Heightened immune system

Landranger25
Landranger25 Member Posts: 210 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
This post is not for anything bad that is affecting me right now (for a change!) but for something good. It has been well over a year since I have had a cold, sinus or flu of some kind. I was being so careful during chemo last year, careful of who got near me, what I touched, extra hand washing and trying very hard not to touch eyes, nose or face. It is now over 8 months since my last rad and nothing even though I am pretty much back to normal lifestyle. Is my immune system ramped up after it getting trashed? Do I just have better hygiene habits now? Anyone else similar? Hope I don't jinx myself with this post. Thanks in advance.

Mike

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Mike


    I don’t think you will jinx’s your self, one thing cancer does, it makes us all better aware of taking care of our bodies. Your immune system should be up to 90% of normal by now and with the added care you are taking it is showing. A healthy immune will also keep any re-occurring cancer cells from starting.

    All the best to you my friend
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    Hondo said:

    Hi Mike


    I don’t think you will jinx’s your self, one thing cancer does, it makes us all better aware of taking care of our bodies. Your immune system should be up to 90% of normal by now and with the added care you are taking it is showing. A healthy immune will also keep any re-occurring cancer cells from starting.

    All the best to you my friend

    Visitor Nazi
    Mike,

    I have nicknamed my wife the Visitor Nazi (as in Soup Nazi from Seinfeld). She interogated everyone that wanted to come see me during treatments and still questions people that are sick and coming over (11 weeks post-treatment). A lot of our friends call her that now, and she's not paricularly fond of it.

    Hey I repsonded to you on another thread. Besides kayaks in common (I've got 2 and looking for a 3rd) I see you're in the civil engr field. Structural/Civil here.

    Good for you for not getting sick also!

    Greg
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    Same here.....
    I have had the same experience with not getting sick and like you I don't want to jinx myself by saying that :-) I'm 9 months post treatment and I haven't had a sniffle since before Dec. '09, even with losing our power twice last winter due to bad storms. Went without heat for 7 days the first time and 4 days the second time. Had to run our generator and use space heaters to stay warm, the house never got above 50 degrees but we survived. I haven't had any problems with the pollen this year either. Not sure if it's a good side effect from the treatment (if there is such a thing as a good side effect ;-)

    Stay well, Glenna
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    I figured it was the mucositis ...
    Since treatment started, I've had such bad mucositis that I've had a constant flow of gunk and slime outward. I figured the germs just didn't have a chance to get in. Any thing that tried to get in would have been immediately coughed, spit, hacked or blown out.

    TMI, sorry.

    Deb
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    Glenna M said:

    Same here.....
    I have had the same experience with not getting sick and like you I don't want to jinx myself by saying that :-) I'm 9 months post treatment and I haven't had a sniffle since before Dec. '09, even with losing our power twice last winter due to bad storms. Went without heat for 7 days the first time and 4 days the second time. Had to run our generator and use space heaters to stay warm, the house never got above 50 degrees but we survived. I haven't had any problems with the pollen this year either. Not sure if it's a good side effect from the treatment (if there is such a thing as a good side effect ;-)

    Stay well, Glenna

    Bizarre
    Mike,

    Interesting as I haven't even has a sniffle since treatment - except after I eat I get a mild nasal drip.

    While in hospital - I got pneumonia and some very badly infected ingrown toe and finger nails which lasted well after treatment - but since then nothing. My wife who rarely gets sick has had flu and colds, my 2 little kids have had a steady flow of bugs, flu, coughs, colds - thanks to my little girls bacteria and virus farm = preschool, but still nothing for me. For once it's good to be left out.

    I put it down to the hefty regime of Vitamins and supplements I take. Maybe there is more to this ???

    Another very interesting thing I have noticed is that I don't get fatigued now. I suffered chronic fatigue for many years and never really was fully over it (since 1990), but now it's gone ! If I ever worked out or did some heavy exertion, rides, hikes etc, I would feel tired and even for a couple of days I might feel it. Now I can ride 20-30 miles 'hard' riding, and within minutes, it's as if I haven't done anything.

