Some thoughts for my Sarcoma friends....

What in the world would I do without that second job at BigBoxMart? As I have been doing scads and scads of laundry and dishes for the past couple days, I think I can find a few things and if anythng, I'd have a sparkling clean house. But, I will not be getting a raise this year because of the bad economy so I trudge to the store on Saturdays and Sundays and check food and more food.
We did find some time to celebrate good scan results news. Despite the bad economy, there was no recession in the restaurants this weekend: A one hour wait at Olive Garden, Fox and Hound with a full parking lot as well as Red Lobster. We wound up at a local joint with a wide variety of food and a decent Saganaki and oopahed a little celebration. I realize I'm not out of the woods yet but I'll take the next six weeks of contentment until the next bout of Scanxiety hits me. Can I keep it going? I am sure trying!! We can't control a lot of aspects of cancer but we can control nutrition and what goes in and out of our mouth and I have been. When we first noticed these offensive little nodules starting to form, I made a big lifestyle change. I have alluded to it and emphasized it. Cancer just doesn't form out of nowhere. No one is really sure what genetic mechanisms are involved or what trips them but some University researchers have delved into the non-traditional to find the answers.
1) A recent article found that Melanoma and glioblastoma tumors can be fueled by stress hormome. Perhaps it fuels Sarcomas too. My bump first appeared during a very stressful time and the nodules, which had been stable for almost 2 years, multiplied when I took classes, was working a second job 4 nights a week, and was going through the diagnostic process of Emily's ADHD. I was also working into the wee hours on an account that has been the biggest challenge of my career. Constant issues..UGH! I have subsequently stopped the classes, reduced hours at my second job, stabilized Emily on her meds, and have backup on this account.
2) A preliminary study found that some Sarcomas MAY have hormone receptors. My tumor grew exponentially during my last pregnancy and I have heard many women in the Sarcoma world express the same. Either the tumor grew or a bump appeared. Foods such as broccoli, cauliflour and cabbage contain chemicals which help the body metabolize hormomes more effectively. FlaxOil as well helps the body with hormone metabolism along with freshly ground flax seeds sprinkled on cereal or in oatmeal. A Duke University study found a better treatment outcome for men undergoing treatment for Prostate cancer when fresh flax seeds were used. Flax oil is very delicate and can't be heated. Using the oil as salad dressing and seeds for the lignans will help as long as no heating is involved. Vitamin D3 is a necessary hormone. Canadian researchers found higher cancer rates in people who did not get enough sunshine. They recommended 15 minutes of direct sun daily without the blockers. I take additional D3 since it is Winter and we haven't seen the sun in months. That was OK on the trial as well.
3) Omega-3 Fatty acids and diets high in them, can stabilize some tumors and may result in Apoptosis for cancer cells. Omega 3 fatty acids are natural VEGF inhibitors and affect different pathways. They are also ESSENTIAL. Your body NEEDS Omega 3's and the current diet high in processed foods and meats, do not contain a healthy enough level of them. Adding wild Salmon to the diet as well as other foods high in Omega 3 oils can help. I take additional DHA which was OK with my Dr. on this trial. Diets high in Omega 3 also result in better treatment outcomes for cancer patients. The Japanese use fish oil as an adjuvant therapy for people going through Chemo. Omega 3's also have shown great and protective effects of the cardiovascular system and can reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol and protect your healty cells from the effects of chemotherapy and reduce its side effects. A simple google search will pull up many studies regarding Omega 3 and cancer. I am aware of the 2006 study that was done showing that fish oil does not do squat but what these researchers did was study the outcomes of people taking 2 capsules daily and NOT necessarily reducing trans fats in the hydrogenated oils or making other dietary changes.

I don't get my research from junkscience.com. Articles can be found on PubMed, ScienceDaily, CURE and other journals. One of my Sarcoma friends gave me great advice. With a disease as rare and difficult to treat as Sarcomas, it's wise to consider the anecdotal evidence since there is so little empirical evidence. Most of the studies above are preliminary. But I use them anyway.
I DO NOT eat any food with Canola, Vegetable, Soybean or any other kind of oil, especially partially hydrogenated oils. I take forever at the grocery store because I am constantly checking ingredients. If they have high amounts of any of those oils, I don't eat it. I saute in Organic Veggie broth. Flaxoil is not a "supplement." Using it is no different than frying a mess of chicken in a huge pot of lard for dinner after eating a big mac for lunch with greasy fries and bacon and eggs for breakfast. The difference is, your body can absorb the flax oil. It may not do well with the other fats. I make sure my ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 which is also essential but high amounts result in inflammation and are linked to disease, is set to what men evolved on 12:1 Omega 3 to Omega 6. Keeping with the idea that I want my body to absorb more of the good fats, I don't eat meat but maybe once or twice a year.
I juice..
I recommend juicing to everyone. I have a masticating juicer which I use to create a Kelly green glass of nutrition daily. My brother who has clotting disorder, calls my green concoction a glass of death :) To each his own! In the juicer goes a few stalks of Kale...not just for salad bars anymore!, cukes, celery, turnip greens, carrot, lemon, cabbage and broccoli. I basically hold my nose and suck down two glasses every day. All these items are chock full of nutrient that in juice form, the body can absorb more easily than eating the full vegetable. Most of these items are listed along with health benefits on the worlds healthiest foods website.
No SUGAR! No Refined white flour! No White rice! I eat wheat flour or brown rice, grains and beans once a day. If I get the urge for sugar, I allow myself one little M&M or some no sugar candy.
I eat a huge green salad for lunch made from Spinach or Baby Romaine, the healthiest lettuces. My dressing is apple cider vinegar and I sprinkle the salad with nutritional yeast for extra B vitamins.
I eat cottage cheese with blended flax oil (using a hand mixer), a couple tablespoons mixed with 4 tablespoons cottage cheese. I add strawberries, blueberries and a teaspoon of raw honey after blending. Then I top with raw fresh ground flax seeds. This is a great way to get those ESSENTIAL Omega 3 fats that when they bind with the cysteine in the cottage cheese, are more easily absorbed by the cells than consumed apart.
Whether this acts on the cancer or makes it easier for the Brivanib to do its work, remains to be seen but physically I feel a lot better and I have energy. I haven't had any of the issues with the high blood pressure and my bloodwork has all been within specs. I understand the huge commitment and lifestyle change but when fighting for life, I'll do it and do it gladly and recommend it to anyone going through cancer. Dr's know diddly about nutrition. That is a separate science all together. They do recommend a good diet as adjuvant therapy.

Have a good day and good eatin!