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Hot Springs Arkansas T1
Hello All: I feel fortunate to have found this site & just spent several hours reading the various stories.
I am a 62y.o. male with a T1, low-grade, so feel fortunate after reading all the others. I had my first TURBT on 6 Dec. 2006, followed by six weeks of BCG. No side-effects from the BCG noticed, other than malaise (but that might be related to my age!!.) Follow-up scope scheduled for 9 April 2007 and I am already nervous about probable recurrence…but maybe my mental attitude is the worst probem to deal with.
I have been helping with efforts in Iraq/Afghanistan for the last five years and anxious to get back if I get this under control. It was a big surprise that this was happening to me.
Most interested about the change of diet and whether it can help. Organic foods, broccoli, fruits & veggies seem to be the order of the day?
Any rate, great to have found you all & I feel like I am among best friends already. Great therapy just conversing about our mutual affliction.
My sincere best wishes to all. Larry in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas23 Replies-
Hi Patricia – YEAH Chocolate! Before Bladder cancer, it was ever present around my house (my husband a active duty Army healthy type guy is a chocoholic) – and until I read your posts I thought maybe it too was not good for me. So whenever I saw your posts about Chocolate, lots of Chocolate I got a chuckle. So yes, I am including it as a treat now BUT I probably will not be as lucky as you about the weight. I was a twig all my life until menopause and now BC – now could stand to loose a few. Thank you for the other info as well….might give it a try as well. I can stand to lower my cholesterol a bit too. Take care,
Sandra
Sandra
“Grandmothers are just antique little girls….”
Sandra: Many Thanks!! And congrats to you also. My doc didn’t mention maint. BCG, just a rescan on 6th of August. I seldom have red meat anymore, green drink/tea and fruit for breakfast and always lots of green veggies (brocolli, brussel sprouts etc) and plenty of salad. Like you plenty of water all day. I also keep a check on my PH level which is a good indicator that the immune system is working properly.
Keep up your routine, it seems to be working well, and best of luck on the next re-scan. Appreciate hearing more from you. Regards, larry
Hot Springs, ArkansasSandra…just a note on the chocolate…….my internist has been trying to get me to take Lipitor for about a yr now…….i’m like ll8 lbs with a liver that insists on producing fat…prior to menopause my count was so low my doc said to go home and eat a can of crisco!…..Anyway they did test me for the “fat gene” and yep i had it…my italian heritage to blame. So i read about the Greeks and how they have the lowest heart problems and cholesterol on the planet….the secret being a handful of walnuts every day….and then i read that just 2 dried prunes will remove excess bad fats from the intestine……….OK so that became my substitute for Lipitor along with one piece of dark chocolate a day…..and my ever present whole milk mocha (no whip) from Starbucks. Just got my test back and TADA….my cholesterol is low…hooray…it worked and i haven’t gained a pound…………Pat
Hi Larry Joe: We seem to be on the same BC schedule routine…except I get three weeks of maintenance BCG starting next thursday and get rechecked in July. But we both shared great days this past week with the “clean slate bladder” …. I don’t know about you but my health regime is drink water and lots of it, start the day with 8oz cranberry juice and then for lunch everyday I have an enormous platter of fresh veggies and fruit (and one cup of morning Coffee). But am considering breaking up the routine a bit now and including CHOCOLATE, Patricia’s food of choice! LOL. So I pretty much believe it is whatever makes us feel good ….
Anyway congratulations Larry Joe and here’s back to life …..Take Care, Sandra
Sandra
“Grandmothers are just antique little girls….”
Thanks Rosemary!! I certainly don’t consider myself out-of-the-woods yet concerning recurrence, but the mental relief is an awesome feeling. You & all my other friends here were a great comfort in encouraging me to me positive. Dr & I are both convinced that diet & stopping smoking are the main reasons for the non-recurrence. I am free until August 6th…just a baby step that I will continue for life. My Thanks again to all for advice and encouragement & I hope to be of help to others here and in the Webcafe every Sunday. You are ALL on my mind daily as I wear my bracelet. larry joe in Hot Springs.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
:)Great news, Larry Joe!! I’m so happy for you!
Your friend,
Rosemary
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006
Hello All: I had my 1st poke & peek today, Monday 9 April 07 after TURBT and six-weeks of BCG. I was thrilled with a “clean bladder” report and report back in Four (4) months in August for the next poke & peek :) Needless to say I am thrilled. You all helped me get through the mental difficulties and fears about today’s re-scan. I will keep in touch here and the Cafe both. Many Thanks.
Hot Springs, ArkansasOK Tim..you’ve got me on the triple Java caf………..but the Chocolate is good for you!!!!
