Healthy ideas for those finished with treatments for CRC

Gail (plh4gail) asked on another thread what kinds of things she should/could be doing now that her western treatments (surgeries, chemo, radiation) are finished. I thought it was a great question and deserved its’ own thread.

My situation was dire so many will look upon my list as extreme but I just can’t argue with success and the more I learn the more I tweak. Given that I am in non-surgical remission, I’m a little afraid to change too much of what has worked for me cuz I am just not sure I can beat the beast a second time.

I hope others will share their thoughts, strategies, and experiences especially those that have been NED for several years.

Gail, recurrences for colorectal/anal cancers usually happen within 2 years of finishing treatments so I think you need to be extra careful now! I took a 2 pronged approach; boosting my immune system while minimizing my exposure to toxins that would stress my body. My recommendations are (in no particular order, if you want to know why, just ask me):

1) Only eat meat that is grass fed (not grain fed)that has not been shot up with steroids or hormones and are not fed antibiotics. I would only eat beef once a week but you can eat elk, bison, deer, and other non-shot up meat.

2) Only eat poultry that is free range and fed without antibiotics, hormones, or by-products.

3) Only eat dairy from “healthy cows”. Goat cheeses and almond mild are great choices.

4) Give your liver a break so it can work on purifying your blood and feeding your cells with healthy goodies.

a. Minimize added sugars as much as possible. Read your labels, if they have high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup or any other sugars on them look for an alternative product. Yogurt in particular here!!! Greek is the best, Activia the one that is supposed to help our gut is loaded with added sugars. Remember low fat does not mean low sugar!!! They lie just to make money. DO NOT believe TV commercials.
b. Juice fresh veggies and some fruits
c. Drink smoothies, mostly veggie but some fruit.
d. Try not to eat fruit or any kind of sugar on an empty stomach or before bedtime.
e. Print out foods on the glycemic index and focus on the ones below 50 expecially grains (which have the same effect as sugar to your body).

5) Exercise as you can but listen to your body and don’t overdo it. It is healing now so let it and don’t try to do too much, too soon. It could take 2 years or more for it to heal.

6) If you are overweight and especially if you are obese, LOSE WEIGHT!!!! There is a reason obese and type 2 diabetics have a 40-50% higher risk of cancers in organs surrounded by fat (colorectal, anal, breast, prostate and pancreatic are the ones I remember off the top of my head).

7) Memorize your blood test results, especially ANC (absolute neutral count). That is your body’s ability to fight infections, including cancer. Work to get it high and keep it there with loads of good veggies.

8) Find time for just you, total quiet time. You have kids so try to get 10-15 minutes alone with no TV, music or anything and get everything out of your mind. I had a really hard time with this one until I learned to lay on my back on the floor in total silence, arms out till I was comfortable and focused on inhaling and exhaling. Fill up your lungs and tummy and then let it out, slow and easy and before you know it your mind is totally blank and stress free.

9) Find a spiritual outlet that you are comfortable with. Some find it at their church, others in the outdoors; the important thing is to believe in something bigger and more powerful then you are.

10) Lastly and most importantly (this has taken me years to comprehend) but instead of thinking “cancer is the best thing that happened to you” believe that “you are the best thing to happen to you”!! The key is to believe in yourself, believe in others, just BELIEVE in something.

Enuff for now Gail and again great question!

Lisa P.