recently had brain surgery to remove a glioblasta tumour. Start radiotherapy and chemo on 1st august. First serious illness i have ever had

[Salsann1e]

alternative supplements and diet to help me cope with radiotherapy and xhemo

[JC59]

Hi there my sister was diagnosed in January at 62 lived a really healthy life with no other illnesses she is back on track now after surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy tablets and is able to live a relatively normal life, her only setback is not being able to drive which is terribly frustrating for her as she lives alone and is 3 hours away from family. I hope all goes well with your treatment, stay positive there is some great people on this site who can help with tips and advice going forward to keep you on track. Love and best wishes to you x

[Salsann1e in reply to JC59]

Thank you for replying. That is good news about your sister. I understand how she feels about not being able to drive .. same for me hate having to rely on people. Best wishes to your sisterx

[Something_blue]

Hi there, my Mum was diagnosed with GBM4 May 2021 69yrs old she had surgery to remove the tumour, chemo & radio. She had no previous illnesses walked miles everyday.

I’ll share the supplements she still takes daily and took throughout her treatment. She also takes CBD every evening and also oils and a supplement called life long vitality from a company called Doterra.

Sending you best wishes x

Meds

[Something_blue]

Not sure if they have attached (apologies if you get lots of photos!)

Meds

[Salsann1e in reply to Something_blue]

Thank you so much… how did she cope with radiotherapy and chemo

[Something_blue in reply to Salsann1e]

Not too bad, she was tired during the radio & her platelet count was low right at the end of her chemo rounds so she didn’t finish the last course. After the treatment she did become quite fatigued and a little muddled so she went on a steroid again for a short time which really helped. Main thing was the fatigue and we encouraged her to rest and have a good sleep in the afternoon. Drinking, eating a good diet & resting…listen to your body it’s so important to rest during the treatment x

[Salsann1e in reply to Something_blue]

thank you for the supplement information. i will take a visit to holland and Barrett. hope your mum is still doing well xx

[15773 in reply to Salsann1e]

How are you doing?

[Tansi75]

Hi Salsann1e

I was diagnosed with a grade 4 glio in May 2010.

I know this might seem a bit far fetched at the moment, but it will enable you to stay positive. My wife and I were always clear that we would still have a long life together ahead of us from the day after I was admitted to hospital. As with any traumatic event you have to have hope and belief in a future to get through it.

You must take each day and step, one at a time, what you are now going through is a journey, which can have a positive outcome and life beyond the prognosis.

I found it useful to reflect whilst recovering and see the situation as a life changing opportunity, I was 51 at the time. You are at a crossroads in life and can go in any direction you choose, just take you time and believe that you can get through this together. Staying positive is important, as is laughter, which is a great healer.

Do not waste time using the internet to look up what has happened to other people, everyone's experience of a brain tumour is individual and unique; you should concentrate on living in the 'here and now'.

Some steps you can take to fight this disease are:-

i. Change of diet, cut out any unnecessary sugar, which feeds cancer cells, include blueberries, pecan nuts and turmeric spice, which have anti cancer properties. I buy my blueberries from British Frozen Fruits which come in 2kg bags.

ii. Drink ozonated water, which has extra oxygen in it - oxygen kills cancer cells. I have been drinking it since May 2010, also when I was taking my chemo tablets. I use a Sota water ozonator, which is available to buy on-line - there are cheaper versions, but the Sota comes in a travelling case and is portable. I always take it with me when on holidays, etc.

iii. Goggle 'The Truth About Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide', which is an American document; the one I used to make my decision to use it. I have been adding 5 drops of 3% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide (multi-purpose) into a 1/2 pint of ozonated water since 2010, which I take 3 times a day. I buy my supply from Bobby's Healthy Shop (South West UK) on-line.

iv. Use food supplements to boost his immune system. I have been using Higher Natures ImmunePlus tablets since 2010, which are designed for this and their Complete Omega tablets which are good for the brain. These can be bought on-line and the company is a UK one.

From my experience I also believe it is important to keep the brain working, so before, after surgery, during and after treatment I read, listened to music, did crossword puzzles, played the preloaded game on my mobile phone. I also used jigsaws to help with my spatial skills.

The Brain Tumour Charity's BRIAN APP is a good source of advice and help. It also has features that will be useful for you whilst you go through treatment - I have placed a recent post on the site about it. Also you can use the BRIAN APP to set up reminders to take your medication, monitor your progress/side effects.

By using the BRIAN APP you will also be providing useful data, which may help researchers in their work. An important feature on BRIAN is that you can give your Oncologist/health professionals access to your data, this is what I have done, so they have a more informed picture of how you are progressing through your treatment and beyond, during your reviews.

When you take your chemo tablet, drink a pint of water as this helps the chemo to be absorbed into the body quicker.

I hope this helps, if you have any questions, please do ask them and I will reply.

