Hi JK

I'm interested in getting a hold of this Fucoidan but I can't find it anywhere. I've tried to purchase it from Amazon and a couple of other sources but each time I get to the 'check out', it declines my payment along with the message, '' Sorry, this item can't be shipped to your selected address''. Any ideas?

Not really my thing, but I think it is also marketed as Modifilan.

Holland and Barrett sell Sea Kelp extract, which contains Fucuoidan - see seafarmacy.co.uk/benefits-of-kelp-sea-kelp-is-a-natural-remedy

Hope this helps!
Dave 

As I said, willbeatcancer, each to his/her own, which to me obviously DID mean it's your right to choose.  Please remember though, not everyone is as strong-willed as you, especially at the beginning, and some are very scared and do need help in deciding, therefore quoting negative remarks eg 'he/she had chemo and died 9 months later' about chemo really does not help.  

Regards, Hazel.

Oh, I'm sure the comment was meant for me, Max, because I 'jumped on' to applaud your comments.  I still do, you always talk a lot of sense!

Hazel x

Hi Haze...... oh well at least it has a positive in that it has got us chatting after all this time! I see you are halfway through your chemo and doing well thank goodness.  It was devastating to discover that my cancer had returned so I can only imagine what you have been going through since your news.

I am so pleased to hear that you are doing well and coping with the drugs ok.  How many cycles until you finish?   How are your family coping with it all? X

Hi, Max, 

Thanks, yes, nice to have a pleasant chat after the latest rather heated exchanges!  I had no. 4 chemo last Friday and have just come out of the usual nausea phase, thank goodness - now I can get out and about again for a couple of weeks.  I  hate having to be stuck indoors, it's so frustrating!  Have 2 more to go, Feb and March, these are 4 weekly instead of the usual 3 weeks.  Roll on March and fingers crossed thereafter!  I believe you had another session last Friday too, didn't you?   Hope all went well, you have been through so much, Max, I really admire your fortitude.

Sadly, I don't have many family members left, and those I do have, although very supportive, live quite a distance away.  My partner passed away in July 2014, but as he had been very ill for several years I'm quite used to coping on my own, but I do find this forum a huge, huge help as regards keeping my spirits up!  The 'inspiration' threads are a marvel!  Also, once this lot has finished, I'm  hoping for a few days away staying with my ex next-door neighbours near Clacton, post-chemo appointments permitting, so that will be nice.  

Take care, God bless.

Hazel xxx

Hi Willbeatcancer,

Great to hear that your surgery was succesful and you definitely have the right attitude to beating this.

Here's a chemo success story for you. 

I have Stage 4 Oesophageal cancer, diagnosed in October 2013. Inoperable and unable to treat with radio-therapy because it was wrapped around my aorta. I was quoted 2 months without chemo and 12 months, exceptionally 18 months with chemo. Unsurprisingly, I decided to give chemo a go. I responded well, my primary shrank by 60% and secondaries by about 50%. Since then I have had no treatment at all and the remaining cancers appear to be dormant. No special diet, but I've always had a balanced, healthy diet - perhaps with more alcohol than I should but life's for living! 

One of the reasons I'm responding to your post is because so many people have an irrational fear of chemo, often based on hearsay and family experiences from decades ago. Yes people need to balance quality of life with longevity, but chemo isn't too bad if you have the right pain and nausea relief and if it goes well the results can be excellent. 

It is always a personal choice and I respect your right to choose as much as my own. Not everyone is as strong-willed as we are and I have known people who have made bad decisions based on what they have read online, combined with a fear of chemo, radiotherapy and/or surgery, and regretted their choices a few months down the line when it has been too late. Doing nothing, or looking for an online miracle cure, can be very tempting if you don't have any real symptoms and are still in denial about your diagnosis.

I'm not a big chemo fan, but it gave my Grandad, my Mum and now me extra, priceless, years with our loved ones. How an individual patient responds to any treatment can be a bit of a lottery but as they say of the Lotto - you have to be in it to win it! 

Best wishes
Dave 

Hi all

I have no wish to jump on anyone's bandwagon but my head (and heart) certainly would not wish to put anything into my body that has not been tested for safety and not properly monitored whether cancer related or just in general terms.

