I'm considering trying the Budwig protocol (in addition to, not in place of, my conventional treatments). I've already incorporated many dietary changes (vegan+organic) as an adjunct to my conventional treatments.

I'd very much appreciate hearing of the experiences of those who have tried the Budwig protocol. Please include details of how long you have been on it (or if no longer on it) how long you tried it. All constructive comments and thoughts are welcome.

Many thanks, and wishing everyone a full and speedy recovery.

Eli
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I know someone will probably jump in and poo poo this - however that won't be me. I'm not doing the treatment but I did look it up. It seems reasonable so go ahead. I'm 5 weeks post rads treatment and still for the most part doing the smoothie thing - after reading what I did - I will likely include the flax and cottage cheese into my smoothies. My theory is do what you can that's reasonable. I wouldn't give up my treatments but in addition too - I can't see that it would hurt since it's natural - and healthful. it looks like you've had a tought time of it - someone else I know had the same thing happen to her where it moved into her skin as well. It's scary - eating healthfully can only help. Hugs and healing vibes to you!

Eli
I'll simply say that Dr. Budwig's website claims that her diet will cure each and every type of cancer. Thanks for not putting in any links. IMO, people who relied upon the Budwig protocol are dead by now, so they won't be responding.
Your vegan organic diet however certainly is healthy.
But taking flaxseed oil and cottage cheese won't hurt you either or at least it hasn't hurt me since I add flaxseed oil to my blenderized diet food to boost the calories and nutrients. So as long as you get real treatment, meaning radiation chemotherapy and/or surgery, my thoughts are that you will reap the benefits of placebo therapy.
Charm

Eli,
Based on Charm's research I would be very suspicious of the us usefulness of this "protocol." If a diet were found which could be demonstrated by accepted scientific methodology to "cure all cancers" the author would be Nobel Prize material. Any dietary changes from your normal routine should be in consultation with a dietician, nutritionist or other medical personnel involved in your specific treatment. It is important to realize that just because a food is good it must be appropriate for you. There is no agreement on what is meant by the term organic. If you want to avoid pesticides you are certainly in a country which has been in the forefront of research in hydroponics and besides being a land of milk and honey abounds with a selection of some of tyhe most delicious fruits and vegetables. As to the claim of some people that chemicals in food are harmful, everything in this world is a chemical.

Hi all,

First, thank you to each of you for taking the time to reply. I very much appreciate it. And I apologize for not writing this response sooner.

Just to follow up and let you know what I decided, I have started the Budwig protocol but I do so with some reservations because it goes against my vegan approach to trying to strengthen my system. In fact, some reading/research I have come across says that dairy products in particular are not healthy for us as adults. Nonetheless I have decided to try it.

Specific replies:

Cheryld: thank you for your thoughts, hugs and healing vibes.

Charm: I appreciate your input. I don't know what the statistics are (or if anyone has even kept track) of the Budwig protocol's survival/healing rates. But, as you said, hopefully it can't hurt. As for "real" treatment, please read the continuation of this entry below.

Malka: I understand your suspicion. I share it and am not convinced that the Budwig approach will help. However, as for consulting with a dietician or other medical personnel involved in my treatment, none of them have a clue regarding non-conventional diets. The dietician in my oncology department was very up front in saying that she had not been trained regarding a vegan approach so she has been of limited help. She initially suggested I eat 27%-fat sour cream on a regular basis when I was receiving my first round of chemo+rad, to help boost my calorie count. (I did not follow that advice). Happily, as you noted, there is a good supply of organic (non-pesticide, non-hormone) grown foods here and they are definitely de-lish!

The latest development for me is that a new sore on my tongue was biopsied yesterday. I will have the results soon but the doctor who did the biopsy confirmed my suspicion (based on the location, appearance and soreness of the sore) that is is likely a new tumor. If it is cancerous this would put my entire 18 months of conventional treatment into question, especially given that it developed while I have been full-on in chemo+biologic treatment for the last six months. So I'm not sure that "real" treatments are working for me. It is scary.

Thank you again, all for your help. It is greatly appreciated. May we all experience healing and health soon.

Eli
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Eli

Sorry to hear about this latest news. I continue to think it significant that there are zero Budwig diet survivors posting on OCF or any reliable indication anywhere that the Budwig diet cures anything let alone cancer. However, I understand the importance of hope.
In that regard, I can say I felt the same way about conventional medical treatment after I endured 4 months of the "maximum" radiation TX and grueling chemotherapy only to have the exact same tumor pop back up, this time with cells that were resistant to radiation and Erbitux. Yet surgery and a second round of radiation and chemo two years ago have me alive now. It is scary and disheartening when treatment does not cure you but "if at first you don't succeed, try try again".
I agree with you about most dieticians being clueless on vegan. My wife and I gave up sugar in any of its insidious forms including artificial sweeteners over twenty years ago but dieticians at my CCC and the hospital scoffed at that and told me to eat ice cream for calories during TX. I get your frustration that they are worthless for "non-conventional" diets.
Perhaps you could extend some of your willingness to accept the Budwig diet on faith and hope alone to real(without the Apologetic quotes - that's the technical term for putting quotation marks around a word to show irony or skepticism) conventional medical treatment.
Charm

Best wishes with the results of your biopsy. Im hoping you do not have a recurrence.

I am living proof that you can get thru a recurrence! Ive gone thru oral cancer 3 times within 3 years. If I hadnt done conventional treatments I would not be here.

Cancer can NOT be cured with a special diet. Of course eating healthier is always better and more beneficial to your body. The only proven methods of curing cancer are chemo, radiation and surgery. Please think this thru before you make any decisions.

Just to update this thread -- and again, thank you to all for your thoughtful and considered replies -- I got the results of my biopsy: all clear! Thank G-d.

I actually still don't believe it, not having yet seen the pathology report. The sore on my tongue which was the cause of the biopsy is still there, still just as ugly as it has been over the last few weeks and still as sore (and about as sore as my originally confirmed tongue tumor was). I was pretty convinced (and still am concerned) that it is a tumor. However, apparently not. Hopefully I'll get the full path report shortly.

Meanwhile, as a result, I have not bought more of the ingredients for the Budwig protocol.

Charm and Christine: thanks for the "try and try again" advice. I hear you and appreciate it -- and SO hope I don't have to put it into practice any more.

Wishing you all full health asap.

Eli
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I am so glad for you that it wasnt a tumor. Thats great. Ive had a sore spot since almost the beginning of rads. it is from my tongue rubbing on my tooth. I have a cross bite. one of my molars is in a little, not normally a problem but my new tongue is still swollen from radiation so it pushes it into it! UGH! so I am having that tooth filed down in a few weeks. Maybe your sore spot could be residual irritation form radiation or even from the chemo. I did decide to try the budwig protocol.. i am practically vegan as well. though I do eat eggs ocassionally - and I dont do dairy. but once a day I do the budwig thing. There is a book called the anti cancer book I read - it talks about different foods and their affect on cancer cells it might help you to read it. Good luck with the rest of your treatments... take care! and hugs.

Very, very glad to see the growth is not cancerous; sorry it's still with you (or at least, was a couple of weeks ago - hope it's gone now). Congrats on moving to a vegan diet - I'm assuming you feel better in general after the eating habit revamp.

Eli
Mazal tov on the good news.