newly diagnosed rectal cancer

Just got diagnosed, 55, never been sick in my life, active, no familly hx, anyway to cut story short, had colonoscopy, rectal mass, abot 5cm(I am your north neighbourh) or 2.2 inches, did some blood work.

All this happen in last 10 days.

CT was donne and showed no spread, awaiting for MRI.

Was told and did some research, radiation and chemo first to shrink it, than surgery to remove it, works the best.

While waiting for all this to happen, I've decided to do some therapy on my own, taking baking soda x2/day with maple syrup and 2grams of

curcumin twice a day. Will stop it once officiall therapy starts.

Was wandering if anyone has experience with baking soda and curcumin.

Thx!

 

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Comments

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    I'm sorry to hear about your

    I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. That was the way it went for me, too. Chemo and radiation to shrink it then surgery. Funny you should mention the baking soda, that just came up on my facebook page tonight and I reposted it saying it was crap and I'm tired of supposed cures being posted. It's based on the acid/alkalai environment and is supposedly helpful to prevent cancer. My friend's husband who is very much into fitness and competes in body building and is into nutrition and designs diets for clients is a fan of it. He told me about it this past summer so I went home and checked it out and it's another cancer cure that doesn't work. Sorry to be negative but you'll get a lot of people who only be too happy to offer useless information that is of no help at all.

    Curcumin is one I haven't heard of, though.

    Anyway, you've come to the right place. Here you'll get genuine information and real life feedback from people who've been there rather than from doctors who have never had it and are just going by what they've read or what some patients have told them. And we don't share every detail of what it's really like to go through this with our doctors so they don't really know what it's like to live with it.

    So welcome to the club.

    Jan  

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    edited November 2016 #3
    age

    Your age is in your favor!!! I was 77 when first diagnosed. Had chemo and radiation before surgery.B een NED(no evidence of disease) for last 6 years.  Now 84!!! Good luck to you!

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Blood PH


     "A pH of 7 is neutral. The lower the pH, the more acidic the blood. A variety of factors affect blood pH including what is ingested, vomiting, diarrhea, lung function, endocrine function, kidney function, and urinary tract infection. The normal blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45."
     
     The system REQUIRES a neutral PH and works hard to keep the tolerance perfect. Taking anything to change that number only forces your body to work harder to control it. That equates to stress on one's system.
     
     Baking soda can settle some intestinal acidic conditions, but the intestine and digestive tract needs the acid to dissolve food matter; neutralizing the acid makes digestion more difficult, it does not "improve" any condition "long term".
     
     Plenty of info on the web regarding simple biological issues......
     
     Good health,
     
     John
     
     

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    edited November 2016 #5
    Thank you all for your support!

    Thank you all for your support. 

    It is nice to hear positive outcomes, brings comfort level up, JanJan63 and danker.

    ahh Ph, I am very familliar with it, but you know guys when it comes to you , things change.

    my CEA came back as 2.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    Personal fight

    it is a very personal fight. There are indeed many 'cures' or 'natural treatments' out there in this wild world. As long as we study up on them and feel they are right for us, that is great. 

    We have to do what we feel is right for us, and then, at the end of our days we can say to ourselves 'I did my best'. 

    We have had and have many here who have followed paths that have been questionable, outright weird or interesting. Some have passed on, others are still with us, following their chosen path. 

    It sounds as thou you have done your homework on this baking soda plan, and if you feel right about it, we are not here to 'tell' you you're wrong.  

    I wish you all the best in your personal fight.

    SUE

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    edited November 2016 #7

    Thx Sue,

    well said, it is personal fight.

    we make own choices, good or bad we have to live with them.

    I am at the begining of that war. Wanna win as many batlles as posiblle.

    Doing a lot's of research, while waiting, got nothing to loose by trying different things.

    It is nice to see there are a lot's of survivors out there.

    I wouldn't even know that there is something brewing inside me, did my anual blood work , every thing came normal, wbc, hemoglobin,..., had one event of bleed after, that spooked me, and decided to go for colonoscopy.

    It is to bad that body doesn't reckognize cancer as agressor, it could easy remove it on its own.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    mozart13 said:

    Thx Sue,

    well said, it is personal fight.

    we make own choices, good or bad we have to live with them.

