Everyday Food Has Impact on Cancer

cindylou · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 9

My 69 year old Mom was diagnosed with unresectable pancreactic cancer six months ago. The tumor is the body of the pancreas and has surrounded the hepatic artery. She just got results from her CT scan done last week, the tumor has shrunk a couple mm and her tumor markers have gone from 45 down to 6. There is no sign of metastasis at this point. We don't know how long this will last but we are enjoying this moment.
My Mom's lifestyle has been completely overhauled. My Dad no longer smokes around her, as smoking is the most difinite link to this horrible cancer. She now goes for daily walks of 30 minutes. She has cut out all white sugar from her diet, as cancerous tumors love white sugar. She goes to a naturopath and has ukrain and lipoic acid injected weekly. We read about a pancreatic cancer patient who has survived four years now with lipoic acid injections.
My Mom takes Multivitamins in liqid form,, 1000 mg of Vitamin D, pancreatic enzymes, coenzyme Q10 100 mg daily, reishi mushroom tablets 6000 mg daily, cordyceps mushroom tablets 600 mg daily, and phytoplanton twice daily. She has fresh vegetables at every meal, because of the antioxidants involved. She is not suppose to eat fruits because of the sugar content. All pasta and bread is whole wheat, all rice is brown. White converted rice is like white sugar.
Our family is hoping the lifestyle changes will prolong Mom's life. We must all share any ideas we have to fight this disease........Cindy

brainman · Last edited by brainman on Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:04 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi Cindy, I am so sorry about your mother's cancer. Pancreatic cancer can be so devastating. Is she on chemotherapy or radiation therapy? I would not imagine that she is a candidate for surgery because of the artery involvement.

Your mother's change in life-style and diet can only help. She must have a very strong will to live and a strong willpower to make such changes.

You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
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cindylou · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 9

Mom is on chemotherapy only, she goes in for gencitabine once a week. It's considered pallative chemo, and I hate that word pallative. Its like they are giving her no hope whatsoever. How can someone go from being active, healthy, a young retiree to being terminal within a month of diagnosis. What a shock for us all. I feel the pain for everyone on this website, because its such a hopeless disease........Cindy

brainman

It is hard not to hate palliative care. How I deal with that term it to try to remind myself that none of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. Your mom could live for a lot longer than you, I, or her doctors expect. Palliative care will help maintain her quality of life from whatever more time she has left.

Cindy. you and your mom continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

cindylou · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 9

Has anyone heard of an arterial resection for pancreatic cancer? My Mom's cancer is still only in her pancreas but the doctor's said they can't operate due to the arterial involvement. They must do arterial resections for other conditions, ie heart transplants. An operation would give my Mom the only chance of survival.........Cindy

cindylou · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 9

My Mom continues to do well, much to everyone's surprise. We are even going on a cruise in May! I feel I have to give you all some hope with this cancer. It has been 10 1/2 months since her diagnosis, and her tumor remains in her pancreas and has not spread yet. She is continuing with her naturopathic diet and lifestyle as well as doing her weekly chemotherapy. I truly believe she has built up her immunity from her diet and supplements, and has somehow slowed down this disease. She continues to go to the naturopath for Ukrain and has now added Vitamin C as well. I have no idea how long we can expect this blessing to last. I pray for each and every one of you.....Cindy

Mrs B. · New User Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

Hi Cindy,

Are you still looking for surgical possibilities?
I live in Europe, and the place to go to is the european pancreas centre in Heidelberg. They have a lot of experience with pancreatic cancer, also when the arteries are involved. You can send them CT-scans and ask for their opinion. So you don't have to go there for a consultation.
If they see a possibility, they can contact your moms doctors.

I hope your mom stays with you for a long time!

cindylou · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 9

Thank you Mrs B! A ray of hope perhaps, I will look into it right away.....Cindy

joekane · New User Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Austin, TX

Hi Cindy,

I was wondering if you could give me some more info about ukrain and lipoic injections. It has been four months since my dad's diagnosis and his tumor is still localized in the pancreas, but tied up with some arteries as well. He has gemcitabine injections weekly, eats healthy, and has begun adding some different herbs and supplements to his diet. I found a couple studies on ukrain injections and cancer and it seems very promising. What kind of doctor/clinic offers such treatment? How would I go about looking for such a place (my dad lives in Dallas)? Any info you could offer me on any of this stuff would be awesome. Thank you so much for your help and I hope your mom is doing well.

