To the stage 4 colon cancer survivors:

Fergus2007

What are some of the livestyle canges that you atribute to your survival?
- Dietary changes?
- special tea?
- excersise?
- vitamins and supplements?

AuthorUnknown

I am not the CC survivor here and can't give advice about the things you asked specifically. Others here have walked the walk and they will comment. There are many with excellent advice.

I just wanted to add something not listed. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE is vital. Acceptig the challenges that come with chemo and all the other things that happen once CC is discovered is a large step in the right direction. I have seen my husband endure many chemo treatments and all their side effects. Still, he continues to work, etc. every day. (like the energizer bunny) He is considered stage 4 as of 6/05 but to look at him, it would appear that nothing is wrong.

Good idea to gather as much info as possible.

There are many people out there that will gladly give you their advice. People who have no idea what you are dealing with. Always, take what you can use and discard the rest.

There are some people who mean well but do not have a clue. (not the people on this site, just people in general)

sladich

I have Stage 4 colon cancer, dx 9/04, 3 recurrences.

Dietary changes - I've changed somewhat and try to eat healthier - more vegies and fruit but I wasn't a bad eater before. I very seldom eat red meat (a good burger once in a while). I do this for the protein and when I was anemic with chemo.

Special tea: No - just regular tea, everday, but did before dx.

Exercise: I've always been an exerciser. I use to run 5-6 miles a day; however, now I walk, etc. I'm going to get back into running this spring when the weather gets better. I'm determined to run 13 miles by the end of the summer. Hopefully, I'll have no recurrences.

Vitamins & Supplements: Caltrate (2x/day), vitamin D, Aloe Vera (2x/day), Milk Thistle (2x/day), Tumeric (2x/day), 81mg aspirin.

A positive attitude - definitely. I have a "cancer free" vision board (if any of you saw/or read the book "The Secret" you'll know what I'm talking about) in my workout room that I look at everyday.

Debbie

hopefulone

Many will give advice on this I'm sure. I can only speak from our personal experience (hubby dx stage IV) but #1 you must have a positive attitude and #2 you must be your own advocate and seek all the options and potential options you can and #3 but certainly not the least, you must have faith in God.

Of course, eating healthier, exercise, etc can benefit us all, but for us personally, those are the top 3!
God Bless & Good Luck
Diane

shmurciakova

I attribute a whole range of things to my survival along with just plain luck. I made quite a few dietary changes which I stuck to very strictly at first. Now I am trying to get back on track with that. Diet is always a work in progress. I follow a low glycemic diet (Google Glycemic Index). I try to avoid sugar and refined carbs (white bread, rice, etc.). I also try to eat lots of veggies and have gone through spurts of juicing. I don't drink any special tea except for green tea. I still drink coffee in the mornings. I exercise as much as possible - much more in the summer mind you than in the winter, but I would certainly say I exercise more than the average bear.
Also I do take a whole range of supplements. If you have not done so already, I strongly recommend that you seek the council of a N.D. (naturopathic physician) who can help you through the maze of dietary supplements and get you on a program that best suits your needs. If you can find an N.D. that specializes in cancer patients, or at least is interested in that field, that would be best. I can tell you what all I take if you e-mail me.
Two things you did not mention though are the "mind" and the "spirit". There is a book called "You can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay that really helped me, also there is a DVD called "The Secret" which I think has much the same message. I personally feel that it is important to believe that you will be healed. If you think you are doomed, then you cannot be healed. As for spirit, that is different for each individual. For some it means going to church, for some it means praying. For me it means taking time out to reconnect with nature (God's works) if you will. Take time to go out and feel the breeze on your face, listen to the birds, listen to a river flowing over the stones, waves crashing, etc. Be grateful every single day.
That is what helped me.
Best wishes,
Susan H.

