Before I tell you the latest in my colon cancer saga I want want to make you aware that.....
March is National Colo-rectal Cancer Awareness Month
If by reading my site, I convince just one of you that has been procrastinating getting their colonoscopy to schedule this simple life saving procedure, I will have done my job! Take it from me, prevention is a much better way to go than cancer treatment!!!
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
How can you reduce your risk?
The risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age. More than 90% of cases occur in people who are 50 years old or older. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives, but many people are not being screened according to national guidelines.
To learn more visit: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/ColorectalAwareness/
If you're 50 years old or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here's how—
Colorectal cancer screening helps find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
Who should be screened and when? please visit this site to learn more about screening: http://ccalliance.org/screening/who_and_when.html
Often, as in my case, colon cancer may have no symptoms at all; screening is the only way to find them. So, what are you waiting for, stop procrastinating. Pick up the phone and make that appointment today!
What's Been Going On With Me?
Consultation with Stanford Oncology Team
On Monday Craig and I finally had our consultation appointment with Dr. George Fisher. He reviewed all of my records and scans and reassured me that Dr. May Chen was taking good care of me and provide an excellent treatment plan. Prior to our appointment Dr. Fisher had shared my scans with his Cardio-Thorasic surgeon who felt, as did our local CT surgeon, that they would have to take out too much lung tissue to remove all of the tumors (there are 5 or 6 of them) surgically due to their position in the lung (not all in one area of the lung, some buried in the middle of the lobe/not near the side, etc). Dr. Fisher thinks I am potentially a candidate for cyberknife radiation procedure to destroy some of the tumors. He wants the CT surgeon and the Radiology Oncologist to review my scans together to determine which tumors can be treated by cyber knife radiation &/or a combination of cyber knife and surgery. So, now we again wait for a follow-up appointment to discuss the results of these deliberations.
Pulmonary Consult
I also visited a Pulmonologist last week to discuss the reason for the residual inflammation in my lungs. He scheduled me for a Bronchoscopy (lung scope) to collect cultures and tissue samples to rule out any residual infectious process from my pneumonia in November '13. The procedure was done yesterday, Tuesday 3/11, & result should trickle in over the following week to 10 days. The procedure went smoothly, however I got a nasty fever of 102.5 last night, the evening after the procedure. Luckily I recovered quickly today, but it makes me curious if they stirred up some residual bacteria in there while poking around in my lungs…. time will tell.
Food, Exercise, and Family
I have also now seen two nutritionist regarding the best way to alter my diet to not promote tumor growth, support my immune system, and reduce inflammatory response in my body. I will do this through working towards these key diet changes: 1) avoiding intake of intake of white sugar, white flour, and processed foods. 2) rarely consume red meat and reduce healthy desserts to 3 times a week, 3) dramatically increase consumption of fruits and vegetables (organic when possible), especially those found to have anti-cancer properties, 4) have one green smoothie a day packed with lots of supplements, antioxidants, and foods found to have anti-cancer properties. I have been reading a great deal about fighting cancer with nutrition, but the most fascinating book is called, Anti Cancer; A New Way of Life, by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD. The author is a physician who, as a cancer survivor, sought to find a means of reducing his highly likely to recur cancer. The book is packed with lots of research and information for anyone seeking a healthy lifestyle weather fighting cancer of not.
Finally, I have been busy resting & rehabbing my ankle sprain with the help of my physical therapist and friend, Deby Quinn Lemire (thanks, Deby!). I am really missing the release, endorphins, outdoors, & companionship from playing tennis & hiking! This is what typically keeps me going, so it has been a bit if a bummer. My ankle is healing SLOWLY, but on track I think. I just have to remind myself that I am 4 weeks into an 6-8 week recovery! I'm trying to get to Yoga, Pilates & the gym where I can use the stationary bike, but it is just not quite the same. I am very excited to start, later this week, taking ½ hour tennis lessons with the tennis pro (without any running) to just have him feed me the ball and get back into hitting. I can't wait! I may just have to take some of my pent up aggression out on the ball; poor tennis balls!
