Radiation can cause some inflammation. I was taking steroids last year. Very low dose. Like 2mg/day.

I know we've bickered back and forth over the last year or so, but this is real life. I lost my brother after doctors found he had a brain tumor almost immediately before he passed.

You'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Hmmmm not sure he wants THOSE kinda prayers :)

Good radiation today!

No weird sensations, but got a nose full of the acrid, smoke smell.

Nothing like getting a whiff of your own brain cooking.

Awesome shit.

Wellllllppp... NOW I am going to take some of my anti-nausea meds!

Just kidding. That does sound hideous, though.

I'm pretty sure I'd melt down if I thought I could smell my brain cooking. Props for holding your shit together.

Wow! Keep fighting. You will beat this.

Hang tough

To be realistic, you don't beat brain cancer. Especially this kind. They can extend you a bit with treatment, but my life span got significantly reduced with the development of this. And the initial diagnosis, after surgery where they removed the main meatwad, was Stage 4, which, as I understand, is not on the "good" end of the scale that has only four stages on it.

I'm not fatalistic by any means, but this is some pretty nasty stuff.

We'll just do what the docs say and see what they come up with to help pump the brakes on this shit, but, to be honest, I'm pretty much a walking organ donor at this point. Actually, I'm not even sure that they can use my organs due to the cancer deal. Might have to ask the doc what the deal is with that. That would be tragic if I couldn't donate as most of my organs seem to be in pretty good shape.

This.

I have wondered the same and also about donating blood. I hate needles, so I won't volunteer, but I am curious if my cancer and the chemo in particular makes it so my blood is no good for anyone else or even dangerous.

im not in your shoes, but recently my mom helped me go through her death from cancer.
you are not even close to my mom, quite possible you are the wrong sex. she got it, you got it, and ill bitch bitch at you. do you got someone better closer?

This is a semi-educated guess, but I don't believe the chemo should affect your ability to donate blood in reality (there probably isn't a real medical risk to the recipient, given your diagnosis), but I don't believe that you can donate blood while being actively treated, and there are additional restrictions depending on the type of malignancy (for example, you have to be clear much longer if you had leukemia).

The chemo you are on wouldn't affect your blood, but you don't want to donate because I'd bet you're likely to become anemic, as all of your fastest-growing cells are having a methyl group stuck on one of the four DNA bases, which effectively stops them in their tracks, meaning that your marrow is likely to take a pounding (along with the cancer, and, sadly, your balls).

Mormon prayers have been clinically proven to be the most effective, asshole.

:rolleyes:

How big's your penis? If it's more than 6" I've got dibs. I need all the help I can get.

Oh, yeah, and the obligatory "cancer sucks". My dad keeps dodging it with radiation but it got my mom this past April, and I've lost many a relative to it.

Wow, hang in there man. Not sure how I have missed this thread before but prayers and good thoughts coming your way!

WOW Thoughts and prayers dude.

Head is starting to become "chaffed" from the radiation. Hot spots that I am beginning to notice. They don't nuke on the weekends, so I'll have two days off from that shit after tomorrow mornings session. (Which isn't all that bad - about three minutes under the Beam Master SLX on days they aren't taking images.)

However, my foot is now kinda messed up. I think I pulled/stretched a ligament in my left one long boarding tonight. Been practicing over in the church parking lot after work to get the feel of the board back underneath me, which is feeling good other than when my push/left foot kinda went "doink!" tonight. Have ice on it now. Hopefully it isn't too bad. A little sick of doctors poking at me at this point.

Board pics!

Well shit...CP is not uploading the pics from my computer. Anyone?

Be sure to take Aloe Vera pills to protect your stomach and innards. I know there isn't "solid science" behind it but everyone I've known to have radiation therapy say they help.

And they're cheap on Amazon, too. Good luck!

You can upload to Imgur.com then post the pic url(s)

Alright...let's see if that works:

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/K7dY7i8.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/9BoYAB5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/oF7tJXT.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/mTqb2JI.jpg[/IMG]

Can you lotion the dome or will it jack up the nuclear attack?

Aloe Vera lotion is the best remedy for radiation burns to date, as far as I know.

The nurse said that a good quality lotion with no perfumes or dyes is just fine - in fact, she recommended that I use something once it starts becoming irritated - just apply it several hours before the nuking at least so that you don't have a vaseline slick up there when they hit you with the nukes.

However, because I love burning myself all the time and know how good it feels on regular burns, I think I'll go with Dane's suggestion of an aloe vera type deal. Sounds acceptable.

You have my best wishes that you beat this shit.

FWIW, I have access to a number of medical databases, one of which is Natural Medicines. Here is information from the monograph regarding aloe vera:

Radiation-induced skin toxicity. Radiation therapy for cancer often causes erythema, skin desquamation, and itching. Applying 98% aloe gel three times daily throughout radiation treatment and after treatment does not seem to reduce these radiation-related side effects in patients being treated for breast cancer (12098, 12163). Applying 100% aloe gel 6-8 times daily also does not seem to reduce these radiation-related side effects in people treated for other cancers. Also, applying an aloe-based gel once daily after radiation treatment is less effective than applying anionic phospholipid-based cream in reducing dryness, erythema, and peeling in children being treated for Hodgkin's disease (19855). However, some evidence suggests that aloe gel might prolong the time before radiation-related side effects occur, but only when the cumulative dose of radiation is high (>2,700 cGy) (12159).

