AndreaO

Carleen thanks for the information. This would have been a good idea for my Dad since he had allergic reactions to four different kinds of Chemos. Not sure if Chemo even still and option for him. After the last Chemo they decided that the Chemo was making him to fatigued and stopped. They tried Iressa and now stopped that for a while thinking that the Iressa might be overtaxing his Liver. Did you get your new Doctor? I keep trying to convience my parents to go for a second opionin and they just keep saying oh well lets wait until Next week after the appointment. What kinds of alternative treatment have you been looking into? Andrea

Is there when they test your tumors with different kinds of Chemo before they adminsiter it? andrea

Has anyone ever heard of the Moss Report? If so do you think they are worth the $300 price tag? If not check out this website: http://www.cancerdecisions.com/beatcancer_frm.html The reports are tailored to your specific type and stage of cancer. The report is about 300 pages long and includes traditional and non-traditional care. Talks about results, how to schedule for appointments etc.... If anyone is familiar with this information please let me know if you think it is worth the $300 or where I could find a copy on file. Thanks Andrea

Hi all we took my Dad to a Nutrionist the other day. Although, he fell getting into the car and was not able to actually go into to see her. The Nutrionist did her best at understanding his current Chemo side effects via the phone. Anyway, she said the goal of the program is to first get him some energy and fight power back. Then he can go into her office to do a more intense evaluation. Anyway below is what she advised he take. We will run these by the Doc. on Monday but, wanted to know if any one was aware of any bad chemo combinations? Also have any of you heard about Immonucol? Can you take this during Chemo? Goal: To help Andy regain strength and fight power. Total Vitamins/Herbs Intake in a day: Potassium Asportate 300mg for fatigue, stamina, cardio, lung capacity Alfalfa 60 drops for fatigue, stamina, cardio, lung capacity Maximol 1oz a day for fatigue, stamina, cardio, lung capacity B-12 500mcg For Mental, Physical fatigue Acidolophous 25mg 1 a day Biomune 2 a day Swelling, NK killer Thymus 600mg Heavy hearted feeling, Sad CQ10 360mg Lung Cancer fighter Lung Caps 3 a day Air Capacity Sodium Selenite 750mg Antioxidant for Lungs Milk Thistle 350mg Cleanses Liver What to Eat: Eating recommendation is to follow guidelines outlined in Eat for Your Blood Type: Type O postive THIS PART IS OUR EVALUATION WAITING FOR DOCTOR AND DIETITION ADVICE.. HE IS CURRENTLY EATING ABOUT 1500-2000 CALORIES A DAY... Weight: 214 pounds GOAL: SIZE & STRENGTH 40% Protein / 30% Carbohydrate / 30% Fat CALORIES (daily) = 3210 PROTEIN (kCal) = 1280/4 (Which Equals) 320g CARBOHYDRATES (kCal) = 960/4 (Wich Equals) 240g UNSATURATED FAT (kCal) = 960/9 (Which Equals) 107g Water 112oz a day Potassium 3,400 mg Sodium 2,400 mg Sugars Dietary fibers Beneficial: Meats and eggs should have greens over the day Avoid: Salt: Read labels; do not add to foods when cooking. Not until strength back up Sugar: Read labels. Monitor juice, fruit intake. No cookies, cakes, pies etc. Lean Meats: Eat lean cuts of Beef, Veal, and Buffalo NO Pork, Sausage, Ham, Prosciutto, Hamburgers etc.. Fats: No fried foods of any kind. Use only Olive Oil. Dairy: No foods of any dairy source this makes mucous Gluten/yeast: Eat gluten free and yeast free foods Beverages: · Mix More Energy packets with 40oz of water. Bottle and drink when eating. This is like Gatorade and Pedilyte with out Sugar. Replaces Electrolytes. · Mix a carb drink for in between meals. Drink like you would an Ensure. Only 1 scoop. NOT A HUGE GLASS OF IT. Can mix with ice or Banana to make more frothy. · WATER, WATER, WATER.. Helps body to carry away dead Cancer cells, keeps mouth moist.

Actually we went to see a nutritionist today. She loaded us with all kinds of stuff and say that first thing we need to do is to get my Dad's strength back up. The mix is a variety of Ester C, B-12, Milk Thistle and a bunch of others. She gave me the information for Immunicole but, said to read it and decide if we want to try that. Do you think we need to run all of these herbs/vitamins by the Onc? I know they are so clueless about diet and eating. They have made it very difficult for Mother who wanted to know what to do. The Nutrionist today told us to follow the information in the book "Eating Right For your Blood Type". So my Mom feels more comfortable that at least now she has SOMETHING to follow instead of the "Eat what ever you feel like" answer. The only negative part about today was that my Dad did not get to meet the nutrionist becuase, he fell getting into the car at the house. This was very traumatic and we are watching and praying that he will be ok as he is on blood thinners and the Doctors made it clear to becareful of a fall. He said he feels ok and the fall was early this afternoon. We will all have a hard time sleeping tonight hoping that he is ok. Thanks Andrea