cjf2006

I'm not sure how long you have to be a survivor to count as a "survivor". I'm stage IV and not NED, but I have been been around since my dx in 10-2006. I was strict about a diet change at first(raw veggies, juicing, less starch), and I know better, but I have succombed to sweets and starchesmore than I should (I "gave in" when I was losing too much weight).I do take multiple supplements. I researched many sources that promoted nutrition. When taking chemo I was warned by my onc not to take antioxidants (A, C, E, selenium, zinc) but on my big break I am. I have always taken all of B's (B6 and B12 were suggested by my primary physician to help with the neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin), D, K, fish oil, flax oil, borage oil (good for hair and skin). During my big break I've added more including milk thistle, maitake mushroom extract, and some others. I may be crazy, but I think my side effects have not been so bad because of it.
I know I should exercise more. I used to walk more faithfully (30 min). Trying to get back into it.

A big thing for me has been attitude. I struggle sometimes with that, but overall, I am trying to focus on living with cancer, not dying from it. My faith in Jesus Christ has been a big part of that. I also found that I have the courage to go through chemo when I focus on an important goal. The statistics about Camptosar scared me , but the cancer was growing and my son's wedding was coming up, so I accepted going through it so I could be there. The cancer stopped growing, and I was there, and felt good.

Patti1

I also am not to CC Survivor here either (my husband diagnosed 1/5/06 call 8/13/06 his NED date, thats when he had surgery. The #1 thing you left off your list is a Positive Attitude.I don't think Bscurlock good have said it any better than I would have.

Special Tea...Don't like the stuff

Exercise..He put his mind to getting back on the motorcycle and since has

Vitamins...A good B Vitamin Complex as the Oxiliplatin gave him real bad neuropathy in his feet

Dietary Changes..Just try to keep a good nutrional balance, like a juggling act when you have had a permanent colostomy.

Have someone to talk to and do research (don't be afraid to ask questions)

Patti

Monicaemilia

Hi, dx Nov. 05, liver resection after being told I was inoperable, currently mets to lungs, working on a battle plan. Attitude is #1, but don't beat yourself up when you have a bad day(s). It is absolutely natural and expected. As for dietary changes, use common sense for YOU. I need to eat meat for protein because with an iliestomy beans as a substitute is not an option. I do a lot of juicing, take vitamins (C, D, Calcium) and drink green tea (has antioxidants). I don't exercise but I have a 2 year old that keeps me running and I tend to be exhausted by 9 p.m. I am looking at including some stationery cycling into my day. But most of all, living every day as it comes and trying not to think too much about tomorrow since it is not yet here. Monica

Fergus2007

AuthorUnknown said:

I am not the CC survivor here and can't give advice about the things you asked specifically. Others here have walked the walk and they will comment. There are many with excellent advice.

I just wanted to add something not listed. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE is vital. Acceptig the challenges that come with chemo and all the other things that happen once CC is discovered is a large step in the right direction. I have seen my husband endure many chemo treatments and all their side effects. Still, he continues to work, etc. every day. (like the energizer bunny) He is considered stage 4 as of 6/05 but to look at him, it would appear that nothing is wrong.

Good idea to gather as much info as possible.

There are many people out there that will gladly give you their advice. People who have no idea what you are dealing with. Always, take what you can use and discard the rest.

There are some people who mean well but do not have a clue. (not the people on this site, just people in general)

Thank you for your advise!
The entire family does their best to remain optimistic and have faith that things CAN turn towards the positive.
Your story certainly gives us hope!!

Fergus2007

sladich said:

I have Stage 4 colon cancer, dx 9/04, 3 recurrences.

Dietary changes - I've changed somewhat and try to eat healthier - more vegies and fruit but I wasn't a bad eater before. I very seldom eat red meat (a good burger once in a while). I do this for the protein and when I was anemic with chemo.

Special tea: No - just regular tea, everday, but did before dx.

Exercise: I've always been an exerciser. I use to run 5-6 miles a day; however, now I walk, etc. I'm going to get back into running this spring when the weather gets better. I'm determined to run 13 miles by the end of the summer. Hopefully, I'll have no recurrences.

Vitamins & Supplements: Caltrate (2x/day), vitamin D, Aloe Vera (2x/day), Milk Thistle (2x/day), Tumeric (2x/day), 81mg aspirin.