:D I’m trading off my non-existant bladder for more flexible arteries and serotonin. Pat
Interesting link Rosie. I have to go back the the coffee vs tea debate because tea having more caffeine than coffee is a claim I’ve heard before. Unfortunately I haven’t found much to support it, although some sources do state that its partly dependent upon how you take your coffee (filter, instant etc) and also the blend you are drinking and obviously how strong you have it. Same goes for tea. Most studies that Ive seen however put tea at an average of half the caffeine of coffee. But we are in the land of averages here and it depends on your tea/coffee style. But going back to what I was saying above, I’m not surprised to read this. You have a cup of coffee one morning and the next day try a cup of tea and I think it’s likely you’ll feel more buzz on the coffee day. I know I do. Anyway, caffeine isn’t the only reason to drink tea over coffee; witness this link from Penny Brohn Cancercare on the benefits of tea:-
http://www.pennybrohncancercare.org/?o=1309
This next link from the good old BBC ( ;) ) is one of many I found that stated that coffe has more caffeine than tea. At least the filter/percolator variety.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/nutrition/drinks_caff.shtml
It does look like if you want a coffee then a good quality organic instant is the safest option. I’m actually one of those weirdos who actually prefers instant coffee anyway; I find the fresh varieties far too hardcore. What’s also pretty interesting is the amount of caffeine in a bar of chocolate. It doesn’t say anything about sort or size but assuming its of a comparative portion to the coffee it’s almost as bad!!!
This is from the coffee science information centre and also makes an interesting read. Their stated aim is “to provide accurate, balanced and consistent information to all audiences across Europe who have an interest in coffee, caffeine and health. The primary objective is to bring balance to the coffee and health debate”. Hmmm! :-
http://www.cosic.org/background-on-caffeine
The above examples are just a few pages I found on this very interesting topic
Tim
Brocco Sprouts was researched and then marketed by Johns Hopkins and is excellent way to get those sulforaphane GS, Also adds some nice taste to salads and sandwiches. Walmart has them.
More than in my Java Lava Triple Caff? ;)
CHOCOLATE………LOTS OF CHOCOLATE……..i was eating all the good veggies and fruit and decaf..cranberry juice…. and i still got bladder cancer……….i’m now on a chocolate diet!….and Rosemary be careful of those weeds…you don’t know what they’ve been sprayed with! We’re pesticide happy in the USA. And apparently China sprays their wheat with rat poison which is imported to the states and made into dog and cat food!!!…where else is it?…..Not to mention the hormones we feed our cattle and poultry…thats good for us!!….i’m telling you….Chocolate!! ……Oh and by the way..more caffeine in tea than coffee………Pat
All: I am so appreciative of the responses!! I look forward to Sunday evening to chat as well, (I am CDT time here in Hot Springs)
Certainly thanks to you ALL for your comments. As mentioned, I realize that my “superfical” T1 is not nearly as bad as some that I have read about here, I am still frightened about my re-scan on Monday 9 April. I will report the results, and if clear you are all invited to come celebrate. Maybe even a beer? 8-)
From what I have gathered, (internet etc), we all need to stimulate the immune system. Fruits/veggies, and less red meat?
I am a lazy writer, but certainly appreciate you all giving me advice.
Rosemary: Thanks for you comment about malaise!!! Thought it was just my age!! My respects to your son being reactivated.
ALL: I printed out all the replies..and will be in touch soon. I thank you all so very much, and have tears at the moment.
Love/Respect and Sempre Fi. Larry
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Tim,
You have an excellent point about the “rubber band” effect.
When I was sent to UNC last May to have Dr. Pruthi make an evaluation for my chances of keeping my bladder, I had no idea what would be found during biopsy. When Dr. Pruthi’s assistant woke me from anesthesia, her words to me were, “Rosemary, your bladder looks great.” Those words were like nectar from the Gods.
That was 6 weeks after my last TUR.
You all may think me strange or demented, but part of my protocol was to add some common yard weeds, such as dandelion and plaintain , to my teas. I picked my weeds with knowledge, however. On Sundays, I would take a little bag and walk down the roadside and pull my weed/herb as I strolled. This gave me exercise, also.
I make no wild claims about herbs curing cancer, I am not naive. But, I do believe that when we have proper knowledge of Mother nature and her proferrings, she is waiting there to help us promote our own health and well-being.
Gotta run. Have a good day!
Rosemary
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006
I won’t deny there’s a negative effect from drinking coffee. the article doesn’t seem to take into account everything else you may be doing in your life. The very act of living is a risk. when I go out the door every morning and cycle to work in the traffic I’m sucking in god knows what that my body has to deal with. I don’t know anyone in my day to day life more health conscious than me. But what I found with healthy living is that there can be a “rubber band” effect for some people; you cut away everything you enjoy – good or bad – and when you crack you crack big time. For me personally, a little bit of what I fancy definitely does me good these days. Of course there are exceptions; I don’t think anyone here would think, for example, that smoking is ever a smart idea. I was a lot stricter when I was undergoing BCG because it was last chance saloon for my bladder. In particular I cut out coffee, alcohol and meat. These days I’ll have the odd beer or coffee -nothing silly – and I look and feel better than I have done for years. Thats the real test for me. When I read some of these reports in periodicals about what’s healthy this year I’m reminded of Woody Allen waking up in the future in the film Sleeper. Someone hands him a cigarette with the line “have a cigarette. they’re good for you”. If you follow every scientific claim thats reported in the press you’ll be up and down like a yoyo. I do read the evidence but I also try to listen to my body. If I have one coffee, for example, it’s a pleasing way to wake up. Cup two makes me feel unpleasantly jangly. So I don’t have it. Moderation is the most sustainable route for me personally.
And Larry, one of the best investments I made was buying a juicer. A cup of carrot juice every day will make you feel noticeable different. I was told to avoid too much fruit and mainly use it as a sweetener.
tim
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