Everything Starts With Nutrition

[Getback]

Exactly what they want.

In September 2022, I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, in a tonsil. Took 35 maximum does radiation treatments, and 5 maximum doses of Cisplatin chemo. Tumor was gone. Lost 78#. Went from October 5th to December 9th without eating an actual meal. And for new years, developed an infection in my mouth that took a month to diagnose and six weeks to eliminate. July of 2023, cancer in a lymph node in my neck, for my birthday in August (literally the day before), I had a modified radical neck dissection, and 22 lymph nodes removed. At Thanksgiving 2023, they found another cancerous lymph node. Pissed off the surgeon,so for Christmas (12/20) 2023, I had a radical bi-lateral neck dissection. Thirty-four lymph nodes removed. Damage to the nerves on the left side for tongue, vocal cords, and shoulder. Took both internal jugular veins, too. After that, I developed severe radiation induced fibrosis in my neck. Other than the fibrosis, a messed up voice, a minor speech impediment, and some lingering weakness working above my shoulders, I'm in decent shape. Had an exam by my ENT, he was happy, had my 6 month contrast CT, results in two weeks, and my 6 month full physical today. I get a DNA test for the cancer every 90 days, probably for life. I have to make Christmas 2026 to get declared in remission, and 2029 to be declared cured. Good news is that if it ain't back by now, odds are really good.

We're eating clean, lower carbs, very little processed food. Butter, no margarine, mostly olive oil, very little soda, unsweet black tea, green tea, black coffee, and water. Pay attention, ya beef don't taste like beef, ya pork don't taste like pork, and ya chicken don't taste like chicken. Next step is to work with local farms to buy food directly from them. The food system is garbage. We let a lot of bad stuff happen in this nation.

Wowsers Virgil! I'm sure glad you made it through all of that and pray that you are cured.

There are diets that fight cancer and the one you mentioned is one of them. The best thing is to avoid sugar. Cancer loves sugar.

[Animl-AW]

No kidding.

A true viking

[Getback]

Ya, until I retired, I always was doing something or at work that was a better workout than any gym. Where I last worked I averaged 9 miles per day, just walking around massive rooms/arenas to get things and do work. I'm in prime shape for my age. Not a brag, I'm 65, most people think I'm 45-50.

Growing up around farms kept me in shape too. I was bailing hay at 14 yrs old.

In my early days I pumped a LOT of iron at work and home,..literally, at work I moved 120k lbs of iron per week by hand, then worked out at home. I didn't build as much for bulk (bulk is weaker and uses too much energy too fast) as more for endurance, was into martial arts type stuff, kick boxing etc.

Tore a rotator cuff in my shoulder, carrying a steel door, slipped on ice, saved the door though. Well, after 6-9 months of healing, and not able to do almost anything with that arm,.... it all melted away, GONE. I got most back but,..unless one plans to be built like that for life, they have to work it for life, it leaves quick. Back then, I used to say "Ya I still have the alligator mouth, with a hummingbird ars."

ANYWAY, I just find humor in it. I grew up maintaining a huge wooded oak tree yard,.... so for me to think about paying for a gym, and someone doing my yard work is absurd to me. I have a weight set and my own yard work. I'm good.

But ya gotta eat healthy to be healthy.

If one don't care, grab a bag of cheetos, turn on sports, and don't worry about it. ER will love ya.

That all sounds good to me Animal!

I joined the Wellness Center on a trial basis at my doctor's insistence, 60 days for $60. That was to fight Diabetes. Just before my 60 days were up, I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. Then I signed up for the 90-day cancer fit program. It was free, (Not a prize you want to win). After that was over, I joined the Wellness Center and I'm glad I did. If I have an issue (currently my left shoulder) I can get help on how to make it better. I attend up to 3 times a week. This week will it only be twice. I volunteered to work an extra day. Seems us old codgers get some afflictions. One guy is off for a knee replacement, one for a skin cancer operation, and one stubbed his toe on a bed post. I saw it, it looked bad.

I have no problem avoiding those processed foods. I drive the people at work nuts. This week Pizza and candy have been brought in. Not a problem for me. I just think how sick I was.

[Animl-AW]

I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer.

I'm sorry, man. <smh>
My worst health issue was I had a severe heat stroke and heart attack at the same time when I was 23. Since just the normal stuff of aging.

Of course I had a bit of a rough life, a nostril ripped off, knifed in the cheek, head sewn up 7 times. Only lost one fight tho, to a rifle stock and 3 dudes, two motorcycle accidents... blah blah blah lol <shrug> just injuries that healed.