    I am at the begining of that war. Wanna win as many batlles as posiblle.

    Doing a lot's of research, while waiting, got nothing to loose by trying different things.

    It is nice to see there are a lot's of survivors out there.

    I wouldn't even know that there is something brewing inside me, did my anual blood work , every thing came normal, wbc, hemoglobin,..., had one event of bleed after, that spooked me, and decided to go for colonoscopy.

    It is to bad that body doesn't reckognize cancer as agressor, it could easy remove it on its own.

    That's what I also hear is

    That's what I also hear is one of the problems with cancer, the body doesn't recognise it as something to fight. My docotr said warts are the same. The treatments don't actually work, they just irritate the wart until the body 'sees' it and then fights it itself. The whole diea with the cancer not recognising it makes me wonder about if it is that detrimental that our immune systems are strong if they're not fighting it anyway. You'll find there are lots of ideas and thoughts about cancer and you'll become an expert at knowing what's true and what isn't. You'll learn far more about it than you ever wanted to know.

    As for your CEA, it can be an excellent indicator of how your cancer is doing or not be one at all. Mine has been below one the entire time I've had cancer and now have mets in my lung. For me it's useless. I don't know if it is accurate for most people of half of everyone or if I'm rare that it isn't accurate for me. That's something I've never asked about but would be a good question. My understanding is that it can be as high as in the teens and still be considered normal if the person is a smoker but under ten is more in line for the average person without cancer.

    Jan 

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    JanJan63 said:

    That's what I also hear is

    That's what I also hear is one of the problems with cancer, the body doesn't recognise it as something to fight. My docotr said warts are the same. The treatments don't actually work, they just irritate the wart until the body 'sees' it and then fights it itself. The whole diea with the cancer not recognising it makes me wonder about if it is that detrimental that our immune systems are strong if they're not fighting it anyway. You'll find there are lots of ideas and thoughts about cancer and you'll become an expert at knowing what's true and what isn't. You'll learn far more about it than you ever wanted to know.

    As for your CEA, it can be an excellent indicator of how your cancer is doing or not be one at all. Mine has been below one the entire time I've had cancer and now have mets in my lung. For me it's useless. I don't know if it is accurate for most people of half of everyone or if I'm rare that it isn't accurate for me. That's something I've never asked about but would be a good question. My understanding is that it can be as high as in the teens and still be considered normal if the person is a smoker but under ten is more in line for the average person without cancer.

    Jan 

    You are right about CEA, it

    You are right about CEA, it is just a marker to check the difference after therapy or surgery.

    Some studies have shown that people with lower marker have better chance of survival, or less chance of cancer coming back.

    For smokers is normall to have above 2.5 level.

    thx

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    edited November 2016 #10
    Genetics testing

    any body here has any experience with genetics,dna testing, where lab is able to pinpoint which therapy will work the best ?

    genetic maping,...

    thx

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,280 Member
    mozart13 said:

    Thank you all for your support!

    Thank you all for your support. 

    It is nice to hear positive outcomes, brings comfort level up, JanJan63 and danker.

    ahh Ph, I am very familliar with it, but you know guys when it comes to you , things change.

    my CEA came back as 2.

    Are you on baby aspirin? It's

    Are you on baby aspirin? It's been well studied in relation to CRC. Welcome and good fortune to you with your treatment.....................Dave

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    edited November 2016 #12

    Are you on baby aspirin? It's

    Are you on baby aspirin? It's been well studied in relation to CRC. Welcome and good fortune to you with your treatment.....................Dave

    baby aspirin

    I think that is  what triggered inital bleed, I would take it here and there, haven't taken it since.

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    curcumin/tumeric

    Hi there - I've been taking this and other supplements (EPA-DHA, Vitamin D, lipoic acid, green tea extract, coriolus, probiotic) for years now.  While I've had tumors grow or recurr, it's slowed things down so it's still a plus in my column.  Some folks on this site, including myself, have taken omeprazole (800 mg) and coriolus immediately after surgery to help prevent recurrence.  There's acually a few papers out there about omeprazole and cancer.