    I am very happy with this new me by the way. The change in the fatigue part really started and was more noticeable since I stopped all animal protein and rubbish food. With such a good result, I am motivated now to stay with the program. I actually feel the best I have in over 20 years. My energy stays high and the same all day and I mean from 8am to 10pm. Astonishing but I have read many similar testimonials from people who have changed their diet in the same way.

    I look FWD to more reports here to see if there is a noticeable pattern of 'no sickness'.

    Great post Mike.

    Scam
  • Landranger25
    Landranger25 Member Posts: 210 Member
    Greg53 said:

    Visitor Nazi
    Mike,

    I have nicknamed my wife the Visitor Nazi (as in Soup Nazi from Seinfeld). She interogated everyone that wanted to come see me during treatments and still questions people that are sick and coming over (11 weeks post-treatment). A lot of our friends call her that now, and she's not paricularly fond of it.

    Hey I repsonded to you on another thread. Besides kayaks in common (I've got 2 and looking for a 3rd) I see you're in the civil engr field. Structural/Civil here.

    Good for you for not getting sick also!

    Greg

    2 boats 2
    Hey Greg, saw your other post as well. Hope you are keeping busy at work. Things pretty slow in Michigan. I am only working minimally now as we have no private developement at all and our Municiple and Government is just keeping things going. I suppose it is a good thing after all I have been through but I sure would like to just get back to normal as much as possible. As for kayaks, I have 2 as well. I still have my first one which I made myself. It is a "skin" boat with a frame made of Sitka Spruce. Very interesting and enjoyable project. My buddies with their $2500 boats couldn't believe it. I also have a Current Designs Storm rotomolded boat with many miles on it. Wish it got as much use now as in the old days. (10 years ago?!) WOW. Anyways, take care yourself and get out on the water. It will help your mind as well as your body. Take care.

    Mike
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Chemo and Rads
    LOL, I have noticed the same thing....

    No colds or sniffles, but I have just recently had a few sinus headaches. I just attribute it to the chemo and rads, hell it must have killed every little bug in my system for a good year I think (hopefully all of the really bad ones forever)....LOL.

    ~John
  • Joel4
    Joel4 Member Posts: 263 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Chemo and Rads
    LOL, I have noticed the same thing....

    No colds or sniffles, but I have just recently had a few sinus headaches. I just attribute it to the chemo and rads, hell it must have killed every little bug in my system for a good year I think (hopefully all of the really bad ones forever)....LOL.

    ~John

    Feeling Good
    I was diagnosed with SCC Unknown Primary in April and had surgery a couple of weeks later. I noticed that my immune system had been kicking butt long before I was even diagnosed.
    Every winter I have multiple colds, bouts of strep throat, and the occasional flu symptoms but this last winter I was healthy and feeling great throughout.
    Of course I had cancer and didn't know it BUT my general health was never better. My body was fighting for its life and was destroying every virus and cold that came along. In fact it looks like my body even may have fought off the primary tumor according to my Doctor, although I know that it was the healing hand of God!
    Since surgery I have felt like a million bucks and have only had to contend with the occasional sniffles. I am an allergy sufferer too and when everyone was telling me that this spring was one of the worse for allergies I just thanked the lord because I have never had a better year for allergies.
  • Joel4 said:

    Feeling Good
    I was diagnosed with SCC Unknown Primary in April and had surgery a couple of weeks later. I noticed that my immune system had been kicking butt long before I was even diagnosed.
    Every winter I have multiple colds, bouts of strep throat, and the occasional flu symptoms but this last winter I was healthy and feeling great throughout.
    Of course I had cancer and didn't know it BUT my general health was never better. My body was fighting for its life and was destroying every virus and cold that came along. In fact it looks like my body even may have fought off the primary tumor according to my Doctor, although I know that it was the healing hand of God!
    Since surgery I have felt like a million bucks and have only had to contend with the occasional sniffles. I am an allergy sufferer too and when everyone was telling me that this spring was one of the worse for allergies I just thanked the lord because I have never had a better year for allergies.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Interesting.....
    Prior to my treatment of chemo and radiation, at least once every 6 months I was having to go to my dermatologist to get various skin problems "burned" off.....actually, the use of liquid oxygen sprayed on the skin problem. Now it seems that my skin does not develop these pre-skin cancerous spots anymore (at least not within the last year). I guess ole Cisplatnin took care of it. Anybody else notice this behavior ??

