Stage IV sigma cancer, CRS and now lung mets

[Lejla]

Hello everyone,

I am Lejla, a new member here. My husband has been following this forum since December 2022, when I received my diagnosis, and he encouraged me to register and share my situation.

I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions you might have.

Here’s a brief overview of my journey:
In December 2022, I was initially diagnosed with stage IV sigma carcinoma. The cancer had metastasized to my right ovary, peritoneum, diaphragm. PCI was 21, making it inoperable.

In Jan 2023, in Switzerland, I began chemotherapy with a reduced dose of bevacizumab and FOLFIRI every two weeks. Simultaneously, I changed my diet to strictly vegan, gluten-free, and zero table sugar (minimal fruit for the first three months), avoiding processed foods. I consumed lots of greens, beetroot, herbal teas (nettle, sweet wormwood, melissa, essiac), plant and mushroom extracts, and supplements (dandelion root extract, EGCg, curcumin, Coriolus/Turkey tail, black seed oil, spirulina, vitamin D, etc.). I also fasted for three days around each therapy session.

In May 2023, I experienced a mechanical ileus and underwent another surgery, during which the surgeon discovered a significant reduction in my cancer. In Sept I had CRS surgery. Six out of 37 removed lymph nodes were positive, PCI=2, and my oncologist decided I did not need HIPEC.

At the end of Nov 2023, an MRI revealed a left ovarian tumor and I had another surgery. Three suspicious nodules on my peritoneum and diaphragm were removed but tested negative.

A CT scan in Feb 2024 showed several small nodules in my lungs. A follow-up CT scan in May revealed more than 10 nodules, some close to 1 cm, growing approximately 1 mm per month. At the end of June, I resumed bevacizumab and FOLFIRI. Last week, I couldn’t receive therapy due to very low neutrophil counts, even with Filgrastim, along with low hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron, and lymphocyte levels.

My oncologist, while skilled, tends to be quite clinical in his approach. He doesn't focus on holistic treatments and dismisses the importance of diet (he advised me to continue eating as I did before the diagnosis). He also isn't very optimistic and doesn't support or recommend any alternative treatments, such as medicinal plants. Additionally, he advised against laser surgery or any other procedure for my lungs. Unfortunately, I cannot change my oncologist now, though I would prefer someone with a more holistic and supportive approach.

I firmly believe natural medicine has much to offer in situations like mine. I haven't tried IV therapy (such as high-dose vitamin C) yet, but many people recommend it. In April, I tried Ivermectin for seven days (as a gift of seven boxes), but I no longer have access to it, and there were no visible improvements as the lung nodules continued to grow quickly.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I would greatly appreciate any insights or recommendations on supplementing medicines, lung surgery, or alternative medicine/therapy.

Warm regards,
Lejla

[Pagola44]

Hi Welcome to the forum,
Out of curiosity did you have any symptoms of your lung nodules such as chest pain, coughing etc?
In terms of your question you seem to be on top of your nutrition/supplements i.e. vitamin d, tumeric etc
There is a user here who is an expert in this area i'm sure he will see your post and respond with some good advice
sorry i can't offer much but all the best keep us updated on your progress

[Green Tea]

Diagnosis and treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis – a comprehensive overview (2023)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9995246/

The Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) is a scale used to assess the tumour burden in the peritoneum and may serve as a communication tool between clinicians and radiologists.

Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytoreductive_surgery

Lung nodules and other lung "thingies"
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65477&p=508458#p508458

10 Years of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9954579/

PIPAC in Europe

[beach sunrise]

You need a prettyr good dose of Ivermectin. I would research India for IV, that is where most all come from.Several people have found places not needing an RX to get it. Another one is FenBen Pure. Itraconazole is an anti-fungal good for lungs. It requires an RX so you might have to plant your feet and demand some things. It is your cancer not theres. Good you are taking supplementals for mitochondria health. I had my mets taken out in Germany with Rolles surgery at The Lung Hospital in Coswig under Dr. Kern. Amazing surgeon.
How many mg of D3 are you taking?
Do you take Zinc?
Resveratrol is good for lungs and also a SIRT 1 activator
NAC is also good with many benefits for lungs and gut health.
A good B Complex is very important and maybe you need an extra B12 with it. Research it. Vitamin C is worth its weight in gold.
TCMs are in a class of there own, awesome stuff.
Do have access to a naturopath?

