Keen Whaaaat?

Blog fans - we apologize for the short hiatus. As you will see we have been very busy.

First, radiation continues in full swing and we have now passed the halfway mark. We had several questions from friends about what the radiation setup looks like - Keith's radiation team were kind enough to capture these pictures for the blog. The white webbing over Keith's face is the custom mask - the 2 x's mark the spots where the beams are focused.

Since the last entry, Keith has indeed begun to experience a few of the expected side effects of radiation -- most notably a fatigue which settled in last week. Even so, there are some days which are better than others -- and we have still managed to do quite a bit. He does tire easily so visitors be advised to keep it short for now. There have also been a few headaches - none yet which couldn't be conquered with a few Tylenol. Additionally, late last week several large clumps of hair showed up on the comb....out came the razor and that was that..

Over the last two weeks, Keith also began working with a physical therapist. This effort is aimed at helping him regain strength in his weakened right arm as well as improving his fine motor skills. In addition to weekly sessions, Keith has daily "homework" which involves exercises like manipulating light weights, putting coins into slots, stringing beads, hooking clothes pins on the edge of a bowl, etc. Placing pegs in a pegboard is one of the favored exercises - we resurrected the game of battleship to make it more fun (still haven't yet managed to find time to play it!)

Our work with the complementary therapist has also moved ahead. Keith has had a nutional consultation and 2 acupuncture sessions, both of which have been helpful. We have amplified our use of herbal/medicinal supplements and ordered a juicing machine. (Yes, wheatgrass is in our future.) The current regime includes daily doses of goji berries, spirulina, chlorella, lycopene, melatonin, selenium (via brasil nuts), various mixtures of chinese mushrooms, famotine, flax seed and celebrex. Celebrex was added this week as an off-label drug - COX-2 inhibitors act to limit inflammation - inflammation is thought to promote the growth of cancer cells. All of these supplements have been found in various studies to be of potential value in fighting cancer - none are harmful at the levels we are using. We also use only filtered or spring water in all cooking in order to avoid copper -- copper promotes blood vessel development. (Inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels is one way to "starve" the tumor.) This week we will be adding Essiac tea which includes many items we have already incorporated into our diet - notably burdock root.

On the nutrition front, we have gradually moved almost entirely into the macrobiotic space while remaining consistent with the diet guidelines of the Brain Tumor Society. One notable difference is that we have been advised to avoid soy during the treatment phase. This is relatively new thinking - the theory is that soy promotes growth. Sammy continues to amaze with interesting and varied meal plans and much research into the healing properties of foods. We have explored 3 varieties of kale, many squashes and roots, and every type of sprout imaginable. Quinoa (pronounced keen wa) is my favorite new discovery - very high in protein and very tasty in stir fry, salads or in place of brown rice. If you haven't tried it yet, look for it in the rice/cous cous section of Trader Joe's.

As most of you know first hand, this family has traversed the entire landscape of human emotion since September. It seems to me that we have recrossed that terrain at a jog in the span of the last two weeks. Perhaps we are finally moving beyond the initial shock; perhaps it is simply frustration with the challenge of gaining control over this disease. Either way, this has been a tough few weeks and it has been especially hard on Keith - the effects of the drugs and radiation alone are impossible to fully describe. He has had a number of anxious, sleepless nights and there are still some break through seizures affecting his arm and torso.

Fortunately, just as we seemed to be stumbling into some of our bleakest moments, we had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the brain tumor group at the Wellness Community. There we found the perfect antidote: we were met with amazing stories of courage and survival from other brain tumor patients and caregivers. Both of us left with renewed energy and the reassurance that others have passed this way and made their way.