    Larry
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973

    Interesting.....
    Prior to my treatment of chemo and radiation, at least once every 6 months I was having to go to my dermatologist to get various skin problems "burned" off.....actually, the use of liquid oxygen sprayed on the skin problem. Now it seems that my skin does not develop these pre-skin cancerous spots anymore (at least not within the last year). I guess ole Cisplatnin took care of it. Anybody else notice this behavior ??

    Larry

    Skin Cancers
    Hi Larry,

    I have had to get 100's solar Keratoses and a few BCC's and SCC's burnt off or cut out over the years. I am very fair and the Australian sun is tough and I grew up on the beach before the real dangers of Skin Cancer and campaigns to SLIP SLOP SLAP had started (Slip on a shirt, Slop on the sun cream and Slap on a hat).

    During treatment last year September/October, I had Erbitux which I understand is a cousin of Efudex - which is a topical Chemo for Skin Cancer and pre-Skin Cancer treatment. Efudex is painted on your face or where ever - and causes your skin to blister up and peel, killing off the sun affected (cancerous and precancerous) cells. Once healed, it leaves behind new fresh unaffected skin. It's a bit like a Chemical face lift.

    Erbitux has a similar effect as many of us know, with the nasty rash on the face. I did notice my skin was better after the Erbitux peel, however 2 months post Tx I had a large SCC pop up on my forehead, and a BCC on the nose - both frozen and scraped out. They appeared very quickly and grew much faster than the few I had previously. One theory is there may have been a few SCC/BCC cells which escaped or were resistant to the Chemo, and they took off unabated. I had one more taken off my cheek last week which also came up very quickly. This idea of some cells being resistant to Chemo has raised questions about if this is a possible cause of recurrence i.e. due to some 'Chemo -Resistant' cells multiplying and growing to tumor level.

    On the general health front, as I stated above, I have felt exceptionally good and free of all colds/flus etc. Just another mystery for now.

    Regds
    Scam
  • Clearblue
    Clearblue Member Posts: 186

    Skin Cancers
    Hi Larry,

    I have had to get 100's solar Keratoses and a few BCC's and SCC's burnt off or cut out over the years. I am very fair and the Australian sun is tough and I grew up on the beach before the real dangers of Skin Cancer and campaigns to SLIP SLOP SLAP had started (Slip on a shirt, Slop on the sun cream and Slap on a hat).

    During treatment last year September/October, I had Erbitux which I understand is a cousin of Efudex - which is a topical Chemo for Skin Cancer and pre-Skin Cancer treatment. Efudex is painted on your face or where ever - and causes your skin to blister up and peel, killing off the sun affected (cancerous and precancerous) cells. Once healed, it leaves behind new fresh unaffected skin. It's a bit like a Chemical face lift.

    Erbitux has a similar effect as many of us know, with the nasty rash on the face. I did notice my skin was better after the Erbitux peel, however 2 months post Tx I had a large SCC pop up on my forehead, and a BCC on the nose - both frozen and scraped out. They appeared very quickly and grew much faster than the few I had previously. One theory is there may have been a few SCC/BCC cells which escaped or were resistant to the Chemo, and they took off unabated. I had one more taken off my cheek last week which also came up very quickly. This idea of some cells being resistant to Chemo has raised questions about if this is a possible cause of recurrence i.e. due to some 'Chemo -Resistant' cells multiplying and growing to tumor level.

    On the general health front, as I stated above, I have felt exceptionally good and free of all colds/flus etc. Just another mystery for now.

