Hebbie

Comments like that never cease to make we want to reach through the words and choke the "expert" who said it.....

Shelley, I am just at a loss for words. This is so unbelievably cruel. My thoughts are with you and your husband, as well as your father in law. He is very fortunate to have you take care of him in his final weeks. I wish him much comfort and peace knowing that you are there for him. Heather

Fight cancer with dark green vegetables Average adult should eat three cups a week By Karen Collins, R.D., Registered Dietitian / Special to MSNBC.com Updated: 9:39 a.m. ET April 8, 2005 The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released in January 2005, issue a major challenge regarding vegetables. The average adult needs to boost their consumption of dark green vegetables by 200 to 300 percent. We currently eat so little of these foods that our health is suffering. The latest dietary recommendations suggest that most adults should eat three cups of dark green vegetables a week. To reach this amount, you could have a half-cup serving almost every day, or larger servings several times a week. If that seems like a lot of vegetables, that’s because Americans seldom eat them. One consequence of this poor eating habit is that American diets tend to be low in potassium and magnesium. Dark green vegetables provide these minerals that are linked with healthy levels of blood pressure and blood sugar. Not only do we seldom eat them, however, many of us walk into grocery stores and never notice, or even recognize, many of the dark green vegetables there. Next time you’re in a grocery store, go on a “green vegetable” hunt, looking for these nutritious, delicious treasures. Romaine lettuce – and even darker green leafy vegetables like spinach, Swiss chard, kale, collard greens, mustard greens and turnip greens – contain beta-carotene as well as the carotenoid cousins called lutein and zeaxanthin. Beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin are all powerful antioxidants that seem to play a role in blocking early stages in the development of cancer. High in folate Some studies even link them with a lower risk of breast, lung and skin cancers. In addition, lutein seems to help slow the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a cause of age-related blindness. These same dark greens can also supply a significant amount of folate. Folate is a B vitamin that promotes heart health and helps prevent certain birth defects. Folate is also necessary for DNA duplication and repair. Without repair, damaged cells can develop into cancer. The importance of folate should not be underestimated. Even after considering the presence of other cancer-fighting nutrients, several large studies show that the risk of colon polyps, which are the source of most colon cancers, is 30 to 40 percent lower in people with a high folate intake compared to those with diets low in folate. Research also suggests that diets low in folate may increase the risk of cancers of the breast (particularly among women who drink alcohol), cervix and lung. Research is showing that many of our favorite foods contain compounds that help our bodies fight infection, heart disease and even cancer. Certain dark green vegetables offer another advantage. Watercress, arugula, bok choy, broccoli and kale are all members of the cruciferous family. These vegetables supply phytochemicals such as indoles that help stop cancer before it starts. How to serve them These phytochemicals block enzymes that activate carcinogens and boost enzymes that detoxify them. Other antioxidant phytochemicals in these green cruciferous veggies help prevent and repair DNA damage that can lead to cancer. They also seem to interrupt the growth of cancer cells. If you haven’t eaten many of these dark green vegetables before, you may not know how to serve them. Perk up salads or sandwiches with small tender leaves. Add greens with larger, tougher leaves to soups. You can quickly stir-fry many of these greens in a dash of canola or olive oil with some garlic, onion, or ginger. Check your grocery store for pamphlets with more ideas for preparing this kind of produce, or look at cookbooks. Or get fresh ideas at your desk: Go to the website of the American Institute for Cancer Research and click on Recipe Corner. Type in the name of a vegetable for some tasty recipes to try. The website www.5aday.com offers a similar service. GUIDE Foods that fight disease • Apples • Broccoli • Carrots • Fish • Garlic and onions • Kale • Legumes • Multi-grain breads • Raspberries • Red wine • Soy beans • Tomatoes Flavonoids that protect against cancer, heart disease, allergies, ulcers, viral infections and tumors. Glucosinolates that help the liver rid the body of toxic substances. Indol carbinols that protect against certain breast tumors. Beta-carotene that protects against lung, colorectal, breast, uterine and prostate cancers. Folic acid, a B vitamin that reduces the risk of some cancers, as well as birth defects such as spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Sulforaphanes that boost the body’s ability to detoxify carcinogens. Beta-carotene that protects against lung, colorectal, breast, uterine and prostate cancers. Sulforaphanes that boost the body’s ability to detoxify carcinogens. Omega-3 fatty acids that protect against heart disease and have been shown to prevent cancer in animal studies. The fatty acids also help maintain normal elasticity of arteries and nourish heart and blood vessels. Allylic sulfides, which protect against DNA damage and help the body to detoxify carcinogens. The compounds also appear to inhibit growth of tumors, and decrease blood clotting that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Folic acid, a B vitamin that reduces the risk of some cancers, as well as birth defects such as spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Sulforaphanes that boost the body’s ability to detoxify carcinogens. Isoflavones that block enzymes that promote tumor growth. Selenium, a natural antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of cancer and diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Salicylates, compounds with anti-clotting properties; may reduce the risk of blood clots that lead to heart attacks and strokes. Polyphenols, which prevent blood clotting, thus warding off heart attacks. Flavonoids that protect against cancer, heart disease, allergies, ulcers, viral infections and tumors. Phytoestrogens that mimic the body’s own estrogens, protecting against ovarian and breast cancers. Genistein, which can block the blood supply to tumors, thus choking cancerous cells to death. Lycopene, one of the most potent of antioxidants — substances that sop up so-called free radicals, unstable particles that can lead to DNA damage, cancer and heart disease. Salicylates, compounds with anti-clotting properties; may reduce the risk of blood clots that lead to heart attacks and strokes.

