Newly diagnosed patient seeking diet advise

tellspring
tellspring Member Posts: 16

Thanks a bunch for those of you provided great advise already. My wife is 42 and was just diagnosied with rectal cancer and spread to lymph nodes. While we're consulting specialists for treatment consulting, I want to ask if any of you can provide guidence about diet before, during and after treatment. I expect her raidiology treatment to start in about 10 days. Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks a bunch and sincerely wish your family all the best and may God please bless all the nice people around here.

Spring

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Comments

  • mikemcd
    mikemcd Member Posts: 4
    DIET

    I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING RECTAL CANCER FOR A YEAR:  RECTAL CANCER USES SUGAR TO LIVE!   STARVE THAT THING NOW!   IT CREATES ACID AND BURNS IT'S WAY INTO THE BODY. IT IS INVASIVE. TO STARVE IT, YOU STOP EATING ALL CARBOHYDRATES, STOP EATING SUGAR. GO ON A KETOGENIC DIET (LOOK IT UP) VERY HARD TO DO. THIS WORKS.  IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ADD THE DIABETIC DRUG METFORMIN.  YOUR TUMOR WILL "GO TO SLEEP". THIS WILL BUY YOU TIME.  GET STARTED ON RADIATION AND XELODA (CHEMO PILL). YOUR HAIR WILL NOT FALL OUT.  THEN HAVE THE TUMOR CUT OUT...   THIS IS ALL MEDICAL SCIENCE HAS, AT THIS TIME. (REMEMBER SCIENCE?) DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYTHING ELSE.  YOU ARE JUST FOOLING AROUND WITH DEATH. DO NOT DELAY.  THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SURVIVORS OUT THERE.  GOOD LUCK.

     

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Hi Spring –

     

    The first thing you should do, is get other opinions from colorectal surgeons that are not of the same group or organization as your present ones. That is of great importance if one desires to survive! Do not begin treatment of any type until you have garnered other opinions!

     

    A cancer cell is nothing more than a normal cell that’s been damaged beyond it’s ability to receive the body’s instruction regarding how to remain alive. That “defective cell” is for whatever reason, ignored by our immune system, and left in our body. The defective cell begins to survive by the fermentation process, using glucose (sugar) and expelling Lactic acid. The Lactic acid is converted back into glucose by our liver, and is re-entered into our system.

     

    Since the cancer cell uses more glucose than a “normal cell”, the cancer is said to “steal” the glucose from our good cells. Our goods cells suffer due to this phenomena, and if we try to “starve” the cancer cells by eliminating glucose, we very effectively starve our good cells first, allowing the cancer to have more power than our good cells.

     

    Eating a well-rounded diet, and things that one’s body feels good about having, is much more beneficial than any restrictive diet. We should attempt to help our body fight cancer, not fight our body’s needs.

     

    As far as the rapid move to Radiation?

     

    You should really, really get other opinions first. Many times, the physician attempts to “save” the patient from having to have a colostomy by using means other than surgery to remove a massive tumor. Doing so has not proven to be of any great benefit with the fight against cancer; removing a tumor via surgery is always the bet recourse. Having an Ostomy is not life’s end; trust me.

     

    Best of hopes to you and yours,

     

    John

     

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    Books

    My favourite books for fighting cancer are 'Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer' by Richard Beliveau, Ph.D and 'The Mediterrainian Diabetis CookBook' by Amy Riola.

    Good foods from the earth, can't beat that. 

    Good luck with your and your wife's journey.  Come here often, we are a friendly bunch with tons of life  (as in Cancer) experience. 

    Keep in touch. 

  • renw
    renw Member Posts: 282 Member
    John23 said:

    Hi Spring –

     

    The first thing you should do, is get other opinions from colorectal surgeons that are not of the same group or organization as your present ones. That is of great importance if one desires to survive! Do not begin treatment of any type until you have garnered other opinions!