    Regds
    Scam

    Scam, do you remember?
    Hi,

    1.Do u remember how long it took ,after you stopped erbitux, for the skin effects to dissapear?

    Also, "This idea of some cells being resistant to Chemo has raised questions about if this is a possible cause of recurrence i.e. due to some 'Chemo -Resistant' cells multiplying and growing to tumor level." (your post above) -
    2.R u talking abput your Doctrs or is there a study on this issue?

    3. For the last couple of months ive had a sore throat and my swallowing feels different, like more work. So being unapologetically paranoid, i saw my GP, had a throat culture test, which came out negative and yesterday i saw an ENT specialist who did a scope through the nostril test and concluded that i have "signs of GERD" . I have cut down almost completely on meat ans have cut down drastically on chicken too. I dont eat spicy foods at all.
    Do u have any recommends re nutrition for this problem?

    Clear.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    Clearblue said:

    Scam, do you remember?
    Hi,

    1.Do u remember how long it took ,after you stopped erbitux, for the skin effects to dissapear?

    Also, "This idea of some cells being resistant to Chemo has raised questions about if this is a possible cause of recurrence i.e. due to some 'Chemo -Resistant' cells multiplying and growing to tumor level." (your post above) -
    2.R u talking abput your Doctrs or is there a study on this issue?

    3. For the last couple of months ive had a sore throat and my swallowing feels different, like more work. So being unapologetically paranoid, i saw my GP, had a throat culture test, which came out negative and yesterday i saw an ENT specialist who did a scope through the nostril test and concluded that i have "signs of GERD" . I have cut down almost completely on meat ans have cut down drastically on chicken too. I dont eat spicy foods at all.
    Do u have any recommends re nutrition for this problem?

    Clear.

    Answers for Clear...
    Hi CB,

    1. My Erbitux rash cleared up before I finished treatment. I think I had it from about week 3 to week 5.

    2. I read and watched some views on this from the Gerson institute ->> http://www.gerson.org/

    The subject is mentioned in many other books. Remember it is hard to 'prove' this scientifically, hence Doctors will generally not consider this as a possibility unless they see a study done. Who is going to fund a study costing millions to prove Chemo can be bad for you ?? I just remember how long it took to scientifically and legally 'prove' that smoking is dangerous for your health. It wasn't that long ago that Cigarettes were advertised 'and' endorsed by Doctors in the New England Journal of Medicine. In brief, it seems strange that doctors don't consider this as a possibility when they see thousands upon thousands of aggressive cancer recurrences post treatment.

    3.GERD ....Hmmmm I've been a sufferer since I was 12 so 35+ years. I have been on an off PPI meds like Tagamet, Zantac and more recently Nexium for years. For a healthy way through, it can really take a big shift in your dietary habits and maybe some more investigation to your cause. Slippery Elm powder is very good as a healthy supplemnt. I also take Co Enzymes and probiotic supplements and acidopholous to repair and help the gut operate properly. Obviously certain food will aggravate the condition, while other help. Meats, coffee and sugars are not good. Also eating earlier and less in the evenings and taking a short relaxing walk after eating (& not doing the couch potato routine) is a very good habit to start.

    Since I went off all animal products, I rarely get any reflux. You need to repair your gut, and get all vital organs back in shape. There are quite a few probable causes including : Hiatus hernia, leaky guy syndrome, hyperacidity, Pylori heliobacillus bacteria (now treatable with an antibiotic - there is also an easy diagnostic test now). I also found that when my back was out of alignment, my condition was acute. A visit to the Physio or Osteopath usually fixed that and now I do exercises to help. You may to need seek advice from a good naturopath and understand the cause, then you can have a better direction for treatment. Regardless - I would suggest you get very serious about diet. It took me way too long to wake up in that department. We are a very stubborn breed of animal.

    Hope this helps in some way.