[Salsann1e in reply to Tansi75]

Many thanks for your positive reply. Im going to order some hydrogen peroxide today. Will give anything a try. I start my treatment today. Any tips for the radiotherapy which is at 1130. Im so glad to hear you are doing so well. Im a great believer in being positive but sometimes it’s difficult when something like this happens. Im single too so it can be lonely at times. Thanks again and best wishes

[Tansi75 in reply to Salsann1e]

There is nothing to worry about regarding radiotherapy, just stay still and concentrate on relaxing during the treatment. I never had a problem with it, my treatment was in the right temporal lobe area.

[Salsann1e in reply to Tansi75]

Hi TansiIm now on day 3 of chemo and radiotherapy and already not feeling good. Im feeling sick most of the day despite the tablets they have given me. Wondered if you experienced this.do you know if any natural sups to help?

Thank you

[Tansi75 in reply to Salsann1e]

I didn't suffer from sickness when I was going through my treatment.

The supplements I was taking at the time were Higher Natures ImmunePlus and their Complete Omega 3:6:7:9 tablets. I was also drinking ozonated water, taking a pint of it with my chemo tablet.

How is your diet at the moment, are you eating blueberries and pecan nuts with your breakfast? What are you eating?

Is it possible to take your chemo tablet late evening before going to bed, so you can sleep through possible side effects?

[Salsann1e in reply to Tansi75]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I have to take the chemo tablets before the radiotherapy and my appointments are in the morning so I take the chemo about 0800 which has to be 2 hours before food. Yesterday I didn’t feel sick . So hoping it’s getting better. Im trying to eat healthy fish and lots of greens . Put lots of things in smoothies. All the stuff you read is so confusing…. Don’t eat sugar or carbs etc etcAnyway I’ll battle on and thanks again x

[Tansi75 in reply to Salsann1e]

Ok, the only time I felt sick, but wasn't, was because I was taking too much fluid in the morning, in a short space of time. We had bought a juicer and as well as drinking a cup of tea, ozonated water and then a glass of fresh orange juice, I began to feel sick. I cut out the orange juice in the morning, which sorted out the problem.It's good that you didn't feel sick yesterday and I hope it continues.

I decided not to read up on other peoples experiences and to just take things as they came, which I still do. Go with your instincts on what you think and feel is best for yourself.

Are you using the BRIAN APP to help keep a record of any side effects, set reminders for taking tablets, keep a record of your quality of life, etc?

Stay positive, you can get through this.

[Who-said-that in reply to Salsann1e]

Eat what you feel like eating after your treatment Take the chemo tablets on a totally empty stomach

[Who-said-that in reply to Salsann1e]

Drink plenty of water and try green tea. I haven’t changed my diet It’s a falacy that sugar feeds cancer when you’ve been diagnosed with. Glioblastoma grade 4 and have to give up driving international travelling (can’t get insurance, pressure on brain dangerous blah blah blah. I’ve generally eaten healthily and plant based cut down on dairy food switched to soya or oat milk and eat what I like… cake? Yep! Organic non processed foods walking as far as I can, deep breathing and mindfulness, resting when I need to , no sensory overload. No additional supplements . I eat what I crave, drink lots of tea I’m British! I was diagnosed in 2015 grade 4 glioblastoma I love my life

[Salsann1e in reply to Who-said-that]

thank you . im now nearly at the end of week 3 of my treatment and i haven’t felt too bad. i found out my treatment is another 3 weeks and then they give me a rest and then restart the chemo but not the radiotherapy. the doctor mentioned that side effects will be worse towards the end of my treatment. did you find this? i was going to book myself in a retreat but doctor said not to just in case i didn’t feel well.

[JC59 in reply to Salsann1e]

Hi, give yourself at least three months after your last treatment of radiotherapy, my sister was at her worst when it finished, she is now feeling much better and we are going away for a few days next week, book yourself a retreat when you feel much better and enjoy! x

[Salsann1e in reply to JC59]

thanks for your reply. i had better prepare myself then for the end of the treatment. i recovered quickly from the surgery and haven’t really felt too bad during the treatment so just assumed at the end of it all i would be fine. thanks agsin

[JC59 in reply to Salsann1e]

Hi there I suppose we are all different my sister recovered well from surgery and first three weeks of radiotherapy was good then in the 4th week she started to feel tired etc but you might be one that sales through the treatment which would be great for you glad you are feeling good 😊 take care of yourself x

[Salsann1e in reply to JC59]

thank you and hope your sister continues to feel well.

[15773]

Good evening, my husband was diagnosed with gbm4 in December 21.

He is still on chemo cycles.

He finds taking an anti sickness tablet at 8.15pm and then chemo tablet at 8.45pm and going to bed around 9pm helps enormously. By day 5 (of 5 day cycle) he feels v nauseous but it starts to diminish in a few days.

He drinks plenty of water and eats little and often. For breakfast he has homemade granola with pecans, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds etc. This seems to help.

Rest is important too.

Hope you start to feel better

[Salsann1e in reply to 15773]

Thank you. I wish I could take the chemo in the evening but I have to take it before tge radiotherapy which is usually in the morning before 10am. Yesterday I didn’t feel sick so hoping today will be the same. Best wishes to you both xx