I had no choice when my husband made his decisions but what I did do was support him all the way as he tried so hard to stay a part of his family even though he had no option for surgery or prolonged chemo as his body rejected the latter but then it also rejected a healthy diet. His form of cancer (Mesothelioma) was 'terminal' from day one of diagnosis and whilst accepting this we also tried to keep him as healthy and comfortable for as long as we could manage.  Without my forum friends and their generosity of spirit/advice/understanding our journey would have been, without question, so much harder to take.

Wishing all who read this a good day today. Jules

Good to know that you are well over half of the way there with your treatment - imagine how great you will feel by the Summer !!!!  I think you should share yourself around your family during the nice weather and be pampered a little - I am sure they would be more than happy to oblige!

Yep you are right - sounds like we had chemo the same day last Friday.  I have a PET/CT scan on this coming Monday so will know by Monday evening whether they will be changing drugs again or I will be sticking to this regime for another 5 (have had 7).  You are also right about my fortitude I guess - its something I am so used to that I rarely think about it in depth.  Since June 2012, I have had chemo weekly for a year and then 3wkly since 2013, a liver resection, 2 liver ablation procedures and brain radiotherapy.  When you think about it, it is incredible what some people's bodies can endure isnt it?  Whilst others, have a minor fall or infection and end up passing away through complications.  Life is a weird old game - and I am thankful every day (well 99%) that I am still here and can chat to the kids, walk the dog - oh and annoy my husband haha!

Im sorry that you are going through this alone Haze, and although I am sure that you are used to it, I am also sure there are times when you wish you could talk things through with someone close.  As you say, this forum is a Godsend for many as people generally totally understand your thoughts or have been through similar - until you have been through it yourself, none of us can really comprehend what is involved practically and emotionally when you have this disease.  I have made some wonderful friends here and I know that you have too.

Clacton sounds nice - I have never stayed there I dont think. A break away will do you the world of good, I love North Norfolk and the Southwold area of Suffolk.  There are some lovely quaint villages in both areas and fantastic walks/beaches to see. Plus they are all within an hour or so of home if I needed to get back healthwise.  Funny how your tastes change as you get older - I can remember craving all-night boat parties in Spain at one time !!!! 

Well, as I said before, I am so glad we have got to chat together - lets keep it up!  I am going to try and persuade my oncologist to let me have an extra week of no chemo this cycle so I may be having the next infusion alongside you again.  It is our 40th wedding anniv in Feb and I have a BIG birthday in March, so delaying chemo for a week will fit in better with chemo appts and side-effects.  Fingers crossed - a week's reprieve will seem fantastic to me lol - what a saddo !

Take good care and speak soon x

Talking of forum buddies - just saying hi to Jules and Davek.  Hope you are both enjoying the rain and sleet that this week has brought us.  It has also brought me a car MOT, house building/contents insurance bills and a heating boiler repair/service.  Lovely - just what we need after Christmas expenses!

Also to 'willbeatcancer' ...... I am really glad that others have been along to post on your thread.  I hope this week is going well for you and please let us know how you are doing when you get a chance.  We have had a shaky start but things are not always perfect as we well know - here's to friendship and mutual support  whatever our choices x

Hi, Max, 

My God, you are Wonderwoman, and you STILL have the energy to annoy hubby, how good is that?!  That's probably what keeps you going, you know!  But you are right, it is incredible what some bodies can take and others not - luck of the draw, I guess.

I do miss having someone close, and very much miss my partner's comfort and input which he gave before he became too ill himself, but his brother is always phoning to check up on me and I am always able to discuss everything with him and vent my true feelings.  He understands as his own partner was diagnosed with colon cancer this year at the same time as I was having my second op, and she had a bad time post-op.  Poor bloke didn't know where he was between the two of us, I felt so sorry for him.

Hope you manage to coerce your oncologist re the week's reprieve, it would be great to be able to feel good for your anniversary and birthday.  Will keep my fingers crossed as well for you.

Clacton ain't bad, but not a patch on Norfolk and Suffolk - still, a change is as good as a rest so they say!  

You take care, too, Max, and thanks.

Hazel x

PS I have sent you a friend request, as I don't really think this particular thread is apt for general chat considering its heading, hope you don't mind?

Good idea  Haze - will have a look tomoz x

Good idea  Haze - will have a look tomoz x