     

    A cancer cell is nothing more than a normal cell that’s been damaged beyond it’s ability to receive the body’s instruction regarding how to remain alive. That “defective cell” is for whatever reason, ignored by our immune system, and left in our body. The defective cell begins to survive by the fermentation process, using glucose (sugar) and expelling Lactic acid. The Lactic acid is converted back into glucose by our liver, and is re-entered into our system.

     

    Since the cancer cell uses more glucose than a “normal cell”, the cancer is said to “steal” the glucose from our good cells. Our goods cells suffer due to this phenomena, and if we try to “starve” the cancer cells by eliminating glucose, we very effectively starve our good cells first, allowing the cancer to have more power than our good cells.

     

    Eating a well-rounded diet, and things that one’s body feels good about having, is much more beneficial than any restrictive diet. We should attempt to help our body fight cancer, not fight our body’s needs.

     

    As far as the rapid move to Radiation?

     

    You should really, really get other opinions first. Many times, the physician attempts to “save” the patient from having to have a colostomy by using means other than surgery to remove a massive tumor. Doing so has not proven to be of any great benefit with the fight against cancer; removing a tumor via surgery is always the bet recourse. Having an Ostomy is not life’s end; trust me.

     

    Best of hopes to you and yours,

     

    John

     

    Not as simple as that john.

    Not as simple as that john. If there is not enough glucose to feed normal cells, they switch to a ketone based metabolism. Cancer generally has problems using ketone bodies for energy. You can quite happily live with zero carbs in your diet. eg: inuit eskimoes.

    There are plenty of studies on cancer and diet. Normal well balanced diet does little. Extremes such as ketogenic, high protein, low protein & low fat, and even a diet based on almost pure sugar all have been found to **** cancer growth. In mice anyway. The extremes work because they remove some component that the cancer needs to replicate I suspect. ketogenic has my vote.

  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    mikemcd said:

    DIET

    I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING RECTAL CANCER FOR A YEAR:  RECTAL CANCER USES SUGAR TO LIVE!   STARVE THAT THING NOW!   IT CREATES ACID AND BURNS IT'S WAY INTO THE BODY. IT IS INVASIVE. TO STARVE IT, YOU STOP EATING ALL CARBOHYDRATES, STOP EATING SUGAR. GO ON A KETOGENIC DIET (LOOK IT UP) VERY HARD TO DO. THIS WORKS.  IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ADD THE DIABETIC DRUG METFORMIN.  YOUR TUMOR WILL "GO TO SLEEP". THIS WILL BUY YOU TIME.  GET STARTED ON RADIATION AND XELODA (CHEMO PILL). YOUR HAIR WILL NOT FALL OUT.  THEN HAVE THE TUMOR CUT OUT...   THIS IS ALL MEDICAL SCIENCE HAS, AT THIS TIME. (REMEMBER SCIENCE?) DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYTHING ELSE.  YOU ARE JUST FOOLING AROUND WITH DEATH. DO NOT DELAY.  THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SURVIVORS OUT THERE.  GOOD LUCK.

     

    Mike:

    Sorry, but I have never heard of adding "diabetic" drugs to put a "tumor" to sleep.  Giving "medical advise" to newly diagnosed can be very confusing.  There are several avenues to treating "colorectal" cancer depending on where the tumor is located.  Many do not get radiation.   Surgery first depending on location. 

    As far as diet, that seems to be all over the place.  Consulting with a dietician at the hospital for direction depending upon your needs, tumor location and treatment and research what is right for you and your particular situation.  Telling people do this, do that, it will make your "tumor go to sleep" it will "buy you time" , etc. may be against medical advise. 

    Guess you just have to do what is right for you and not everyone falls into one category.

    Tina

     

     

     

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    Trubrit said:

    Books

    My favourite books for fighting cancer are 'Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer' by Richard Beliveau, Ph.D and 'The Mediterrainian Diabetis CookBook' by Amy Riola.

    Good foods from the earth, can't beat that. 