It's probably not going to help you.

Regarding oral aloe:

Chemotherapy adjuvant: 10mL of a blend containing 300g of fresh aloe leaves, 500g of honey, and 40mL of 40% alcohol has been used three times daily every day either with or after administration of chemotherapy, depending on disease progression (19752).

The 19752 is a Medline link to a study that tested tumor regression in various types of metastatic cancer. There was some evidence suggesting that an aloe-based compound may help in association with chemotherapy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.proxy.li...?dopt=Abstract

It's generally going to be safe for you to take, but don't take it with Digoxin, Warfarin, or diabetes meds.

Interesting. I've never heard that.

Super-cool of you to look into this.

CP = awesome.

I was told I could have some irritation from this last year, but all I experienced was hair loss.

My radiation begins next month.

Is it the standard deal on the Beam Master SLX?

I think that there is a step up program, something like "SRS" but I am not sure. (Kinda new to this whole process.)
Attachment 110833

Looks similar to the machine that they used on me last year. Mine looked older, though.

Do you know if you're getting Gamma or X? I just got X last year. I won't know anything about radiation this time until I meet the Radiologist on the 3rd.

This has the look of broken tailbone to me.

I am so old the the first skateboards on the scene Dad got us one. It had metal wheels like the old key tightened outdoor roller skates. It worked pretty good in the new smooth asphalt subdivision streets or Church parking lot. Then the city came along and decided chip and seal was a good idea for maintenance of streets. Those gravel rock would throw you headlong onto the pavement and generally just vibrate the piss out of ya. This was maybe like early to mid 60s. Scrapped knees elbows we lived with and liked it. Oh and helmets were unheard of. Kewl board brought back some long ago memories.

Goodluck and Godspeed!

Three weeks into the radiation and chemo.

Don't feel much different and had a meet with the oncologist yesterday and he said everything (blood, organs, etc.) looked fine from an operational standpoint. Said "If I didn't see your oncology report, I'd just think that you were a normal, healthy guy."

Big drawback to the chemo pills: My bowel movements have turned into goat shits/rabbit pellets/deer droppings/etc. I've had two normal shits in three weeks and that's probably being generous.

Drinking two 8 oz. glasses of prune juice everyday along with 12 oz. of apple juice in an attempt to keep the pellets coming out.

Neurosurgeon and oncologist said I could start working out again, so I went to the gym today. I don't think I'm going to go as full-bore as I was right up until the brain surgery situation, but it was nice to hit the iron again. Although, since I've been putting in 10 hour days at work for the past two weeks I do have to keep an eye on my physical fatigue situation.

I'm also developing a crush on one of my radiation technicians. I'm trying to figure out if making an attempt to bang her is breaking some sort of ehtical medical patient code or not. I'm thinking not.

I am glad things seem to be going well, except for the pooping part. My current treatments have been causing havoc in that regard. Luckily, it seems to be one day or two during a treatment cycle where my colon goes berserk. It's great that you are working out, too. I've been lifting a little, but my endurance is just shot. Even working outside on a cool day, I will break a sweat after half an hour. Listen to your body and if you feel like you've hit the wall, stop. That's my advice!

Heal him God,just heal him!

Sounds like you're tolerating the radiation and chemo reasonably well, Sacc. Also, good to hear that said treatments are not affecting your libido at all......good luck with the treatments AND the radiation technician! Keep us posted.

LOL Are you on Temodar/Temozolomide? That is exactly the type of movements I had last year from it.

That's great that you can work.

That radiation kicked my ass last year. Very tired all the time. The Avastin I'm getting every 2 weeks causes fatigue, but it's not as bad.

I may not need radiation. Radiologist wants an MRI. They want a fresh look at the tumor bed.

Yo sacc how are those kryptonics wheels holding up ? I had them on a Santa Cruz cruiser when I was younger and they split apart like literally split in half A few weeks in? Get some Abec Gumballs on that mother ****er! Best of
Luck to you bud

That is a good thing, I hope? And does the Avastin give you nosebleeds? It had mine bleeding almost constantly, but not always flowing. Blowing my nose would often lead to blood running down my chin.

Kryptonics recently re-issued their Star Trac line of wheels, which basically revolutionized the skateboard industry in the '70's and '80's.

They are balls out. Smooth and fast. I'm running the 82 durometer blues (as you can see in the pictures). Pretty pleased with them so far.

Nope. Today was my 4th treatment and the only thing so far is fatigue.

Glad it's not f'ing your life up bud.

Pay attention to the fatigue. Chemo/radiation are hard on your body and not getting enough rest can put stress on organs that are already under stress and shit.

