Comments on: Diet, Exercise, and Obesity

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:53:33 +0000

I assume since your wife had chemo and radiation before surgery that she had rectal cancer. Radiation and surgery can result in long term changes is bowel movements that can last indefinitely.

If this isn’t happening all the time, keeping a diet diary along with info about what bowel movements are like — loose, frequent, “dumping”, abdominal pain, etc. — may help.

Some of us find that eating results in an urgent need to use the bathroom, so we have to be sure that one is nearby and easily accessible. Walking or other exercise can also provoke that sudden and urgent need to go.

Knowing what might trigger your wife’s problems may make it easier for her to cope.

For me greasy food is a trigger. I either have to avoid it, or know where a bathroom is.

If the problem becomes severe enough to interfere with her life, keeping her home or unable to do things she wants to do, talk to a gastroenterologist about diet, fiber supplements, or medicines that may help.

By: TUBS

TUBS — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 11:13:23 +0000

My wife had colorectal cancer and it was successful. Her problem is now one of bowel movements. At times she is reasonably okay but she still gets these “dumping” (as we call it) where she will go 6 to 8 times in a very short period. The only noticeable sign of the impending “dumping” is a stomach ache and some time these aches go away. It has been 2 1/2 years since her surgery (preceded by chemo and radiation) and she is still facing these issues which were supposed to get better within 6 mos to a year. We need to ask others with colorectal cancer how they are coping with similar problem and how do they get it under control. Please share your experience with us. Thank you for this blessing to us.
Tubs

By: Lori Bishop

Lori Bishop — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 09:05:51 +0000

Hi, I am very worried about my husband. We have always lived from month to month and being happy to getting by with just the basics. This past year and a half have been very hard for him, for all of us.I just recentley lost my job that I’ve had for 15 years. There is a lot to say about the beggininng but.. by the time my husband got to a doctor who cared he said “some blood tests NOW” My husbands appendix has been ready to explode. He has been so horribly ill for weeks. His appendix did break and when it did it was full of cancer, which put the colon there by the appendix at risk. He ended up them taking the intestine and part of his colon. He went through the chemo because his doctor said that if this cancer comes back it will come back with a rage. My question to you,to somebody please a doctor would be nice, would a huge amount of pressure and stress make him sick and this cancer comes back but somwhere else? I am going to ask his “cancer”doc but I thouhgt it would be very interesting to hear of different things out there. What others opinions are.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:35:15 +0000

I am just wanting to comment to Kate Murphy’s post.
I am most definately NOT a medical professional, nor was I ever claiming to be. I am, however, a rectal cancer survivor, and have suffered the ongoing effects from chemo/rad/surgery. I was NOT trying to sell anybody anything when I suggested Juice Plus. I realize the vulnerability and desperation we, I include myself, feel once we have been challenged with a health crisis…cancer. I simply was trying to share what has worked for me. The past 1 1/2 years has been a process of trying many, many products (supplemens, vitamins, enzymes,fibers, etc.). I am only sharing what has helped me. I would hope others would share what works for them as well. I do sell the product, since I will most likely be on it for life. I do try to eat raw fruits & veggies, knowing that there is absolutely nothing better. However, I find it very difficult, since treatment, to digest well. I found that Juice Plus was the only thing that controls bowel issues and urgency, and continues to work for me. It doesn’t claim to treat or cure cancer or any other diseases. I simply benefit from relief of GI/bowel issues. My website I mentioned is for more information. I don’t care where anyone might purchase the product, if they choose to try it.
Please understand that I am simply sharing my opinion and what has benefited me personally. Every body is different and what works for one person, doesn’t necessarily work for another. My intentions are to offer help, not sell!!
Yes, we all need to communication to our oncologists and other doctors any supplements, etc. we are using.

By: Heinz-Josef Lenz

Heinz-Josef Lenz — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:36:52 +0000

Mr Bolden, the web is full of confusion and many doctors have different approaches. I think it is critical to do exercise and eat right. but the level of exercise is important, i usually recommend my patients to do exercise and break a sweat but not to a point of exhaustion which requires hours of recovery that is too much, exercise will help appetite mood and energy level. For diet we uusally recommend healthy food fruit vegetables white meat chicken pork or tofy or soy no red meat or deeply fried foods or unrefined sugars so no sodas……gaining weight with chemo can give the liver a hard time needs to detoxify the chemo and should not be overloaded with fat……HJL

By: Ro Bolden

Ro Bolden — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:26:41 +0000

I have been diagonized with colon cancer stage 4. Had surgery, lost a lot of weight. Started chemo with Xeloda, Oxiplatin and Avastin. Had to quit the Oxi. Been during chemo since about Oct 07. Have been during ct scans but my last 2 scans on one I fainted and the other one I broke out with hives. This last ct scan showed another mass where my colon was resected. Taking me off the trial study. But want to put me on another trial study. Now trying to decide if I want to go on another trial Study. I have just started exercising about a month now even though I was told not to because of the neutropenia. I am trying to eat right. But all I was told was eat what ever I can. Now I am being told that I need to lose weight. I was never told what I should eat. What I could do to help me. Its frustrating and I can not seem to be able to find any answers. This is the first place I have seen that told me about exercise and diet. I am confused. Thank you for letting me express my feelings. And if there is any information you can give me like exercise, diet (what to eat, what will help) we would greatly appreciate it.

By: Heinz-Josef Lenz

Heinz-Josef Lenz — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:23:29 +0000

Catherine, as you can imagine not knowing the details of your symptoms, surgery and lab results you need to consult with your nutrionists and colorectal surgeon to come up with a plan on diet and exercise. sorry cant be more specific. HJL

By: Catherine R. Cherrix

Catherine R. Cherrix — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:09:49 +0000

I just don’t know who to turn to. I need to know the proper foods and exercises to tighten my body and bowel. I had colorectal surgery 2 years ago. Have gained 30 lbs. Spend a lot of each day running for the bathroom. I need to tighten up my body. What exercises can I take?
Please help me. Thank you.

By: Heinz-Josef Lenz

Heinz-Josef Lenz — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:13:09 +0000

Pauline, to give you a specific exercise plan is impossible not knowing you and your limitations, however in general excercise is helpful, talk to you doctor, there are even special exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor if this is part of the problem. However please be patient, after these surgeries it takes quite a while to improve but it will, the process is slow, if you see an improvement on a monthly basis that is perfect….dont expect on a weekly. it will get better.

By: Pauline

Pauline — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:00:09 +0000

I was diagnosed with cancer on April 14, 2008. After 3 months of chemo (5FU) and radiation, I had surgery on Sept. 5. Many complications, had to have an ileostomy that was reversed on Oct. 24. Now since Jan. 2009 I am of Flofox and tolerating it well.
My problem is that I have up to 10 Bms a day and that is when I take 3 tsp of Metamucil twice a day. There are many foods that I can’t eat, such as raw fruit and vegetables, spicy foods, fried meats.
I hope to go back to work in Sept. but wish to start exercising in June to build up my stamina. Any suggestions on which exercise would be best? I have access to a gym and could access a physiotherapist, through the Cancer Clinic. I have other medical problems that impede exercise, such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
that you for this site.