    Good luck with your and your wife's journey.  Come here often, we are a friendly bunch with tons of life  (as in Cancer) experience. 

    Keep in touch. 

    A current study being done on CRC and diet and physical

    activity (abstract with link at bottom to full report if hungry for it)

    www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/13/487/abstract

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    coloCan said:

    A current study being done on CRC and diet and physical

    activity (abstract with link at bottom to full report if hungry for it)

    www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/13/487/abstract

    Money, money, money…gimmee, gimmee, gimmee…

     

    The large amounts of money going into these “studies” is absurd. There’s a cash-cow born every moment, to support any new “possible” cure that one dreams up.

     

    In the investment world, it’s called “forward looking statements”. Maybe we should run fifty miles and donate the cash to this one too.

     

     

    “There’s one hatching every minute”

    PT Barnum

     

     

    Better health,

     

    John

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    My personal approach to diet since getting sick...

    is to eat as healthy as I can, but not to the point of making myself miserable.  I still have the occasional cocktail, eat candy once in a while, and love a good burger.  The two years that I was of and on chemo, I didn't drink at all, but beyond that, I ate whatever I could tolerate.  I had lost almost 40 pounds, and I had to be very careful to keep on a little weight.  I am stage 4, but have been NED for 17 months.  That could change at any time, of course, but for the moment I'm enjoying my life, and that includes an assortment of foods, 90% healthy and the rest perhaps less so (or not at all...I'm a big fan of Hot Tamales).  

    Ann Alexandria

    PS I do eat a lot more of the so-called "cancer fighting foods", like cabbage, kale, and shitaake mushrooms, but I like them anyway so it's no hardship.  If I hated them, I wouldn't eat them.  Based on what I've read, the greatest role played by diet (possibly) is prior to actually having cancer.  I don't know the research on the extreme diets so can't speak to those.

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    renw said:

    Not as simple as that john.

    Not as simple as that john. If there is not enough glucose to feed normal cells, they switch to a ketone based metabolism. Cancer generally has problems using ketone bodies for energy. You can quite happily live with zero carbs in your diet. eg: inuit eskimoes.

    There are plenty of studies on cancer and diet. Normal well balanced diet does little. Extremes such as ketogenic, high protein, low protein & low fat, and even a diet based on almost pure sugar all have been found to **** cancer growth. In mice anyway. The extremes work because they remove some component that the cancer needs to replicate I suspect. ketogenic has my vote.

    Good grief Ren…..

     

    The “ketone” hypothesis is just that: a hypothesis.

     

    Theories are fine, but a cancer cell is a cancer cell, and it begins it’s life via the fermentation process. They can argue till’ blue in the face, if a large cancerous tumor can survive without glucose…. but all it is now, is a hypothesis. Donate cash to further the studies!!

     

    Oh… my… what will they do with all the PET scan equipment, and chemical treatments that rely on the fact a cancer cell uptakes glucose as a primary life-providing substance for itself?

     

    (I need a break from these forums…; this is my encouragement.)

     

     

     

     

     

    To all:

    Remember to research thoroughly to afford yourself the best direction in your fight against cancer. If it defies reason and biological fact, avoid it.

     

     

     

    Best of health,

     

    John

     

     

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    John23 said:

    Money, money, money…gimmee, gimmee, gimmee…

     

    The large amounts of money going into these “studies” is absurd. There’s a cash-cow born every moment, to support any new “possible” cure that one dreams up.

     

    In the investment world, it’s called “forward looking statements”. Maybe we should run fifty miles and donate the cash to this one too.

     

     

    “There’s one hatching every minute”

    PT Barnum

     

     

    Better health,

     

    John

    One might almost say..

    "There's a study born every minute" (Branum mangled almost beyond recognition...my apologies).

  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    John23 said:

    Good grief Ren…..

     

    The “ketone” hypothesis is just that: a hypothesis.

