Below is the email from Dr. Feldman today. The lab results were again inconclusive on the type of cancer in the thyroid. I got the 24 hour urine screen instructions but can't start it till Thursday because you can't have had banana's, tomatoes, pineapple, caffeine and a host of other foods for 3 days prior to beginning the urinary screen test. Basically you catch all urine for a 24 hour period, keep it in a special jug in the fridge and turn it in right away. This morning before I knew the instructions I had a banana and caffeine in Green Tea. The sample turned in on Thursday should result by Tuesday with enough time to inform Dr. Pommier (Portland OHSU surgeon) before Friday's surgery.
Ms. Swan,
So far the thyroid biopsy has come back equivocal for either spread of carcinoid or medullary cancer. Given that surgery is coming up soon, I would like you to due a 24 hour urinary to screen for the the third tumor in that triad, pheochromocytoma. I will place the order. More pathology analysis is pending on the biopsy.
Eric
So far the thyroid biopsy has come back equivocal for either spread of carcinoid or medullary cancer. Given that surgery is coming up soon, I would like you to due a 24 hour urinary to screen for the the third tumor in that triad, pheochromocytoma. I will place the order. More pathology analysis is pending on the biopsy.
Eric
By the way, Dr. Eric Feldman, my Group Health Oncologist, was listed as one of Seattle's Best Doctors (Cancer Specialist; Oncology; all types of cancer and blood disorders) in the July 2013 issue of Seattle magazine.
Peter and I joined the Lakeridge swim club a couple weeks ago. I have enjoyed swimming laps again in a nice outdoor heated pool. I'm swimming 40 laps of the crawl stroke without stopping! I've been walking 3 miles a day several days a week and continue to get strong for surgery. I've seen a new alternative health practitioner around nutrition, supplements and healing named Suzanne Jennings in W. Seattle. She has a great spa in her home with sauna and soaking tubs. It has been very relaxing to go to her and has also increased my energy levels.
On Friday I was able to hear Eben Alexander, NY Times best selling author of, Proof of Heaven, at Center for Spiritual Learning (CSL). He is a neurosurgeon that had a near death experience while being in a coma for 7 days. It was really interesting.
At work it is a very busy time of year. Our summer program began today at 9 elementary schools for 3-12 year olds. We have a special curriculum designed to reduce summer learning loss. In this last week before surgery I'll be wrapping up projects at work (the end of our fiscal year is June 30) and spending time with family. Several friends have offered to help water plants while we're in Portland and to help with other things when we return and I'm recovering from surgery. Hotel reservations for Peter and my mom and dad have been made.
I hope to visit my son Thaddeus' family and hold new baby Ayana in the next few days. My wonderful Grandson Kimani is the new big brother and doing a great job too.
Next Saturday I will attend my first support group function for people with NET. I know it will be really informative. Over 50 people are expected to attend from as far away as Salem, Oregon.
Caryn,
ReplyDeleteI sent some prayers up for you and Peter today. That your surgery goes well, and that God removes your fear and anxiety about your illness. I too see a naturopath alon with traditional doctors. The naturopath helps me keep my nutrition up. You should ask you naturopath about DIM. it has a chemical name ( which i can give you later ) but it is molecule found in brocolli extracts. DIM has been found to reduce the size of tumors in several types of cancer. I have found a few articles at the UW health science library claiming the same. one article says it induces tumor cell death. I can send a few if you want me too. love you susan elliott
In vivo and in vitro study on the role of 3, 3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM) in treatment and prevention of nasopharyngeal carcinoma..l is one paper
ReplyDeletelove susan eliott
Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase by 3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is associated with human prostate cancer cell death in vitro and in vivo.
ReplyDeleteand another susan elliott
Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of 3,3'-diindolylmethane in human cervical cancer cells.
ReplyDeletesummary
The antitumor effects of Indo-3-carbinol (I3C) have been proven in many human carcinoma cells. However, the roles of 3,3-diindolylmethane (DIM), an important polymer converted from I3C under pH 5.0-7.0, on the growth and proliferation of cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cells still remain unrevealed. In the present study, we investigated the potential anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of DIM on HeLa and SiHa cells. Cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting kit-8 and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, morphological changes accompanying cell apoptosis were observed using an inverted microscope after Hoechst 33258 staining. In addition, expression changes of proteins involved in the MAPK and PI3K pathways were determined by western blotting. DIM treatment inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of HeLa and SiHa cells significantly in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SiHa cells were more sensitive to DIM treatment than HeLa cells (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of ERK, p38 and p-p38, which are involved in the MAPK pathway, was downregulated by DIM treatment. Another protein involved in the MAPK pathway, JNK, was upregulated. Furthermore, DIM treatment significantly suppressed the expression of Akt, p-Akt, PI3K p110α, PI3K p110β, PI3K class III, GSK3-β, p-PDK1 and p-c-Raf which are involved in the PI3K pathway. These results demonstrate that DIM exerts antitumor effects on HeLa and SiHa cells through its anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic roles, especially for SiHa cells. The molecular mechanism for these effects may be related to its regulatory effects on MAPK and PI3K pathway and apoptosis proteins. DIM may be a preventive and therapeutic agent against cervical cancer.
susan elliott
Caryn,
ReplyDeleteShirley and I wish you the best as you go through this procedure. Our thoughts and supportive spirit are with you.
Bill and Shirley