son still unmarried but residing at home was found to be a victim of cancer in September, l984. The doctor has termed the type as extra-gonadal germinal cell carcinoma and conseqently surgery was performed followed by intensive chemotherapy treatment consisting of repeated cycles of Cis-latinum, Lanoxin, and Cytoxin The chemo continued after his discharge from the hospital - 5 days of chemo in hospital and two weeks home...repeated again 4 or 5 more times. His last visit to the doctor at the end of the chemo sessions he was told that they could promise nothing, but they were exceedingly pleased with the results of the chemo...the blood count of cancer cells in his system had dropped to the norm, in other words the cancer was in remission. About a month ago, he again felt discomfort so had more blood tests made by the same cancer specialist. The test showed an upswing in the count so consequently Rick (my son by name) was put in the hospital again for more chemo. The cat-scan they did on him showed nothing, but considering the blood count had increased and they have begun more chemo thereapy. Five days in hospital...out two weeks....back in again, etc. Have any of you dear people out in netland had the experience with this same type of cancer cell or had a loved one undergo the same bit and what were the results. Case of mind over matter...my son has been exceedingly calm about the whole thing after the initial shock of being told he had cancer...he is cheerful and more or less optimistic, I believe, but he doesn't talk about it very much. Any feedback any of you can give me will be very much appreciated. Even though I have five other sons and daughters, I worry and pray that science can "beat" this horrible desease and "cure" my son. Thanks for your time...God Bless you all!!! Marge at Bell Labs/Naperville/IH Main e-mail ihlpa!snappy P.S. Incidentally, noticed I mispelled one of the chems - it is cis-platinum. . w q :wq ?
tedrick@ernie.BERKELEY.EDU (Tom Tedrick) (11/01/85)
>My son [ ... ] was found to be a victim of cancer [ ... ]
Linus Pauling wrote a book recommending that megavitamin
therapy (i.e. megadoses of Vitamin C on the order of
10 grams a day) be considered. Perhaps some readers
could give arguments for and against Paulings theory.