Stomach Cancer

[HC O'Hanlon]

Hiya
my dad is really, really, really sick with stomach cancer and the doctors have pretty much given up. we were hoping that he might rally last week and be able to come home from hospital as he had just read a book called "Recalled by Life - The story of my recovery from cancer" by Anthony J Sattilardo MD and he was really keen to try the macrobiotic diet that the book reccommends. Hes so gung-ho to try anything but things have taken a downturn and the doctors say he cant absorb any food at all now. nonetheless, we brought our juicer into the hospital and have been trying him with a little carrot juice mainly. he can only take miniscule amounts and is often still sick. hes also very weak and has problems now with his lungs from being on IV all the time without being able to move around... is there anything in particular we can try? something that might give a little boost of strength or something?
Id really appreciate a reply
many thanks
hc

[mike chen]

hc, the important thing is to be helpful to the body in its efforts to clear itself out.

we may think that elimination ("discharge" in the mb lexicon) can be taken for granted, that we have "cast iron" constitutions and stomachs that can "digest anything," but then we wake up
one morning to big surprise.

so, take seriously the mb thought to eat minimally, to clear thoroughly, and to sing a happy song.

[Roy Collins]

Hi HC. I'm happy to know that you father has decided on his own to try the macro way to help overcome stomach cancer. I am equally pleased to know that you are just as gung ho to help him.
Also good to know that you are reading up a bit on macrobiotics to get a full understanding of all that is involved.

As a two-time cancer survivor (colon & bladder) I can tell you first hand that cancer is NOT a sure death sentence although the word can be very scary for many. It is quite a humbling experience, however. I'm not sure the stage or at what level/grade your dad's cancer is or what part of the stomach is most afected. I am assuming that he has gone through the chemo number and that is causing part of the inability to absorb food nutrients. It would be helpful to get this information to us here at cybermacro.

From my own experience and experimentation I have found that you can replicate the nutrients in the commercial product used by most hospitals for this absorption problem (Ensure is a brand name supplemental drink filled with chemicals and sweeteners that must have some type of discount contract with every hospital in the US! -- It is garbage). But you can make a drink from cultured rice called amasake and mix it with equal parts of carrot juice and Enden's Rice/Soy Blend (soy milk) which contains only organic ingredients, grains, beans, seweed, etc. Then add to this 1/4 teasoon of KYO GREEN -- an energy dense powber made from b/g seaweed brown rice, and barley grass. Mix well before drinking. Keep at room temperature, not cold. This has a wonderful flavor and is filled with vital nutrients.

From this drink you get whole grains, seaweed, beans, and cutured bacteria that helps to absorb nutrients. Drink as much as three times daily, UNTIL your dad is able to eat whole foods. Once he can make the transition to whole foods it is essential to have him eat a small amount of miso soup per day and 1 cup of cooked brown rice (keep on the wet side) and 1 cup of cooked vegetables (cooked without oil, all organic). After he get to that point -- hopefully within a couple of weeks we can go a bit further in discussing a personal treatment plan.

Get back to me with any additional information. ALways glad to help.

In peace, Roy

[HC O'Hanlon]

many thanks guys, we'll try all of this and keep you posted. He's home from hospital now and in great form - fighting! but still very very weak and still dependant on nasal-gastro tube to clear contents. have to run and start prepping food, thanks again and will talk soon

[jeffreyk]

To Roy Collins, Not to pick apart your suggestions because they seem like a very logical strategy for stomach cancer (I know cause I have it). I tried the EDEN rice drink which was good but then I was put off by their inclusion of the emulsifier carageenen. It's known for causing stomach upset even though it's a seaweed product. I looked diligently through many of the other rice milk products. Most also contain the additive & are highly refined. There is a machine available at www.simply-natural.biz/SoyQuick.php in which you are supposed to be able to make soy or rice milk from scratch. I may get one. Costs $100. A certified nutritionist told me that it's actually better in stomach cancer if the patient doesn't ingest a lot of fiber. I guess her rationale is that fiber (known to slow the digestion) would inhibit caloric intake. Stomach cancer patients are known to have a big tendency to starve regardless of what they're ingesting. She also said that higher intake of liquids would tend to promote bowel movement thus solving the fiber issue. I'm still up in the air. Any comments?