    I think Laz had his tumor sent for testing to see which chemo cocktail works best.  It's been a while, I could be wrong.  At minimum they should test to see if your tumor is KRAS+ or not, that will determine second line chemo.  Traci

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    edited November 2016 #14
    Genetics testing on tumors

    I believe all centers biopsy your tumors for genetic testing.  The reason is that different medications work for the various strains of cancer.  They tested mine for KRAS, BRAF, Lynch, MSI, and probably others that I forgot about. (I have KRAS wild type mutation, negative on the BRAF, LYNCH, and MSI).  I don't believe you need to go through any other genetic testing other than testing the biopsy, unless your medical team advises that.

    In regards to effects of the alkaline diet: The chemo treatments they give us have that same effect. I read through the disclosure statements on the medications and I believe the Oxaliplatin is one of those that act as an alkalioid in our systems.  So even thought our bodies may fight to maintain a balance, I think there is merit to the idea of the alkaline diet.  I have not studied as extensively as some of the others on this site. 

    I  know a few people that had breast cancer and one with bladder cancer that had surgeries and then changed their diet, used dietary or alternative supplements and have not had any recurrences without doing chemo. One woman I know takes baking soda cooked with maple syrup, tumeric, and also uses cannabis oils to treat her thyroid cancer and claims that her tumors are shrinking.  She has gone to an oncologist for followup blood tests and scans, but refused any surgery or chemo.  It is so hard to know whether their diet changes worked or if they are just lucky.

    As for me:  I am following the standard chemo recommended; have added a few supplements; modified my diet (but have not totally cut out any food groups yet); and increasing my exercise routine.  I have been on chemo since March, and so far my health has improved since my diagnosis the end of February. I am going to use any weapon available to fight this cancer!  Life is precious and I am not going to rely on any one method when so many options are available. 

    I hope yours has not spread and can be cured with the surgery and radiation.  

    Good luck,

    Joan

     

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    edited November 2016 #15
    curcmin and genteics

    thank you Tracy and Joan.

    I've alerady started curcumin, baking soda ,cbd and mgchloride.

    Going for short scope next week(second opinion) and MRI. Then following that most likley chemo, radiation, surgery not sure if I want. There are some studies saying that surgery after chemo/radiation doesn't make much difference. Will see about that, don't want pouch on my stomach.

    The surgeon that is doing short scope next week is apparentlly very good in avoiding that, will see what he say.

    Also just ordered Essiac gel capsules and Lentinula.

    Lentinula apparentlly gives better chance of survival when combined with chemo.

    Again thank you all, will keep you updated.

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    John's research is good

    He has done alot of research on the topics and has survived for many years.  I believe what he says about the body maintaining its ph balance internally and that the baking soda neutralizes stomach acid - which can help if you have stomach problems as he said.  

    I did more research about the alkaline diets and it seems they may appear to fight cancer because people are eating alot of really healthy foods and fresh vegatables, and eliminating all the junk food, processed foods, and those we know are not good for us.  Basically the diet may improve overall health and immune system function while lowering bad cholesterol and blood sugar levels,but probably doesn't increase our blood ph enough to kill cancer cells.  Of course this information is freely available on the internet. 

    The alkaline nature of the chemotherapy of course alters our blood ph because it is administered intravenously and is toxic not only to the cancer cells but also to the good cells.      

    The people I know who swear by the alkaline diets to help control cancer are as follows:

    3 females who were treated surgically for breast cancer (one of them also had radiation and chemo) prior to diet change, two of them have been cancer free for over 10 years, and the other for almost two years.

    1 male had conventional medical treatment for bladder cancer prior to changing his diet, and has been cancer free for fifteen years.

    1 has thyroid cancer and refused surgery, radiation and chemo, relying on the alternative methods only and claims that her tumors have dramatically shrunk and almost disappeared.  This is the only one who claims to have used the baking soda and maple syrup. She also uses cannabis oils.

    None of them had metastasized cancer.

    Best of luck to you on your treatment! I look forward to your updates!

  • ellend
    ellend Member Posts: 109 Member
    Chemo, radiation and diet

    I also went through the chemo/radiation prior to surgery 5 weeks, ugh. It did its job, shrinking the tumor to the point where the surgeon said it was more like an ulcer than a tumor. it wasn't a walk in the park though. Towards the end of treatment, BMs became very painful. The radiation doctor prescribed suppositories that helped some. I can't say whether it has improved as I have a temporary iliostomy from the surgery. The surgeon wanted to give the colon a chance to heal and making sure there were no leaks before reversing the iliostomy. I had a bad infection as it was as a result of the surgery and having waste go through it probably would have made matters worse.