I hope this finds all of you well and enjoying your families! Elyse is coming home from UCLA between quarter. It will be great to have her home! Kayla is doing the waiting game for her remaining schools, but is happy with her early admission options to date. Jenna having a busy season with Winter Guard and rehearsal for SHS's upcoming musical Les Mis. Craig is working a lot, trying his best to accompany me to appointment when he can, and being very supportive. My family and friends have been so supportive, and I love you all for this. I am so very blessed!
Have a great National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and don't forget to schedule your screening exam!
Cheers, Jacki
Often, as in my case, colon cancer may have no symptoms at all; screening is the only way to find them. So, what are you waiting for, stop procrastinating. Pick up the phone and make that appointment today!
What's Been Going On With Me?
Consultation with Stanford Oncology Team
On Monday Craig and I finally had our consultation appointment with Dr. George Fisher. He reviewed all of my records and scans and reassured me that Dr. May Chen was taking good care of me and provide an excellent treatment plan. Prior to our appointment Dr. Fisher had shared my scans with his Cardio-Thorasic surgeon who felt, as did our local CT surgeon, that they would have to take out too much lung tissue to remove all of the tumors (there are 5 or 6 of them) surgically due to their position in the lung (not all in one area of the lung, some buried in the middle of the lobe/not near the side, etc). Dr. Fisher thinks I am potentially a candidate for cyberknife radiation procedure to destroy some of the tumors. He wants the CT surgeon and the Radiology Oncologist to review my scans together to determine which tumors can be treated by cyber knife radiation &/or a combination of cyber knife and surgery. So, now we again wait for a follow-up appointment to discuss the results of these deliberations.
Pulmonary Consult
I also visited a Pulmonologist last week to discuss the reason for the residual inflammation in my lungs. He scheduled me for a Bronchoscopy (lung scope) to collect cultures and tissue samples to rule out any residual infectious process from my pneumonia in November '13. The procedure was done yesterday, Tuesday 3/11, & result should trickle in over the following week to 10 days. The procedure went smoothly, however I got a nasty fever of 102.5 last night, the evening after the procedure. Luckily I recovered quickly today, but it makes me curious if they stirred up some residual bacteria in there while poking around in my lungs…. time will tell.
Food, Exercise, and Family
I have also now seen two nutritionist regarding the best way to alter my diet to not promote tumor growth, support my immune system, and reduce inflammatory response in my body. I will do this through working towards these key diet changes: 1) avoiding intake of intake of white sugar, white flour, and processed foods. 2) rarely consume red meat and reduce healthy desserts to 3 times a week, 3) dramatically increase consumption of fruits and vegetables (organic when possible), especially those found to have anti-cancer properties, 4) have one green smoothie a day packed with lots of supplements, antioxidants, and foods found to have anti-cancer properties. I have been reading a great deal about fighting cancer with nutrition, but the most fascinating book is called, Anti Cancer; A New Way of Life, by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD. The author is a physician who, as a cancer survivor, sought to find a means of reducing his highly likely to recur cancer. The book is packed with lots of research and information for anyone seeking a healthy lifestyle weather fighting cancer of not.
Finally, I have been busy resting & rehabbing my ankle sprain with the help of my physical therapist and friend, Deby Quinn Lemire (thanks, Deby!). I am really missing the release, endorphins, outdoors, & companionship from playing tennis & hiking! This is what typically keeps me going, so it has been a bit if a bummer. My ankle is healing SLOWLY, but on track I think. I just have to remind myself that I am 4 weeks into an 6-8 week recovery! I'm trying to get to Yoga, Pilates & the gym where I can use the stationary bike, but it is just not quite the same. I am very excited to start, later this week, taking ½ hour tennis lessons with the tennis pro (without any running) to just have him feed me the ball and get back into hitting. I can't wait! I may just have to take some of my pent up aggression out on the ball; poor tennis balls!
I hope this finds all of you well and enjoying your families! Elyse is coming home from UCLA between quarter. It will be great to have her home! Kayla is doing the waiting game for her remaining schools, but is happy with her early admission options to date. Jenna having a busy season with Winter Guard and rehearsal for SHS's upcoming musical Les Mis. Craig is working a lot, trying his best to accompany me to appointment when he can, and being very supportive. My family and friends have been so supportive, and I love you all for this. I am so very blessed!
Have a great National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and don't forget to schedule your screening exam!
Cheers, Jacki