1) My little puppy curling up in my lap and falling asleep 2) Spring has finally arrived in New Jersey! 3) A "positive" vibe kind of day -- no dark thoughts clouding my head (may have something to do with #2 above) 4) My son's beautiful little face...and beautiful big heart 5) The early stages of planning our cruise to Alaska for August!

Doug, I have an 8 year old son and an ex myself -- only I am the one with cancer......my fears include trying to figure out whether or not my son's dad would continue to let his stepdad (my current husband) continue to be a big part of his life if I wasn't here...... BUT......we must be strong and have hope that we WILL be here and your sense of humor about this unbelievable situation will serve you well as you begin this journey!!! I have a friend in my local LC support group meeting that is an 8 year survivor of Extensive SCLS and doing quite well -- in remission since her initial treatment. Keep the faith!! Heather ps -- when you get through this treatment and emerge out the other side, consider publishing that journal -- it would be amazing!!

Interesting, Katie -- I LIVE at the local Whole Foods Market (less than a mile from my house), but I don't think they sell it there, other than frozen packets, which taste watery when defrosted. It's funny -- I never even knew this juice place in my office lobby sold the stuff, and while I was ordering it, I bumped into a co-worker who said she drinks it daily, and then another guy came in off the street and asked if they sold wheatgrass juice. I was a little concerned that perhaps no one really drank it and their wheatgrass was sitting there, getting moldy on a shelf or something, but apparently they have a pretty high turnover on the stuff so it must be pretty fresh. They juice it for you on the spot and give it to you in a little shot glass to drink right away. Pretty interesting stuff!

Does anyone out there drink Wheatgrass juice regularly? I have had it a few times over the past year or so, but discovered this morning that the restaurant/juice bar in my office lobby sells it in small "shot glasses" (1 oz shot or 2 oz shot), so I had a 1 oz "shot". It's supposed to be SUPER GOOD for your body, but taste like you are drinking clippings from your freshly cut lawn Here's a link to some info: http://www.mpacorn.com/News/2003/1016/H ... _Wellness/ Any thoughts?

Again, I (of course) missed Larry King, but wish I would have seen Gerald McG on there. I saw an interview recently with his wife Delta Burke and she sort of annoyed me when they asked her about him because she said "oh....he was sooooo fortunate that they caught it early and he didn't even need any treatment other than surgery, they were able to cure him with just surgery". I just felt that it send the wrong message, like lung cancer was a walk in the park or something. In any event, I wish I would have seen him myself last night, but it sounds like he has sort of the same attitude. Which is GREAT, to be positive and live life like you have beaten it, but it's only been a year and does seem a bit soon to be (almost) cocky about it.

