4 year update

I'm 4 years out with no reoccurance. For some reason my bowel control got a lot better last Spring after my scope. I still have to watch what I eat, especially garlic and fruit, but iverall things are fine. One tip - my CIPN got much worse when I had my last back surgery. I later learned the compression stockings and calf pumps were not recmmened for patients with peripheral neuropathy.

What works for me

I've had very good luck with my treatment to date so wanted to lis some of the things I've done in case they might be of help. 1. The pre-surgery chemotherapy and radiation was really pretty easy. I'd heard most patients miss a treatment of two due to pain, mouth sores, etc., but I never had any of that. Some serious pain when having bowel movements the last two weeks, but that's just transitory pain. I think diet and attitude must have had a great deal to do with it (plus a little luck). 2. During that phase I made sure I ate something for breakfast (hadn't done that for 30 years). I found a banana and little cheese/pretzel packs were quick and easy. I ate more red meat than usual (had cut down some for heart health), and ate a lot of broccoli, drank orange juice, and in general tied to do thinks to keep by hemoglobin up. I also had an ice cream bar most days as well as an afternoon snack of some kind with protein. I never developed anemia, which I think is a major reason why I had such good pathology after. I gained two pounds over the six weeks. 3. I continued that diet after my surgeries and found the bananas tended to help with potassium levels as well slow down my stools, along with some Imodium, while I had the temporary illiostomy. 4. I've continued to eat well during folfox6, and I suspect that's why my blood work was so good yesterday. It's only the second treatment so we'll have to see how it goes later.

Treatment day ramblings

Had my second round of folfox6 today (my nurse told me she rarely sees hemoglobin readings above 15, so things are going well). The steroid shot continues to help on the nausea, but since I can get a little manic anyway - it tends to get me going. After my first treatment 2 weeks ago, I started this blog and two others. Today I've: 1. Sent a (probably too long) email to the Eagle in response to their invitation for local bloggers to tell them about their blog. 2. Sent my City Councilman an email in support of banning smoking in restaurants and bars. Set up a lunch date (fortunately he's a former coworker and friend of mine or he might have thought I was stalking him or something) 3. Sent a 3 page letter and resume to the local public television station in application for the vacant general manager position (not as bizarre as it seems since I was financial manager there in the early 80's). 4. Posted this and one other blog. Tomorrow I think I'll post things that have worked well for me during my treatments since last April. Maybe they can encourage some one else to research them, at reputable web sites, not blogs like this one, to see if they might help.

Reduce Chemo Chills

Here's a tip, particularly if your experiencing cold problems due to folfox6 treatment. (Although nearly everyone I see getting treatment seems chilled). I mentioned it to my oncology nurse, and she said she wasn't aware of it. 1. Get a heated mattress pad. The King size even has separate controls (both with timers) so your spouse can be cooler (or maybe warmer if menopause is involved!) 2. Turn that sucker on. You can find them at J.C. Penney, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Linens & Things. - look for sales. Penney's was recently $149 and Bed Bath & Beyond was $139, so I bought it. The next week Linens & Things had a sale for $98. Since I've always had some problems with extremely cold feet at times, this is the best I've slept since the heated waterbed days of my youth.

Blog from the late Joel Siegel

This is a link to a blog/letter from ABC News' Joel Siegel, who passed away earlier this year. Drives home the importance of getting scoped at 50. http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/cgi/content/full/10/7/558

Colonoscopies for newbies

First - it's no big deal. Many people say the preliminary "cleaning out" is terrible, but to me it was no worse than a slight case of intestinal flue, and certainly no worse than the IBS with diarrhea I'd had for years. Since the laxative isn't the most tasty drink in the world, I use the same method that enabled me to change my kid's diapers years ago without giving in to my extremely sensitive gag reflex, I stuffed tissue paper up my nose! When you can't smell, it deadens your sense of taste a great deal. During the colonoscopy itself you'll be in a "twilight sleep", which means you won't know a thing till you come to in the recovery room. All in all it's one of the easiest procedures I've had done.

Summary of rectal cancer

I found the following article from the World Journal of Gastroenerology a pretty good summary of current treatment for rectal cancer. It's titled Modern management of rectal cancer: a 2006 update and can be found at http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/abstract_en.asp?f=3186&v=12.