     

    Theories are fine, but a cancer cell is a cancer cell, and it begins it’s life via the fermentation process. They can argue till’ blue in the face, if a large cancerous tumor can survive without glucose…. but all it is now, is a hypothesis. Donate cash to further the studies!!

     

    Oh… my… what will they do with all the PET scan equipment, and chemical treatments that rely on the fact a cancer cell uptakes glucose as a primary life-providing substance for itself?

     

    (I need a break from these forums…; this is my encouragement.)

     

     

     

     

     

    To all:

    Remember to research thoroughly to afford yourself the best direction in your fight against cancer. If it defies reason and biological fact, avoid it.

     

     

     

    Best of health,

     

    John

     

     

    Oh no you don't!!!   The

    Oh no you don't!!!   The newbies out here need your experience and balanced opinions.  Most of us know that removing sugar entirely from your diet isn't going to do a darn thing against a cancer cell.  Please... do people really think it's that easy??  All of Rick's doctors at MGH, Tuft, Norris Cotton and Dana Farber pretty much laughed when we were newbies and mentioned this.  They ALL told us that going on a special diet when you have cancer is like shutting the barn door after the cows got out.  Even so, Rick DID remove white bread and sugar, and started taking tons of supplements, Chinese herbs, etc., and it didn't help one bit.  I threw away hundreds of dollars of that stuff after he passed. So as I look back, he missed out on many of his favorite foods that he really could have enjoyed to the end.  I'm usually more reserved about my opinions on diet, but that naive post from Mike just hit a nerve.  So stay around John, please.  And Craig, if you're reading this, there are a lot of newbies out here lately that could use your experience and insight as well.  

    Cynthia

     

  • manwithnoname
    manwithnoname Member Posts: 402

    My personal approach to diet since getting sick...

    is to eat as healthy as I can, but not to the point of making myself miserable.  I still have the occasional cocktail, eat candy once in a while, and love a good burger.  The two years that I was of and on chemo, I didn't drink at all, but beyond that, I ate whatever I could tolerate.  I had lost almost 40 pounds, and I had to be very careful to keep on a little weight.  I am stage 4, but have been NED for 17 months.  That could change at any time, of course, but for the moment I'm enjoying my life, and that includes an assortment of foods, 90% healthy and the rest perhaps less so (or not at all...I'm a big fan of Hot Tamales).  

    Ann Alexandria

    PS I do eat a lot more of the so-called "cancer fighting foods", like cabbage, kale, and shitaake mushrooms, but I like them anyway so it's no hardship.  If I hated them, I wouldn't eat them.  Based on what I've read, the greatest role played by diet (possibly) is prior to actually having cancer.  I don't know the research on the extreme diets so can't speak to those.

    cancer and diet

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22840388

     

    Targeting insulin inhibition as a metabolic therapy in advanced cancer: a pilot safety and feasibility dietary trial in 10 patients.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    John23 said:

    Good grief Ren…..

     

    The “ketone” hypothesis is just that: a hypothesis.

     

    Theories are fine, but a cancer cell is a cancer cell, and it begins it’s life via the fermentation process. They can argue till’ blue in the face, if a large cancerous tumor can survive without glucose…. but all it is now, is a hypothesis. Donate cash to further the studies!!

     

    Oh… my… what will they do with all the PET scan equipment, and chemical treatments that rely on the fact a cancer cell uptakes glucose as a primary life-providing substance for itself?

     

    (I need a break from these forums…; this is my encouragement.)

     

     

     

     

     

    To all:

    Remember to research thoroughly to afford yourself the best direction in your fight against cancer. If it defies reason and biological fact, avoid it.

     

     

     

    Best of health,

     

    John

     

     

    Oh… my… what will they do

    Oh… my… what will they do with all the PET scan equipment, and chemical treatments that rely on...

    I pay (well, insurance picked up after my deductable) 1,00.400 dollars for ONE bag of Oxaliplatin. 

    Where is all the cancer research money going?  I fear some people in their mansions are gaining more than they are giving.