[Lejla]

Hi Welcome to the forum,
Out of curiosity did you have any symptoms of your lung nodules such as chest pain, coughing etc?
In terms of your question you seem to be on top of your nutrition/supplements i.e. vitamin d, tumeric etc
There is a user here who is an expert in this area i'm sure he will see your post and respond with some good advice
sorry i can't offer much but all the best keep us updated on your progress

Hi Pagola44,
Thank you for your message!
It's quite strange, but I didn't have any symptoms of colon cancer or metastases. The ovarian cancer (10x10x9 cm) was first discovered during an abdominal ultrasound. I didn't experience any pain or weight loss. The same is true for the new lung metastases—I don't have any symptoms like pain or coughing. I feel energetic, and everything seems normal.
Last year, during my treatments, I was very focused on my diet, supplements, fasting, meditating, praying, walking, visualization, and so on. After the CRS, I became overly optimistic, thinking I was cured, I returned to work full-time and I became less diligent with my supplements and fasting. Now, faced with a new round of chemo, I'm back on track and also exploring additional supplements and medicines.

[Lejla]

Diagnosis and treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis – a comprehensive overview (2023)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9995246/

The Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) is a scale used to assess the tumour burden in the peritoneum and may serve as a communication tool between clinicians and radiologists.

Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytoreductive_surgery

Lung nodules and other lung "thingies"
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65477&p=508458#p508458

10 Years of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9954579/

PIPAC in Europe

Hi Green Tea!
Thank you so much for sharing all those useful links.

[Lejla]

You need a prettyr good dose of Ivermectin. I would research India for IV, that is where most all come from.Several people have found places not needing an RX to get it. Another one is FenBen Pure. Itraconazole is an anti-fungal good for lungs. It requires an RX so you might have to plant your feet and demand some things. It is your cancer not theres. Good you are taking supplementals for mitochondria health. I had my mets taken out in Germany with Rolles surgery at The Lung Hospital in Coswig under Dr. Kern. Amazing surgeon.
How many mg of D3 are you taking?
Do you take Zinc?
Resveratrol is good for lungs and also a SIRT 1 activator
NAC is also good with many benefits for lungs and gut health.
A good B Complex is very important and maybe you need an extra B12 with it. Research it. Vitamin C is worth its weight in gold.
TCMs are in a class of there own, awesome stuff.
Do have access to a naturopath?

Hi Beach Sunrise,
Thank you for your message and all the detailed information.
In April, I received six boxes of Ivermectin (Veridex, 4 tablets x 6 mg) as a gift, purchased in Mexico. Without clear dosage instructions for cancer patients, I decided to take one box per day. I didn't experience any side effects, but since my lung nodules have continued to grow about 1 mm per month, it seems it didn't help. As expected, my oncologist was against using Ivermectin. I live in the Balkans, where Ivermectin isn't imported, but I will check availability in India. I haven't looked into fenbendazole before, but I see it can be ordered from Amazon. Itraconazole is new to me as well—I'll look into it, thank you. My oncologist sticks strictly to his protocol and doesn't consider alternative treatments or ask about the supplements I take.

I've read that many people with lung metastases undergo surgery in Germany. Thank you for sharing the hospital and doctor's name. My oncologist advised against nodule removal for now, stating that new ones might appear soon after surgery. He mentioned that I could undergo any lung surgery in Switzerland, where my insurance covers me. However, I can also afford treatment in Germany and have heard positive testimonials from patients there, unlike in Switzerland.

Over the past 1.5 years, I have been taking 5000 IU of vitamin D, though not daily. I also take 30 mg of Zinc Glycinate, but not every day. I've never used NAC or Resveratrol. I take Liposomal Vitamin C (1-4 mg) occasionally, and more recently, at least 1 g daily. I've been told that IV vitamin C would be the best option. Currently, I take 1000 mcg each of Methyl B-12 and Methyl Folate daily.