A positive attitude - definitely. I have a "cancer free" vision board (if any of you saw/or read the book "The Secret" you'll know what I'm talking about) in my workout room that I look at everyday.

Debbie

A friend actually gave me the movie "the secret" for X-Mas.
I think we'll have to watch it a couple of times

... I have a feeling a lot of the survival power does depend on attitude!!

Fergus2007

hopefulone said:

Many will give advice on this I'm sure. I can only speak from our personal experience (hubby dx stage IV) but #1 you must have a positive attitude and #2 you must be your own advocate and seek all the options and potential options you can and #3 but certainly not the least, you must have faith in God.

Of course, eating healthier, exercise, etc can benefit us all, but for us personally, those are the top 3!
God Bless & Good Luck
Diane

WE've got #2 and #3 covered.
Working on #1 at times - but hearing all the positive stories on here is helping us with that!

Fergus2007

shmurciakova said:

I attribute a whole range of things to my survival along with just plain luck. I made quite a few dietary changes which I stuck to very strictly at first. Now I am trying to get back on track with that. Diet is always a work in progress. I follow a low glycemic diet (Google Glycemic Index). I try to avoid sugar and refined carbs (white bread, rice, etc.). I also try to eat lots of veggies and have gone through spurts of juicing. I don't drink any special tea except for green tea. I still drink coffee in the mornings. I exercise as much as possible - much more in the summer mind you than in the winter, but I would certainly say I exercise more than the average bear.
Also I do take a whole range of supplements. If you have not done so already, I strongly recommend that you seek the council of a N.D. (naturopathic physician) who can help you through the maze of dietary supplements and get you on a program that best suits your needs. If you can find an N.D. that specializes in cancer patients, or at least is interested in that field, that would be best. I can tell you what all I take if you e-mail me.
Two things you did not mention though are the "mind" and the "spirit". There is a book called "You can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay that really helped me, also there is a DVD called "The Secret" which I think has much the same message. I personally feel that it is important to believe that you will be healed. If you think you are doomed, then you cannot be healed. As for spirit, that is different for each individual. For some it means going to church, for some it means praying. For me it means taking time out to reconnect with nature (God's works) if you will. Take time to go out and feel the breeze on your face, listen to the birds, listen to a river flowing over the stones, waves crashing, etc. Be grateful every single day.
That is what helped me.
Best wishes,
Susan H.

Thank you for all your advise!
I will look for a naturopathic physician!

... AND look up the book "you heal your life"

Fergus2007

cjf2006 said:

I'm not sure how long you have to be a survivor to count as a "survivor". I'm stage IV and not NED, but I have been been around since my dx in 10-2006. I was strict about a diet change at first(raw veggies, juicing, less starch), and I know better, but I have succombed to sweets and starchesmore than I should (I "gave in" when I was losing too much weight).I do take multiple supplements. I researched many sources that promoted nutrition. When taking chemo I was warned by my onc not to take antioxidants (A, C, E, selenium, zinc) but on my big break I am. I have always taken all of B's (B6 and B12 were suggested by my primary physician to help with the neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin), D, K, fish oil, flax oil, borage oil (good for hair and skin). During my big break I've added more including milk thistle, maitake mushroom extract, and some others. I may be crazy, but I think my side effects have not been so bad because of it.
I know I should exercise more. I used to walk more faithfully (30 min). Trying to get back into it.

A big thing for me has been attitude. I struggle sometimes with that, but overall, I am trying to focus on living with cancer, not dying from it. My faith in Jesus Christ has been a big part of that. I also found that I have the courage to go through chemo when I focus on an important goal. The statistics about Camptosar scared me , but the cancer was growing and my son's wedding was coming up, so I accepted going through it so I could be there. The cancer stopped growing, and I was there, and felt good.

Thank you so much for all the advise!
I will look into the not-taking-of-antioxidants during chemo.
Mushroom extract were started when first diagnose - but the oncologist advised against taking them during chemo ( you might be right with it lessening the side effects!!)