Alternative medicine here or cancer specialist US

We've just gotten the news that our one-year-old son has a large tumor growing out of his adrenal gland (neuroblastoma). The traditional medical help that we're getting is first rate, but we're interested in other methods, e.g. energy, magnetic, homeopathic, etc. If anyone has tips for really good people in the Rhein-Main area, we'd be really grateful. Also, if anyone has any contacts to any children's cancer specialists in the US, we'd like to contact someone there to find out what our options would be "back home."

We'd also request that anyone who is in a prayer chain add Ethan to their list. Thanks.

In the States, the Mayo Clinic or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis are two of the very best.

Mayo Clinic does podcasts on various illnesses.

St. Jude's specializes in children and cutting edge medicine.

I would second eurovol with the St Jude's children's hospital in Memphis.
If u by any chance consider treatment outside the United States, id recommend Apollo Hospital of India.
And dont worry, Ethans gonna be fine. hes in our prayers too.

I cannot personally recommend anyone, but the Arbeitsgruppe Biologische Krebstherapie at the Klinikum Nürnberg does research and collects information on complementary alternative therapies. They offer consultation, click on "Beratung".

Another organisation with medical expertise that advises on this subject is Biologische Krebsabwehr e.V.

Perhaps in the clinic where your child is treated there is a notice-board where you could look for other English-speaking parents in the same situation or self-help groups (Selbsthilfegruppen)?

All the best for your little son's recovery!

I'd say talk to any Children's hospital or Mayo Clinic in the US.
Just like Eurovol said for Memphis- in Wisconsin it's Children's Hospital or going up to the Mayo clinic in MN.

Other than perhaps Phoenix Children's Hospital, St. Jude's is miles and miles ahead. Phoenix is good because they have a very close relationship with the Mayo. Duke and Vandy have awesome University associated Hospitals, but they don't really specialize in children.

Thanks for the responses!

St. Jude's is apparently very good, but I'm afraid that Ethan doesn't fit into any of their present protocols so he isn't eligible to be treated there. We've looked into the Mayo at Minnesota, but our insurance doesn't cover us there... And we've received some bad news about a genetic marker (1p deletion) that Ethan has that means that the cancer will most likely be agressive. We're fortunate that he doesn't have any cancer cells in his bone marrow or any metastases, so he still has a chance.

We will be looking into alternative medicine to complement the chemo he'll be starting soon, thanks for the links.

We're keeping our chins up and enjoying the time we have together before his chemo starts.

I don't have any practical advice to offer, I'm afraid, just wanted to wish you and your little one good luck.

A lot of doctors only focus on the chemo and its outcome, but it is also recommended that the patient keeps a certain diet after being diagnosed with cancer. There are certain food types that Ethan should not eat, ie raw meat etc cause this type of foods will feed into the cancer's aggressiveness. Of course keeping a diet does not mean that he should eat less, and he is probably going to lose his appetite during chemotherapy. You might want to ask the cancer specialist what kind of supplements Ethan should take to support his immune system after chemo. I know all of this cause I had a couple of relatives who had aggressive cancer tumors and got healed with the right therapy and diet.

Of course this is very hard, but try to engage is fun activities with Ethan and keep a positive attitude. Patients especially children patients do sense the desperation and sadness if you are sad about their situation and this can affect their mood and hence affecting their immune system in return.

There is a Selbsthilfegruppe in Frankfurt for children cancer patients and their families.
Hilfe für krebskranke Kinder

I wish Ethan speedy recovery and please note that children have more chance of surviving cancer so keep your chin up.