Unfortunately, I don't know any naturopaths and do not have access to TCM at home. However, I am open to traveling. If anyone knows of a highly recommended practitioner(s) in Europe, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you again for all your help and suggestions.

[beach sunrise]

IMO, I would bump up the supplement doses. Add garlic the no smelly kind (Kyoplic, sp?).
Along with immune booster/mitochonrodia supplemenets anti-fungals, anti-pararasiticals, anti-microcrobials, anti-bactrials use same pathways as cancer and cancer even has those in their cell.
You have had a hard time based on what you have written. Bless you!
Do you take D3+k2?
Do you have a facility to do expanded work as Rp rec'ds in his posts?

You can contact Dr.Kern to get his opinion on if you would be a candidate or not? Your onc stinks!
Will they let Ivermectin across the border by mail?

[zephyr]

I've read that many people with lung metastases undergo surgery in Germany. Thank you for sharing the hospital and doctor's name. My oncologist advised against nodule removal for now, stating that new ones might appear soon after surgery. He mentioned that I could undergo any lung surgery in Switzerland, where my insurance covers me. However, I can also afford treatment in Germany and have heard positive testimonials from patients there, unlike in Switzerland.

I also had the surgery in Germany (2018) and Dr. Kern, who is an outstanding and gifted surgeon, did the first surgery on my right lung. He will want to see your most recent CT scan before he gives you an answer - the actual films, not just the report, so you might want to start looking into how to get that from your oncologist. If there is any cancer outside the lungs, you will not be a candidate. The reason, I was told by another patient who spoke directly to Dr. Rolles (who developed the procedure), is that when you have surgery, your body releases growth hormone to repair the damage. If you have any cancer outside the lungs, the growth hormone would/could cause that cancer to grow. The reason I'm telling you this is because it was important for me to understand the process when deciding to go forward. If you have micrometastasis, which is certainly a possibility with a Stage 4 diagnosis, the chances of recurrence are higher. That doesn't mean the cancer will come back, only that the possibility of it happening is higher than, say, someone who has lung cancer without any spread elsewhere. I know a few Stage 4 people who had a recurrence after Germany, myself included, but I also know of one woman who is more than a decade out and is still cancer-free. Everyone is different. Even if you have a recurrence, it might be worth it. It certainly was for me. I was considered "inoperable" and had tumors in dangerous locations across all lobes so I'd probably be long gone by now if it hadn't been for going to Germany.

I am not trying to talk you in or out of anything. I am one of Dr. Kern's cheerleaders and give out his name and contact information often. That being said, I also try to make sure people understand the bigger picture, especially if they are Stage 4. It's a big decision. For a variety of reasons, not the least of which was probably of recurrence, I was strongly discouraged from going by 1 general oncologist, 1 GI research oncologist, and 1 thoracic surgeon. I had a recurrence but in my opinion, they were all wrong because I'm still here and enjoying my life. That was something they couldn't give me.

[Green Tea]

As suggested by beach sunrise, you might want to look at some of rp1954''s past posts. He has posted some good information on expanded blood tests and biomarkers to monitor, and also good information on a number of supplements and re-purposed drugs that could be of use.

Link to rp1954's previous posts
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57693&p=454654#p454654

[Lejla]

IMO, I would bump up the supplement doses. Add garlic the no smelly kind (Kyoplic, sp?).
Along with immune booster/mitochonrodia supplemenets anti-fungals, anti-pararasiticals, anti-microcrobials, anti-bactrials use same pathways as cancer and cancer even has those in their cell.
You have had a hard time based on what you have written. Bless you!
Do you take D3+k2?
Do you have a facility to do expanded work as Rp rec'ds in his posts?

You can contact Dr.Kern to get his opinion on if you would be a candidate or not? Your onc stinks!
Will they let Ivermectin across the border by mail?

