Iowa City Appointment

We are heading back from our appointment with Dr. Nicly in Iowa City. She reviewed with us some options for Joe in Alternative Therapy. We found that there are a few roads we could follow in what she recommends for alternative treatment. One is nutritional and supplemental based where it consists of cleansing the body, juicing and eating foods rich in antioxidants. These methods have shown in studies to raise immune levels and possibly shrink tumor growth. However, since Joe is limited by what he can eat and digest, she didn't really feel that this was the best option until we would see some shrinkage in the tumor that would allow him to eat more.

There are options that we could pursue further in the arena of supplements but most of what she would recommend involve herbal approaches using St John Wart and Echinachea (spelling). The problem with these however is that it does not work while doing chemo.

Based on what Joe told her about his pain levels and how he is feeling now - that he has limited pain and is better than he was prior to the chemo treatment, her recommendation was to continue the chemo treatments and also use the following complementary approaches (until we feel that the chemo is not working or he cannot tolerate it). The approaches she recommends are drinking juices rich in antioxidants, and taking a combination of capsules of Fish Oil and Mushroom extract. She explained that both of these have shown, particularly in animal studies to reduce tumor shrinkage. She will be sending us further dosage instructions and information on these 2 supplements. In addition foods rich in selenium, Vitamins A,C,E, Indoles, etc., will be targeted through juicing (we are getting a juicer) and other foods. In particular some foods that are good for him include garlic, tomatoes, peppers, licorice extract, green vegetables, onions, strwberries, etc.

In addition she recommends a mind/body healing approach that includes accupuncture, massage therapy, and healing touch. She believes that these show lots of promise in cancer therapy and she is heading up several million dollar studies at UI on Healing Touch and Massage Therapy. This includes relaxation, guided therapy, exercise and meditation. She also mentioned that many patients have found it helpful to write journals and "tell their story". These mind/body approaches help you to feel better thus increasing your immune system to fight the cancer. Healing touch has shown to reduce pain, provide relaxation thus triggering the immune system. The idea of mind over body. She will be sending us referrals for these in the Des Moines area.

Joe has agreed to try these approaches (what can it hurt?). We'll learn more when we receive Dr Nicly's information and instructions in a few days which will be personalized for him. At the time that we feel the chemo is no longer effective or Joe cannot tolerate it, we will go back and visit her on the alternate approaches to Chemo.

In the meantime, Joe is scheduled for another PET scan on Friday night and will meet with the Oncologist on Monday to discuss his next treatment.