As far as alkaline water I am with a company that sells satchets to add to your water, cheaper than buying the bottled water.
Having protein shakes on occasion, but the last few weeks have been a bit hectic, but things are settling down. I prefer Orgain - no high fructose corn syrup and more protein than other brands, from what I have seen. Wouldn't want to add something alternative to my diet without consulting my doctors as I know my ALP level is still a bit elevated. The most "alternative" thing I would be open to would be medical marijuana - might help with my weight loss issues.
Looked at the numbers from my local oncologist visit on Thursday. I'm mildly concerned, but there is nothing I can do about it until September 9th, when I go to NYC. Why am I concerned? 1. WBC & Lymphocyte count went up by 3.0 in 3 weeks (Before this, it had been going down. WBC is almost above normal range now, Lymphocyte is quite a bit above normal range). 2. Hemoglobin dropped by 0.6 in 3 weeks (Hemoglobin should be going up). Why does this have me concerned? All of these should be going down due to chemotherapy. This is making me think that the methotrexate is not effective with the prednisone and the prednisone cannot be given for the entire length of chemotherapy, might damage the adrenal gland, which would be bad. So, if the methotrexate won't work without chemotherapy, my NYC oncologist is most likely going to alter the course of treatment next visit. Yay. Maybe the next treatment won't involve taking six pills in a row (not very pleasant when they are all the same size)? That would be nice. As long as it doesn't taste bad. But no reason to worry about it now. Can't do anything about it until next visit - my local oncologist was supposed to be shown the numbers today by the nurse practitioner that I saw - and I am pretty sure he was, as my blood work was uploaded today.
Have a bit of a rash going on. Thought it was just a heat rash - went to local oncologist today. He says it is not caused by the chemo pills - but he wants me to see a dermatologist next week if I still have it.
NYC oncologist had me come in today and see a dermatologist there & then see him for the rash. Dermatologist is a world expert in oncological dermatology - she said it looks like an allergic reaction to something.
So it was an allergic reaction to mosquito bites, how odd. NYC oncologist doesn't like how I am tolerating the methotrexate every week - he wants to see me on Wednesday to discuss the medication.
Saw him yesterday - he is switching me to a new drug. Cyclosporin. He said that by now, he would expect a decrease in NK cells & T-cells in the various tests to be down to pretty much normal levels, showing partial or total remission, which it isn't.
I'm sorry you are going through this, bros! If you are interested in alternative methods, message me. I can point you to some resources.
Being morose and mopey about my situation would not be productive and would be a bit counter to how I approach my other chronic conditions and disabilities. Only one way to approach it consistently in my mind. Thank you for the offer, but I have been cautioned by my oncologist in NYC against most alternative methods due to potential toxicity issues (Methotrexate is rather hard on the liver, as are some alternative and complementary treatments). I can't even wear the shoulder part of a seatbelt due to my enlarged spleen - which rules out massages to help alleviate stress.
The alternative methods are completely nutritional based so they would be non-toxic, but I understand the caution. I missed earlier where you said you weren't going to try any alternatives or I wouldn't have mentioned. Sorry! I know it has to get annoying. You are welcome to share links to your updates if you want. I didn't realize what was going on with you.
It's alright - haven't had too many offers of alternative methods. My oncologists just want me to eat whatever I can get down to maintain my weight without having to take appetite inducers.
Just keep trucking, I've heard one thing that can really have a huge affect is a positive attitude. I don't know why, but I have heard it works.It seems you have been doing well in that department. I have kept up with this thread, and said a few prayers for you. I hope that you start to get better and that the cancer is quickly beaten. Hopefully, once this is all over you will finally have success in your job search. Best wishes
If your oncologist has not sent you to a nutritionist, ask for a referral the next time or call for one. If you don't go to one, please try to avoid sugar. It feeds the beast. Keeping your weight up during treatment can be hard. The nutritionists can point you to things that you can tolerate but won't accelerate the cancer's growth.