hi HC
maybe it is the most important thing now to know what kind of cancer is it, yin or yang ? which area of the stomach is it affecting, the upper part (fundus) or the lower part (pylorus)?
the first affecting the more yin ,expanded region, where the hydrochloric acid is released and is primarily caused by long-term overconsumption of yin foods (white flour, sugar, honey...etc)
the second is occures in the more yang ,contracted region ,where the pepsin is released and primarily caused by long-term overconsumption of yang foods (meats, eggs, pork...etc)
since each case has its almost opposite solution, they both agree that the patient must avoid both extremes.
if your father cant absorb any food ,and grains are the most important ingredient in the diet, what do think about BROWN RICE PORRIDGE ? it may be helpfull in your father case
i dont know much but i wanted to help
hope luck for your father
please tell us about him regularly

note: almost all what i said was experted from THE MACROBIOTIC PATH TO TOTAL HEALTH by MICHIO KUSHI and ALEX JACK

[jeffreyk]

Hello Unregistered, I'm not HC I am jeffreyk the guy with stomach cancer. I was notified of your response in an email.I've got it in the upper stomach with the esophagus affected ao I guess it's Yin. My recent life style bears this out with a lot of wine consumption, some cigars (not really YIn) and a lot of supplement use (Yin) to make up for lost sleep. I'm unfortunately at Stage 4 which leaves little room for experimentation. Since my eating capacity is limited by pain and swallowing difficulties gaining some weight now has become the highest priority. Even with the high caloric liquids I'm still losing. Am looking at Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery as a possibility to shrink the tumors and then take the Macrobiotic approach when some level of comfort is achieved. Other imput is still greatly appreciated.

[makomni]

for the yin type miso soup would be helpful with slightly more miso and cocking than usual.
bancha twig tea should be the principal beverage. you may also take it with shoyo and umeboshi pulm(sho bancha or ume-sho bancha) to nutralize the acidity of the blood.
be positive, happy and outgoing, sing a happy song each day.
you should have at least one macrobiotic book dealing with this subject like THE CANCER PREVENTION DIET which may be the best.
it may be necessary to see a macrobiotic counselor.
hope this helps

[lysia jones]

i have experienced severe upper stomach aches due to too much raw. I got better using more miso and rice, I was careful about not too much veggies even cooked but now I can enjoy alot of them w my meals. The raw food is so appealing in the summer.. Maybe you could have some massage and gentle yoga to allieviate the stress of your pain as you heal, I wonder would a soak in the warmer than hot springs may feel good. lavender, beautiful sunshine in the morning try loving yourself as if you could be nourished on every level. just a few thoughts thanks Lysia

[Denise]

Originally Posted by jeffreyk

Hello Unregistered, I'm not HC I am jeffreyk the guy with stomach cancer. I was notified of your response in an email.I've got it in the upper stomach with the esophagus affected ao I guess it's Yin. My recent life style bears this out with a lot of wine consumption, some cigars (not really YIn) and a lot of supplement use (Yin) to make up for lost sleep. I'm unfortunately at Stage 4 which leaves little room for experimentation. Since my eating capacity is limited by pain and swallowing difficulties gaining some weight now has become the highest priority. Even with the high caloric liquids I'm still losing. Am looking at Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery as a possibility to shrink the tumors and then take the Macrobiotic approach when some level of comfort is achieved. Other imput is still greatly appreciated.

Hello Jeffrey. My very good friends husband is battling stomach cancer right now. We at church have been doing tons of research on natural alternatives as chemo is so horribly toxic. We have learned of new information of the combination of flax seed and cottage cheese having great impacts in reducing tumor size in the stomach. (something to do with the combination of the bacteria in the cottage cheese and live enzymes combined with the flax) It is very promising and brand new, as strange as it sounds. If you would like, I will call and find the source of this information and all the details. I will actually find out tonight when I see her and write back tonight. I do believe there are so many answers out there if we could just find the right one. Do you juice or consume barley green??? I will start to pray for you right now that we can find a solution. I hope that is okay. Denise

[Denise]

p.s. that is great you stay away from carageenan. It has similar effects of msg which is an excitotoxin. bad stuff all the way around.