    Just my thoughts. 

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member

    My personal approach to diet since getting sick...

    is to eat as healthy as I can, but not to the point of making myself miserable.  I still have the occasional cocktail, eat candy once in a while, and love a good burger.  The two years that I was of and on chemo, I didn't drink at all, but beyond that, I ate whatever I could tolerate.  I had lost almost 40 pounds, and I had to be very careful to keep on a little weight.  I am stage 4, but have been NED for 17 months.  That could change at any time, of course, but for the moment I'm enjoying my life, and that includes an assortment of foods, 90% healthy and the rest perhaps less so (or not at all...I'm a big fan of Hot Tamales).  

    Ann Alexandria

    PS I do eat a lot more of the so-called "cancer fighting foods", like cabbage, kale, and shitaake mushrooms, but I like them anyway so it's no hardship.  If I hated them, I wouldn't eat them.  Based on what I've read, the greatest role played by diet (possibly) is prior to actually having cancer.  I don't know the research on the extreme diets so can't speak to those.

    I couldn't keep to an extreme diet if you paid me

    I LOVE my food.

    I am toning back, but I will have at least one 'good' meal a week.  Burger, steak, you know, the red meats, which our ancestors lived on. Or pasta, I love pasta. 

    When the Thrush is gone, I wlll go back to eating my one chocolate a day (usually Lindt Truffles or my English treats), and I don't think I'm really hurting myself.

    I am all definitely apprving of the Mediterrain way of eating. Good foods from the earth, can't beat that. 

    I am so happy to hear that at sstage 4, you are 17 months NED.  

    Keep on keeping on!

  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Cynthia:

    Well said!

    Tina

  • joemetz
    joemetz Member Posts: 493
    diet...

    June becomes month 20 for me on this Cancer battle.

    It's been non-stop for 20 months. 60 chemo treatments, two surgeries, a y90 procedure to the liver.

    It’s a real roller coaster.

     

    I tried the diet thing. I explored juicing. I read the Gerson diet and theories.

    I've had arguments over this and also have been looked at funny by many people.

     

    However, I truly believe the advice from one very young dietician.

    "Reduce sugars if you can. Reduce unhealthy foods if you can... however, you MUST eat whatever sounds good, whenever it sounds good!"

     

    You are about to head into your treatments. Your taste buds may change. Your feelings and emotions will change. You're ability to eat and drink may change and your ability to keep it down, or keep it in may change.

     

    Add fruit and more veggies to your diet if you can... (the more colorful the better) but for me, I've been eating whatever I can, and whatever sounds good... whenever I can.

     

    I was told 6-7 months to live by my first doctor. I look at 20 months as another month of success... and I'm planning on plenty more!!!

    But, I love a Whopper Junior now and then, I love ice cream and I crave some pretty strange foods at times. Almost like an expecting mother, in her third trimester.

     

    My vote is: Eat what you want to eat, As often as you want to eat.

    Drink lots of water and other liquids with vitamins.

     

    It’s working for me. And, it helps me to be happy.

    Be happy, be positive and you’ll beat this!

     

    Don’t stop livin’!

     

    Hugs

     

    Joe

     

     

  • renw
    renw Member Posts: 282 Member
    John23 said:

    Good grief Ren…..

     

    The “ketone” hypothesis is just that: a hypothesis.

     

    Theories are fine, but a cancer cell is a cancer cell, and it begins it’s life via the fermentation process. They can argue till’ blue in the face, if a large cancerous tumor can survive without glucose…. but all it is now, is a hypothesis. Donate cash to further the studies!!

     

    Oh… my… what will they do with all the PET scan equipment, and chemical treatments that rely on the fact a cancer cell uptakes glucose as a primary life-providing substance for itself?

     

    (I need a break from these forums…; this is my encouragement.)

     

     

     

     

     

    To all:

    Remember to research thoroughly to afford yourself the best direction in your fight against cancer. If it defies reason and biological fact, avoid it.