I didn't have the pleasure (or displeasure) of watching Paula Zahn, but I have learned from past experience that when you "confront" mis-informed individuals about ignorant remarks regarding lung cancer, they usually respond back, red-faced and in full apologetic form..... I wrote to two different doctors -- one after a phone workshop and another after reading an interview/article. Both doctors were quoted as saying something along the lines that lung cancer wouldn't be an issue if people would just stop smoking. THAT BURNED ME UP and I tracked down their e-mail addresses and politely educated them with my non-smoking lung cancer story. I got written apologies from them both and I hope I educated them in the process. (I believe my response to them is on the board somewhere -- here it is: http://lchelp.com/community/viewtopic.p ... perpetuate ) To make a long story short, if anyone was displeased with Paula Zahn's remarks, it is certainly worth sending a polite e-mail informing her of the "true" facts about lung cancer and the stigma that attitudes such as hers continue to perpetuate in the media/general population.

How I wish it were true that there really was a cure and you had to be rich and famous to access it.......but, sadly there isn't. If there was, Adam Sandler's dad would not have died of LC last year......or Harrison Ford's mom....or Jim Thome's (Philadelphia Philly) mom.....or Matt Lauer's dad. George Harrison would not have died, and the list goes on (actually we have a list somewhere on the board of celebrities). What we need is for celebrities to stop feeling ashamed about it and speak out. Katie Couric did wonders for Colon Cancer awareness after her husband passed away. We need a "celebrity spokesman" for lung cancer.....but if we can't get one, we have to become one ourselves!

I am so saddened by this news. I wish we knew more of his condition too -- but the fact that he has been feeling "ill for the past several months" probably means it is not early stage, unfortunately. Ironically, when Dan Rather stepped down, and then I heard Ted Koppel was retiring, I said to my husband (just last week) that it seemed like the end of an era. Dan, Ted and Peter have been reporting the nightly news my entire adult life. They are the only nightly anchors I really remember. I said that with Dan and Ted gone, Peter was my last shot at getting the news from a respectable journalist and that nothing had better happen to him! I certainly didn't see this coming (as I'm sure he didn't either). Tina -- don't feel bad -- as much as I hate to admit it, I had that same thought in the back of my mind.

I just read something so inspiring, and wanted to share it with you all. It's so simple, yet so profound! If you can tell yourself that tomorrow will be a better day, and believe it, you have an excellent chance of surviving cancer.

Dr. Weil's Daily Tip 4/4/05 Eating to Prevent Lung Cancer While many women state their worst fear is breast cancer, lung cancer is now actually the biggest cancer threat to women - it accounts for the same amount of cancer-related deaths as breast and gynecological cancers combined. Along with the obvious lifestyle choices - such as not smoking - diet may play a role in preventing or lessening the risk of developing lung cancer. Make the following changes: Add more antioxidants. Apples, tomatoes and oranges are especially helpful in nourishing the lungs. Add carrots, yellow squash and dark, leafy greens for their lung-cancer protective carotenoids. Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins. Eat whole soy foods - their phytoestrogens may have a protective effect. Keep in mind that dietary carotenoids are your best source. While supplemental mixed carotenoids may offer some benefit, you should avoid taking isolated beta-carotene if you are, or were, a smoker - higher doses may actually increase the risk of lung cancer.

Sorry your mom is having lingering radiation effects......it seems to be the gift that keeps on giving In my case, I finished radiation/chemo the beginning of June (2003) and didn't have much relief until mid-July! With lingering pain from food/vitamins getting "stuck" when I swallowed them continuing for several months before finally resolving itself. I guess it depends on exactly where they are radiating, how intense the throat pain can be (and it sounds as though she's got it bad), but it should work itself out over time, with a little patience and lots of soothing foods/drinks. Hopefully she'll be feeling better in no time!!

You are such a nudge.... I'm getting you a new batch of recipes (no pun intended) since my old ones are lost in space

Thanks, Lisa!!