Yeah, I hope I get good enough to apply for jobs in April/May 2016 for the 2016-2017 school year. My weight has stabilized around 105 lbs - was at 102 lbs in July and 111 lbs in April - a week before my first bone marrow biopsy. Studies have shown that sugar doesn't really affect cancer in any significant way, other than increasing risk for cancer. Here is an article from Dana Farber Cancer Center on the same thing. Studies have shown that the cancers most affected by sugar are prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. If anything, it would affect tumor growth - I have no tumors.
Who knows My numbers have been getting better and my sugar consumption has stayed the same - so that is good for me.
I had a seizure today. Neurologist on call at my neurologist's office seemed concerned and said my neurologist will be calling me on Monday.
Sending you get well wishes, bros. You might consider subbing or aide positions to make your resume more current. By the spring hiring season you will have been out of the game for over a year and a half and despite your health concerns big changes are happening every day in NJ schools You'd be well advised to get strong and dip your toes in before diving into the deep end. Wishing you well as always.
I'm used to them by now - been having seizures since 1996. Felt a bit off today - but otherwise, was okay. I was applying for aide positions before the diagnosis, so I will continue to apply for them (along with teaching positions) provided that they are full time - I need benefits, especially now (But if I don't get a job before end of 2016 - I am good insurance wise - I am covered under my mom's plan under a permanent disability waiver).
Went to local oncologist today - Hemoglobin is up to 9.8 (this is a good thing) - it's like 2 or 3.0 from normal, but I was at 7.5 the day before I started chemo.
I feel horrible. Waiting for my stomach to calm a bit before going to sleep. Having Thanksgiving on Saturday.
Went to local oncologist today - he had results from my Nov 30 visit to NYC onc - Hgb was 9.5 Today at local onc, Hgb was 10.5 - yay!
Thursdays and Fridays have been getting worse and worse. Called NYC onc this week and he doesn't want to change my administration method over the phone - he wants to see me on the 6th and we will discuss my options
Are those days right after taking your meds or having treatments? Many doctors do not like to change meds without seeing you. I hope that things go well for you this week,
Went to NYC onc and he won't change administration method at all. He prescribed a new anti-nausea med and it has... side effects that I cannot tolerate, so I discontinued it after taking one pill. I am going to try to contact the doctor in Virginia who discovered my kind of cancer - and shoot an email to his research coordinator to see if she might know if the other forms of administration for methotrexate have ever been used for my kind of cancer.
Went to the local oncologist today - my numbers are getting better - my hemoglobin is above 11 (like 11.1) - 13.2 is normal. Next time I go (February 3rd) - I will be getting blood drawn to join the LGL registry down at UVA. Might be going down to UVA in the coming months, too - as the guy who discovered my kind of cancer wants to see anyone with my diagnosis (NK-LGL). Went to my neurologist - he prescribed medical marijuana - official reason is due to my epilepsy, unofficial is weight loss, nausea, and vomiting due to chemotherapy/cancer. I am going through the process to get approved for that - should take about a month.
I am okay - got the medical marijuana approval much quicker than expected. It has been very useful on Fridays. NYC oncologist likes my numbers and wants to see me in four months. Local oncologist also likes my numbers. I will be going down to UVA next month to see the doctor who discovered this kind of cancer.
So, I went to UVA on Monday, saw the oncologist who discovered LGL cancers yesterday, came back today (Took amtrak). He answered a lot of questions and was very good with explaining everything to myself and my parents. 1. It is a chronic cancer. 2. He is concerned about my numbers - depending on the results of the blood work, he will want to either have my NYC oncologist lower the dosage of the chemo, or switch me to a new medication 3. It can never turn aggressive (Well, more accurately, he has never had a patient have it turn aggressive) 4. He knows of no impact on life expectancy - anyone who dies as a result of it usually gets sick and doesn't go to the hospital until it is too late. 5. For teaching, he suggested I try subbing, see how my immune system handles it, then consider applying for jobs.
Glad you got some concrete information and advice about teaching. Now you can make plans and forge ahead.
