On 5/5/2008
myhubby wrote:
I may need to give a little background before I ask this question.
My husband was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August of 05. He underwent a total colectomy with a j-pouch reconstruction. He was recently diagnosed with liver mets in Dec of 07. He had a lobectomy in March of this year. He just started his chemo treatments and has only recieved one. He will be getting them every other friday.
My question is this. I was going to purchase him some Avemar to boost his immune system while getting the treatments. However, one of the warnings is not to take it if you have absorbancy issues in your digestion. With him not having a colon and only having a simulated colon made from his small intestines, would he be able to take this supplement?
Has anyone here had the same operations and taken this supplement?
Hi, I haven't have a J pouch operation but I had colon cancer diagnosed in May 05 and had part of my sigmoid colon removed and reanastomised. I chose to go on the A P John diet thru the A P John Cancer Institute in Florida and successfully shrunk a recurrence the following year. I also have a genetic disorder called Lynch Syndrome or HNPCC which makes me much more likely to get colon cancer and recurrences. I have not had any chemo or radiation at this point. I refused it last year and now have a scan coming up next week which I hope is still good.
I am not sure about Avemar but surviving cancer and using "alternative" modes is primarily about keeping the whole body in a state where it exists without cancer and it is strong enough to tolerate the side effects of chemotherapy if you go that route. Using one such as Avemar is often not the solution and incooporating different modalities and nutrition is the most useful approach. .
I think it is worthwhile looking at getting a juicer and juicing fresh green organic vegetables every day for your husband. Green vegetables particularly brocolli and cabbage have anti cancer properties but can be very difficult to digest raw or uncooked if you have problems with absorbtion. Hence a juicer makes absorbing nutrients from these vegetables much easier. I juice a cocktail of green vegetable each day and then filter out the remaining pulp thru a tea strainer or metal sieve.
I have problems with digestion - absorbtion due to adhestions from the surgery and had a terrible time with a bowel obstruction in Nov 06. I was vomiting feces and had to be on an IV for 17 days. Thus I can't take any chances with any un juiced vegetables that can bloat such as brocolli and I suspect your husband has to be very careful also.But he can get the nutrients by using a juicer and then a filter or a powerful juicer that macerates and then squeezes the juice thru a cotton bag such as is used in Gerson therapies.
John Hopkins University have developed BRASSICA, a tea derived from broccoli seeds that has anti-cancer properties and is only about 6 dollars a box. YOu can phone toll free: 866-747-0001 for more info.
A book by Dr Rosy Daniels leading British alternative cancer doctor has a book called THE CANCER DIRECTORY which lists all alternative treatments for cancer. Her web site is HEALTH CREATION. Very useful.
Also consider acupuncture and meditation and of course a second third and fourth opinion about your husbands cancer and treatment. Is it hereditary? What are the most innovative treatments? How would another doctor/specialist treat it? How is he responding to this treatment? How is his progress being monitered?
I wish you all the best,
Hadassah .
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