Government Reform and Oversight Committee
February 4, 1998
Ms. Genevieve Sherman
My name is Genevieve Sherman. I live in Haddonfield, New
Jersey and I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity
to be present today. Grateful not only for the opportunity
to speak to you about alternative medicine but grateful to
be alive. You see, I am a cancer survivor. Not a survivor
by chance, but a survivor by choice, My choice was in direct
defiance of mainstream medicine's recommendation for breast
cancer treatment. My choice was alternative treatment and
it is that choice and my right as a U. S. citizen to receive
it, that brings me here today.
Please allow me to give you a brief summary of the circumstances
which lead me to this choice. In January of 1991, I was diagnosed
with stage four breast cancer with lymph node involvement.
My surgeonlremoved the right breast and lymph nodes and referred
me to an oncologist at Jefferson University for follow-up
treatment. He stated that inasmuch as nine lymph nodes had
been affected and given the aggressive nature of my cancer
my survival depended solely on the outcome of chemotherapy.
I stated I would have to think about the treatment. Neither
the doctor nor medical science could assure me success, My
friend's experienced and my own knowledge of the chemotherapy
was a dark prospect at a time when not only living or surviving
counted but the quality of life was essential for me. Chemotherapy
is not a sure bet and it's ravaging effects on the body and
the body's immune system can be devastating.
My daughters had read about a renowned physician in New York
who was a strong advocate of alternative and complementary
medicine. I then went to see him. We discussed the alternative
treatments that he felt would be effective in my case. He
stressed that I would by an active participant in my cure.
That was the key word... active. He assured me that I would
not experience the debilitating effects of chemotherapy. No
hair loss, no nausea, no stomatitis, no weight loss, no chronic
diarrhea or crushing fatigue. It was at that point that I
made the most important decision of my life. My oncologist
was strongly opposed and more or less had washed his hands
of me when learning of my decision.
I would now be traveling to NewYork from New Jersey three
times a week initially to be monitored and receive various
alternative treatments consisting of supplements to strengthen
my immune system; I.V.'s with cancer fighting alternative
treatments, nutritional counseling and various other herbal
and plant preparations. My Woodwork was monitored on a regular
basis. My diet was addressed as well as my emotional state.
It was a total and complete approach to fighting and beating
cancer. At the clinic the mood was always high. People from
all over the counrty had placed their faith in alternative
medicine when mainstream medicine had failed them or turned
them away to quote "finish their personal business" People
of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences getting better
with no ill effects. Yes, there were challenges and at times
a set back or two, but overall there was success for all different
types of illnesses; not just cancer.
My cancer markers began to drop to within normal range and
my liver and bone scans remained negative. My spirit soared
and I had hope for the first time since being diagnosed. I
was able to be treated for cancer and still remain a vital,
active person! It has been almost eight years since I first
began treatment and I remain cancer free. Of course I continue
treatment with my physician in New York but my visits are
few and far between. The treatment protocol is constantly
monitored and adjusted to address my current needs. My choice
had paid off...I am alive and enjoying family, friends and
al 1 that life for a 77 year old woman has to offer. Thanks
to the brave and pioneering few in medicine who choose to
offer a safe and healthier approach to life and health.
Now I must relate the only downsides to alternative medicine,
which is,extremely bothersome to those who have chooser this
route. Recently, I was advised that any cancer treatment medicine
for the I.V.'s I had been receiving through a local physician,
who consults with my primary physician in New York Dr. Robert
Atkins, could no longer be sent through the mail. These treatments
are crucial to the health of chose depending on them. It is
already difficult enough to receive some of the more unconventional
treatments because of restrictions placed upon them. I truly
feel it is my choice my right to receive them.
I am also deeply concerned that none ofthese therapies are
covered by Medicare or any other insurance. My husband (age
77) has to continue to work in order that I may continue my
life-saving treatments. We have depleted all of our life savings
in order that may have the right to choose the course of my
cancer treatment. My concern is for those who do not have
the resources to provide them the option of choosing. These
therapies allow the human being to remain a productive person
while treating. Chemo and radiation to not. Each week I sit
in my doctor's office with as many as 26 or more patients
who are recipients of chelation or other alternative therapies.
Naturally, we are constantly discussing the merits of these
treatments. However, we all share a sense of despair that
these treatments are not more easily accessible to those in
great need of them or that at some time or another they may
be unavailable to us or our loved ones altogether. Either
the cost will prohibit it or it will be made unavailable to
us because of FDA regulations. These issues must be addressed
and remedies soon as possible. Every American man, woman and
child has the right to choose and receive the course of medical
treatment they feel best suites their lives. It should not
be the government or the insurance companies right to deem
what choices a person will have. Currently the success rate
for such traditional treatments as chemotherapy and radiation
is not exactly high, yet these treatments are covered. Alternative.
therapy quite often allows the patient to remain working without
the need for assistance. In my opinion, this seems a considerable
cost-effective reason for covering alternative treatments.
Only one of the many reasons. That is why it is imperative
that more must be done to make alternative medicine accessible
to the American public. I thank you for giving me this opportunity
to speak to you today.
Genevieve J. Sherman
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