    I didn't do the alkaline diet, but shortly after I was diagnosed, I ate a lot more raw vegetables and fruits, cut way down on refined sugar and juiced carrots, beets, apples, oranges, lemons, etc. I went on a low fat, low carb diet during the treatment. It is a harder now because of the iliostomy, I need to stick to a relatively low residue diet, so I am not eating as well as I used to. I definitely believe the diet helped though.

    The biopsy after surgery showed no lymph node involvement (I think he took out 19 or so) and clean margins. I just had a clean scan according to the oncologist, so things are looking up for now.

    Good luck with your journey.

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    ellend said:

    Chemo, radiation and diet

    I also went through the chemo/radiation prior to surgery 5 weeks, ugh. It did its job, shrinking the tumor to the point where the surgeon said it was more like an ulcer than a tumor. it wasn't a walk in the park though. Towards the end of treatment, BMs became very painful. The radiation doctor prescribed suppositories that helped some. I can't say whether it has improved as I have a temporary iliostomy from the surgery. The surgeon wanted to give the colon a chance to heal and making sure there were no leaks before reversing the iliostomy. I had a bad infection as it was as a result of the surgery and having waste go through it probably would have made matters worse.

    I didn't do the alkaline diet, but shortly after I was diagnosed, I ate a lot more raw vegetables and fruits, cut way down on refined sugar and juiced carrots, beets, apples, oranges, lemons, etc. I went on a low fat, low carb diet during the treatment. It is a harder now because of the iliostomy, I need to stick to a relatively low residue diet, so I am not eating as well as I used to. I definitely believe the diet helped though.

    The biopsy after surgery showed no lymph node involvement (I think he took out 19 or so) and clean margins. I just had a clean scan according to the oncologist, so things are looking up for now.

    Good luck with your journey.

    Thank you for sharing your

    Thank you for sharing your experience Ellen. Nice to hear good outcome.

    I am trying to prepare myself mentally and physiclly as much as possible, doing about the same , juicing, etc.

    Changing my diet as well. Loved sweet stuff, that's history now. 

    It's nice to see that therapy works, specially shrinking part.

    Thank you again, and wish you well.

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    Joan M said:

    John's research is good

    He has done alot of research on the topics and has survived for many years.  I believe what he says about the body maintaining its ph balance internally and that the baking soda neutralizes stomach acid - which can help if you have stomach problems as he said.  

    I did more research about the alkaline diets and it seems they may appear to fight cancer because people are eating alot of really healthy foods and fresh vegatables, and eliminating all the junk food, processed foods, and those we know are not good for us.  Basically the diet may improve overall health and immune system function while lowering bad cholesterol and blood sugar levels,but probably doesn't increase our blood ph enough to kill cancer cells.  Of course this information is freely available on the internet. 

    The alkaline nature of the chemotherapy of course alters our blood ph because it is administered intravenously and is toxic not only to the cancer cells but also to the good cells.      

    The people I know who swear by the alkaline diets to help control cancer are as follows:

    3 females who were treated surgically for breast cancer (one of them also had radiation and chemo) prior to diet change, two of them have been cancer free for over 10 years, and the other for almost two years.

    1 male had conventional medical treatment for bladder cancer prior to changing his diet, and has been cancer free for fifteen years.

    1 has thyroid cancer and refused surgery, radiation and chemo, relying on the alternative methods only and claims that her tumors have dramatically shrunk and almost disappeared.  This is the only one who claims to have used the baking soda and maple syrup. She also uses cannabis oils.

    None of them had metastasized cancer.

    Best of luck to you on your treatment! I look forward to your updates!

    thank you Joan, I agree with you. John posted about importance of second opinion as well, that's why I am going for second scope next week, I was very close to cancelling it.

    Those are excellent experiences, and positive is the most important thing.

    Thank you, will keep board updated.

  • Ct54
    Ct54 Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2016 #20
    Protein

    Make sure your protein levels are good as that almost did me in after surgery in 2013. Now I do 10,000 steps a day. Live long and prosper!

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118

    will do, thx.

    there is some food that I really like, and is not recomended, but still plenty of choices left.