Cancer

[Mikoaii]

Hi guys, I'm new in forums and I decided to look into forums because I'd like to seek medical advices and hopefully to also get some emotional support.

I'm considered a young stay-at-home mother, happily married, and we have a son who's not even in Primary School yet. Recently, my spouse was diagnosed with stage 3 nose cancer. The cancer actually spread from the back of his nose to his neck lymph nodes, but it's a fortunate thing that they stopped there. Surgery is out of the question, and he requires chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The thing is that, I brought him to see a really really good doctor and he has told us that even after all the treatments, the recovery rate is only 30% - 50%. We were shocked and I was devastated. We have no family history. He doesn't smoke, he hardly drinks, he doesn't club or gamble. He's the best kind of husband in the world. I cried almost everyday for the past two weeks, and I tried to load myself up with as much information as possible in order to help him. I cannot imagine a world without him.

Time is of the essence and we have been trying to stay optimistic. He's currently undergoing chemotherapy and this weekend will be his second session. The first session's result was rather surprising and his swollen neck subsided within a day. The doctor said that he's impressed, and that it's a good sign. He's confident to help us achieve 50%, but mentioned that the other 50% will be in God's hands.

As much as we're trying to stay positive, the thought still haunts me. And the more I read about chemotherapy, the worse I feel. Everything that I'm doing for him, even when planning his meals for him, I feel like his life is in my hands. I'm so scared. I try to tell myself that everything WILL work out, but the fear still comes back to me at times. I'm in a dilemma. My life is a dilemma. I've heard that 90% of oncologists will not allow their spouse or children to undergo chemotherapy. Can anyone help by sharing your thoughts/experiences please? Thanks...

[DocJohn]

Hi Mik,
Hang in there, cancer aint a death sentence ( in as much as the news and google and what not horror stories about chemo etc ) there is a lot that can be done alongside with the chemo to put the chances in your favor. (this aint medical advice but here goes on some suggestions. )
Diet- try a low caloric ketogenic diet. for a few months. it starves the cancer of glucose.Take sugar out of the diet as much as possible. little or no alcohol. lots of veg minimal red meats. take in oily fish.
nutrition- Vit C ... lots of it.+ mixed antioxidant cocktail that has vit A/C/D/E. also bounce this idea off your onco doc ya.
Herbs that you can try. Tumeric, garlic and ginger. - get a good source that gives you a pure form of it.
(watch the liver if u do go on high doses)
Veg- Broccoli- and all cruciferous veg. has sulphranes that knock back the cancer.
Stress- keep it as low as possible. watch for low mood... for you and your husband.
exercise- yes plain working out . about 75 mins /week. intense or 150 of moderate. it switches on 500 genes that work against the cancer.
Keep moving forward. one step at a time ok . Dont stay in a dark place for long. when u find yourself crying alone and stuff. force yourself to do someting else. watch something funny. take a walk . have a piece of dark choc ( has loads of anti oxidants... but dont eat the whole bar ya)
and importantly... have sex with your man... its emotionally theraputic. ( i am sure all you ppl are matured enough to handle that bombshell... )

oh yes.. and have a sense of humor. laughter fixes alot of things medicines cant !
So there you go.

[Mikoaii]

Hi Mik,
Hang in there, cancer aint a death sentence ( in as much as the news and google and what not horror stories about chemo etc ) there is a lot that can be done alongside with the chemo to put the chances in your favor. (this aint medical advice but here goes on some suggestions. )
Diet- try a low caloric ketogenic diet. for a few months. it starves the cancer of glucose.Take sugar out of the diet as much as possible. little or no alcohol. lots of veg minimal red meats. take in oily fish.
nutrition- Vit C ... lots of it.+ mixed antioxidant cocktail that has vit A/C/D/E. also bounce this idea off your onco doc ya.
Herbs that you can try. Tumeric, garlic and ginger. - get a good source that gives you a pure form of it.
(watch the liver if u do go on high doses)
Veg- Broccoli- and all cruciferous veg. has sulphranes that knock back the cancer.
Stress- keep it as low as possible. watch for low mood... for you and your husband.
exercise- yes plain working out . about 75 mins /week. intense or 150 of moderate. it switches on 500 genes that work against the cancer.
Keep moving forward. one step at a time ok . Dont stay in a dark place for long. when u find yourself crying alone and stuff. force yourself to do someting else. watch something funny. take a walk . have a piece of dark choc ( has loads of anti oxidants... but dont eat the whole bar ya)
and importantly... have sex with your man... its emotionally theraputic. ( i am sure all you ppl are matured enough to handle that bombshell... )

oh yes.. and have a sense of humor. laughter fixes alot of things medicines cant !
So there you go.

Hey, thanks for your response. I'm touched that somebody else actually cares. I'll keep all of your advices in mind. Currently, I'm feeding him with a lot of green leafy vegetables as well as cruciferous vegetables, low carbohydrates, no sugar, and occasional meat, just like some that you have mentioned. Supplements wise, I'm giving him ginger tea or dandelion root tea, probiotics, and olive leaf extract daily. So far, two doctors have advised him not to exercise as they're afraid he might faint due to various reasons... So I'm not quite sure what else he can do to be active...

I hope that we'll continue to be on the right track. Everything's a huge blow to us. We're still so young... My spouse is not even at the average minimum age for this cancer... At times, I've this thought that life is downright unfair... And that it doesn't pay to be kind or good...

[DocJohn]

Well,
Being evil or unkind ... would not pay off well either.
Looks like your not too far from being on the right track. I would recommend some exercise . eg walks or even 15 mins of exercise. with adequate hydration.
5mins push ups
5 mins sit ups
5 mins squats... and irrespective of the number of reps.
just do according to your "feel" keep heart rate less than 130 and should be ok .

[Mikoaii]

Well,
Being evil or unkind ... would not pay off well either.
Looks like your not too far from being on the right track. I would recommend some exercise . eg walks or even 15 mins of exercise. with adequate hydration.
5mins push ups
5 mins sit ups
5 mins squats... and irrespective of the number of reps.
just do according to your "feel" keep heart rate less than 130 and should be ok .

Thanks a lot for your advices!! I'll let my husband know. Truly appreciate it!

[x9200]

Mikoaii, I think, whatever you do or going to do with your husband's diet or exercising load, you should consult it first with his doctor as he knows your husband conditions and what should be safe for him and won't interfere with the chemotherapy.

People do care, they just don't know what to say. I am very sure your husband knows how you feel about him and sees how much you care and this is probably the best what you could do to help him.

[taxico]

there's still hope for your husband.

he has to be/stay positive.

you must too...

[veristay@hotmail.com]

Hi Miko, how is your spouse doing ?