Thank you! This is the first time I have ever heard about Kyolic garlic - I have checked it on the internet, and it is definitely something that I should include in my supplements list. In general, I love garlic. Last year, I ate a lot of fresh wild garlic (Alium ursinum). However, I smelled terrible
I purchased vegan D3+K2 (MRM Nutrition) but have taken it irregularly.
Regarding Ivermectin, I guess I could receive it by mail labeled as a supplement (not medicine). But I am not 100% sure. Anyway, I would need someone to explain how to use it (dosage, for how long). I have tried to find that information on the internet without any success.

[Lejla]

I've read that many people with lung metastases undergo surgery in Germany. Thank you for sharing the hospital and doctor's name. My oncologist advised against nodule removal for now, stating that new ones might appear soon after surgery. He mentioned that I could undergo any lung surgery in Switzerland, where my insurance covers me. However, I can also afford treatment in Germany and have heard positive testimonials from patients there, unlike in Switzerland.

I also had the surgery in Germany (2018) and Dr. Kern, who is an outstanding and gifted surgeon, did the first surgery on my right lung. He will want to see your most recent CT scan before he gives you an answer - the actual films, not just the report, so you might want to start looking into how to get that from your oncologist. If there is any cancer outside the lungs, you will not be a candidate. The reason, I was told by another patient who spoke directly to Dr. Rolles (who developed the procedure), is that when you have surgery, your body releases growth hormone to repair the damage. If you have any cancer outside the lungs, the growth hormone would/could cause that cancer to grow. The reason I'm telling you this is because it was important for me to understand the process when deciding to go forward. If you have micrometastasis, which is certainly a possibility with a Stage 4 diagnosis, the chances of recurrence are higher. That doesn't mean the cancer will come back, only that the possibility of it happening is higher than, say, someone who has lung cancer without any spread elsewhere. I know a few Stage 4 people who had a recurrence after Germany, myself included, but I also know of one woman who is more than a decade out and is still cancer-free. Everyone is different. Even if you have a recurrence, it might be worth it. It certainly was for me. I was considered "inoperable" and had tumors in dangerous locations across all lobes so I'd probably be long gone by now if it hadn't been for going to Germany.

I am not trying to talk you in or out of anything. I am one of Dr. Kern's cheerleaders and give out his name and contact information often. That being said, I also try to make sure people understand the bigger picture, especially if they are Stage 4. It's a big decision. For a variety of reasons, not the least of which was probably of recurrence, I was strongly discouraged from going by 1 general oncologist, 1 GI research oncologist, and 1 thoracic surgeon. I had a recurrence but in my opinion, they were all wrong because I'm still here and enjoying my life. That was something they couldn't give me.

Hi Zephyr,
Thank you for sharing your story and all the details. It’s so wonderful to hear that you’re enjoying your life. I aspire to do the same, especially with my two small kids—I want to be around them for many more years.

I also have multiple lung nodules scattered across all lobes. Currently, there’s a suspicion of new metastases on the peritoneum, with at least one spot being suspicious, and three enlarged lymph nodes in my pelvis (all less than 1 cm). Besides that, everything else is clear. In November 2023, my CT report mentioned that three spots in my abdomen (peritoneum, diaphragm) were consistent with possible metastases. All three spots were removed during ovarian surgery, but thankfully, they were negative for cancer cells.

As you recommended, I should reach out to Dr. Kern and send a CD with my CT scan.
Thank you again for your support and advice.

[Lejla]

As suggested by beach sunrise, you might want to look at some of rp1954''s past posts. He has posted some good information on expanded blood tests and biomarkers to monitor, and also good information on a number of supplements and re-purposed drugs that could be of use.

Link to rp1954's previous posts
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57693&p=454654#p454654

Green Tea, thank you so much for sharing this link. I can see there are hundreds of posts written by rp 1954 - I will take my time to read through them .

[beach sunrise]

DM sent.

[Lejla]

Has anyone tried artemisinin and curcumin intravenous infusions?
I got a recommendation to try those two together with intravenous vitamin C from a MD who also has stage IV colon cancer.

Also, has anyone tried INUSpheresis and hyperthermia treatments?