Truly eloquent, my friend. You and Katie are in my thoughts, as always. Heather

Look at those beautiful locks Looking good!!! Heather

I'll admit that I take my share of supplements -- but when it comes to suppliments like these, something my doctor said echos in my head. "I'd rather see you get your nutrients from "real" food rather than a supplement". No one can say for sure whether supplements can do EXACTLY what the real deal can -- so why not just load up on rasberries? A handful on top of a scoop of icecream, or a smoothie made from vanilla yogurt / a cup of rasberries / and a dash of milk. Or just a plain old bowl of berries!

Five for Friday... 1) It's Good Friday 2) My son comes home from his father's house this afternoon 3) I can now walk 3 brisk miles on my treadmill with minimum coughing! 4) I have off from work next week to spend time with my son 5) MY NEW PUPPY COMES TONIGHT!!!!!

Bill that is FANTASTIC news!!!!! FoxChase is an excellent facility and you will be in good hands! I don't want to sound pessimistic, but I feel compelled to mention that in the past two years, studies have come out indicating that chemo following surgery in Stage I (early) patients is of some benefit. It might be worth looking into with an oncologist. (Dr. Corey Langer from FoxChase is excellent)

Sounds like good news, Bill -- Thanks!

Keep in mind that there are MANY people that are not on the boards anymore because they are out there "living life as it never happened".....while it would be nice to keep them active on the boards as inspiration to us all, I admire there desire to get out there and LIVE. Off the top of my head, I can think of "Tiny", "Joe B" and "Gina" (who post very rarely these days) -- they are all out there enjoying life! I also want to add that in my "live" monthly support group, there is a 7+ year survivor of Extensive SCLC, a 5 year survivor of Stage IIIA NSCLC AND Stage I Squamous Cell LC (at the same time!) and a host of others who are beating the odds each day. Don't let it discourage anyone because there may not be many "old timers" here, it doesn't mean they aren't out there!!!

Tammy -- the Virginia Beach race will be taking place again this November 5th -- but this time around, it is benefiting LUNGevity, raising money for LC research. You raised $500 yourself? Good for you!!! Nancy -- you raised $2600??? YOU ROCK!! OK Stephanie -- I'm going to hold you to that!! It is so depressing that we can't seem to get a celebrity to jump on this "bandwagon" and advocate for our cause......I tried last year, but didn't get very far. I have actually been in touch with Adam Sandler, who's father passed away from lung cancer last year. His publicist was very nice and we tried to coordinate having Adam send some signed memorabelia to our NJ lung cancer benefit this past November, but the timing was off and we was oversees filming a movie. I am hoping to have better luck this year. Jim Thome, who plays for The Phillies, lost his mom to LC a few years back. He was kind enough to donate a signed print to our LC walk, but he didn't actually attend the event or donate $$ -- however, I thought it was very nice that he donated the autograph. Bill Barber, NHL Hall-of-Famer, and former coach for the Philadelphia Flyers is a friend of my husband, and also lost his wife to lung cancer several years ago, at the age of 48. We tried so hard to coordinate having him at our event, signing autographs as a way to raise additional funding, but unfortunately he was in Canada (he is now a talent scout) and could not attend. He was, however, very open to helping out the cause. Gerald McGraney (not sure how to spell - he was "Major Dad") was diagnosed w/ Stage I LC last year and seems to be doing well, but other than one or two brief stories I have seen, all you really get out of him is "I was very lucky, it was caught early, and I needed no other follow up other than surgery" (which as we all know, is not exactly true these days, as chemo is recommended after Stage I surgery..... ) I have also been in touch with The Today Show (as many of us have), sending several e-letters, and I really hoped that they would pick up the cause since Matt Louer's father passed away from LC in the past year or two. Katie Couric jumped all over Colon cancer in memory of her husband, but I haven't heard much from Matt by way of speaking up about it. Harrison Ford's mother died of LC last year and I attempted to contact his publicist in hopes of him wanting to take action, but got nowhere. Bottom line is, I guess we can't wait for a big time "celebrity spokesperson" shouting from the rooftops -- we will have to become the celebrity spokespeople ourselves!

Welcome Tom and thanks for sharing your info! I have spoken with Terri several times since she began this journey and find the work you are both doing very commendable! Keep it up! Heather