    Regds
    Scam
  • Clearblue
    Clearblue Member Posts: 186

    Answers for Clear...
    Hi CB,

    1. My Erbitux rash cleared up before I finished treatment. I think I had it from about week 3 to week 5.

    2. I read and watched some views on this from the Gerson institute ->> http://www.gerson.org/

    The subject is mentioned in many other books. Remember it is hard to 'prove' this scientifically, hence Doctors will generally not consider this as a possibility unless they see a study done. Who is going to fund a study costing millions to prove Chemo can be bad for you ?? I just remember how long it took to scientifically and legally 'prove' that smoking is dangerous for your health. It wasn't that long ago that Cigarettes were advertised 'and' endorsed by Doctors in the New England Journal of Medicine. In brief, it seems strange that doctors don't consider this as a possibility when they see thousands upon thousands of aggressive cancer recurrences post treatment.

    3.GERD ....Hmmmm I've been a sufferer since I was 12 so 35+ years. I have been on an off PPI meds like Tagamet, Zantac and more recently Nexium for years. For a healthy way through, it can really take a big shift in your dietary habits and maybe some more investigation to your cause. Slippery Elm powder is very good as a healthy supplemnt. I also take Co Enzymes and probiotic supplements and acidopholous to repair and help the gut operate properly. Obviously certain food will aggravate the condition, while other help. Meats, coffee and sugars are not good. Also eating earlier and less in the evenings and taking a short relaxing walk after eating (& not doing the couch potato routine) is a very good habit to start.

    Since I went off all animal products, I rarely get any reflux. You need to repair your gut, and get all vital organs back in shape. There are quite a few probable causes including : Hiatus hernia, leaky guy syndrome, hyperacidity, Pylori heliobacillus bacteria (now treatable with an antibiotic - there is also an easy diagnostic test now). I also found that when my back was out of alignment, my condition was acute. A visit to the Physio or Osteopath usually fixed that and now I do exercises to help. You may to need seek advice from a good naturopath and understand the cause, then you can have a better direction for treatment. Regardless - I would suggest you get very serious about diet. It took me way too long to wake up in that department. We are a very stubborn breed of animal.

    Hope this helps in some way.

    Regds
    Scam

    tnx scam
    1. tnx fro your rsponse. I have been given: "Doctors will generally not consider this as a possibility unless they see a study done. Who is going to fund a study costing millions to prove Chemo can be bad for you" (your post above). -Makes sense!

    btw, check out Esophagal Cancer discussion group,- Gerson June 6 posts.
    Clear
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    Clearblue said:

    tnx scam
    1. tnx fro your rsponse. I have been given: "Doctors will generally not consider this as a possibility unless they see a study done. Who is going to fund a study costing millions to prove Chemo can be bad for you" (your post above). -Makes sense!

    btw, check out Esophagal Cancer discussion group,- Gerson June 6 posts.
    Clear

    Checked
    Hi Clear,

    I checked the thread.I don't think that guy has has actually ever read a book and if so, maybe one. He is a confirmed 'Flat Earth Society' member. I didn't bother to chime in though tempted ;o) The fact that his criticizing 'anyone' who dared charge $58 for a bunch of 'products' is a valid reason to discredit someone who has perhaps spend 30-40 years of their lives dedicated to finding a better way to treat people, is ridiculous. Also 'funny' that when comparing what we have all had to spend on our treatments - my medical bills to date are close to $180,000USD.

    I now prefer to use my oxygen for people who have an open mind and understand at least a little or have some interest in integrated medicine and treatment. Max Gerson did a lot of innovative work and was a pioneer of 'Nutri-therapy'. I imagine he had his share successes and failures, but tell me a treatment that doesn't. There are websites connecting you to long term survivors of Gerson treatments who share their stories, pretty much like we do here. While his techniques were not perfect, nor a silver bullet, I gather they (the institute) have moderated and improved the information and methods and integrated more with main stream medicine.

    It's just a shame the Multi-billion dollar drug companies don't fork out a % of their mega profits (to which we all contribute daily) to fund independent research projects to investigate all the other possible treatments and preventative measures we could be more certain of. It's a bit like asking the nuclear weapons industry to sponsor an Arms Reduction Summit.

    Good chatting.
    Scam