Court forcing 16 yr old with cancer into chemo

[Prudence]

Actually I have no excuse. He lived in Eburg when we met.

Although I did tell him he had to move over to the west side before the first snow or we were through.

[Alex]

Not really on topic at all, but didn't want to start a new thread.

I just read this take on all the illnesses supposedly treated by just one homeopathic remedy. I enjoyed it anyway. (via the 40th Skeptics Circle)

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Not really on topic at all, but didn't want to start a new thread.

I just read this take on all the illnesses supposedly treated by just one homeopathic remedy. I enjoyed it anyway. (via the 40th Skeptics Circle)

That was hilarious! I had no idea that arnica was homeopathic. I use arnica lotion with glucosamine to take away bruises. Yes, anecdotal, but it is freaking miracle cream. Perhaps it's the glucosamine? A Sports Medicine doctor once gave me arnica tablets for a knee injury. No clue if it worked.

I'm glad you resurrected this thread because I have a hilarious (to me) story to put here. I subscribe to this guy's newsletter. Lord knows why, as he is an affront to alternative medicine. He's a blood sucking money grubber who will latch onto anything that will make him money. Never quote him in a legitimate discussion of anything alternative because you'll just look ridiculous. There was a link to this in one of his newsletters. You basically visualize an emotion while tapping on acupressure points and repeating an affirmational expression.

Now, you can do this for anything. You can even do it for other people. Or animals! Over at my sister's house tonight she was telling me that ever since her cat got spayed she's been leary of strangers. We had a frollicky time tapping on her cat while saying, "Even though you had a horrible experience at the vets, you still deeply and completely love yourself." The cat was not amused.

[Capt Jack]

Update on this story.

[Morrigoon]

Interesting!

[Moonliner]

This case was difficult because the parents are essentially choosing to let their minor child die. If he was an adult then this would be a non-issue.

Hopefully the judge in the case listened to the boy and decided that he was adequately cognizant of the fate he is choosing. It's sad but it's also his life. Plus it looks like he will at least get radiation therapy, and there the chance that radiation and alternative treatments might do some good.

[Alex]

Wikipedia page on the Hoxsey Method. Here's the part I find most relevant:

The Hoxsey Method is not supported by the American Cancer Society or National Cancer Institute, as neither have found objective evidence that the treatment provides any tangible benefit to cancer victims. A controlled experiment using lab mice found no difference in tumor growth between untreated mice and those given the Hoxsey tonic. The FDA investigated 400 people claiming to have been cured by the Hoxsey method and found no indication that any had been cured by the mixture.

Here's the part other people might find most relevant:

Hoxsey claimed that his great grandfather, John Hoxsey, developed the first version of the herbal formula in 1840 when he noticed one of his horses had developed a tumor on its leg. The animal began eating some of the wild plants growing in the meadow, and within a short time the tumor disappeared.

If he ends up taking both the herbs and the radiation treatment I wonder which one will get credit if he goes into remission?

[Morrigoon]

I guess that'll depend on the agenda of the person you ask

I'm just glad to see that the right to determine one's own fate, even stupidly, is still occasionally granted in this country.

(Actually, given his past experience with chemo, his decision is not exactly stupid. Justified would be a better word.)

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

(Actually, given his past experience with chemo, his decision is not exactly stupid. Justified would be a better word.)

Sometimes the cure can be almost as bad as the disease.

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

Sometimes the cure can be almost as bad as the disease.

Some times it can be worse.