By the way, all eithical issues are on her end. Swing away.

Thought I'd drop this here too. Hope it helps

More

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/ultr...mor-first-time

My dad has some but it's always a small amount. Similar to what you may experience with a sinus infection and not your typical nose bleed.

BTW, when diagnosed he was given 12-24 months to live.

December will be 24 months and there are still two different treatments he can try if/when what he's on is no longer effective. At this point his tumor/anomaly hasn't shown any signs of growth in 6 months...

this is huge, and not just for cancer.

Week four of the radiation and chemo.

Starting to get a little more tired during the day, but I find that if I sit and close my eyes for about 15 minutes or so it goes away.

Been just a little queasy the last two days on and off, but haven't lost any appetite.

Sacc, sounds like you're tolerating the radiation and chemo pretty damned well. Well done, good sir!!!

Did you get with the radiation tech yet?

Not yet, but we are discussing the potential of going and find some beer. She's cute.

Where in Montana? Bozeman had a brewery the last time I was in town in 2004. Moose Drool brown is a good choice, too!

High 5 from me Sacc...

If y'all are into podcasts Tim Ferriss has one about ketogenic diets and glioblastomas.

Fascinating stuff, interviews a pharmacologist from USF..

I'll check it out after I finish the last of these donuts I bought this morning.

Truth.

But since I was vegan and low carb for a year and a half and still got stuck with this, I'm not really totally sure about the validity of the ketogenic diet in terms of relating to brain cancer. I'll check it out though, so thanks for the info.

I'm with you. When my brother was diagnosed he had friends from church ask him what sin he was living with that caused God to give him cancer.

I don't know if a diet can have much effect, but the research is pretty wild.

Sounds like you are handling the chemo well.

All the best bud.

Just finished the first run/series of radiation treatments and chemo on Thursday. Seven weeks, 33 treatments of radiation and chemo pills every day during that time.

Worked full time through the whole deal (including a lot of 11+ hour days) and never really got hit with fatigue or nausea. (I did take the week of Thanksgiving off to spend it with my daughter.)

I did that last year. It kicked my ass.

There is no known cause for Gliomas. None.

What is your age, Sac?

They hypothesize that it's stem cells that all of a sudden jump into hyperdrive and trigger the nerve cells into malignancy. But, as you said, they have no real idea.

Oncologist said that they wouldn't have even have noticed anything 10 months before my initial episode that sent me to the hospital in the first place.

After the radiation and chemo?

I approximate 1034.

Drivers license says 48.

The 23 year old I was banging last night thought I was 30.

Somewhere in-between I imagine.

Good to hear the chemo is treating you pretty well Sac. My mom gets knocked on her ass with it (pancreatic cancer). Everyone is different with it. Hopefully its working. As for the diet, pot brownies would be in my regimen. As was said, research and recommendations are all over the board. All my mom's doc says is eat what she can handle and try to keep her sugar under control. By the way, how's your immune system holding up with all this?

48?

Damn. You're an iron horse. LOL

I'm 45. Last year I was fatigued a lot. There was no way I could work a full time job.

Hang in there bro. God speed!

I never lost my appetite. In fact, I think I put on 8 lbs. over the seven weeks just because I was worried about it dropping.

I did notice I started to gravitate towards sugary foods towards the end of the seven weeks, but, what the hell - I figured that a couple of cookies wasn't going to do any more harm than what I already had going.

Immune system was fine. Was taking some such antibiotic during radiation just to be careful. Doctor said that my organ functions were all perfect through the whole deal. Said she wouldn't have known that I was doing chemo and radiation for Stage 4 brain cancer if she didn't have the charts in front of her.

Actually, I think working helped me a ton. There were a couple of times that my eyes just shut, so I would go sit down for about 15 minutes and that would cover it for the rest of the day.

I think keeping moving and walking and everything helped keep my body up and shit flowing through.

Stayed totally overly hydrated through the whole process as well, which I think helped a lot.

Didn't drink any alcohol (except for last night - as I was celebrating my coming off my chemo/radiation with this ****ing smoking 23 year old and wanted a bit of a drunk on). Don't smoke, don't do drugs. Eat pretty clean all the time. (Except for that yearly McRib fest.) I also have the constitution of a draft ox.

It all helped I think.

Was it Couldwell or Randy Jensen that worked on you?

Neither.

I hear they have a solid department. My good friend at Ohio State Neurosurgery raved about their program.

Do they put you on an Alkaline diet ?

Incredibly impressed with the Neurological Acute Care unit at the University of Utah hospital. Very professional and knowledgeable. Follow up with the people at Huntsman as been equally good.

As shitty as this deal is, their professionalism and competency at all levels has been superb and has made this procedure much easier.

Good to hear you are in otherwise great health Sac. Keep us up-to-date. Beat cancer's ass.

Cool... Very cool!

Hell yes, that is very good news.

That is ****ing awesome! Major kudos.

Curious as to what their name is. I had my 2nd tumor removed there in August.

You can PM.

Edit: If you do not want to give out that info, I understand.