Prevention news - from Dr. Andrew Weil

Resveratrol May Prevent Breast Cancer

It’s still much too soon to say for sure, but new research suggests that resveratrol, the antioxidant found in red wine, the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries and cranberries, may have a role to play in breast cancer prevention. Laboratory studies indicate that resveratrol can slow the formation of abnormal cells that leads to most types of breast cancer. Breast cancer often begins when estrogen interacts with DNA molecules to set a process of cell transformation in motion, which eventually leads to the disease. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center measured the effect of different doses of resveratrol and found that even amounts as low as you would get in a glass of wine did the trick. In addition to its effect on abnormal cell formation, resveratrol increased production of an enzyme that inactivates dangerous estrogen metabolites, possibly further decreasing breast cancer risk. So far, all of this has happened only in the test-tube. No one knows if resveratrol will have similar effect in humans. The study was published in the July 2008 issue of Cancer Prevention Research.

Note from Marcia: If this were the case, I'd have thought I'd be immune.... I quit drinking about 6 years ago - maybe that was my mistake! ;)

Radiation - 1 of 30

To those of you who actually check this site for updates - my apologies. Just haven't felt like blogging. Had my last chemo infusion on June 26. Have been gradually getting my strength back with a couple of setbacks. Felt ill for a few days last week. Have some anemia. Also have steroid myopathy - an atrophy of my leg muscles from the steroids I was taking for chemo. My thigh muscles are very weak and it makes it difficult for me to stand, climb, even bend or straighten my legs. Doc says this should ease up in time.

Had my first radiation treatment today. Treatments will be daily (M-F) for 6 weeks. Takes about 10 minutes total. I lie on a metal table and receive two radiation doses, one from each side. I'm likely to experience some skin reaction (like a sunburn) starting in a couple of weeks and am using products to help alleviate or prevent the burning.

Also started taking Tamoxifen today. This is a drug which prohibits my body's production of estrogen, which feeds my particular type of cancer. I will take this daily for at least three years, at which time I will likely be switched to a drug called Femara, which I'll take for another two years at least.

The good news - and there is a lot of it - is that I'm feeling stronger all the time. I'm getting my sense of taste back. I have a little bit of hair on my head. I haven't noticed any negative reactions to the Tamoxifen. Not sure yet about the radiation, since that was just an hour ago.

Anyway, the poem posted below which I found today was particularly meaningful to me because I know I have lots of support from many realms. I want to say "thank you" to the many friends who are supporting me right now. It means so much to me to know you're there.

The Warrior

For surely you did not choose this battle.
Rather it chose you.
And standing on the edge of what
you cannot escape is most tormenting.
But take one final breath before the plunge.
And charge forward -
knowing that you go not alone,
but in might company of all who stand ready to fight at your side.
And knowing that where your spirit is weakened,
there you will find untold strength.
Where your heart is fearful,
there you will find immeasurable courageousness.
And where your soul is mired in darkness,
there you will find the most penetrating light,
the most powerful beacon showing you the way.

Mark Peters, Copyright 2005

I'm still here!

Sorry I haven't posted anything in so long. I'll try to be brief with this update. Had my third infusion Thursday, June 5th, and it went without a hitch. Due to my earlier reaction to the Taxotere, it was dripped in more slowly this time. I was there over 3 hours, which is kind of a drag, but it is what it is. For whatever reason, I developed another fever this time. Following infusion #2, I had a brief fever about 3-4 days later, but it only lasted about 10 hours. This time, my fever started some time Monday afternoon and didn't let up until this morning. It never got to 101, so I did not take antibiotics, just monitored it. Between the fever and the chemo sickness, it was a long few days, but both let up today and let me tell you, I don't know when I've been so happy to be alive. I had a smile on my face while loading the dishwasher and washing machine - that's how happy I was. One infusion left - June 26th.

Couple of things I've learned: That old saw, "When you have your health, you have everything" - those may be the wisest words ever spoken. And sadly, they don't become truly meaningful until you lose your health and understand why they're such important words. Please do whatever you can now to protect and improve your health. Hopefully, you won't experience "the moment that changes your life," but if you do, best to be in optimum health so that you can meet the challenge in the best condition possible. And in the meantime, enjoy every moment to the fullest.

Other thing I've learned: Twin Peaks was a weird show. I'm watching it thanks to NetFlix and I had no idea what it was about or what its style was. Leave it to David Lynch. No wonder people were intrigued by it. Anyway, I'm still in Season 1 so no spoilers please. :D

Curious? Watch Curious.