You just keep doing what you're doing.
I don't pray a lot, but you got one.

Keep pedaling that bike.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Wowsers Virgil! I'm sure glad you made it through all of that and pray that you are cured.

There are diets that fight cancer and the one you mentioned is one of them. The best thing is to avoid sugar. Cancer loves sugar.

Yeah, the PET scan is actually done with a radioactive IV containing sugar, because after fasting, cancer cells will attract and absorb sugar at a higher rate and higher metabolism than any other cell, so they light right up. Had a few of those.

I try to avoid food with processed sugar, or significant amounts of sugar, and I use spices without salt. Any food we buy is no salt and/or no sugar added. Half of our condiments are no made at home. My wife, 30 years younger, suffers from a severe case of PCOS.

Glad to hear you seem to have defeated colon cancer. The Tommy Johnson Sr. book on cancer, now only in Kindle form, is a great resource. Guy had stage iv colon cancer and was given 90 days to live, he lived another 20+ years and died basically of old age. I knew him and know his son, they drag race.

[Getback]

I'm sorry, man. <smh>
My worst health issue was I had a severe heat stroke and heart attack at the same time when I was 23. Since just the normal stuff of aging.

Of course I had a bit of a rough life, a nostril ripped off, knifed in the cheek, head sewn up 7 times. Only lost one fight tho, to a rifle stock and 3 dudes, two motorcycle accidents... blah blah blah lol <shrug> just injuries that healed.

You just keep doing what you're doing.
I don't pray a lot, but you got one.

Keep pedaling that bike.

Thanks Animal!

[fuzeman]

Good karma heading your way Virgil!!
I’m 16 hours into my second fast of the week.
I spiked pretty good after yesterday’s fish fry.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

I appreciate it, guys. I actually have another PET scan at 6AM in the morning. The contrast MRI last month showed "something" at the joint between my left clavicle and my sternum. My last test for the cancer and virus DNA showed "undetectable", and that was only a month ago. The doctors think this is nothing, but want to be sure. My PT says she thinks it is a joint issue, caused by the damage from surgery and radiation, which has my left shoulder not as well aligned and placed. She said it may "light up" in the PET scan, inflammation can. If it does, I'll get the additional joy of a needle aspiration biopsy after they review the PET scan. I'm asymptomatic, and at the "undetectable" level for cancer DNA, so I'm viewing this as strictly precautionary. It's all part of being a cancer survivor. Others have been far less fortunate, in every single community I belong to, including here, I see people far less fortunate daily. In any event, I've lived a good life, so, if this ain't great, I still win. I have zero quit in me though, so even if I get less than favorable news, I'm up for a fight. Enjoy your life, people, don't waste any of it.

[Eagler]

Best of luck Savage   

Eagler

[Getback]

Best wishes with that Virgil!

I was talking to a passenger Monday, I told her the system has me! Her reply, "They won't let go either!"

I'm doing physical therapy for my shoulder. It's impossible to count the number of exercises I completed in 45 minutes. I sure felt it this morning. Hasn't stopped me from painting my trim though.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Surgeon called, he and the radiologist agree, doesn't look like cancer. It appears the nerve damage done has weakened that shoulder enough that it is not well positioned, and I have to really work it harder. It is, of course, my dominant shoulder. So I have a new place where arthritis resides.

The current plan is to continue the blood test every 90 days, and scan/scope every six months. So, contrast MRI, and a borescope up my nose and down past my vocal chords it is.

Could be worse. As my friend, P-38 pilot Stand Richardson Jr. was so fond of saying, "any day above ground is a good day".

[Oldman731]

Surgeon called, he and the radiologist agree, doesn't look like cancer. It appears the nerve damage done has weakened that shoulder enough that it is not well positioned, and I have to really work it harder. It is, of course, my dominant shoulder. So I have a new place where arthritis resides.

The current plan is to continue the blood test every 90 days, and scan/scope every six months. So, contrast MRI, and a borescope up my nose and down past my vocal chords it is.

Could be worse. As my friend, P-38 pilot Stand Richardson Jr. was so fond of saying, "any day above ground is a good day".

All things considered, this sounds like great news.  Hang in there, Savge.  You can take your mind off it by contemplating whether the P-38 was ever a worthwhile aeroplane.

- oldman (just kidding, just kidding)

[Eagler]

Glad to hear that Savage!

Isn't getting old a freaking blast?

What dip wad came up with the term "Golden Years"?

If these are someone's Golden Years, their youth/mid life must have sucked.. 

Eagler