     

     

     

    Best of health,

     

    John

     

     

    Its much more than a

    Its much more than a hypothesis. spend some time on pubmed. lots of studies with positive results. not a magic bullet, but can increase OS.

  • tellspring
    tellspring Member Posts: 16
    mikemcd said:

    DIET

    I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING RECTAL CANCER FOR A YEAR:  RECTAL CANCER USES SUGAR TO LIVE!   STARVE THAT THING NOW!   IT CREATES ACID AND BURNS IT'S WAY INTO THE BODY. IT IS INVASIVE. TO STARVE IT, YOU STOP EATING ALL CARBOHYDRATES, STOP EATING SUGAR. GO ON A KETOGENIC DIET (LOOK IT UP) VERY HARD TO DO. THIS WORKS.  IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ADD THE DIABETIC DRUG METFORMIN.  YOUR TUMOR WILL "GO TO SLEEP". THIS WILL BUY YOU TIME.  GET STARTED ON RADIATION AND XELODA (CHEMO PILL). YOUR HAIR WILL NOT FALL OUT.  THEN HAVE THE TUMOR CUT OUT...   THIS IS ALL MEDICAL SCIENCE HAS, AT THIS TIME. (REMEMBER SCIENCE?) DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYTHING ELSE.  YOU ARE JUST FOOLING AROUND WITH DEATH. DO NOT DELAY.  THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SURVIVORS OUT THERE.  GOOD LUCK.

     

    thanks a bunch for sharing the info!

    It is very helpful

  • tellspring
    tellspring Member Posts: 16
    John23 said:

    Hi Spring –

     

    The first thing you should do, is get other opinions from colorectal surgeons that are not of the same group or organization as your present ones. That is of great importance if one desires to survive! Do not begin treatment of any type until you have garnered other opinions!

     

    A cancer cell is nothing more than a normal cell that’s been damaged beyond it’s ability to receive the body’s instruction regarding how to remain alive. That “defective cell” is for whatever reason, ignored by our immune system, and left in our body. The defective cell begins to survive by the fermentation process, using glucose (sugar) and expelling Lactic acid. The Lactic acid is converted back into glucose by our liver, and is re-entered into our system.

     

    Since the cancer cell uses more glucose than a “normal cell”, the cancer is said to “steal” the glucose from our good cells. Our goods cells suffer due to this phenomena, and if we try to “starve” the cancer cells by eliminating glucose, we very effectively starve our good cells first, allowing the cancer to have more power than our good cells.

     

    Eating a well-rounded diet, and things that one’s body feels good about having, is much more beneficial than any restrictive diet. We should attempt to help our body fight cancer, not fight our body’s needs.

     

    As far as the rapid move to Radiation?

     

    You should really, really get other opinions first. Many times, the physician attempts to “save” the patient from having to have a colostomy by using means other than surgery to remove a massive tumor. Doing so has not proven to be of any great benefit with the fight against cancer; removing a tumor via surgery is always the bet recourse. Having an Ostomy is not life’s end; trust me.

     

    Best of hopes to you and yours,

     

    John

     

    Thanks John. Although some

    Thanks John. Although some opinions are seemingly different, I feel I can consolidate based on the theory.

    Yes we're going to seek second opinion from different oncologist. Thanks to the advise from this board.

    Spring

  • tellspring
    tellspring Member Posts: 16
    Trubrit said:

    Books

    My favourite books for fighting cancer are 'Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer' by Richard Beliveau, Ph.D and 'The Mediterrainian Diabetis CookBook' by Amy Riola.

    Good foods from the earth, can't beat that. 

    Good luck with your and your wife's journey.  Come here often, we are a friendly bunch with tons of life  (as in Cancer) experience. 

    Keep in touch. 

    Thanks Trubrit, just placed

    Thanks Trubrit, just placed order for the Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer; already ordered the other cook book.

    Yes I certainly see the benefits from this great board. Thanks a bunch and god bless you all!