Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

Hi Andi

Good to hear from you.

I also avoid Vit A!

Haven't looked into Vit K yet so interested to find out about it now!!

I have been taking Vit D daily but only had level tested once. Not a routine test here in UK & think it should be! When tested I was at 70 but had been supplementing so no idea what it was before. Also would have been interested to know what level was when 1st diagnosed. I would like my level to be between 80 - 100. Some research suggests that when you have cancer or chronic illness optimal level is 80-100.

Last year the Scottish Health Board issued a statement about Vit D and stated that all in Scotland should take a Vit D supplement. Someone with a medical background said that if the board suggested this they know more than they are letting on!!

Food for thought!!!

Julie

Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

I just saw these links on "Turkey Tail" mushrooms:
http://www.naturalhealth365.com/paul...ract-1366.html
http://releaseprostatecancernow.blog...ments.html?m=1

Anyone here taking Turkey Tail (also known as Yun Zhi in traditional Chinese herbal medicine).

Can anyone share what they are doing with supps to prevent and treat chemo associated neuropathy and for it's properties to fight breast cancer? I've been hearing positive things about Beta Glucan for neuropathy.

Anyone have a list of which herbal supps/vitamins which are generally contraindicated with chemo?

Thanks.

Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

I am looking for some ideas to boost my immune system, as I’m heading up north for the holidays, and everyone is sick with a cold! I’m hoping they will be feeling better by the time I arrive tomorrow afternoon, but that may not be the case. I can avoid some people, but not all. I sanitize my hands often, and I try not to touch my face, but I’m not allow to take Vitamin C supplements while I’m getting chemo, which is what I usually take to boost my immune system. I am allowed to drink orange juice, which I drink a lot of every day, even though I don’t like it, but I was wondering if there’s anything else on the market that I can try? I asked my nurse practitioner yesterday for a recommendation, but all she told me to do was to wash my hands often, not touch my face, and avoid sick people. That’s hard to do when the sick person is your mother and it’s the holidays! The good news is, my white blood count is normal, and since I didn’t get chemo yesterday, it should stay that way, however, I still don’t want to get sick. Does anyone have any recommendations other than Vitamin C?


¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s normal. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, with high levels of estrogen and progesterone and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for one year).
04/16 – Have port put in.
04/16 – Get second dose of chemo, but Docetaxal is left out due to liver enzymes being high. I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my scar.
08/16 – I am told that I have a “local recurrence” and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments.
10/16 – Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6
11/16 – Second CA-15-30 bloot test – Tumour markers are still normal at 19
11/16 – Develop lymphedema and have to wear a sleeve
12/16 – CT Scan shows that the tumors on my lungs and the lymph node in the middle of my chest are shrinking. Also, the small masses along my scar line are no longer visible. This means the medication is working!

Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

Apart from supplements ... can you wear a face mask?

Carol Ann

Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

My doctor and nurse practitioner both told me that wearing a mask is useless in protecting people from getting sick, as you touch your face more when you’re wearing a mask. They said I should wear a mask when I’m sick, in order to prevent others from getting my cold, but not to bother when trying to avoid germs myself.

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s normal. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, with high levels of estrogen and progesterone and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for one year).
04/16 – Have port put in.
04/16 – Get second dose of chemo, but Docetaxal is left out due to liver enzymes being high. I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my scar.
08/16 – I am told that I have a “local recurrence” and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments.
10/16 – Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6
11/16 – Second CA-15-30 bloot test – Tumour markers are still normal at 19
11/16 – Develop lymphedema and have to wear a sleeve
12/16 – CT Scan shows that the tumors on my lungs and the lymph node in the middle of my chest are shrinking. Also, the small masses along my scar line are no longer visible. This means the medication is working!

Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

Well, rats! :(

Carol Ann

Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

"Immune system" sounds like there's a discrete physical entity that one can tinker with and fine tune. Maybe it can be "boosted" with additives, kind of like those special fuel boosters they sell at some gas stations.

But actual, biological immunity and immune responses are complex, and they are affected by many things, including diet, rest, attitudes, beliefs, and the like. To me, just about everything I do is intended to support my ability to heal and my overall health and vitality--so I guess you could say I'm always trying to boost my immune system. Also, don't forget that there are autoimmune diseases, like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc. The immune system can be an enemy if overstimulated or if it goes haywire.

I'm pretty sure it's a bad idea to conclude that just because a certain mushroom or supplement or tea had some kind of effect on cancer cells in a petri dish, that I should ingest a large amount of that stuff.

On the other hand, I'm pretty comfortable with having a colorful, fresh, unprocessed, mostly-plant-based diet with lots of herbs and spices. For one thing, it's delicious, and pleasure supports wellness. For another, there are epidemiological studies that show certain populations tend to be healthier than others. I figure it can't hurt to add turmeric, ginger, pepper, etc. to what I'm eating, or to eat foods like curry that use those seasonings.

I think one of the most under-appreciated factors affecting ability to heal is stress, and I think the people who are most vulnerable to stress are the ones who have issues with past trauma. Not to mention, of course, that having cancer, and being treated for it, are traumatic in and of themselves. Meditation, breathing, yoga, massage, psychotherapy, guided imagery and other practices can actually help rewire the brains of trauma survivors and help them heal from the chronic "fight/flight/freeze" limbic overload that increases the levels of hormones that cause inflammation and interfere with healing. Our minds, bodies, and emotions are intimately connected. For optimal health, we need to train our minds and bodies.

Most supplements are probably no more effective than placebos, but the placebo effect is a real effect. It's healing. I don't knock it.

I'm pretty sure the main reason I'm still alive and still fairly healthy 68 months after my stage 4 diagnosis is I've been getting drugs that have been scientifically proven to have anti-cancer effects. No amount of "boosting my immune system" would have done that. But I do what I can to enlist my own personal resources as well. For me it's more about emotional sobriety, having a focus outside myself, eating well, and being mindful than it is about any particular regimen of diet, exercise, supplements, etc. One of the things I'm trying to heal from is a tendency to over-plan and over-effort.

I'm trying to have the best life I can have in the time I have left, no matter how much time that is. My goal is not longevity per se but meaning. To me that means experiencing loving relationships, with myself, other people, and God.

Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

Happiness.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...immune-system/

Re: Boosting Your Immune System - share your ideas
 

Dear "Conomyself,"

Fantastic article! Thanks for sharing.

Amy