Well, we have have safely returned to Colorado, and we made it home in time for Christmas! �It was a mixed blessing, with lots of fun (and a few presents) for our little one and a beautiful new layer...
Well, we have have safely returned to Colorado, and we made it home in time for Christmas! �It was a mixed blessing, with lots of fun (and a few presents) for our little one and a beautiful new layer of snow in the morning, but very few decorations and no tree. �Still, the greatest blessing was being home, and being (mostly) healthy.
Last week I had the staples removed by my regular doc/PA at the base, and put all the necessary paperwork in for the referral to the University of Colorado Cancer Center in Aurora, just south of Denver. �The first of those appointments was last Thursday, where I met with the �Nurse Navigator� (which has to be the coolest job title�ever). �The oncology nurse did a complete case history review, copied all the records I brought, and looked at the recommendation from Dr. Chu at Cedars-Sinai. �Dr. Chu recommended a �radiation boost,� followed by some kind of chemotherapy. �This could be temozolomide (temodar), Avastin, or one of the newer therapies like Opdivo or Optune (click the links for more details). �The nurse at UCCC seemed to agree, but it will ultimately be up to the doctor to decide. �I see the actual neuro-oncologist (Dr.Douglas Ney) on Tuesday the 17th, along with several other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
We also met with an oncology dietitian yesterday (Saturday). �This is a registered dietician who has spent at least 2,000 additional hours working specifically with cancer patients, and passed a comprehensive examination covering cancer care. �Most of these dietitians work with cancer patients who are going through active treatment (chemo and/or radiation), working to help them maintain a healthy weight, find foods that they can tolerate without getting sick, and so forth. �However, some � including the one we met with, from Nutrition Foundations � also work with survivors who are trying to prepare their bodies to fight cancer. �She helped us work through a mountain of research (mostly done by Angie) about how diet and nutrition can help fight (and even eliminate) cancer. �The end result is that for now, and until I complete radiation, I am on a strict ketogenic diet. �That is a long, long discussion, but the bottom line is a very low-carb diet that is high in fats and protein, which will eventually help �starve� the tumor of the fuel they need to grow. �It�s far from proven, but the evidence is gathering, and approaching the point of being what I would call conclusive. �There are studies like this one from the National Institutes of Health, as well as many individual stories like this one where a ketogenic diet has helped a patient fight cancer, or has even been shown to reduce tumor size or slow tumor growth. �Probably the best overall article I�ve found on the topic is here, which provides a good (though scholarly) overview of the evidence to date and how the diet actually affects cancer.
So, that�s where we stand. �No more potatoes or bread or pasta for me, and both Angie and I face a steep learning curve when it comes to everything � meal planning, shopping, cooking, eating out, snacking, and how this affects other areas of our lifestyle (fitness) and Ellie. �At the end of the day, if it helps (and the evidence is almost conclusive that it does), it�s worth a try. �I�ll see the neuro-oncologist on Tuesday, and hopefully have more to report. �Until then, bring on the avocados!
