Battling With...Building The Immune System

In June 2000 when I was first diagnosed with the grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme, I began taking many supplements to battle the GBM and boost my immune system. Each six months or so, I reevaluate the “list” of supplements I would be taking and would modify if needed based on my situation. Like has my blood test change, has my MRI changes, have any deficits changed, etc. If things changed, I contact one of my nutritionist who would give me suggestions to modify my supplement and diet plan as needed.

I am sharing the list of supplements I take in hopes to motivate others to look into using supplements to help fight the brain cancer. I truly do not think the “standard treatments” alone is enough. However, I want to stress that my personal list of supplements based on my individual, MRI results, my blood test results, the prescriptions meds I’m on, my symptoms and deficits I have. Everyone’s situation is very different, one reason due to the treatments they are on, that type of brain tumor it is, and where the tumor was located; so the supplements needed for each person varies. So use my supplement to just get ideas, but please talk with your doc or nutritionist to create a personal list for you.

Nutritionists I work with:

Over 13 years I’ve been working with nutritionists Jeanne Wallace and Michelle Gerencser at www.nutritional-solutions.net – Located in Utah, phone 435.563.0053.

More recently I have also been working with Patrice Surley at https://www.patricesurley.com –Located in Texas, phone 435.881.5836

All three women are wonderful nutritionists that are valuable and so helpful in many ways! Well worth the money to work with them

Getting Blood Tests
Each 6 months or sooner I get a handful of blood tests to help determine if I need any changes in the supplements I take. One example, I take Boswellia helping to reduce any inflammation. The C-Reactive Protein blood test determines if I have elevated inflammation. If the blood test result show the inflammation is higher than recommended by Jeanne Wallace (target is <1.0) then I probably would end up taking more Boswellia and also adding in some other supplements to help lower the inflammation.

Here are some of the blood tests I take: C-Reactive Protein, Serum Copper and Ceruloplasmin, Vit D3, Hb A1c, Thyroid Function, Trig, overall blood counts, and more at times. I highly recommend taking blood tests so you know where you are, and what supplements may help, before going out and buys a lot of supplements before you even know if they are needed in your situation. And working with a nutritionist helps you understand what supplements would work for you.

I purchase most of my supplements over the internet at:

Emerson Ecologics Website
Vitamin Shoppe
Mushroom Science Website
Life Extension Website

I am sharing the list of supplements I take in hopes to motivate others to look into using supplements to help fight the brain cancer. I truly do not think the “western meds” alone is enough. However, I want to stress that this list is based on my personal situation, and what supplements a person may take would vary depending on their situations and medical treatments they are on. So use this list to get ideas, but please talk with your doc or nutritionist to create a personal list for yourself.

+ + Feb 2017 + +

DURING THE DAY

• 4+ cups of Yogi’s Green Tea Super Antioxidant
• 1+ Tbs of Chia seeds (high in Omega 3 fats)

TAKE THIS LIST WITH BOTH BREAKFAST & DINNER

• MultiThera 3 (2 tabs) Multiple Vitamins – copper/iron free – ProThera
• Boswellia (2 caps; 600mg) – pure encapsulations
• Ultra Omega-3 (1 gel; 1,000mg) – Protocol for Life Balance
• Juice Plus+ Orchard Blend Fruit (2 caps)
• Vitamin D3 (1 cap; 5,000 IU) – pure encapsulations
• Zinc (1 tab; 50mg) – BIO TECH Pharmacal Inc.
• Vitamin C w/Bioflavonoids (1 cap; 500mg) – Vital Nutrients
• Berberine Sulfate (1 caps; 500mg) – ProThera
• Glucoset (1 cap) – did NOT take the 5 days on Temodar each month – Douglas Laboratories
• R-Plus Curcumin (2 caps; 400mg Curcumin &150mg R-Lipoic Acid)
• Geronova Research Curcumin (1 cap; 1,000mg)
• Extended-Release Magnesium (1 cap; 250mg) – Life Extension
• Digestion Enzyme – if needed

THIS ADDITIONAL LIST ONLY W/ THE OTHERS AT BREAKFAST

• Grape Seed Extract (1 cap; 250mg) – Protocol for Life Balance
• Resveratrol (1 cap; 200mg) – pure encapsulations
• Probiotics
• Quercetin (1 cap; 250mg) – Vital Nutrients
• CoQ10 (1 cap; 250mg) – pure encapsulations
• Selenium (5 drops; 1,000 mcg) – BodyBio
• Acetyl L-Carnitine (1 cap; 500mg) – Douglas Laboratories
• P5P 50 activated B6 (1 cap; 50mg) – pure encapsulations
• B12 (1 cap; 1,000mcg methylcobalamin) – Protocol for Life Balance
• B1 (1 cap; 100mg) – Douglas Laboratories
• Phyto-ADR – (1 cap) – Pantothenic 150mg, Asian ginseng 150mg, Eleuthero 100mg, Ashwagandah 150mg, Rhodiola 50mg (if needed for energy) – pure encapsulations

LUNCHTIME

• R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (1 cap; 100mg) Jarrow Formulas

BEDTIME

• Molybdenum (2 cap; 500mcg) – Douglas Laboratories
• Coriolus-PSP (3 caps; 400mg) (Coriolus versicolor PSP) – Mushroom Science
• Melatonin (1cap 20mg) – Vital Nutrients
• Zinc (1tab; 50mg) – BIO TECH Pharmacal Inc.
   

