The ABCs for Knowing GI Pain
First, get 7 to 9 hours of sleep (no not per week).
If you didn't do that last night go take a nap and then come back here.
When I needed a hemicolectomy and was diagnosed with appendix cancer (stage 3) in late January of 2010 I was completely lost.
Appendix cancer, though rare, is a gastrointestinal disorder.
I was lost because I had quit drinking alcohol heavily (after a 20 year binge), had taken up BICYCLING, CROSS COUNTRY SKIING, and hiking, in order to reclaim my body, and had started taking vitamins regularly to reduce my toxicity.
I had also quit a very stressful occupation.
Stress is a killer.
It had been too little too late as it turned out.
I will say to my credit, that without my change in lifestyle, my insistence on finding the problem (e.
g.
3 COLONOSCOPIES in 10 years), and the fact that I was never overweight, I would not have survived this long-term disease.
Oddly, my cancer taking a foothold probably coincided with my starting a healthier lifestyle.
But the damage was done, cumulatively.
So I had to now do more as my internal environment was already inflammation/cancer friendly.
A year later I have formulated some answers which I would like to share as a public service.
Diet: One must reduce toxic foods.
This does not mean delete all meat.
Severely limit beef and pork (yeah I love 'em too).
If you must eat these, don't eat steroidal or antibiotic treated choices.
Organic CHICKEN is fine.
Organic eggs are fine.
Salmon, sardines (yuch), trout are the fishes that fit criteria for Omega 3, low mercury, and sustainability.
Aim for 30 grams of fiber, 60 grams of protein, and 200 (or at least less than 300) grams of carbs per day.
I do this easily even on meatless days.
Perfect foods include green tea, oatmeal, BANANAS, garlic, BLUEBERRIES.
One must limit, or preferably omit, sugar and white flour.
Stevia, AGAVE NECTAR, sourdough bread, and whole-grain spaghetti are good choices.
High fructose=poison.
Top ANTIOXIDANT spices include CLOVES, CINNAMON, turmeric (mix 50/50 with black pepper to activate), oregano, and parsley.
One cannot overdo these.
I use less than the newly recommended 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Soy is preferable to dairy, barring allergic reaction.
I can't get totally off of the butter yet.
Margarine is much worse for the body.
Common anti-cancer produce choices include BROCCOLI, onion family, CITRUS fruit, plums, BERRIES (organic to avoid pesticides), CARROTS (organic), yams, tomatoes (and sauce, but be careful to avoid plastic can liners), mushrooms (no, not psilocybin), BEETS, CAULIFLOWER, BRUSSEL SPROUTS, CABBAGE.
Good news! Dark CHOCOLATE is antioxidant (70% or more cacao).
Use CANOLA or olive oil.
Avoid hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fat (=poison).
Your dishes will also be easier to wash without these glue-like poisons on them.
Supplements: Omega 3, CALCIUM CITRATE, Vitamin D3 (or sun with caution), Vitamin C, Folic Acid are good daily choices.
To be used with caution (means research) I recommend Zinc, Iron, Vitamin B complex.
My oncologist does not like Vitamin E, Selenium, or Multi-vitamins.
They fall into the antioxidant category though so I use them with caution.
I do take probiotics.
Psyllium and Methylcellulose are good fiber supplements.
The former disagrees with a few people.
Alternatives: Look, the Chinese have been practicing medicine for thousands of years and they do have a clue.
ACUPUNCTURE is a viable alternative medicine.
I believe that one must protect one's Shen, Jing, and Qi.
Reishi mushroom has done wonders for me post-surgery.
I am now working on my Jing and Qi herbal tonics.
I believe in Chinese medical methodology but I sure needed western medicine also.
Happy new Year of the (Golden) Rabbit! T'ai Chi and yoga are good choices, and even BREATHING CONTROL helps.
Exercise! Watching TV is not a good exercise.
Did you ever try walking to the grocery store? I wrote this because I am finally starting to feel human after at least 10 years of misery prior to my cancer being discovered.
Trust me, a hemicolectomy is difficult to recover from at nearly age 60.
I hope that anyone reading this will not wait as long as I did to start to watch their body.
A good mind will not survive a rotten body.
The intestines are the heart of good immunity.
Although I have been fortunate to take neither chemo or radiation treatments, I stand by the knowledge which I have accrued, for anyone.
Maybe it's not too little too late as I enter my second year of bonus time.
I do admit that it's a pain in the buttocks to keep an eye on myself, but I assume that it's more interesting than death.
