So I just found out I have cancer..

[RobertK]

Just finished my second day of fasting and after my body passed most of it toxins out I actually feel great. Very normal and full of energy. I'm also not hungry anymore.

From what I've gathered the actual chemo chemicals float around your body for 4-6 hours before you completely pisses them out or metabolizes them.

Normally, you get sick a few hours after chemo because of all the good cells that are getting killed in the process similar to why the flu makes you feel like crap because of all the cells getting killed off by the virus attacking them. This is especially true of red & white blood cells.

If what current clinical trails has shown is true then techincally after a 48hr water fast a majority of my healthy cells should now be in a shield mode. Shielding themselves from toxins (mostly because your body starts to filter natural toxins into your blood stream when you are fasting), amoung other threats.

As of now I have been water fasting for 60hrs. It was hard at first but WOW... I would have never believed it but once my body flushed crap from every possible orfice of my body I feel awesome.

I go in for my first ADVB treatment in 1 hour... wish me luck. If I turn out to be wrong about the chemo fasting.. trust me.. I won't make myself suffer without food again.

[SamE30e]

I want to know how they figured out blasting you with radiation would help to treat cancer. Weren't they at least a little bit afraid of you turning into a 15 foot tall green psycho when you got angry?

That'd be fucking awesome!!

[BobombETA]

A co-worker of mine just beat Hodgkin's. She did the chemo and radiation routine, with surgery. More than anything though I think it was her positive outlook that helped her the most.

But it looks like you already have that part covered.

Best of luck to you. Keep your spirits high and you can overcome anything.

[Scotaku]

The chemo takes a lot longer than a few hours to work it's way out, believe me. I've got two more 5FU rounds to go and they are no laughing matter... though I've kidded "5FU" really means five times effed up. ;)

A good friend of mine is a nutritionist at Hopkins and her specialty is therapy and recovery diets. When I asked about fasting/liquid diets before chemo she encouraged me to instead eat lightly and not go cold turkey before a round. It's going to make you feel crappy before the chemo makes you feel super crappy. The stuff works by poisoning the cancer cells as they eat... but all your other cells are eating too. By cutting off the supply of nutrients, you trigger your body into the early stages of fat burning... but then the chemo floats by and looks so delicious that the cells consume it too, possibly at a higher rate for the period set off by the fasting.

Without a doubt, drink LOTS of water. The poison is not fully consumed and some of it will pass into your bladder and bowel where it can concentrate. Dilute the hell out of it to avoid the hell I've been through.

[RobertK]

Just a thought...you might reconsider the fasting thing. Talk with your medical team about your plan and ask about a nutrtional regimen to bolster your immune system. Often they will tell you to simply maintain a well balanced diet prior to chemo and to be sure to stay well hydrated. Have you discussed this with your oncologist? I would not make any radical changes in diet without first discussing it with your MD.

I have and of course he said no don't do it... but I know that's the common answer for people fighting cancer. I've read much online and many of you might have already about some of the srudies.

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080401/fasting-before-chemo-protects-healthy-cells.htm

I will only be fasting for a short period of time and then Friday evening and the next 11 before the next treatment I will be loading up on nutrition like crazy.

I know the fasting before chemo is still in clinical trials but I have a good gut feeling that it will help with the chemo side effects. Besides I'm technically 40lbs overweight so I have plenty of reserves.

[Psyops]

Just a thought...you might reconsider the fasting thing. Talk with your medical team about your plan and ask about a nutrtional regimen to bolster your immune system. Often they will tell you to simply maintain a well balanced diet prior to chemo and to be sure to stay well hydrated. Have you discussed this with your oncologist? I would not make any radical changes in diet without first discussing it with your MD.

[mtechnik]

Much strength with the fasting. I like my tummy too. :)

[RobertK]

Thanks everyone... I have no doubts I will beat this down.

I started my fasting as of 9PM last night. Not that waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles juice fasting but real nothing but water fasting. I'm a big guy (6ft 230lbs) and I like food so my stomach is not very happy right now. I can also feel that my blood sugar is a little low so I'm a little drowsy.

My hopes are that from fasting I will protect my body from as much of the collateral damage that chemo causes and hopefully tone down the after effects. It takes a few hours to metabolize the chemo and get it out of your system so hopefully I will get to have a nice dinner Friday evening if I'm lucky enough to not have bad nausea.

After that I plan on getting some good nutrition in me to build up my healthy cells again. If I'm lucky I will finally lose the 40lbs I always wanted to and get back to my target weight (and stay there afterwards).

[Huff]

Well, I'm just some dude on the internets whom you haven't met and probably won't meet in person... But your story and what you've shared here is unbelievably moving and I can now say your fight is truly in my thoughts. I know everyone has out their two cents in, but know you and your wife are now something I'm going to think about until this struggle is won. Good luck to you and your family.

[mtechnik]

Happy to hear that it's still in the earlier stages. Your wife, Tara will come around.

[OOMPH!]

God Bless you man! You are in my thoughts and prays! Get well!

[318isbmw]

Sad its not 1a but atleast it isn't worse. Glad to see your still joking about it.
Still praying for you and hoping it gets better for the family as well cuz I can only imagine.

[joshh]

This is more serious than I originally thought.
Good luck man. I'll drink a cold one for you on Friday.

[Jand3rson]

I want to know how they figured out blasting you with radiation would help to treat cancer. Weren't they at least a little bit afraid of you turning into a 15 foot tall green psycho when you got angry?

[Vedubin01]

Keep the spirits up and we are all pulling for ya! :)