Dad and Daughter Date at the Cancer Clinic

 So precious for us both to have our dads here on the same day. (We really didn’t plan that.) They got to see where we go and what exactly we do there. So, so thankful for them and their support. And, of course are dads are in flip-flop positions. My dad is by Amanda and her dad, Tom, is next to me. But we are all family here...so it really doesn’t matter. 

I’ve had lots of questions about the ice packs on my head, hands and feet. So let me explain. Standard chemo and radiation are what actually kill most cancer patients. So I don’t get a standard dose of chemo. I get low-dose chemo that is administered like a hook and bait. Cancer cells have more insulin receptors than a normal cell. That’s why you see a lot of underweight cancer patients. Cancer feeds on glucose and it is going to snatch it all up before other cells can use the glucose for energy. Therefore, I am on a pseudo Keto diet (high amounts of good quality fat, extremely low amounts of carbs and protein, zero sugar, lots of low carb veggies). Since I am on that diet my blood sugar is naturally below 100, usually 80. I fast before my chemo days. My nurse checks my blood glucose initially and gives me insulin amount appropriate for me that day. Then the nurse keeps checking my glucose every 5 minutes until it gets below 50. Then “bam!” Game time. She pushes my chemo cocktail for the day based on my type of cancer. It’s usually 3-9 different syringes. Once they are all in...the best part of my life with cancer...fresh fruit juice, fresh organic fruit and some nuts or a nut butter. Yum! Life is good. That spikes my glucose back to where it was before we started the insulin drop. With that sugar (glucose) now in my system, that baits my cancer so it’s receptor cells open up to receive their food, glucose. Then while they are open to receive, that’s when the chemo agents are able to penetrate into my now open cancer cells. Sneaky, eh? But what about the ice packs on my extremities? Chemo often causes nerve damage in hands and feet as well as the obvious hair loss. So the ice cools those places, causing blood restriction, thus inhibiting the chemo agents from going there. Meanwhile, I am wearing a heating pad on my chest increasing blood flow so chemo does go where I want it. But the heat is also not cancer’s friend, so the heat inhibits it’s growth. How’s that for a confusing, but short explanation of my chemo days? 

Ok, one last comment. Tom just read an article from last fall about this “new” cancer therapy. During standard chemo you can get an ice skullcap to help avoid hair loss...for $2,000! And “new”? Integrative clinics have been using this technique for many years. And they don’t charge 2k. Industry verses true health care.