+ + Nov 2018 + +

DURING THE DAY

• 4+ cups of Yogi’s Green Tea Super Antioxidant
• 1+ Tbs of Chia seeds (high in Omega 3 fats)

BREAKFAST

• Ultra Omega-3 (1 gel; 1,000mg) – Protocol for Life Balance
• Vitamin D3 (1 cap; 5,000 IU) – pure encapsulations
• Berberine Sulfate (1 caps; 500mg) – ProThera
• Curcumin 1,000mg
• R-Lipoic Acid 100mg
• Resveratrol 200mg
• Grape Seed OCP 250mg
• B Complex
• meythyl B12
• benaGene 5 capsules
• Metformin (prescription) 1,000mg (to reduce blood glucose)

LUNCHTIME

• Vitamin C
• benaGene 5 capsules

DINNER

• Digestion Enzyme – if needed
• Zinc (1 tab; 50mg) – BIO TECH Pharmacal Inc.
• Iron 25mg
• baneGene – 5 capsules
• Probiotics/Prebiotics often but not daily
• Selenium (5 drops; 1,000 mcg) – BodyBio
• Metformin (prescription) – 1,000mg

BEDTIME

• Molybdenum (2 cap; 500mcg) – Douglas Laboratories
• Coriolus-PSP (3 caps; 400mg) (Coriolus versicolor PSP) – Mushroom Science
• Melatonin (1cap 20mg) – Vital Nutrients
• Cannabis (dose of THS and CBD varies)

My Brain Cancer Diet – You Are What You Eat

When I was diagnosed with the GBM brain tumor in June 2000, my diet behavior was not healthy. Working hard as a busy mommy and wildlife biologist, our family’s diet had been centered on what was quick – frozen meals and fast foods – all filled with additives and preservatives. Not many fresh veggies and fruits, but more simple carbohydrates and junk foods.

When I was told I had “terminal” cancer, I was determined to change my daily diet and start eating healthy. I wanted to survive! I started taking seriously the saying, “You are what you eat!”

I bought every book I could find about healthy nutrition diets to win the battle with cancer. What to eat. What not to eat. I tried to be as strict as I could on eating with a healthy routine.

I started eating organic, cutting out foods with MSG, sodium nitrates, additives and preservatives. I started eating lots of veggies and fruits. I cut back on beef protein and started eating mostly Alaskan salmon, free ranged chicken, and wild elk, deer, duck, goose and trout my husband hunted and fished for. Dropped out the white breads/potatoes/rice, and started eating whole grain foods. I cut back on eating sugary sweets and foods, with high glycemic index. The change in my diet made me feel healthy and whole.

In 2004 when my GBM came back, I started working with Dr. Jeanne M. Wallace, PhD, CNC; a great nutritionist. www.nutritional-solutions.net Following the Report she sent me with Guidance for a Cancer-Fighting Diet. Focusing on avoiding harmful food chemicals and eating only organic. Eating more veggies and fruits that are known to fight cancer, like berries, carotene rich foods, cruciferous veggies, flax seeds and oils, green tea, mushrooms, etc. Eating more of the good omega 3 fats and less of the others. Balancing my blood sugar and insulin levels, by not eating sugars and simple carbohydrates.

Not that I am perfect at eating the best everyday. I may eat birthday cake at a party, or eat non-organic foods at a friends house or restaurant, or a eat a white dinner roll on Thanksgiving, or a bowl of ice cream on a hot summer day. I’m not perfect at it. But I do try to eat all organic and very healthy MOST of the time.

There are many internet web pages and books out there that cover the standards, what to eat and not eat while fighting cancer.

The Importance of Exercise – to Survive Brain Cancer

When I was first diagnosed with brain cancer, the GBM brain tumor, I was not in the best physical shape. I was too busy working and taking care of my kids, to give myself time to exercise. I did not realize until I was told I had cancer, that exercise is a valuable “medicine”, to boost your immune system and fight the cancer!

To keep my body healthy I began exercising 5 days a week, for 40 minutes. How hard I work out during the 40 minutes varies depending on how I feel that day. But I make sure I do something! 

Often I use my elliptical or recumbent inside bike (while watching something good on TV). But when the weather is good, I get outside and hike, bike, run, walk, swim, canoe, backpack, X-country ski, or mow my lawn. Anything to keep moving. While I was on chemotherapy (Temodar), each of those 5 days I took the capsules I felt fatigued. But I knew it was important for me to keep moving, so I would still get out for a slow walk, or went on the elliptical slower. 

But I wanted to keep moving, so the cancer cells could not catch up to me!

My plan during the 40 minutes is to move my body, getting my blood pumping through my lymph nodes and my whole body. I’m not trying to become an Olympic athlete, just trying to stay healthy and happy.

The benefits of exercising for me is: Boosting my immune system, giving me more energy the rest of the day, and making me feel more at peace – reducing depression.

I feel exercising is a key factor in my efforts to keep the brain tumor away.