Dear Friends and Family,
In early August 2018, I was diagnosed with Esophagus Cancer. I started this blog in order to easily and quickly communicate information about my progress and recovery. My doctors are optimistic that this is highly treatable and have a good prognosis. We are still waiting on the PET scan to determine the stage. Once the PET scan is completed on 8/31, my doctors will use this information to come up with a schedule for treatment and a start date.
Here is what I know now.
The Pathology Report says I have Adenocarcinma, high grade, invasive with ulceration.
My doctors have prescribed the following treatment plan:
1. Radiation Treatments 5 days a week for six weeks.
2. Mild Chemotherapy once a week concurrent with Radiation.
3. After that Surgery will be performed, if needed, to remove anything that might be left.
Preparation
Last week I had an HP Infusion Port – an IV Port with a long tube in vein that goes to heart – implanted in my right chest where the Chemo Drugs will be administered.
Yesterday (8/28) – I went to have the Radiation Machine calibrated. This will direct the radiation to where it is needed.
You are my love and I wish you the best in your treatment….and for a speedy recovery. I will be with you and support you throughout this treatment.
Rich we’re with you. Thanks for putting together this blog to more easily share info on your upcoming journey. We know you’re in great professional hands.
Love Paul
Thanks. I am just the scribe. Brian and Christine are to thank for putting the site together.
Wishing the best and as always God is with us in good times and trying times. You are family and as such we want the best for you and Jenny. Lots of love and a big hug.
Thanks for your best wishes.
Love you also,
Richard
Hi Uncle Richie,
My dad told me the news. I wish you a speedy recovery. I think it’s great that you are documenting this journey with a website. It sounds like you are in good hands and I’m glad you have a treatment plan that will attack this on multiple fronts. Please don’t forget about to power of certain foods to help your body go through this fight, as well! You and Aunt Jeanne will be in my thoughts. Love you guys ❤️
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for your words of encouragement and support. I am down over 15 pounds this year and am interested in knowing more about the “certain foods” you mentioned.
Love,
Uncle Richie
Foods that fight cancer include turmeric, green tea, berries, oatmeal and dark leafy veggies like kale. You should receive a package on Saturday. I included a bottle of turmeric supplements. Dave loves this brand and uses it to ward off inflammation. I also included several fresh turmeric roots, as I prefer to use those for my turmeric source. You can scrub the root with a veggie brush (I don’t peel it, but you could…just use caution, turmeric leaves a bright yellow stain on hands and clothes) and throw it into a blender or food processor with some water, fruit (fresh or frozen) like mango or berries and greens like spinach or kale. You could grate the fresh turmeric over food too! It’s pungent, but one of the best cancer fighters out there! It causes apoptosis of cancer cells, which is essentially cell suicide. I’ll include a link to a study done on turmeric and its effectiveness on your particular type of cancer. I also included a small ziploc baggie of steel cut oats. We eat this stuff every morning. Boil up a batch of it (I included directions on the bag), add coconut milk or almond milk and add fruits for a delicious, filling breakfast. I also included a tin of matcha green tea powder. Green tea has several polyphenols that also help destroy cancer cells by apoptosis. Be sure to let the tea cool before drinking it (I’m sure you dr’s told you to avoid hot liquids) and I would avoid adding dairy or sugar/sugar substitutes. I’ve gotten used to drinking the tea without any sweetener, but if you must add sweetener, I’d suggest raw honey. Farmers markets are great for these products. While we are talking about foods to avoid (like dairy and refined sugar or sugar substitutes), I would avoid all processed foods and all highly processed and refined grains like flour. I would load up on healthy fruits and veggies, eat small portions (size of deck of cards) of high quality meat (organic/grass fed). Murray’s chicken is great and available at publix. I really wish that patients in your situation were not only seen by an oncologist, but also a nutritionist. It’s amazing what food can do-some harm, some heal! Here are the links to some fascinating studies on turmeric, green tea and cancer :
http://www.aging-us.com/article/101483/text
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3281833/
Thanks so much for the great information. Glad I asked.
Keeping your weight up with good fats like avocados, almond butter, good dairy like plain Greek yogurt or kefir, coconut oil. Small frequent meals may be the way to go wihile you’re going through treatment. After your treatments or during, if you have the energy, look into chair yoga or tai chi to keep your muscle mass up. There are all kinds of free how to videos on you tube. These forms of exercise are low impact and work wonders on the mind and body. As my dad says, we come from good stock, so this cancer doesn’t have a chance!! I know I’m hundreds of miles away, but let me know if I can help in any way. If you like that turmeric root and you can’t find it, I can mail you some when you run out. Love you, Uncle Richie ❤️
Thanks for the suggestions. Yes we come from good stock and have kept myself in great shape. I walk 1 – 2 miles a day plus some swimming.
I got your package on Saturday – thanks! I am actually in the process of switching to steel cut oats. I have a good recipe for my Insta Pot. Christine and Brian bought me a Vitamix.
Don’t know what to expect but I feel that I am ready for anything.
Thanks for your support and love.
I’m so glad to hear that you have a vitamix!! Great gift, Christine and Brian! It’s one of the best purchases I’ve ever made! (followed by the Dyson vacuum) They’re pricey, but make fantastic smoothies! If you scrub one of those turmeric roots and throw it in the vitamix with fresh ginger root and any fruit or veggie, you’ve got a super anti-inflammatory beverage! Dave and I eat steel cut oats every morning. I make a huge pot and freeze the extras, which last weeks! You can clarify some grass fed butter and add it to your steel cut oats to add some fat. It makes it taste richer too! Good luck with your treatment tomorrow!!