Colon cancer stage IV

JanJan63 said:

Carrot juice?

I hope your wife will be just fine. Carrot juice? Not sure about that one. I have an illeostomy so I have to be very careful with fruit and veggies. Everything must be soft and I have to eat very carefully or I'll get a blockage, which I've been in the hospital for a few times and seem to have finally figured out what not to eat.

Carrot juice would probably be good for her nutritionally but I can't see it preventing cancer. Really, what does? Being healthy is a help, it gets us through stuff easier. And recover faster. 

I drink a few thaings that are beneficial to my health but I don't count on any to actually help with the cancer. I drink V-8s, clamato juice, and when I want fruit that I can't just eat I put it in a smoothie. Strawberries, blueberries, peaches, mandarin orange slices, things like that. You mentioned being Chinese so I assume dairy is out? But you can make a smoothie with the fruit and some chopped up ice. Bananas are good, too, but can overpower the flavour.

For veggies I can't have anything raw so salad is out unless it's a couple of forkfuls. Veggies have to be cooked and cooked well. I have a mouthful of cooked veggies and then a mouthful of something that goes down well. If I eat a lot of veggies at once it can get blocked up. I love cooked spinach and spaghetti squash but both blocked me when I ate nothing but them. Oops. I like green beans, yellow beans, potatoes never bother me, but veggies that can't be cooked until soft are a no for me. I can eat them mixed with something if I'm careful. I stopped eating corn because it put me in the hospital. Basically I have to not eat anything that has a skin on it because it does not digest. I can have chili because the beans are very broken down but could not eat a meal of regular beans. Peas are an option but I have to chew them carefully.

I hope this is helpful! My way of eating has completely changed. I eat a lot of soup. I eat peaches from a can because they're softer. I can't eat oranges or grapefruits unless I cut them in half and scoop the meat out. The membranes have also put me in the hospital.

It's hard to have to think about every thing we eat. I make sure I chew efficiently but I've been eating a certain way for 50 years before this and I forget sometimes. I follow the low residue diet and also the diet for short bowel syndrome because after two surgeries I have that. Maybe look up the low residue diet. It really just tells you what to avoid.

Your poor wife, it's hard to change what you're used to. But it can be done!

Jan  

Hi Jan, Thank you for your input on my thread especially when you have your struggle and was away from what I gather.  Yes, the whole eating regimen thing is taking a toll on her as well as on me. She does all the cooking before cancer and that is a tough act to pick up from. With her taste and smell being messed up. It is tough. It's hard to see her struggle every meal time, getting the food down because it doesn't taste or smell the same. She forced herself to eat because she knows that she had to maintain her weight for the chemo treatment. We are looking at changing to plant based diet. That is a whole new challenge in itself.

Anyway thanks again.

Diane_K said:

Great news about your wife

Great news about your wife finishing chemo! 

I am a stage 4 colon cancer survivor which had metastasized to my liver and both my lungs.  They were able to surgically remove the tumors and I am now a little over two years NED.  I have scans scheduled for next month and am getting nervous but hoping for the best.  I'm following a life style plan by a MD who has been practicing integrated medicine for over 20 years, specifically for cancer patients.  He has a book called Life Over Cancer, by Dr. Keith Block.  In his book he outlines food, supplements, exercise, stress reduction in a very clear and concise way.  He believes that chemo and surgery are important in battling cancer but these other healthy choices can also help our bodies fight cancer and endure the surgeries and chemo. I juice cruciferous vegtables, green leafy vegetables and a small amount of carrots daily.   

Best wishes to you and your wife.

Hi Diane, we got the book that you suggested by Dr. Keith Block. It is very interesting and informative. Thank you so much for referring it to us.  She is infact reading it and taking notes and I had to get her a hard copy because she did not like the kindle version. It is becoming our reference source going forward in putting together a plan. We know we had to do things differently but have no idea where to start. Thank you again.