Down a Wormhole

Isn’t that the real name of the internet? Well, what ever you call it that is where I have been, and I have to get out! I’m hoping writing about my latest obsession will help me find my way out!

When  I was diagnosed I was warned about the internet and I really did not do too much research. You know, who is to be believed? It’s a wormhole. There is just as much bunk (perhaps more bunk) than truth. Once I found my oncologist and my naturopath, I really stayed away from the wormhole. I have two highly regarded, experienced and trusted people to lead my through this cancer. I rely on them. I also have a stomach cancer website that I use to connect with people and  read about issues regarding stomach cancer.

Just two weeks ago, my sister, Kathy, sent me an article. It was a cancer article. One of those I might have looked at before I had my guides. The article came from a reliable, highly respected physician, to my nephew, Jamie then to Kathy. She said she wouldn’t normally send me this kind of article (and she hasn’t), but because of the source gave it more weight. It’s an article that could be lost among the thousands of articles out there about augmenting cancer treatment. It was not an “instead of chemo” kind of thing, but in addition to chemo…how to  help make chemo more effective. Mike and I read it, it made sense, knowing the other things we already know about cancer. We read more about it in the wormhole and then found it had been published on a website that publishes lots and lots of alternative treatments for all kinds of things. When I saw that, I was turned off. It was that kind of website to me. Cure this with blueberries, cure that with walnuts. But I had researched enough before I saw that site that I was still intrigued. So I passed it on to Dr. Standish.

Dr. Standish had heard a great deal about what she called the “Turkish Method”. There are quite a few components, many I will not be able to do, but what I was most interested in was the part I could control without extra doctors or dollars. It prescribes a ketogenic diet and  fasting. I was just winding down from my low fiber diet so, what the heck, I can do any kind of diet! There are several versions of the ketogenic diet. It has been around for years. There is a version that helps control a certain kind of epilepsy. It is quite common along with intermittent fasting for body builders. And now there is a version to augment chemo therapy. Unfortunately, Dr. Standish did not have a lot of details, but there are plenty of details to be found. And I decided (in hindsight too quickly) to start right then. This was a Monday, last Monday and I had chemo on Wednesday. Maybe I could effect this chemo in a positive way.

All cells use energy.  Mostly carbs that are readily available in most of our diets. If you cut way down on carbs, eat a moderate amount of protein (because cells can get energy there, too) and increase the fats in your diet then your cells will have no carbs or glucose to use for fuel. Your body then produces ketones for your cells. Your typical cells know how to use ketones for fuel and cancer cells are just stressed that you’ve cut out the carbs and glucose AND they can’t use ketones for energy. 14 hours prior to chemo you fast, I think your typical cells kind of hibernate at this point (might be making that up) so, when that chemo comes in, it has glucose and the cancer cells lap it up. And your typical cells are doing fine on the ketones. Anyway, that is my version of cancer and ketones.

I’ve known that sugar is not a good source of food when you have cancer. Actually, we all know it is not good for any of us. Yet, there it is. I’ve cut out sugar and carbs from my diet off and on plenty of times. And I do not have a sugar habit at all. But I’ve never just said, ok, no more sugar because of cancer. I also am trying to live a normal life off and on while fighting the beast. A balance is never easy to find. But, for a limited time I could try this keto thing, so in the wormhole I go.

There are many, many websites, videos, blogs, books, ebooks articles and more about the ketogenic diet. Not as many for keto and cancer, but there are plenty of those, too. This diet is a fat heavy diet with 75-85% of your diet coming from fat. Protein is kept at 12-20% and carbs get the little 2-5% that is left. This I have found is no easy task. I have used the app Myfitnesspal to help me track and in the past week the closest I have come is two days in a row with 76% fat, 16% protein and 8% carbs. I am a veggie first person! I’ve always known that good fats are good for you! But, oh my, this is really tricky! The high fat is very filling and I’m eating much less volume than I usually eat and so to keep the ratio of carbs low, that is a very small amount of the lowest carb veggies!

Moving to a keto diet you are warned that initially you will feel sluggish and low energy. Well, chemo does that already and with this on top of it… I am really sluggish, really, really low energy. And with the little energy I have I am trying to turn my diet upside down!

I found a great advocate, cancer survivor, nutritionist from Ireland that has loads of information. Today I was reading her warnings to start slow and have a guide. I dove in with the help of Betty and family, but no experts. Today I feel like throwing in the towel on this. Most websites are only so helpful and then they want money for more details, more help. It is a struggle knowing who to trust inside that wormhole. I did order one book on Amazon and already sent it back! While blogging my gmail is peeking up to the left side on the screen. I got a reply from a nutritionist that Dr. Standish suggested. She is in Seattle and does help people with a keto diet but does not have experience with the cancer specific keto diet. I stopped to take a peek and she only wants to charge one arm and one leg…not both! I did seek guidance from the nutritionists at Swedish. Laura was helpful, and I have a call into her for some more support.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do. Other than take a nap. But at least for now, prior to chemo next week, I will do high fat, medium protein, low carb, I just don’t think I can keep trying to hit this high bar. I will do the fast 14 hours before chemo which is no big deal since chemo is in the morning. Other than that, no promises. I really, really miss my veggies!

And to my very dear meal train friends: because you've been feeding Mike, we have not had to think so much about his meals and have been able to put more focus on this keto puzzle. So, thank you, immensely! 

I’ll keep you posted

with love 

Janet

PS on a completely different note, Maggie is looking for a housemate from May 1st through Aug 31st. Cost is $888 a month plus utilities. It is a sweet little house in a primo spot in Fremont. Perfect for a summer intern…anyone know anyone?