Article from Dr. Lenz

Buckwirth said:

Lisa
Do we or don't want to look at the research? Should everything anyone says be taken at face value? How is that "using your brains"?

One user posted the benefits of Turmeric, and said that it was a booster for chemo. Sloan-Kettering points out that the current recommendation is that Turmeric should not be used when in Chemo.

What was the the source for the original poster? That Turmeric can have a boosting effect for chemos no longer in use because their side effects outweighed their benefits, and that by being able to use those particular chemo agents in lower doses with turmeric maybe they could be brought back. It was a chemical specific test, and saying that it applied to all chemotherapy agents was irresponsible.

The number one cause of Cancer in the first world today? Obesity. So a better diet is to be commended, and eating healthy will do no harm.

I am sorry that you find contrary information disturbing, but we cannot just say everything works, and if someone asks a question it is fair to get answers from both sides if there is some kind of controversy.

Here is what I will promise. I won't put up anything that I do not personally believe to be solid fact. I won't question science where the science is not questionable. In this case biology is, well, biology. I don't make this stuff up, the body works the way it works.

Have I ever told someone to stop what they were doing (exception- where it can cause current harm such as turmeric)? Have I called anyone names or passed judgement on them? I know I have asked that some give credit to their surgeons, but I never saw that as passing judgement, and I can tell you that whole post was me blowing steam about a user who does not have CRC but comes here often with what I consider to be really bad advice.

Hope that helps, and I hope you don't hate me for doing just this: "use your brains and follow your hearts!"

Kathleen808 said:

Dr Lenz
Hi Lisa,
We talked to Dr. Lenz about this at ****'s appointment on Monday. He basically said the same thing as the article. That both Avastin and Erbitux are often effective in metastasized disease but not Stage 3 disease. He said that they don't know why yet but that is what the research shows.

Thinking of you and always praying for you.

Aloha,
Kathleen

lisa42 said:

Me?
Smokeyjoe,

I think you are asking me- I have had new mets in my liver and lungs along the way- I had my liver resected in May '08 & now I have 4 spots in my liver so, yes, I have had new mets pop up. I also had a recurrence in my rectum at the original tumor site. I have not, however, had new tumors pop up in any new sites since my original diagnosis. It was already profusely throughout my liver and lungs upon my diagnosis in Aug. '07.

Lisa

plh4gail said:

Hmmm.....love and hugs to
Hmmm.....love and hugs to you Lisa!....your Central Cali buddy, Gail

P.S. you hang in there like a trooper!!

Buckwirth said:

If it was me
My last scan showed great improvement at most of my lymph sites, but my original tumor and one lymph lit up the scan.

Long story short, on 1-10 they took out the rectum and gave me a permanent colostomy.

Since then, no treatment and no scans. Next scan is May, treatment decisions to follow.

lisa42 said:

coping- Smokeyjoe
Hi,

Coping with all that having a cancer diagnosis entails isn't easy. It doesn't really seem to matter what stage a person is- I know someone who was stage I but was completely devastated and fell apart upon her diagnosis. I will not be one to judge someone based upon how bad or good their outcome is supposed to be. We are all different and we react to things differently. Some people even have a delayed reaction a ways down the cancer road. How do I personally cope? Well, like I said, it's not easy, but I do talk to a lot of people. I can't tell you how much coming here on the CSN site has helped me. Also, I have met some friends- a couple through CSN and a couple just through other people- & these women all have my same kind of cancer. We talk on the phone a lot and email back and forth. Nothing is taboo to talk about- we talk about it all- all that is involved with cancer, chemo, plus also about our families, feelings, and other people around us.
You need someone to talk with- someone who really has been there.
If you haven't discovered anyone from CSN who lives near you, I'd start there & hopefully you will hit it off.
Going to a counselor is also something I've done. I admit I would have liked to talk with a counselor more than I have, but I'm always so busy with my regular dr. appts and all the activities and appts my three kids have, that it doesn't leave a lot of time for me. It is important to carve out time for dealing with your feelings- I am learning that!

I don't know what your situation is with regards to family, how many people you have around you, etc. I would say to get involved in something if you're not- whether it's an exercise class, a community center class for fun (whatever your interest is), volunteering somewhere, etc. Something to get your mind off cancer and also feel good about yourself in that maybe you're helping others. Do you currently work?

Whatever you do, do something for yourself that is fun and makes you feel good & definitely plug in with a counselor and/or local support group, and also plug in with other people who "have been there". & keep coming back here!

Take care!!
Lisa