Jim’s son lost his battle with cancer 22nd 11 2010, see comment “Jim on November 22nd, 2010 6:05 pm” at http://www.metastaticlivercancer.org/2008-08-29-cancer-treatment/can-chemotherapy-cure-metastatic-liver-cancer/

At this moment Bill Owen is updating his battle with metastatic liver cancer from the colon at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bill_owen .

Hugs,

Kim

Yesterday we got the results of his PET scan and they showed that there was no further cancer growths in his liver, lung and bowel or anywhere else. The bowel cancer is dead and the lung and liver are now very small; so lets say he is remission! He is has started another round of Xeloda and will probably have another two of Oxalyplatin after this. His cancers have redued by probably 95%.

We have decided not to operate on the bowel tumour for the moment as he needs to gain more strength and put on more weight; the surgeons agreed with this as they said the bowel cancer is not now a problem. We want him to get stronger so he can have the operation and hopfully reverse the stoma. He has gained one half stone in weight over the last three weeks and has today driven himelf and his mother to his aunt for his relaxation therapy.

Given that last September he was given no hope and only six weeks to three months all is good at the moment. He looks good too, back to his normal self with a good sense of humour.

He still takes the alternative therapy remedies and these seem to be helping in a geat way. His aunt is treating another patient with similar conditions to his and her cancers have reduced a phenomenal amount, so much so the oncologist asked if she was taking anything esle with the chemo, and she just said health food!

He takes so many type of remedies that I can’t keep up with them all as they are taken at different times of the chemos cycles.

I will say if you are looking for alternative treatment stay away form the ‘shonks’ and look for someone who has has an oncoloy background with medical certification as they are the only ones who understand the complete picture of both treatments.

Good luck to all of you; I will keep you posted on his porogress.

Best wishes,

Jim

We featured your son’s improvement at Successful colon cancer treatment.

We wish you and your family well!

He is still very tired and has pain occasionally but apart from that he is good ‘considering the condition’.

When he is strong enough they are are going to consider removing the colon tumour so he can be rid of the colostomy bag which is the biggest thing that worries him.

I advise anyone in this situation to seek alternative therapy along with the traditional chemo. I know we are lucky having a family member who is a prcationer but just try a few if you can’t afford them all-it wont hurt.

In anser to the question regarding the alternative therapies, they are paid for by his aunt at no cost to us. He now also qualifies for a genreous welfare pension as he can’t work for 12-24 months and therefore the cost of the prescription medicine, i.e. Xeloda only now costs us $5.00 yes $5.00. I belive the cost per 100 tablets to the government is close on $1000.00. We are so lucky with our health care system if you are seriously ill. CT Scans and consultations are at no cost either as well as hosptial adimissions of which he has had two due to infections for the stoma each resluting the three to four day admissions.

I am so angry that the US health systems ‘sucks’ the way it does and denies equality in treatment to those who need it most and can’t always afford it. Let’s hope the new adminstration may see things differently. PS I’m not politcal but see health care as being open and equal for everyone regardless of their financial situation. Health care should not be for profit of shareholders.

Hope and prayers to all others who are suffering this awful condition.

I would just like to make one point on the insurance aspect. We don’t have any. (You can take it out it you want but is is not mandatory). Medial support is paid by the government out of taxes and a small Medicare Levy upon one’s earnings; one percent I am sure.

I was told that the best treatment here in Australia for cancer is in the public system. The private system is good for smaller things like hip & and knee replacements and uncomplicated heart bypass surgery and other elective surgery that can avoid lenghty waits. The only thing we pay for are the drugs at an extremely reduced government subsidised cost; that was the $55 in the last post for the chemo drugs only.

We don’t even pay for a visit to the doctor most are bulk billed by them to the government. (This can be doctor dependant, but you do get most of it back if they do charge you; they do have the option to charge, but the amount is government regulated).

Hooray for Ausralian medical health; we are very very lucky.

Best wishes,

Jim

Thanks as usual Jim for the update and your vote.

We featured your last update at Alternative treatments for cancer with some extra questions for you as usual

Hugs for you and your family.

We wish you well!

He is currently into his third round of chemo. This will be the last of six. He is due to have a CT scan in a couple of weeks time. He is ok; but no where “out of the woods” yet.

His aunt prescribes him with a multitude of alternative medicines(too many to mention here) but one of the most successful we think is the Coriolus/Grifola mushroom extract compound (I belive it’s pretty expensive). It has been used by the Chinese for 2000 years and I belive that it helps make the chemo about 30 per cent more effective (only time will tell) but his results are positive. He is still gaining weight, albeit only a kilo or so here and there, but that’s sure as hell better than loosing it. He also take liver strenghteing drops (I don’t know what they actually are but his aunt assures use they will assist).

This is shown in the fact that his ‘bloods’ are always near normal.

We are all staying positive, but the main thing is making sure that he eats well and healthily.

So far he has had no sign of sickness just nromal mild nausea. I am sure the alternative therapies are helping us with this battle.

The fortunate thing we have here in Australia is that all the treatment for this is at no charge and all of the consultations are at no charge also. We only have to pay a minor ammount for the Xeloda and the other drugs; but $55 per month is not much for what you get.

I will keep you informed. But to all of you stay positive for your relatives sakes. If you want to cry yes do it, but do it alone and not in front of them.

Best wishes,

Jim