Thanks for the insight I will do some more research. If you give me any more insight what your mom is eating that would be great. I am really agrevated that the Docs here have given us no direction on the eating piece. Andrea

Hi glad I found this section of the site. I seeking some advice on what types of foods my Dad should be eating while on Chemo? He has Stage IV Adno... and he has gone through three different treatments of Chemo. None of agreed with him we are hoping the Nevelbine will be tolerable. Anyway, one Doctor told my Mom to not feed the tumor. The Onc's give no diet or direction on what he should be eating so we are most confused? One Doctor told her to feed him high fatty foods like French Fries and Cheeseburgers. Apparently he has been craving this high fatty foods after Chemo...Can anyone give us some insight or direction as to where find information on what kind of diet, or proteins vs. fats, calories etc....? Please help Andrea

Is there a special diet that a Stage IV Adnocarcinoma patient should be on while getting Chemo? My Dad's primary Doctor said don't feed the tumor but, yet they say keep him fed during the Chemo. we are very confused. Can anyone offer an insight into a good diet to be on during Chemo? One that does feed the tumors but, helps the body??? Thanks Andrea

Thank you all for your kind words of support. My Dad is coming home from the hospital tonight. They are giving him a blood tranfusion to boost up his strength. We heard today from my Mom that, the Onc said the tumor has not shrunk and may have even grown bigger. My sister and I are waiting for a call back from the doctor to get a full report of what this means. Apparently becuase, he has not been able to get any one chemo long enough they say it has grown. I am not sure if staying with the chemo is the best idea? Maybe he should go to Iressa now or stop chemo all together and go for the holstic approach. I fear that the news of tumor not changing is going to really destroy him and all his hope. Andrea

Hello Lung Cancer Survivor Community: My name is Andrea Colaruotolo O'Neill. My father was diagnosed early Sept 2003 with Stage IV Nonsmalll cell adinocarcinoma. It was found via a pain to his tailbone area, which got progressively worse over the summer months and resulted in a biopsy, which produced for us the crushing news. He underwent 15 radiation treatments to the tailbone to knock out the painful tumor. He was also on Oxycontine and Oxycodone and steroids. The radiation made him tired and burned his leg. Not sure of total results of the radiation. Starting in November he began Chemo. 11/03 Carboplatin and Taxol - allergic reaction had to stop only got 1/4 of dosage. Went home and fevers began. Admitted to hospital no cause found assumed they were just tumor fevers and continued with remainder of chemo. A few days later returned to hospital with blood clots found in both legs. Returns home and now must have a shot every day to stomach for the blood clots. 12/03 Gemzar and Carboplatin: allergic reaction. Gave a terrible rash, shortness of breath. Returned to hospital with fevers and sweats again. Very weak. Shaky. Little appetite. Fevers and high pulse return him to the hospital diagnosis is that a piece of the blood clot has logged in his Lung. Given heavy blood thinners to knock it out. Now told he should have been having shots twice a day. Depression sets in. Now on Zoloft. 1/04 Navilbene and no Carboplatin: Put a pick in his arm. Fevers and sweating returned to hospital again. Very short of breath, depressed and weak. Currently in hospital since Friday. [b]Status to date:[/b] Doctors informed us that they do not yet know if Chemo's are working because, of all the adverse reactions they have not been able to give him any one chemo consistently. They took a new spiral CT and we are waiting to here results of this. Doctors said fevers could be caused by an infection, the cancer or another allergic reaction to this third kind of chemo. Our Concern: From time Dad was diagnosed to now he has degraded quite a bit. He looses control of his bowls, has virtually no voice, eyes are sad; hands tremble and can barely walk. Has very little interest in doing anything. He is depressed to hear that the cancer is incurable. He said, "I want to stand up and shake this all out of my body". My Dad has always been a strong man physically, very active and driven. As most of the people I have read about on this site. He has now been reduced to sitting for most of the day in his chair at home or in his bed. He rarely laughs or wants to talk. His thinking seems to have slowed down. His hair has thinned his weight seems maintained. Although, he has lost the big strong shoulders and mighty hands that were part of his tall and broad frame. We are surprised at Dad's attitude. He went in fighting but, now is very confused and afraid and not positive. We have been trying to find him support that will help to treat his mental status needs and not just the physical science needs. We have a many friends and family and they all try to stay positive for him. However, we are not cancer patients and cannot begin to comprehend the intense mental and physical strains he is going through. We are praying for a miracle. Well thank you all for listening. I am not as specific with the details as my sister is the keeper of the book of notes. However, I am the youngest of the three children and always looking for some nuggets of information or words of hope. Has anyone had so many adverse reactions to chemo? Do you think we should go for a second opinion? Should we stop now and go for a clinical trial or switch to Iressa? Is their a limit of how much chemo your body can handle? Any advice on how to bring him some happiness? God Bless you all. I never knew what an evil could live in our world and want to hurt so many beautiful people. Thank you for your time Andrea [/b]