PBS's NewsHour last evening (5/20/08) had a bit about bisphenol-A that went so far as to suggest a link to the increasing breast and prostate cancer rates in the US. Bottom line, despite the famous line from The Graduate, the word today is not "plastics." It's glass, or any other known-to-be-safe, recyclable product. Why wait to find out more? Switch now. All the plastic we use - and we use tons of it - will sit in the landfills for centuries. It's not good for us or the planet. OK. Enough of that for now.

PBS also aired episode #101 of Curious last night which included two segments: one on capturing solar energy, and one on an important breakthrough in chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients. I highly recommend watching the program if you can. It will air again in San Diego on 5/22 between 3-4 a.m., and on 5/27 between 2-3 a.m. That second segment concerns a woman with breast cancer, her husband (a researcher at Cal Tech), and a man from Long Beach, CA, who has pancreatic cancer that has metastisized. Having lost my own father to pancreatic cancer, the program was especially poignant for me; but I felt light as a feather after watching it. I hope you will see it.

Meanwhile, I'm slowly regaining strength following my chemo, and have now managed 3 of 5 injections of Neupogin. Will be glad to have the 5th done with on Saturday. Can't say I'm wild about it, but trying to keep a positive outlook all the same. Hair is gone and I'm learning scarf-tying tricks. Actually, I've only learned one, but perhaps it will suffice. I still shampoo my head. Old habits.... :D Saves a lot of time in the morning when you don't have any hair. Putting on makeup seems odd when you're bald, and jewelry, but at least I look a little more like a girl. I think. Hope you have a nice Memorial Day weekend - stay safe.

Round 2 this afternoon, plus link to video

I have my second infusion this afternoon, and what a difference from the first time. No jitters or anxiety at all. This time, I'll be receiving instruction in subcutaneous injections so that I may administer Neupogin, an immune system booster, 5 times over the 10 days following my treatment today. At least I know what to expect now, and will likely skip the day of feeling sorry for myself that I indulged in last time. I am armed with your love and good wishes, and a really terrific Netflix lineup. :D The current season of The Riches, which I had Tivo-d, pulled me through last time. This time, I've got Buffy (season 2), Twin Peaks (season 1), and both seasons of England's The Enemy at the Door; all being seen for the first time. Also got a couple of Eddy Izzard shows, for good measure.

Recently, NPR aired an excellent documentary entitled The Truth About Cancer, which was followed up by a fascinating panel discussion hosted by Linda Ellerbee and composed of four doctors who are all cancer survivors. While the documentary is heart-wrenching, it is also a very worthwhile thing to see. It offers a most honest and thorough picture of cancer and its treatment. I tried to watch it on my "poor me" day following the first chemo treatment, and found I couldn't stand it. But I gave it another chance when I was feeling stronger, and was so glad I did. It is an important film that needed to be made, and I hope you will see it, if you can.

Best wishes to all, and lots of love - I know I have yours and it means the world to me. Thank you!

Quick update

Well, as you know, I felt pretty lousy the first week after treatment, and then I gradually started feeling better. Then I entered the so-called "nadir" stage, or period of lowest white blood cell count and lowest immunity. This stage happens 7-12 days following treatment and chemo patients have to be extra careful not to get sick during this time. This past Monday was the 11th day and I did start to feel poorly that day. A fever developed and I ended up going to the hospital and was admitted. I received antibiotics and then after a day - when my white blood cell count (WBC) remained too low to suit my doctor - I was given a white blood cell production booster. That did the trick and I was released the following day. Mom was down at the hospital every day, supplying me with magazines and crossword puzzles. I had a comfortable room and good nurses. The food was terrible, and they don't give you enough (nod to Woody Allen). Actually, it was garbage, and I ate every bite. It's no wonder all those people in there are sick. Tip: Bring your own food, or have it catered. Anyway, I was very happy to get home to my own bed and to see Buster again. From here on out, I'll be using the WBC booster for 10 days following treatment. It doesn't eliminate the possibility of infection, but reduces it considerably; I'll still have to be careful. Next treatment: this Thursday. I'll be halfway done! I picked up a free wig and brimmed hat (chemo makes your skin sun sensitive) courtesy of the American Cancer Society. I think that's all the news for now. Happy Mother's Day to everyone!