Breast Cancer and complementary or integrative therapies

Thank you for the information you have provided.

Just wondering if your wife is also on an aromatase inhibitor? I seem to remember that she was and her oncologist also approved of the Turkey Tail IN ADDITION TO but I cannot find that earlier post. Could you refresh my memory?

I’m taking Anastrozole. In my 9th month and thankfully tolerating it very well.

Also, you are a very compassionate and caring partner which will also play a huge part of her healing. 🌸

Yes, she takes letrozole. I spent an enormous amount of time researching the fillers used in the medication, and speaking with patients about their tolerance. The one that seemed to be the most palatable was the Accord brand. Here is the article:
https://www.drcarolhaddad.com/blog/supplemental-mushrooms

I ordered the Host Defense Turkey Tail.

I have read that wonderful article . It cautions about hormone issues… that’s what concerned me… would it interfere with the AI or compliment it. I’m definitely tolerating Anastrozole well ( and I don’t usually tolerate meds).

I live on the east coast NYC area and looking for a new oncologist… is your oncologist in my area?

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me so quickly; much appreciated.🌸

I’m sorry, I’m on the west coast, in Spokane, Wa. Her oncologist told me that plant based hormones are not a problem, and he’s recommended black cohosh and soy to help with hot flashes. I also keep her vitamin d level on the high side… above 60. There’s an excellent YouTube video concerning this. I’ll attach it for you. I don’t think that there is a be all, end all drug available at this time. She has also had a depression issue for many years, and I give her St. John’s wort for that… it seems to work very well. Anytime I have a question, or want to try something new, I send him a question through the portal. He tells why/why not and gives me links to research, as he knows I spend countless hours reading. To me this is about my partner, and I wouldn’t let her down. I’ve attended all of the procedures. Except actually being in the surgery, but all mammograms, mri’s, biopsies, radiation therapy, etc. When the biopsy was performed the Dr told me I had to wait outside, I told my wife to get dressed. Then she got me a chair to sit in while she did the procedure.
I seem to have conflicts with most doctors, because I do a lot of research , but like I said, this is my wife.
I hope this helps…
And I pray you will be healed. This is a tough journey.

Thank you Healing Hands. I also do endless research. I am likely going to attend the BC symposium in San Antonio next December. You can access the abstracts online from 2022. Very interesting stuff in the works.

I’m still researching the soy aspect. It’s controversial but the more I research the more it appears to be OK. My original oncologist ( who I was so happy to be working with) who is in transition to a new location , gave it the ok but an endocrinologist said only tofu! ???

Well thank you for your research findings as well as your generosity in sharing.

Hope you wife is doing well. Yes, it’s a rather traumatic journey we are on.

Blessings on the path 🌸

I’m sorry, I’m on the west coast, in Spokane, Wa. Her oncologist told me that plant based hormones are not a problem, and he’s recommended black cohosh and soy to help with hot flashes. I also keep her vitamin d level on the high side… above 60. There’s an excellent YouTube video concerning this. I’ll attach it for you. I don’t think that there is a be all, end all drug available at this time. She has also had a depression issue for many years, and I give her St. John’s wort for that… it seems to work very well. Anytime I have a question, or want to try something new, I send him a question through the portal. He tells why/why not and gives me links to research, as he knows I spend countless hours reading. To me this is about my partner, and I wouldn’t let her down. I’ve attended all of the procedures. Except actually being in the surgery, but all mammograms, mri’s, biopsies, radiation therapy, etc. When the biopsy was performed the Dr told me I had to wait outside, I told my wife to get dressed. Then she got me a chair to sit in while she did the procedure.
I seem to have conflicts with most doctors, because I do a lot of research , but like I said, this is my wife.
I hope this helps…
And I pray you will be healed. This is a tough journey.

@healinhand I get that you are a caring husband. Do you have an invoked proxy or release so doctors can speak to you? I am surprised that you are allowed to be so involved. Even with a mother with dementia, I had to get a legal form so I could act for her.

Of course I do….

I truly appreciate that you bring so much information! Grateful!