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Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:25 pm
by mpbser
https://www.nccn.org/professionals/phys ... fault.aspx

find NCCN Guidelines Version 1.2017
Colon Cancer
NCCN Evidence Blocks

p 45 PRINCIPLES OF SURVIVORSHIP - Colorectal Long-term Follow-up Care

...Maintain a healthy body weight throughout life.
• Adopt a physically active lifestyle (at least 30 minutes of
moderate intensity activity on most days of the week). Activity
recommendations may require modification based on treatment
sequelae (ie, ostomy, neuropathy).
• Consume a healthy diet with emphasis on plant sources. Diet
recommendations may be modified based on severity of bowel
dysfunction.

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:26 pm
by heiders33
This seems like a good recommendation for anyone, regardless of CRC diagnosis.

On the recommendation of an integrative care doctor, I’m going to start taking baby aspirin and curcumin tablets daily to reduce risk of recurrence.

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:49 pm
by mpbser
What does your doctor think about long term aspirin use? I have been using it for years (reversed heart disease with supplements, diet, and exercise) and husband has been on it ever since his heart catheterization last spring. I am wary about very long term use.

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 4:50 pm
by heiders33
I don’t know, I will have to ask him. I’m thinking at least two years is OK.

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 6:05 pm
by NHMike
mpbser wrote:What does your doctor think about long term aspirin use? I have been using it for years (reversed heart disease with supplements, diet, and exercise) and husband has been on it ever since his heart catheterization last spring. I am wary about very long term use.


I think that there's research on the benefits of:

Aspirin, Vitamin D3, Exercise and Tree Nuts for preventing recurrence of CRC.

About the only thing that I'm getting right now is the D3. I have been deficient in the other three.

I don't think that Aspirin is a good idea on chemo and there are a number of things killing my exercise. Tree Nuts go straight into the bag for me too unless it's in a butter and I need to get back to that.

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 6:38 pm
by LeonW
Utwo wrote: . . . considering diminished liver capacity, it probably still makes sense to adjust his diet . . .


No need to worry about liver capacity. Mine lost some 75% and we've seen it grow back to original size and capacity within weeks. Most of the work done within the first month. My docs said that they really can see it grow every day until capacity is restored.

to mpbser: congrats on the recent achievements.
Leon

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:39 pm
by mpbser
Husband was not told to suspend the aspirin while he was on chemo. Thanks for the heads up. I will look into that. Husband probably has 2 - 4 more rounds. He's leaning towards 2, but we'll see what the docs say Feb 23rd.

I'm glad he's doing well. I really am. But I am just wiped out. I have my own health concerns that I have put on hold for months now while dealing with his. The next couple of months are completely filled with my work which is unfortunately the burden of my career. I work at home and he is often working at his company downstairs (or else in a nearby city at other business locations). So he is in and out all day while I need to concentrate. I need to get my carotid IMT (intima media thickness) measured by sonogram as soon as I get a break in my schedule. I was supposed to have it done in December. My lifestyle (not nearly exercising enough or eating well enough lately and last year's results showed a huge reversal in all the gains I made prior to meeting husband) tells me that I am not going to get good results.

I fear there is going to be a point in the not too distant future where I need to separate for my health and well being. My mother died at an age about a year or so from my age right now of massive stroke from blood clot that broke off from her left carotid. I have her inherited genetic mutation that predisposes me to hypercoagulation (sp?). If the IMT results show that the plaque has reached "vulnerable" territory, then something absolutely has to change. It will literally be a matter of life or death.

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:45 pm
by NHMike
mpbser wrote:Husband was not told to suspend the aspirin while he was on chemo. Thanks for the heads up. I will look into that. Husband probably has 2 - 4 more rounds. He's leaning towards 2, but we'll see what the docs say Feb 23rd.

I'm glad he's doing well. I really am. But I am just wiped out. I have my own health concerns that I have put on hold for months now while dealing with his. The next couple of months are completely filled with my work which is unfortunately the burden of my career. I work at home and he is often working at his company downstairs (or else in a nearby city at other business locations). So he is in and out all day while I need to concentrate. I need to get my carotid IMT (intima media thickness) measured by sonogram as soon as I get a break in my schedule. I was supposed to have it done in December. My lifestyle (not nearly exercising enough or eating well enough lately and last year's results showed a huge reversal in all the gains I made prior to meeting husband) tells me that I am not going to get good results.

I fear there is going to be a point in the not too distant future where I need to separate for my health and well being. My mother died at an age about a year or so from my age right now of massive stroke from blood clot that broke off from her left carotid. I have her inherited genetic mutation that predisposes me to hypercoagulation (sp?). If the IMT results show that the plaque has reached "vulnerable" territory, then something absolutely has to change. It will literally be a matter of life or death.


I know you and others are doing the long-term support thing and that's rough on your health and you have to be around for him at some level.

My wife is in Singapore for seven weeks. She sent me a picture a few days ago and she looks a lot better. She told me that all of her skin issues have gone away and I imagine that she's getting in a lot of walking as it's a city environment. She is taking care of some business matters and meeting with friends and relatives. My daughter is helping me out with care in her absence, and, my wife may not have said so but I think that she likes the break from care and a warm, change of scenery, and some amount of freedom. I wouldn't mind being there right now myself.

I'm trying to keep up with my work or even get ahead because I certainly need the insurance. So I know about the work treadmill. We have much better drugs and treatments but the best treatments are the ones that you never need. I do get a little help from friends as well but I try to use favors sparingly. It is surprising on the number of offers to help though. I hope that you get some break time soon.

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:35 pm
by mpbser
Thanks, NHmike.

I made my IMT sonogram appointment after my last post. I have to wait until April 23rd!

Re: Possibly unnecessary open liver surgery

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:26 pm
by heiders33
NHMike, I don’t mean to butt in, but you should use those “favors” more often! Don’t think of them as favors, but rather as people offering to do what you would do for them in the same situation. When I read about you clearing snow off the roof after Oxaliplatin, I almost can’t believe it. I’ve had to accept help a lot more than I’m used to, but I’m learning how. Just my two cents!