Perhaps I can report back when I learn the XYZs.
If you didn't do that last night go take a nap and then come back here.
When I needed a hemicolectomy and was diagnosed with appendix cancer (stage 3) in late January of 2010 I was completely lost.
Appendix cancer, though rare, is a gastrointestinal disorder.
I was lost because I had quit drinking alcohol heavily (after a 20 year binge), had taken up BICYCLING, CROSS COUNTRY SKIING, and hiking, in order to reclaim my body, and had started taking vitamins regularly to reduce my toxicity.
I had also quit a very stressful occupation.
Stress is a killer.
It had been too little too late as it turned out.
I will say to my credit, that without my change in lifestyle, my insistence on finding the problem (e.
g.
3 COLONOSCOPIES in 10 years), and the fact that I was never overweight, I would not have survived this long-term disease.
Oddly, my cancer taking a foothold probably coincided with my starting a healthier lifestyle.
But the damage was done, cumulatively.
So I had to now do more as my internal environment was already inflammation/cancer friendly.
A year later I have formulated some answers which I would like to share as a public service.
Diet: One must reduce toxic foods.
This does not mean delete all meat.
Severely limit beef and pork (yeah I love 'em too).
If you must eat these, don't eat steroidal or antibiotic treated choices.
Organic CHICKEN is fine.
Organic eggs are fine.
Salmon, sardines (yuch), trout are the fishes that fit criteria for Omega 3, low mercury, and sustainability.
Aim for 30 grams of fiber, 60 grams of protein, and 200 (or at least less than 300) grams of carbs per day.
I do this easily even on meatless days.
Perfect foods include green tea, oatmeal, BANANAS, garlic, BLUEBERRIES.
One must limit, or preferably omit, sugar and white flour.
Stevia, AGAVE NECTAR, sourdough bread, and whole-grain spaghetti are good choices.
High fructose=poison.
Top ANTIOXIDANT spices include CLOVES, CINNAMON, turmeric (mix 50/50 with black pepper to activate), oregano, and parsley.
One cannot overdo these.
I use less than the newly recommended 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Soy is preferable to dairy, barring allergic reaction.
I can't get totally off of the butter yet.
Margarine is much worse for the body.
Common anti-cancer produce choices include BROCCOLI, onion family, CITRUS fruit, plums, BERRIES (organic to avoid pesticides), CARROTS (organic), yams, tomatoes (and sauce, but be careful to avoid plastic can liners), mushrooms (no, not psilocybin), BEETS, CAULIFLOWER, BRUSSEL SPROUTS, CABBAGE.
Good news! Dark CHOCOLATE is antioxidant (70% or more cacao).
Use CANOLA or olive oil.
Avoid hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fat (=poison).
Your dishes will also be easier to wash without these glue-like poisons on them.
Supplements: Omega 3, CALCIUM CITRATE, Vitamin D3 (or sun with caution), Vitamin C, Folic Acid are good daily choices.
To be used with caution (means research) I recommend Zinc, Iron, Vitamin B complex.
My oncologist does not like Vitamin E, Selenium, or Multi-vitamins.
They fall into the antioxidant category though so I use them with caution.
I do take probiotics.
Psyllium and Methylcellulose are good fiber supplements.
The former disagrees with a few people.
Alternatives: Look, the Chinese have been practicing medicine for thousands of years and they do have a clue.
ACUPUNCTURE is a viable alternative medicine.
I believe that one must protect one's Shen, Jing, and Qi.
Reishi mushroom has done wonders for me post-surgery.
I am now working on my Jing and Qi herbal tonics.
I believe in Chinese medical methodology but I sure needed western medicine also.
Happy new Year of the (Golden) Rabbit! T'ai Chi and yoga are good choices, and even BREATHING CONTROL helps.
Exercise! Watching TV is not a good exercise.
Did you ever try walking to the grocery store? I wrote this because I am finally starting to feel human after at least 10 years of misery prior to my cancer being discovered.
Trust me, a hemicolectomy is difficult to recover from at nearly age 60.
I hope that anyone reading this will not wait as long as I did to start to watch their body.
A good mind will not survive a rotten body.
The intestines are the heart of good immunity.
Although I have been fortunate to take neither chemo or radiation treatments, I stand by the knowledge which I have accrued, for anyone.
Maybe it's not too little too late as I enter my second year of bonus time.
I do admit that it's a pain in the buttocks to keep an eye on myself, but I assume that it's more interesting than death.
Perhaps I can report back when I learn the XYZs.
Source...