-Joe

cindylou · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 9

My Mom and I just went on a 5 day cruise almost one year after her initial diagnosis, and today she is busy buying plants for her garden! So don't give up hope for your Dad, I am so glad you are interested in naturopathic remedies, because they have made such a difference for my Mom. We live in Vancouver, BC and Mom goes to see Dr. Lemmo, a naturopath who works with the integrated care part of the BC Cancer Agency. His website is www.lemmo.com, and perhaps you can email him for more info. Try to find a naturopath that your cancer agency recommends. Mom goes in once a week for Ukrain intravenous injections, which takes about an hour. You can go in twice a week for Ukrain. It is expensive, about $500 per dose, and for the whole dose it is $40,000. Dr. Lemmo really is against any red meat, so Mom usually eats organic chicken or fish, along with whole wheat pasta or brown rice. NO WHITE SUGAR, that just makes the tumor grow. Mom tried Lipoic Acid but she got chills and heart palpitations so she quit. I was disappointed because I read about a man who has survived pancreatic cancer five years just by going in for Lipoic Acid injections once a week as well as a healthy lifestyle.
How long has your Dad been diagnosed with PC? How long has he been taking gemcitabine? Has he had a scan since he started chemo, has his tumor responded to the chemo alone. My prayers for you and your Dad, I know what you are going through. Keep in touch......Cindy

joekane · New User Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Austin, TX

Cindy,
My dad was diagnosed on January 16th of this year. He first went through a round of combination chemo and radiation to try to move the tumor away from the blood vessels. This lowered his tumor marker significantly, but he still was not able to have surgery. He has been on gemcitabine for only three weeks and may undergo another round of radiation. His last scan showed that the tumor may have shrunk a little bit, but it's unclear. I've tried to get him to adjust his diet but he still likes eating sweets and red meat from time to time. But I'm going to keep trying to gently encourage him; I know if a doctor told him he would listen for sure, but his doctors haven't taught him hardly anything about diet. This is why I'd love to get him in to see a naturopath doctor. He has been taking triphala, papaya enzymes, some antioxidant boosters, v-8 juice, and as many vegetables as he can eat. So he's definitely willing to try things that have any evidence of helping. Were the mushroom supplements and pancreatic enzymes recommended by Dr. Lemmo? What are the benefits of taking these? I'm so glad your mom is staying active (my dad works on his garden a lot too!). Exercise, relaxation, and a good attitude definitely seem to help, in addition to everything else. You and your mother will be in my prayers as well. Thanks again.
-Joe

Norman68 · New User Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 2

Hi Cindy:

My mom had her Pancreatic Cancer removed 2 years ago. But recently the CT scan showed the Cancer has come back. She will start Chemo next week. At the same time, i am looking for the supplementary treatment. I was wondering where did you buy the Triphala? Is there a drug store in Great Vancouver Area that i could buy this herbs? BTW, we are also living in Vancouver area.

Thanks for the info in advance,

Norman

serioga · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:14 am Post subject: Triphala

Hello, Norman,

Whole Foods stores (at least here, in NC) carry Triphala. You may also want to try the Internet.

Good luck!

Serguei

Norman68 · New User Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks Sergui for your reply

Norman

serioga · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject: Triphala experience

You are welcome!

I also want to share my experience of using it. I read about it right after I was diagnosed (June of 2007) and I started using it as soon as I found it and cleared with my Doc. The dull pain that I was having went away almost immediately. I was sincerely hoping that during my Whipple the Doc would discover that my tumor was shrinking, but no such luck :-) But it does help with the bowel movements and with discomfort management. I've been using it for the most part of almost a year since my surgery and I see a difference it makes for my well-being.

Serguei
_________________
******************

Daughter: PNET, diagnosed Dec. 2005; recurred Dec 2007

self: NET, diagnosed June 2007

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